Space Cops: Season 1

In 1979, one show changed television forever. In 2017, it changes the internet! The first season of Space Cops is ready to be shared with a whole new generation and I wanted to take a moment to break down how all this is going to work.

Prepare Yourself

Starting this week, we will release an episode every Sunday night at 8pm Eastern (the show's original air time for the bulk of the series). One episode every week for 11 weeks and a BONUS episode on Week 3! A few of you may have seen Episodes 1-3 a few years ago, but we're going to start from the beginning for anyone who is new to the party. Plus, further restoration has been done to those episodes, they are cleaner than ever, and include a few minor adjustments. Subscribe right now to the new Space Cops YouTube Channel and you won't miss an episode.

Where Has It Been?

Space Cops' final episode, "Play That 'Ol Squeezebox," aired May 6, 1984. And, thanks to politics and business dealings that are far too complex for me to understand, it was the last time the show would ever be seen on broadcast television. Despite having produced over a hundred episodes, the series was locked away and never re-ran in syndication. Executive Producer Stan Shallets tried to broker a deal for the Space Cops Christmas Special to be aired annually, but to no avail. The tales of Don, Jonny, and the Chief would only continue through a handful of Space Cops: The Animated Series episodes in 1985.

Space Cops proper sat dormant on 110 reels of Type C one-inch video tape in a San Diego County salt mine for 30 years. That's where we come in. Walk Softly Films acquired the rights to all episodes and materials of the series in 2011. We immediately released three episodes, but started to realize the amount of work it would take to get the entire series restored to a condition that we felt was worthy of the show's genius. So here we are. Years later, the first batch is ready to be watched, ready to be shared, ready to be loved all over again. We really hope you enjoy these episodes as much as we have, whether it's the first time you've seen them or the first time since you were a kid.

Beyond the Show - Talk Hard 34

Well that show had a little bit of everything didn't it? If you haven't heard Episode 34, here's your link. From Guardians of the Galaxy, to movie and TV props, SNL, ancient technology, and of course Dolph Lundgren not being the greatest house guest... let's dig a little deeper and get Beyond the Show.

VHS Tapes

We learned Todd Sheene and Dad Sheene still use a Video Cassette Recorder! To record things!! On the television!!! He also informed us that VCRs are no longer being built. Apparently, the last VCR ever made rolled off the assembly line at Funai Electric in July of last year. Funai started making VCRs in 1983 and at one point was selling 15,000,000 of those buggers a year! In 2016 they sold 750,000 units which is still kind of amazing when you think about it.

What we didn't know is whether or not anyone was still making VHS tapes, but now I have an answer for you and that answer is NO. In fact, the last VHS tape was reportedly produced in 2008! So whatever stock is leftover on warehouse shelves somewhere - that's it. If Todd's Dad wants to keep his machine in use, he better snag some tapes while he can. There are a handful to be found on Amazon, but as you can see... the end is nigh.

Sony TPS-L2

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We talked about Sony Walkman prices spiking on eBay thanks to Guardians of the Galaxy. Apparently lots of people would like to get their hands on the same model Star Lord totes around the cosmos. While I was finding the going rate on eBay, Todd and Allen took guesses at the original price for a TPS-L2. Allen guessed $30, Todd guessed $50, and it turns out they were way off the mark. A brand new Sony TPS-L2 retailed for $150 on July 1, 1979! (Which supposedly equates to 500 bucks in today's dollars with inflation.) If you you're hooked on Walkman history, you can read more about it here. Hey, remember when Sony made quality products? (If you're under the age of 30, the answer is no.)

TV Props

We also discussed the ScreenBid website where you can buy props from several TV shows and movies. I asked if 1) they would want a prop from their favorite show and 2) how much they were willing to pay for it. Here are our chosen props:

• Scott:  Roger Sterling's desk/glasses/whatever - Mad Men
• Allen:  Barney's hat or Andy's guitar - The Andy Griffith Show
• Todd:  Barnabas Collins' cane - Dark Shadows

Todd and I maxed out at $1000 on how much we were willing to pay for a screen-used prop. Allen, on the other hand, said he'd spend "divorce worthy" money - somewhere above $5,000 but below 10.

