iconogeek

Bit? Turning? Already Turned? Brains?

Cesar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:04:51 +0000

“Oh, well, you know, I should go out there and like get back in the dating game and stuff. I mean but what’s the point, like the Zombie Apocalypse (2012) is coming and when I turn, like, I’m not gonna be ‘dateable’…”

WRONG!!!

That excuse can no longer be used now that we have.

You, the zombie, can search based on critera ranging from no limbs to freshly turned, from immnobile to slow-moving. It also contains little meaty chunks of information from featured members on the home page, what more can you ask for!

Wonder if there is a niche for affiliate marking in the Zombie Dating area. Nuff’ Said.

Bookmark and Share

Why…So…Serious?!

Brett — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:44:11 +0000

This might be the most difficult review/commentary I’ve had to write in my time as an iconogeek poster. The Dark Knight was cast into movie history on early Friday morning, amid hype bigger then Jack Nicholson’s shit-eating grin way back in 1989. I’ll admit that I had enormous expectations for this flick for several reasons, including the immense Batman Begins, my love for all things Batman (minus a little misstep known dearly as “the nipple suit”), Christian Bale, and oh by the way, Heath Ledger tragically and unexpectedly passed away right after his filming and post-production. Needless to say there was a minute amount of mystique and anticipation surrounding TDK.

Now that the weekend is over, Bale and Co. have broken the records for Midnight Opening Gross (over Revenge of the Sith), Opening Day and Weekend Gross (over Spider-Man 3). So the fans liked it….which, is a good thing, I think.

As far as what I thought about the movie is difficult to describe. In recent weeks I suppose I’ve been labeled as a rather stringent critic, which I have no problem with. Maybe you’ll hear more of my side on the next podcast. But to discuss how I would score The Dark Knight feels near impossible. Entertainment Weekly touted the flick by saying “This is what you call raising the bar.” In a way I both agree and disagree with that statement. The bar for comic book movies was certainly raised in a sense, but I feel more inclined to describe the bar as being broken down into little pieces and upgraded to a newer, shinier, nipple-less bar.

The Dark Knight is less a comic book movie and more an investigation into the human condition and the emotions shrouded behind a bad-ass bat suit, and psychotically applied white make-up. This summer has now seen three phenomenal comic book-based films in which the first 2 started the trend and the 3rd and most spectacular broke the mold. It seems that The Dark Knight has ushered in the era of Oscar-buzz worthy chatter amongst previously lighter fare.

It took me 2 days to finally post because the movie had so many story arcs that it took that long for me to process. That’s not to say that there were too many plot lines, its just an observation that no comic book movie has ever bitten off more than its ADHD riddled fanboys can chew at once (hence all the sequels). Where Batman Begins revitalized a tired franchise, The Dark Knight revitalized a tiring genre.

It’s an understatement to say Heath Ledger was superb as the Joker. Once the final credits rolled, and the Joker had already exited stage left, it was apparent that all the other players including a solid Bale, Aaron Eckhardt, Maggie Gyllenhall, and Gary Oldman among others, were simply a big name supporting cast to true work of acting genius. Ledger clearly had a vision in mind of what the Joker is and why he is that way. If for nothing else, this movie soared because of what Ledger added to it. Jack Nicholson…stick to Boston-based mob movies…because you just got out played.

The two scenes that stood out most were when Ledger and Bale are face to face in rather quiet and alone situations. I started to forget that the Joker was wearing ridiculous face paint and began to see him as a deranged criminal, with an ominous past, which I couldn’t even imagine, that would set him off the straight and narrow so far. He became a psychotic murderer the likes of which hasn’t been seen on the big screen since the aforementioned Nicholson in the Shining.

I’m going to use the old >I

Bookmark and Share

Tonight, Everything’s a 10 : Episode 13

iconogeek — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:19:04 +0000

Tonight is the 13th episode of iconogeek and we start off with nailing cats and volleyball. Chuck and Jay discuss the Hulk briefly and why KITT makes Cesar late. Jason’s wallet lost and found, dumb-ass discounts, and Chuck and Cesar’s Excellent NYC Adventure.

Jason celebrates his second anniversary with seeing every movie currently released. Next up is the binocular inspired Wall•E and why it is truly an exceptional film for kids and 80 year-olds alike.

