Is This Art Good?

In this episode, we review our first building! It's a retro treetop home in the forest of Oregon. Come explore Alfonz's future house with us in this Milk Bud! The walkthrough of the house we review is available on the Architectural Digest YouTube channel. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we get down to brass tacks and examine what it truly means to be an actor with a review of “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent”! We star as Nicolas Cage starring as Nick Cage in this film about Nick Cage. Join us as we explore the bleak realities of a character actor, dissect the intricacies of best-friendship, and attempt to stop political turmoil in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review a tiny piece of American-Japanese media. Or is it Japanese-American media? It's MAKUDONARUDO. Come learn Japanese with us in this bite-sized Milk Buds episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

The second half of our 2022 HALLOWEEN SPOOKY SPEC(TRE)ACULAR!!! The pieces we review will only be revealed INSIDE the episode! Listen to find out what they are! OooooooOOOOoooOOoooooooooo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

The first half of our 2022 HALLOWEEN SPOOKY SPEC(TRE)ACULAR!!! The pieces we review will only be revealed INSIDE the episode! Listen to find out what they are! OooooooOOOOoooOOoooooooooo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, it's the final week of OCTORROR!! We review an indisputable Halloween classic…HALLOWEEN! Seriously, if you think this isn't a Halloween classic, you are objectively incorrect. We discuss the prison industrial complex (sort of), the pitfalls of being a horny teenager, and the best way to ensure your safety when entering your vehicle as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we continue our month of OCTORROR specials with a review of Dario Argento's 80s classic, “Demons”! Devin heard about this one from a podcast he can't remember and thought it would make for a truly terrifying tête-à-tête. We discuss ancient artifacts, the truth behind our favourite dates, and what counts as a zombie as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we confront the bizarre being in the sky with a review of NOPE. Alfonz picked this as our first OCTORROR film of 2022. We confront carnivorous apes, western-themed attractions, and sibling telepathy as we attempt to determine...Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we get sucked into a mystical world inside a musical box. It's Wario Land 3! Allegedly nothing like any other game ever created, Alfonz gave Devin this game so we could finally indulge in a platformer starring our least-loved Mario character. That's not even true, actually. We discuss repetition, repetition, repetition, stealthy windows, and bastard tortoises as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review a piece of art from Devin's home! Maybe it's two pieces, but we count it as one. It's two tiny frogs! Check our Instagram @isthisartgood for a 360 view of the frogs to follow along! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we sink our teeth into some savoury gelatinous goo with a review of Lark's Tongues in Aspic by King Crimson! Devin gave Alfonz this piece of classic prog rock in the hopes that it would change Alfonz's mind about dry 70s production. We discuss medieval minstrels, keyboard wizards, delicate little birdies, and every other prog stereotype as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

