Bottom Line: This is probably the most well balanced, story-driven series I’ve had the pleasure to review. Where many web series suffer from uneven presentation, writing or pacing, STBD manages to be consistently good across its entire run.

Something to Be Desired is a web sitcom (or web series, or web video series,webcom, webisodes, or whatever imprecise descriptor you’d choose to explain us to your friends) about life after college. Created and produced in Pittsburgh, PA, we’ve been online since the summer of 2003. In that time, we’ve developed over seven hours of original content, all of which can be seen here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and entirely free.

STBD films with a local cast and crew. We shoot our web series on mini-DV (the Panasonic DVX-100A model, to be exact), edit in Final Cut Pro, and distribute on multiple platforms, including Blip TV and iTunes.

We here at STBD are torn between our hatred of corporate monoliths and our need to feed, clothe and provide shelter for ourselves, so while you may see the occasional ad or bit of merch, we’re doing all we can to avoid plugging into the system. Therefore, if you like what you see, spread the word! (We need all the help we can get…)

Details

Cast: Heather Beschizza, Laura Lee Brautigam, Josh Hansen, Ann Turiano, Shaun Hall, Lacey Fleming, Rick Hertzig, Teresa Trich, Matthew Preston, Will Guffey, Jennifer Koegler, Trent Wolfred, Erik Schark, Shaun Starke, Courtney Jenkins, Ryan Ben
Blip.tv Channel: Something To Be Desired
Website: Something To Be Desired
Support the Show: Visit The STBD Store

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Feed: Feed
Twitter Page Something To Be Desired

Ratings

Style 3.5

Pacing 4 (Each episode covers a a lot of ground. They come in at about 10 minutes a piece but none of it is derivative. It’s one of those shows that once you start it you’ll have to see it through to the end. The character development is solid if not a bit uneven, it takes a little while to really get into the supporting cast’s head but once you’re there the series gets even better.)

A compelling, meaty story that takes a while to unravel. This is one of those series that will do you absolutely no good to watch as an one off, if you’re going to start with Something to Be Desired you need to be willing to commit yourself to at least a few episodes to get a feeling for the characters and to understand the arc. (Storytelling 4.5)

Polish 3.5

Rock solid writing, directing and acting make this an easy to enjoy series. The fact that it has been going for as long as it has deserves a nod as well. Web series typically have a short shelf life, either the writers can’t hold the story together or the talent moves on to other projects, but STBD has been on air for six seasons and still seems fresh. (Watchability 4.5)

Novelty 3.5

Overall Rating: 3.91 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line: If you own or have ever owned an NES this is one of the best things you’ll ever watch. I always knew the mushroom kingdom had some skeletons in its closet.

“There Will Be Brawl” is a non-profit web series designed as a dark, dramatic parody of the popular Super Smash Bros. Brawl video game for the Nintendo Wii. The Creators of the project are avid fans of Nintendo, and this series has been developed as an homage to the colorful characters of SSBB that we all know and love. Through the hard work of a talented cast and crew, and the support of our fans, we hope to continue to produce a story you will all enjoy.

Details

Creators: Matthew Mercer, Zach Grafton
Escapist Magazine Channel: There Will Be Brawl
Website: There Will Be Brawl
Support the Show: Watch The Episodes At Escapist Magazine

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Forum: Forum
Facebook Page There Will Be Brawl

Ratings

I never thought I’d be calling an NES parody “darkly stylish,” but this one is. Between Luigi’s gritty monologues, the strip clubs and the violence this is about as dramatic as the Nintendo universe has ever been. (Style 5)

Pacing 4

Storytelling 4.5

Great costumes, great script, great direction I couldn’t ask for more. (Polish 5)

Insidery isn’t the half of it. This is a series designed for people who know enough about video games to be dangerous. If you don’t, most of the jokes will make no sense and really all you are left with are a bunch of people running around in weird costumes occasionally hitting each other. If you understand the source material this is a dark, edgy parody of the worlds we all grew up with. Each episode is about 10 minutes so save this for when you have a little time to enjoy it. (Watchability 4)

Novelty 4

Overall Rating: 4.41 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line: Condition:Human is one of the most visually stunning and well executed Sci Fi dramas I’ve seen on the web. Once you get over how beautiful it is, you’ll still be drawn in by a story that strays away from the camp that marks many science fiction series’ on the web.

In the near future, man has begun to address the economic and environmental issues plaguing the early 21st century. Rapid technological advancements have changed life dramatically, especially the creation of advanced humanoid robots who have begun to play an integral part in everyday life. Takumi Kenji, the reclusive CEO of Kenji Electronics, and father of all things A.I. has announced the first ever ‘companion’ bots. A model of humanoid who’s interactive capabilities are remarkably natural. As robots continue to evolve their place amongst us we must evolve as well, and as we do society carries the responsibility of answering moral questions that come.

Details

Cast: Kristian Bakstad, Leah Tassey, Arnica Skulstad-Brown, Kasey Ryne Mazak, Josephine Savoldelli, Lloyd Davis, Lani Claxton, Pat Barker, Raymond Wey-Ming Ho, Rob Carpenter
Vimeo Channel: Condition:Human
Website: Condition:Human
Support the Show: Join The Facebook Page

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Twitter Feed: Condition Human
Facebook Page Condition Human

Ratings

I really can’t get over how beautifully the effects are done in this show. They are dark, crisp and absolutely seamless. I don’t know what type of budget they had for this show but I haven’t seen a more fully realized world. If you plan to shoot a web series even partially on green screen, you should take notes from Condition:Human. (Style 5)

Pacing 4

Storytelling 4.5

The video quality and effects are absolutely top notch for a web series, however, the audio was a little low and muffled. Considering how interesting the show concept is, it’s frustrating to have to strain to hear it. Let me point out that none of this detracts from the fact that this is one of the most visually stunning web shows I have ever seen. The physical sets are fantastic and the digital ones are close to seamless. I wouldn’t ask for more if this was on network television. (Polish 4.5)

This is a deeply philosophical exploration of humanities obsession with technology and what it means to be human. It moves at a slow, deliberate pace and for some people that might make it difficult to sit through especially since each episode clocks in at over 10 minutes in length. That being the case, if you are looking for some tasty SciFi in the vein of Gattaca this is for you. (Watchability 4)

Novelty 4.5

Overall Rating: 4.41 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line: It’s like Clueless meets Felicity, a young woman is trying to make it on her own and find herself with only her pluck, wit and an unimaginable fortune to protect her.

Moxie Spendlove just turned twenty five and found out she’s the sole heiress to her family fortune. Not only is she set for life financially, she’s also the new president of her grandfather’s gag gift franchise, Whoopsee-Doozy Enterprises. What’s a girl to do? Only one thing: set out on a mission to find something that makes her happy.

Moxie was raised by her nanny, Nanny Fong, after her mother passed away and her father vanished. She’s lived a life of privilege, and her two best friends Aurora and Andromeda are always by her side, helping her spend her money.

She’s the girl every other girl wants to be – she’s fun, fabulous, and fresh!

And now that she’s on a mission, there’s no telling what crazy idea she’ll come up with next

Details

Cast: Shelly Frappier, Amanda Garley, Andy Rebollar, Jeremy Scheffee, Kate Schneider, Marissa Mecir, Andi Grandy, Stephen Evans, Rob Frappier, Irene Brown, Jason Biggers, Dave Wanlass
Vimeo Channel: Moxie Spendlove
Website: Moxie Spendlove
Support the Show: Visit The Moxie Spendlove Store

Ratings

Style 3

Pacing 4

It’s like a coming of age story but it takes place at 25. The characters in Moxie are what sell the series, between her two greedy, bumbling friends and her “life coach” that looks like someone out of the Adams Family you have enough plot drivers to keep the story moving pretty briskly. (Storytelling 3.5)

Polish 4.5

This one isn’t for everyone but what show is? It is heavy on the “spoiled little rich kid” chuckles and shopping jokes. It’s a great series for anyone who liked Clueless because of Alicia Silverstone instead of in spite of her. (Watchability 3.5)

Novelty 3

Overall Rating: 3.58 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line: This is up there with the Guild as one of the best “Gamer Lifestyle” web series ever to be created. If you have a single geek bone in your body you owe it to yourself to give this series a chance.

Pure Pwnage is a globally popular online TV series that documents the life of Jeremy (teh_pwnerer), a pro gamer. Kyle, a filmmaker, also manages to capture the antics of Jeremy’s friends: FPS_Doug, Dave (Dawei), T-Bag and Anastasia.

Details

Cast: Jarett Cale, Geoff Lapaire, Joel Gardiner, Miranda Plant, Dawei, Troy Dixon
Blip.tv Channel: Pure Pwnage
Website: Pure Pwnage
Support the Show: Buy Something From The Pure Pwnage Store

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Feed: Feed
Facebook Page Pure Pwnage

Ratings

Style 4.5

For a lot comedy series I talk about the “joke ratio” I’d like to change it up a little for Pure Pwnage and mention the “awkward ratio.” What makes this series work is the sheer number of cringe worthy moments in it. It’s long, it’s dense but every 30 seconds or so you find yourself brought back into it by the sheer majesty of the geekiness. (Pacing 4)

This is the quintessential “life of a pro gamer” story on the Internet today. Brilliant parody that touches on just about every cliche you can think of. Once they start building out the meta-story involving Jeremy’s training it starts shifting into territory usually reserved for the best TV. (Storytelling 5)

Polish 4

Each of these episodes are television length and sometimes longer. Most clock in at over 20 minutes and a few at 40. That being said, I only wish there was a way of watching this without being in front of the monitor because it’s fun in that awkward, mockumentary sort of way. (Watchability 5)

Novelty 4.5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line: This is sketch comedy at its geekiest, because of the ensemble cast you’ll need to get through the first few episodes before you really understand the characters.

A web series about the creators of a web series… Wait, what?

In the harshly competitive world of internet video, one team of sketch comedians tries to make a difference.

In this case however, the difference is somehow getting paid for doing what they do. The Crew of LoadingReadyRun.com has been making the funny for over five years, but the time has come to buckle up, knuckle down and roll out. Can this group of friends overcome the challenges of self-funding, online competition and not killing each other? Well… two-out-of-three isn’t bad.

Details

Cast: Graham Stark, Paul Saunders, Jeremy Petter, James Turner, Bill Watt, Matt Wiggins, Morgan vanHumbeck, Kathleen De Vere
Blip.tv Channel: Chronicles of Humanity
Website: Chronicles of Humanity
Support the Show: Watch LoadingReadyRun’s Other Films

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Feed: Feed
Facebook Page Commodore Hustle

Ratings

Style 3

Pacing 3

It’s Geeky sketch comedy. Sometimes it’s awkward, sometimes it’s hamfisted but in truth it feels a lot like what would happen if you sat a bunch of the buddies you used to play Counter Strike with in a room and asked them to act. That is not a bad thing. (Storytelling 3)

Good directing, solid transitions and some nice effects make this an above average comedy web series in terms of polish. (Polish 4)

Here is the problem with having an ensemble cast as large as you do in Commodore Hustle, you have to write everyone into the script which means that for the audience you never really feel attached to any particular person. Especially when every episode comes in at over 10 minutes, things would go a lot more smoothly if they focused on a handful of characters per show instead of trying to get everyone on screen regardless of whether they add to the plot. This is one of those shows that you’ll start to dig about three episodes in when you finally see enough of each character to start understanding their quirks. (Watchability 3)

Novelty 3

Overall Rating: 3.08 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line: Once you get past the fact that their coffee shop is very obviously a kitchen this clever, touching story of a group of emotionally damaged coffee shop employees may become one of your favorite web series of the year.

In the premiere episode, Mitch (Morgan Lee) starts his job at the Rose City Coffeehouse, where the pay is meager, the humiliation plentiful, and the customers are always wrong.

Details

Cast: Morgan Lee, Lara Kobrin, Leif Norby, Melissa Kaiser, Jessica Zodrow, Ehren Ebbage, Chris Bolton
Vimeo Channel: Wage Slaves
Website: Wage Slaves
Support the Show: Review The Show

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Facebook Page Wage Slaves

Ratings

Style 3

Pacing 4

Drama is hard with web series. Drama is really hard, so when someone makes the attempt I have to give them credit, when someone does it well it deserves a mention. Wage Slaves does it well. The story is not without its flaws, the supporting cast feels a little coarsely written and some of the jokes don’t work but the overall story arc is catchy and watching the main character develop is strangely compelling. It’s one of those shows you’ll need to get through a few episodes before it grows on you, but once it does you’ll find yourself watching the entire run. (Storytelling 4)

I am all for low budget productions, and honestly I like this show a lot but you can really, really tell that its being shot out of a kitchen. I wish that somewhere in the pilot they would have explained why that is, or told us it was a quaint bed and breakfast place that sold coffee or something. Without that, I found myself spending far too much time looking at kitchen fixtures and wondering why no one else seemed to notice how weird that was. (Polish 3)

It runs a little on the long side with episodes typically breaking the ten minute mark, but the upside is that you get to see a plot fully develop. What I like about this show as compared to shorter web series is that it doesn’t feel as clipped. It gives you room to start to feel something for the characters and get inside their head a little. (Watchability 3.5)

Novelty 3

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Hotels have a rich history in the horror genre. By now you would think that people with seedy pasts would know not to hang out in them. Either way, Do Not Disturb tells the story of a serial killer who has decided to take up residence inside of a hotel to hide away from law enforcement who apparently has something against senseless murder.

It’s dark and moody, with a story the quickly takes a turn for the weird about midway through. In all it’s very entertaining film that looks really polished. While it is a little on the long side for a web video, you still almost wish that the director had more time to explore some of the film’s questions. I wanted to know more about the copycat killer and I wanted more time understand the protagonist – even though we spend just about the entire film right next to him, by the end we are still left without strong characterization.

These minor problems aside this is as good an entry into the web based horror genre as you could ask for, and it makes me hope that director Patrick Rea continues to turn out movies of this caliber.

Creator’s Description

A creepy tale about a mysterious man staying in a hotel, who is visited by a unseen entity.

Starring: Allen Loman as Philip

Details

Creator: Michael Stine
Vimeo Channel: Do Not Disturb
Website: Michael Stine

Ratings

The cards are a little on the cheesy side (Style 3.5)

Pacing 4.5

While I always hope for more character development as a slice of life it works beautifully (Storytelling 4)

Polish 4

Watchability 4

Novelty 3

Overall Rating: 3.83 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line: Noah has a flair for the dramatic and off-the-wall style that is missing from much of the movie review market.

Noah Antwiler is the terrifying result of a generation raised on MTV and films by Jean-Claude van Damme and Steven Seagal at the height of their popularity. Writer, director, editor, and star of The Spoony Experiment, Noah shares a love for the three things author Neal Stephenson writes are the things America does better than anyone else: music, movies, and microcode. He created the Experiment as an homage to Mystery Science Theater 3000, the first show to scream back at the culture that raised him. He’s been a published poet in Seattle, and has acted in community productions of Grease, Our Town, Dags, Baby, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Interview With The Vampire. Most recently, he has appeared in an ASU Mainstage production of Stolen Children as Father Mandin.

Noah initially began on the Internet writing comedic movie reviews called Tandem’s Movie Rants, which are film critiques, live movie recaps, or essays on recent trends in film or TV. With a viewpoint always controversial, Noah’s rants are usually critical of both mainstream popular media culture and the detail-obsessive “fanboy” community. Over the years, these rants have evolved in form in the hopes of being entertaining but also to elevate moviegoer expectations. Thanks to the creative input and support (and a fair amount of harsh derision from some) of the Kenzerco Forumites, Noah has come to this new media to give back as much of the entertainment as possible that MST3K gave him. He’s also written the Gamer’s Rant on the Movies column in Knights of the Dinner Table Magazine for over three years.

Details

Cast: Noah Antwiler
Blip.tv Channel: The Spoony Experiment
Website: The Spoony Experiment
Support the Show: Visit His Store And Buy Things

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RSS Feed: Feed
iTunes Feed: The Spoony Experiment

Ratings

When you have a blue, toy robot with a vacuum cleaner for a head as one of your co-hosts I have to give you a few extra style points. Web producers, take note. (Style 4.5)

Noah breaks up the Reviews really well, he knows when to “do something else” other than talk at the camera or show a clip. Especially for long shows like this, it helps to keep your attention. (Pacing 4)

Storytelling 3.5

Polish 4

Like the Nostalgia Critic, these reviews can go a bit long. If you love movies, videos games and geek culture in general you’re going to love the attention to detail. If you are a casual observer, this might not be your thing. (Watchability 3.5)

Novelty 4

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line: Doug’s commentary is often more entertaining than watching the films he is reviewing.

That Guy with the Glasses is a website that showcases original entertainment for an audience including video game enthusiasts and movie buffs. It primarily stars Chicago native Douglas Walker aka “That Guy with the Glasses.” The founder and administrator of the site is Michael Michaud, in addition to being the CEO of the parent company Channel Awesome.

The Nostalgia Critic reviews 1980-90s films and television

Details

Cast: Doug Walker
Blip.tv Channel: The Nostalgia Critic
Website: The Nostalgia Critic
Support the Show: Watch Other Shows On The Site

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RSS Feed: Feed
iTunes Feed: The Nostalgia Critic

Ratings

Style 3.5

At almost 20 minutes in length per episode, this one falls outside of normal “Internet video” range. Even so, Doug gives you enough shlock to make it worth it most of the time. (Pacing 3)

Most of the time watching these reviews is an order of magnitude better than watching the movie it’s based on. I only wish DVD Extras were this good. (Storytelling 4.5)

Polish 4

I’m beating a dead horse here but you really need to be invested to set aside 20 minutes for something on the web. This is for movie lovers only. (Watchability 3.5)

Novelty 3

Overall Rating: 3.58 out of 5 stars