Author Archives: vokadmin

VoK 182: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 5) – Beren and Luthien

Posted on February 10, 2015 | Leave a comment

VOK 182 Cover Art

The Vassals of Kingsgrave celebrate Valentine’s Day by discussing Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beren and Luthien.  Star-crossed lovers or doomed from the start?

Beren the mortal falls in love with Luthien, the most beautiful elf that has ever lived.  Before they can marry Beren must complete the impossible task of cutting a Silmaril from the crown of Morgoth.  As we follow Beren on his journey we touch on the continued dickishness of the Sons of Feanor, the possibility of Morgoth babies, the epic awesomeness that is Huan the Hound of Valinor as well as the Epic Rap Battles of the First Age and Luthien’s ability to make everyone simultaneously fall in love with her and fall asleep.

Hosts Greg, Matt, Alix, Matthieu, & Eddie discuss all this and more in the fifth part of our continued Silmarillion re-read series.  The previous episodes in this series are VOK Episodes 147, 155, 163 & 172.

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Image art: “Carcharoth” by Justin Gerard

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

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VoK 181: The Hobbit 3 – Battle of Five Armies [2014] (Review)

Posted on February 8, 2015 | Leave a comment

hobbit 3

In this podcast the crew give eulogies for their (second)favorite Hobbit…trilogy.

0:00 – Spoiler free discussion of the movie, trilogy and the book series
31:30 – Spoiler filled deepdive discussion begins
1:47:00 – Claudiusthefool’s review of the movie

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Beric175, Ser Patrick the Tall, Aiwendil, White Raven, Amberrocks, Alias,Scilens, Teddart, claudiusthefool and fortytwo
Intro Music: “hmm ok” by Gablé
Other Music by BoxCat Games BoxCat’s Discography

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Links:
Tolkien Edit or 4 hour fan edit

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Posted in Movies, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

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VoK 180: Comic Book Club (Vol.3) – Planetary (by Warren Ellis & John Cassaday)

Posted on February 2, 2015 | Leave a comment

VOK180 Image
The third meeting of The Secret Book Club discusses the comic Planetary, written by Warren Ellis with art by John Cassaday published by Wildstorm Comics.
Please join the Fictionauts (Thomas, Greg, Shane, Matt and Scott) as we explore the secret history of this extraordinary work.
Along the way we try and answer many important questions.
Where IS Wallace? Why does Doc Brass need TWO belts? Which is the real REAL Nautilus? And most confoundingly, What the FUCK is up with Devis?
Credits
Edited by: FTWard
Image: Elijah Snow by John Cassaday
Music
Intro: “Sloop John B” written by Brian Wilson. Performed by Johnny Cash.
After Show: “Blackwater Bay” by Blackwater Bay https://soundcloud.com/blackwater-bay/blackwater-bay
After After Show: “Close (to the Edit)” written by Anne Dudley, Gary Langan, J.J. Jeczalik, Paul Morley and Trevor Horn. Arranged by Kevin Thompson. Performed by Yiyi Hsu, Howard Chen, Brian Shen and Sonia Stewart.
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[Forums] Podcast forums.

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Posted in Comics, Podcast

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VoK 178: The Fly [1986] (Review)

Posted on January 19, 2015 | 2 comments

The Fly

Weeks after the Horror Movie Roundtable (VOK 158), Dagos_Rivers (Glen) and Beric175 (Matthieu) recorded an expanded edition of the 1986 cult classic, ‘The Fly’ starring Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis and John Getz.

References are briefly made towards The Fly II, The Fly (1958) and other disgusting 80’s movies like Cocoon and Videodrome. However, the primary focus is Jeff Goldblum / Geena Davis vehicle.

Both Vassals discuss how much Jeff Goldblum looks like Michael Jackson, Stalking 101, and are (truly) classic movies ‘unremakable’? Glen contradicts himself about the difference between remakes and ‘readaptations’ as
he realises both Carrie movies were based on the Stephen King book.

The most infamous scenes of the picture are discussed, the professionalism of the midwife (cameo by Mr. Cronenberg), movies that are in development hell and the plot is discussed at length.

