Needless Things

Needless Things Podcast Episode 50 – Leonard Nimoy

In what was supposed to be the start of an ongoing series of episodes focusing on Star Trek, Phantom and Gary Mitchel end up discussing one of the great heroes of science fiction – Leonard Nimoy.

Over a month ago Phantom Troublemaker and Gary Mitchel had agreed to start a secondary podcast – a subcast, if you will, with just the two of them talking about the Trek franchise. The first episode was scheduled to record on Monday, March 2, 2015. Sadly, on the Friday prior to that recording, Leonard Nimoy passed away.

Obviously there was no other decision than to dedicate a show to memories of Mr. Nimoy and his legacy. As such, there's no intro, no musical feature, and no outro. Just Phantom and Gary talking about a legend.

LLAP

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

Needless Things Podcast 49 – James Bickert

In today’s episode – the second this week! - Phantom Troublemaker interviews James Bickert, the director of the cult biker/exploitation/Bigfoot movie Dear God No! and its follow-up Frankenstein Created Bikers, which is currently raising funds on Kickstarter.

Phantom and James talk about the process of creating films independent of the Hollywood system, James’ personal history with movies, and the state of independent horror today. Perhaps most importantly, James answers one of Phantom’s long-standing questions – “What the heck is up with Fellini, anyway?”

So join Phantom as he gets an education in film and more from one of the most interesting guys working outside of Hollywood today!:

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

 

This episode’s theme song is “James Gang Bang” by The Forty-Fives, as heard in Dear God No!

Be sure to visit Frankenstein Created Bikers’ Kickstarter page and check out this weird, unique, and amazing project:

About this project

Greetings! 
We're taking our cause to the people! Our goal is to make a stand-alone sequel to our award-winning feature film DEAR GOD NO! and not loose any creative control. We love our script and this may be our last chance to shoot on 35mm, We have the stock and cameras but we need your help to finance what may be the last horror film shot on film! If you long to see something "wild as hell" and completely different in the horror genre, this is your film!

The Plot
FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS centers around the re-animation of the South's most notorious biker gang, The Impalers. Dr. Marco and his assistant are performing gruesome experiments in their asylum lab and have resurrected the thrill-kill Motorcycle Club to capture a Bigfoot containing a pathogen that will allow them to perform a human head transplant. When news of the gang resurrection draws the attention of bounty hunters, law enforcement and rival gangs, the lofty aspirations of these mad scientist starts to spiral out of control. Things get even worse for the occupants when failed experiments escape from the basement and the lab is attacked by a bomb-happy femme fatale named Val. 

The Theme

Stylistically FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS pays homage to several of our favorite films like the Hammer Studio's Frankenstein series, FASTER PUSSYCAT KILL KILL, THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE, HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB, THE RE-ANIMATOR, Biker flicks and Hicksploitation drive-in pictures from the 70s. There's buckets of blood, scares, nudity, action, weirdness and REAL explosions (requiring insurance!), but the real star of this script is an underlying theme about addiction. We're not talking drugs but EVERYTHING that chains us from feeling fulfilled in life. We explore this issue through the actions of really rotten characters doing really rotten things. All in the context of an entertaining FUN-filled smorgasbord, obviously.

Needless Things Podcast 48 – 2015 New York International Toy Fair Part 2 & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention

Phantom Troublemaker and the Needless Things Irregulars once again convene to discuss and review Toy Fair!

The 2015 New York International Toy Fair was held from February 13^th – 17^th so that toy manufacturers from all over the world could get retailers and journalists excited about their offerings for the upcoming year. Hasbro, Mattel, Funko, NECA, and many more all bring out their prototypes, concepts, and newest licenses to display in the biggest toy-oriented gathering of the year!

Some of the heavy hitters this year were Funko’s ReAction and Legacy lines, Hasbro’s Marvel Legends, and TWO huge announcements from DC Collectibles. The crew covers all of that and much more in this episode.

Join Phantom, Needless Things' Head Researcher Ryan Schweck, Jay Hornsby The Belligerent Monkey, Reverend Dan Wilson, and The Oncoming Josh as they take a look at the very best of this year’s toy exhibition!

