SWALLOW YOUR SOUL

Evil Dead

**1/2

A “From the Dark Side” review by Kerr Lordygan

I refrained from watching the original “The Evil Dead” again before watching the new remake, leaving myself open to whether the remake would stand on its own. And it does. In fact, I feel like peeps that haven’t seen the original would be frightfully delighted by this film. It’s a creative and cartoon-ey gory romp, which I did enjoy. Granted, I was cackling through much of it (a common response from me at the sight of brutally clever gore).

Now don’t go expecting any major character development, or even insight. We do have the backstory of Mia (Jane Levy) and her normally absent brother David (Shiloh Fernandez), who lost their mother to mental illness years prior. We also have the premise that Mia’s friends, and brother, are taking her to their family cabin to force her to sober up and begin drug detox. Blah blah blah, right? But such a set-up allows for the expected gore-fest to permeate through our brains. After all, that’s what we came for.

Trying to do this without giving spoilers but…well, kids in a cabin are attacked by demons and shit gets gross. Guess that’s not giving too much away. We want to see chainsaws, carving knives, blood-puke, tree-rape and severed, well…everything. Check!

I was pleased to see Jessica Lucas from The CW’s “Cult” play a more edgy character than what we’re used to seeing on TV. Here, she’s Olivia, a nurse friend mandating Mia’s detox. The highlight performances are by Lou Taylor Pucci as Eric, the well-delivered understated comedic hero, and Elizabeth Blackmore as Natalie. Blackmore is a nice surprise when her typical horror-blonde role turns into something more…er, meaty.

Director Fede Alvarez’ film is intertwined with beautiful shots and quirky zombified performances that crackle, incorporating sharp body movements and amazing theatrical makeup. And the demon-speeding-through-the-woods shots that we’ve come to love in the original are still in tact and still effective.

What the film may lack is interesting characters and their development. But not really because…we didn’t come to see that. Would it have made it a better film? Maybe. But a more enjoyable one? Not necessarily. The point is to see how creative and clever the gore is. “Evil Dead”, the remake, is definitely a success on that level.

Directed by: Fede Alvarez
Release Date: April 5, 2013
Run Time: 91 Minutes
Country: USA
Rated: R
Distributor: Film District

OFFICIAL TRAILER

THE VERY LAST FINAL LAST EXORCISM

The Last Exorcism, Part II

**1/2

A “From the Dark Side” review by Kerr Lordygan

“The Last Exorcism Part Two” (LEPT) is like two films in one:
1) A typical and okay exorcism film
2) An awkward coming-­of-­age story about a virginal youth trying to fit in…after having been impregnated by a demon named Abalam.
You know…your everyday, run ­of ­the ­mill outcast teenager film.

Ashley Bell as Nell is so solid in her performances in both of “The Last Exorcism” films, it really is a marvel to watch her. And the distinctions that separate “regular Nell” and “A-Demon-­Named­-Abalam-Is-Invading-­My-­Nether-parts”-Nell is vivid. Bell’s performance carries this film from point A (creepy beginning) to Point B (fun ending). Anyone else likely would not have been able to keep my interest, as the pacing in between drones on a bit. Both films try and surprise with their endings, and while the first was more successful at it, the second still ends up doing it decently.

In LEPT, we pick up where we left off. Nell comes to live in a house for bad girls in New Orleans, run by Dr. Frank Merle (Muse Watson). The gaggle of other girls she moves in with is lead by Gwen (Julia Garner), who seems to be maliciously enjoying Nell’s discomfort. Garner does a nice job with amused bewilderment, but there seems to be a subplot there that is never concluded (or progressed beyond its initial implementation). We never find out what’s going on there. It seems that director Ed Gass-­Donnelly was attempting to create more intrigue with Gwen than was written. It worked for a bit. But then we were left cold, much like someone who was possessed by a demon in the cold woods of Louisiana. So, kudos, I guess, Ed, for making us empathize.

With the role of Cecile (Tarra Riggs), there is an attempt to bring in a less typical element to this exorcism film. It almost works, too. But the voodoo exorciscm storyline she brings feels rushed at the end.

The shots in LEPT succeed at purposefully hiding objects from view. As the audience, we watch someone walk through a doorway, thinking we are just in the wrong place physically to see what we’re supposed to see. But we’re not really meant to see it yet. Not until the scare element is set up correctly.

Unfortunately, that scare element isn’t always pulled off successfully. But the shot’s are skillful, because we want to see what the subjects see, and when we can’t, we feel some suspense. There’s just not a great payoff. It’s impressive, but frustrating.

I do not regret watching this movie, though. Ashley Bell is a terrific actor. Her transformation is great fun to watch, as are her final moments.

Beginning: creepy. Ending:fun. In between: Bell makes it worth it with a killer performance in a so­-so film.

