Pop Culture and Politics on the Artistic Spectrum
https://videopress.com/v/eUpKIUut?preloadContent=metadata Manayunk’s latest local pub is introducing Tuesday Night Trivia, starting March 24th at 8pm and every Tuesday after that, hosted by Quizmaster Alex Gross (www.sailortwift.com). Seating is limited so gather your teams and get there early! Located at Terrace and Markle Streets in beautiful Manayunk, Taps & Bourbon features a high tech pour-your-own craft… Continue reading Trivia Tuesdays coming to Taps & Bourbon in Manayunk!
I've spent some time listening and seeing others play modern video games, and I realized that I don't care. Most modern games look incredible, however, they also appear to be incredibly time-consuming. Which is good for some, not so much for me. One of my favorite things about the games of my youth was that… Continue reading Joe Z’s Retro Gaming Adventure
We are joined by the one and only TommyNC2010 for a WWE Survivor Series preview and a chat about film making, Star Wars and how Batman was risen from the ashes / Dan Mainsplains #Supernatural Tweets from girls on Twitter / Heading down to the salt mines to find celebrities losing their shit over Donald Trump / Lena Dunham… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 221: Tell Em Tommy Sent Ya!
As I'd mentioned in a previous article, Black Mirror--the so-far 13-episode long cinematic series on Channel 4 and Netflix respectively--has quickly became a favorite of mine due to its thematic elements, style, and ability to fuck my shit up royally for a few days at a time. Everyone who reviews this show, aside from insisting that it… Continue reading Obligatory Ranking of ‘Black Mirror’ Episodes from OK to OMG
Black Mirror was a show I started watching at the behest of a lady whose opinion I can't help but trust. I'd never really heard anything about the show other than that it was "like The Twilight Zone for a new generation"...which, as a massive fan of The Twilight Zone, I have to tell you it's not. It's… Continue reading What Does Watching ‘Black Mirror’ Say About You?
The year is 1992. The President of the United States, George H.W. Bush had been filmed vomiting in the lap of the Prime Minister of Japan. America saw that happen. To his credit, he also met with the President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, to officially bring the Cold War to a close. But to his demise,… Continue reading Disney Pre-9/11 Video Vault: 3 Ninjas
With Freddy and Jason in Hell, Ghost Face waiting for the turn of the century to make rich Californians “Scream” again, Candyman banished to behind the mirror and Michael Myers without a head, the summer of 1999 would end the decade without a gory drop of blood being shed -- thanks to The Blair Witch… Continue reading A Missed Opportunity to Make the Blair Witch Great Again
Comedian and rapper, Donald Glover, has been working on the FX series Atlanta for several years (since 2013), and considering he grew up in the capital city, you could argue he's been developing this series his entire life. Everything about the series feels real and lived-in. So real, in fact, that it becomes difficult to describe what type… Continue reading Welcome to “Atlanta”
Tons of speculation is flying around about Kanye West's jaw-droppingly sexy video for FADE, a track from his latest album The Life of Pablo, featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Post Malone. Like most of the insanity Kanye has been up to, his art carries some kind of subliminal message, direct message, or manic and mental symbolism that can… Continue reading Kanye West Makes It Weird with “Fade”
The first time you heard about the movie Sausage Party you probably thought to yourself, “WTF”, which is incredibly accurate. The first time you saw the trailer you probably said to yourself, “WTF” and “I think I want to see this”. I have seen Sausage Party, and let me tell you this, it’s the hilarious… Continue reading Bath Salts & Hot Dogs: Sausage Party Review
That guy who is known for portraying Harry Potter is going to star as an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates white supremacist groups in order to prevent a terrorist attack!?! Sign me up! After watching a few interviews with Daniel Radcliffe explaining that the dialogue was so harsh he had to apologize to his fellow… Continue reading Harry Potter and the Grand Wizarding World of White Supremacy
DOWNLOAD THE LATEST EPISODE HERE!! or on iTUNES and STITCHER RADIO The Dawn of Justice and the rise of the Parademons / Wonder Woman's Knightmare / Jose Can Say So--Batman vs Superman Edition / Javier Bardem is in the movie according to Wikipedia / Adding Peter Parker to the Captain America: Civil War trailer / Scarlett… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 174: The Gungan Control Debate
Xander Berkeley (24, 12 Monkeys, Being Human, The Walking Dead) joins us to discuss his long career of art, acting, and using film shoots as an excuse for a vacation / Hashtag activism and an open message to apologists / How to be evil in the Fallout 4 wasteland / Jessica Jones and Negan with a bat / Dan… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 172: Plushable Deniability with Xander Berkeley
The Talking Nerdy Crew returns from a brief hiatus to talk a little Fantasy Football draft picks and expectations. Getting back into swing of things, we jump into Caitlyn Jenner on Ellen / Gamer Gate Goober Tom Pitt / Things Besides September 11th to Never Forget / Nicole Arbour and Dear Fat People. DOWNLOAD THE LATEST… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 162: Shame the Gamer, Shame the Game
New look for the new generation: The Sailor Twift Studios Generation! The gang performs LIVE at Tattooed Mom on South Street in Philadelphia! We talk about our favorite shows (Rick and Morty / I AM CAIT / Wet Hot American Summer), favorite games (ZELDA), and favorite movies (KILLA SEASON). We play some games, and give… Continue reading Talking Nerdy LIVE at the Philly Podcast Festival 2015 at Tattooed Mom!
