Category Archives: Alternative Musings

by Martin Mulrooney | 21/11/2009 · 12:00 am

INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Philip Hunt (Studio AKA, Director Of Lost And Found)

By Marty Mulrooney

I recently watched an animated short called Lost and Found with a good friend of mine called Jamie. He is 4 years old. What amazed me was that, although this film is aimed at children (it is based on a children’s book that my little pal Jamie loves) it totally enthralled me as an almost-adult (I don’t think I’m there quite yet!)

I then went and read the aforementioned book and found the artwork and story as equally beautiful as what was shown in the film. I hope people can look beyond any initial preconceptions they may have and just appreciate what is ultimately a fantastic story. This 24 minute film is an absolute treasure.

It is therefore a great pleasure to be able to present a conversation between myself and the director of Lost and Found, Studio AKA’s Philip Hunt, put together exclusively for Alternative Magazine Online.

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Filed under Alternative Musings, Film, Television

Tagged as Jim Broadbent, Lost And Found, Lost And Found DVD, Lost And Found Review, Max Richter, Oliver Jeffers, Philip Hunt, Studio AKA, Varmints

by Guest/Previous | 19/11/2009 · 12:00 am

GAME REVIEW – Batman: Arkham Asylum Second Opinion (From A Batman Fanboy!)

By Duncan Voice

Batman-Arkham-Asylum

To the left of the desk where I am writing this stands a glass cabinet containing the complete line of Batman Hush action figures, including the Jason Todd as Hush figure, only one of two thousand ever made, pristine in the box of course.

To the right stands a bookcase holding about fifty pieces of Batman literature ranging from Frank Miller masterpieces The Dark Knight Returns, The Dark Knight Strikes Back, and the seminal Year One, to Jeph Loeb’s Batman:Hush and The Long Halloween, to the infamous Knightfall series where Bane defeats the Batman.

I left the cinema after both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight feeling particularly underwhelmed. Such is the plight of the fanboy, nothing is good enough. The films seemed to forget that Batman is the ‘Worlds Greatest Detective’. He’s a thinking mans Superhero. If Superman reads Nuts magazine, Batman reads Esquire.

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INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Everett Peck, Animator, Cartoonist And Creator Of Duckman

By Marty Mulrooney

DUCKMAN DVD COVER

As a huge animation fan, I must confess that my favourite animated series of all time is cult-classic Duckman. An animated sitcom that ran from 1994-1997, Duckman was an adult cartoon that told the story of a private detective duck and his sidekick, Cornfed, a Joe Friday-esque pig. Rather than being adult just for the sake of it (I’m looking at you South Park!) Duckman had a lot to say, and was actually quite sophisticated with its humour and plot.

Sadly, the show seemed to falter ratings-wise due to the adult nature which made it so very different from everything else in the first place, and the frankly moronic assumption that cartoons are just for kids. It was cancelled after only 70 episodes, but still retains a cult following even today.

Duckman was (and still is) adult entertainment of the highest order, a show that makes me laugh out loud whenever I’m feeling low. Recently, Alternative Magazine Online was lucky enough to speak to series creator Everett Peck about his hilarious creation. Here is what he had to say!

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11 Comments

Filed under Alternative Musings, Television

Tagged as Animation, Cornfed, Dark Horse Comins, Duckman, Everett Peck, Frank Zappa, Gregg Berger, Jason Alexander, Klasky Csupo, Paramount, South Park, Squirrel Boy, The Simpsons

by Martin Mulrooney | 13/11/2009 · 2:57 pm

INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Mike Stemmle (Game Designer, Writer and Director) LucasArts 1990-2004, Telltale 2008-Present

By Marty Mulrooney

CombinedLogo

If you haven’t heard of Mike Stemmle, and still call yourself an adventure fan, then shame on you! As well as working at LucasArts during their glory years, Mr Stemmle is also a member of Telltale, and has recently been working on Tales Of Monkey Island in the capacity of scriptwriter and designer.

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3 Comments

Filed under Alternative Musings, Games

Tagged as Escape From Monkey Island, Guybrush Threepwood, Lucasarts, Mike Stemmle, Monkey Island, Sam And Max, Tales Of Monkey Island, Telltale Games