So, how about you? What's the prop you would pay to have and how much would you fork over? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook. Also, don't forget to do us a huge favor: give us a rating and review on iTunes. If you'd like us to keep making the show, that's how you can make it happen.

Beyond the Show - Talk Hard 33

These are my favorite riffs from Mystery Science Theater 3000: Episode 907 "Hobgoblins". It's one of the best episodes of MST3K in my personal opinion.

There it is. An image of the greatest rake fight in cinematic history. If you've already listened to Talk Hard 33 or you're a huge Hobgoblins fan, you're already well aware. If not, pop on over and listen to the full breakdown of Rick Sloane's critter genre masterpiece. I've included the MST3K highlights, but you can watch the whole movie on YouTube if your heart so desires.

SPACE COPS

Of course the topic that had everyone buzzing from this episode was our big announcement: Space Cops is back. After more than 30 years on a shelf in a San Diego County salt mine, the entire series has found its way into the hands of Walk Softly Films. The first twelve episodes have been lovingly restored and the re-release begins this month! You'll probably want to join the rest of the country and make the countdown your homepage. Have at it friends. This is a celebration and we're happy you're along for the ride.

Filmmaking: Storytelling With Sound

Sign up for a month's free trial at The Great Courses Plus: http://ow.ly/TBV430beO1W The Great Courses Plus is currently available to watch through a web browser to almost anyone in the world and optimized for the US market. The Great Courses Plus is currently working to both optimize the product globally and accept credit card payments globally. Cinematic sound isn't limited to explosions, musical cues, or the Wilhelm scream. Let's take a few minutes and explore a more theoretical and storytelling-oriented approach to on-screen sound. Press the CC button for film titles. Interview w/Ben Burtt- see the Criterion edition of 'Modern Times' Sources/Further Reading- Composing in Sound and Image by Jonathan Rosenbaum - http://bit.ly/2h70G7h Nightmare Alley: Do We Hear What He Hears? by David Bordwell - http://bit.ly/1MT5g0b You can follow me through: Twitter- twitter.com/andymsaladino YouTube- youtube.com/c/theroyaloceanfilmsociety Music by Chillhop: youtube.com/chillhopdotcom Nothing But Luv by aso: soundcloud.com/aricogle/nothing-but-luv Listen on Spotify: http://bit.ly/ChillhopSpotify

Your filmmaking lesson for the day comes courtesy of the fine folks at The Royal Ocean Film Society.  (And they have to be massive Wes Anderson marks with a name like that, right?)  Anyway... we can never have too many reminders of the importance of sound in film.  In fact every legendary filmmaker I've ever seen weigh in on the subject agrees that, if they have to choose, audio is more important than visuals; that an audience can acclimate to weird or sub-standard cinematography, but never bad audio.

10 Thoughts on the Thor: Ragnarok Trailer

UPDATE:  The Ragnarok trailer broke Disney's record for most views by raking in 136 million in 24 hours. That's across all brands including Marvel, LucasFilm, and Pixar. The previous record holder was Beauty and the Beast. Marvel's previous high was 94 million for Captain America: Civil War.

On Talk Hard 31 we discussed James Gunn's reaction to the Thor: Ragnarok trailer and wondered if he was just spouting hyperbole as he is prone to do. If you missed it, he said Ragnarok had the best Marvel trailer ever. Now, granted, its only competition are the two trailers for his own Guardians movies but, nonetheless, I think he's right. I love this thing and I think it's at least equal with the first Guardians trailer. So let me give you a quick list of my biggest takeaways...

• I love that it opens with Thor narrating direct to camera and I hope that stays in the actual movie.

