Now Playing - The Movie Review Podcast
Alle afleveringen
1.050 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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The Death of the Incredible Hulk TV Movie Review
20 maart 2012 · 1 uur 24 min
A new science experiment holds the key to curing David Banner of the Hulk, but a group of terrorists plan to steal the device and the scientists who created it. In Death of the Incredible Hulk television audiences said goodbye to the Hulk, but is the ultimate performance of Bill Bixby an enjoyable watch, or will it kill the Now Playing hosts? Listen to find out! Lees meer
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The Trial of the Incredible Hulk TV Movie Review
13 maart 2012 · 1 uur 15 min
After Thor and Hulk was a smash hit in the ratings another Hulk movie was quickly approved. David Banner is arrested for a murder he didn't commit, set up by crime Kingpin Wilson Fisk, and the only one who believes David's story is his attorney--Matt Murdock. By day Matt tries to clear David's name in the courts, and by night he takes on David's fight as the vigilante known as Daredevil! Is this a team-up made in comic book heaven? Listen to Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart's review to find out! Lees meer
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The Incredible Hulk Returns TV Movie Review
7 maart 2012 · 1 uur 16 min
In 1987 The Incredible Hulk Returns and he brought a friend with him--Thor! Comic book crossovers are the thing of geek legend. Everyone wants to know who will win in a fight, Batman or Spider-Man. But due to licensing issues, on-screen comic book crossovers are rare, even for superheroes from the same publisher. That is what makes this summer's Avengers film so special, getting all the superheroes in one place! But long before Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth put Hulk and Thor on the same screen there was Lou Ferrigno and Eric Kramer in a story of murder, mystery, and action! With all three principle actors from The Incredible Hulk TV series reprising their roles, is this a smashing Hulk movie? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! Lees meer
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The Return of the Incredible Hulk (Death in the Family) TV Movie Review
3 maart 2012 · 1 uur 27 min
In November 1977, The Incredible Hulk premiered on CBS. But just a few weeks later, a second pilot movie aired to gauge audience reception to the now-famous Incredible Hulk formula. David Banner, on the run and searching for a cure, stumbles into a murder plot. Julie's stepmother and doctor are slowly poisoning the girl. Can David and old coot Michael save the girl? With such future TV stars as William Daniels (voice of KITT on Knight Rider) and Gerald McRaney (Major Dad), is this an Incredible series launch? Listen to Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart's review to find out! Lees meer
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The Incredible Hulk (1977) TV Movie Review
28 februari 2012 · 1 uur 22 min
The Incredible Hulk has been a staple in Marvel Comics since his first appearance in 1962, but to many The Hulk is less known for his comic book persona than his portrayal by Lou Ferrigno in CBS' hit prime time series The Incredible Hulk. Starring Bill Bixby as David Banner, a scientist who overdoses on gamma radiation, the series ran for five years, and it's impact can still be seen through references in both the Eric Bana and Edward Norton Hulk film adaptations. Now, as Now Playing starts its next leg of it's Marvel Comic Movie Retrospective, leading up to The Avengers, Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart are reviewing the television movie that started it all--The Incredible Hulk. Does this incarnation of the green giant make our reviewers angry? And would you like them when they're angry? Listen to find out! Lees meer
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Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Movie Review
19 februari 2012 · 1 uur 42 min
After Ghost Rider set theaters ablaze in 2007 a sequel seemed assured, but it took five years to get here. But now Nicholas Cage returns in the quasi-rebooted Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Johnny Blaze can have his curse lifted but first he must stop the devil from transferring his soul into the body of a young boy. From the directors of the cult hit Crank films, does this Ghost Rider spark with Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart? Listen to find out! Lees meer
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Ghost Rider Movie Review
14 februari 2012 · 1 uur 56 min
With a flaming skull, a leather jacket, and a bad bike, Ghost Rider embraced the biker comics counterculture in the 70's and had a resurgance as a dark hero in the 90's. The first Ghost Rider film broke box office records, and now Nicholas Cage reprises his role as the devil's bounty hunter. And continuing their look back at all movies based on Marvel Comics heroes, and in anticipation of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Jakob, Stuart, and Arnie will be watching and reviewing both Ghost Rider films. In the first movie, Johnny Blaze tried to woo childhood sweetheart Roxanne while eating jelly beans and listening to The Carpenters, but Mephisto has other plans for the stunt biker. Do Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart go along for this ride? Listen to find out! Lees meer
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Dr. Strange (1978) TV Movie Review
