Film Geek Central  

Show Notes

Every week, Scott Davis and Austin Kennedy check out the latest, but not always the greatest films in the multiplexes. Everything from the biggest blockbusters, to the smallest indie films to the latest foreign films. Scott and Austin are film geeks by birth, keeping a critical eye on things, but bringing a lot of humor and energy to the proceedings as well. They don't always agree, but it's always entertaining.

• Featured Episode

  The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Planet 51, Blind Side, Black Dynamite, An Education, House of the Devil

  Film Geek Central

  Date / Time: 11/23/2009 1:00 AM UTC

  Category: Film

  
  

  This week, Film Geek Central sucks!
  
  
  
  THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON has the enviable pop culture hype usually reserved for films with three times its budget. Honestly, we're not TWILIGHT haters here at FGC. Both of us thought the original film was decent and could certainly see why it appealed to its target audience. Truth be told, we're sort of curious to see where this series goes with the second installment.
  
  PLANET 51 is supposed to be the next big CG-animated film, but will it have what it takes to work in such a crowded market? In it, a conceited American astronaut lands on a planet that turns out to be home to a domesticated alien species.
  
  THE BLIND SIDE is the type of film designed to get Oscar buzz. Sandra Bullock plays a well-off southern woman who takes in a large, shy teenager with a mysterious and tragic past.
  
  AN EDUCATION is the bittersweet story of a sheltered girl in 1960s London who falls for a man twice her age. Star Carey Mulligan is being tipped as someone to watch.
  
  THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL is a chilling horror film from Ti West. A woman agrees to house-sit for an evening, only to become increasingly on edge due to the strange events around her. Genre greats, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov and Dee Wallace show up in supporting roles.
  
  BLACK DYNAMITE was Austin's pick for his most awaited film of 2009 and its easy to see why. It's a spoof/throwback to 1970s blaxspoloitation films whose trailer has been getting people excited ever since it appeared on the net early this year.
  
  All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

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• On Demand Episodes           45024          

  Original Air Date: 9/21/2009 12:00 AM UTC

  Jennifer's Body, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, The Informant, Love Happens and MORE!

  On this episode of Film Geek Central, Scott and Austin take a look at five new films.
  
  
  
  First up, Megan Fox is a sexy succubus who seduces and eats high school boys in JENNIFER'S BODY. This is a horror comedy written by Diablo Cody (JUNO, THE UNITED STATES OF TARA). This could either be a fun and cheesy horror comedy or a complete disaster. But the film is reportedly nothing like the trailer, so we'll see how this one goes.
  
  While you're watching Megan Fox, your kids will probably be loving CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS. This film about a scientist who invents a machine that makes it rain food is aimed right at the kiddies. It will probably also make a small fortune.
  
  THE INFORMANT is Stephen Soderbergh's newest film and it might be an early Oscar contender. Matt Damon plays an executive turned whistle-blower who lets the spy game go to his head.
  
  LOVE HAPPENS for Jennifer Anniston and Aaron Eckhart. A widower turned self-help guru courts a florist while facing demons from his past.
  
  THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX is a critically-acclaimed film about Germany's controversial Red Army Faction during the 1960s and 1970s.
  
  All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week.
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  • Tags:
  • Megan Fox
  • Jennifers Body
  • Matt Damon
  • Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
  • film
  No Comments

