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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: 10/24/2009 2:16 PM UTC

  SAW VI, ASTRO BOY, CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT, AMELIA, ONG BAK 2
  

  
  
  We're the coolest show in the pumpkin patch. This week, Film Geek Central takes on five new films being released in the weekend before Halloween.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  First up is SAW VI. Now, used to be Halloween gave us two or three R-rated horror films to devour. These days, the holiday belongs to SAW. Not a bad accomplishment for a series that began with a single $1 million film five years ago. This latest installment adds a topical nature to the series as Jigsaw sets his sights on the insurance industry! Also, we get more about the ongoing story of Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) and the ex-wife of Jigsaw (Betsy Russell). This one might make an interesting double feature with Michael Moore's SICKO.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Next up is an ambitious film adaptation of one of the original and most influential animes ever, ASTRO BOY. Astro is created by a grieving scientist and finds himself fighting evil in a futuristic society where robots live as indentured servants. This big CG animated films is trying to attract both fans of comic books as well as the young boys who might not have gotten their rocks off with the Wild Things.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT aims to be the first in a series of new films based on the young adult novels by Darren Shan. This one wraps up a bunch of the early books in one film as young Darren (the novels go with the conceit that they are Shan telling his unbelievable life story) and his friend Steve explore the world's most amazing freak show. One thing leads to another, and Darren is forced to give up his life and become a vampire's assistant. Amongst the film's huge supporting cast is John C. Reilly (STEP BROTHERS, CHICAGO), Ken Watanabe (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, THE LAST SAMURAI), Salma Hayek, Orlando Jones, Patrick Fugit (SAVED, ALMOST FAMOUS), Jane Krakowski (30 ROCK), Ray Stevenson (PUNISHER: WAR ZONE) and Willem Dafoe.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  AMELIA is the long-awaited biopic of Amelia Earhart. Playing the famed aviatrix is two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank. We love saying that. Since she didn't get the parts she deserved after BOYS DON'T CRY, we're happy she came back with MILLION DOLLAR BABY to prove once and for all she is a talent to to be reckoned with. The film, which chronicles the period from her first trip across the Atlantic up to her disappearance co-stars Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor and Christopher Eccelston.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  When ONG BAK came out a few years back, it was a revelation. Shamelessly avoiding any wire work or digital effects, it introduced international audiences to an amazing talent in Tony Jaa. It also single-handedly established Thailand's crop of action films in the western market. Tony Jaa returns in ONG BAK 2. The film proports to be a prequel to the original, though if there is a connection we can't see it right now. Nevertheless, it's done by the same people and that's good enough for us. This one is an epic adventure taking place in the 1400s.
  
  All of this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week.
  
  The whole thing happens this Sunday at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central at Film Geek Central.
  
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  Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!
  • Tags:
  • Saw VI
  • horror
  • Halloween
  • film
  • Astro Boy
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