7 februari 2012 · 1 uur 2 min
In 1978, before the Captain America films, CBS was still trying to replicate the successes of their Wonder Woman and Incredible Hulk TV series, but their next attempt to launch a superhero show drew inspiration from the Strange-st of places. The Dr. Strange TV film, based on the Marvel Comics magician, introduces prime-time television to Dr. Stephen Strange, a swinging psychiatrist with a destiny. This was not destined to be picked up as a series, but should it have? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob's review to find out, or be left cold and barren! Lees meer
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Captain America (1990) Movie Review
31 januari 2012 · 1 uur 19 min
In the early 1990s the country was hungry for more superhero films. Batman had come out and shown us that comic book characters could be done without camp, and studios rushed to get more superhero projects in development. Yet despite Batman 's success, and 1991 being Captain America's 50th Anniversary, 21st Century Film Corporation's production of Captain America could not get distributed. Finally scuttled direct-to-VHS in 1992, this film has been a staple of the convention DVD bootleg circuit. Finally receiving not one but two official releases in 2011 to tie into Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger, does this 1990s version deserve another look? Listen to Jakob, Stuart, and Arnie's review to find out! Lees meer
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Captain America II: Death Too Soon TV Movie Review
24 januari 2012 · 1 uur 7 min
In 1979 Captain America had not one but two TV movies! The first was a pilot for a possible series. The second was Captain America 2 - Death Too Soon! Reb Brown returned as Steve Rogers, the ex-Marine who really just wants to paint. But terrorist General Miguel, played by Christopher Lee, has poisoned Portland and only Captain America can stop him! With attack dogs, a hang-gliding motorcycle, and old ladies on Venice Beach, does this Captain America film do our country proud? Listen to Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart's review to find out! Lees meer
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Captain America (1979) TV Movie Review
17 januari 2012 · 1 uur 11 min
In the 1940's Captain America was born with a punch to Hitler's jaw. In the 60's he was thawed out again to help lead Marvel's super-team The Avengers. And in the 70's, when superhero shows Wonder Woman and The Incredible Hulk ruled the airwaves, Captain America was updated once again for a new generation. Here Steve Rodgers is a former Marine who wants nothing more than to drive up the California coast and draw, but a diabolical plot from evil oil tycoon Lou Brackett puts Steve's life in danger. With a clear shield, a boss motocross bike, and a groovy outfit Captain America is called to action. Is this a Captain that kids of the 70's could get behind? Listen to Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie to find out! Lees meer
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Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV Movie Review
10 januari 2012 · 1 uur 18 min
During the Cold War, only one man could protect America from the evil terrorist forces of HYDRA - Nick Fury, director of ! But the Berlin Wall fell, HYDRA'S leader Baron Wolfgang von Strucker was captured, and Fury was put out to pasture. Now, however, HYDRA is back and S.H.I.E.L.D. needs Fury, played by Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, to save the day. Made for TV in the 90s, Nick Fury's first live-action depiction is now forgotten in the wake of Samuel L. Jackson. But can Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob handle The Hoff? Listen to Now Playing's review to find out! Lees meer
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Rocky Balboa Movie Review
3 januari 2012 · 1 uur 25 min
In 14 years Sylvester Stallone had made five Rocky films, and for a long time it was easy to assume Rocky V was the last film. A financial failure and derided by critics and fans alike, it seems Rocky had finally retired once and for all. But 30 years after the original Rocky, Stallone put the gloves back on and returned to the role that made him famous. Now Rocky Balboa is a widower, a restaurateur, and has a beast inside him that needs to be released in the ring. Does this latest Rocky film knock out our reviewers Arnie, Jakob, and Brock? Listen to our final Rocky review to find out! Lees meer
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Rocky V Movie Review
27 december 2011 · 1 uur 19 min
After Rocky defeated Drago, and Communism, in Rocky 4, The Italian Stallion returned to his roots for Rocky 5. The director of the original Rocky film, John G. Avildsen, is back in the diretor's chair, and Rocky is back in Philly, broke once more. Due to brain damage Rocky cannot fight his way out of this situation, but with the family's only remaining possession, Micky's gym, Rocky finds himself training a new up-and-comer Tommy Gunn. This film takes a beating from fans and critics alike, but which way did the Now Playing judges rule? Listen to Arnie, Jakob, and Brock to find out! Lees meer
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Rocky IV Movie Review
20 december 2011 · 1 uur 3 min
