Dead End Days – Ep. 7 “Something’s rotten at Monopoly Video”

Something is afoot at Monopoly video, something sinister, and underhanded, or at the very least something involving underground zombie movies.

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“We here at Monopoly Video don’t believe the content of such films is appropriate in today’s tumultuous sociopolitical climate.”

Dead End Days shows us a slice of life in a society where zombies are integrated into the culture and respected.

But would you expect any changes in your local video store? I like how this series examines this society through small scenes of the daily grind – here, Zombie movies are now considered politically incorrect. Eric takes on a role, not unlike your local drug dealer, hustling these illegal movies to private customers. Don’t expect any gory zombie attacks or feasts on brains from this series, but instead, a look at how your life might change if the ‘undead’ were living peacefully as your neighbour. Would you live in suspicion and fear, or embrace this new demographic and find a way to make money off them?

More episodes at www.deadenddays.com

Black Dawn – Ep 2.

Adam finds other survivors, but as they gather together it is clear that no one knows what has happened.

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“We don’t know what tonight is going to bring. Or tomorrow.”

In true movie fashion, the beautiful girl in distress is the second character we meet. Will they get together?

This is the second episode of the series, and we see that there are, indeed, some survivors from whatever it is that killed almost everyone in L.A. The survivors huddle in a basement and get what surely must be the worst pep talk ever – a real downer followed by, “Everything’s going to be okay.”

I’m still waiting for this series to get going. I’m a sucker for science fiction, so I guess we’ll see what picks up next…

Captain Blasto – Ep 2. A Comic Caper

Series continues at http://www.youtube.com/blastoseries

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“You can’t take a baby! That’s kidnapping, not a theft!”

I really like the visual design of the opening titles. Colourful and graphic.

So, here’s where things get moving. A crazy plot is hatched… and suddenly our hero’s life isn’t so boring.

There’s a number of funny bits. What tickles me is that they are staging a fake mugging and because they are inspired by the comics, the “mugger” is dressed up like the bad guys in Scrooge McDuck.

The fake fighting is fun, even if there’s some moments that feel like outtakes that were left in. I still like the comic book split screens, especially where they are used to juxtapose the comic book moments with the reality. What stands to be improved most is the acting. (Something to be said for almost every web series.)

All in all, a fun episode, albeit with an abrupt ending.

The Velata – Ep2. Resurrection

The Vetala Web Series – Season 1/ Starring Candace Chase, Paul Mendel, Marina Pasqua, Leslie Mildiner, James Tyce/ Written & Directed by Damon Vignale http://www.TheVetala.com

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“You either want the big story or you don’t.”

The title kinda gives it away.

So, in this second episode, it starts with a surprise (that would have been a bigger surprise without the spoiler title) and then the events of the first episode are (mostly) explained.

While this episode is largely expository – a bad choice when you’re dealing in 5 minute episodes – there’s one interesting part where they show a clip from an old movie, which I assume hints at what’s happening to our gal.

This episode leaves me disappointed after the promise of the first, and I gotta say (at the risk of coming across like an asshole) – what? She wouldn’t go to the hospital or the cops after someone shot at her?

I’ll give it at least a one more episode. What do you guys thinks? Are you going to keep watching?

With the Angels – EP 2 “Sunset Sunrise”

Things look better in the morning.

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“I thought I’d watch the sun rise over the ocean for the first time. Only the sun doesn’t rise over this ocean.”

We learn we a little more about Taffy, and get to see her try to bond with her roommate.

This one has a little less pathos than the first one, and little less in the way of overwrought voice over.

This is the real pilot – a lot of exposition (which is mostly well delivered) and a good grounding in what the characters are looking for. Taffy came to L.A. looking for a new life, and while she feels disconnected from the big city life all around her her trust in God allows her to have faith that she’ll figure it out.

Any series that can make me feel sympathetic to a character that talks about God and Jesus is pretty well done.

Still not sure about that accent, though.

This is still the only series I’ve come across that’s all drama. Does anyone have any recommendations?

The Vetala – The Sydicate

The Vetala Web Series – Season 1/ Starring Candace Chase, Paul Mendel, Marina Pasqua, Leslie Mildiner, James Tyce/ Written & Directed by Damon Vignale http://www.TheVetala.com

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This opens nice and suspenseful. A guy packing a crate with guns. A student tacking down a story. Her boyfriend looking for her. Something’s gotta happen… right?

And then it does.

While this first installment doesn’t give us much insight into what’s going on, it does give us one thrill ride of a five minute episode – honestly I was a little surprised it was so long, it felt much shorter.

The only reason it missed five Swirlies is the acting is little stilted, and it was essentially all set up. Also the series seems to be about supernatural stuff, at least according to their Youtube tags, and there’s not even a hint of that in this episode. But those are trivial complaints, perhaps, and I’m quite excited to see where this series is going.

The closing tag (thankfully, there’s not 2 minutes of end credits pumping up the length) reads, “No longer a myth.” Count me intrigued.

Does the title make anyone else think of cheese? No? So it’s just me, then.

Team Leader | Episode 6 – Last One Out

Team Leader Skip Recap | Ep 3 – Uncle Reggie Saves The Day

Team Leader Skip Recap | Episode 2 – Kitchen Confidential

Team Leader | Episode 4 – The Spill, Scrapbooks, and Sally