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: 11/23/2009 1:00 AM UTC

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

  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!
  <embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2ffilmgeekcentral%2fplay_list.xml?show_id=789255&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:
  • film
  • Twilight
  • New Moon
  • Robert Pattinson
  • Kirsten Stewart
  No Comments

• Date / Time: 11/21/2009 7:50 AM UTC

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

  
  
  
  
  
  This week, it becomes clear - Film Geek Central sucks. We have six movies to cover with the giant vampire phenomena leading the pack. Why, what did you think we meant?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Do not discount the phenomena that is THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON. This film arrives with lots of hype and anticipation, with an eager fan base dying to see the next chapter in the romantic saga of Bella and Edward. From what we saw from Friday night's crowds, they came out in force too. This sequel to TWILIGHT picks up with Edward and Bella having to be apart. In his absence, Bella discovers her personality changing and she becomes closer with Native American friend Jacob. But Jacob is going through changes of his own. Dakota Fanning and Micheal Sheen join returning cast members Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke and the Cullen Clan.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  PLANET 51 is the newest CGI-animated comedy aimed at the kids. Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson voices a conceited astronaut out on a "routine mission to explore a new planet." When he lands, he discovers it's inhabited by a very domesticated race of alien beings who promptly freak out over having an alien drop on their front lawn. This one should be good for the kids for a couple weeks. But with so much competition this season, one wonders if it will be enough to sustain an audience. Also, we have a problem where we're led to believe stepping foot on any alien planet for the first time is deemed "routine."
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Films like THE BLIND SIDE are often distinguished from other Oscar contenders. So blatant are some films' yearning for Oscar gold, that they wind up being dark horses on general principal. Still, Sandra Bullock could snag herself a doozy of a nomination for her role as a feisty southern mom who brings a large, shy and down-trodden young man to live with her wealthy family. Giving a new life to someone many believed was a lost cause, he gets a shot at stardom when he becomes a football star at his private school.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  AN EDUCATION is based on a memoir about innocence lost and wisdom gained. In an acclaimed performance, Carey Mulligan plays a young girl who is swept off her feet by a dashing, smooth talking but not altogether honest older gentleman (Peter Sarsgaard - ORPHAN, KINSEY). Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson and Dominic Cooper co-star. The script is written by Nick Hornby, who wrote the novels HIGH FIDELITY and ABOUT A BOY.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL is an old school horror film which takes a simple premise and runs with it, trying to get under the audience's skin. Shot in a retro style that recalls horror films of the early 1980s, it details a young woman who agrees to house-sit for a strange couple (underrated character actors Tom Noonan and Mary Woronov) as they have a big night out watching a lunar eclipse. Strange noises and overwhelming sense of foreboding drive the woman near madness as the film approaches its conclusion. Ti West, who has done some really good work with low-budget genre films THE ROOST and TRIGGERMAN, directs his biggest film yet here.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Finally, we have BLACK DYNAMITE. If you were listening way back on our second episode (you have to admit - we've gotten a lot better since then), you will remember this was Austin's pick for his Most Awaited Film of 2009. Now, it finally arrives - a rolicking spoof of the great blaxploitation films of the 1970s. Michael Jai White stars as Black Dynamite, a no-nonsense ex-CIA agent/war vet who goes after the Man after his brother is gunned down by drug kingpins.
  
  All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week!
  
  The whole thing happens Sunday at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central at Film Geek Central.
  
  You can also stream or download any episode of our show on the main site. Or, just subscribe to our show on iTunes.
  
  And don't forget to check out our frequently updated MySpace and Twitter pages.
  
  Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!
  • Tags:
  • Twilight Saga
  • New Moon
  • Kristen Stewart
  • Robert Pattinson
  • Taylor Lautner
  No Comments

• Original Air Date: 11/16/2009 1:00 AM UTC

  2012, Pirate Radio, Antichrist, New York I Love You, Flame & Citron

  Celebrate the end of the world with Film Geek Central this week!
  
  
  First up, Roland Emmerich gives us his newest with 2012. You know what to expect from Emmerich. The world ends, character actors pick up a paycheck, monuments topple and billions die... though in the most impersonal and special effects savvy way possible. Also, there is a renewed message of hope. Awwww.... Yeah, we're kind of not looking forward to this but we'll give it a shot anyway.
  
  Next up is the UK import PIRATE RADIO. This is the newest film from Richard Curtis (LOVE ACTUALLY, NOTTING HILL) and was supposed to be released a couple months back as THE BOAT THAT ROCKED. It's gone through a title change and Curtis himself has trimmed the film more to his liking. It follows a rowdy rock n roll station that broadcasts from a ship off the shores of 1966 Great Britain.
  
