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.

• Archived Blog Post

  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
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Comments

lofton 9/25/2009 9:08 PM UTC Baader is amazing. Highly highly recommended. It's exciting AND thought provoking

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