Directed by: Ed Gass-­Donnelly
Release Date: March 1, 2013
Run Time: 88 Minutes
Country: USA
Rated: PG-13
Distributor: Arcade Pictures

OFFICIAL TRAILER

INDIE REPORT – FLY AWAY

Fly Away

****

Review by Kerr Lordygan

Beth Broderick and Ashley Rickards star in Janet Grillo’s film about a divorced working mother raising an autistic teen daughter. Rickards won the Reel Frontier Special Jury Award for best performance at the 2011 Arizona International Film Festival, but other than its Prism Award nomination for best feature film dealing with mental health, “Fly Away” has not received it’s due share of award recognition.

Rickards performance as young, autistic Mandy is baffling, uncomfortable and utterly believable. Not having been familiar with her work prior to viewing “Fly Away”, I presumed this was an autistic actor. But then I wondered how possible it would be to direct someone that high on the autism spectrum, and I discovered that she had been on “American Horror Story: Asylum,” and now stars in MTV’s”Awkward.” I marveled at the realistic performance. When you forget you’re watching performances, you know you’re undergoing a brilliant film experience. Rickards should have been noticed for this performance in a much greater capacity. Yet the film seems to have been off the Academy’s radar.

Also in a spot-on natural and moving performance is Beth Broderick (“Sabrina the teenage Witch”) as Mandy’s mother Jeanne. Her representation of this oh-so patient mom reveals such tender care and empathetic love, that I am not likely to forget soon.

The story is not anything new, but it may be to those who are unaware of how autism affects lives. We live the challenge,if only momentarily, with Jeanne and Mandy. It’s a truthful slice of the struggle, and such parental devotion is sure to make us clutch our chests in an effort to hold our hearts as we watch.

“Fly Away” is not an educational film, even though it educates. It is not a docu­-drama, even though it documents real struggles. It’s not a film that should only be used to teach something or prove a point. It’s a well-­made, natural work of art. It can (and should) be watched by all who appreciate well-­made dramatic films, with whole­hearted, real comedic moments.

“Fly Away” is available on NetFlix and Amazon instant video.

Acting since third grade, acting professionally since 1983. BA Theatre Arts Catawba College. Most recently seen crying in St Vincents music video ” Actor…” He has an extensive list of commercial experience and live stage shows. He is also a juggler, ventriloquist, comic magician. Website Youregettingsleepy.com. Oh, yeah, and he likes movies.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for David’s reviews, including “Where the Wild Things Are” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”.

VIDEOS:
Watch “To & From: Julie & Julia” and Monthly Movie Previews at The Movie Guys YouTube page and at the VIDEO PAGE.

AUDIO:
David has appeared on the radio show THE MOVIE GUYS LIVE! on THE TOADHOP NETWORK.

THE LIVE SHOW:
David is a performer for The Movie Guys LIVE.

Marc is an avid film watcher. Other than watching movies he has been involved in the production of several feature length films including “The Sunshine Deli & Grocery” and “Glowropes: The Rise & fall of the Bar Mitzvah MC”. He is also involved in Television serving as a warm up comic on such sitcomes as ‘Whoopi” & “Hope & Faith”. Marc lives in NYC with his wife Krista and their 3 cats, Jerry, George, & Kramer.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for Marc’s DVD & Blu-Ray reviews.

Justin Bowler does not have a degree in Film Studies. Yet, for some reason he is able to see blatantly obvious problems in movies released by motion picture companies that studio heads fail to see or don’t care to acknowledge.
He finds it funny when box office receipts are down and Hollywood cites the economy as the problem. (For some reason no one mentions the quality of the movies the studios are producing, as if the quality of the movies is the constant.) (Or better yet, it is as if the quality is so unimportant to them that is doesn’t matter.) (They know horrible movies can still make money. (Tomb Raider, anyone?) (TOMB RAIDER II, ANYONE?))
So, rather than expunge the obvious that other reviewers revel in, Justin hopes to root out the specific praises and problems of films and examine them, not only as objects of entertainment, but also as film projects. Will his reviews be entertaining? Yes. Will they be intellectual? Yes. Does that mean anyone will care what he has to say? Not at all. (But, he has grown used to the idea that his only fan is his mother.) Enjoy!

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
“Dewitt And Maria”
“Raiding the Lost Ark: A Filmumentary”
“Red Dawn”
“Off the Boulevard”
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of Justin’s reviews.

ARTICLES:
INDIE REPORT – The Understudy
INDIE REPORT – Sex, Drugs and Comedy
Reporting from the Floor of Comic-Con 2012
INDIE REPORT – 6 Month Rule
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of Justin’s articles.

VIDEOS:
Watch The Movie Guys’ Monthly Movie Preview at the VIDEO PAGE, or at The Movie Guys YouTube page.

THE LIVE SHOW:
Justin is a performer for The Movie Guys LIVE.

