#matrix sequels

We're back with our ninth episode. This time we introduce our first guest host! Megan Cutler, our good friend and author of The Island of Lost Forevers is here to join us as we talk about our favourite books, and why they're our favourites. Plus, we have all of our regular segments!

Opening Segment: What We've Been Up To, News

Megan joins Scragglefoot and Silverwind as they talk over what they've been up to as normal since the last episode. Then it's onto the news, with a surprising minimum of diversions, distractions and tangents for one of our regular episodes.

Main Segment: Five Favourite Books

All three of the hosts go through a non-ordered list of their five greatest and most influential books in a round-robin style, diving into what makes them their favourites, and why they're so important to each host.

Closing Segment: You Haven't Seen & Can We Fix It?

We round things off as normal with our regular segments, this time feeding back on Arpeggio of Blue Steel for Scragglefoot and The Brothers Solomon for Silverwind. Then, Silverwind takes on the mighty listener-suggested task of fixing the Matrix sequels.

Theme Song: Doctor Dredd, supplied by freesoundtrackmusic.com

Check us out at the normal places:

@Scragglefoot

@SilverwindBlade

@GordonsAlivePodcast

On Twitter

Gordons Alive Facebook Group

And you can e-mail us at [email protected]

You can also now find us on ITunes - search for Gordons Alive!

Check out Megan's book on Amazon:

The Island of Lost Forevers - Mystical Island, book one

You can also find Megan on Twitter, and on her blog!

@StarbornStriker

I have made the following connections between the Star Wars prequels and the Matrix sequels:

1. Both film series were encapsulated within the early 2000s.

2. Both film series have a conventionally-attractive protagonist (Anakin Skywalker, Neo) who can barely act, and has a similar non-chemistry with a love interest (Padme Amidala, Trinity).

3. Both film series feature an over-the-top villain who is praised as being the best aspect of the series (Palpatine, Smith).

4. Both film series feature long, over-the-top battles filled with choreography that makes the fights look more like dances and extensive CGI.

5. Both films feature an African-American actor who is known for betting acting jobs (Samuel L. Jackson, Laurence Fishburne) who give these nearly unemotional performances.

6. Both film series ended up being disappointments by fans and regular moviegoers alike for their convoluted plots, dull, wooden characters, and similarly lifeless acting, as they had both been created by the same people who started the franchises to begin with (George Lucas, the Wachowskis).

Here's a short interview with Aaliyah in 2001. Baby Girl talks on Queen of the Damned and preparations for the Matrix sequels.

MTV: Was shooting "Queen of the Damned" more challenging then "Romeo Must Die"?

Aaliyah: It's hard to compare them, because they're so different. I play a fantastical creature in "Queen of the Damned." I play a vampire, and not just any vampire. I'm playing the queen of all vampires! She's the mother, she's 4,000 centuries old. She's a bit evil but very regal, so there was a lot I had to do to really find [the character], Akasha. I took months of preparation for that. She had to have an accent, and [I] had to do wire work because she flew, so there was a lot that went into bringing Akasha to life.

MTV: You just finished shooting "Queen of the Damned," and you're going to San Francisco before you go back to Australia for the "Matrix" sequels. How's that going?

Aaliyah: I don't have to go back to Australia until next year to finish shooting [the "Matrix" sequels]. It actually works out great, because I have the time needed to support the album and tour. ... It's kind of hard juggling both of them, because it's double the workload. But the way I look at is I just let it work itself out, let it flow. If I don't think about it, it won't drive me crazy.

MTV: Have you been doing any special preparation for the "Matrix" sequels, given all the action scenes that are going to be in it?

Aaliyah: I know I'm involved in some action scenes, so they'll definitely train me for that. I'll be working with my acting coach before I go out there, to prepare for my character.

MTV: Can you tell me a little bit about your "Matrix" character, Zee?

Aaliyah: I can't say much about Zee, unfortunately. "The Matrix" is top secret. They're making sure we know that there isn't much that can be said right now. [Smiles]