MOVIE REVIEW – SYNCHRONICITY
For all its ambition to deliver a unique time travel tale, “Synchronicity” stumbles over itself with convoluted storytelling
Funny Movie Reviews
MOVIE REVIEW – THE BIG SHORT
Over thirty million people were negatively affected by the collapse of the housing market in 2007. So why am I so entertained?
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST…IN LAW (w/Jason Pardo) – “Ride Along 2”, “Norm of the North” & “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi”
Showcast Episode 133: The latest Showcast features special guest Jason Pardo, whose appearance begs the question, “what exactly is a line producer?”. Jason sits in with The Movie Guys the whole show for previews of “Norm of the North”, “13 Hours: The Secret Soliders of Benghazi” and “Ride Along 2” and great movie talk.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “DO NO HARM” (w/Franklin Leonard) – “The Revenant” & “The Forest”
Showcast Episode 132: It’s a Happy New Year as The Movie Guys are back in their studio, The Admiral’s Club, for an all-new Movie Showcast with previews of “The Forest” and “The Revenant”, which goes into wide release this week and guest Franklin Leonard joins the show to talk about running The Black List, a yearly aggregated list of the most-liked unproduced screenplays in Hollywood. Then…heated “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” talk ensues.
The Hater Nation – 1/3/16
A spoiler-filled review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, hosted by MC of The Hater Nation, featuring Paul Preston of The Movie Guys and Kevin Bednarz, owner of Comic Logic in Ashburn, VA. It’s smart Star Wars talk and surprisingly civil!
MOVIE REVIEW – THE NIGHT BEFORE
It seems like the laughs will come in bundles with the three leads playing fast and loose at the top of the film, but the warmth shared between the leads that could excuse all the crude behavior of a stoner comedy wears away leaving a less than pleasing mixture behind.
RATING THE KRAMPUS MOVIES
Krampus is the “Christmas Devil”…here in the States, creative minds (and, some not-so-creative) deliver not one, but four tales of this yuletide terror.
THE MOVIE GUYS’ SIXTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY SPECIAL!
Showcast Episode 131: The Movie Guys’ Sixth Annual Holiday Special! “Star Wars”…holiday special…this stuff writes itself. It’s a full-on party in The Admiral’s Club as The Movie Guys welcome The Phantom Editor Mike J. Nichols and The Christmas Ewok to give a full once-over to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and longtime friend of the show Steven Lewis, telling the tale of the Christmas classic, “Concussion”. The Boobé Sisters give expert analysis to the movie “Sisters”, being sisters themselves, and they blow the roof off the joint with their rendition of “Christmas in Hollis”. Plus, a “Daddy’s Home” gift exchange, a “Point Break” re-gift exchange, a “Joy” informercial, a “The Hateful Eight” Tarantino-laced holiday poem and previews of “Anomalisa” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip”! Also, The Scrooge Tracker, a look at “Star Wars” marketing and more ending 2015 with a bang.
MOVIE REVIEW – KRAMPUS
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen…but you’ve probably never heard of Krampus.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “CHUNKY PEE” (w/Sarah Burns) – “In The Heart of the Sea” & “The Big Short”
Showcast Episode 130: Nothing says the holidays like chunky pee. Find out what The Movie Guys are talking about when special guest Sarah Burns (“Slow Learners”) hits The Admiral’s Club to preview “In the Heart of the Sea” and “The Big Short”. Plus, a round of Retractions involving one incident…a year and a half ago…and The Soup Dragons.
MOVIE REVIEW – CREED
If “Creed” is launching a new franchise in the boxing genre, it’s doing it the right way – with nostalgia.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “YOU WEREN’T EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE THERE!” (w/Dan Bakkedahl) – “Krampus”
Showcast Episode 129: Everything about why movies are great is in this episode. Actor Dan Bakkedahl (“Trumbo”, “The Heat”) joins us the whole show for a preview of “Krampus” and a lengthy look at movie news. Plus, a trailer for another Christmas horror movie about your parents’ parents visiting over the holidays – “Grandpus”! And Bakkedahl’s Banksy and “Harold and Maude” stories are for the ages.
