REEL WILD CINEMA: EPISODES EIGHT-TEN

In this installment of Balladeer’s Blog’s recurring Forgotten Television segment I continue my look at Reel Wild Cinema (1996-1997). This time around it’s Episodes 8-10.

THE RUNDOWN FOR EPISODE EIGHT (June 9th, 1996)

Title: Kids in Peril

Truncated Films Shown:

untamed furyUNTAMED FURY (1947) – A very early hicksploitation movie. This black & white movie’s stock footage is set in the swamps of the Deep South but everything else takes place on the usual cheap sets we all know and love from Producers Releasing Corporation.

As children, two swamp kids develop a rivalry over a pretty gal and over which one of them is “best” at getting dragged behind their fathers’ boats to lure out alligators for killing. Dubious honor to be fighting for. At any rate, the boy so good that he earns the nickname Gator Bait (yes, like the 1970s Claudia Jennings flick) goes off to college.

When he comes back years later, Gator Bait wants to do improvements to the swamplands to provide a better way of life for the locals. His boyhood rival in luring out alligators is opposed to the idea, as are a few other folks and conflict results. E.G. Marshall’s film debut. I’m NOT joking.      Continue reading

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CCCAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF TEAMS FOR 2024

This weekend’s matchups as the playoffs kick off in the CCCAA (California Community College Athletic Association).

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The MOUNT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE MOUNTIES will host the EL CAMINO COLLEGE WARRIORS.

Kickoff is at 6:00PM Pacific Time.

The RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE TIGERS will host the SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE OLYMPIANS.

Kickoff is at 1:00PM Pacific Time. Continue reading

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ANCIENT SCIENCE FICTION: THE DOMINION IN 1983 (1883)

Dominion in 1983THE DOMINION IN 1983 (1883) – Written by “Ralph Centennius,” the presumed pseudonym of an unknown author.

Oh, Canada! Our neighbors to the north hopped on the speculative science fiction bandwagon with this short story. The premise is that the author is looking back at the 100 years of Canadian “history” from 1883 to 1983.

In futuristic 1983 the population of Canada is 93 million, there are 15 provinces and the country is a model for the world in terms of peace, learning, arts and sciences. We readers are told that there was a period around 1885 when many Canadians supported the idea of Canada becoming part of the United States, but this movement faded after losing at the ballot box.

Mascot new lookCanadian technology leads the world, with rocketships that can fly at a mile per second and electric automobiles for ground transport. Electricity is the predominant energy source, and Electropolis, the first all-electric city, was recently completed. Continue reading

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NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOON ROUNDUP: NOV 25th

Another current events roundup from Independent Voter site Balladeer’s Blog

INTOLERANT AND FANATICAL DEMOCRATS CRAZILY ATTACKING COURAGEOUS TULSI GABBARD BECAUSE SHE LEFT BEHIND THEIR UNHINGED PARTY.

MORE REMINDERS OF THE WAY THAT THE HARRIS-BIDEN REGIME USED THE DOJ TO TARGET THEIR POLITICAL OPPONENTS. A regime by and for human filth.

CAREER CRIMINAL JOE BIDEN TRYING TO CANCEL FOUR POINT FIVE BILLION DOLLARS OF UKRAINE’S DEBT ON HIS WAY OUT OF OFFICE. We’re all used to the way that corrupt presidents pardon their unsavory cohorts in the closing days of their administration, but Joe Biden is adding outright theft from taxpayers AND a push for World War III. He’s still unfit and illegit.

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS ARE STILL FINDING “UNCOUNTED” VOTES ALMOST THREE WEEKS AFTER ELECTION DAY. And inattentive Republicans lose a few more offices they celebrated winning. All of India can get its votes counted in one day, but California continues their late-counting larceny. More HERE.

abby phillipANOTHER DEMOCRAT BRAVELY CALLS OUT THE PARTY’S POMPOUS SNOBBERY AND INTOLERANCE. Among her remarks: “I have observed that elites increasingly talk only to each other and come to believe that because there is consensus among them that that consensus is shared broadly and there are not enough voices that are confident enough to disagree and to present alternatives.”

KURT SCHLICHTER GETS IT RIGHT ABOUT THE TIMID, FLIMSY, NEARLY NON-EXISTENT “MAJORITY” THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE LEFT IN THE HOUSE. Continue reading

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REEL WILD CINEMA: EPISODES FIVE-SEVEN

Balladeer’s Blog’s Forgotten Television feature previously provided background information on Reel Wild Cinema (1996-1997) and examined its first four episodes. Now it’s on to the fifth through seventh episodes.

THE RUNDOWN FOR EPISODE FIVE (May 19th, 1996)

Title: Sci-Fi Mutant Invasion

Truncated Films Shown:

godmonster of indian flatsGODMONSTER OF INDIAN FLATS (1973) – From the maker of Alabama’s Ghost comes this tale of toxic gasses from beneath the Earth spawning a mutated sheep monster which walks erect and looks a little like Mr. Snuffleupagas and Joe Camel. The video cover looks nothing like the creature.