Rocky went the distance with Apollo Creed, found the Eye of the Tiger and beat Clubber Lang, but four his next fight he's taking on the biggest enemy of all--communism! When Russian Olympic Gold Medalist Drago kills Apollo in an exhibition match, Rocky must fight to avenge his friend and defend his country's honor. Rocky 4 was the highest grossing of all Rocky films, but is it the best of the best? Listen to Brock, Jakob, and Arnie's review to find out! Lees meer
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Rocky III Movie Review
13 december 2011 · 1 uur 11 min
As heavyweight champion Rocky traded his passion for glory. Now he worries more about his product endorsements and his new, plastic surgery enhanced face than his boxing matches. Fortunately Rocky's manager Mickey is shielding the champ, only letting Rocky fight punks who don't stand a chance. But when tough, hungry, up-and-comer Clubber Lang refuses to take "no" for an answer Rocky has to get the eye of the tiger...with the help of an old enemy. In theaters Rocky III was a hit that outgrossed even the original film, but with Mr. T in the spotlight can this film still go the distance or is it past its prime and ready for retirement? Listen as Arnie, Jakob, and Brock once more step into the ring for this Rocky review! Lees meer
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Rocky II Movie Review
6 december 2011 · 56 min
Despite losing the boxing match by decision, Rocky was the undisputed box office champion of 1976. So three years later, the Italian Stallion was back on the big screen and this time he was there to "Win, Rocky, Win!" With Sylvester Stallone now behind the camera as well as in front, and the entire cast of the original film returning, does Rocky II pack a punch? Listen as Arnie, Jakob, and Brock step back in the ring and find out! Lees meer
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Rocky Movie Review
29 november 2011 · 1 uur 25 min
It's sometimes hard to believe Sylvester Stallone is an Oscar nominated actor and writer. After all, Demolition Man and The Expendables aren't usually the films that get Academy notice. But in his career-making role as washed-up fighter Rocky Balboa Stallone captured accolades and audience dollars. Now, for Rocky's 35th anniversary, Now Playing hosts Arnie, Brock, and Jakob are watching and reviewing all six Rocky films, starting with this 1976 original. Can this film still go the distance with modern audience? Listen to find out! Lees meer
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Punisher: War Zone Movie Review
22 november 2011 · 1 uur 33 min
The Punisher's attempts at a franchise continue to be shot down. While 2004's Punisher film failed to blow up the box office, strong DVD sales convinced Lionsgate to move ahead on a sequel--only to have director Jonathan Hensleigh and star Thomas Jane drop out. But the project moved on, now a second reboot for the Marvel Knight. Ray Stevenson strapped on the skull-logo flack jacket to fight classic comic book villian Jigsaw in this ultra-violent comic adaptation. Does this third Punisher film finally hit the target, or is it yet another misfire? Listen to Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart's final installment in the Punisher Retrospective Series to find out! Lees meer
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The Punisher (2004) Movie Review
15 november 2011 · 1 uur 30 min
With Blade a cinematic success Artisan Entertainment brought another R-rated Marvel property to the big screen--The Punisher. Starring Thomas Jane in the title role and John Travolta as bad guy gangster Howard Saint, this adaptation remained closer to the character's comic book portrayal, putting him in his signature skull outfit and with a story based on Garth Ennis' acclaimed Welcome Back Frank story. But this film was punished by most critics, only to find its audience on DVD. Is this film justice for our hero, or punishment for the viewer? Listen as Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart are here to live once more, or die once more, or review once more and find out! Lees meer
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The Punisher (1989) Movie Review
8 november 2011 · 1 uur 22 min
In 1989 the second Marvel Comics hero got his shot at big screen glory -- The Punisher, a murderous vigilante who dispenses the ultimate punishment to criminals. To comic book fans, Dolph Lundgren's portrayal of the character barely resembled the original material. Gone was the giant skull on the Punisher's shirt, and instead of a Viet Nam war hero Frank Castle was now a police officer waging a one-man war against the mob. But is the true punishment that inflicted upon viewers of this film? On this week's Now Playing, Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob continue their Marvel Movie retrospective with this first Punisher film, so listen to find out! Lees meer
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Hannibal Rising Movie Review
31 oktober 2011 · 1 uur 25 min
After Red Dragon's success more Lecter films were guaranteed, and to keep with author Thomas Harris' original vision this time the movie was not just based on one of his novels--the Hannibal Rising screenplay was written by Harris in conjunction with the new novel telling of Hannibal the Cannibal's early years. Can this film provide a future for the series without Anthony Hopkins, and does Gaspard Ulliel's Hannibal rise to the occasion? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob's final review in the Hannibal Lecter series to find out! Lees meer
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Red Dragon Movie Review
25 oktober 2011 · 1 uur 41 min
