I’ve never played Half Life 2, and such is the depth of my shame. Actually, I don’t even know what Half Life is – I assume it’s a game about radioactive mutants. BUT, it’s also a game that can be modded, meaning other themes can be layered atop the game engine to make for something quite different – in this cast Pirates vs. Knights vs. Vikings. It’s just become an official Steam Mod, so now at last you can logon to a game as a pirate and kick some knight butt, or kick some butt of vikings (who are, afterall, an unholy crossbreed between the two.) [read more »]

I don’t know, but this movie just screams of exploitation to me. When will people learn that you can’t go around using pirates for amusement? I’m just sayin’.

And while we’re on the subject, just how many times does Willy need to get himself rescued before he learns his lesson, anyways?

Hell’s Angels may hold key to pirate hero Störtebeker’s missing skull – Times Online.

It’s not too often that pirates – true, historical (German?) pirates – appear in the same news item as the Hell’s Angels. But that’s life for you. Weird, unpredictable, and occasionally full of skull pilfering Germans on mopeds.

Ian McShane set for ‘Pirates’ sequel.

That’s right, Ian McShane. Ian flogging McShane, a.k.a. Al Swearengen, is supposedly in talks to portray Blackbeard in PotC4. Generally, I find most PotC rumors to be rather ‘meh’, but THIS one I can heartily endorse. This is also the first indication of On Stranger Tides having something to do with the book aside from the Fountain of Youth. Although, considering the book, I still don’t know what the hell Jack Sparrow will do with himself for two hours aside from stumbling around drunk and looking lost. Kind of like I did Friday night at PyrateCon 2009.

Fun Fact: The real Al Swearengen wasn’t actually British, but was born in Iowa. Which places him in such auspicious company as Captain Kirk and the Bilgemunky. Blackbeard, however, was most certainly NOT from Iowa, and it’s reported to be the only regret he ever admitted to in public.

I recently received the following question:

I’ve been wondering two things in regards to the brilliant bunch o’ blaggards what call themselves Rust Monster. First: when can we expect to hear the much-anticipated project wherein they collaborated with none other than the great Munky o’ Bilge himself? And second: is there anywhere a pirate might get his hands on an MP3 of their song “Overture?” I’ve been dying to add it to me collection.

-Captain Jack McCool

I forwarded it to the fine folks at Rustmonster, and they’ve responded in spades – not only with a free link to download Overture, but also a video of breakdancing pirates! Oh, and also news regarding my own song, Battlecry of the Preemptive Revengence! Check it all out at:

Rustmonster pirate music » A Request from a Fan.

Penelope Cruz snubs von Trier for Pirates of the Caribbean – Monsters and Critics.

The internet has been flooded for a week with stories of Penelope Cruz being in talks with Disney to star as Jack Sparrow’s, er, nemesis? Colleague? Bosom Buddy? I’m really not sure (and for all we know, the writers aren’t sure yet either – that makes me nervous.) Anyways, I haven’t bothered sharing the news, because if PotC2 and 3 taught us anything, it’s that rumors will go back and forth and back again, and trying to keep up with them is just pointless. [read more »]

Treasure Island Reboot Planned.

I’m getting a little impatient regarding pirate movie rumors. For months there have been stories about a Captain Blood remake (in space) as well as a new Blackbeard movie. So far they both seem to be little more than gossip. And now, just today, the internet is suddenly flooded with stories about a newer, hipper version of Treasure Island in the works. Here’s another story:

Treasure Island will Make Long John Silver Sexy

Some of the pirate movie rumors out there are scary (“hipper” Treasure Island, for example), but ultimately a good movie is a good movie, and a bad one is bad. So whether the pirates are in the Caribbean, in space, or in the dance club, I’m more than happy to give it a chance. But for cryin’ out loud, someone has to actually *make* one of these movies, rather than just talk about it.

At least PotC4 is pretty much a sure thing. Let’s just hope it doesn’t involve Jack Sparrow going into space

Somehow I’m guessing that YouTube previews of books aren’t anything new. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. This particular book is one of the (many) that are on my “to review” stack. It’s a very big stack because I haven’t yet learned to read. Which makes writing reviews doubly difficult.

[read more »]

Last weekend I had the great pleasure of attending the Port Radisson Pirates Rendezvous in Sacramento California, and it was a blast! The festivities began on Friday night with a meet&greet party in the hotel’s bar and back patio, and after a slow start it quickly got to kicking with dozens of well-dressed pirate enthusiasts. We did have to share the bar with some non-pirates (some of whom were more keen than others on sharing barspace with pirates), but for the most part a fun and festive atmosphere was maintained. Entertainment was provided by the Brotherhood of Firebenders (an interesting name, being as this group seems to be 80% female), who spun flames out on the back patio first, and then spun glowy things indoors a bit later (silly California fire codes.) But primarily the attraction this night was fellow pirates chatting, drinking, and dancing (especially when someone finally convinced the house DJ to slip some Pirates Charles into his mix.) [read more »]