Steve “WhiskeySour” Brown is the kind of man who likes to wear sunglasses indoors when the mood strikes him. A touch camera shy but always trigger happy when it comes to watching movies. He once spent a day “trilling it up” by watching all the LOTR movies followed by three of the “Star Wars” episodes (the good ones), without ever once thinking to move from his couch.

A lover of good whiskeys and a fighter against all things that take themselves too seriously, Steve is truly a man’s man in a preppy collared shirt. One might have described him as an enigma wrapped in a mystery if it wasn’t for his tendency to play his cards on the straight and narrow. Truly a pillar of the community, when he wants to be.

Steve hails from Brantford, Ontario, Canada, but is currently cooling his heels in the nearby city of London, Ontario, Canada.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
“Iron Man 3″
“The Big Wedding”
“Oblivion”
“Olympus Has Fallen”

M. Miller Davis recently traded the sweeping sod fields of Oklahoma for the bright lights and constant fear of staph infection that is Hollywood. He has been writing reviews since college where he was a bi-monthly contributor to The University Daily Kansan at the University of Kansas. After graduation he started his own website so that he could continue writing reviews for friends as well as add ‘forget to pay domain registration and someone steals website’ to his stress dream catalog.

Since moving to Hollywood he has found steady employment as a low level cog in the world of comedy television. This position affords him a shared apartment, food, gasoline, several theater outings a month and just a little bit of opium.

He truly loves film, most especially the crime genre. The representation of crime or illegal deviancy is generally universal so the genre has been expanded upon and appreciated worldwide like no other type of film. He loves classic movies in which drama and comedy were never present to the exclusion of the other and appreciates present day blockbusters for their escapist notions.

Sometimes he can be a little flowery with his language but he is working on that. He also wishes he took ‘Bio Pages’ more seriously.

Ladies/Passable Post-ops : If you would like to a request a date with Mr. Davis, please feel free to leave your contact info in the comments section. They will be handled in the order in which they are received. (Note to Editor: Should probably purchase more servers to handle massive inevitable overflow in comment sections.)

Thank you for reading his biography. Please do not research him any further as this constitutes the entirety of his life.

Sincerely,
Tomothy Squeezewater, RN

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
“The Descendants”

Miller is a contributor to the NEW ON DVD reviews.
“The Devil’s Double”
“Season of the Witch”
“The Killer Inside Me”

Joel was raised by penguins, and if there’s one thing penguins like, it’s movies.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
“Red Tails”
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of Joel’s reviews.

ARTICLES:
“Rise of the Franchise of the Face”
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of Joel’s articles.

AUDIO:
Joel interviewed Steve Lemme and Stephen Rannazzisi for The TMG Interview, found at the AUDIO PAGE.
Also visit the AUDIO PAGE to hear Joel’s reviews of “A Serious Man” and “The Road”.

If Patrick could do one thing full time it would be going to see movies. Either that or he would want to be the lead singer in a hot local bar band, belting out high energy rock until last call and still looking for that elusive major label record deal. That would be wicked! But since he possesses zero musical talent, it seems movies are the way to go.

With a head full of pop culture wisdom, he goes into every movie with an open mind and is a huge fan of the underdog, the indie, and the overlooked. He is also a sucker for the guilty pleasure. Arguing with others about why “Cocktail”, “Josie and the Pussycats”, “The Fifth Element”, “The Omega Man”, “Five Deadly Venoms”, and “They Live” are classics is one of his favorite pastimes.

He is a writer, an actor, a poet, a daddy and just a swell guy. Many have also commented that he has the best hair they have ever seen. He is the kind of guy you just can’t get enough of and can’t help falling in love with. But most of all he is very modest.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
“Moneyball”
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of Patrick’s reviews.

ARTICLES:
Say it Ain’t So, George
20 Songs You Should Have Playing on Your iPod RIGHT NOW!
THE ABSOLUTE BEST MOVIE MUSIC EVER – ’70s EDITION
SEVEN SONGS YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME

David Herbelin is the Spam of performers: many people secretly like him, but no one knows what to do with him. Alumni of UCI’s school of Drama and Second City, David currently writes, directs, and performs for a living under his company, Edutainment Arts, while raising a family. Being a busy cheapskate, David watches a movie with two things in mind – “Is it worth my time? Is it worth my money?” Hopefully you’ll find his reviews worthy of you. If you don’t… You’re a poo poo head.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island”
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of David’s reviews.

ARTICLES:
“The Muppets – For Your Consideration”

More than just a pretty face, Lee Kias put himself at the forefront of the independent film craze as the creator and host of “Director’s Cut”, an interview-based movie review program that premiered at the 1997 Sundance/Slamdance film festivals.

Mr. Kias’ appreciation for all things “Hollywood” has garnered him experience both in front of and behind the camera. Though, given his leading man good looks, he, like the rest of the viewing public, most enjoys being onscreen.

