MOVIE REVIEW – STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
I wish that coaster had a home stretch and finale that matched the liveliness of the beginning.
I wish that coaster had a home stretch and finale that matched the liveliness of the beginning.
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.
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
Showcast Episode 115: Summer’s ending, but Hollywood never stops with the movie-making, and The Movie Guys are there to preview new releases “No Escape” and “We Are Your Friends”, which prompts an EDM/trailer noises mash-up. Then actor Adam Pascal, who originated the role of Roger Davis in “Rent” on Broadway, stops by to talk about his new movie musical, “Alleluia! The Devil’s Carnival”.
Showcast Episode 114: With the air conditioner humming along in The Admiral’s Club, The Movie Guys preview “Sinister 2”, “American Ultra” and “HItman: Agent 47”, plus take a look at the upcoming “Star Wars”-themed lands coming to Disney theme parks. Then prolific writer/director Adam Rifkin joins in for a full once-over of his career and a look at his newest film now available on VOD – “Shooting The Warwicks”.
Where one of “these movies” would normally deliver up a ghost, outlandish murderous premise or a roving killer, “The Gift” instead offers up a plausible plot of the past coming back to haunt you.
Showcast Episode 113: The Movie Guys preview “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and “Straight Outta Compton”, firing up a round of the “Straight Outta…” game show. Then playwright and actor Nick Santa Maria hops in The Admiral’s Club to talk old movies, his musical “Real Men” and “Biffle & Shooster”, a series of 1930’s-themed comedy shorts coming to The Egyptian Theatre August 16th.
There are two things you generally want from a Sherlock Holmes adventure – a taut, complicated mystery and an indelible performance from the lead actor. Well, “Mr. Holmes” has at least one of those things.
Welcome to the party, Jason Segel.
Showcast Episode 112: It’s a big weekend of new films as The Movie Guys preview “Fantastic Four”, “Ricki and The Flash”, “The Gift” and “Shaun the Sheep: The Movie”. Then it’s off to Hollywood for a live broadcast from The 13th Annual Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival and a funny and candid roundtable with actor Joel Murray about the new documentary “I Am Chris Farley” with plenty of great stories about the late comedian.
Showcast Episode 111: Bart leads The Admiral’s Club in a Tom Cruise love fest as “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” hits theaters, along with “Vacation”. Plus, a Tom Cruise character quiz and a look back at “Southpaw”. Then, hosts of the upcoming celebrity interview show “Picture’s Up!”, Mandy Schneider & Darwin Harris, hit the studio for a table full of movie talk.
This project seemed inevitable, as the breakout stars of the “Despicable Me” franchise, The Minions, get their own movie adventure. The ride at Universal Studios Hollywood isn’t called “Gru Mayhem”, for example.
Showcast Episode 110: “Re-Animator” and “From Beyond” director Stuart Gordon visits The Admiral’s Club to celebrate the Blu-Ray release of “Robot Jox” and answer all The Movie Guys’ questions about his career. Also, previews of “Pixels” and “Paper Towns”.
Showcast Episode 109: Director Marcus Nispel (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (2003), “Conan the Barbarian 3D”) joins The Movie Guys in studio and has stories for days as his new film “Exeter” hits DirecTV on demand, with a major release planned in theaters for August. Also, previews of new-in-theaters “Trainwreck” and “Ant-Man”, while Adam leads a few rounds of “Name the Marvel Character”.
There have been plenty of stories of the inner city in Los Angeles, but chances are you haven’t seen one quite like “Dope”.
Showcast Episode 108: Improviser and Improv Shmimprov cast member Drew Boudreau joins Movie Guys Paul & Adam for a look at the week’s new releases – “Minions”, “Self/Less” & “The Gallows”. Plus, a round of Blumhouse Productions Mad Libs and a brief check-in on the Gridiron Heroes Foundation and a fond remembrance of the gone-too-soon TheDissolve.com.
Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area didn’t know what they were getting into when they attempted to transform San Francisco into Gotham City so five-year-old Miles could be the Caped Crusader for a day.
Showcast Episode 107: The Movie Guys preview the big 4th of July holiday weekend movies with guest co-host, GeekGirlAuthority.com’s Audrey Kearns – “Magic Mike XXL” and “Terminator: Genisys”. Plus, special guest Kurt Kuenne has no shortage of stories as co-writer and editor of the documentary “Batkid Begins”.
Showcast Episode 106: The Movie Guys’ special guest Mark McCracken is good at talkin’ movies, but listeners should note – he was also MANT in Joe Dante’s “Matinee”. So…now you need to tune in. “Ted 2” and “Max” get previewed and there’s an extensive tribute to the great James Horner
It’s quite a testament to the consistent quality Pixar has brought to films for twenty years that even though they’ve had some missteps recently, the fact that they NAIL IT once again with their newest release, “Inside Out”, is no real surprise.
Showcast Episode 105: The long L.A. Drought is over! PIXAR is back! After a two year wait, The Movie Guys finally preview a new Pixar movie, “Inside Out”, as well as Sundance hit “Dope”, all with the help of special guest Shannon McClung. Plus, a look ahead to Comic-Con 2015 and outtakes of voice actors who were cut from the latest PIXAR movie.