MOVIE REVIEW – TRUMBO
What Roach does best is take a film that should no doubt feel “important” and make it feel entertaining.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “THAT’S FRAHNKENSHTEEN” (w/Jeremiah Samuels) – “The Good Dinosaur”, “Creed” & “Victor Frankenstein”
Showcast Episode 128: The holidays are upon us, so…Frankenstein? The Movie Guys tear through previews of “Victor Frankenstein”, “The Good Dinosaur” & “Creed”, then talk movies at length with “Secret in Their Eyes” producer Jeremiah Samuels.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “KRAY/KRAY” (w/Lisa Minzey) – “Spotlight”, “Legend”, “The NIght Before”, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part II” & “Secret in Their Eyes”
Showcast Episode 127: It’s a big weekend of movies trying to get a jump on the holiday weekend and The Movie Guys take a look at them all – “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part II”, “Legend”, “The Night Before”, “Spotlight” & “Secret in Their Eyes”. Special guest Lisa Minzey from TheReelCritic.com sits in the whole show!
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST MASSACRE (W/Renee Dorian & Ben Begley) – “Trumbo”, “The 33”, “By The Sea” & “My All American”
Showcast Episode 126: November is overloaded with movies, and The Movie Guys give you the lowdown on a big, four-film weekend of new releases, including “The 33”, “By The Sea”, “My All American” & “Trumbo”. Then the writers and co-stars of the new slasher film “The Funhouse Massacre”, Renee Dorian & Ben Begley, stop by The Admiral’s Club to talk about their film opening in theaters on Friday the 13th.
MOVIE REVIEW – STEVE JOBS
Danny Boyle’s “Steve Jobs” is the second biopic of the Apple Computer founder in the past three years. But it’s not unlike something involved with Apple to have to be rebooted to operate correctly.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE PEANUTS MOVIE
Odd today to think that kids would be expected to attend a movie that did not involve peril or violence or parents being offed – and love it.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST W/JON (w/Jon Barinholtz) – “Room”, “Spectre” & “The Peanuts Movie”
Showcast Episode 125: Bond is back and The Movie Guys celebrate with a full preview of “Spectre” as well as previews of “The Peanuts Movie” and “Room”. Actor and comedian Jon Barinholtz sits in the whole Showcast on the eve of his appearance on the new Bob Odenkirk/David Cross sketch show, “w/Bob and David”, premiering November 13th on NetFlix.
HALLOWEEN TREATS – TEN FRIGHTFUL FILMS FOR HALLOWEEN
Wishing you all a Happy Halloween and vicious viewing pleasures from my dark, dank basement where no one can hear you scream.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST AND THE STARLIGHTERS (w/Harry Waters, Jr. & Don Fullilove) – “Burnt”, “Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse” & “Our Brand is Crisis”
Showcast Episode 124: With the 30th anniversary, America’s going “Back to the Future” crazy, and The Movie Guys want in, welcoming Harry Waters, Jr. and Don Fullilove to The Admiral’s Club for a rousing interview (Waters, Jr. & Fullilove played Marvin Berry and Goldie Wilson in the classic movie). Plus, previews of new movies “Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse”, “Our Brand is Crisis” and “Burnt”.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST: THE GHOST DIMENSION (w/Denny Tedesco) – “The Last Witch Hunter”, “Rock the Kasbah”, “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” & “Jem and the Holograms”
Showcast Episode 123: Movie talk meets music talk as special guest director Denny Tedesco joins The Movie Guys in studio to talk about his new documentary “The Wrecking Crew”, chronicling the legendary studio musicians of the ’60s and ’70s. Plus, previews of new movies – “The Last Witch Hunter”, “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension”, “Jem and the Holograms” and Karen’s head explodes at the thought of Bill Murray in “Rock the Kasbah”.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE WALK
Somehow, Zemeckis has taken a story known to many (especially how it ends) and has made it fresh, exhilarating, and full of surprises.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “BRIDGE OF SPIES’S DIARY” (w/Ryan Clark) – “Goosebumps”, “Crimson Peak” & “Bridge of Spies”
Showcast Episode 122: Three big box office contenders get the preview business from The Movie Guys, including “Goosebumps”, “Crimson Peak” and “Bridge of Spies”. Then homegrown L.A. stand-up comic Ryan Clark stops by to chat more movies and music with busy rounds of “What Did You See This Week?” and “Karen’s Birthdays”.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE KEEPING ROOM
Collectively, the young women of “The Keeping Room,” director Daniel Barber, and writer Julia Hart take us on a journey that is intense, beautiful and melancholic.
