Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

Liz has pulled the greatest coup in Shriekcast history! This week we discuss Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, the first (sort of) book in James Patterson's hard swerve into books for kids in the wake of the Harry Potter phenomenon. So much happens in this novel, and I can scarcely keep track of it all--you're just going to have to listen to it. That might partially be because I'm already forgetting key details. I do remember that there are mutants, werewolves, shotguns, guys getting kicked so hard they die, and teddy bears. We've also got a new reader questions section in the third segment! And a soundboard. I did set up a soundboard while we were taking a break.

Episode 189: The Dog Can Talk

Upon its release, Steven Soderbergh's TRAFFIC (2000) offered something novel: a cinematic tapestry that criticized America's War on Drugs. More than 20 years later, we consider its strengths, as well as the impact that time has diminished. PLUS: Let's read a little from Prince Harry autobiography, shall we?

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Michael and Us

#394 - The View from Nowhere

It's been a while since we did a proper news segment, isn't it? We have grievances to air with the coming and going of that game's release, a certain author's doings and new media projects, and the shambling undead franchise we are finally free of. We miiight also have a teeny tiny bit of schadenfreude to spare for some gamers whose wildest dreams weren't met by a mid AAA open world game. But that's not the main event here...

That's right, we watched Maximum Ride! A movie with a flying montage so nice they play it twice. We turn in a traditional longer-than-the-film episode, which is impressive considering the movie isn't even 90 minutes long and only covers the first half of the novel. How on earth did it manage that? Tune in and find out! Get in the cage, rarrrgh!

(Content notes: naturally, we haven't played the game and have no plans or desire to engage with it beyond , but if you're not in the mood to hear even haters chat about it, skip the first 15 minutes. The Maximum Ride movie also prestige-ified a scene to give it some assault implications--It's nothing graphic, but when you hear us start talking about super hearing, skip ahead 5 minutes if you wanna skip the scene.)

Episode 192: Get in the Cage!

The Hunger Games Act 1 Chapter 1

It's time for a bit of a refresh! New book, new cover art, new... oops, I forgot to choose a new theme song. Well, we'll deal with that later--right now we've got Hungry Games to discuss! This week starts with an introduction to The Seam, The Meadow, The Forest, The Square, The Reaping, The Hob... and probably several other proper nouns I'm forgetting. We discuss the author's inspiration for the series, the wide dartboard of worldbuilding ideas this first chapter provides, and the surprising political awareness of the main characters. We also take a look at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website (this will make sense!) and look up adult coloring books on Amazon for no real reason.

SHHG! Episode 1: The Coloring Book Meta

The Hunger Games Part One Chapters 2 & 3

We're the tip of the spear! Or maybe just the shaft. It seems the whole world decided to reread this series around the same time we did, so we discuss a little bit of what we're seeing out and about in the world and how it's shaping our expectations. We also chat about a recent TV show announcement... that's right, the Twilight one!

After that, we've got two cool chapters to discuss. Neither of us have read this series before, so this time we're organizing our thoughts in real time as we ponder character voice vs. author voice, how we think the government works, what the allegories at play might be, and whether or not there are mutant dogs engaging in open warfare with mutant birds just outside the walls of Panem.

SHHG! Episode 2: Patch Notes

The Hunger Games Part 1 Chapters 4 and 5

We've made it to the Capitol! But first we've got to talk about something very important: The 7th Saga, a SNES RPG with barely any merch. We've also got our first Hunger Games listicle. Our chapters this week are full of dizzying ups and downs: brutally honest characterization and heartfelt drama alongside ridiculous action movie antics and some puzzling portrayals of a society so depraved it... wears a lot of makeup? Hmm. We chat through our feelings on whether or not the story is portraying cruel opinions a character has or simply espousing them itself, wonder aloud what synthetic fire is, and beg to know what the other costumes in the ceremony were.

SHHG! Episode 3: The Jay Gatsby Who Was On Fire

The Hunger Games chapters 6 & 7

We're back with another two chapters of Hunger Games! This week's pair are a little plodding, but there's a lot of drama to discuss: Katniss and Peeta "just pretending" to be friends! Evil career fairs! And more badass knife throwing/bow firing moves to show other characters you mean business! We also fall down a rabbit hole reading a blog about fictional foods because I forgot what pesto was.

P.S Here's the Purple Melon! http://www.fictionalfood.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/111003-Pale-Purple-Melon.jpg

SHHG! Episode 4: Katna and Peetis

The Hunger Games chapters 8 & 9

The people have been crying out for more third segment content! But since we're both reading this series fresh, what can we do? This week, we find an answer (in the first segment, natch). We also discuss the final two chapters of the first act of The Hunger Games--it's good! So good, in fact, that we can't stop excitedly wondering aloud what might be in store for our heroes and villains.

SHHG! Episode 5: Ganiss and Peeniss

John Semley (@johnsemley3000) joins Charles and Alex to evaluate Bob Dylan's '70s albums. Fortune Kit on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fortunekit

162 - The 6th Most Famous Singer from Minnesota (ft. John Semley)

The Hunger Games chapters 10 & 11

It's game time! Where we dropping? Well, it turns out that in the Hunger Games arena, everyone drops in the same spot no matter what. Will Katniss score some good loot, or will she get taken out by a guy warping around on a laggy wireless collection?

That's right, we're finally in the Hunger Games section of the Hunger Games. We're having a great time too--these chapters went down smooth, and we have a brisk discussion about Peeta's many faces, Katniss's toxic gamer chat, and the gritty realism of someone sprinting while throwing six ka-bars. Finally, we take it to our new third segment for a round of spotting the fake dystopian novel premise!

SHHG! Episode 6: Thanks for the knife...!

Catching Fire chapters 3-4

The PAX pox won't keep me away from recording! We've got lots to catch up on after taking a week off for travel, and we spend some time chatting about the PAX trip (thanks to everyone who came to say hi!) and Liz's exciting new musical venture. We've got two rich chapters to discuss this week too, with mostly high highs and a few low lows. What works? Katniss's character development! Peeta's new role! What doesn't work? Katniss's District 11 savior stuff still feels kind of disrespectful. What might work? The Quarter Quell, but how could they possibly make the Games more evil?!

Plus, when we open card packs we learn what the Cornucopia looks like in the movie and ??????????

SHHG! Episode 14: What The Quell?

Two lapsed Harry Potter fans on a journey back through the books they (used to) love so much. Updates every Friday!

SHHG! Episode 4: Katna and Peetis

The Shrieking Shack

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