Currently, Lee is closely monitoring his IMDB popularity rating and wondering how on earth he is down 83% this week.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK:
REVIEWS:
“The Tree of Life”

VIDEOS:
Watch “To & From: ‘Avatar’”, The Monthly Movie Previews and The Movie Guys’ Second-Ever Holiday Special at the VIDEO PAGE, or at The Movie Guys YouTube page.

AUDIO:
Lee is a co-host on the radio show THE MOVIE GUYS LIVE! on THE TOADHOP NETWORK.
Lee has appeared with The Movie Guys on LATalkRadio.com’s “Broad Topics”. Hear the appearance here at the AUDIO PAGE.

THE LIVE SHOW:
Lee is a writer/performer for The Movie Guys LIVE.

My 10 commitments to you:

1. I will never do any research which takes longer than a 90 second perusal of imdb.com or Wikipedia.
2. If I cannot find actual “facts”, rather than just leave a blank (like most critics), I will try to come up with something which is at least passably believable.
3. If Ashton Kutcher is in it, I’m not reviewing it. Period.
4. If Jessica Alba is in it and I review it, I’ll recommend the movie. No apologies.
5. This is a placeholder where another commitment will go sometime in the future.
6. This is a placeholder where another commitment will go sometime in the future.
7. Ditto
8. Ditto
9. Ditto
10.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
ARTICLES:
“I Liked the Book, but the Movie was Better”
“Why a Remake of Indy 4: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is Long Overdue”

Steven Lewis hates and mistrusts bios because he can never tell how much of them are true (keep this in mind as you read). He hails originally from Cincinnati Ohio, but has done time in Denver, Chicago and now L.A. Ask him which of all the places he’s lived is his favorite, and he’ll reply, “Frankly, after the womb it was all downhill.”

His love of movies started early, and stayed late. He can still recall the first PG-rated film he was allowed to attend (“Murder By Death”), as well as the first R-rated one (“Beverly Hills Cop”) and traces his development accordingly. Upon seeing the movie “Rain Man”, he felt he missed his life’s calling as an autistic savant. While he cannot count cards, memorize the phonebook or do high-level math in his head, he CAN give the release date of any movie made after 1967 (go ahead, test him). If permitted, he’ll also discourse endlessly on why we’d all be better off pretending “Jack” is not really part of Francis Ford Coppola’s canon, as well as give you a detailed analysis of Kevin Kline’s film roles to date from the standpoint of “mustache vs. no-mustache”. Clearly, he’s a man whose passion is stoked in direct proportion to the triviality of the topic – which many have said would make him an excellent film critic. He wrote several reviews for imdb.com once upon a time (under the handle “krumski” ) for which he received enough nasty responses to feel the effort was justified. He will now cease writing, and leave you to draw your own conclusions about him.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
Steve has reviews scattered throughout the ARCHIVES Pre-1990 – 2010, listed in the column on the left.

ARTICLES:
“The Movie Guys Rewrite: Blade Runner”
“The Dark Knight Raises (Questions It Can’t Answer)”
“Ranting on a Classic: Network”
“Ghostbusters: Why We Gonna Call?”
“The Movie Guys Rewrite: Raiders of the Lost Ark”
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of Steve’s articles.

VIDEOS:
Watch “November Movies At-a-Glance” and The Monthly Movie Previews at the VIDEO PAGE, or at The Movie Guys YouTube page to see Steve’s writing and performing at work. Steve was also a big part of The Movie Guys’ Second-Ever Holiday Special.

AUDIO:
Steven has appeared on the radio show THE MOVIE GUYS LIVE! on THE TOADHOP NETWORK.
Steven has appeared with The Movie Guys on LATalkRadio.com’s “Broad Topics”. Hear the appearance here at the AUDIO PAGE.

THE LIVE SHOW:
Steven was a writer/performer for The Movie Guys LIVE Feb. – August 2011.

Kerr Seth Lordygan received his BFA in theatre from USC. Recent film performances: “Go West”, “Convict”, “Shut Up” and “Die Like an Aviator”, “One Hell of a Plan”, “Midnight Snack”, “The Change-up”. Current Stage: The Jamb and Martyrdumb at Eclectic Company Theatre and Tales from Hollywood at the Odyssey. Recent stage: The Devil’s Eye, Mr. Punch, Gothmas, Gross Indecency (as Oscar Wilde), and most recently as Desmond/Locke/Sayid in Love’s Labour’s LOST The Musical (parody LOST). Recent writing: Gothmas (co-writer), Martyrdumb (co-writer), Two Jews and a Ham (audience favorite Hurricane Season 2005, Eclectic Company Theatre), The Bad Place (audience favorite 2007) and Last Sacrament of Belle (co-written with Jason Britt, semi-finalist 2010). The production of Kerr Package, a collection of his short plays, received major critical acclaim for Kerr in 2008. Kerr invented and created the ONE DAY PLAY™ events in which an entire full length play is written, directed, produced and performed in 24 hours. He sings in Aces High, tribute to Iron Maiden, and recently directed the acclaimed Grunge is Dead for Hurricane Season 2010 at Eclectic Company Theatre. He serves as President at Eclectic Company Theatre and is currently seeking new representation.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
“Evil Dead”
“The Last Exorcism, Part II”
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of Kerr’s reviews.

