Hype from Outer Heaven
By Hype From Outer Heaven
Hype from Outer HeavenNov 18, 2023
#14 - Bonus Features: Neon City (1991)
“THE WEATHER ISN’T BAD IN THE YEAR 2053. ITS DEADLY.”
On this episode of Hype from Outer Heaven, join Kyle, Brandon and Caleb (Prince is currently moving into his new house, he’ll be back for the next scheduled broadcast!) as they discuss and break down a relatively unheard of, low-budget, direct-to-VHS Sci-Fi movie from 1991 (discovered on a dusty shelf from Kyle and Brandon's grandfather's VHS collection) called: Neon City, starring Michael Ironside (Scanners, Total Recall) Ironside in the role of ex-cop turned bounty hunter: Harry Stark, on a mission to deliver a dangerous fugitive called Reno (Vanity) across the wastes to the post-apocalyptic utopia: Neon City.
To quote the back of the VHS box:
"The year is 2053. The atmosphere is lethal and people are literally fighting for survival. When bounty hunter Harry Stark (MICHAEL IRONSIDE) has to transport a tough and sexy lady (VANITY) to another jurisdiction...along the way, they will all be forced to battle for their lives - but through gunfire and grisly death, unlikely heroes will be born, ugly secrets will be resolved, and long-lost loves will be found. And, at the end of the road, a glimmer of hope and new beginnings await them in 'Neon City'."
Falling somewhere between being a hammy, budget-version of Mad Max 2: Road Warrior and the 1939 Western: Stagecoach (starring the Duke himself: John Wayne in his breakthrough role), Neon City is a bit of an enigma of cinematography; holding down a vast number of reasons from a convoluted plot to questionable acting, as to why this flick has fallen into the realm of forgotten movies.
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#13 - Les Enfant Terribles: Metal Gear Solid (1998)
“Infiltrate a terrorist stronghold to crack a nuclear conspiracy. Focus your mind, sharpen your senses, stay alive…”
On this episode of Hype from Outer Heaven, join Kyle, Brandon and Caleb (Prince is off on his summer travels) as they break down, dissect and fanboy over Hideo Kojima’s stealth action-adventure classic from 1998: Metal Gear Solid for the Sony PlayStation.
The game places you in the shoes of legendary mercenary: Solid Snake who is pulled out of retirement to infiltrate a nuclear disposal base that has been taken over in a coup by a group of terrorists called: Foxhound, which just happens Snake’s former military unit. Soon after infiltrating the base, Snake discovers a nuclear conspiracy surrounding a weapon surrounding a weapon that will change the face of warfare as we know it; the nuclear equipped, walking battle tank known as Metal Gear Rex (he’s had a couple of run ins in the past apparently). As priorities shift and the mission becomes all the more personal, Snake systematically dismantles Foxhound a member at a time whilst simultaneously trying to sabotage their means of launching a nuclear missile, culminating in what could be argued as one of video games’ most badass final showdowns of all time (a cornered Fox is most definitely more dangerous than a Jackal).
Featuring a thrilling storyline with plot twists at every turn, Metal Gear Solid is a masterpiece of storytelling that holds down a strong message of nuclear disarmament that has never been as important within the current political climate. Often touted as the godfather of stealth video games, Metal Gear Solid was arguably the catalyst for the stealth genre boom of the early noughties, propelling both Hideo Kojima and the Metal Gear franchise (which began in 1987 with Metal Gear on the MSX2) to the legendary status of ‘critical acclaim’ that it holds today.
Just remember, there’s no shame in using the Nikita in the second battle against Sniper Wolf, and for those playing the game for the first time, Meryl’s frequency is 140.15 (thank us later).
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#12 - Bonus Features: Total Recall (1990)
“They stole his mind, now he wants it back.”
Kept you waiting, huh? After somewhat of a creative hiatus, Hype from Outer Heaven is back with Bonus Features 5! Join Kyle, Brandon, Caleb and Prince as they discuss, dissect and break down Paul Verhoeven’s mind-bending Sci-Fi classic from 1990: Total Recall!
Based on the Phillip K. Dick novelette: We Can Remember It for You Wholesale, Total Recall follows malcontent construction worker: Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who is bored of his seemingly idyllic suburban life in 2084, who dreams of visiting the planet Mars. Upon visiting Rekall, a company that specialises in selling fake memories of vacations, Quaid intends to experience the thrill of a lifetime by getting the memories of a trip to mars without ever going there. However, the procedure goes horribly wrong and leaves Quaid questioning his own identity, as it turns out his whole life is a lie set up by the same company that now want him dead. Quaid sets out on a planetary spanning mission to find out who he really is, kill the bad guys and win the girl, whilst simultaneously trying to answer the question, isn’t this just part of the ego trip?
Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin, Dean Norris and Ronny Cox, Total Recall has gone on to become one of Sci-Fi’s most revered cult classics, with director Paul Verhoeven leaving the interpretation open as to whether Quaid is actually experiencing what we see, or if it’s all part of the service he paid for.
