Breaking Bad series review

 Being one of the cord cutters I've missed out on some TV shows during the original air cycle. Now most of these shows I haven't worried about missing live, but one show that I was upset I was missing was Breaking Bad. During its entire run I heard from my heterolifemate how great the show was, and watching it pile up emmy's only solidified his opinion. I finally sat down and powered through the show on Netflix in a span of 2 months. If I were single and without child, I imagine the entire show would have been finished in around a week. I cannot recommend this show enough. Bryan Cranston absolutely destroys as Walter White, a High School chemistry teacher that been diagnosed with lung cancer. As a way to provide for his family in the event of his death he decides to team with an ex student turned meth dealer Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul). While dealing with Chemo for his cancer, White builds a meth empire and even starts to morph into a meth mastermind he's dubbed Heisenberg.

  Watching Cranston leave his Hal from Malcolm in the Middle and turn into Heisenberg is just entrancing. Cranston won 3 consecutive Emmy awards, and that still feels like he was robbed. I can't recall an actor leaving a well known character behind and creating an even more memorable character, but this is what Cranston did. Cranston walks the line between Heisenberg and White perfectly, making you empathize and loathe a character all at the same time. There as scenes that I will carry with me from this show that perfectly sums up my experience with Breaking Bad, and the scene with Walt, Hank and Walt Jr. where Walt gets his son drunk is television perfection.

 Cranston wasn't the only actor to knock the ball out of the park with this show. Both Aaron Paul and Dean Norris are incredible. Paul's portrayal as addicted Jesse is heartbreaking to watch. For someone you want to root for, he continues to find ways to make you hate him. Norris as Walt's brother in law
DEA agent Hank is standout. His obsession over finding Heisenberg is just one of many character flaws, that also make him human.

What I loved about this show, is that there were no "good guys" and "bad guys." Everyone, even some of the vile villains in the show, had reasons for their actions, which made them more relateable and human.

If you haven't seen Breaking Bad yet, and enjoy shows for their writing and acting, you would do yourself a favor to catch this series!

Bat

Playstation Plus Free Games

 If you are a Playstation owner, you are most likely a Playstation Plus subscriber. If you're anything like us all those free games tend to clog up your hard drive, and sometimes you need to delete games to free space. If you are also like us, having to go back over your previously downloaded games via the store is a bother. So we decided to start a list that you can find your free plus games easier!

Playstation 4:

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeros - June 2015
Skulls of the Shogun: Bone-A-Fide Edition - June 2015

Tower of guns - April 2015

Never Alone - April 2015

Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition - May 2015
Ether One - May 2015
Rocket League - July 2015
Styx: Master of Shadows - July 2015
Lara Croft: Temple of Osris - August 2015
Limbo - August 2015
Grow Home - September 2015
Super Time Force Ultra - September 2015
Super Meat Boy - October 2015
Broken Age - October 2015
The Walking Dead: Season 2 - November 2015
Magicka 2 - November 2015

Playstation 3:

Super Exploding Zoo - June 2015
Futuridium EP Deluxe - June 2015

Dishonored - April 2015
Aaru's Awakening - April 2015

The Unfinished Swan - May 2015
Race the Sun - May 2015
Rain - July 2015
Mousecraft - July 2015
God of War: Ascension - August 2015
Castlestorm - August 2015
Twisted Metal - September 2015
Teslgrad - September 2015
Unmechanical: Extended - October 2015
Chariot - October 2015
Mass Effect 2 - November 2015
Beyond Good & Evil - November 2015

Plyastation Vita:

Killzone Mercenaries - April 2015

Monsterbag - April 2015
Hohokum - May 2015
Muraski Baby - May 2015
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger - June 2015
Cloudberry Kingdom - June 2015
Entwined - July 2015
Geometry Wars 3: Dimension Evolved - July 2015
Rogue Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones - August 2015
Sound Shapes - August 2015
La Mulana EX - September 2015
Xeodrifter - September 2015
Kickbeat - October 2015
Kung fu Rabbit - October 2015
Dragon Fin Soup - November 2015
Invizimals - November 2015

Episode 107: Floppy Weiners

1 more week kiddos... and then the begginging of Summer Movie season 2015 is upon us!  But until we bring you this weeks streaming review, a spoiler filled review of Game of Thrones Episode 3 and some nerd news.  This weeks topics include TellTale making a Marvel game in 2017, Leto's Joker reveal, Mass Effect 4 and remastered collection reveal as well as some discussions on the reviews of Avengers 2 and why we think some of these big budget movies get released overseas first (no internet searches allowed).

