Blogs
All Kinds of Stuff - http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com
Ren & Stimpy creator John Kricfalusi's blog, filled with opinion, history lessons and fabulous works of art.
Cartoons and Caricatures - http://www.cartoonsandcaricatures.blogspot.com
Great blog run by Spumco layout supervisor Fred Osmond, with plenty of wacky caricatures to keep everyone amused for hours.
Moody Movies - http://moodymovies.blogspot.com
Count Fosco is a fellow giallo fan, but his site covers other subjects too, most of them movie-related.
DVD Trash - http://dvdtrash.blogspot.com
Nick lives just down the road from me, and, as it happens, is also a big fan of Italian genre cinema. Visit his blog for opinions, news and DVD fun.
Funny Cute - http://funnycute.blogspot.com
Katie Rice was a layout artist on Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon. She has a very cool drawing style and shows it off in this very nice blog.
Gallowmere - http://www.gallowmere.com
The home of the elusive author Todd S. Gallows.
HD DVD Format Blog - http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com
A very useful blog-formatted news source for the superior high definition home video format.
Killing in Style - http://killinginstyle.blogspot.com
Sylvain L's great blog, focusing on gialli, their music and meanings.
Lyris Lite - http://www.lyris-lite.net
This be my brother. Check out his brothel of news, rants and replacement covers for DVDs and games.
On the Other Side - http://baron-scarpia.livejournal.com
I got to know Baron Scarpia through the Dark Discussion message board. The Baron has proven himself to be an extremely astute film connoisseur whose opinions are always worth reading. His journal contains many examples of his fine work.
Parma Violets - http://parma-violets.livejournal.com
Another of the crazy LiveJournal crowd who I got to know via Dark Discussion. This site doesn't have a specific theme, but covers many of the thing in which I'm interested, from the movies all the way to real life.
Pyatyletka - http://www.pyatyletka.com
The web site of Nick Cross, art director and storyboard artist on Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon. Some great flash cartoons, comics and paintings.
Cartoons, Animation and Illustration
Andrew's Anal Retentive Attention to Detail - http://www.comicartoon.50megs.com
Very interesting cartoon reviews, organized by director.
The Art of Jay Li - http://www.jayliart.n3.net
Jay Li was a background paint on Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon and does a lot of work with oils.
Big Pants Mouse - http://www.bigpantsmouse.com
The official home of Big Pants Mouse, creation of Spumco's Gabe Swarr. Be sure to check out his portfolio for some behind the scenes art from the Jetsons web shorts.
The Big Cartoon Database - http://www.bcdb.com
The animation-centric equivalent of the Internet Movie Database. Many titles have detailed production notes. I've been unable to access it for the past year, but other people seem to be having no problems, so I assume it's my stupid ISP.
Cartoon Brew - http://www.cartoonbrew.com
Run by Jerry Beck and Amid Amidi, this is a great source for the latest news about cartoons past, present and future.
Disney Lies - http://www.disneylies.com
There's some very funny stuff here, including some great reviews of various films and DVD releases, and some very witty thinly-veiled comments about Disney management. Well worth a look.
John Howe - http://www.john-howe.com
John Howe is a great artist who illustrates the covers for many editions of Tolkien's books, as well as calendars and other tie-ins. He was also a conceptual designer on the Peter Jackson movie adaptations.
Kristy Gordon - http://www.kristygordon.com
Home of Kristy Gordon, who did some amazing background paintings on Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon, as well as a few of the voices.
Sawdust Village - http://www.geocities.com/mewzikbunny/index.htm
Don't ask me to explain Sawdust Village - just go visit it. It's a site by Robyn Byrd, who did Flash animation for Spumco for some time, and was the brains behind the hilarious Spumco Walkems. If you've seen them, you'll get the idea of this site. It hasn't been updated since 2002, but it remains a treasure trove of whimsy.
Ted Nasmith - http://www.tednasmith.com
Another Tolkien illustrator and one whose attention to detail is admirable.
Censorship
The British Board of Film Censors - http://www.bbfc.co.uk
A useful database for DVDs that have been censored in the UK, and advice as to which versions are uncut. This list isn't complete, but most major titles are listed here.
MediaWatchWatch - http://www.mediawatchwatch.org.uk
A site set up to counter the filth spread by MediaWatch, the right-wing Christian pressure group founded by the notorious Mary Whitehouse.