ARTICLES:
“INDIE REPORT – Fly Away”
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of Kerr’s articles.

VIDEOS:
Watch The Movie Guys’ First-Ever Holiday Special at the VIDEO PAGE to see Kerr preview “Little Fockers”.

Mary was born in a crossfire hurricane and is a former contributor of movie reviews to 411Mania.com. She is crazy-opinionated about everything, why should movies be any different?

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
Mary has reviews scattered throughout the ARCHIVES Pre-1990 – 2010, listed in the column on the left.

ARTICLES:
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for Mary’s articles.

As you can see from her picture, Maria Markosov is very thoughtful. She often stares off to the side and thinks about things like movies she’s watched. Sometimes she shares those thoughts with us.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for Maria’s reviews.

Steve Matuszak is a BIG movie fan. Steve has a background in many aspects of live theatre, film, video, stand up comedy, improvisation and dance. He is a SAG/AFTRA actor who has worked in front of the camera and behind it (as well as on the live theatre stage and behind it) in performing, directing, producing, writing, editing and more. Steve is the founder of Comedy With A Cause programs for school systems as well as the highly successful Chicago Comedy & Training Company. Steve has written, directed and performed in over 1,000 improv, comedy and dramatic productions in over 38 states, Central America and the Caribbean. So yeah, he has a thing or two to say about the technology, scripting and overall experience of movies and how they affect us on psychological, sociological, interpersonal and other such levels. He also has a beautiful 16 month old daughter (Jan 2011), so his future movie going experiences will likely include any IMAX 3D staging of Dora the Explorer. He also scuba dives. So ANY movies with scuba diving – bring em! You got reactions to the movies? Bring em!

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
ARTICLES:
“THE MIDDLE SEAT: ‘Furry Nostalgia’”
“THE MIDDLE SEAT: ‘Size Matters’”
“THE MIDDLE SEAT: ‘Been There, Seen That’”
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of Steve’s articles.

Peter has loved the cinema as an escape and as a place for romantic interludes since Young Frankenstein was ten years old. While he fell asleep during “Star Wars”, he saw “The Empire Strikes Back” eleven times over the summer of 1981. He has had similar obsessions with “Ferris Bueller” and “Roadhouse”. Over time, his interest in movies has evolved to the point to where he regularly uses them as teaching tools in his church. In 2003, he introduced “Popcorn Theology” to St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square in Washington, DC. In 2009, he led a week-long study on theological themes of redemption and resurrection at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC. He recently became rector of St. Margaret’s Church in Annapolis, MD.

Peter is the lucky husband to Allison and proud father of Sarah and Allen. They totally inhibit his Netflix jones. His favorite actors are Keira Knightley, Matt Damon, Cary Grant and Myrna Loy.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS & ARTICLES:
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for Peter’s articles & reviews.

Accidentally born in Italy two scores and a handful of years ago, he discovers movies pretty early in his pointless existence, and it’s love at first sight (at least from his point of view. He suspects that movies like him just as a friend, but he never asked). After moving to the U.S., his affair with celluloid continues, stronger as ever, only in English. He is a professional Mega Million player, but he occasionally works here and there to support his main activity. He recently learned the meaning of the word “Apocope,” and he’s very proud about it. If it ever happens, ask him about it. You’ll see a glitter in his eyes.

Matteo is also an accomplished author if books about film. You can view and purchase them at AMAZON.COM. And for the Italian-inclined, this link’s for you: AMAZON.COM.

With his writing group, MJM, Matteo occasionally makes awful videos that you can find HERE!

LINKS TO RECENT WORK:
ARTICLES:
“When Number Three Seems More Like Number Two”
“Taglines That Make You Go ‘Uh?’”
“Posters That Make You Go ‘Uh?’”
“Movies From 0 to 50 in Less Than 5 Minutes – Round 3″
“Titles That Make You Go ‘Uh?’”
“Italy Hates American Movies (At Least Their Titles) – Part 3″
“Italy Hates American Movies (At Least Their Titles) – Part 2″
“It Came From the Sound Booth”
“Italy Hates American Movies (At Least Their Titles) – Part 1″

Christanna grew up a science-fiction-obessed little actress always dreaming to be the action hero in space. Among her favorites like “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” (she recently met both Mark Hamill and William Shatner and nearly fainted), her earliest film memory was when she was four years old and had stumbled upon “Aliens” in a hotel room with her half-brother. It scared it her so much that she loved it and wanted more than anything to grow up and be Ripley. Hence, she lives in L.A. now.

GOALS: to play Samus Aran, to write Metroid, to kill aliens.