• This trailer is metal. So metal.
• I'm no Led Zeppelin fan (see: screaming Robert Plant), but the use of Immigrant Song in this trailer is just another example of the magic combination of music and the moving image to create something completely new, different, and greater than the sum of their parts. I'm not sure there has ever been a better song choice for a trailer because it makes everything in it look cooler. It's about Vikings for cripes' sake.
• The title treatments are another perfect piece of this metal puzzle.
• Cate Blanchett looks amazing and if there is one thing Marvel continually nails, it's casting. I'm ecstatic that they pulled Jack Kirby's design straight out of the comics and used her traditional headpiece because it looks incredible.

• JEFF FLIPPING GOLDBLUM!
• The biggest crime Marvel Studios has committed is the failure to produce solo films for Loki and the Black Widow. Those two characters/actors are gold in hand; massive equity that hasn't been cashed in and soon they will be gone. Loki is probably the MCU's most complex character and Tom Hiddleston is endlessly watchable in the role. A story of Loki as reluctant or inadvertent hero, or even a misadventure as he plots and schemes, could be a crown jewel in this universe and something wholly different for the superhero audience base.

• It's nice to see a "winged" helmet on Thor for the first time since the opening scene of the original Thor.

• Man... They've really nailed the CG on the Hulk haven't they? It's kind of amazing the progress that's been made since Ang Lee's version and even since Marvel Studios' first long-haired go-round with Ed Norton. In my opinion he's now the best looking CG character ever. Just look at the life in those eyes!

• I'm hoping there is still some polishing to do on that arena scene. As is, it feels awfully green screeny.
• Trailer prediction time:  when it's all said and done, this will be the best of the three Thor films and may contend for a spot in the MCU's top five.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Todd alerted us to a new trailer today (for a movie that must have the longest title ever) and, in turn, I'm alerting you. I'm warning you right up front though, the language is EXTREME. Apart from that, Three Billboards looks potentially fantastic. But, to judge how high you should set your hopes, let's talk about the Writer/Director for a moment...

Martin McDonagh is an indie film prince. He's written three feature films and directed two of those. I've seen the the other two: In Bruges and Seven Psycopaths. Each is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, but personally I came away underwhelmed by both. Like Three Billboards, Seven Psycopaths had a fantastic ensemble cast. In fact, I liked the cast so much, the film's failure to maximize their talents made my disappointment more pronounced. If you have Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken in the same film, your script better drop them in some deep comedic waters and also give them a little room to thrash around. Thus far, McDonagh's humor hasn't connected with me despite the fact that I wanted it to. So, now I wonder:  will this movie (which seems like such a great vehicle for Frances McDormand), see McDonagh finally and completely live up to the status he's garnered as a critical darling? Is there a chance that Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri could be his Magnum Opus? Judge for yourself and try to keep your expectations in check.

Beyond the Show - Talk Hard 28

If you haven't heard the 28th episode of the Talk Hard movie podcast, do your ears a favor. Now, the rest of you know we really covered the gamut; from raising the roof, to fishy snacks, to laser tag, the NBA, and the NFL. So, allow me to add some color to a few of the topics that were discussed.

Kipper Snacks

Todd revealed he has never eaten a kipper snack, which begged the question: What is a kipper snack?? As always, Wikipedia is there to illuminate us:

A kipper is a whole herring, a small, oily fish, that has been split into a butterfly fashion from tail to head along the dorsal ridge, gutted, salted or pickled, and cold-smoked over smouldering woodchips (typically oak).

In the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, Japan, and a minority of North American regions, they are often eaten for breakfast. In Great Britain, kippers, along with other preserved smoked or salted fish such as the bloater and buckling, were also once commonly enjoyed as a high tea or supper treat, most popularly with inland and urban working-class populations before World War II.

Yum?

HOT SPORTS TAKES

As a nod to the Super Bowl, each of us delivered our most controversial sports opinion (that we truly believe).