Phantom also talks to Marten Jallad of Joelanta and The Great Atlanta Toy Convention about what's happening this weekend!

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

Needless Things Podcast 47 – 2015 New York International Toy Fair Part 1: Masters of the Universe

Phantom Troublemaker and the Needless Things Irregulars once again convene to discuss and review Toy Fair!

The 2015 New York International Toy Fair was held from February 13^th – 17^th so that toy manufacturers from all over the world could get retailers and journalists excited about their offerings for the upcoming year. Hasbro, Mattel, Funko, NECA, and many more all bring out their prototypes, concepts, and newest licenses to display in the biggest toy-oriented gathering of the year!

Due to technical difficulties, the first recording of this episode is unlistenable. Fortunately the whole crew was willing to give it another go. Unfortunately we couldn't get everybody together again. Fortunately this means that certain aspects of Toy Fair will get more attention. Like Masters of the Universe Classics.

Join Phantom and his co-host Mr. Beau Brown as they look at not only the Toy Fair figure reveals and the new 200X mini-sub, but also the MASSIVE surprise that was revealed the day after we recorded the first time!

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

 

This episode’s theme song is “Brunhilde” by The Mystery Men?

The Mystery Men? Online

The Mystery Men? On Facebook

Needless Things Podcast 46 - Batman ‘66

Phantom Troublemaker and the ESO Network’s “Howdy” Mike Gordon convene to discuss a common favorite topic – the live-action Batman television show, now commonly colloquialized as Batman ’66.

The recent release of the entire series as a deluxe Blu-ray box set prompted this episode. Both of the guys crammed in as much Bat-Viewing as they could to prepare for this look back at a critical point in not only the history of the Dynamic Duo, but at a very specific point in the development of television and American pop culture.

Mike and Phantom talk about discovering the show during childhood and the evolution of their enjoyment of it as time has gone on. From the colorful sets and costumes to the actors that inhabited them, every aspect of the show is examined. 

 

Atomic batteries to power. Turbines to speed. Fasten your Bat-safety harness and turn the volume dial on your Batcomputer to an audible but safe level as the Needless Things Podcast talks Batman!:

NeedlessThingsSite.com

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

 

This episode’s theme song is “She Screams” by The Casket Creatures

The Casket Creatures on Reverb Nation

The Casket Creatures on Facebook

Needless Things Podcast 45 – Christopher DePetrillo of Figures Toy Company

On today’s episode, Phantom Troublemaker talks to Christopher DePetrillo, the Chief Marketing Officer of Figures Toy Company!

Phantom talks to Christopher about the history of Figures Toy Company – from their Legends of Professional Wrestling line to their current robust roster of licenses, including The Three Stooges, Batman ’66, KISS, the characters of Robert E. Howard, and their newest acquisition – Ring of Honor wrestling!

The conversation ranges from personal preferences in toy collecting to marketing toys in a modern digital environment. Tune in as Phantom gets an education from a veteran of the toy business!:

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

 

This episode’s theme song is “Psycho Beach Party 3000” by Kill, Baby… Kill!

Kill, Baby… Kill! on Reverb Nation

Kill, Baby… Kill! on Facebook

Needless Things Podcast 44 – DC and Marvel: Comic Books on TV

Phantom Troublemaker, The Belligerent Monkey Jay Hornsby, and Needless Things’ Lead Researcher Ryan Schweck convene to look at the current state of comic book adaptations on television. Specifically – Agents of SHIELD, Agent Carter, Arrow, The Flash, Gotham, and Constantine.

The guys also get into the potential of Marvel’s Netflix series and interaction between the movie and television universes.

Listen in and find out how the Needless Things crew feels about each franchise and what they’re hoping for in the future!:

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

"Jet Black Heart" by Radio Cult

Needless Things Website

Needless Things on Twitter

Needless Things on Facebook

Needless Things Podcast 43 - Masters of the Universe Classics: 2014 Year in Review

Phantom Troublemaker and Mr. Beau Brown reunite to take a look back at last year’s Masters of the Universe Classics releases from Mattycollector.com!