Love won all across the country this week, but love lost for Batman and Electra. The Internet struggles to find something else to battle in a news cycle that has been relatively calm, desperate for a big story. We dive into the conversation about equality for all and if DC's venture into the darkest night… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 153: Love Wins For All But Batman
In this week's quest, we're joined by Tom Cassidy of the Center City Comedy Podcast to discuss gamer news from 2015's E3 Convention, the Internet's obsession with race and cultural identity, and the social media storm that brews from national tragedy and self-righteous blogging. We cover this week's #HashtagOrDie winners and play a friendly game… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 151: TransRachel Humor with Tom Cassidy
Charlie Charlie update, the reveal of Fallout 4, and the media storm of Caitlyn Jenner are our main topics this week! We encourage everyone to vote for Paul Giamatti for every unreasonable award at this Summer's Teen Choice Awards and we imagine a world where Shaq is on television more in the upcoming reboot of… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 149: To Shaq a Predator
In this week's action-packed episode, we discuss the Charlie Charlie ghost terrifying black teens across the globe; watch Batfleck squat over a purple Lamborghini; discuss the final episodes of Game of Thrones; and get to the bottom of whether or not Brianna Wu is a book ghost. Dan mansplains the feminist blockbuster 'Mad Max: Fury… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 148: Charlie Charlie and the Babadook Wu
We discuss adventures from Wizard World Comic Con 2015; watch the trailer for CBS's Supergirl and debate whether show runners and video game developers have a social responsibility to their audiences; confirm that Frankie Muniz blue Paul Giamatti; Dan mansplains #Supernatural tweets from girls on Twitter; and we wrap it all up with a play-by-play… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 146: All Around the Wizard World, Pretty Supergirls
The crew talks about their experiences over the Easter vacation, Dan joins a gym and stares at penises, and Alex has a virtual Zombie Apocalypse. We wish a happy birthday to Kristen Stewart with a round of the Rotten Tomatoes Game, play a rousing match of Brianna WHO?!, speculate about the upcoming Deadpool movie, and… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 141: Dean Girls Do Jazz Hands
In this episode, we pay our respects to Fortune's 6th Greatest Person in the World: Taylor Swift, we play a game of Brianna WHO?!, and Dan Mansplains #Supernatural Tweets. Play along with Dave's checklist of people who manage to offend as we speculate on Walking Dead, the hellscape of fraternities, Josh Trank's Thing, and how… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 139: The Worms of Hollywood
In this week's episode, the Cult of Taylor Swift gets into Grand Theft Auto Heists, Jeremy Clarkson gets suspended, and Disney/Marvel leaves Comic Con in the dust. We look forward to the upcoming Star Wars fun, predict the downfall of the Apple Watch, and play a game of Who Twote That Tweet! Sorry about the… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 137: 47 Traitors and the Sunday Funnies
It's the Alpacalypse! LlamaGate! Day of Too Many Llamas! We cover the outrageous llamapallooza that gripped the hearts and minds of a nation, the best and worst moments from the Academy Awards 2015, and the federal decision on Net Neutrality. The gang talks about FOX's Gotham, Anita Sarkeesian's #GamerGate speech, and bring back the Internet's… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 135: Too Many Llamas!
