2008 June Archive at iconogeek

Monthly Archive for June, 2008

But where did the lighter fluid come from?

Published

on June 30, 2008

in TV

. 0 Comments

Finally, Hollywood has thrown us weary fans a frickin’ bone and apparently decided to green light a big screen version of Fox’s short-lived phenomenon that was Arrested Development. IMDb.com has it set to release in 2009, and with the writer’s strike over, I think this is a possibility.If this flick turns out to be half as good as season 2 of the show, I’ll be satisfied. For a show that was so short lived, I have supreme confidence in presenting a list of past/present comedies that AD is better than.1. Friends 2. Will & Grace 3. Everybody Loves Raymond 4. How I Met Your Mother 5. Family Guy .That’s right, I said Friends, watch the show and you’ll be looking forward to the movie as much as I am.

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He is the man.

Published

Chuck

on June 29, 2008

in Movies and Uncategorized

. 2 Comments

Yep, James McAvoy is totally the man. And for that matter so is Timur Bekmambetov. Jesus Christmas, I just saw Wanted and I gotta say it kicked much ass. I had very high hopes for this movie and I was not disappointed. I have to admit, I wasn’t quite sure McAvoy could pull it off. He plays great doe-eyed innocence, but action hero? Well, let me just say, he f’n pulls it off, and pulls it off big.

The premise works and I dug it – a millenia-old order of assassins working to keep fate on track (this does deviate a bit from the comic’s plot – but they did a great job in adapting it to the screen). I was able to accept the mystical aspect of it (which they leave largely unexplained) and just completely immerse myself in this film. It handled exposition rather well, with a cheeky VO á la Blade Runner and got into the action at just the right moment. The pacing felt great, the acting was spot on and the effects were tight. Bekmambetov takes John Geata’s bullet time and pushes it even further.

The action is crazy-over-the-top with amazing chase sequences that tip their hats to Point Break, The French Connection, and the Matrix. In addition, you’ll see tons of little in-jokes like a VERY Han-in-Carbonite scene about half-way through the flick. I think my favorite was the appearance of Konstantin Khabensky as one of the Fraternity members.

Angelina Jolie is, of-course, awesome, any time you need a beautiful ass-kicking chick with a heart, she’s your go-to-girl. And Common even makes a great turn as the “Gunsmith”. And if your life won’t be complete until you hear Morgan Freeman say “Shoot this mother-fucker” well then…you’ve come to the right movie. I always like when he is in these mentoring style roles, even though this is nowhere near the gravitas of Se7en, he pulls them off really well. Terence Stamp makes an appearance as well and he plays it straight, not over-the-top (and I always love when General Zod shows up)

Ya know, I think Bekmambetov may have some father issues now that I think about it – lots of father figures in this flick, but I think that’s a topic for the podcast. Before I go, I gotta drop an >i< score of a 9 on this one. Action, humor, in-jokes, fun – it’s got it all – and coupled with great direction, effects AND sound. Go see it, you won’t be left wanting…except for a sequel.

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Clip it, cut it and put it on in. BTW it’s nowhere near as dirty as it sounds : Episode 12

Published

iconogeek

on June 23, 2008

in podcasts

. 0 Comments

Fighting past weather and connectivity issues, Jason and Chuck soldier on. This week Chuck and Jason debate “28 Weeks Later” and discuss why zombie movies don’t have to jump the shark. Carrying over from last week, Jason offers his review of The Happening and the guys discuss the death of the Night twist and brow furrow acting. Chuck tangents off to “The Pursuit of Happyness” and marvels at Will Smith’s acting chops. Of course, this leads into another tangent on Scientology, Religion, Jesus = Fonzy, and the creation of a new geek religion.

With possibly the best segue in iconogeek history, Jason deftly steers the conversation back towards the Hulk. Jason delves into the movie’s CG and why Ang Lee’s Hulk now officially sucks. The >i< score is discussed in detail and Chuck offers a quick recap of Kung Fu Panda.

Wrapping up the June movies, the discussion turns to The Love Guru and whether Mike Myer’s humor is still relevant, albeit it does look funny. Get Smart follows as Chuck recounts fond memories of the TV show and why Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson does indeed kick ass.

Wall•E is next, but first, while Chuck feels Pixar = Roland; Jason hates “Cars”, seriously… he hates it. Lastly, Chuck and Jason discuss “Wanted” and how it just can’t miss, Timur Bekmambetov insane action sequences, and possibly the best freeze frame in trailer history.

Links discussed:

Wanted Redband trailer

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Episode 12 [42:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (208)

To the World: You were right, I was wrong.