BLOGS:
Whimming Lessons
Xanna’s Shoos

LINKS TO RECENT WORK:
AUDIO:
Christanna has appeared on the radio show THE MOVIE GUYS LIVE! on THE TOADHOP NETWORK.

THE LIVE SHOW:
Christanna is a writer/performer for The Movie Guys LIVE.

Steve Scholz’s early exposure to film work began at age 7 when his father, Charles Scholz (co-author of The Super 8 Handbook), helped him shoot a Batman movie on Super 8. Steve directed the silent color short, which featured his 4-year-old brother as Robin, a neighbor kid as Batman, his grandfather as Commissioner Gordon, and another young friend as their villain, The Poker. Highlights include: the 30 degree angle shot when The Poker makes his entrance; Batman wearing a front-only-Bat-Cowl which showcased his blonde hair; and a choreographed fight in a kitchen, where heroes and villain each stand one foot away from a visible line of masking tape and then repeatedly punch the air in front of them. All copies of the film (1) have been safely protected from any potential YouTube piracy.

Today, Steve lives in Chicago and works as an actor, writer and director. He’s glad to see so many great films being made and screened, even if they can’t compete with his “No-Budget Batman.”
SteveScholz.com

LINKS TO RECENT WORK:
VIDEOS:
Steve is a regular contributor to the MONTHLY MOVIE PREVIEWS, from August, 2010 to the present. You can watch The Monthly Movie Previews at the VIDEO PAGE, or at The Movie Guys YouTube page to see Steve’s writing at work.

AUDIO:
Steve is a writer for the radio show THE MOVIE GUYS LIVE! on THE TOADHOP NETWORK.

THE LIVE SHOW:
Steve is a writer for The Movie Guys LIVE.

Mark Tucci has been criticizing films since throwing candy at the screen during a showing of “The Black Hole” when he was 11. Having matured (somewhat) since then, he has given up throwing candy, but hasn’t given up his desire to comment on films – hence his contributions to The Movie Guys. Mark’s well-thought views on the film industry trickle down from the rain-soaked Pacific Northwest, where a good flick is always a welcome way to avoid the seasonal rainstorms.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
“John Carter”
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for more of Mark’s reviews.

Karen’s love for movies started at a not so young age because she was afraid of the dark and freaked out when she was in a dark movie theatre. The first movie she ever saw in the theatre was Annie. Karen redeemed herself and her pathetic movie going experiences in 1984 when she saw Ghostbusters 10 times in one week. Her life has never been the same. Bill Murray, call me.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for Karen’s reviews.

VIDEOS:
Watch The Movie Guys’ Monthly Movie Previews, “Get Low Short & Sweet Review” and “Sex and the City 2 Short & Sweet Review” at the VIDEO PAGE, or at The Movie Guys YouTube page. Karen also appeared in The Movie Guys’ Second-Ever Holiday Special.

AUDIO:
Karen is a co-host on the radio show THE MOVIE GUYS LIVE! on THE TOADHOP NETWORK.
Karen has appeared with The Movie Guys on LATalkRadio.com’s “Broad Topics”. Hear the appearance here at the AUDIO PAGE.

THE LIVE SHOW:
Karen is a writer/performer for The Movie Guys LIVE.

Adam Witt is a founding member of the comedy group Schadenfreude but, aside from playing midnights at The Playground in 1997, he cannot take credit for many of the groups good ideas. Adam spent much of his life in Ohio before a decade-long stint in Chicago where he resides to this day as far as you know. Adam has lived in Ravenswood, Edgewater, and Wrigleyville twice to make sure it sucked as much as he thought it did.
Adam once worked a night-job as a telephone sanitizer and rode the El every night at midnight for three years. He was also a Boom Operator on a David Carradine movie and a Carney in Carbondale for one summer. When not writing for Schadenfreude.net, Adam can be found editing the penetration out of “Hotel Porn” and shoehorning “Raising Arizona” quotes into normal conversations.
Adam has been a Netflix member since 1999, is currently watching “White Lightning” with Burt Reynolds, and never refers to himself in the third person, unless he’s writing his own bio.

LINKS TO RECENT WORK
REVIEWS:
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for Adam’s reviews.

ARTICLES:
Search the ARCHIVES links on the left for Adam’s articles.

VIDEOS:
Watch “To & From: G.I. Joe – The Rise of Cobra”, “November Movies At-a-Glance” and the Monthly Movie Previews at the VIDEO PAGE, or at The Movie Guys YouTube page. Adam was also a huge part of The Movie Guys’ Second-Ever Holiday Special at the VIDEO PAGE.

AUDIO:
Adam is a co-host on the radio show THE MOVIE GUYS LIVE! on THE TOADHOP NETWORK.
Visit The Audio Vault to hear Adam’s review of “The A-Team”, and his appearances with The Movie Guys on LATalkRadio.com’s “Broad Topics”.

THE LIVE SHOW:
Adam is a writer/performer for The Movie Guys LIVE.

