MovieFilm Podcast Episode 14

Once again the MovieFilm crew is joined by JoBlo.com News Editor Paul Shirey in this, our fourteenth installment.

This week we gents discuss what may in fact be Arnold Schwarzenegger's  "Last Stand", the fascinating sideshow surrounding Lindsay Lohan's upcoming movie The Canyons, as well as our thoughts on a few of the recent Oscar nominations. Additionally, Zaki interviews comedian Hasan Minhaj about Failosophy, the new show he's hosting for MTV. And if that isn't enough, we also unpack the trailers for RED 2, the remake of the horror classic The Evil Dead, and the upcoming "Die Hard in the White House" thriller Olympus Has Fallen.

You can stream it below, download at the link, or find this episode and a whole lot more at moviefilmpodcast.com. Like always, make sure you write a review or rank us on iTunes, and feel free to hit "like" and join us on our official Facebook page.

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Brian's Favorite Films of 2012

Now that a new year has begun, it's always fun to take a look back at the previous year and remember the movies that managed to stand out among the rest.

This isn't a traditional Top 10 list, and these aren't my picks for "best films of the year." Instead, these are simply my favorite movies and theater going experiences of 2012. Oh, and I should mention that as of this posting, I still haven't seen The Hobbit or Beasts of the Southern Wild. I will though. ...No, really. ...Stop looking at me like that!

REALLY GOOD
These film were the most memorable theater-going experiences for me last year:

            SILVER LINING PLAYBOOK
            A satisfying examination of two broken people 
            learning to live with each other's help. Great
            performances make this a fun and sweet story 
            to watch. 

MOONRISE KINGDOM
I love me some Wes Anderson. I've been on board with him since Bottle Rocket and while he seemed to be wavering a bit for a time, this was a lovely return to form. His confidence in his quirky voice brings this story of young love to life in a left of center, but most importantly, honest way.

LOOPER
An un-apologetically grim and heady time travel thriller. While the film proudly owes much to many films that came before it, it still manages to feel like a breath of fresh air.




ZERO DARK THIRTY 
I loved the no nonsense, laying-out-the-facts nature of the film, all leading to a cinematically thrilling reenactment of one of the most famous take downs of one of the most famous real-life villains in history.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
Yes, it's too long. Yes, if I could, there are a few things I would want differently. But there was no other movie that grabbed me by the lapels and swung me around like this one did in 2012. From the opening airplane heist to Batman flying away, lugging a nuclear bomb, ready to die for his city, nitpicks and notes aside, this movie is a triumph of execution and I still enjoy it. 

GOOD TOO:

CLOUD ATLAS
Ambitious and intriguing, this nearly three hour epic spanning centuries isn't without its lulls, but the way the six or so stories are woven together - melding the beats and crescendos of each story with one another, seamlessly hopping back and forth between them - is remarkable, giving the film an exciting energy. While some stories work better than others, and ultimately the movie comes just short of the impact I feel it was building toward, I still found myself taken with it.

THE AVENGERS
 A popcorn flick of the highest caliber. It's effortlessly fun and pulls off what should have been a next to impossible juggling act of charismatic personalities, exciting set pieces, and impressive effects eye candy.

 

CABIN IN THE WOODS
While not my genre at all, this fun deconstruction of horror films (while actually being a darn inventive one itself) had me intrigued, laughing and hooked from the opening title card.

SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED

A sweet, offbeat tale about a guy convinced he's built a time machine, all he needs now is a partner to travel with him. For such a goofy premise, the film found a good hook with a lot of heart that keeps you invested in figuring out what's really going on.

CHRONICLE
Kind of can't believe this came from a major studio. Although a found footage film about teenagers, this is a thoughtful and kind of melancholy take on what would happen if regular kids inherited super powers. In spite of a teeny budget, there were still many memorable moments of the kids' powers on display in grounded, real-life settings.

CASA DE MI PADRE
Yup, the one where Will Ferrell speaks Spanish the entire film. Think Three Amigos meets Anchorman and you're on your way to an idea of what this bizarre and hilarious movie is like. All I know is my brother and I were laughing constantly.







HONORABLE MENTIONS:
SKYFALL, THE GREY, RUBY SPARKS, SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS, SOUND OF MY VOICE, 21 JUMP STREET, and ARGO.

 
But you want to know what my favorite theater going experience was this past year? Raiders of the Lost Ark, which I somehow managed to catch three times on a big screen - once even with Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg in attendance!  Watching a movie you've seen a million times in an actual movie theater is a special experience because that unparalleled immersion allows you to get invested in the film as if seeing it again for the first time. You take notice of things you've missed or forgotten about, sucking you into the story in a way you just can't experience at home. "If you have the means I highly recommend it. It is so choice."

And that about wraps it up! Thanks for taking a look and feel free to shoot me your thoughts on YOUR favorite films of last year.

MovieFilm Podcast Episode 11 - Star Trek Into Darkness, Oblivion, The Hobbit, The Guilt Trip and More

This week it's trailers ahoy on the MovieFilm Podcast as Zaki, Sean and Brian take time to ponder several recent offerings including Tom Cruise in Oblivion, Will Smith in After Earth, and the first full trailers for JJ Abrams' sequel Star Trek Into Darkness and Zack Snyder's Superman reboot Man of Steel.

In addition, the guys share a thought or two on the Golden Globe nominations, recount how The Hobbit nearly made Zaki throw up, and offer reviews of Jack Reacher and The Guilt Trip, all with a holiday-themed movie quiz to wrap things up.

Please feel free to stream it below or subscribe and download the episode at this itunes link. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please send them along to MovieFilmPodcast@gmail.com, or to our official Facebook page. And from all of us at MovieFilm, we hope you have a safe and merry holidays!

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MovieFilm Podcast Episode 10 - Lincoln, Skyfall, Star Wars, X-Men!

Four score and seven days ago, Zaki, Sean and yours truly set forth to record what would become the 10th episode of the MovieFilm podcast. Actually, my math may be a bit off regarding the dates but the wording remains relevant because in this episode we discuss Steven Spielberg's recent critical darling Lincoln. We also share our thoughts, both the good and the bad, on the highest grossing Bond film to date, Skyfall. And just to sweeten the deal, we also delve into a wide array of topics including Lawrence Kasdan being tapped to write one of the upcoming Star Wars films, rumors of Joseph Gordon-Levitt possibly donning the cowl as Batman in the upcoming Justice League movie, and casting updates for the (what sounds to be pretty epic) upcoming X-Men film.

As always, you can stream the episode by clicking on this link, or download it by visiting our iTunes page here. We'd also love to hear from you so please send us your questions, comments or anything else you want to share to MovieFilmPodcast@gmail.com or visit our official Facebook page. 

MovieFilm Podcast Episode 9 - Skyfall, Flight and All Things Zemeckis

Hello, friends! Episode 9 of the MovieFilm Podcast is here! This week is a special episode as Zaki shares an exclusive interview he conducted with Tripp Vinson, producer of the upcoming Red Dawn remake. In addition to that we also discuss potential directors for the forthcoming Star Wars sequel (how long until it doesn't feel weird to type that?), as well as Zaki's take on Skyfall, our thoughts on the World War Z trailer, and Sean's musings on Wreck-it Ralph. Then, after we opine a bit on the film Flight, the three of us share our thoughts on all things Robert Zemeckis. 

Check it out by either streaming at this link, or download the show through iTunes which you can do by clicking here. It's the perfect listening material for your walk around the block or weekday commute!

And please send any questions or comments to us either through the official MovieFilm Facebook page, or email us at MovieFilmPodcast@gmail.com. 

Flight's Turbulant Story Soars

In spite of what trailers would have us believe, it turns out Flight isn't so much a slick drama about an accidental hero with a dilemma, but instead a surprisingly down-and-dirty, intimate tale of an out-of-control addict who won't even let a brush with death keep him from his destructive behavior. Starring Denzel Washington and directed by perpetual crowd-pleaser Robert Zemeckis, Flight is a bit of a risky hybrid: a gritty addict drama made by a filmmaker with blockbuster sensibilities. And for me, it works.

Washington plays commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker, whose destructive behavior is made quite clear to us in the opening minutes of the film. After an all night bender of alcohol and cocaine, Whitaker shows up to fly per usual - though to the dismay of his straight-laced co-pilot (Brian Geraghty). When the plane malfunctions, Whitaker shows unflinching poise and executes a radical maneuver that ends in a controlled crash landing that saves nearly all the passengers on board. Waking up in the hospital, Whitaker should be readying himself to be declared a hero, the problem is his incriminating blood - swimming with illegal substances - was drawn at the scene of the accident.

What's interesting is that Flight chooses not to show its audience much of the world reacting to the accident. It instead keeps us primarily at the hip with Whitaker, who chooses to escape the media frenzy by retreating. Though a court hearing looms in the background - with Don Cheadle playing the pilot union's lawyer - the film's focus remains fixed on Whitaker's tug of war with the demons that are poisoning his career, his relationship with his estranged wife and son, and a friendship with a former colleague desperately trying to be an ally (Bruce Greenwood.)

The only other character we truly follow is a heroin addict and kindred spirit named Nicole (Kelly Reilly) who Whitaker meets at the hospital. Keeping us in exclusive proximity with these two characters allows this surprisingly effortless 2 hour 20 minute character study room to breathe, entrusting its audience with occasional moments of quiet - and it's this quiet that allows the bigger moments their impact. Of course Denzel sweeping up the floor with his ability to play everything from calm and confident, to sad sack, to a loose canon provides a sturdy anchor throughout.

After losing Zemeckis to motion capture animated films for over a decade - his last live action film being Cast Away in 2000 - I'm happy to report that his brand of storytelling and exacting camera work are back in play without a hitch. Thanks to subtle but powerful technique, alcohol itself almost because a tangible villain. I nearly found myself yelling out loud "Don't do it!" whenever a drink was in proximity of Whitaker. Additionally, Zemeckis shoots his films in a more classical style, free from today's tendency of excessive cutting, which allows the frame to move and explore, revealing information rather than presenting it, effectively turning the camera into less of an observer and more of a silent narrator.

Flight is an expansive, involving, and often times frustrating look at addiction and the wake it can create. Its unexpected weight is what will surprise most audiences I imagine, but it's what also makes Flight worth the trip.

MovieFilm Podcast Episode 8 - The Future of Star Wars

"Star Wars lives!" The Mr. Boy gang was all set to discuss a variety of different topics for the latest MovieFilm episode, then Mr. Lucas dropped his little bomb mid-week, and that changed our trajectory somewhat. So this week, in addition to the answering listener e-mails, debating the role celebs should have in politics, and dissecting the trailers for Gangster Squad and Iron Man 3, the centerpiece of Episode 8 (or rather Episode VIII) is an extended discussion about the impact of Lucasfilm's acquisition by the Disney company, the impending open-ended continuation of the Star Wars saga, and what it all means not only for the brand, but for the film industry, and heck, even for society. We had a blast recording this one, so hopefully you'll have just as much of a blast listening. Stream it below or download it at the link. Send any questions or comments to us through the official MovieFilm Facebook page, or e-mail MovieFilmPodcast@gmail.com.