Published

jason

on June 18, 2008

in Movies and Smash

. 0 Comments

I’ve taken a lot of flack over the years for being the one person on earth that enjoyed Ang Lee’s Hulk. I could never understand what the problem was. He was a comic book character and for me the movie was fun to watch. I like Eric Bana. I really like Jennifer Connelly. He rips a tank apart! Whatever, judge me if you like.. I enjoyed it.

However.

I saw the new Hulk this weekend, and I guess you were all right… Ang Lee’s Hulk is just an ugly bastard of a movie in comparison. This is what a Hulk movie should be. Ridiculous over the top tense and exciting action sequences, enjoyable characters (good interplay between Norton and Tyler, although Jennifer Connelly was much more ‘appealing’), fantastic superpowers, great CGI and most importantly a ton of fun. This movie will get an assload of play on my home theater when it comes to DVD.

The CGI had a few moments of ‘eh’ .. you know where you look at it, and something seems off but you can’t quite put your finger on it. Overall though it was top notch. The integration of live action and 3d was especially noteworthy, which is where most movies have issues. This is where the Hulk excels, pitting his massive frame against normal sized individuals had an awesome impact.

Definitely go check this one out. It’s a 10 in my book.. not an Iron Man 10, but a 10 nonetheless.

P.S. No need to stay past the end credits this time… they throw you the bone right before it ends.

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What’s (the) Happening? Not much :(

Published

jason

on June 18, 2008

in Movies

. 1 Comment

M. Night Shyamalan’s summer flick ‘The Happening’ came out this past weekend. If you’ve been keeping track with us over here (slackers I know) we discussed this movie a few weeks back and the scare the pants off you red band trailer that was on line.

I had high hopes for this. I like M.N.S. and most of his movies. I like the approach and the feel. I liked that this seemed to be going edgier, with his first R rated production. The first trailer had me intrigued, the red band trailer had me sold. I bought my ticket, alongside enough others for it to rake in a very respectable $35 million or so on its opening weekend.

Here’s the big twist with this one. How did a trailer with so much awesome result in a movie with so much suck? I could go into a myriad of reasons why this movie failed to deliver, and I am pretty much the most forgiving movie critic in the world. I like just about every movie I see ( except Diary of the Dead, my new favorite ‘most horrible movie ever’) and even I had trouble finding redeeming qualities with this movie. It did have a good sense of dread, had some decent creepiness… but when/if you see it, your response will probably be something like this.

“Seriously??!?”

{internal dialogue}
Something else must be coming…

“Really?!!!???”

“Oh C’mon!”

End Credits

Save your money, thank me later.

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JB is the KFP

Published

Brett

on June 11, 2008

in Movies

. 1 Comment

I have to say I’m more of a Pixar guy rather then Dreamworks, blame my inherent bias toward all Steve Jobs’ endeavors. However, Dreamworks’ recent addition to the animated motion picture universe was phenomenal. I was a little skeptical at first because Jack Black has been in some clunkers of late, but this flick was awesome.

I really began to care about Po, the lazy, sweet toothed DragonMaster-elect, and Dustin Hoffman was superb as Master Shifu. With voice-over appearances from Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, Jackie Chan, and a rather disappointing Angelina Jolie, what’s not to love. By the end of the movie, I was elated at Po’s successes.

Note: Don’t think I didn’t notice the Kill Bill reference with the 5 point palm exploding heart technique…(well it was a kid’s movie so maybe they’re hearts didn’t “explode” persay.)

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Tonight, the June movies..we hope. Episode 11

Published

iconogeek

on June 7, 2008

in podcasts

. 0 Comments

Now back on track with the iconogeek Summer Movie Preview, Chuck and Jason are fit to discuss June’s movies. But first, Chuck’s new puppy “Juno” and Jason’s new kitten “Niko” are the topic of conversation. Chuck’s wife Michele finally comes to the dark side. Wired validate’s Chuck’s truths on New York pizza and the discussion turns to why our pets and children are named after movie characters. Steven Segal is awesome and why cockpunching is the funniest thing ever.

Don’t mess with the Zohan is up first and Chuck appreciates Sandler’s non-traditional lead character while Jay theorizes that Naveen Andrew’s “Sayid” on LOST was the forerunner of kick-ass foreign characters that, in fact, kick-ass.

Next Chuck and Jay discuss Zohan and Kung Fu Panda, followed by the Incredible Hulk as Chuck explains why he doesn’t like “shiny” superhero movies and Jason experiences directorial gender confusion. The show wraps with the Happening and a discussion of why the “R” is such a big deal.
Links discussed:

The Cockpuncher Trailer

Red Band Trailer for The Happening

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