Running Time: 02:49:57

Credits:
Edited by Dagos_Rivers

Links:

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References:
Girl with 8 Limbs

2 Comments

Posted in Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

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VoK 177: Political Communications in ASOIAF (w/Prof. David D. Perlmutter)

Posted on January 10, 2015 | 4 comments

Tywin

In this academic-inspired episode, Kingsgrave head-honcho Amin discusses Westerosi politics with David D. Perlmutter, a communications professor from Texas Tech University. Also joining them is Michael (Mordion) and Aziz (from History of Westeros).

Topics include political persuasion, propaganda, and public relations amongst the various factions of A Song of Ice and Fire. And stick around afterwards for a brief recap of Davos I (from ASOS), flown in directly from Amin’s “other” podcast. 😉

Credits:
Edited by Amin

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Links:
David’s website
History of Westeros podcast

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, History, Podcast

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VoK 174: Game of Thrones (Ep.1) – Iron From Ice (Telltale Games)

Posted on December 21, 2014 | Leave a comment

telltale_got

The crew cozy up next to a fire with a cup of eggnog to rate and review 1st episode of TellTale’s Game of Thrones Video game. This game can be played on iOS devices, Android devices, PlayStation 3/4, XBox 360/ONE and Steam PC/MAC.

Spoiler Scope:
First 35 mins of Podcast has NO Game spoilers,
Podcast contains spoilers for HBOs Game Of Thrones upto Season 4, and
Upto Book 5 of A Song of Ice and Fire Series.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Fortytwo, Alias, claudiusthefool and drownedsnow
Intro Music: “hmm ok” by Gablé
Christmas Music by E’s Jammy Jams courtesy of Youtube’s Audio Library

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Links:
Forrester Family Tree
Support Archive.org

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Podcast, Video Games

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VoK 172: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 4) – The Beginning of the End

Posted on December 13, 2014 | Leave a comment

rsz_sil_4_art

The Vassals of Kingsgrave continue our Silmarillion re-read in which we cover chapters 13-18 of the Quenta Silmarillion; “Of the Return of the Noldor” through “Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin”.

The Noldor have a few bright spots and shining moments before everything starts to go downhill in their ceaseless war against Morgoth.  We visit the hidden city of Gondolin and follow Maeglin the clinically depressed Elf as he tackles his daddy issues and falls in love with his cousin.  Men finally show up on the scene and join the fight; and we get one of the most awesome and bittersweet scenes in the book in which Fingolfin challenges Morgoth to single combat with the expected results.

Hosts Greg, Matt, Alix, Shane, Brett & Matthieu explore all this and various tangents including having several lessons on pronunciation, debate the wingspan of the great eagles, who would win in a fight; Gimli or The Mountain, and why didn’t the eagles just fly the damn ring right to Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings.

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Image art of Fingolfin and Morgoth by artist unknown

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

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VoK 170: Women in Geek Culture (Vol.2) – GamerGate

Posted on December 8, 2014 | 12 comments

GamerGate

In Part 2 of VOK’s Women and Geek Culture series, hosts Alias, Beric175, inkasrain, No True Lady and Valkyrist bring passion, opinions and insight to GamerGate, the controversy that’s taken the internet by storm.

Credits:
Edited by No True Lady

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12 Comments

Posted in Fandom, Podcast, Video Games

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Please Support Archive.org

Posted on December 4, 2014 | Leave a comment

Hi Gang,

As you know we at VoK use archive.org to host and distribute our podcast. Its one of the main reasons we curators have been able to run VoK for free, and don’t have to ask for donations or look for sponsors.

Archive.org hosts other good podcasts like APOIAF and content from independent news sites like Democracy Now!. They also do the fun “Wayback Machine”, which crawls the web and saves sites, like do you miss the look and feel of Martin’s old site? , then check out this.

Archive.org is a non profit and is run thru donations from patrons. So if you can, please give generously to Archive.org

Thanks

Vikram aka Fortytwo

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Posted in Announcements

VoK Bonus: Monty Python and the Tower of Joy (parody skit)

Posted on November 17, 2014 | 3 comments

MontyPython

In this “bonus” episode of VOK, jed o’white hart presents a stirring rendition of the Tower of Joy scene from George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones, with all of the key parts recast by Monty Python.