• Allen:  Michael Jordan not only isn't the GOAT. He is also not in the Top 5 best NBA players of all time.
• Todd:  The 1980's were the greatest era of the NBA and will never be surpassed.
• Scott:  Would gladly dissolve the NFL forever to move future athletes into US Soccer.

So which one is the most controversial/dumb?

We gave our honest sports opinions on #TalkHard. Which one is most controversial/dumb?

— The WSF Guys (@WalkSoftlyFilms) February 20, 2017

Silent Night, Deadly Night 2

And since we save the best for last, here is the incredible montage of Eric Freeman's eyebrow work that Todd mentioned. Again, this is just the smallest taste. In the history of cinema, you'll never experience its kind again.

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 was a horrible 80's horror flick. It's so bad it's good. Go see it! For now, I have made a montage of main actor Eric Freeman's crazy eyebrows, which seem to be fluctuating by every syllable. Why isn't he in movies anymore?

Beyond the Show - Talk Hard 26

Have you heard the new podcast? Out of everything we talked about, this is what we need to show you. A Kentucky boy burning 30 Rockefeller Center to the ground.

Dude. Sturgill just murdered Bro Country on live television. Let's hope it stays dead.

Hellboy 3 Might Happen??

UPDATE:  Guillermo Del Toro is a no-good furry-feet loving buttneck and I will never watch another of his movies.

HOLYMARTHAMOTHEROFMERCY!!! There is no single film project I want to see get done more than Hellboy 3. Make of that what you will, but Hellboy 2 was a thing of beauty and the story deserves to be completed.

I know. People have attempted to take you down this road before. For years, fans and even Ron Perlman himself have begged and pleaded for the final chapter of this trilogy. Meanwhile Guillermo Del Toro and Mike Mignola have expressed optimism or pessimism respectively. But, for the first time I have chosen to allow myself a genuine shred of hope. HELLBOY MIGHT ACTUALLY HAPPEN. On Wednesday, Del Toro dropped a massive tease bomb directly on Nerd Town with this tweet...

Informal poll (let's see how many votes we get in 24 hours)
Hellboy III

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 18, 2017

Naturally, the alpha geeks went ballistic and eventually filtered the news to beta geeks such as myself who then also went ballistic. But, Hispanic Spielberg-Santa wasn't done with us. Not by a long shot.

The HELLBOY III is our chance to vote the right way in 2017! If 100k votes come in 24 hours I promise to have a sit down w Da Perl & Mignola

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 18, 2017

Say what now? Say what what??!?

We have gone past the 100K votes. I will arrange the sitdown w Ron & Mignola to talk HBIII. No gurantee but we will discuss. Wish us luck!!

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 19, 2017

Shut up.

I spoke with Ron Perlman. He's in for the sit down. Will approach Mignola next. Will keep you posted. Very moved by your love of pt I & II

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 19, 2017

I SAID SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

After all this, you have to make it happen, Guillermo. There is no longer an option. I don't care if you and Ron have to do it in your backyard with 500 bucks; if I don't get to see Hellboy 3, we have to end you. (Respectfully.) But, I'm sure you understand.

On a side note... It is now clear why some of Del Toro's movies get shelved. Dude is too busy tweeting. Holy crud! Without exaggeration, I had to sift through seventy-two tweets and retweets that he's made just in the past 24 hours to find these! Where does the dude find the time? ALSO, you can count on us discussing this on the next episode of Talk Hard.

Filmmaking: Free Screenplays

Here is a fantastic resource for you writers out there:  FREE links to the screenplays of every Oscar contender.

Screenwriting is a completely unique discipline. It feels as if you have to rewire your brain to think in script form with all its formatting peculiarities. If I were trying to explain or teach someone how to do it, simple instructions would be nearly impossible on the more subjective elements. How much detail should I give in my action blocks? Should I include any camera/framing directions? Personally I've found nothing is better for finding the sweet spot and getting your mind into the creative rhythm of a script than reading an abundance of screenplays by the writers I enjoy the most or from a specific film that I loved; to see how it translated from page to screen.