Well, we've been assimilated.

If you are reading this, you are looking at the beginning of the end of the Fanboy Smackdown as an independent entity.

We have joined FarPoint Media!

With the move to join the new family, we've had to make some changes.  Some of them are subtle, some are much larger.  One of the big changes is that we are taking some time to make things a bit more consistent across our shows and with the feed... and in doing so, we're changing the feed.

The new feed is going to be http://feeds.feedburner.com/FanboySmackdown

The new website is at www.fanboysmackdown.com

This feed and site will stay up for a few months, but we highly recommend coming over to the new site and picking up the feed there.  We won't be adding any of our new shows here.

To get the new stuff, use the above feed, or head over to the official site.

I spent twelve and a half hours yesterday watching all five films nominated for best picture.

To break it down the best I can, let me start off by saying that I don't believe that Babel or Little Miss Sunshine are in quite the same league as the other three films.  Don't get me wrong, these are great movies, but just not in the same class as the other three films.

It's hard for me to pick just how I think the Academy is going to vote this year.  As a political way of doing this I'm going to show how each of them could win.

1:  The Queen - If the Academy has an interest in the Monarchy of Great Britain and/or a sense of humor, the Oscar goes to 'The Queen'.

2:  The Departed - If the Academy has a soft spot for Martin Scorsese and a love for his past work, the Oscar goes to 'The Departed'

3:  Letters from Iwo Jima - If the Academy still loves Clint as much as they have in the past, the Oscar goes to 'Letters from Iwo Jima'.

Some reasons why each film might not win.

1:  The Queen - While not a fall-out-of-your-chair-funny comedy, the queen has a number of situations that you can't help but laugh at... in a good way.   The "History" is rather recent and all of the major players are still alive, so it doesn't play any side too harshly.

2:  The Departed - While financially successful, this is NOT Martin Scorsese's best film.  We've seen what he can do, and he CAN do better.  There were a few roles in the film that were excellently acted, but could have served a lesser known actor more than a big name.  I'm talking to you Mr. Baldwin.

3:  Letters from Iwo Jima - Clint has two movies that have the same setting, just from different view points.  This is the one you have to READ.  It's also the story from the enemy's point of view and it does a fantastic job of humanizing the enemy... which may or may not help.

In the end, I am really torn on which film to give the Oscar to.  And which I think the Academy will go with.

But since I promised a decision, here we go...

Best Female Actor - Helen Mirren

Best Director - Martin Scorsese

Best Picture - The Queen (Because it was the one that I was surprised by the most)

There you have it... I guess we'll know how I stack up in just a few hours.

Hello all -

I just wanted to let everyone know that starting tomorrow, Podcast Pickle is running a contest called Pickle Tales. This is an 'American Idol''-style contest featuring podcasting instead of singing... thankfully.

Anyway, the idea is that from October 15th through October 31st, people were free to submit 5 minute stories to the competition. 26 stories were submitted, mine being one of them. These stories were then judged and the top twelve were selected. I found out just yesterday that mine was amongst those twelve. Beginning TOMORROW, November 6th, 2006, six of the stories, including mine, will be podcast from the pickle tales feed and voting will begin. Voting ends on November 9th, so get out there, listen to the stories and vote! I don't mind if you vote for mine or not (though I'd REALLY appreciate a vote), but if you do listen to the stories and you hear mine, I'd love to get feedback on it. Thanks!

While you are at podcast pickle, make sure you sign up and add your favorite podcast to your favorites (and Fanboy Smackdown too :) ). The more times they appear in someone's favorites the higher they end up on lists... and the higher you are on the lists, the more likely people will be drawn to your show.

You can find out more about Podcast Pickle at www.podcastpickle.com
You can find out more about the Pickle Tales competition at www.podcastpickle.com/pickletales
You can subscribe to the Pickle Tales Feed at pickletales.picklefeeds.com/

If you enjoy podcast fiction (assuming most of them are just that) check out pickle tales and spread the word. All 26 stories will be eventually podcast throughout the run of the competition, and as the rounds advance, there will be new stories added each round. If I'm doing my math right, you'll hear about 46 pieces of new fiction throughout the course of the competition.

Hey kids,

Well, we are experiencing some technical difficulties around here.  We have Episodes 7.5 (More feedback) and 8 ready to go on a computer that can't seem to hold an internet connection long enough to upload the files.

Our regular schedule should have had 7.5 out over last weekend and 8 out today.  As soon as we can keep the connection active we'll be dropping both episodes.

Also, we are making plans to give you guys something REALLY special for episode #9.  Or rather, I should say, really SUPER.  More on this when we get closer.

Again, sorry for the delays, but hey, it's not like you are paying for this... or being advertised at...  or being hounded for beer money...

Peace,
Tony

Hey kids,

Just a quick note.  Tony and I have mulled over our schedule and we've come to the decision that in order to keep our schedule and to maintain the stellar level of quality that you've come to expect... last episode's barcast not included... we must make a change.

So, starting this week we are going to be releasing new episodes on Thursdays.

This gives us plenty of time to record on the weekends, and for Tony to do all the audiomagic necessary to get the show out without rushing the rest of our commitments.  Plus, if we review a new film, you'll be able to get our thoughts on the flick before its second week... because, really... only you fanboys go on opening weekend anyway.

Feel free to sound off on our decision to make the change, or on anything we discuss in the podcast.  This week's episode is dedicated to the fans and feedback we've collected to this point.  If you've sent us anything, you'll be in this one.

Thanks for listening,
Tony

Don't forget to drop us a note at:
fanboysmackdown@gmail.com

or give us a call at:
206-339-FBSD(3273)