  ANTICHRIST has been stirring controversy wherever it plays, especially at the Cannes Film Festival. Some have called it brilliant, others inept. Some have called it daring, others offensive and mysogynistic. We will try to sort through the vitriol and give you our look at Lars Von Trier's newest, which stars Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg.
  
  NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU features a huge all-star cast as several directors supply vigenettes which show the various connections people make in the Big Apple.
  
  Finally, FLAME & CITRON is a gritty Danish import that follows the exploits of a resistance group during World War II.
  
  All this plus film news and our DVD Picks 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=779967&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:
  • 2012
  • apocalypse
  • Pirate Radio
  • Antichrist
  • film
  No Comments

• Date / Time: 11/15/2009 4:26 AM UTC

  2012, PIRATE RADIO, ANTICHRIST, NEW YORK I LOVE YOU, FLAME & CITRON

  It's the end of the world and yet Film Geek Central is still there to give you the scoop on the latests films. Now, that's dedication.
  
  
  
  We have five new films to tell you about this week, everything from massive apocalypses to tender love stories to good old fashioned rock n roll.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  First up, Roland Emmerich gives us his newest with 2012. You know what to expect from Emmerich. The world ends, character actors pick up a paycheck, monuments topple and billions die... though in the most impersonal and special effects savvy way possible. Also, there is a renewed message of hope. Awwww.... Yeah, we're kind of not looking forward to this but we'll give it a shot anyway. This sure-to-be massive blockbuster stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Danny Glover, George Segal, Thandie Newton and Danny Glover.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Next up is the UK import PIRATE RADIO. This is the newest film from Richard Curtis (LOVE ACTUALLY, NOTTING HILL) and was supposed to be released a couple months back as THE BOAT THAT ROCKED. It's gone through a title change and Curtis himself has trimmed the film more to his liking. It follows a rowdy rock n roll station that broadcasts from a ship off the shores of 1966 Great Britain. The film stars Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy and Nick Frost to name a few.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ANTICHRIST has been stirring controversy wherever it plays. Some have called it brilliant, others inept. Some have called it daring, others offensive and misogynistic. People seem divided over whether this is an outrageous form of exploitation or a profound work of art. At the Cannes Film Festival, the film was given an "anti-award" by an ecumenical jury, but Charlotte Gainsbourg was also named Best Actress. We will try to sort through the vitriol and give you our look at Lars Von Trier's newest, which stars Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg as a married couple whose grief over their dead son manifests itself in horrifying ways.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU has everybody saying "I love New York." Just check out this cast: Natalie Portman, Shia LaBeouf, Bradley Cooper, Hayden Christensen, Robin Wright Penn, Christina Ricci, Orlando Bloom, Ethan Hawke, Rachel Bilson, John Hurt, Chris Cooper, Maggie Q, Drea de Matteo, Andy Garcia, Chloris Leachman and Eli Walach. And that's just in front of the camera. There are also eleven directors credited with this anthology of viginettes which finds various people making connections in the Big Apple.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Finally, FLAME & CITRON is an import about Danish resitance fighters during World War II. Two men are charged with getting rid of fellow citizens who are informing on them to the Nazis. Eventually, they are charged with liquidating Nazis as well. But when one of their targets hits close to home, the two must re-evaluate their greater purpose.
  
  All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week.
  
  The whole thing happens Sunday night at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central at Film Geek Central.
  
  You can also stream or download any past episodes. Or, if you always want to be in the know, subscribe to our show on iTunes.
  
  Also, don't forget to check out our active MySpace and Twitter pages.
  
  Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!
  • Tags:
  • 2012
  • apocalypse
  • film
  • movie
  • cinema
  No Comments

• Original Air Date: 11/9/2009 1:00 AM UTC

  A Christmas Carol, The Fourth Kind, The Box, Men Who Stare At Goats, This Is It, A Serious Man

  Film Geek Central returns with a look at six new films at the multiplex.
  
  
  First, we look at A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Whoah! Hold on! Christmas?!? We're still knee-deep in Halloween candy over here! Regardless, this Jim Carrey feature is the newest motion capture film from the folks who brought you POLAR EXPRESS and BEOWULF.
  
  THE FOURTH KIND is the type of film we've seen surprisingly little of - alien abduction. It's allegedly based on a true story and the trailer brilliantly incorporated documented evidence, dramatic re-enactment and fourth wall-breaking narration from Milla Jovovich. Let's hope the film delivers on that promise.
  