Bonus episodes of VoK are bite-sized podcasts (such as songs, sketches or mini-discussions), which are under 20 minutes in length. If you have a similar project you would like submit or organise via VOK, then please contact us, or let us know on the forums.

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Movies, Podcast

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VoK 166: Book Club (Vol.3) – Station Eleven (by Emily St. John Mandel)

Posted on November 15, 2014 | Leave a comment

VOK Book Club 3 Image

Join the vassals for the third meeting of the VOK Book Club.  We review and discuss Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, a finalist for the 2014 National Book Award (that’s right, literature!).

Join hosts Greg (claudiusthefool), Amber (amberrocks), Zach (Alias), Michal (inkasrain) & first-time podcaster Alex (LuckyCharms) as they try to make sense of this “hopeful” post-apocalyptic world in which 99% of the world’s population has been killed by a super-flu and yet Shakespeare (and comic books) have survived.

Come journey the empty weed-ravaged roads of what once was Michigan with the Traveling Symphony and its motley group of eccentric musicians and performers as well as visit The Museum of Civilization with its exhibits from a gone-away world.

Be sure to vote on the forums for the next pick of the VOK Book Club!

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Jacket image and map taken from the US Hardcover Edition published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2014.  Station Eleven Comic by Nathan Burton.  Logo from The Adventures in Bookland Blog.

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, Science Fiction

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VoK 164: The World of Ice and Fire (by Martin, Garcia & Antonsson) – First Impressions

Posted on November 11, 2014 | Leave a comment

coffee_table_book

In this (not)161st podcast the crew gather around a coffee table to give their first impressions on GRRM’s The World of Ice and Fire. They lay down plans for more podcasts on this book. In after show they do an impromptu review on Brad Pitt’s Fury. Discussion is mostly kept spoiler free.

0:00 Pre Podcast Discussion (minor spoilers for GoT season 5)
9:20 Podcast Begins
1:12:00 After show

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Fortytwo, Valkyrist, Alias, Inkasrain and Claudiusthefool
Intro Music: “hmm ok” by Gablé
Various other music: BoxCat’s Discography

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, Fandom, Podcast

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VoK 163: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 3) – Oaths Before Bros

Posted on November 10, 2014 | Leave a comment

VOK 3 Image

Join the Vassals of Kingsgrave for the third part of the ongoing Silmarillion re-read project.  Today we recap chapters 7-12 of the Quenta Silmarillion which covers “The Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor” through “Of Men”.

The action picks up in earnest as the light of the Two Trees are extinguished by Melkor and his giant spider, the Noldor swear a terrible oath, the Valar create the Sun and Moon, and the Dwarves (Stunted People) and Men (The Sickly) finally come into the story.

Hosts Greg, Matt, Shane, Brett & Matthieu debate the dickishness of Feanor, the haughtiness of Elves in general and the unintended consequences of unbreakable oaths made in haste.

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Image art of the “Kinslaying at Alqualonde” by Ted Nasmith

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

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VoK 160: Comic Book Club (Vol.2) – Fall TV Shows

Posted on November 3, 2014 | Leave a comment

CBC 2

VoK 160: Comic Book Club Comics on TV Fall 2014

The third second Meeting of the Secret Book Club invites you to join our conversation about the current state of comics on television.

Thomas (FTWard), Greg (claudiusthefool), Shane (easttexasdirewolf) & Matt (Eiffel) discuss The Walking Dead, Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Arrow, The Flash and Gotham as well as some genuinely nerdy topics like the Top 5 Fighters in the DCU, who everyone’s favorite Flash is, the identity of Skye’s father, the nature of prostitution in Canada and of course Swamp Thing.

3:35 The Walking Dead

17:00 Marvel Agents of SHIELD

33:05 Arrow

49:50 The Flash

1:08:00 Gotham

1:28:00 After Show

 

Credits:
Edited by: FTWard
Image: Art by Al Plastino

Music: Various Artists

 

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Posted in Comics, Podcast, Science Fiction, TV Shows

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VoK 155: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 2) – Dwarves Still Gonna Need Wood

Posted on October 16, 2014 | 2 comments

VOK Sil 2 Graphic

The Vassals of Kingsgrave continue their Silmarillion re-read series.  Today we discuss the first six chapters of the Quenta Silmarillion.  We finally meet the first Elves and follow them as they make their way West and along the way many adventures and hijinks ensue.  The Dwarves make a brief appearance, there is some bickering between married gods, a lovely island ferry, mighty eagles, Ents and Orcs.