This weeks suggestion of A Million Ways to Die in the West was brought to you by Bat (though it was on my list as well).  We have very moderate to low expectations from this movie due to the consistent reviews on and off line for this new Seth McFarland venture.  Sadly we were still let down.  In general we found more wrong with this movie than right with it.  The jokes that were funny were ridden way to long to the point that you forgot why you laughed in the first place.  I wanted to have a good time watching this movie but even for a dumb comedy this one just failed to entertain.  Really if we both think you would be better spending your time watching Blazing Saddles if you are in the mood for a wild west comedy.  We both give it an imaginary 2 stars (no ratings on HBOgo) 

 


Next week we keep with suggesting movies for ourselves with the HBO documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief. We both love documentaries and this one is about a subject we are both interested in picking apart.  Tune in next week for our review but don't forget you can submit your own review to be read on the show.



If you want to join us on this streaming movie you can find this movie on HBOgo. You can send us your reviews or your suggestions for our next streaming review via Facebook, Twitter or email us at Batandhammer@gmail.com

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

We've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

In case you were wondering what version of the Game of Thrones intro we were parodying (badly) here's the clip from South Park.  Though be warned it does have a **SPOILER** in it if you aren't caught up past half way through season 4.

Here are the answers to last weeks Podquestion of what color would you Lightsaber be?

Josh the Grey                         Grey

Bat                                          Orange

Hammer                                  Orange
Tristan                                    Grey
Charles                                   Green

For next week's Podquestion we ask you who is your favorite video game villain?

We want to hear your answers so let us know via Facebook, Twitter or email us at Batandhammer@gmail.com.

That is all for this week's Blogcast. Be sure to tune in next week. Same Hammer Time, same Bat Channel. 

-Hammer

Episode 106: Always Save Your Work

Howdy yall, so I just want to make it a point to remind you all to save your work.... No seriously do it now.  I bring up this point because I wrote a beautiful blog for all of you to enjoy but alas I was a fool and decided to close the wrong tab.  Woe is me~  But you don't care much about that do you?  No indeed, you are here for some good 'oll SzG commentary! So with that point of frustration I ask your forgiveness in the brevity of this post and now on with the show.  No Theatrical Review this week but don't fret!  Avengers 2 is just around the corner as well as the beginning of the glorious Summer Movie season.  This week's topics include Trailers from Batman V Superman, Ant-Man, Terminator Genisys, StarWars, Battlefront, Netflix getting a How to Train Your Dragon TV show and Oliva Munn cast as Psylocke.  Oh and you also get a special SzG bet between Bat and myself.

 The Outside was this weeks streaming review was from another listener and friend of the show, the Fanboy.  I had a very nice and eloquent review written out for this one but again... lost to the digital gods so I'll sum it up for you.  Movie is bad.  It's a surf movie with about 10% surfing.  Acting is like after school special bad.  Wooden acting might be an affront to wood supporters everywhere.  Conditional: this isn't our type of movie so it may just be us... but online reviews seem to side with us.  Skip this one kiddos, you'll be better for it.  Bat 3 stars (generous) Hammer 2 stars (slightly less generous).



Next week we get back to suggesting movies for ourselves with A Million Ways to Die in the West.



If you want to join us on this streaming movie you can find this movie on HBOgo. You can send us your reviews or your suggestions for our next streaming review via Facebook, Twitter or email us at Batandhammer@gmail.com

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

We've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Just so we have it in writing dear listeners here is our SzG Hammer vs Bat Smirnoff Ice Bet.  Bat predicts that Ant-Man will be Marvels  first "flop" while I protest that it will be an equal success at least to other Movies.  We came to our estimated Box Office amounts by looking at past movies and Bat is saying that the movie will make less than $150 million while I'm saying that it will make $180 million.  We're counting this only for it's theatrical run and domestic only.   The stakes?  We're using "Bros Icing Bros" as the basis for our "rewards."  If Bat wins I shall chug a Smirnoff Ice (flavor of his choice) on bended knee and if I win he will do the same.  Now If it's in between the two then we will have a chug off.  All of this will be posted on YouTube for your viewing pleasure.  So let the best (me) man win!

Here are the answers to last weeks Podquestion of which Star Trek Captain would you serve under?

Josh the Grey                         Picard from TNG

Bat                                          Riker from TNG

Hammer                                  Archer from Enterprise
Tristan                                    Geroge Kirk from Star Trek (2009)
Charles                                   Picard from TNG

For next week's Podquestion we ask you what color would you Lightsaber be?

We want to hear your answers so let us know via Facebook, Twitter or email us at Batandhammer@gmail.com.

That is all for this week's Blogcast. Be sure to tune in next week. Same Hammer Time, same Bat Channel. 

