Lock, Stock, and Two Film Geeks

I don't get it.

Dear Diary:

Today, I finally decided to write the next column that I have been putting off for a few weeks.  Why?  Well, diary, it’s because when you write the same format for every movie all the time, sometimes you get bored.  Formulaic, if you will.  So, you have to spend a few weeks fighting crime in Thailand or meditating in Australia to get your creativity back.  Then, you sometimes have to get your passport and identification stolen, get accused of being an international crime lord, and finally have one or two of the cocaine balloons you’re currently smuggling inside your body burst and have to go through a crazy intense detox.

Whew, diary, that was refreshing.  Somewhat cathartic, too. Continue reading

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

Shrek: The Final Chapter

James: I was barely able to make myself watch the last film on TV while multitasking and making food.  After that, I decided I had no need to move forward with the franchise, even though I love the first film.

Benn:  Mike Myers once said he was afraid that the no-talent police would come and get him.  No-Talent PD, we’re waiting….

Dylan: I must have been in the dark because I had no idea there was a third one let alone this forth. This one looks like they’re wringing the towel for whatever is left in the original idea, which doesn’t look like much anyways. Pass.

Fil: I was initially into Shrek – but then I realized the comic book Fables does everything Shrek does better.  This movie can go fuck itself.  Also, the last one was terrible. (I’ll probably watch it someday).

Anna: I love all three of the Shrek movies. They may not be the best movies out there, but I have a lot of fun with them. I’ll definitely be seeing this.

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Ben Hur, Last of the Mohicans, and Braveheart take the forefront in our discussion of epic movies.

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Bad. Ass.

Thanks to all your love and support, my stalker has been put behind bars.  In an elaborate sting operation that involved me dressing as Dorothy from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and prancing around with a stuffed dog singing “Bad Romance” by Lady GaGa (yeah I didn’t understand that part either), the perpetrator was captured when he mistakenly fell into a hole covered in leaves.  Score one for the good guys.  Although, I guess they should change the title of the website to “One Film Geek.”

This week(end?) the movie on the chopping block is 1979’s Mad Max.  A staple of dystopian and post apocalyptic cinema, this movie hails from Australia and clocks in at ninety-five (95) minutes.  Although, really, since time and space are connected, we could measure this film in meters, light-minutes, or even parsecs. Continue reading

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

Robin Hood

James: Check out the upcoming podcast for my thoughts on these sort of epic movies.  This looks pretty cool, but it also looks like more of the same from all involved.  I’ll likely see it, so here’s hoping it’s good, but I’m not chomping at the bit.

Benn:  It looks like a typical Ridley Scott epic (see: “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Gladiator”), which isn’t a bad thing.  We may have seen this type of film countless times before, but you can’t argue with a strong cast and director.  Go.

Dylan: It’s got the look and feel of an epic film, like Gladiator or Master and Commander, but I just can’t get myself excited to see this one. When the trailer ends with Russell Crowe charging into battle, it just feels bland and steril. I’d see it if I’m dragged to it.

Fil:  I’ve gotta agree with James on this one.  I love the people involved, but this seriously looks like Gladiator 2 mixed with King Arthur.  I mean, I won’t shy away from it, but I just can’t get super excited about it.

Anna: What Fil said.

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Too Small, No Caption

So, last week, when I was leaving the FilmGeeks Offices – I could have sworn there was someone following me through the parking lot.  He/She was like 5’6” and kept making weird dinosaur noises.  That Jurassic Park article really put me on the map, and I think I may have a stalker.  If any of you are stalking me – please leave a comment at the bottom.  And I have pepper spray in my purse.

So, now that I’ve got that nonsense off my chest, I can tell you what I slaved over for the last few weeks.  Lost City, a (let me see if I’ve got this right) “Science Fiction adventure serial told in 12 amazing parts” from 1935 is my next gargantuan project on the chopping block.  And, man, this sucker looks like it’s going to take a few swings.  I also want to get in a little disclaimer: When I first heard the synopsis, I thought “Cool!  A lost city!”  What do I get?  The “city” is just  like four hallways and a supply closet.  Go figure. Continue reading

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.  So irresponsible of us.

Iron Man 2

James: Do I really need to tell you how I feel about this one?  The reviews aren’t quite what I hoped but I still plan to have a ball.

Benn:  Having seen the midnight showing of the film, it’s not as good as the first, and it suffers from “Sequel Syndrome” (more is better, or so the execs may think).  Still, Downey, Rourke and Rockwell are solid.  See it.

Dylan: Sure, it’s not as good as the first, but it’s still an awesome movie. Went to the midnight showing and loved every moment. See it now and watch the trailer for J.J Abram’s super secret project Super 8. Boner!

Fil:  Was definitely looking forward to this.  Saw it at midnight.  Enjoyed the hell out of it.

Anna: I’m seeing it tonight. The trailers were enticing, especially with Rourke. I’ve heard it doesn’t live up to the first, but I still expect something decent.

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Beetle Juice is the center of attention as we discuss Tim Burton’s body of work.

As usual the podcast is available for download on iTunes and Podcast Alley. Please leave a review there if you haven’t yet, we need more listeners. And you can always listen to it right here on our web page.

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God, even the poster for this turns me off

Woohoo I’m kind of back on a roll with the updates.  It was touch and go there for a while, but I think I’ve overcome my aversion to entertaining you and after weeks and weeks of therapy, I can go back to being funny on command for you.  Unfortunately, the movie I have to present to you today (tonight?  Who knows anymore) is neither entertaining, nor enjoyable.  I’ll do my best with the source material, but I’m pretty sure most of you will stop reading after this paragraph.

K-PAX, a 120 minute affront against the science fiction genre released in 2001, is a film about a man (Kevin Spacey) who goes by the name of Prot who believes that he’s an alien.  You know, from SPACE.  Jeff “Starman” Bridges, who is not an alien in this film, plays a psychiatrist or psychologist or something who has to deal with Prot and his incredible influence over the other inmates mental health patients.  Naturally, because of his advanced worldview, Prot is able to cure most of the other patients with his positive attitude and his dedication to an alien way of life. Continue reading

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

James: I’m taking this opportunity to watch the original instead.  I’m not one for horror really, but these glossy Michael Bay-produced remakes aren’t really the route I want to go if I’m craving a horror fix.  Nonetheless, if I had to pick one from Platinum Dunes, this one starring Jackie Earl Haley would be it.

Benn:  I always found Elm Street to be one of the best and more creative horror movies out there.  I’m wary of the Michael Bay-produced, CW-esque remakes, but Jackie Earl Haley is a great actor.  It might be worth it just to see him.

Dylan: There doesn’t seem to be anything different about this remake. Although of all the actors they could have chosen, they made the best possible choice with J.E.H. Sill going to skip it.

Fil:  I think the original is probably one of the best horror movies of all time.  This looks like nearly the same thing with elements of later films included to give more back story and shinier special effects.  I’ll probably Netflix this when it comes out, but I doubt I’ll see it in theatres.

Anna: I always loved the concept behind this movie, so I’m definitely interested. I’m looking forward to how they make the dream sequences in this remake, since the originals weren’t particularly scary to me.

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