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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: 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
  

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  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.
  
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  Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!
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