-Hammer

Episode 105: Dare the Devil

Hello again to all of you awesome people!  No Theatrical Review this week but a little thing called Daredevil dropped on Netflix and we have our review of the very first episode of the Marvel/Netflix joint.  Is this series going to be worth your time, does it live up to the hype?  Well listen in and we will tell you what we think of the premier.  While we're at it we also discuss some Nerd News including Spielberg to direct Ready Player One movie, Steve Amell cast as Casey Jones, Fuller House coming to Netflix, Uncharted PS4 Collection outed by ESRB and new Dissidia game for PS4/Arcade being announced.

This weeks streaming review was from listener and friend of the show Charles, Boy Wonder.



Next week's streaming review is keeping with the fan recommendations as well as a movie ninetieth of us have heard about, The Outside.




If you want to join us on this streaming movie you can find this movie on Netflix. You can send us your reviews or your suggestions for our next streaming review via Facebook, Twitter or email us at Batandhammer@gmail.com

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

We've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Free Shit, Good Shit:

Free Shit, Good Shit:

We have Xbox's Games with Gold for April including

Xbox one:

Pool Nation FX
Child of Light

Xbox 360:

Gears of War Judgement
Terraria
Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag
Army of Two The Devil’s Cartel

Also Playstation Plus's April free games for all 3 systems.

Playstation 4:

Tower of guns
Never Alone

Playstation 3:

Dishonored
Aaru's Awakening

Plyastation Vita:

Killzone Mercenaries
Monsterbag

Here are the answers to last weeks Podquestion of what movie are you most looking forward to this summer?  

Ken                                         Terminator Genisys
Terry                                       Jurassic World

Bat                                          Inside Out

Hammer                                 Fantastic Four
Tristan                                    Terminator Genisys
Charles                                  Mad Max

For next week's Podquestion we ask you which Star Trek Captain would you serve under?

We want to hear your answers so let us know via Facebook, Twitter or email us at Batandhammer@gmail.com.

That is all for this week's Blogcast. Be sure to tune in next week. Same Hammer Time, same Bat Channel. 

-Hammer

Episode 104: SzG Roundtable Summer Movie Roundup

Hello and welcome back to our 2nd Sprecken ze Geek Round Table for this year.  This is something we started with Episode 100 where once a month we gather a group of our friends and have some good old fashion discussions.  This week we are joined by our good friend Terry and at long last we see the triumphant return of Ken "the Web" Brown!  Our topic of discussion this episode is all about this Summer's Movie releases. What we want to see what, what we don't want to see and what we expect from each of these releases.  Below you will see the full list of the movies (picked by us) that are coming out as well as the tally of how many movies each of us is planning on seeing.  How many on our list are you planning on watching this Summer?

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

We've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Summer 2015 Movie Roundup!

May 1

Avengers: Age of Ultron

May 15

Mad Max: Fury Road

Pitch Perfect 2

May 22

Poltergeist

Tomorrowland

        Limited:  When Marnie Was There  (last Studio Gibili movie)

May 29

San Andreas

June 12

Jurassic World

June19

Inside Out

June 26

Ted 2

July 1

Terminator: Genisys

Magic Mike XXL

July 10

Minions

Self/Less   Ryan Reynolds and Ben Kingsley

July17

Ant-Man

       limited:  Mr. Holmes

July 24

Pan

Pixels

July 31

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Vactaion (chevy chase reboot with Chris Hemsworth and Charlie Day)

August 7

Fantastic four

August 14

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

August 28

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: the Green Legend (IMAX only)

Hitman: Agent 47

September 4

The Transporter Refueled

September 18

Maze Runner: the Scorch Trials

Tally and cost of each of our movie watching season. Cost is calculated with average $9 ticket price

                    Total Movies to Watch             Cost

The Web               9                                      $81

Terry                     16                                     $144  

Bat                        12                                     $108

Hammer                21                                     $189

Here are the answers to last weeks Podquestion of your favorite Final Fantasy Game??

Charles                                   Final Fantasy 6 
Terry                                       Final Fantasy Tactics

Bat                                          Final Fantasy 11

Hammer                                  Final Fantasy 7

For next week's Podquestion we ask you what movie are you most looking forward to this summer?  We actually already answered this question on the pod but would love to hear your answers.

Ken                                         Terminator Genisys
Terry                                       Jurassic World

Bat                                          Inside Out

Hammer                                  Fantastic Four

We want to hear your answers so let us know via Facebook, Twitter or email us at Batandhammer@gmail.com.

That is all for this week's Blogcast. Be sure to tune in next week. Same Hammer Time, same Bat Channel. 

-Hammer