Quickly after Hannibal hit theaters production began on yet another installment of the Hannibal Lecter franchise, and this time instead of looking forward to Harris writing another Hannibal story they looked backwards to Red Dragon, Harris' first novel featuring the caged cannibal. Already made into a film in the 80's, Manhunter, now the story is retold in an adaptation more faithful to the original novel and with Hopkins again reprising the role that he is best known for. With an all-star cast and director Brett Ratner at the helm, was this film a needed update or a desperate cash-grab? Listen to Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart's review to find out! Lees meer
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The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) Movie Review
20 oktober 2011 · 1 uur 28 min
Warning: This podcast deals with subject matter that will be objectionable to the vast majority of listeners. No one under the age of 18 should listen, and those over the age of 18 should listen with caution. Last year the world was fascinated by The Human Centipede. What started as an underground, unknown movie only shown at midnight in select theaters ended up a global phenomenon. Word of the sequel spread fast, and the buzz increased when the film was banned in the UK. Now the sequel is here and the full sequence twelve-person Human Centipede is ready to be revealed. Do four-times the people equate to four-times the entertainment? Listen as Stuart, Marjorie, and Arnie line up to review this sequel and find out! Lees meer
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Hannibal Movie Review
18 oktober 2011 · 1 uur 26 min
When Silence of the Lambs was received with critical acclaim and box office success, audiences waited with baited breath for the reunion of the cannibal and the agent -- Hannibal and Clarice. But despite audience anticipation, author Thomas Harris did not complete the sequel novel Hannibal until 1999, and upon its release many of the talent associated with the original film declined to return. But with new director Ridley Scott, fresh off his Oscar for Gladiator, behind the camera and Hopkins returning to chew up the scenery and his victims, could this film live up to the last or is it too much for audiences to swallow? Listen to find out! Lees meer
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Silence of the Lambs Movie Review
11 oktober 2011 · 1 uur 42 min
We covet what we hear, so listen now! Lees meer
It’s iconic. Fava beans and a nice Chianti. Quid pro quo. Goodbye Horses. Few thrillers have seeped into pop culture like The Silence of the Lambs. Based on Thomas Harris’s novel, the film united Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, and director Jonathan Demme to create a chilling crime story that not only captivated audiences but also swept the Academy Awards. As FBI trainee Clarice Starling hunts the serial killer Buffalo Bill, she turns to the brilliant and terrifying Dr. Hannibal Lecter for insight—sparking one of cinema’s most unforgettable psychological duels.
Continuing their Hannibal Lecter retrospective, Jakob, Stuart, and Arnie revisit this landmark film to see if it still deserves its legendary reputation. Listen to Now Playing Podcast and find out!
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Book Review: The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
11 oktober 2011 · 26 min
Time for the main course of the Lecter books! Lees meer
Books & Nachos is now part of Now Playing Podcast.
Before our book reviews were branded as Now Playing Podcast Book Reviews, they were released under a separate show called Books & Nachos. That podcast focused on book discussions, most of which tied directly into films we were covering on Now Playing. We’ve now merged those episodes into the main Now Playing Podcast feed for easier access and a complete archive. But these older episodes still have the original Books & Nachos intro and credits on those older recordings.
Before he was winning Oscars and dominating the silver screen, Hannibal Lecter returned to the page in Thomas Harris’s 1988 novel The Silence of the Lambs. In this second Lecter story, the brilliant but imprisoned doctor is enlisted to help an FBI trainee track down a killer who skins his victims—while Lecter quietly plots a gruesome escape of his own. Join Stuart as he revisits the novel that deepened Lecter’s legend, examining how Clarice Starling’s presence reshapes the dynamic with the infamous doctor and helped turn Harris’s cultured cannibal into one of fiction’s most compelling villains.
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Red Dragon by Thomas Harris Book Review
5 oktober 2011 · 22 min
Love at first bite Lees meer
Books & Nachos is now part of Now Playing Podcast.
Before our book reviews were branded as Now Playing Podcast Book Reviews, they were released under a separate show called Books & Nachos. That podcast focused on book discussions, most of which tied directly into films we were covering on Now Playing. We’ve now merged those episodes into the main Now Playing Podcast feed for easier access and a complete archive. But these older episodes still have the original Books & Nachos intro and credits on those older recordings.
Prepare the Chianti and fava beans. Stuart is spending a month dining with author Thomas Harris and his most infamous creation—Dr. Hannibal Lecter. As a companion to our Hannibal Lecter movie retrospective, Stuart is cracking open the four novels that inspired the five films featuring the cultured cannibal.