Chuck, confused by Nightwatch and Daywatch, tries to explain the movies to Jason (who is also confused by them) and it just goes horribly wrong. They both agree that Bekmambetov had clear talent that only needed a bigger budget to truly shine.

Jason then lambaste’s Chuck on his buckling to peer-pressure. The >i< score is discussed in-depth but is ultimately served a mortal blow.

Jason then breaks into Hellboy II and you’ll just have to listen to hear what he thought.

Links for this episode
Wall•E
Hellboy II
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Cut and Paste
NIghtwatch
Daywatch
Classic Creatures

Bookmark and Share

Watchmen: The Trailer

Cesar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:54:22 +0000

Wow. That’s all I can say, probably one of THE very best graphic novels I’ve had the chance to read. The film is being directed by Mr. 300, Zack Snyder. Hopefully he will be faithful to the graphic novel and bring it to life on the big screen.

You still reading this nonsense? Click on the link already! Nuf’ said!

Bookmark and Share

The Walking Dead

Cesar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:37:08 +0000

Anyone who knows me knows my respect and anticipation for the Zombie Apocalypse. I mean I love everything about it. From Survival Guides to Wars, From 28 Days to Dawns, from Zombies Eating Neighbors to the Dead Rising.

I’ve even devised plans and contingencies in order to find the most effective way of survival once the Zombie Tsunami unleashes its cleansing power over us (not kidding ask Jason).

Being the Zombie buff I am and when I came across The Walking Dead I was elated. In the following weeks, I will be doing brief synopses/reviews of each of the 8 volumes currently out in stores.

But if I were you I’d run out and pick them up ASAP. Nuff’ said, you won’t be dissappointed.

Bookmark and Share

You’re officially on notice.

Chuck — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 02:17:58 +0000

Seriously, if you haven’t been watching Burn Notice, now’s the time to get on board. In its second season, this USA series is light, fun and action packed. Kind of like a cross between MacGyver, the A-Team, and Magnum PI the show features Jeffrey Donovan as Michael Weston, a covert operative burned by the CIA. Left out in the field, with no resources, his accounts frozen and dumped in Miami (his hometown) Michael has nothing but his wits and a few friends to get his life back on track. Michael is a classic hero-type, trying to solve the puzzle of his burn notice, while helping out Joe Average with his worse-than-average-problems.

The show delivers a lot of heart, great stories and humor with an excellent cast that reads right out of the nostalgia fanbook. First up, Sam Axe played by…wait for it…Bruce Campbell, a boozing, philandering ex-seal. He’s the trustee side-kick and confidant. The girlfriend, played deliciously by Gabrielle Anwar (”Things to do in Denver when your dead”, and the cancelled-too-soon “John Doe”) is tough, sexy, smart, and tough. She’s the on again, off again flame and all-around goto girl.

Sharon Gless shows up as Michael’s chain-smoking, neurotic, psycho-somatic mother. Excellent job, and it’s great to see a veteran actress of Gless’s caliber on the screen again.

The thing I really like about this show is that it is total escapism. It’s a great balance for LOST with all it’s heady intrigue and mystery. Burn Notice allows you to jump in at any time, and enjoy the ride. Much like X-Files, it has a longer running mythology (why was Michael burned, who did it, what do they want him for) with episode long stories that start, fulfill and end satisfyingly. The show has a great visual style with some touches of Guy Ritchie thrown in (but not too much) and all those great whooshing sound effects to keep it fun. Oh and Jeffrey Donovan’s cheeky, dead-pan VO lends great exposition without being corny.

Oh and for those of you STILL not interested, Tricia Helfer has made a cameo as one of the Burners (maybe 2nd in command?). Not sure what side of her bread is buttered, but judging by the hoops she’s had Michael jump through, it can’t be the good side.

All-in-all I’ll give this show a solid 8. Real good TV.

Bookmark and Share

The perfect gift for Mrs. iconogeek.

Chuck — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:45:48 +0000

For all you geeks out there looking for the perfect gift for your girlfriend/wife/significant other. I found these on ebay and they’re just too unique. I got a set for the wife and she loved ‘em. POINTS! Dig it!

Piggy Pig Earbuds on ebay

Bookmark and Share

But where did the lighter fluid come from?

Brett — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:46:29 +0000

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.

Bookmark and Share

He is the man.

Chuck — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:32:03 +0000

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.

Bookmark and Share

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

iconogeek — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:30:08 +0000

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

Bookmark and Share