MOVIE REVIEW – GOODNIGHT MOMMY
A slow burn foreign horror, that for some, may not fulfill their thriller/horror needs, but for those with more patience that do not mind the long shots that build suspense, trying to throw you off balance, it can be rewarding.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “BIOPIC OR BIOPIC?” (w/Bryan Carberry & Clay Tweel) – “Freeheld”, “Pan” & “Steve Jobs”
Showcast Episode 121: The Movie Guys rip through previews of new films “Pan” and “Freeheld”, as well as “Steve Jobs”, which prompts a look at other real-life figures have had multiple biopics made about them. Then filmmakers Bryan Carberry & Clay Tweel hit The Admiral’s Club to discuss their award-winning documentary “Finders Keepers”, now in theaters and video on demand everywhere.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE MARTIAN
What makes “The Martian” exceptional is how the high-production, Damon’s personality and the rescue mission tension all feed into what is essentially a “figurin’” movie, and make it widely appealing.
MOVIE REVIEW – SICARIO
“Sicario” is easily Villeneuve’s best film, and one of the best of the year.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “THANKS, HOLLYWOOD!” (w/Jeff Meacham) – “The Walk”, “Sicario” & “The Martian”
Showcast Episode 120: Actor Jeff Meacham of “Black-ish” joins The Movie Guys fresh off the season two premiere the ABC sitcom. The movie talk flies about new releases “The Walk”, “Sicario” and “The Martian”, as well as a film that also featured Meacham, “Love & Mercy”. Plus, a look at how Hollywood has ruined overseas tourism.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “I AM SINGING AND READING BOTH” (w/Liz Manashil) – “The Intern”, “Hotel Transylvania 2”, “The Green Inferno”, “Pawn Sacrifice” & “99 Homes”
Showcast Episode 119: It’s another big weekend of new releases as The Movie Guys preview “Hotel Transylvania 2”, “The Intern”, “The Green Inferno”, “Pawn Sacrifice” and “99 Homes”. Plus, special guest writer/director Liz Manashil hits The Admiral’s Club to talk about her new film now out on V.O.D. – “Bread and Butter”, and Bill Murray takes up most of ‘Karen’s Birthdays’.
MOVIE REVIEW – BLACK MASS
The performances in this new gangland tale are brilliant from Johnny Depp to the minor characters, but the film itself suffers in pacing and tries your patience.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “CONFUSED PEOPLE IN OPEN SPACES MONTH CONTINUES” (w/Justin Ware & Brian James O’Connell) – “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials”, “Captive”, “Black Mass” & “Everest”
Showcast Episode 118: For some reason, the studios have chosen the seemingly unimportant day of September 18th to release a bunch of potentially interesting movies, and The Movie Guys are all over them – “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials”, “Everest”, “Captive” and “Black Mass”. Plus, filmmakers and comedy troupe Dr. God cast members Brian James O’Connell & Justin Ware discuss their new horror/comedy “Bloodsucking Bastards”, now on V.O.D.
STAR WARS VILLAINS: THE BEST AND WORST OF THE DARK SIDE
Let’s rank and review 6 Star Wars villains, narrowed down to the darkest of the Dark Side
MOVIE REVIEW – THE VISIT
M. Night Shyamalan returns to fine form delivering another thriller worthy of a lot of post-screening discussion with “The Visit”.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST – “SILICONE PRODUCTS” (w/Doug Jones) – “The Perfect Guy” & “The Visit”
Showcast Episode 117: The Movie Guys are joined by great guest and rapid-fire story machine Doug Jones (“Hellboy”, “Pan’s Labyrinth”) for tales from movie sets and red carpets. Plus, previews of “The Visit” and “The Perfect Guy”, which has Karen conjuring up her own vision of the perfect guy, cobbled together from Hollywood celebs.
MOVIE REVIEW – STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
I wish that coaster had a home stretch and finale that matched the liveliness of the beginning.
THE MOVIE SHOWCAST: REFUELED (w/Nic LaRue) – “The Transporter: Refueled” & “A Walk in the Woods”
Showcast Episode 116: This week’s Showcast has talk of new studio releases (including previews of “The Transporter: Refueled” & “A Walk in the Woods”) and talk of indies (with special guest Nic LaRue of FilmSnobbery.com). All this and there’s still time for a round of “What’s Nick Nolte Saying?” and a look at movie news.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – BREAD AND BUTTER
Imagine, if you will, a romantic comedy minus all the romantic notions, minus all the cute or beautiful looking actors (young or old), and still delivering all the goods with a very strong resolve.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
I worry about Ritchie’s signature as a director. Coming on the scene with films like “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”, he lately seems like a director-for-hire