The first course is Red Dragon, the 1981 crime novel that introduced Hannibal Lecter to the world. This chilling story of FBI profiler Will Graham hunting the serial killer known as the “Tooth Fairy” would later inspire two film adaptations: Michael Mann’s Manhunter (1986) and Brett Ratner’s Red Dragon (2002).
Join Stuart as he gets inside Lecter’s mind and examines how Harris crafted the twisted relationship between the imprisoned doctor, the new murderer who idolizes him, and the investigator who once put Lecter behind bars.
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Manhunter Movie Review
4 oktober 2011 · 1 uur 44 min
It is in your nature to do one thing correctly: listen to this show! Lees meer
Before Anthony Hopkins was savoring fava beans and a nice Chianti, Hannibal Lecter first appeared on the big screen as “Hannibal Lector,” played by Brian Cox in Manhunter, the stylish 1986 thriller from Miami Vice creator Michael Mann.
When a brutal serial killer known as the “Tooth Fairy” begins murdering entire families, FBI profiler Will Graham is pulled out of retirement to track him down. To understand the mind of the killer, Graham turns to the one man who knows that darkness best—the imprisoned murderer he once captured, Hannibal the Cannibal.
Though the story would later be retold in The Silence of the Lambs era with Red Dragon, Manhunter initially failed at the box office before gaining a devoted following among Lecter fans. But does Mann’s neon-soaked thriller stand alongside the more famous films that followed? Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob kick off Now Playing Podcast’s Hannibal Lecter retrospective with their review of Manhunter.
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Elektra Movie Review
27 september 2011 · 1 uur 33 min
Death's not so bad. How do I know? I watched Elektra once. Lees meer
Daredevil may have turned a profit, but when Ben Affleck’s box office draw began to fade, 20th Century Fox opted for a spin-off instead of a sequel. And despite dying at the end of Daredevil, Jennifer Garner returned to reprise her role as Marvel’s deadly assassin in Elektra. Clad in her iconic red outfit, Elektra is now a hired killer trying to reclaim her conscience when she’s tasked with eliminating a man and his young daughter—targets who may be tied to a powerful mystical force known as “The Treasure.” Standing in her way is ancient ninja clan The Hand, along with a gallery of supernatural killers. Is Elektra a treasure for comic book movie fans, or should this franchise have stayed buried with its heroine? Listen to Jakob, Stuart, and Arnie on Now Playing Podcast to find out.
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Daredevil Movie Review
20 september 2011 · 1 uur 41 min
Murdock in Love Lees meer
After the success of X-Men, 20th Century Fox rushed another Marvel hero to the big screen: Daredevil. With Ben Affleck fresh off the success of Armageddon and The Sum of All Fears, the casting of the blind lawyer-turned-vigilante seemed poised to ride the same wave that had just propelled Spider-Man to box office glory. Backed by a strong supporting cast including Jennifer Garner as Elektra, Colin Farrell as Bullseye, Michael Clarke Duncan as Kingpin, and a pre-Iron Man Jon Favreau as Foggy Nelson, Daredevil smashed opening weekend records in 2003. Yet despite that early success, the film quickly faded from the court of public opinion. Was this Marvel adaptation unfairly judged, or did it deserve the bad reputation that followed? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob on Now Playing Podcast as they revisit Daredevil and render their verdict.
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Blade: Trinity Movie Review
13 september 2011 · 1 uur 43 min
Dracula returns to show all-new ways to suck! Lees meer
Blade II slashed its way to over $150 million worldwide, so it was no surprise that the Daywalker returned just two years later for a third outing. What was surprising was that this time Blade didn’t come alone. Joining Wesley Snipes are Jessica Biel, Ryan Reynolds, Natasha Lyonne, and Parker Posey as a new generation of vampire hunters taking the fight to the undead. With writer David S. Goyer stepping into the director’s chair and Dracula himself entering the mix as Blade’s ultimate nemesis, Blade: Trinity aims to raise the stakes with bigger action, more quips, and a whole new team dynamic. But does this sequel give the franchise fresh blood, or does splitting the spotlight drain the life out of Blade’s final adventure? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob on this Now Playing Podcast to find out.