THE MOVIE GUYS’ FIRST-EVER HOLIDAY SPECIAL

The Movie Guys enjoy the 2010 holiday season with music, comedy, stories, food and even a visit from St. Nicholas. They also find time to preview the newest movies in theaters, including “Little Fockers”, “Somewhere”, “Gulliver’s Travels”, “True Grit”, “How Do You Know”, “Yogi Bear”, “Casino Jack”, “Country Strong”, “Frankie & Alice”, “Rabbit Hole”, “Biutiful” and “Tron: Legacy”.

DEC. MOVIE PREVIEW – “WELCOME TO ‘THE’ WEEK!”

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Steven Lewis give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in December. “Welcome to ‘THE’ Week!” covers the major film releases of December 10, 2010, all starting with the same definitive article, including THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, THE TOURIST, THE TEMPEST, THE COMPANY MEN and THE FIGHTER

THE TOURIST: A SPOILER-FREE PREVIEW

Movie Guy Steven Lewis previews the new Angelina Jolie/Johnny Depp movie, “The Tourist”. He is enthusiastic…and slightly misinformed.

DEC. MOVIE PREVIEW – “INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS”

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Steven Lewis give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in December. “Inspired by True Events” covers the major film releases of December 3, 2010, including BLACK SWAN, I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS and ALL GOOD THINGS.

NOVEMBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FOUR

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Adam Witt give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in November. Part Four covers the major film releases of November 24 & 26, 2010, including “Tangled”, “Burlesque”, “Faster”, “Love and Other Drugs”, “The King’s Speech” and “Nutcracker 3D”

NOVEMBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Adam Witt give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in November. Part Three covers the major film releases of November 19, 2010, including “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I” and “The Next Three Days”

NOVEMBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Adam Witt give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in November. Part Two covers the major film releases of November 12, 2010, including “Morning Glory”, “Unstoppable” and “Skyline”

NOVEMBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Adam Witt give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in November. Part One covers the major film releases of November 5, 2010, including “Megamind”, “Due Date” and “For Colored Girls”

OCTOBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FIVE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Kevin Blake give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in October. Part Five covers the major film releases of October 29, 2010, including “Wild Target” and “Saw 3D”

OCTOBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FOUR

Visit http://www.themovieguys.net for more from The Movie Guys. Movie Guys Paul Preston and Kevin Blake give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in October. Part Four covers the major film releases of October 22, 2010, including “Paranormal Activity 2″ and “Hereafter”

OCTOBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Kevin Blake give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in October. Part Three covers the major film releases of October 15, 2010, including “Red” and “Jackass 3D”

RED: A SPOILER-FREE PREVIEW

Movie Guy Steven Lewis previews the new Morgan Freeman film “Red”. He is enthusiastic…and slightly misinformed.

OCTOBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Kevin Blake give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in October. Part Two covers the major film releases of October 8, 2010, including “Life As We Know It”, “Secretariat”, “My Soul to Take”, “I Spit on Your Grave”, “Inside Job”, “It’s Kind of a Funny Story”, “Stone”, “Tamara Drewe”, “It’s a Wonderful Afterlife” and “Nowhere Boy”.

OCTOBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Kevin Blake give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in October. Part One covers the major film releases of October 1, 2010, including “Case 39″, “The Social Network”, “Chain Letter”, “Let Me In” and “Hatchet II”

SEPTEMBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FOUR

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in September. Part Four covers the major film releases of September 24, 2010, including “You Again”, “Legend of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” and “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger”

SEPTEMBER MOVIE PREVIEW – WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS

Visit http://www.themovieguys.net for more from The Movie Guys. Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in September. This episode covers September 24, 2010 and “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”

SEPTEMBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in September. Part Three covers the major film releases of September 17, 2010, including “Easy A”, “The Town”, “Devil” and “Alpha and Omega”

SEPTEMBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in September. Part Two covers the major film releases of September 10, 2010, including “Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D”, “The Romantics” and “I’m Still Here”

SEPTEMBER MOVIE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in September. Part One covers the major film releases of September 3, 2010, including “Going the Distance”, “The American” and “Machete”

AUGUST MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FOUR

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Justin Bowler give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in August. Part Four covers the major film releases of August 27, 2010, including “Takers”, “Centurion” and “The Last Exorcism”

AUGUST MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Justin Bowler give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in August. Part Three covers the major film releases of August 13, 2010, including “Piranha 3-D”, “Nanny McPhee Returns” and “The Switch”

AUGUST MOVIE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Justin Bowler give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in August. Part Two covers the major film releases of August 13, 2010, including “Eat Pray Love”, “The Expendables” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”

AUGUST MOVIE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Justin Bowler give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in August. Part One covers the major film releases of August 6, 2010, including “Middle Men”, “The Other Guys”, “Flipped” and “Step Up 3D”

JULY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FIVE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Steven Lewis give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in July. Part Five covers the major film releases of July 30, 2010, including “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore”, “Dinner for Schmucks” and “Get Low”

SHORT & SWEET REVIEW: “GET LOW”

Karen Volpe gives her thoughts on “Get Low”, the new Robert Duvall and Bill Murray movie.