Few scenes fly by without the jokes coming fast and funny. There are too many comedies today with missed opportunities and Feig and McCarthy don’t let any of those moments pass without delivering something hilarious.
Showcast Episode 104: There’s one big movie to talk about this week as “Jurassic World” hits theaters and The Movie Guys are there to talk about it. Also, a trip through the park The Movie Guys would imagine if they were to start cloning things they liked, all with the help of special guest Ruth Rudnick!
The title says it all.
Showcast Episode 103: It’s a week of Greatest Hits Guests as The Movie Guys welcome the triumphant return of Andy Peters, who sits in for previews of “Insidious: Chapter 3”, “Spy” & “Entourage”. Then director and popular guest of the Showcast Paul Osborne jumps in The Admiral’s Club to talk about the production of his latest film, “Cruel Hearts”. Also, a round of Retractions and a crap-ton of “Mad Max: Fury Road”.
Alice is a tough character to get behind. She’s constantly saying things that make the other characters around her uncomfortable, things that make me like her less.
Showcast Episode 102: Two big summer movies get previewed in The Admiral’s Club – “San Andreas” and “Aloha”. Plus, The Movie Guys try on the Hawaiian language and play clips of Dwayne Johnson, who has appeared in every movie, all with special guest Bob Dassie, who sits in the whole show!
The Movie Guys send friends of the show Dono Cunningham and Matt Samardge to a screening of “Mad Max: Fury Road” in New York City. They record their thoughts going to and from the movie, which plays out like that experience you have walking the streets of NYC, talking movies. Will they like it? (we’ll see) Will we see Dono’s face? (no).
Showcast Episode 101: The Movie Guys welcome their first guest of the next one hundred shows to The Admiral’s Club – Chris Dowling, director of “When Hope Grows”, now in theaters across the country! Also, Dr. Marvin the dog sits in the first half of the show for previews of “Tomorrowland”, “Poltergeist” and a quick look at other Disneyland-based movies in development. Plus, Karen’s Birthdays AND…it’s Karen’s Birthday!
The war has changed, but the toll on the soldier remains the same in “Good Kill”, the latest (and most indie-feel) film from Andrew Niccol.
Showcast Episode 99: Stand-up comic, writer and Karl Welzein alter-ego Mike Burns joins The Movie Guys for a far-too-thorough look at new release “Hot Pursuit” and a completely mental episode of “Indie Round-Up” covering “Maggie”, “Ex Machina”, “The D-Train”, “Welcome to Me” and “Slow West”. Plus breaking news from a DC Comics representative about their plan to continue announcing press releases every time Marvel makes $90 hundred million or so at the box office.
There is a LOT going on in “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, the latest in the ongoing saga of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. That works both for and against the film, but overall, in the hands of Joss Whedon, it’s never dull.
Showcast Episode 98: Adam’s in heaven as the only movie really worth talking about this week is “The Avengers: Age of Ultron”. Stand-up comic and RiffTrax writer Joseph Scrimshaw sits in, so The Movie Guys try their own hand at riffing to “Jurassic World”, “M:I 5” & “Furious 7”. Plus, a word from The Movie Guys’ latest sponsor, Kellogg’s Avengers: Age of Ultron Sweetened Cereal with Avengers Team Marshmallows!
Bathsheba has a strong head about her that reminds me of Black Widow, who outsmarts her opponents long before she dismantles them with fighting technique.
“Unfriended” is an interesting horror film in that the characters are so shallow, obnoxious and unlikable that I think it’s a pretty accurate portrayal of entitled, tech-addicted youths and there’s great reward in watching them get offed.
Showcast Episode 97: Impressionist and stand-up comic Melissa Villaseñor joins The Movie Guys for previews of new films “The Age of Adaline”, “The Water Diviner” & “Little Boy”. Plus, a trailer for the new, all-female “Avengers” movie and rousing rounds of “What Did You See This Week?” and Karen’s Birthdays.
First and foremost you should know that “Furious 7” is a bunch of bullshit. Once you get beyond knowing that it’s just not a story of this Earth, you can have a fun time!
Showcast Episode 96: The Movie Guys reach once again towards The Guinness World Record for most movies previewed in one Showcast as they take on “Unfriended”, “Disneynature Monkey Kingdom”, “Child 44”, “True Story” and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2”. Also, Paul interviews writer/actress Katie Nehra about her new film “Alex of Venice”, also in theaters April 17th.
Showcast Episode 95: It’s an Indiana Jones LOVEFEST as Chris Strompolos of “Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation” hits The Admiral’s Club with updates on the greatest fan film ever made (for the uninitiated, it was shot over thirty-two years – suck it, “Boyhood”!). He talks about the film, the book and the new documentary that captures the making of the remake. Plus, a preview of the Scott Eastwood’s abs-a-thon known as “The Longest Ride” and an Indy-themed Karen’s Birthdays.
I’m of the opinion that the least effective way to send people out of your film is not allowing the music that carried the film to finish the job.