• Date / Time: 9/19/2009 3:20 AM UTC

  JENNIFER'S BODY, THE INFORMANT, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS, LOVE HAPPENS, THE BAADER MEINHOF

  Here's hoping sex sells. Things are getting sweaty here at Film Geek Central. Six more reviews this week as we give you everything from sex-crazed ghouls, corporate whistle-blowers, and grave robbers against the undead. And that's just in half the films we tackle this week.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Megan Fox sexes it up in JENNIFER'S BODY. This horror comedy is about a high school temptress who uses her wiles to lure young men to their death. Megan Fox hasn't been seen in much other than the TRANSFORMERS movies. But we doubt people will mind seeing her as a bloodthirsty succubus. Still, if the trailer turned you off, don't be fooled. Both writer Diablo Cody (JUNO, THE UNITED STATES OF TARA) and director Karyn Kusama (GIRLFIGHT, AEON FLUX) have said that the advertising campaign does not reflect the tone of the film. That is why the trailer we enclosed above is the ORIGINAL RED BAND TRAILER (you're welcome). Amanda Seyfried (MAMMA MIA!, BIG LOVE), Adam Brody (MR. & MRS. SMITH, THE O.C.), Johnny Simmons (HOTEL FOR DOGS), J.K. Simmons and Amy Sedaris co-star in this horror comedy which is one of the bigger wild cards to be released in some time.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Speaking of films with misleading advertising campaigns, THE INFORMANT is being touted as being possibly more lighthearted than it actually is. Regardless, we're excited about this newest film from Steven Soderbergh (THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE, TRAFFIC, OCEAN'S ELEVEN). In it, Matt Damon plays a high-ranking executive that turns whistle-blower partially out of conscience, partially for the thrill of it and partially in order to work his own angle. Soderbergh takes a typically skewed look at this true story. The film co-stars a number of talented television actors in refreshing big-screen roles, including: Joel McHale (THE SOUP), Scott Bakula (ENTERPRISE, QUANTUM LEAP) and Melanie Lynskey (AWAY WE GO, TWO AND A HALF MEN).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Let's just cut the pretense. We all know that the top film at the box office will be CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS. While you're in the theatre either admiring Megan Fox's talents or catching a dark satire of double-dealing, your kids will be watching food fall from the sky. Based on the popular children's book, a scientist invents a machine that makes it literally rain food from the sky. Not to be confused with films like UP or MONSTERS VS. ALIENS which seemed to reach across generations, this is a present just for the kids and they will rule the box office this weekend. It is interesting to note however that this film is directed by two of the brains behind the criminally underrated (and long canceled) animated series, CLONE HIGH.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The tabloids seem to be incapable of giving Jennifer Aniston a break, even though she's probably very happy with her status in life and bonus, she doesn't have a small country's worth of children trailing behind her. Never mind, Film Geek Central digs her and her newest is a straight romance, LOVE HAPPENS. Aaron Eckhart co-stars as a self-help guru who falls for Aniston's florist character. The problem is he is hiding some big secrets of his own. This debut feature from director Brandon Camp is going to try to melt the hearts of romance-fans who have been ill-served by recent, unsuccessful, zany love stories at the local theatre.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX (and yes, that is a BRADY BUNCH joke we made on the poster) is an acclaimed film which is being hailed as a shining example of the New German Cinema. We'll see. It covers a controversial part of Germany's recent history, as it traces the background of the Baader Meinhof chapter of the Red Army Faction. The Baader Meinhof RAF staged kidnappings, assassinations, bombings and other acts of terrorism in the 1960s and 1970s and the RAF itself remained active in one form or another long after. This film was nominated for a Best Foreign Language Oscar, and is only now being released in the States. It's also nice to see Uli Edel, who has been slumming in glossy television projects lately, returning to the early promise shown in CHRISTIANE F. and LAST EXIT TO BROOKLYN.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Finally, I SELL THE DEAD is getting more interest than your typical indie horror film. This odd horror comedy (wow, two in one week!) details a man's story as he recounts his career as a grave robber. This doesn't just include the typical digging and selling, but also run-ins with any number of characters, including some pretty nasty zombies. Much of the cast and crew seem to come from other indie horror projects, particularly those involving Larry Fessenden (who co-stars) and Ti West. The film also stars Dominic Monoaghan (LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, LOST), Ron Perlman (HELLBOY, SONS OF ANARCHY) and Angus Scrimm (PHANTASM I-IV).
  
  As always, Film Geek Central will also cover the latest film news, including the passing of Patrick Swayze. And of course, our DVD Picks of the Week.
  
  The whole thing happens Sunday at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 Central at Film Geek Central.
  
  You can also stream or download any of our earlier episodes from our page, or if you want to get the whole experience, subscribe to our show on iTunes.
  
  Don't forget to also check out our active pages on MySpace and Twitter.
  
  Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!!!
  • Tags:
  • Jennifer's Body
  • Megan Fox
  • Informant
  • Matt Damon
  • film
  Comments (1)

• Original Air Date: 9/14/2009 12:00 AM UTC

  9, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Whiteout, Sorority Row, World's Greatest Dad

  This week, Film Geek Central tackles five more new releases for the fall season.
  
  
  First up is one of Scott's most awaited films of the year, the animated sci-fi adventure 9. After humanity is wiped out, a small group of stiched-together dolls fight against the machines that wiped them out.
  
  Tyler Perry returns as Madea in I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF. Based on one of the most popular Madea plays, this one co-stars Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Mary G. Blige and Gladys Knight.
  
  Kate Beckinsale investigates a murder in the antarctic and finds otherworldly evidence in WHITEOUT, based on the acclaimed graphic novel.
  
  SORORITY ROW is a sort-of remake to the obscure 1980s slasher, HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW. This one promises pure candy for the horror fan with lots of gore and skin.
  
  Robin Williams stars as the WORLD'S GREATEST DAD. Actually, the title is meant to be ironic in this surprisingly dark comedy from comedian-turned-director Bob Golthwait.
  
  All this plus film news and our DVD Pick of the Week! Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!
  <embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2ffilmgeekcentral%2fplay_list.xml?show_id=684580&autostart=false&shuffle=false&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=215&height=108" width="215" height="108" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false"></embed>
  • Tags:
  • 9 sci-fi
  • Tyler Perry - Madea
  • Kate Beckinsale
  • Sorority Row
  • film
  No Comments

• Date / Time: 9/12/2009 7:47 AM UTC

  9, I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF, SORORITY ROW, WHITEOUT, WORLD'S GREATEST DAD, FIFTY DEAD MEN WALKING,

  Once again, Film Geek Central proves it's the biggest film show on the net while punishing themselves with a ton of work. This week, be bring you no fewer than seven new films hitting theatres.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  First up is one of our most awaited films of 2009. It's 9, the big film with the teeny-tiny name. In the future, all that remains of humanity is a small group of mechanical dolls and the giant metal monsters that extinguished the human race to begin with. This is an animated film which looks to push the medium beyond the typical family films. Elijah Wood (LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy), Jennifer Connelly (A BEAUTIFUL MIND, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM), John C. Reilly (STEP BROTHERS, CHICAGO) and Christopher Plummer lend their voices to this different kind of futuristic adventure.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Next up is really going to be the champ at the box office this weekend, TYLER PERRY'S I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF. Let's face it, at this point Tyler Perry is a force to be reckoned with and you underestimate his impact at your own peril. This is another in his Madea series, though she's back to a supporting role here. The main focus is on a young woman (Taraji P. Henson - NOT EASILY BROKEN, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON) who is forced to care for her sister's kids when their caretaker goes missing. Eventually, she must learn to respect herself and escape from her selfish bubble. The cast also includes Adam Rodriguez (CSI: MIAMI), Brian J. White (FIGHTING, 12 ROUNDS), Hope Olaide Wilson, Marvin Winans, Mary J. Blige and Gladys Knight.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Few people remember 1983's THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW. Even fewer got through it while staying awake. Still, a remake is in the offing and it looks like it might correct the mistakes of the original. In this film, a prank goes awry and a group of sorority sisters covers up the death of one of their own. Months later, as the girls are graduating, they start receiving creepy text messages before being killed off one by one. Seems there's lots of skin and gore in this one, so we're safely out of PG-13 territory here.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We've been waiting on WHITEOUT for a while. This is an adaption of the award-winning graphic novel in which U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale (UNDERWORLD) investigates a murder on the unforgiving continent of Antarctica. This one is as much about how one must adapt to a climate where humans were never intended to survive. Gabriel Macht (THE SPIRIT), Columbus Short (CADILLAC RECORDS) and Tom Skerritt co-star. Dominic Sena (SWORDFISH, GONE IN 60 SECONDS) directs.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Who knew that behind the lovable guy who co-starred in films with talking horses was a dark and literate soul. Bobcat Golthwait directs his newest film, the ultra-dark comedy WORLD'S GREATEST DAD. Robin Williams stars as a teacher and failed writer who has trouble dealing with his perverted and self-centered son (Daryl Sabara - SPY KIDS). Things change when a major event brings him the attention he always thought he sought.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  FIFTY DEAD MEN WALKING tells the true story of a young man who is hired by British officials to become a mole within the Irish Republican Army. It's a film that combines true-life drama with heavy-duty suspense. The film stars Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess (21, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE), Kevin Zegers, Natalie Press (IN TRANZIT, NIGHTWATCHING) and Rose McGowan (PLANET TERROR, CHARMED).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CAPTAIN ABU RAED is an Argentinian film about an airport janitor who a group of kids mistake for a pilot. In order to take their minds off their harsh reality, the janitor weaves a number of amazing stories, giving them the opportunity to escape their situation by delving into their hearts and imaginations.
  
  All this plus the week's biggest film news and our DVD Picks of the Week. Man, we do like to work for this show don't we?
  
  The whole thing happens on Sunday at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central at Film Geek Central.
  
  Don't forget you can still stream or download any past episodes, or if you're feeling really adventurous, subscribe to our show via iTunes.
  
  Don't forget to check out our very active pages on MySpace and Twitter.
  
  And if you need to reach us via e-mail, we do check it every once in a while. It's filmgeekcentral@gmail.com
  
  Hope to see you this week, film geeks!
  • Tags:
  • Tyler Perry
  • 9
  • Sorority Row
  • film
  • Madea
  No Comments

• Original Air Date: 9/7/2009 12:00 AM UTC

  Gamer, All About Steve, Extract, My One and Only, Adam

  Another big show for you this week as Film Geek Central christens the fall movie season with five new films to look at.
  