The Melon Farmers - http://www.melonfarmers.co.uk
The Melon Farmers is a massive and very comprehensive resource for all things censorship. Pertaining mostly to UK audiences, it also has a reasonable amount of information on international censorship affairs.
OfWatch - http://www.ofwatch.org.uk
A web site dedicated to regulating the British television regulator, OfCom.
DVD, HDM, Film and TV
Bjoern's Place - http://www.videophile.info
One of the best sites for the discussion of DVDs and many of the little-known problems they suffer from. Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated for ages, so I assume the author has abandoned it.
Dark Dreams - http://www.darkdreams.org
The absolute best source for info relating to Dario Argento and his films. Includes reviews, galleries, interviews and loads more.
Dave's Trailer Page - http://www.davestrailerpage.co.uk
Precisely what it says on the label, this is a great source for links to trailers for all the latest movies.
DVD-Basen - http://www.dvd-basen.dk/uk/home.php3
A great database for DVD reviews.
DVD Beaver - http://www.dvdbeaver.com
This site reviews obscure DVD titles and provides visual comparisons of different releases of the same film.
DVD Price Check - http://www.dvdpricecheck.co.uk
Very useful site that lets you find the cheapest place to buy a DVD.
The Editing Room - http://ter.air0day.com
This site laughs at the movies by providing scripts that basically outline the complete ridiculousness of the movies in question.
The Firmware Page - http://www.firmware-flash.com
The best place to download firmware for making your DVD-ROM drive region-free.
High-Def Digest - http://www.highdefdigest.com
This site is primarily useful for news on both HD DVD and Blu-ray releases. It's considerably less reliable as a buying guide, since the main reviewer, Peter Bracke, seems to have a hard time distinguishing between image quality and artistic intent. He also seems to think that Europe has had high definition TV for the last 20 years.
Hundland.org HD Screencaps - http://www.hundland.org/hd
A site with direct screen captures of worldwide HD releases. The focus is on rarer titles, but mainstream ones are also covered.
Inside the Madness of Andrzej Zulawski - http://www.andrzej-zulawski.com
An excellent, exhaustive and almost daunting resource on the films of obscure Polish filmmaker Andrzej Zulawski.
The Internet Movie Database - http://www.imdb.com
Okay, sometimes it can be about as reliable as screwing in a swimming pool to avoid getting knocked up, but this is still the ultimate resource for movies, TV and DVD, as well as actors and production staff.
KinoCite - http://www.kinocite.co.uk
Great site for film reviews, largely of the obscure and European variety.
KinoEye - http://www.kinoeye.org
Intelligent dissection and analysis of some of the more obscure European films. Includes excellent articles on all the films of Dario Argento, as well as a large number of other works. Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated since November 2004.
The Laser Examiner - http://www.dvdscan.com
This site reviews laserdiscs and DVDs, and compares different versions. I like this site because of the amount of detail they go into, and also their rigorous standards. They are also a lot closer in terms of standard to what I look for in a DVD presentation than the more mainstream sites, although I have yet to find a reviews site that is as anti-restoration as I am.
Rewind - http://www.dvdcompare.net
Probably the Internet's most comprehensive DVD region comparisons resource. This is also a good place for finding out about the contents of DVDs, and whether or not they have been cut. Bear in mind, however, that because of its nature, Rewind generally ignores aesthetics and quality in favour of a cold appraisal of the technical specs on paper.
Message Boards
Dark Discussion - http://www.darkdreams.org/dd_forum/index.php
A superb discussion board for Dario Argento fans.
The Drawing Board - http://www.sketchbooksessions.com/shanesboard
Formerly part of ShaneGlines.net, now an independent message board. Post your art, and discuss animation and illustration, here.
The DVD Forums - http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums
This site is mostly of use to UK residents. You can discuss DVD and cinema releases, review films, search for computing and console technical support, auction and bid DVDs, and many more home entertainment related whimsies. A huge place with a large number of posters, posting is fairly frequent, but of course also increases the bullshit and flame wars. Bottom line, if you're looking for a small, friendly community where everyone knows everyone else, this isn't the place for you.
DVD Maniacs Forum - http://www.dvdmaniacs.net/forums
A great movie-focused forum with a horror bent.
FilmTalk - http://www.film-talk.com
My preferred destination for discussion of Blu-ray titles.
Mobius Home Video Forums - http://s8.invisionfree.com/MHVF
The rules on this forum can seem stiflingly strict, but the discussion, which caters to most genres of film, is informative and mature.
