Hip Squared has baked more than a dozen tasty tidbits into lucky episode 13!  First, John describes his failure to get into a Donald Trump rally in Louisville, KY, but also his success in exercising his 1st amendment rights with a number of other vocal protesters.  

Then, he talks about Samurai Jack, a cartoon created by Genndy Tartakovsky for Cartoon Network, now back for its 5th season after a 12 year absence.  Samurai Jack is an action packed and highly stylized animated series about an all-powerful demon, Aku, and the only man who can defeat him. 

Next, in the first of a three part series about movies whose posters adorn his apartment walls, Troy talks about 12 Angry Men.  Originally a made for TV movie, 12 Angry Men has since been adapted into a play, feature film, another made for TV movie, and countless amateur productions.  It takes place in one room, the juror's room, and follows every member of a jury charged with deciding the fate of a young man accused of murder.  Including themes about justice, race, right and wrong, 12 Angry Men is a mirror reflected at America, and one worth looking into.

Maplex Monk is on the bleeps and bloops.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to check us out at AmericanFantastic.com. Find American Fantastic on Patreon to support the show. Please tell a friend, share on social media, and come back next time for another episode of Hip Squared!

Hip Squared Episode 13

Troy comes back from his first international reporting trip (and fiance visit) for Episode 14 of Hip Squared.  In addition to experiences in Spain and London, he also talks about The Shawshank Redemption, the subject of the second of three movie posters that adorn his walls. This film is based on a novella by Stephen King, and is one of the most beloved films of the 90's and all time.  

John talks about Dragonlance, one of the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons, and the realm of many of John's favorite stories from his childhood.  Fantasy paper-back pulp that sometimes reached majestic heights, Dragonlance could also be experienced as a table-top RPG, and video games and even a film of varying quality.

Maplex Monk is on the bleeps and bloops.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to check us out at AmericanFantastic.com. Find American Fantastic on Patreon to support the show. Please tell a friend, share on social media, and come back next time for another episode of Hip Squared!

Hip Squared Episode 14

Peer into the future as we as we talk about pop-culture's present and past! John and Troy talk about the intersection of digital technology and (the lack of) privacy.  

Then John talks about Mystery Science Theater 3000, a long-running T.V. that celebrates the worst of cinema, recently resurrected on Netflix. Created by Joel Hodgson and now hosted by Jonah Rey, this show screens old movies with a group of people riffing jokes as the movie plays. With a comedic sci-fi premise, practical effects and puppets, MST3K is a beloved nerd franchise whose return was crowd-funded on Kickstarter.

In another realm of cinema, Troy takes us back to Italy in the 1960's and the pinnacle of the Spaghetti Western, Sergio Leone's "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". Part 3 of Troy's 3 part series about the movie posters on his apartment walls, we round out our discussion of classic American cinema with one of the most iconic Westerns of all time.  Introducing the archetype of the gritty anti-hero, Leone and Eastwood created one of the most memorable and influential movies of the 20th century. Including memorable music and performances, this film stands the test of time, and then some.

Maplex Monk presses all the right buttons.

Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! Follow American Fantastic on Facebook, share our episodes on social media, and support American Fantastic on Patreon.

Hip Squared Episode 15

Welcome to episode 16 of Hip Squared! Troy tells us about crafting a strandbeest, a walking wind creature engineered to amuse as it ambles along at its own pace. John continues white-knuckling through his mandatory over-time shifts, power-napping in his car during lunch breaks.

Then John talks about the new Gorillaz album, Humanz. Gorillaz is a band and multi-media phenomenon that includes a group of made-up cartoon characters that make music and go on adventures together.  With a twisted sci-fi aesthetic, diverse musical influences and a collection of well-crafted music videos, Gorillaz have been entertaining their audiences for years. John and Troy talk about their music and madness.

Next, Troy talks about going to the theatre during his trip to London.  He speaks about the play adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, originally a book about a young man with a mental condition that vaguely resembles autism. The play puts the audience into the main character's perspective with often disorienting results. He also talks about seeing Othello at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, an indoor playhouse lit only by candle-light.

Maplex Monk twists the knobs.

Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! Follow American Fantastic on Facebook, share our episodes on social media, and support American Fantastic on Patreon.

Hip Squared Episode 16

John and Troy wrap up Season 1 in a tight little bow. Introducing Gaia, John's daughter in her very first podcast. John explains how the demands of fatherhood and mandatory overtime necessitates the need for between season break, and also takes about plans for the future of Hip Squared.

Troy talks about Twitch TV, a video-game streaming service where spectators watch people play video games. From people who are professional video game players to those who play to entertain, Twitch showcases people who stream video games and provide commentary, including streamers like CohhCarnage and many others. 

John talks about Aziz Ansari and his new Netflix show, Master of None. Aziz Ansari is a comedian who performs stand-up and became famous as an actor for his role of Tom Haveford in Parks and Recreation.  His new show Master of None is in its 2nd season on Netflix. Master of None is about Dev, a fictionalized version of Aziz, and his struggles with love and life in New York. Aziz is also a prolific stand-up comedian with his own Netflix special , and has also published a book about dating and digital technology called Modern Romance, written with sociologist Eric Klinenberg.

Maplex Monk runs the boards.

Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! Follow American Fantastic on Facebook, share our episodes on social media, and support American Fantastic on Patreon.  Stay tuned for Season 2.

John Beechem