Otokichi

Some folk think that Auto Tune is "just an effect" like Reverb and nothing to be concerned about. Fil takes on this "asked/commented on many times" supposition and shows just what a cheat Auto Tune is for singers. Press PLAY if you want to hear what all the noise is about... Fil Sings "The Sounds of Silence" then Pitch Corrects his vocal.

I'm a sort of fan of Dan Fogelberg, so I was surprised to see that Donna Summer (!) covered "Netherlands." Press PLAY for an amazing audio Experience.;)

National/Panasonic saw Sony's Walkman as The Thing to Beat back in the day. "Techmoan" has found a non-working unit and applies his experienced-but-not-expert hands to "hear the music" again. Press PLAY to find out if Matt succeeds in his quest, and ponder National's build philosophy...

You start with a short story, write a screenplay, find a location, cast actors, and call "Action!" Your film doesn't set box office records, is shutout at the Oscars, and has a quirky title. How does this rise far above "Forrest Gump" across the world, just by word of mouth? Press PLAY to see how a Classic was made and how it got into the IMDb's top tier of movies.

So you want an entertaining movie with no need to analyze scenes or put it in perspective? Hollyweird has exactly what you need, a forest animal that scarfs down Cocaine and goes "Old Testament" on Homo sapiens. All hail the next "Sharknado" franchise. Next up: "Meth Bear," then "Ecstasy Bear," finally, "LSD Bear." Welcome back to the 1980's. The real story of "Carlos Eskobear."

Out of curiosity, I put "The Art of Self-Defense" (2019) on the DVR. The synopsis made me wonder what kind of movie this was, and it turned out to be very interesting. I remember this song playing over the credits, and much earlier when "Casey" is called by the gun shop owner. Press PLAY to hear something that apparently can't be found on Spotify.;)

How does a Stage actor create an iconic character in his first Hollywood movie? Press PLAY to find out how Alan Rickman made "Hans Gruber" a memorable villain in "Die Hard" (1988).

'Ello folks, it's "Milli Vanilli" time, with Celtic Thunder on stage with a cover performance that sounds...off. Fil takes us through this "mimed performance" that starts out by detecting "computerized embellishment" and ends with "are they strumming their guitars"? Press PLAY to see/hear Celtic Thunder "do a play date" on stage.

It's 1975 and Racquel Welch is Cher's guest star for the evening. Fil takes a look at Racquel Welch, singer vs. Cher, analyzing how they play off each other. Press PLAY and be amazed!;)

Are you a "Subnautica" veteran who laughs in the face of a Reaper Leviathan? Are the mysteries of Planet 4546B no threat to your sanity? Good, you're back on Earth, on an underwater mission in The Bermuda Triangle. I found out about this game from "The Last Bacon," who looked around and exited the game ASAP. Here, we're traveling with IGP last year, as he "went deep." Press PLAY to find out what tentacled horror is loose in Earth's oceans!;)

It's just past the turn of the century and a sleazy-looking tech rep sidles up to your nascent band, "Shouting Punkz!" He asks if you'd like to send out a VHS single to your fans and "interested parties." You and your band mates haul out your dad's dodgy Camcorder and "make a demo video" that becomes a V-Lite tape. "Techmoan" takes a look at this nearly-all-plastic video sub-genre with an early 2000 A&E promotional video aimed at high school drama students. Press PLAY to find out if it does, and what it's made of in glorious NTSC video!;)

Winter continues to hold the U.S, mainland in it's icy grip. I had thought of "Music Box Dancer" as a Spring or just-before-Summer tune. Press PLAY to "dance in the snow.";)

Where did "Cowboy Bebop" come from? Here's a video essay that may answer a ton of questions about Shinichiro Watanabe's "Anime Entry Show." Press PLAY if you want to know way too much about the world 2071. 3-2-1 Let's blow this town...

Have you been told that "you need a bucket to carry a note/you're Tone Deaf" all your life? Do musicians tell you NOT to sing? Here's Fil to show and tell what/if you are "Tone Deaf." Press PLAY to find out if you're really an undiscovered Opera singer, like Mike Rowe, or as off-key as "Faye Valentine.";)

I've seen "discussions" about Woke break down into Hate Speech worthy of Joseph Goebbels at his worst. Presented for your cogitation, a definition and suggestion about Woke. Press PLAY if you're still able to "walk a Mile/two Kilometers" in another's shoes...

This former TV network executive's posts have drawn me in from time to time, letting ordinary people know how things used to work in Hollywood's version of TV. This time, he takes a swing at YouTube, which shamelessly has both gems and garbage on full display. Press PLAY to find out about "doing business with YouTube" via videos.

Something old from "Techmoan," a revised look at a portable vinyl LP player. Included is news about the Audio Technica Sound Burger, as well. Press PLAY to find out if the new version of the Coturn CT-01 works this time...

Submitted for your approval, an in-depth appraisal of a lesser-known Cult SF movie of the 1980's. Get in the Wayback machine, we're going to a trailer park, where Alex Rogan wants to "get out in the world." A financial setback means he's bound for community college at best, so he plays a new video game. Press PLAY to see "a wider world" open up for Alex.

"Nazi Germany" and "Jazz" seem to be an unlikely combination, since Jazz was considered "Jungle Music" played by "African untermenschen." However, Astrid and Indy have a surprise for you! A Jazz band was formed to broadcast Pop music to undermine the morale of Allied/U.S. soldiers. Press PLAY to find out more about "weaponized degenerate music."

Just when I was about to meander along, HI Sessions springs this unexpected gem on me! Leave the door open, you'll never know what will stroll in and take you on a trip...

And now for Something You've Heard Before...But Didn't know About. I kept seeing "33 Songs You Didn't Know Were Covers" meandering around YouTube. I wondered how far this collector had gotten and was surprised that there's more than one volume. Press PLAY and "name the original artist" if you care...;)

Sometimes, when two musicians meet, and play music, Magic happens! Press PLAY for Something Completely Different...

I've been seeing a lot of interest in the latest "made from a game" TV show, "The Last of Us." I don't do Zombies/Infected/Vampires/Werewolves/Witches & Wizards but I may yet change my mind. (Is it half as good as "Train to Busan" (2016)? A fan of Horror thinks so.) Press PLAY while I continue to roam YouTube for "signs of intelligent life.";)

Are the "usual suspects" not as interesting to play? Take a look at 2023 free games for the soldier-of-fortune/RPG explorer. Press PLAY for something to do before the Woke "Grand Theft Auto" arrives and spoils everything.;)

I found this in my meanderings around YouTube, celebrating the "working my way through high school" student. Press PLAY if you haven't been to the supermarket in a while...