We go into the highlights of the New York Toy Fair with Barbie's high tech upgrade and Lammily's low tech depictions of horror and bodily abuse. Dave explores the wide world of technology, Dan explains #Supernatural tweets from girls on twitter, and we wrap it all up by selecting our picks for this year's Academy… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 134: Adventures in Toy Land
Today's podcast topics include Disney/Marvel's acquisition of the Spider-Man franchise, how NBC's The Slap could be a better series, the new mascot for the Philadelphia 76ers and his past as a junkie Furry, and Jon Stewart's departure from The Daily Show. We play Dan Explains #Supernatural Tweets from Girls on Twitter, the IMDB Movie Game,… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 133: Inter-Dimensional Slap Jumping
Comedian Corey Cohen guests on this week's episode. Tonight's topics include Super Bowl Commercials, the Left Shark of Katy Perry, Brian Williams trying to fool the whole world, Harper Lee's upcoming sequel, the Valentine's Day Box Office Challenge, and more! Dan explains #Supernatural Tweets from girls on Twitter, we give our favorite #VideoGameSchmovies, and the… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 132: The Harper Games-To Kill a Mockingjay
The crew takes refuge from the Snowpocalypse to discuss Racist Robots, the blogging villainy of Dr. Doom of the 'Fantastic 4' reboot, and an all-female 'Ghostbusters' cast. We read our favorites from this week's #HASHTAGorDIE game, Dan Explains #Supernatural Tweets from Girls on Twitter, we debate American Sniper and other Oscar movies we've actually seen,… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 131: Dr. Doom’s BuzzFeed Fantastic Forty
We have a discussion about the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo attack, and the rise of cartoonist support, ongoing protests like #BlackLivesMatter and #BlackBrunch, Dick Poop and the rest of the Oscar nominations, as well as breaking news from Sony, Marvel, and DC. We round it all out with our picks for funniest #FishSchmovies tweets… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 129: Cage the Joker
In a dark week for free speech, the best thing to do is speak out. We talk about the tragedy at France's Charlie Hebdo magazine, who PeTA is mad at now, why we should know who Paul McCartney is, and discuss whether or not Ant-Man will be a success for Marvel. We announce the winners… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 128: Je Suis Charlie Lightning
The latest hacking-gate on Sony fuels the conversation, leading up to Facebook and Twitter debates clues us in on why we're all animals. The finales of various television shows grab our attention, and we wonder what could possibly be in the future of our beloved Marvel movie characters. We play the IMDB movie game, Jose… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Episode 124: Hack ‘Em All and Let God Sort ‘Em Out!
Ben Relethford from the Cartoncast Podcast joins us to shoot the shit and play a big old game of 'Cards Against Humanity'...super-fun and laid-back show for you boys and girls to enjoy while you gain 15 pounds and murder each other over deals on electronics over the Thanksgiving weekend. #IthinkIcan DOWNLOAD THE LATEST EPISODE HERE!… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Episode 122: Thanksgiving Against Humanity with Ben Relethford
Halloween Adventures, Costume Catastrophes, Hollaback's 10 Hour Walk Through Manhattan, Bill Cosby VS The World, Mid-Term Elections, Artie Lange on Twitter, Jose Canseco's Finger Blasting, and a stroll through other news stories with a game of Hold On Hold On I Know This! DOWNLOAD THE LATEST EPISODE HERE or on iTUNES and STITCHER RADIO! Follow… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 119: Cosby, Artie, Cat Calls and Young
Super-long and fun Mischief Night episode with the boys! Marvel and DC movie universe, Gamergate, Halloween Costumes, McDonald's, Walking Dead, and the fate of the runaway Ebola Nurse are discussed. We play a game of Rotten Tomatoes, Hold On Hold On I Know This, and Dan explains #Supernatural Tweets from Girls on Twitter! Download the… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 118: The Nine Gamergates of Hell
Special Guest Victoria Watts stops by to talk about music, Supernatural, and the Kickstarter campaign for her upcoming EP. We discuss the Billboard top selling albums, figure out where Weezer went wrong, and continue to wonder who Fox's Gotham is supposed to be for. After speculating on Walking Dead and Boardwalk Empire, we wrap up… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 117: Third Reich and Roll All Night with Victoria Watts
All of the hard-hitting journalism you expect from a group of "little podcast boys". We offer spoilers for Walking Dead and Boardwalk Empire; and bring back the classic "Dan Explains #Supernatural Tweets from Girls on Twitter!" We cover the latest news, discuss the problems with #Gamergate, and discover that Dave can't hold his pee for… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 116: ISIS the Sun, and Ebola Up My Eyes
The boys are back! We discuss the gender equality hypocrisy of BuzzFeed's Staff, the wide world of Gotham and who that TV show was made for, stories from a weekend of Center City Comedy, and play some games like Rotten Tomatoes and Hold On, Hold On, I Know This! DOWNLOAD THE LATEST EPISODE HERE!!! or… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 115: Something Robbed a Bank
