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

We Need Girlfriends – Ep 2. The Blue Party

In the 2nd episode of Ragtag Productions new web-series “We Need Girlfriends,” Tom, Henry and Rod get invited to a party with a very confusing title.

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“How else are people supposed to know that I’m a Rodney Piper fan?”

The fellows go to a ‘Blue Party’ which, it turns out, is no a sex party. And apparently the most humiliating thing in the world is to take your top off at a party.

The first episode was way funnier. I suggest you skip this one and I’ll let you know when you can check back in.

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?

Happy Tree Friends – Mime to Five (Part 1)

Do you have a short fuse? Play the game and have a blast with Cuddles, the high flying hare-ball! – http://tinyurl.com/ybdjttm

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Mime needs a job!

Part 1 of 5, Mime to Five chronicles the attempts by a mime to find gainful employment.

The jokes are mostly based on the fact that mimes can’t talk, and they pretend to act out things instead of actually doing them.

There’s a few chuckles, but nothing I would say that makes this installment stand out. Maybe the next 4 parts will have what this one is missing?

Keep watching this space!

Heather’s Vlog – It’s Hereditary

http://liamshow.com Heather explains how vampires become vampires.

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“It’s kinda like marrying a hamburger. You can hold off for a while but eventually you’re gonna eat it.”

You can convert?

Another ep from the backlog of Heather’s Vlog. This one is about two two ways you can become a vampire; you’re either born a vampire or you can convert.

Not the funniest episode of the few I’ve seen, but there’s still one or two big laughs. Still very much worth seeing.

Dr. Tran Mail – S01E03 “The Specials”

Virtually Harass Dr. Tran at TranLetters@gmail.com
Your letter might sort of get answered in a manner of speaking!

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“Chocolate is forbidden”

I’d like to take a shit out of a helicopter.

Shane in San Diego writes to ask Dr. Tran about the breakfast specials. But do you know what’s really special… Dr. Tran. (And this is where helicopters and relieving yourself come into play.)

Good episode, even if it feels like the narrator is crowding out Dr. Tran from his own show.

Heather’s Vlog – [Episode 1]

http://liamshow.com Kelly’s friend Heather started a vlog to get the bloody truth out there about vampires…because she is one. Happy Friday the 13th!!!

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“Yes, once and for all, vampires celebrate Christmas.”

Heather Begins…

This is the first episode of Heather’s Vlog and the second one I’ve seen, and it is already something of a guilty pleasure. I’m kinda embarrassed how much I like it. Unlike a lot of stuff I watch (web or TV) Heather and her Dad surprise me and actually make me laugh out loud.

In this introductory episode, Heather explains what her Vampire family does to celebrate Christmas, while Dad tries to watch the skating he TIVOed.

It’s charming and feels honest. It doesn’t feel like they are trying too hard. I’m not sure if it is improvised, semi-improvised, or scripted but the characters are more strongly drawn in a short time than most anything else out there. All without sacrificing the gags needed to make a short online comedy episode work. I wish I could strap Fred down and make him watch it until he gets it. And, yes I know, the guy’s name isn’t actually Fred.

In going back to find the start of this series, I figured a little more out about how it came to be. It is some sort of spin off from something called Kelly Shoes – that’s where the clips from the nano-second long opening is from. And after watching it for the tenth time, the line, “Kelly rocks” makes more sense. But I have no idea who or what this Kelly Shoes person or show is. Why is it presented as if we all know it? I can’t even find any videos of it on Youtube! (If you do, put your links in the comments section.)

Heather’s Vlog is my current favourite comedy web series, and one of my favourite shows, period. Get ready to see a lot more of them posted as I go through the back catalog!

So, would this the first web series spin off? And if not, what would? I have a vague idea that lonelygirl15 had some sort of spin off…

Dr. Tran Mail – S01E02 “AIDS”

Send Dr. Tran questions at TranLetters@gmail.com
Your letter might get answered in an offensive cartoon!

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“Black as the night you got cancer!”

Secret Agents Don’t Care!

Nancy writes to ask Dr. Tran if we would help her and the other kids in the Pediatric AIDS ward. Of course, Mr. Dramatic Narrator has others ideas.

Not the funniest Dr. Tran Mail, but it has a few good laughs. Poor Dr. Tran, all he wants to do is finish his chore wheel.

It strikes me that there’s an interesting element of Dr. Tran that seems to run through most successful stuff on the internet – the blending of real and not real. The conflict that drives Dr. Tran Mail is the two realities fighting it out, Dr. Tran’s reality that he’s a normal boy who wants to be left alone, and the narrator who insists he’s a secret agent and doctor, fighting America’s enemies.

Thoughts? Want me to shut up and just watch the videos? Yeah, I thought so…