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#11 - Rise of the 3D Polygon, Zelda's Legacy and the Nintendo PlayStation
On this episode of HfOH, join Caleb, Kyle, Brandon, and Prince (on the first seasonal episode of 2023) as they break down and dissect the 5th generation of consoles. 5th Gen saw the rise of the 3D polygon, offering leaps in graphics, gameplay and narrative direction that would leave a lasting impression on the industry, that is still seen in video games today. With camps in both the Sony (almost Nintendo) PlayStation and the Nintendo 64 (Caleb is the biggest Zelda fanboy alive); the lads go head-to-head on the subject of which console they consider to be the more impactful (despite being unanimously agreed that the Sega Saturn sucked ass) as well as the games (Metal Gear Solid, The Legend of Zelda, Resident Evil, Legacy of Kain etc.) that they consider to be catalyst that sparked their respective obsessions’ with gaming as a whole. Stay Frosty! Follow us on social media!
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#10 - Bonus Features: Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
"A Mystical, Action Adventure, Comedy, Kung Fu, Monster, Ghost Story!"
After relaxing a bit longer than intended over the Holidays, Hype from Outer Heaven is back with Bonus Features 4! Join Kyle, Brandon, Caleb & Prince as they discuss, dissect and break down Jack Burton and John Carpenter’s 1986 action-comedy classic: Big Trouble in Little China!
Kurt Russell plays blockheaded truck driver: Jack Burton, who alongside his long-time pal Wang Chi (Dennis Dun) gets swooped into a conflict that has lasted a millennia, which soon turns into a rescue mission for Wang’s kidnapped girlfriend Miao Ying (Suzee Pai) from the ancient Chinese warlord: David Lo Pan (James Hong) who intends to sacrifice her in order to break an ancient curse that has made him a fleshless and immortal demon. Sparking the ultimate battle between the forces of good and evil, it’s up to our heroes to defeat the bad guys, save the damsels whilst simultaneously shaking the pillars of heaven in the process; no horse shit.
Featuring Kurt Russell, Dennis Dun, Kim Cattrall, James Hong, Victor Wong (R.I.P.) as well as a solid supporting cast and excellent martial arts choreography from the stellar Carter Wong, James Pax and Peter Kwong. Holding down a spectacular score, off-beat (yet completely self-aware) story, and special effects that were ahead of their time in 1986; Big Trouble in Little China has gone on to become one of the most revered cult classics of modern cinema and is a fan-favourite of moviegoers worldwide.
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#9 - The Chessboard of Games on Demand, Console Wars and Monopolisation
On this episode of HfOH join Brandon, Kyle, Caleb, and Prince as they go over the budding (and never-ending) console war between Sony and Microsoft; discussing the history and tactics behind the conflict from the days of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Microsoft’s stance on innovating services in conjunction to Sony’s commitment to producing stellar exclusive titles, what the future looks like with ‘Games on Demand’ with Xbox Game Pass and the new tiered PlayStation Plus, whilst ultimately landing on the rampant acquisition of studios by Microsoft, and what this power play means to the future of the industry and beyond.
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#8 - Birth of the Console, Blast Processing and the New Mexico Landfill
On this episode of HfOH join Kyle, Brandon, Caleb, and Prince (joining us now permanently as the fourth co-host) as they return to their usual seasonal programming with the birth of the console; discussing and exploring the generational system of consoles (as best they can for a quadruplet of millennials) that lead up to the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive (go blast processing) whilst also breaking down the system's most iconic games, the legacy left by SEGA’s greatest selling console, as well as other topics such as the 1983 video games crash, the long-rumoured ‘landfill’ of Atari 2600 cartridges (the infamous resting place of the farting Victorian rotary telephone known as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) and much more.
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#7 - Bonus Features: Starship Troopers (1997)
"MANKIND JUST BECAME AN ENDANGERED SPECIES."
After a short, summer hiatus, HfOH is back with Bonus Features 3, where Kyle, Brandon, Caleb (Ryan is currently on an extended vacation) as well as their good friend: Prince Arora (Insta: @brownmartian) discuss and break-down Paul Verhoven’s 1997 Sci-Fi, cult classic: Starship Troopers.
Showcasing a satirical vision of the future where ‘service guarantees citizenship’, Starship Troopers follows the journey of Johnny Rico and his exploits in the Mobile Infantry, against the backdrop of an interstellar war between mankind and a race of sentient, insect-esque aliens known as Arachnids. Being a (self-aware) parody of the military industrial complex, right-wing fascism and jingoism, the film holds themes that were both ahead of it’s time in 1997 and scarily relevant for the modern political climate, all the while mixing this with high-octane action and over the top (yet excellent) gore which has made the film the timeless classic that it is today.