Some of the weirdest corporate and political conspirators that you’ll ever see combine with oddball action, a funeral for a dog that isn’t dead and the lumbering title menace for one feverish flick. On the plus side there’s a lot of interesting Nevada scenery as backdrop for the bizarre storyline.  Continue reading

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BALLADEER’S BLOG’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL POSTSEASON RESULTS

NEPTUNE BOWL – The two Independent teams clashing in this Bowl Game were the NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS (Shipbuilders) and the ATLANTIS UNIVERSITY ATLANTEANS. The 1st Quarter ended with the Builders up just 7-0 but they floored it from there. By Halftime the Apprentice School led 24-0 on their way to a 59-6 blowout victory. 

NAIA PLAYOFFS

ROUND ONE: GAME ONE – The SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE MOUNDBUILDERS welcomed the UNIVERSITY OF ST. FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS. This tale of 2 Halves saw the Moundbuilders holding a midpoint lead of 24-10. From there the Cougars rallied but fell short as Southwestern College went on to win the game 31-24.  Continue reading

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PHILIPPINE SUPERHEROES: SANDUGUAN

This weekend’s escapist, light-hearted superhero post from Balladeer’s Blog will look at a superteam from the Philippines – Sanduguan (Blood Oath), created by Gener Pedriña.

sanduguan

Before I examine the individual members of this team, here are some quick facts:

sanduguan againThe team name Sanduguan dates to the era of Filipino resistance to the Spanish colonial forces. Rebels would take an oath of blood to the cause. Sanduguan, the term for the oath ritual, has also been translated as One Blood and Blood Pact.

Sanduguan first appeared in February of 1999. The emergency which caused the gathering of individual superheroes who would found the team was the freeing of Siginarugan – a vile entity from Philippine mythology. The heroes defeated the menace and formed their team. 

sandataSANDATA (Weapon)

Secret Identity: Jae Ener Pedriña

Debut Year: 1999

Origin: From a very young age, Jae’s grandfather educated him in Arnis, the Filipino martial arts discipline. As an adult he was declared so proficient that his grandfather gave him a pair of mystic bastons used in Arnis. After thwarting a robbery with the bastons Jae adopted the costumed identity of Sandata to fight crime.   

Powers: This hero is the foremost master of Arnis techniques of fighting. His mystic bastons are virtually indestructible and occasionally manifest other aspects as needed.  Sandata is the leader of Sanduguan. Continue reading

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D3 FOOTBALL PLAYOFF TEAMS FOR 2024

Earlier this week I examined the NAIA and NCAA D2 playoff teams. Here are the NCAA Div 3 matchups for tomorrow.

The TRINITY (TX) TIGERS will host the UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR CRUSADERS.

Kickoff will be at 1:00PM Eastern Time.

The WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY PIRATES will host the POMONA-PITZER COLLEGE SAGEHENS.

Kickoff will be at 3:00PM Eastern Time. Continue reading

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NOV 22nd ROUNDUP OF NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOONS

The latest current events roundup from Independent Voter site Balladeer’s Blog.

joe biden mushroom cloudJOE BIDEN STILL TRYING TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA IMPOSSIBLE ON HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR. Joe is garbage. And remember, he’s been declared incompetent to stand trial for his many crimes, yet he’s supposedly competent enough to sit in the Oval Office.

PRIVILEGED WHITE ONE PERCENTER NANCY PELOSI BEING HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR HER MANY DISASTERS. That includes the way she caused the Democrats to lose the House of Representatives TWICE under her “speakership.” More HERE.

DEMOCRAT SETH MOULTON IS THE LATEST TO ADMIT THAT THE PARTY HAS LOST TOUCH WITH AMERICANS. Among his remarks: “Well, obviously, we’ve lost touch with the majority of Americans. Democrats have a habit of preaching down to people and telling them that if they don’t 100% agree with our orthodox view, often defined by the far left, then they’re just bad people. They’re morally wrong. And that’s not going to win us any elections.” 

EXCELLENT ARTICLE ABOUT ALL THE CAREER POLITICIAN/ CAREER CRIMINALS THAT TRUMP HAS BEATEN OR IS STILL CLASHING WITH. Grifting and graft-grabbing members of both major parties have fallen to Trump the reformer. Continue reading

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AFRICAN MYTHOLOGY: THE EPIC OF AIWEL LONGAR

Balladeer’s Blog takes another look at a neglected epic myth, this one from Africa.

Aiwel LongarThe mythic tale of Aiwel Longar comes from the Dinka pantheon. Nhialic is the supreme deity to the Dinka and the first man and woman he created were Garang and Abuk. The Dinka people live in the Upper Nile in Sudan, as they have for centuries.

AIWEL LONGAR

I often cover the way in which cultures which come into contact borrow mythic material from each other to embellish their own respective belief systems. The story of Aiwel Longar clearly influenced (and vice versa) Egyptian, Jewish, Christian and Muslim myths. It also bears striking similarities to the Gnostic Hymn of the Pearl.

PART ONE – Born as simply Aiwel, this figure was a gift from the god of the Nile River to Aiwel’s widowed and childless mother. The infant already had a full set of teeth when his mother picked him up out of the Nile River, where the river god had set him adrift.

Like many mythic figures Aiwel could talk and function like an adult at a very young age. While still a toddler he often stole and drank entire gourds full of milk. After one such binge Aiwel’s mother caught him and the young demigod warned her not to tell anyone or else she would die.  Continue reading

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