JULY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FOUR

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Steven Lewis give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in July. Part Four covers the major film releases of July 23, 2010, including “Ramona and Beezus” and “Salt”.

JULY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Steven Lewis give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in July. Part Three covers the major film releases of July 16, 2010, including “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and “Inception”.

JULY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Steven Lewis give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in July. Part Two covers the major film releases of July 9, 2010, including “Predators”, “Despicable Me” and “The Kids are All Right”

JULY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Steven Lewis give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in July. Part One covers the major film releases of July 2, 2010, including “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” and “The Last Airbender”

JUNE MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FOUR

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Patrick Pieters give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in June. Part Four covers the major film releases of June 25, 2010, including “Grown Ups” and “Knight and Day”

JUNE MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Patrick Pieters give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in June. Part Three covers the major film releases of June 18, 2010, including “Toy Story 3″ and “Jonah Hex”

SHORT & SWEET REVIEW: “SEX AND THE CITY 2″

Karen Volpe gives her thoughts on “Sex and the City 2″ in the wake of negative press.

JUNE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Patrick Pieters give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in June. Part Two covers the major film releases of June 11, 2010, including “The Karate Kid” and “The A-Team”

JUNE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Patrick Pieters give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in June. Part One covers the major film releases of June 4, 2010, including “Get Him to the Greek”, “Killers” and “Marmaduke”.

MAY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in May. Part Three covers the major film releases of May 21 & 28, 2010, including “Shrek Forever After”, “MacGruber”, “Prince of Persia: The Sands of TIme”, “Sex and the City 2″ and “George A. Romero’s Survival of the Dead”.

MAY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in May. Part Two covers the major film releases of May 14, 2010, including “Robin Hood”, “Just Wright” and “Letters to Juliet”.

MAY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in May. Part One covers the major film releases of May 7, 2010, including “Iron Man 2″ and “Babies”.

APRIL MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FIVE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Adam Witt give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in April. Part Five covers the major film release of April 30, 2010, “A Nightmare on Elm Street”.

APRIL MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FOUR

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Adam Witt give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in April. Part Four covers the major film releases of April 23, 2010, including “The Back-Up Plan” and a bunch of other stuff you won’t see.

APRIL MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Adam Witt give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in April. Part Three covers the major film releases of April 16, 2010, including “Kick-Ass” and “Death at a Funeral”

APRIL MOVIE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Adam Witt give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in April. Part Two covers the major film release of April 9, 2010, “Date Night”

APRIL MOVIE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Adam Witt give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in April. Part One covers the major film releases of April 2, 2010, including “Clash of the Titans”, “Leaves of Grass” and “Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?”

MARCH MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FOUR

Movie Guys Paul Preston and David Beach give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in March. Part Four covers the major film releases of March 26, 2010, including “Hot Tub Time Machine”, “How to Train Your Dragon” and “The Last Song”

MARCH MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and David Beach give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in March. Part Three covers the major film releases of March 19, 2010, including “Greenberg”, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”, “Repo Men” and “The Bounty Hunter”

MARCH MOVIE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and David Beach give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in March. Part Two covers the major film releases of March 12, 2010, including “Green Zone”, “Remember Me”, “She’s Out of My League” and “Our Family Wedding”.

MARCH MOVIE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and David Beach give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in March. Part One covers the major film releases of March 5, 2010, including “Alice in Wonderland”, “Brooklyn’s Finest” and “The Secret of Kells”

FEBRUARY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART FOUR

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in February. Part Four covers the major film releases of February 26, 2010, including “Cop Out” and “The Crazies”.

FEBRUARY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in February. Part Three covers the major film releases of February 19, 2010, including “Shutter Island”, “The Ghost Writer” and “The Good Guy”

FEBRUARY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in February. Part Two covers the major film releases of February 12, 2010, including “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”, “The Wolfman” and “Valentine’s Day”

FEBRUARY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Karen Volpe give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in February. Part One covers the major film releases of February 5, 2010, including “Dear John”, “District 13: Ultimatum” and “From Paris, With Love”.

JANUARY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART THREE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Justin Bowler give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in January. Part Three covers the major film releases of January 29, 2010, including “Edge of Darkness”, “When in Rome” and “Saint John of Las Vegas”

JANUARY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART TWO

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Justin Bowler give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in January. Part Two covers the major film releases of January 22, 2010, including “Extraordinary Measures”, “Legion” and “The Tooth Fairy”

JANUARY MOVIE PREVIEW, PART ONE

Movie Guys Paul Preston and Justin Bowler give you the lowdown and their thoughts on what’s happening movie-wise in January. Part One covers the major film releases of January 15, 2010, including “The Book of Eli” and “The Spy Next Door”