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Blade II Movie Review
6 september 2011 · 1 uur 22 min
Lock up your daughters, boys and girls. Now Playing Podcast returns! Lees meer
Blade was an unexpected hit in 1998, so in 2002, Wesley Snipes returned as the Daywalker for the first sequel of his career. This time the vampire hunter faces a new threat: the Reapers, a vicious breed of super-vampires that force Blade into an uneasy alliance with the very bloodsuckers he’s sworn to destroy. Behind the camera is then–up-and-coming director Guillermo del Toro (Mimic), bringing his love of monsters, gothic visuals, and brutal action to the franchise, with David S. Goyer returning to write the script. Does Blade II sharpen the series with bigger action and nastier creatures, or does the sequel lose its bite? Listen to Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob’s review on Now Playing Podcast to find out.
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Blade Movie Review
30 augustus 2011 · 1 uur 40 min
I guess if you're immortal, cholesterol doesn't matter? Lees meer
By 1998, the only Marvel Comics character to get a wide theatrical release was Howard the Duck. But that changed when Dark Knight writer David S. Goyer brought Marvel’s vampire hunter to the big screen in Blade, with Wesley Snipes donning the black leather to wage war on the undead. Facing off against Stephen Dorff’s ambitious bloodsucker Deacon Frost, Blade mixed martial arts, techno soundtracks, and vampire mythology into something unlike the comic book movies that came before it.
Arriving just after the misfire of Batman & Robin, Blade helped restore credibility to comic adaptations and quietly laid the groundwork for the Marvel movie boom that followed. But does this pre-Matrix blend of CGI, blood-soaked action, and late-’90s style still hold up today? Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob sharpen the stakes and dive into the film’s place in comic book movie history on Now Playing Podcast.
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Fright Night (2011) Movie Review
23 augustus 2011 · 1 uur 35 min
You don't need an invitation to download this podcast, so download it now! Lees meer
Dracula, Lestat, Angel, Nosferatu, Spike...Jerry??? While Hollywood continues to mine all vampire properties to build on the current fang mania, the 1985 cult film Fright Night was not one with the name recognition that made it an obvious choice for a remake. But with Buffy the Vampire Slayer writer Marti Noxon handling the script and an impressive cast including Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, and David Tennant, this unlikely revival just might have the bite to make vampires scary again. But does this modern Fright Night honor the spirit of the 1985 original, or is it just another victim of Hollywood’s remake machine? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Brock on Now Playing Podcast to find out.
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Final Destination 5 Movie Review
19 augustus 2011 · 1 uur 18 min
The eyes have it! Lees meer
Now Playing Podcast concludes its Final Destination retrospective with the fifth and newest installment in the franchise. When Sam and his coworkers narrowly escape a catastrophic bridge collapse on their way to a company retreat, they think they’ve cheated fate. But as always in this series, Death’s design is far from finished. With Tony Todd returning as the mysterious Bludworth, there may finally be clues about how Death’s plan works… and whether it can ever truly be beaten. But after five films, are audiences still invested in the mythology, or are we all just here to watch the next elaborate chain reaction of grisly demises? Arnie, Jakob, and Brock break down the thrills, the twists, and the kills as Now Playing Podcast reviews Final Destination 5.
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Fright Night Part II Movie Review
16 augustus 2011 · 1 uur 10 min
Bowling alley pizza gives us similar convulsions - and we're not even vampires! Lees meer
Jerry Dandrige may have been turned to dust in Fright Night, but Charlie Brewster’s troubles are far from over. After months of therapy convincing him that vampires don’t exist, Charlie tries to move on with his life… until Regine, Jerry’s mysterious sister, arrives looking for revenge. With Charlie doubting his own memories and a new girlfriend caught in the crossfire, his only hope once again lies with washed-up TV horror host Peter Vincent: Vampire Killer. Featuring a new lineup of monsters and leaving fan-favorite Evil Ed behind, Fright Night Part 2 tries to continue the cult classic’s mix of horror and humor. But does this sequel capture the bite of the original? And perhaps the bigger question: can you even track down a copy to watch? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Brock on Now Playing Podcast to find out.
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The Final Destination Movie Review
12 augustus 2011 · 50 min
In 2009, horror stepped into another dimension: 3-D. While franchises everywhere scrambled to cash in on the gimmick, the Final Destination series returned with its fourth installment, bluntly titled The Final Destination. Lees meer
With Final Destination 2 director David R. Ellis back behind the camera, the film opens with a catastrophic speedway crash that gives psychic Nick a vision of death’s latest design. Escaping the initial disaster is only the beginning, as Nick and his friends face a deadly chain reaction involving a car wash, a swimming pool, and even a chain-link fence. Do the over-the-top kills and 3-D spectacle breathe new life into the franchise, or is this where Death’s design finally runs out of ideas? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Brock’s review on Now Playing Podcast to find out!