Featuring Casper Van Dien, Neil Patrick Harris, Dina Myers, Denise Richards and Michael Ironside (among a plethora of other big names from Hollywood) Starship Troopers has endured over the years despite its initial negative critical reception (the film was exceedingly misunderstood at premiere) and has gone on to be fan favourite of many a moviegoer and sci-fi nerd alike.
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#6 - Bonus Features: Escape from LA (1996)
"SNAKE IS BACK."
On the second Bonus Features episode from Hype from Outer Heaven, join Kyle, Brandon, Ryan and Caleb as they discuss and break down the not-so-great 1996 sequel to the 1981 sci-fi cult classic: Escape from New York. Despite being a box-office bomb and being generally regarded as inferior to the first movie, Escape from LA continues the adventures of the man with the patch, while exploring some interesting political and moral themes that were very ahead of their time in 1996, especially in regards to the rise of theocratic politics, which is oddly reminiscent of the current political climate in some states of the USA today. Featuring Kurt Russell, Steve Buscemi, A.J. Langer, Georges Corraface and cameos from Bruce Campbell and Peter Fonda; Escape from LA had quite the all-star cast, one of the many reasons the movie has gone on to generate a somewhat colossal cult following.
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#5 – Music in Video Games, the Importance of Sound Design and Nupraptor’s Head
On this episode of HfOH join Ryan, Caleb, Brandon and Kyle as they discuss and break down the importance of music and sound design in video games; discussing their favourite soundtracks and composers, the importance (and sometime lack) of ambient soundscapes as effective tools for creating atmosphere and tension (Kyle has a massive man-crush on Akira Yamaoka), how an energetic, pulse-pounding soundtrack can really energise and immerse the player in the experience (the Doom 2016 soundtrack makes for great gym music) as well as the history of video game music itself; from the early days of the 16 bit era, to the grand orchestral scores seen in gaming franchises such as Zelda, Halo and The Elder Scrolls (just to name a few).
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#4 - Bonus Features: Escape from New York (1981)
"1997. New York City is a walled maximum security prison. Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane." On the first side episode of HfOH titled: ‘Bonus Features’, join Kyle, Brandon, Caleb and Ryan as they discuss and break down John Carpenter’s 1981 Sci-Fi cult classic: Escape from New York, having all recently sat down to rewatch the film after all these years (except for Caleb who is allergic to classic movies) with the intention of seeing if the film still holds up, or if it was being remembered through rose-tinted glasses. Featuring Kurt Russell, Adrienne Barbeau, Lee Van Cleef, Harry Dean Stanton as well as other well-known names from the golden age of the 1970’s and 1980s’ in film; Escape from New York was a critical and commercial success for director: John Carpenter, making $25.2 million against a $6 million budget, going on to be one of the most influential movies of the 20thCentury with homages that can still be seen in other media today. Stay Frosty! Follow us on social media! Twitter: https://bit.ly/3arEOkn Instagram: https://bit.ly/3x4wnDg Facebook: https://bit.ly/3smXgAW Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hypefromouterheaven Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall) Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#3 – Games as an Art Form, Subliminal Messages and Cornered Foxes
On this episode of HfOH, join Caleb, Brandon, Kyle and Ryan (who no longer sounds like a Dalek) as they break down gaming as a medium of art, discussing standout titles that elevate the medium beyond a hobby, and dissecting topics such as the moral ambiguity of post-apocalyptic society (The Last of Us), how the visual spectrum can inform the downfall of our society (Cyberpunk 2077), strong political messages formed through shared trauma (Metal Gear Solid) and how that message is still relevant today, while also discussing the level of impact Japan and Japanese culture has had on it’s western audiences.
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#2 – Falling from Grace, the Remaster Era and Horse Armour
On this episode of HfOH, join Brandon, Kyle, Caleb and Ryan (who currently sounds like a rogue AI, fighting for sentience due to microphone issues – will be resolved for episode 3!) as they discuss the current state of the gaming industry, with specific focus on how once mighty AAA developers have fallen by the wayside due to creative differences (staring at you Bioware), misleading E3 demos (what happened to Aliens: Colonial Marines?), insidious business practices as well as succumbing to shareholder pressure while simultaneously deceiving their fan bases in the progress (Cyberpunk 2077).
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense
#1 - Origins, Nostalgia and Clowns Farting in the Basement
Welcome to Hype from Outer Heaven!
A new monthly (or bi-weekly, we haven't decided yet) retro-focused podcast hosted by four Birmingham based nerds: Kyle, Brandon, Ryan & Caleb; discussing and ranting about both the current and historic goings-on from the world of video games, movies, television, comics and beyond, while simultaneously pining for the nostalgic days of old.
Join the guys on their (over-extended) first episode as they discuss their formative years with gaming, the state of the console war and their subscription models, their experiences with some of gaming's most revered franchises (Resident Evil in particular) gaming during the worst of the pandemic as well as their own individual nit-picks with the gaming industry as a whole.
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Intro/Outro Song Segments: Hot Nights in Los Angeles
Artist: Three Chain Links (Jim Hall)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 - http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense