Chris Collins Show

JUST TALKING Gen Z Critics Co-Founder Elizabeth 'Betsy' Kim joins JUST TALKING to predict 2022 Oscars.  Oscar season 2022 is here and who grabs the golden trophy for Millennials and Gen Z fans? — CODA—nothing else, just CODA.  You can measure the value of a film by questioning whether it’s worth your money or your time.  Relying on cinematic stereotypes is lazy story telling—nerdy Asians, British villains, German Nazis and uncultured countries.  Why keep remaking movies with Hollywood color-casting?  Why are we letting diversity quotas ruin movies?  Aren’t show runners doing their homework when there’s already established franchise material?  Look at Jake Gyllenhaal as the Prince in The Prince of Persia, Tom Cruise as The Last Samurai and John Cho as Spike Spiegel in Netfix Cowboy Bebop adaptation—this should be a wake-up call! Follow Gen Z critics: https://genzcritics.com STRIKE A CHORD Singer/Songwriter Sophia Marie joins STRIKE A CHORD from Washington D.C. to di

Moonraker vocalist and drummer David Green joins STRIKE A CHORD to discuss their upcoming album release “The Forest” available on May 6th. Crazy is contagious!  First single “Crickets” could be about anything that gets you going—NFT’s, bandmates, cryptocurrency, or simply giving in to the voice in your head that says “the world is against you!”  Punk Rock life is a hard knock life — just ask Annie.  The band’s gear gets stolen, they end up stranded in Mexico and in the middle of what became the pandemic. Most drummers would cry and die on their drumsticks but not Moonraker! Where other groups have joined the bandwagon of sucking on the crowdfunding tit—Moonraker stands defiant in the face of corporate overlords and says NO to whoring themselves out to social media. Moonraker gains strength from “being original, being yourself and doing the thing that maybe isn’t the thing.” Follow, support and listen at https://www.instagram.com/moonrakerpunx

CCS Video Game Contributor HenriK The WrecK joins JUST TALKING to answer the most important video game questions.  What’s more important, playing Video Games or playing with Pussy? — you just need to push the buttons, right?  What type of fluids do Gamers drink to get their game on? — alcohol?  Is that a sports drink or water with a dash of alcohol?  Gaming life is tough, you’re streaming live and you’ve got to blow your nose!  Jack Traven asks—what do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO? Speed (1994).  This one is pretty easy.  You’re watching a cut scene and your girlfriend calls, do you pick up or ignore the call? — you pick up and ignore the call until the cut scene is over, right?  Top games of 2022: ELDEN RING and Horizon Forbidden West are going toe to toe for game of the year.  Valve Steam Deck takes a stand against NFT's blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.  While Amazon says Bye Felicia! to the gaming console (PlayStation, Switch, Xbox). It’s

The idea for the EyeHarp was born in 2010, when a musician friend of Zacharias Vamvakousis was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, and it was unclear if he would be able to play music ever again. At that time, Zacharías realized that there was no musical instrument accessible for quadriplegic people, and he began developing the Eyeharp. Eyeharp is a social project with the mission of improving the quality of life of people with disabilities through music. EyeHarp is the first musical instrument that allows people with disabilities to learn and play music with gaze or with head movements.

The Chris Collins Show welcomes our newest CCS Contributor HenriK The WrecK.  Henrik will be dropping the latest Video Game related news, reviews and boos! This week we’re talking about video game TV and film adaptations.  In 2022 alone there are about 40 shows hitting streaming services and theaters between Netflix, Paramount +, Amazon, Sony and HBO Max.  Critics and fans should be dripping in nerd drool—BUT with so many releases suffering from bad casting, bad writing, and poor visuals — are they worth watching?  You know what the millennials say. YOU go WOKE you go BROKE?  Horror and campy action is a marriage made in heaven when you’re playing a video game—BUT even Sony’s Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) live action movie made flesh eating zombies go vegan???  Playing video games is a lot like smoking the devil’s lettuce—it’s an escape from reality — like weed! There’s an estimated 3.2 billion Gamers across the globe.  What about the next generatio

Throw those V’s UP for the Vision Twins, Angelo and Kalvin!  The Vision Twins join JUST TALKING to share their story from FAT to FIT.  It started back in high school.  The brothers developed a millennial fitness social media vision— and 3 million followers joined the Twins on TikTok.  Studies show millennials are the fattest generation — of course “we’ve been raised on a smartphone!” The Vision Twins “vision”—YOU don’t need to love workout routines—“don’t look for results, fall in love with the process.”  YOU don’t need to be “gym-rat” to make it happen.  Keep it simple, start with a walk — “just do something!”  Conquering your weight loss journey isn’t easy.  BUT meeting those objectives is proof that you can achieve more goals in your life. “It feels like everything else is just open to you.”  Love yourself. If you need online fitness guidance—the Vision Twins have a new “vision” for YOU! Follow and Support https://visiontwins.com

Actress Cristina Catalina joins JUST TALKING to discuss her anti Rom-com Comedy, I’m Not In Love.  Is falling in love an “old school” notion?  Do millennials need love in their metaverse existence? “It can be tricky to find the right person”…. I remember Grandma used to say—“the way to rule a man is through his stomach”—try feeding a guy with a VR helmet on! The swipe right regret later is easy and dating is hard.  Are we suffering from choice overload—apps, websites and social media?  How can we tell if the grass is greener on the other side when it’s easier to catch COVID before you catch feelings?  Millennial break up advice in the age of online dating—be honest and caring—OR take the easy route, GHOST them with EMOJIS!  When is it acceptable to meet with an ex?—NEVER!  You know what they say. “38 is the new 29… not for my ovaries.”  Watch I’m Not In Love on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Im-Not-Love-Al-Weaver/dp/B091LB3985/ref=nodl_

JUST TALKING 11X Daytime Emmy Award winning Actor and X-Games Gold Medalist, Kristos Andrews joins JUST TALKING to discuss his transformation from skateboarder to actor to director and producer.  From Dog-Town to the X-Games Kristos was inspired by big risk takers like Jamie Thomas “Leap Of Faith” and Jereme Rogers, giving rise to viewing the rogue “street skater” as an athlete meets Rock Star icon — it’s “rebel culture by nature.” Skateboarding is an art and your skateboard is your brush — push limits, take fears as a challenge…“enjoy the process of failing forward.”  Kristos is well known for the character Pete Garrett on The Bay.  Kristos is still hungry and passionate about the next part of the journey — “You’ve got to think ahead and when you can—take that leap of faith.” Watch The Bay on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/The-Bay-Season-1/dp/B07Z9T13J4 STRIKE A CHORD Miami Indie-alternative Rock Band Cannibal Kids lead singer/songwriter Damia

The Phoenix Within joins OFF THE FRET to break down their new album OVERDUE. OFF THE FRET, MORE MUSIC, MORE MUSIC TALK! If you’re like ME – MUSIC is everything! Since day one it’s been a passion of mine to create an opportunity to showcase amazing up-and-coming artists.  The CHRIS COLLINS SHOW has interviewed some of the most incredible international and national bands out there—from Finland, the Philippines, India and UK—to NY, LA, Texas and Nashville—you name it. We are so fortunate to have this outlet to show you guys some of the most talented musicians out there today!  There’s no other medium that brings people together like LIVE MUSIC.  Join me and listen to our first OFF THE FRET podcast.  More Music. More Music Talk!—with THE PHOENIX WITHIN!

BILLBOARD Artist, Actress, Singer-song writer and Executive Producer, Joy Villa joins JUST TALKING to talk about her latest film—The Contrast.  Joy plays Maria, who on the day before her wedding to a hipster playboy meets an Army Colonel, and struggles to decide between obligation and love.  The Contrast was adapted from Royall Tyler’s 1787 stage play but 235+ years later has society really changed? What attracted Joy to the character Maria?  When writer/producer Chris Johnson says you’re the perfect Maria—you take the role!  Wait!  Was that Joy Villa in Hero’s from back in the day? In the early days Joy got some industry push back because of her tats, unique style and attitude — “you need to be like everyone else—commercial.”  Joy’s response, “I’ll come back to the industry when the industry is ready for me!” And she IS ready! The Contrast has millennial jokes, contemporary style and handsome men for the ladies.  BUT it also addresses an existential life question—

OFF THE FRET, MORE MUSIC, MORE MUSIC TALK! If you’re like ME – MUSIC is everything! Since day one it’s been a passion of mine to create an opportunity to showcase amazing up-and-coming artists.  The CHRIS COLLINS SHOW has interviewed some of the most incredible international and national bands out there—from Finland, the Philippines, India and UK—to NY, LA, Texas and Nashville—you name it. We are so fortunate to have this outlet to show you guys some of the most talented musicians out there today!  There’s no other medium that brings people together like LIVE MUSIC.  Join me and listen to our first OFF THE FRET podcast.  More Music. More Music Talk!—with ROYALS!

Elizabeth “Betsy” Kim, Co-Founder of GenZ Critics joins the last JUST TALKING of 2021 to discuss award worthy films. It’s been an incredible year for cinema—SO what are the top picks for the millennial audience? Betsy recommends CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) and The Hand of God. Best picture goes to Benedict Cumberbatch’s Power of the Dog or black and white comedy drama Belfast. Are cinema award shows relevant to millennials? Where can a millennial watch an award show that speaks to Gen Z/Millennial values? Betsy recommends the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a TikTok awards show?! Theaters have started opening back up but is it enough to get people in seats? Films from directors like Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg have bombed at the box office—is this “The Last Duel?” — OR do millennials just like to stream? Write up your film critique and submit to Gen Z Critics https://genzcritics.com

This week on JUST TALKING we celebrated “Hawkinsmas” with comedian Marcus Hawkins. The Holiday Tree bared many gifts wrapped in WOKENESS!  But the greatest gift of all — front teeth!  “If you have no front teeth you’re automatically a crackhead!” The METAVERSE is screaming for comedy but can today’s “unwoke comedian” make it off Santa’s blacklist? Marcus says “I’m gonna give YOU what YOU need, not what YOU want.”  Merry CHRISTMAS! Steven Blake from Animal Sun is back on STRIKE A CHORD to promote their new music video Safe not Sound.  “It explores the darker weird obsessions in our lives.”  After adjusting his curly locks Steven’s Marlon Brando vibes bring out the dark eye-liner in all of us.  “We know what we want out of this record.”  Animal Sun is constantly evolving, pushing boundaries — “reinventing the wheel a little bit.” The new album Generation Waiting (Coming Soon) is a mix of 80’s pop—BUT more importantly Animal Sun wants us to be thinking about—“being pr

What the hell is the Metaverse? Whatever it is Dan Mitre Associate Director of Community Development at Ubisoft joins us on JUST TALKING and pulls out the 2021 Video Game Awards.  Wasssss uuuuppppppp!  Game of the year is up for grabs!  Out of the six nominee’s Dan goes for…. we’re not going to tell you!  Log in!  The world is going digital—forget about the traditional courting rituals like eating out at a restaurant for your first date.  Why not test the strength of a pre-marriage commitment with the game It Takes Two—"it’s either going to make or break your relationship over the puzzles."  Not sure what gift you should get for the gamer in your life?  The top six nominee’s: Deathloop, It Takes Two, Metroid Dread, Psychonauts 2, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and Resident Evil Village are absolute stocking stuffers! The Video Game Awards have become the new Oscar’s for voiceover actors.  Move over animation, TV and Film because Far Cry 6’s Giancarlo Esposito p

OFF THE FRET, MORE MUSIC, MORE MUSIC TALK! If you’re like ME – MUSIC is everything! Since day one it’s been a passion of mine to create an opportunity to showcase amazing up-and-coming artists.  The CHRIS COLLINS SHOW has interviewed some of the most incredible international and national bands out there—from Finland, the Philippines, India and UK—to NY, LA, Texas and Nashville—you name it. We are so fortunate to have this outlet to show you guys some of the most talented musicians out there today!  There’s no other medium that brings people together like LIVE MUSIC.  Join me and listen to our first OFF THE FRET podcast.  More Music. More Music Talk!—with ROYALS!

Milwaukee punk rock band Avenues joins STRIKE A CHORD to release their new album “We’re All Doomed.”  With insane bass fills, drumming, rhythm and vocals, it took 4 years to make this album.  Drummer Marc Alan Perez suffered an intestinal infection requiring physical therapy to learn how to walk again—fortunately for this album he is back at the drums!  Every rock band has their quirks and for Avenues it’s Galaga!  YES the 80’s arcade greatest video game of all time Galaga!  Vocalist/guitarist Vin Smith was at a regional Galaga competition when the album dropped—“when duty calls you’ve gotta blow up some battleships!”  We call that the Galaga Incident!  The album “We’re All Doomed” is exceptionally important to the band—it screams a message about determination and commitment to your craft as an artist. Listen, follow and support Avenues at: https://www.facebook.com/AvenuesMKE

Let’s go to the movies!  Film Actor Vin Vescio joins JUST TALKING complete with costume.  Wearing a custom made Christmas Snowman sweater—made by his girlfriend.  Vin gets us into the Christmas spirit with his film See You Next Christmas.  Most actors start in theater and work their way up looking for their big break.  OR you can do what Vin did—accidentally audition for a bartender role with George Wendt (Norm from Cheers) doing improv and then “everyone knows your name!”  Vin plays supportive husband Tom Clark in See You Next Christmas a millennial Rom-Com about two binary pronoun specific gender defined singles who find themselves hooking up at the yearly “Clarkmas” party.  Holiday parties can lead to awkward conversations.  BUT the question is—how do you get out of them?   Vin offers the same advice for surviving a music concert. Pivot with the crowd, hydrate, always have exit strategy, exit strategy, exit strategy and no hot apps!  Everyone should ha

Strike a Chord German Indie Pop Band, Kid Dad joins STRIKE A CHORD to promote their EP BLOOM. Why does a German band care so much about America?  Their track “As Soon As America” breaks it down.   Bands like Green Day and Blink 182 were inspirational to Kid Dad.  The idea of “having multiple cultures coming together in a melting pot can become who they are.”  German millennials are facing similar adult pressures to Americans — get a real job, go to university, make real money not bitcoin!  But Kid Dad romances about a “gigantic earth that loves and cares for each other.”   It’s an endearing sentiment resonating in “As Soon As America.”  The EP BLOOM is a “bouquet of 5 different flowers that blossom in very different colors.”  Not conforming to the genre box Kid Dad’s new EP BLOOM evolves from the past dark grunge label to the “good vibes” colorful songs they could id

2021 Next Generation Indie Film Awards BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, Luis Antonio Aldana joins JUST TALKING. It was only a year ago Acuitzeramo Director Miguel Angel Caballero was on the show to promote the film. Besides picking up awards world-wide Acuitzeramo is a conversation starter. Identity in films is important.  These types of stories are becoming more mainstream—“we don’t really get to see the stories about queer elders in rural towns.” Luis’s character Anthony (the son) plays a major role in providing an impartial viewpoint—“it’s about empathy, it’s about understanding someone else’s story.” Today’s storytellers have an obligation to create original and unspoken stories. Acuitzeramo is available on HBO MAX starting January 2022.

JUST TALKING CCS Sports Contributor Kevin Drake joins JUST TALKING to spit game! First up to bat the 2021 Major League Baseball World Series!  Kevin wants revenge for the Dodgers loss to Astros—BUT first got to get past the Braves.  The MLB gave Candy Digital their entire catalog to use for NFTs.  Will baseball fans buy a rare Babe Ruth or Jackie Robinson digital baseball card?  The NBA season kicked off its75th season.  Will the Milwaukee Bucks pull a repeat win against the Brooklyn Nets minus Kyrie Irving?  Well Charles Barkley isn’t happy: “you don’t get the vaccine for yourself…family first then your team.”  The Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy is still up for grabs.   Kevin picks the Golden State Warriors.  China gives the NBA a sad Emoji :( and pulled all Boston Celtics games from the Chinese internet after Enes Kanter posts Xi Jinping a “brutal dictator.”  Gotta know when to hold them, know when to fold them—right LeBron?  Follow Kevin at: ht