  THE BOX is based on a story by Richard Matheson (I AM LEGEND, THE TWILIGHT ZONE, so many others) and directed by Richard Kelly (DONNIE DARKO). In this one, a couple gets a box with a single red button. If they push the button, their financial troubles disappear but someone out in the world will die.
  
  THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS continues George Clooney's trend of picking quirky, out there projects. Based loosely on the CIA's experimentation with psychic soldiers during the Cold War, it co-stars Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey.
  
  MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT repurposes rehearsal footage from his never realized tour in a two hour love letter to the fans. This one has gotten considerable buzz as a monument to the celebrated but controversial performer.
  
  Finally, A SERIOUS MAN is the newest film from the Coen Brothers. Taking place in a Jewish community circa 1967, it follows a professor as he deals with personal problems surrounding his family. This one finds the Coens firmly in quirky dramatic comedy territory with a more ecclectic cast than usual.
  
  All this plus film news and our DVD Picks 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=768888&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:
  • Disney
  • Jim Carrey
  • Milla Jovovich
  • The Fourth Kind
  • film
  No Comments

• Date / Time: 11/7/2009 5:59 AM UTC

  A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE FOURTH KIND, MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS, THE BOX, THIS IS IT, A SERIOUS MAN

  [size="3"][/size]
  
  
  
  
  We've made it big for you again at Film Geek Central this week. We'll be taking a look at six new films storming your way across the multiplex.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It's that time of year again, so we'll be looking at A CHRISTMAS CAROL.... wait! Hold on a sec! Christmas? Already?!? We're still knee-deep in Halloween candy over here at Film Geek HQ! Well, if the department stores and movie studios insist its Christmas, I guess its Christmas. This is the newest CGI mo-cap film Robert Zemeckis, done in the same style as THE POLAR EXPRESS and BEOWULF. They say this film finally gets rid of the dead eyes that creeped people out in those earlier efforts. Jim Carrey plays four parts this time around. Because when you want a great Christmas film, you hire the guy who stained the image of the Grinch. Oh okay, so we've got a bit of a humbug going on. We'll keep an open mind.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Hey, why aren't there more alien abduction films? You'd think with the audience out there (a number of which are served by interesting UFO shows here on BTR), Hollywood have one out every month. THE FOURTH KIND has the great hook of being based on actual cases of alleged alien abduction and actually re-enacts documented evidence throughout the film. Milla Jovovich, a goddess to geeks and a fine actress in her own right, stars as a psychologist who begins to notice odd patterns in some of the problems her patients are having.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS also claims to be based on incidents that the government has never confirmed. It however takes a much more quirky view of the situation. Ewan McGregor plays a reporter doing a story about a man (George Clooney) who claims to be an ex-CIA agent trained in the art of psychic warfare. Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey co-star in this feature debut from actor-turned-director Grant Heslov.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THE BOX has been kicking around Hollywood for a few years (Eli Roth was previously attached to direct). Now, it looks like it's finally all come together. It's based on a classic story by Richard Matheson (previously adapted as "Button Button" on THE TWILIGHT ZONE) about a couple experiencing financial troubles. One day, they receive a box with a single button on it. If they push it, they are told they will immediately receive $1 million, but one person in the world who they don't know will die. This intriguing premise is brought to the screen by Richard Kelly (DONNIE DARKO) and stars Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT is a documentary made up from rehearsal footage of Jackson's never-realized final tour. Originally intended for Jackson's private library and for reference purposes, this one was put together as a package for the fans following Jackson's passing. The film has Jackson rehearsing many of his biggest hits while people in the production talk about what it's like working with the King of Pop.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A SERIOUS MAN is the newest film from the Coen Brothers. See, you know this is a big week when the Coen Brothers film is the last thing we're reviewing. It's a dramatic comedy about a Jewish man in 1967 who suddenly finds his entire life in upheaval, both at work and at home. The Coens have gathered an eclectic cast this time around, and Roger Ebert recently called this "the type of film you get to make after you've won an Oscar." It's pure Coen.
  
  All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week.
  
  The whole thing goes down on Sunday at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central at Film Geek Central.
  
  You can also stream or download this episode or past episodes at the site. Or, if you want to be really on top of things, subscribe to our show on iTunes.
  
  Don't forget to check out our very active pages on MySpace and Twitter. And if you want to contact, feel free to reach us at filmgeekcentral@gmail.com.
  
  Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!
  • Tags:
  • film
  • movie
  • cinema
  • review
  • critic
  No Comments

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