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Fright Night Movie Review
9 augustus 2011 · 1 uur 24 min
Special Ed Lees meer
Jerry and Billy seem like perfectly normal neighbors… if you ignore the apple cores in the yard and the occasional garbage bag that looks suspiciously human-shaped. While the rest of the neighborhood goes about their business, teenager Charlie Brewster realizes the truth: the suave guy next door, Jerry Dandrige, is a vampire.
In 1985, Fright Night revived the undead with a clever blend of horror and comedy. Chris Sarandon brought charm and menace as the stylish bloodsucker Jerry, while Roddy McDowall stole scenes as Peter Vincent, a washed-up TV vampire hunter suddenly facing the real thing. Is this cult classic still immortal, or is it a relic best left in the coffin of ’80s horror? Stuart, Arnie, and Brock sink their teeth into the original Fright Night to find out, kicking off Now Playing Podcast’s full retrospective of the series, leading up to the remake starring Colin Farrell.
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Final Destination 3 Movie Review
5 augustus 2011 · 1 uur 17 min
We will never look at Home Depot the same way again! Lees meer
You could say Wendy’s senior year is a real roller coaster. Graduation looms, friendships are shifting, boyfriends are on the chopping block, and she’s having crystal-clear visions of a coaster flying off the rails. When her premonition saves a handful of classmates from a deadly ride, they think they’ve beaten fate. They haven’t, but maybe Wendy's magic camera can help her decode Death’s design before it claims them one by one. With original director James Wong back at the controls of the nail gun and the tanning bed, does Final Destination 3 deliver another twisted thrill ride, or is the track starting to buckle? Jakob, Arnie, and Brock step back in line to find out.
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Cowboys & Aliens Movie Review
2 augustus 2011 · 1 uur 7 min
Seriously, dude, we're trying to eat...can't you at least walk downstream a bit? Lees meer
Daniel Craig. Harrison Ford. Jon Favreau. Cowboys. Aliens. These creatives and concepts had Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart racing to saddle up to see one of the few non-sequel, big-budget spectacles this summer. Based on a comic series, Cowboys & Aliens mashes up Western grit with sci-fi spectacle: six-shooters, alien tech, and a desert showdown. Ride on over to NowPlayingPodcast.com and hear whether this high-concept shootout hits the mark.
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Final Destination 2 Movie Review
29 juli 2011 · 53 min
Can we find the pregnant woman now, please? Lees meer
In Final Destination, you can’t cheat death; you can only delay it. Part two picks up with the previous film's survivors still haunted by what they escaped, and Death ready to clean up loose ends. But Death can multitask, as we also have a new group of would-be victims trying to outthink a force that doesn’t play fair. With one of horror’s most infamous freeway pileups that made audiences side-eye logging trucks for years, does this follow-up sharpen the formula, or just repeat it with more blood and broken glass? Join Arnie, Jakob, and Brock as they revisit the second stop on Death’s itinerary and decide if this Destination delivers.
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Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer Movie Review
26 juli 2011 · 1 uur 24 min
Galactus has the munchies and is following a surf dude for a snack... Is intergalactic weed involved? Lees meer
With Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, 20th Century Fox doubled down on Marvel's First Family, bringing one of the most beloved cosmic storylines from the comics to the big screen. The mysterious Silver Surfer (voiced by The Matrix's Laurence Fishburne) arrives as a harbinger of world-eating Galactus. With bigger effects, higher stakes, and a fan-favorite character finally in live action, this sequel aimed to correct the missteps of the first film and expand the franchise into true cosmic territory. Is the third time a charm for the Four? Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob dive into the spectacle, the tone, and that controversial depiction of Galactus in this chapter of Now Playing Podcast's Marvel retrospective.
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Final Destination Movie Review
22 juli 2011 · 1 uur 8 min
Wanna go take a listen? Lees meer
After Scream rewrote the rules of teen horror, a wave of imitators hit theaters. Most crashed hard, but one survived... In Final Destination, high schooler Alex (Idle Hands' Devon Sawa) has a premonition that his flight to Paris will explode. He and several classmates get off the plane only to discover that cheating death comes with consequences. As Tony Todd (Candyman) ominously explains, death has a design, and it doesn’t like being interrupted. With elaborate Rube Goldberg-style kill sequences and a killer you can’t punch, outrun, or unmask, the film launched a franchise built entirely on inevitability. Now our hosts get on board and revisit the one that started it all to see if this high-concept horror still delivers suspense, or if its fate was sealed from the beginning.