As it turns out, 2014 was the penultimate year of the Masters toy line and Mattel delivered big. While there wasn’t a big release like Castle Grayskull, the releases were more consistently good than they’ve ever been. With impressive toys like Modulok, Extendar, and the surprisingly good Eldor, there were more highs than lows. Mattel also offered the second vehicle in the line – the Battle Ram – and yet another specialty subscription – Club Etheria.

Beau and Phantom run down all of the releases of the regular line and Beau gives attention to the Battle Ram and Club Etheria, which Phantom passed on.

Tune in and listen as two guys that genuinely love toys and He-Man have fun talking about the next-to-last year of what has turned out to be a legendary toy line worthy of the Most Powerful Man in the Universe!.

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

Needless Things Podcast Episode 42 - 2015 (Life, the Universe, and Everything)

Phantom Troublemaker talks to himself and looks at 2015 month by month. 

 

From January’s Royal Rumble Party to the far-flung wilds of October’s Monsterama Con, our host discusses his plans for 2015 and does a little pontification on the side, brought to you by Angry Orchard Cider and Fireball Whisky.

Settle in and get ready for an episode that borders on rambling, but is snatched back from the brink by some actual, for-real notes. Here’s the list of topics that kept Phantom (sort of) on track:

January

• 1/25 - The Royal Rumble – The promised rules for the Rumble Game:

1. Determine how many entrants are in the Rumble.
2. Come up with a system to draw numbers (I use a bowl with ping pong balls in it) and number accordingly. You can get ping pong balls from your local Dollar Tree for – wait for it – a dollar. I think six come in a pack, so it should cost about five bucks to have enough. If you need me to tell you where to get a bowl then you might not be equipped to handle the rest of the Rumble Game. Go watch Uncle Grandpa and eat some ‘Nilla Wafers.
3. Each person in your group will draw numbers until there are none left. If anyone ends up with fewer numbers, they may select one of their drawn numbers to count double.
4. When the Rumble begins, each person must keep track of their number as the competitor enters the ring. Points are awarded thusly:

1. 1. 1 point for each elimination – if multiple contestants participate in a single elimination, each is awarded a point
   2. 2 points for each competitor that makes it to the Final Four
   3. 5 points for the winner of the Rumble

5. Whoever has the most points when the Rumble ends is the winner and has their dinner paid for or wins fabulous cash and prizes or whatever.

February

• 2/2 – Less Than Jake & Reel Big Fish at The Masquerade
• 2/6-8 – Days of the Dead

March

• 3/13-15 - The Great Atlanta Toy Convention
• 3/29 – WrestleMania 31

May

• 5/10 - Phantom’s Birthday and Also A Wedding
• 5/22-24 - TimeGate

June

• 6/19-21 - Heroes Convention

September

• 9/3-7 – Dragon Con

October

• 10/2-4 – Monsterama Con

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

Needless Things Podcast Episode 41: The Atlanta Toy Meeting

Phantom Troublemaker has been trying to get in with the folks of the Great Atlanta Toy Convention for a while now.

Last year things didn’t work out due to his work schedule, but this year it looks like Needless Things will be well represented at the con in March. Before that happened, Phantom wanted to get to know the folks who run the show and they, rightly, wanted to know what they were getting into by working with us.

This is how Phantom ended up getting invited to one of the group’s secret meetings.

Every so often, a group of Atlanta toy enthusiasts meets in an undisclosed location at undisclosed intervals to talk toys. Today, for the first time ever, the outside world gets to listen in on one of these meetings and learn a little bit more about the folks who run the Joelanta toy convention and how they came together with the Atlanta Toy Convention to form one of the best toy shows in the Southeast; as well as how that combination of shows has continued to grow over the years. 

 

Listen in now and learn more about how a group of collectors and enthusiasts created the popular and rapidly expanding Great Atlanta Toy Convention!

To join the group and learn more about the show, check out their Facebook page:

Great Atlanta Toy Convention

Plus – Listen to today's episode and learn how you can win a Zenescope Entertainment prize pack consisting of an Alice in Wonderland action figure by Clayburn Moore, the Wonderland board game, and Wonderland trade paperback collections!

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

“Big Time” by Webb Wilder