  
  
  First up, we have GAMER - a bombastic sci-fi action spectacular where video games involve programming real people. This is from the guys who did the CRANK movies, so thier love of games is real. It stars Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Kyra Sedgewick, Alison Lohman and Ludacris.
  
  Next up is the newest Sandra Bullock romantic comedy, ALL ABOUT STEVE. In this one, she plays a spinster who meets a nice guy (Bradley Cooper) and stalks, er that is "follows her heart" across the country. This was supposed to come out last spring before being moved at the last minute. Still, these things are all about hope, right?
  
  EXTRACT is the new film from Mike Judge and if history repeats itself, perhaps it will develop a large following as well. Jason Bateman plays a frustrated operator of a food extract company, trying to deal with frustrations from both his job and his home life. Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig, Ben Affleck and virtually every comedic character actor around co-stars.
  
  MY ONE AND ONLY snuck up on us and was not even in our Fall Movie Preview. It's a last minute addition (in other words, they're burying it) starring Rene Zellweger, Kevin Bacon, Eric McCormack, Chris Noth and too many others to mention. What's the deal with it? You'll know when we know.
  
  Finally, ADAM is an acclaimed indie drama about a man with Asperger's Syndrome who falls for the new neighbor of his apartment building. After mulling around for the summer, this one really expanded in the last couple weeks.
  
  It all happens this week on Film Geek Central. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!
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  • Tags:
  • Gamer
  • Dexter
  • Gerard Butler
  • film
  • Sandra Bullock
  Comments (1)

• Date / Time: 9/5/2009 1:16 AM UTC

  GAMER, ALL ABOUT STEVE, EXTRACT, MY ONE AND ONLY, ADAM

  
  
  Labor Day is here and it's game on at Film Geek Central!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Armchair commandos the world over can rejoice that there is a bombastic sci-fi actioner with them in mind. GAMER stars Gerard Butler as a death row inmate who takes part in a live-action game where he is controlled by another player. This video game with real people is the brainchild of a very evil Michael C. Hall (DEXTER, SIX FEET UNDER). This is from the guys who did the CRANK movies, so thier love of games is real. Kyra Sedgewick (THE CLOSER), Alison Lohman (DRAG ME TO HELL), Ludacris (CRASH), Amber Valletta (DEAD SILENCE) and Zoe Bell (DEATH PROOF) co-star.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Next up is the newest Sandra Bullock romantic comedy, ALL ABOUT STEVE. In this one, she plays a spinster who meets a nice guy (Bradley Cooper) and stalks, er that is "follows her heart" across the country. This was supposed to come out last spring before being moved at the last minute. It might be well poised since Bullock and Cooper had hits this summer with THE PROPOSAL and THE HANGOVER respectively. Here's hoping Sandy B. can make even stalking charming.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  EXTRACT is the new film from Mike Judge (OFFICE SPACE, IDIOCRACY) and if history repeats itself, perhaps it will develop a large following as well. Jason Bateman plays a frustrated operator of a food extract company, trying to deal with frustrations from both his job and his home life. Mila Kunis (FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, THAT 70S SHOW), Kristen Wiig (ADVENTURELAND, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE), Ben Affleck and virtually every comedic character actor around co-stars.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  MY ONE AND ONLY snuck up on us and was not even in our Fall Movie Preview. It's a last minute addition (in other words, they're burying it) starring Rene Zellweger, Kevin Bacon, Eric McCormack, Chris Noth and too many others to mention. Zellweger plays a 1950s mother who leaves her husband (Bacon) and takes her kids cross country to find a better husband. What's the deal with it? You'll know when we know.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Finally, ADAM is an acclaimed indie drama about a man with Asperger's Syndrome who falls for the new neighbor of his apartment building. After mulling around for the summer, this one really expanded in the last couple weeks. Hugh Dancy (CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, EVENING) plays Adam and Rose Byrne (KNOWING, 28 WEEKS LATER) plays the object of his affections.
  
  Well cover all this plus movie news items (including the acquisition of Marvel by Disney) and the DVD Picks of the Week.
  
  It all happens this Sunday at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central on Film Geek Central.
  
  You can also stream or download any of our previous podcasts or just subscribe to the show on iTunes.
  
  And don't forget to check out our very active MySpace and Twitter pages.
  
  Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!
  • Tags:
  • Gamer
  • Gerard Butler
  • Michael C. Hall
  • film
  • sci-fi
  No Comments

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