We also learn the twelve different names the Elves have for themselves (Quendi, Eldar, Avari, Falmari, Eldalie, Calaquendi, Umanyar, Moriquendi, Nandor, Sindar, Falathrim & Eglath) in case you were wondering.

Join hosts Greg, Brett, Shane, Alix, Matt & first time podcaster Matthieu as they attempt to keep all the names straight while at the same time try to understand why Tulkas likes wrestling so much.

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Image art by Ted Nasmith

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

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VoK 154: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (Monolith)

Posted on October 13, 2014 | Leave a comment

shadow of mordor

Join Fortytwo, Alias and White Raven for their review of Monolith’s new game, “Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor”. First half of podcast is spoiler-free. Spoiler filled review starts at 43mins.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Fortytwo, Alias, White Raven
Intro Music: “hmm ok” by Gablé
Various other music: BoxCat’s Discography

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Links:
AngryJoe vs Olgoth

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Posted in Podcast, The Lord of the Rings, Video Games

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VoK 153: Destiny (Bungie)

Posted on October 11, 2014 | Leave a comment

destiny cover

Fortytwo teams up with Alias and White Raven to take on a Boss called “Podcast”. The Crew review Bungie’s Destiny the game. At time of Recording Patch 1.0.2 is live and Iron Banner event is underway.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Fortytwo, Alias, White Raven
Intro Music: “hmm ok” by Gablé
Various other music: Gillicuddy’s Discography
Blog image by Janee Meadows

 

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Links:
AngryJoe’s Review

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Posted in Podcast, Science Fiction, Video Games

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VoK 148: Podcast Roundtable

Posted on September 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

podcast_img

Make some room in your MP3 players, cause the vassals are reviewing their favorite Podcasts. They talk about how they got into podcasts, list their favorites and list podcast they hate as well.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Alias, Amberrocks, Valkyrist, Claudiusthefool and Fortytwo
Intro Music: “hmm ok” by Gablé
Various other music: Chris Zabriskie’s Discography

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Posted in Fandom, Podcast

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VoK 147: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 1) – Meet the Valar

Posted on September 26, 2014 | Leave a comment

VOK Sil Image 1

The Vassals of Kingsgrave kick off their Silmarillion Re-read series.  Before discussing the book itself we break down the troubled history of the publication and the development of the text of what eventually became The Silmarillion as it was published in 1977, four years after the death of J.R.R. Tolkien.  We also analyze the letter that Tolkien wrote in 1950 to a friend in which he explained his reasoning behind writing The Silmarillion and what he hoped it would mean to England.

Join hosts Greg, Brett, Shane, Alix & Matt as they try to get into the head of Eru Iluvatar and his musical selections.

Put on your finest raiment and hearken to the tales of the Music of the Ainur and the Valaquenta.

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Image from the Melkor Was Here Tumblr from March 12, 2014.

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

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VoK 143: Book Club (Vol.2) – Half a King (by Joe Abercrombie)

Posted on September 16, 2014 | 3 comments

VOK

Join the vassals for the second meeting of the VOK Book Club.  We review and discuss Half a King by Joe Abercrombie.

Join hosts Greg (claudiusthefool), Amber (amberrocks), Brett (White Raven), Alix (Aiwendil) and Duncan (Valkyrist) as they review the first book of Abercrombie’s planned Shattered Sea Trilogy.  A high fantasy adventure of epic proportions full of betrayal, vengeance, slave revolts, pirates, savages, ancient ruins and blood oaths.

Unshackle your slave collar and join us on our sojourn around the Shattered Sea.

Be sure to vote on the forums for the next pick of the VOK Book Club!

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Jacket image and map taken from the US Hardcover Edition published by Del Rey 2014.  Artwork by Jon McCoy from the Subterranean Press limited edition.

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast

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