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Fantastic Four Movie Review
19 juli 2011 · 1 uur 53 min
Doom's so vain I bet he thinks this podcast's about him. Lees meer
After decades of development limbo and one unreleased low-budget experiment, the Fantastic Four finally arrived in theaters in 2005 with a full studio push from 20th Century Fox. Positioned as the next Marvel team franchise to stand alongside X-Men, this big-budget adaptation brings Reed Richards (102 Dalmations' Ioan Gruffudd), Sue Storm (Idle Hands' Jesica Alba), Johnny Storm (Not Another Teen Movie's Chris Evans), and Ben Grimm (The Shield's Michael Chiklis) to life as they square off against Victor Von Doom (Nip/Tuck's Julian McMahon). With glossy effects, a $100 million budget, and clear plans for sequels, does this first official big-screen outing capture the mix of science fiction spectacle and family dynamics that made the comic a classic, or does it struggle to ignite? Join the Now Playing Podcast crew as they break down the film that finally gave Marvel’s First Family a theatrical release.
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The Fantastic Four Movie Review
12 juli 2011 · 1 uur 27 min
Did Avi Arad shout "Flame On!" as he burned the negative? Lees meer
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four launched the modern Marvel Universe in 1961, redefining superheroes as flawed, bickering, deeply human characters. On screen, though, Marvel’s First Family has had a rockier path. In this first chapter of our Fantastic Four retrospective, Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob go back to 1994 and the infamous Roger Corman-produced Fantastic Four film. Shot on the cheap and reportedly made primarily to retain the movie rights, this version was never officially released, yet bootlegs turned it into a comic-book legend. Why was it shelved? Was it truly unwatchable, or just a victim of studio politics? Join the Now Playing Podcast crew as they examine the most unloved and abandoned superhero movie ever made.
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Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Review
5 juli 2011 · 1 uur 52 min
Watch as Michael Bay and co. transform world history! Lees meer
Transformers: Dark of the Moon stormed into theaters, smashing buildings and box office records, and dominating the Fourth of July holiday. Michael Bay’s third outing raises the stakes again, tying the Autobots and Decepticons to a secret Apollo-era conspiracy and unleashing some of the biggest action set pieces of the franchise. But does this installment actually improve on its predecessor, or is it another effects-driven juggernaut powered more by 3-D ticket prices than storytelling? Jerry, Stuart, and Arnie break down the action, the mythology, and Bay’s bombast to decide whether Dark of the Moon redeems the series or simply doubles down on what came before.
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Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Review
28 juni 2011 · 1 uur 42 min
Oh robot giiiiiirlfriend Lees meer
Arnie, Stuart, and Jerry continue their Transformers retrospective with Revenge of the Fallen, the second entry in the Bayformers saga. The Matrix of Leadership returns, Optimus Prime falls again, and the franchise leans hard into both G1 nostalgia and full-throttle spectacle. But do those callbacks and expanded lore actually add weight to the story, or does the scale overwhelm everything else? Join the Now Playing Podcast crew as they break down the mayhem to see whether this sequel stands tall or collapses under its own mass.
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Green Lantern Movie Review
24 juni 2011 · 1 uur 52 min
Two guys, a girl, and a magic ring Lees meer
Because you demanded it.
Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart take a break from Marvel to shine a green light on DC’s Green Lantern. Starring Ryan Reynolds (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) as Hal Jordan, alongside Blake Lively (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), Peter Sarsgaard Garden State), Mark Strong (Kick-Ass), and Angela Bassett (How Stella Got Her Groove Back), Green Lantern is Warner Bros.’ attempt to launch its own cosmic superhero franchise to rival Marvel's Cinematic Universe Does it soar into the upper atmosphere of superhero cinema, or crash back to Earth under the weight of its own ambition? Join the Now Playing Podcast crew as they revisit Reynold's second attempt to be a superhero and decide whether this ring had any real power behind it.
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Transformers Movie Review
21 juni 2011 · 1 uur 56 min
More oil was used on Megan Fox than all the automobiles in this film combined! Lees meer
Continuing our Transformers retrospective, Arnie, Jerry, and Stuart shift gears into Michael Bay’s 2007 live-action debut, dubbed "Bayformers" by longtime fans. With Steven Spielberg producing and a massive effects budget bringing Autobots and Decepticons into the real world, the film aimed to turn a beloved ’80s cartoon into a modern blockbuster. But did Bay successfully reinvent the franchise for a new generation, or did the spectacle overwhelm the spark that made fans care in the first place? Join the Now Playing Podcast crew as they break down the action, the humor, and the metal-on-metal mayhem to see if this transformation holds up.