IT'S A PREMIERE! Yes, in this episode, we premiere our new sub-series MILK BUDS! Milk Buds is a series of bite-sized mini-episodes where we review things that are too short to warrant a full episode. For our first one, we sink our teeth into Munchies' "How to Cook from Tokyo's Vending Machines" featuring Ty Demura. What happens when someone gets drunk and makes a banana milkshake? Open the Milk Buds carton to find out! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we have a celebration! We've hit a milestone - 50 EPISODES! Because of our format, it's a lot more than it seems like, so we decided to look back on our catalogue with a fun little special. We quiz each other on the art we've reviewed, get into some deep lore that we were not aware of, and rank our personal top 10 pieces we've reviewed in the first part of our history as…Is This Art Good --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review an album that may be a harbinger of the shape of pop to come…it's “Ugly Is Beautiful” by Oliver Tree! Alfonz gave this to Devin expecting that it may not be the most highly praised review we've given…are Alfonz's expectations met? We discuss our favourite lyrical subject matter, the problem with old men, and our favourite haircuts as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we take a trip back in time to 2007 with a game that takes a trip back to 1978 - it's Driver: Parallel Lines! Devin used to play this a bunch with a VERY janky set of controls, and gave it to Alfonz to see if it holds up. We get in deep with the wrong crowd, walk in chunky pudding, and finally learn how to drive stick as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we have a special road trip surprise! As a little thank you to YOU, the listener, and a welcome back to ourselves from vacation, we have a bonus episode! We review a bunch of billboards (and a few things that are not at all billboards) that Devin saw on his recent trip across eastern Canada. We discuss Kraft Dinner's graphic design, invisible telekinetic pizza chefs, and the urge to text and drive as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we travel forward in time to the year 2097 to defend humanity from terrible mutant monsters. It's our review of CRYSTALIS! This 1990 NES smash hit (maybe) RPG deals with high fantasy in a futuristic setting...what does that look like? We get lost in a mountain, nearly choke to death in a poison forest, and find enough “medicinal herbs” to cure every single one of our ailments as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we hunker down in an abandoned garage and get ready for THE BIG ONE with a review of "Kajillionaire"! Alfonz picked this dark comedy-drama-crime film in the hopes it would throw us a whacky curveball with its plot...listen to see if that happens! We discuss the difficulties of parenting, how to plan a heist [film] and the importance of understanding your own body before understanding someone else's as we attempt to determine...Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review everyone's favourite shape…it's “The Box”! This lesser-known psychological sci-fi thriller brings us through the twists and turns of the most difficult types of decisions one can make. We discuss our favourite animal sounds, the difference between fire and lightning, and the importance of knowing your 20th century philosophy as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we go into the basement with a review of ANATOMY. This very tiny game is full of psychological body-horror that made us reconsider the places we feel safest. We talk about the social stigma around housing, our favourite parts of the human body, and the benefits of having a big backyard as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we have another podcast first: our first review of a country album with “Pony” by Orville Peck! Alfonz gave Devin this album to challenge his tastes and see what we could both glean from a genre we have traditionally avoided. Alfonz demonstrates their lack of familiarity with mainstream country as we go deep into where Pony lies within the genre, dig into a bit of music history, and of course, kick off our celebration of Pride Month in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review a form of art we haven't explored yet - poetry! It's our review of Poet McGonagall's Masterpieces, a compilation of works by the Scottish poet William McGonagall! Known as one of the worst poets of all time, we give Mr. McGonagall a fair shake at being appreciated for what he's contributed to the world. Alfonz gives their first poetry recital, and we discuss unpronounceable place names, the importance of rhythm, and our secret cocktail recipes as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? *Any reference to Jamie Buckley is completely fictional and has no basis on any real person. Apologies if this is your name. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we dig deep on some pieces of animation from our homeland - it's O Canada! Devin gave Alfonz this hidden gem of Canadian media which is NOT our national anthem, and which we admittedly had a very hard time finding in order to review - more on that in the episode. We discuss absurdist comedy, nuclear war, our own family histories, early careers in logging, and the danger of damage to the male reproductive system as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we go on a public transit rampage with a review of OMNIBUS - a little game about a bus, where you ARE the bus! This episode is proof that even if the art is short, we can have a long, ridiculous discussion around it. We stretch the limits of relevance to their absolute breaking point as we touch on our driving history, celebrity deaths, and one of our favourite internet-based artists in our attempt to determine...Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we go back in time to the dawn of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 1998, with a review of Blade! Alfonz picked this edgy, action packed progenitor of modern vampire films in the hopes we could contrast it with current vampire films. We do not. We do however talk about the importance of prioritizing sound design, the effect that ads can have on one's viewing experience, and end up designing an entirely new line of vehicular accessories in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review the first thing Devin ever watched on DVD - SNL: The Best of Chris Farley! It's a NEW form of art for us because it's a COMPILATION. How do compilations affect he way that we perceive art? How much does context matter? We discuss these questions, the importance of owning your physicality, and how one person can be a vessel for so much activity in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review something special! It's a surprise, of course. Listen to find out what exactly this is. Maybe you'll learn something, or maybe you'll find yourself mostly listening to us make “X” sounds for nearly an hour as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we get a lesson in animation with a review of the slice-of-life anime “Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken”! Alfonz gave Devin this short series in the hopes that we could both have a close look at what makes animation great, through the eyes of a few kids who make some animation. We discuss the finer points of filmmaking, how to be a shrewd businessperson, and a groundbreaking new podcast idea in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we have another Is This Art Good? first - a PAIR of songs: The Most Wanted Song and The Most Unwanted Song. Who determines what's wanted? What's unwanted? How can you possibly figure it out? We go into all of these questions, flex our musical imaginations, take a brief journey through the history of popular music, and have a surprise musical performance in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we delve into a twitchy, adventurous, Canadian-made platformer: it's CELESTE! Alfonz makes it no secret that he's a big fan of this game, so our discussion takes us through why and how it got on his good list. We discuss geography, mountain climbing (of course), our new co-host (!!!) and the importance of honestly approaching your own struggles in our attempt to determine...Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we have another podcast first: it's our first review of an MMORPG with RuneScape! We flipped a chocolatey coin to determine which version of the game we would play, and delve head first into the modern (current) version of it. Our discussion takes us to a fantastical land of trolls and goblins where you're free to go wherever you want (except members only areas), and has us frequently talking in extremes and opposites as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we give our first ever review of an entirely instrumental album. It's “An Anxious Object” by Mouse On The Keys! This genre-bending album takes us back to 2009 and stretches our musical vocabulary to its limits as we discuss our feelings on jazz, improvisation, the mess that musical genres have become, and give some deeper insight into our own musical taste in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, it's the year 2022...people will do anything to get what they need...and they NEED Soylent Green. Our review of this 70s ecological sci-fi dystopia classic is full of essential nutrients: discussion of futuristic (but possibly also antiquated) gender roles, the right to see one beautiful thing before you die, and the only possible way to deal with the problem of overpopulation. We apply all of our knowledge of the 21st century in our attempt to determine...Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we go in depth with the “goriest animated movie of 2021”: The Spine of Night! Devin gave Alfonz this fantasy-horror, and we were super pleased with how the discussion went. In a bit more of a technical discussion than usual, we get into the intricacies and pitfalls of animation, the crafts of storytelling and worldbullding, the importance of knowing your philosophy, and somehow touch on Rocky Balboa in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we examine one building from three different angles. It's our review of “The House” (2021). Alfonz gave Devin this stop-motion horror/drama featuring three separate stories involving the same house. We embark on a house/boat hybrid voyage and discuss the realities of hating your extended family, our dream kitchen installations, and what it means to be afraid of water as we continue our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review a movie that's about two sides of the same coin. From the mind of Adam Sandler, it's Jack and Jill! We give this movie about the struggles of twindom as fair of a shot as we can. Join us as we go to the REAL theatre, grapple with true love, get dressed for the family picnic, and try to see past the cameos of less-than-relevant people in our attempt to determine...Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we examine the film that marked the end of an era of cinema. It's Cat In The Hat from 2003! This marked the beginning of the end of Mike Myers' acting career, and the last live action Dr. Seuss film ever to be made. We examine the injection of adult humour into children's media, the importance of keeping track of your life goals, and try to uncover the very essence of what The Cat truly represents as part of our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review the video game adaptation of a comic book series that many people only know because of its film adaptation! It's Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game - Complete Edition! Yes, the title is a mouthful. Yes, the title may or may not contain two colons. Yes, we discuss this. Join us as we explore yet another piece of Canadian art, set in what some people actually think is our nation's capital! We never stop fighting for true love in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of infant death and endangerment, suicide. In this episode, we discuss a YouTube channel which pays tribute to one of the best-known comic strips of all time - it's Lasagna Cat! Our discussion takes us across a vast ocean of topics from an exploration of post-ironic art to philosophy and religion, from Japanese censorship to Canadian pizzerias, and potentially to an understanding of the order of the cosmos itself. Join us on this introspective journey through Garfield as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, IT'S CHRISTMAS! Merry Christmas from us to you. We celebrate this year with a trip back in time to 1959 to review Santa Claus Vs. The Devil (also known simply as Santa Claus). This episode sees lots of holiday surprises under our podcast discussion tree, including the omniscience of Santa (and the limits of his powers), the timing of Christmas on other planets, and whether or not poor children deserve to be treated better by our great Christmas patriarch. We hope you'll enjoy unwrapping these gifts as much as we loved bundling them up for you in the hopes of determining…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, IT'S CHRISTMAS! Well, almost. It's part one of our two-part Christmas special! We take a sleigh ride over hills of snow as we review Barenaked Ladies' holiday album: the aptly named “Barenaked For The Holidays”! Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of writing original Christmas songs, the importance of keeping the holiday season diverse, and recognize the inherent sadness of Christmas in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we go back to the golden age of exercise with a review of “Cory Everson - Get Hard: Abs and Glutes”. We get our finest workout gear on and settle in for a half hour of BLASTING those muscles to get the washboard abs we've always wanted. We also talk about how sweaty it made us, and how we attained the perfect ideal of human fitness in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review a little game that takes place 60 seconds at a time - it's Minit! Alfonz gave Devin this weirdly cute adventure/puzzle game, and the two of us tackle bizarre desert creatures as we journey through it one…moment…at a time. We discuss the hospitality industry, the drawbacks of putting a time limit on your daily routine, and life without the ability to swim as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we journey north to the frozen tundra with a review of Yvon Of The Yukon! It's a bit of a buried gem of Canadian animation that Alfonz hated as a kid, and Devin wanted to revisit. We plug our noses and dive head first into this stinky world filled with moose meat, beer, and questionable fondue as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we experience familiar art in a brand new way with a review of Mouth Dreams by Neil Cicierega! Alfonz gave Devin this album of remixes, mashups, and miscellany in the hopes it would elevate our mutual understanding of music (sort of? not really). We witness a baby shooting a gun, feel our faces bleed, and come up with creative new titles for Looney Tunes songs as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we keep the Halloween vibe going into mid-November with a review of FAMOUS MONSTERS by Misfits! Alfonz gave Devin this piece of pulpy horror-punk in the hopes that we would both hate it and have a great time making fun of it. Join us as we uncover the secrets of deep space, get our heads ripped off by mountain-dwelling Lovecraftian beings, and feel lonely at the drive-in in our attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we get into the mind of a deranged monkey (or primate, if you prefer) with a review of “What Did Jack Do?” - a short film by David Lynch. We travel by train between politically correct terms for our evolutionary cousins, questionable inter-species relations, and try to navigate a universe where police work gets a lot more difficult as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

The second half of our 2021 HALLOWEEN CREEPY SCARY SPOOKY SPECTACULAR (or whatever) The pieces we review will only be revealed INSIDE the episode! Listen to find out what they are! OooooooOOOOoooOOoooooooooo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

The first half of our 2021 HALLOWEEN CREEPY SCARY SPOOKY SPECTACULAR (or whatever) The pieces we review will only be revealed INSIDE the episode! Listen to find out what they are! OooooooOOOOoooOOoooooooooo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we review what may be one of the most polarizing films of the 21st century - Freddy Got Fingered! Made by our fellow countryman Mr. Tom Green, this movie was suggested to us by @blueisbeautifulpodcast during our Q&A episode (Episode 25). We get covered in deer blood, discover ourselves, and maybe even find true parental acceptance as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message

In this episode, we return to the Dark World with our review of DELTARUNE Chapter 2! Wrapping up our discussion of Toby Fox's newest RPG adventure, we are whisked away to many unexpected and wonderful places. We talk about the logic of evil villains, take turns blocking popup ads, and go for an extended ride in a vehicle from your childhood as we attempt to determine…Is This Art Good? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/isthisartgood/message