Other
Epinions - http://www.epinions.com
A good source of reviews for just about everything. Check here before you buy!
Security Task Manager - http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager
Cool program that lets you monitor your system for dodgy programs. Even if you don't want the program itself, their "Known Processes" page is a great list of known Windows processes, where people can rate them in terms of danger and explain what purpose they serve.
Urban Legends Reference Page - http://www.snopes.com
Just about every single urban legend under the sun.
Online Stores
CD Japan - http://www.cdjapan.co.jp
Good source for Japanese DVDs and music. The cheapest shipping option takes approximately a week to reach the UK, so their claim of 4-6 weeks is a little inaccurate (good thing too, as shipping can be expensive, especially for the faster options). Remember to select "gift" to avoid any customs woes.
Chillblast - http://www.chillblast.co.uk
Excellent PC hardware supplier. Their prices might be a little higher than some of the two-bit flea-market suppliers like Overclockers UK, but their customer service is second to none. Highly recommended.
DVD Pacific - http://www.dvdpacific.com
By far the best and cheapest option for Region 1 DVDs. They ship to the UK within a week and have no customs charges. They may also ship titles before their official street date.
Kustom PCs - http://www.kustompcs.co.uk
Ayr (Scotland) based PC hardware supplier. Excellent customer service, friendly staff and good shipping times. The web site is a little clunky but other than that it's all good.
Movie Grooves - http://www.moviegrooves.com
Friendly and fast-shipping UK-based supplier of obscure music titles. Stocks a lot of Ennio Morricone and giallo scores.
MovieTyme - http://www.movietyme.com
Reasonably priced R1 DVD store, though not as cheap as DVD Pacific. They sell lots of stuff like Video Nasties and hard-core porn that is generally hard to get in the UK. All their packages are, in their words, "inconspicuous". They often ship DVDs before their actual release date.
Play - http://www.play.com
Professional and reliable store for buying R2 DVDs, music and games.
YesAsia - http://www.yesasia.com
Great place to buy Asian paraphernalia, including DVDs, CDs and electronics. Good prices, and customs charges are pre-paid.
Religion
Bible Trash - http://www.bibletrash.com
This excellent site debunks the various myths of The Bible by revealing just how stupid they are, and goes some way towards explaining just why people end up believing in such rubbish.
CAP Alert - http://www.capalert.com
The people running the Childcare Action Project are among the most debased scum I have ever come across. Like all Christian nutters, they are rude, arrogant, closed-minded, right-wing and... well, stupid. They analyze movies (probably by downloading them from KaZaA, praise the Lord!), pointing out "inappropriate content" like kissing, Halloween costumes and references to evolution. It's fun to email them and give them a piece of your mind, because they can't argue.
Chick Publications - http://www.chick.com
Jack T. Chick's nauseatingly Christian web site dedicated to filling kids' heads with lies. Be sure to read his "tracts" (i.e. really really crappy hatemongering propaganda comics).
Christian Answers - http://www.christiananswers.net
This site is hilarious. It has everything you could possibly want to know about the big book of fairytales known as The Bible . Most Christian nutters completely disown any scientific theories, but these Christians attempt to use science to explain, among other things, how Noah was able to survive in his ark up in the mountains with no oxygen!
Debate Unlimited - http://www.mwillett.org
Covering not just religious lunacy but also all sorts of other life-related issues, Martin Willett's site contains more articles than you could shake a stick at and is filled to the brim with fantastic put-downs of religious mania (the mailbag section is a delight).
The Jack T. Chick Parody Archives - http://www.weirdcrap.com/chick
Remember Chick Publications? This is a hilarious and entirely accurate parody of these "comics", complete with the requisite terrible art.
Landover Baptist - http://www.landoverbaptist.org
Landover Baptist is a hilarious site taking the piss out of the Christian nutters.
Scottish Atheist Council - http://www.scottishatheistcouncil.org.uk
Linked here simply for containing one of the funniest responses I've ever seen to a tiring question: "Q: Are you Anti-Religious?" "A: Yes."
The Skeptic's Annotated Bible - http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/index.html
An intelligent analysis of The Bible, pointing out all the (many) inconsistencies and (much) nonsense.
The White House - http://whitehouse.org
God knows how they managed to get this URL. From the makers of Landover Baptist, this site takes the piss out of George W. Bush and all the other neo-con pirates that have infested the White House. George Washington would be proud!
