We Need Girlfriends – Ep. 4 “Rod vs Henry” | A Web Series Review on The Watch List

A Comedy Web Series

2 Swirlies

“I wanted to make things right. So I photoshopped this picture of you porking your ex-girlfriend.”

This is a wonky episode of this web series about three roommates.

It swings from silly, over the top gags with no consequences (like putting Draino in a roommate’s eggs) to out-of-nowhere learning-and-hugging resolutions.

But here’s something interesting. I was scrolling through the comments on saw this one from cast member Evan Bass:

“@samdunhamss, a little after episode 10 came out, YouTube tried to buy the show and in order to bid low, YouTube shut off the viewer counter for the episodes. No new views have registered in over 2 years. - EvanBass” 8 Months ago.

What? Could this be true? I am not naive enough to think that YouTube is above reproach, but did they really game their own network to cheat a web series creator out of a sale price? That’s low, man. Even for a self interested corporation.

From YouTube Description:

Rod’s actions push Henry to the breaking point, and their friendship is tested in an epically pathetic and childish battle.

Pick up your own Team Rod/ Team Henry shirt at www.cafepress.com/ragtagfilms

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More from the web series We Need Girlfriends

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The Annoying Orange Ep.2 “Plumpkin” | A Web Series on The Watch List

Annoying Orange returns to annoy a pumpkin for Halloween.

ANNOYING ORANGE YOUTUBE PAGE: http://youtube.com/realannoyingorange

2 Swirlies

“Whoa! You’re the biggest orange I’ve ever seen!”

Yep, it’s more of the annoying orange, the biggest hit web series on YouTube right now.

I can see why this has done well. It’s exactly what it says it is, it has a neat visual look, and it is easily accessible and infinitely repeatable. I can see office buddies repeating Orange’s catch phrases for days on end.

While the video’s ending is funny in a snickering kind of way, it is exactly the same ending as the previous episode, only with a different fruit. (Is a pumpkin a fruit? Probably not.)

I think the popularity of this video demonstrates the continuing divide for people wanting to make actual, TV like narrative web series. That’s not what people go to YouTube to see - they go to YouTube to be distracted or amused, which is different from being entertained. The Annoying Orange would make a great commercial. But a TV series? Or a movie? What do you do after you already introduced a number of new characters for him to annoy?

ANNOYING ORANGE T-SHIRT: http://bit.ly/8RyANa

ANNOYING ORANGE TWITTER: http://twitter.com/annoyingorange

ANNOYING ORANGE FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/annoyingorange

WATCH ALL OF THE ANNOYING ORANGE SERIES: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D81F5B7E80B4E853

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Spellfury Ep.2 “Play Misty for Me.” | A Web Series on The Watch List

http://www.spellfury.com
Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings meets Evil Dead meets Star Wars meets Lich King: WoW!!!

2 Swirlies

A long time ago, we brought you the first episode of the web series, Spellfury. At the time, it was brand new and we hadn’t been around so long ourselves. Our
reviewer didn’t like it, so we moved on to ones that we did like. I figured it was time to take a look at the second episode.

I can’t say I disagree with the review of that first episode, although Spellfury is still going and cranking out the episodes - good for them! Even when we, at The Watch List, don’t particular like a web series, we’re always happy when they don’t just fade away.

What I do like about this episode is that they get right into the action - there’s very little talking in this episode. And they do craft a tight, very short half scene that ends in a nice “tune in next week” moment.

What I don’t like is that there is a grand total of two, count ‘em -two, jokes in this episode; both of them of the “wouldn’t RPG games look silly if they were real” variety. This episode is so short that, if we were watching a movie, we wouldn’t even have gotten to the end of the first scene. And this is episode two.

There’s some logic there, to be sure, of leave ‘em wanting more; make ‘em flip to the next episode, but an episodic web series can have episodes that are too short. Just ask Prom Queen. No way you can tell a satisfying story one minute at a time.

But yeah, that blonde elf is cute.

Cyphers Ep2. “Will-O-Wisp”

Wil – O – Wisp — Cyphers Episode Two

from Wikipedia: In literature, Will o’ the wisp sometimes has a metaphorical meaning, describing a hope or goal that leads one on but is impossible to reach, or something one finds sinister and confounding.

2 Swirlies

Will-O-Wisp from David Forlano on Vimeo.

“The Doctor will see you now.”

Just as opaque as the first. There’s some interesting shots and images, and if you think that our food and our doctors are killing us, you’ll probably connect with the way this series is going.

I’m not sure this series is intended to have any sort of narrative, as this episode only barely connects with the first. As in the first series, what we’re supposed to do is to let ourselves go and get caught up in the mood and ideas, as opposed to any bourgeois notions of “story.” At least, that’s what I get out of it.

I’m gonna keep watching, cause I’m curious to see if things start to add up, or if this is just a random jumble of ideas and camera angles.

Another thing I think I should mention, don’t get too hung up on the length. The last 2 minutes are end credits.

Destructo Box Ep.2 “Robotbeard the Pirate” | A Web Series on The Watch List

Joey builds a robot and Phil turns it into a pirate. Wait, what?

Destructo Box was created by Joey Reinisch and Phil McLaughlin.

2 Swirlies

“Be my two years in technical school. Yar.”

Man, I could do a blog just about Mondo Mini-shows. It’s like they have a new series every day now? Case in point – Destructo Box.

I saw it as I was trying to figure out which episode of Baman and Piderman I was on, so I thought I would check it out.

[Update: It seems this is the second Mondo Media released episode! I really don't like how Mondo organizes their channel.]

Let’s see… a show about roommates with jokes about pirates, robots, toys (in this case, lego) and – yes, here it is, anal rape. Yep, nothing exactly new here, humor wise. I kept wanting to yell at the show, “I get it, the internet likes pirates.” And at two minutes and sixteen seconds, it feels long.

What works about it is the timing of the performers. My favorite monument is Phil gleefully chanting along with the rampaging robot, “Rape and Pillage!” That’s funny stuff.

I always try to give a new show a chance. So check it out – you’ll probably get a laugh or two. And what more can you ask of a Tuesday?

Monster Hunters Ep.2 “The Art of Kick Ass-Fu”

Shut ‘Em Up! Commercial. Santa and the Princess prepare for their next move, as Ace and Stan spend the last of the teams money on Gary Kung-Fu’s Class.

Music By:
The Steven McGill Project- “Track 9″
Girl- “Woo Woo”
Bill Littleford Trio- “Double Transportation”

3 Swirlies

“I will teach you many skills. And as well we offer a free computer consultation.”

Fun and funny in a WTF kind of way.

It starts with two commercials, and then goes into the “episode” itself, which largely consists of the guys getting beat up by their martial arts teacher, who steals the show.

This feels like a bunch of guys who are “the funny guys” in the office got together to make a series.

It could have used a little more in the way of Monster Hunting, like in the first episode. The production’s not that great (tip: don’t expect good sound if you’re shooting in a racquet ball court) but you know – there’s tons worse web series out there. At least this one has some laughs.

Non-Essential Personnel Ep.2 “The Why Documents”

Jonathan endangers his job by pursuing classified material for his book.

NEPseries.com
facebook.com/​nonessentialpersonnel
2 Swirlies

NON-ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL Episode 2: The Why Documents from grammar school on Vimeo.

“You’ve got the who and the what. But there’s no why.”

I kinda kept waiting for the episode to start. I’m looking at the time line, and at almost 7 minutes, Jonathon still hasn’t done much to steal the documents he’s after.

But then his jerky boss catches him in the act. There’s a nice twist at the ending (if not very surprising) but the rest of the episode is mostly a long stall. Sure, Jonathon wants to get the documents, but he doesn’t try very hard to overcome the very small obstacles in his path to getting there.

Mind’s Eye Fantasy Web Series – S01E03 “Running Wild”

The race is on for Patrick and Koji as they play a game of hide and seek in search of their missing friend. But the boys realize they’re the ones who should be hiding and they decide to show a bully that they’re tougher than they appear.

You can purchase this Episode in HD from the ‘Official Website’ or you can SUBSCRIBE to the Season One account and have each episode digitally delivered to you every Friday as they are released. If you want to learn more, please visit http://mindseyeseries.com

2 Swirlies

“They must know the Chosen One is here.”

Oh, the bad guys be comin’!

There’s some amazing tracking shots in this episode. In fact, the show is very well produced. I’ve never noticed the score through out – which is a sign of how good it is – and when I did listen to it, I really liked it.

In fact, everything about this show that’s good is really great. The stuff that’s not working for me… well, you can read my previous reviews.

Dr. Tran MAIL Ep.6 “Keith Cares”

Ask Dr. Tran questions at TranLetters@gmail.com

Dr. Tran DVDs, Toys & Blog
http://www.lonesausage.com/

2 Swirlies

Huh. I was sure we had posted this Dr. Tran episode before. But I don’t see it on the site. Weird.

Anyway, this is a pretty funny episode of “The Voice” torturing poor Dr. Tran. The poorly worded questions always make me laugh, and I like that they are finding new ways to embarrass Dr. Tran.

In this episode, Dr. Tran pops 3 boners. If that’s not enough to get you to watch, then I don’t know what in the name of Justin Beiber would.

PostHuman Ep.2 “Strange Bedfellows”

In “Strange Bedfellows,” Detective Porter goes to an old friend for help in his new case. Problem is…are they still friends?

2 Swirlies

“Then tell me why I shouldn’t bury you out here?”

Quick note: Be careful about using still frames as an artistic choice for your web series. A few times I thought the streaming had cacked out.

Amid the cliche film noir scenes and the low budget gambit of talking about stuff we don’t see, there’s something to this series about a guy with a tragic past and a voice in his head.

I just wish we could pick up the pace. This series is clearly written as scenes instead of episodes, which is tricky in web series.

There is a nice touch with the voice in his head mentioning a “she” and leaving that hanging until the end to resolve for us.

An interesting show.