H. Foley from the Center City Comedy Podcast in New York joins us for this week's episode. We bring back "Racist Radio" and talk about the latest Fall TV hits and flops. With the premiere of the Simpsons and Family Guy, we play a Simpsons Guest Star Quiz and cap off the show with our… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 114: Hold On, Hold On, I Know This
The boys are back! No guest this week as we discuss comic book television adaptations Gotham and Agents of SHIELD, grown-up babies, and follow up on last week's Vegemite Challenge with such games as "WIKIpeeks" and "The Rotten Tomatoes Game!" DOWNLOAD THE LATEST EPISODE HERE or on iTUNES /// STITCHER RADIO
Hip Hop artist, A.G. Fernandez, joins us in the studio once again to discuss all of the top stories from Ray Rice's elevator assault to Iggy Azalea's non-existent sex tape. We listen to the top hits on the Billboard charts, play a special music edition of the Rotten Tomatoes Game, and Dan tells an embarrassing… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 111: Love and Elevator Music with A.G. Fernandez
Brandi Lukas, founder of Olio.fm and host of the 'Going to Hell' podcast, joins us in studio to talk about the unfathomable events of September 1, 2014, otherwise known as: The Fappening. We get into some further news and wrap up the show with a Charlie Sheen edition of The Rotten Tomatoes game! DOWNLOAD THE… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 110: Fappenheit Nine-One with Brandi Lukas
Special Guests Dan Scully & Garrett Smith from "I Like to Movie Movie" along with Rap Artist A.G. Fernandez join the crew for our second ever LIVE show with the Philadelphia Podcast Festival! We play games like "Drunk or Kid" and "TV Guide Movie Game", give away prizes, and talk about shitty craft beers. #TalkingNerdy… Continue reading Talking Nerdy LIVE from the 2014 Philadelphia Podcast Festival
Yahoo Sports Contributor, KDH News Correspondent, and Multimedia Hippie Milly B. joins us to tell you why you're going to lose your Fantasy Football games. The aftermath of the VMAs and EMMYs are discussed. We also get the news from Joe Z., play a game of 'Swift or Dylan' and try to guess the films… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 109: Final Fantasy Football with Milly B.
Streets Dept founder Conrad Benner joins us to talk nerdy about street art, counterculture, and haters on Facebook. We cover the violent climate of Ferguson, MO and the unfounded hatred of the ALS Cold Water Challenge! We finish out the episode with some Bachelor Party stories, getting shot in the nuts, and a rousing game… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 108: Fireside and Firebombs with Conrad Benner
Join Alex Gross, Dan McGlynn, Charlie Lightning, David Grow and Joe Zakrzewski for an evening of fun and games at the 2014 Philadelphia Podcast Festival Sunday, August 24th at 3PM! As part of the event, Talking Nerdy will be putting on an hour-long live event including some of our favorite stories, audience discussion, and a… Continue reading Talking Nerdy LIVE at the 2014 Philly Podcast Festival!
Sex Expert and host of the 'Sex with Timaree' podcast, Dr. Timaree Leigh joins the boys in studio this week to talk about gender roles, religion, comic book movies and chick flicks. We play the Urban Dictionary Game and promote the Philadelphia Podcast Festival happening this August! DOWNLOAD THE LATEST EPISODE HERE or on iTUNES … Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 104: Talking Derty with Dr. Timaree Leigh
Philly Hip Hop Artist AG Fernandez stops by the studio to talk about his career, music, and more! We go into some of the news of the week and learn a lot about youth in Saudi Arabia from additional guest Yazeed Khabiri! Let us entertain you with America's new favorite games "Who Would've THOT?!" and… Continue reading Talking Nerdy Episode 103: Hip Hop & Other Drugs with AG Fernandez
Former NFL kicker and current activist, Chris Kluwe, joins us in between signing books on the road. We talk about the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby ruling, the world of gaming, sports, and the BET Awards! We also play a special edition of Jose-Can-Say-So in honor of Jose Canseco's birthday! Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisWarcraft DOWNLOAD… Continue reading Talking Nerdy Episode 101: Kickin’ It Nerd School with Chris Kluwe
Special Guest Porn Sensation Tinslee Reagan joins us to talk about her career, gang bangs, dick pics, and her upcoming indie film: "Nowhereland." We get into the news, Game of Thrones, Tattoos, Marijuana Laws and more! Tinslee Reagan joins us to play "WHO TWOTE THAT TWEET?!" #TalkingNerdy @NerdyPodcast Download the Latest Episode HERE or on… Continue reading Talking Nerdy Episode 100: Five Guys Inside Tinslee Reagan
We discuss strong female characters and their place in movies as well as the season finale of Game of Thrones (and women getting kicked in the crotch). We continue our World Cup coverage and play TV MOVIE MANIA! DOWNLOAD THE LATEST EPISODE HERE or on iTUNES and STITCHER
The World Cup kicks off this week in Brazil! The Talking Nerdy crew makes their preliminary World Cup predictions, we try not to spoil X-Men: Days of Future Past, but encourage you to see it instead of Godzilla. It's also the triumphant return of "Jose Can-Say-So" and the TV GUIDE MOVIE GAME! Download the LATEST… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 96: X-Men Days of World Cup Past
Special Guest Comedian Dan Scully joins us to talk movies, play games and discuss the Hot Billboard 100 in a way that only people who don't listen to the latest pop music can do! Download the LATEST EPISODE HERE or on iTUNES / STITCHER RADIO!
Since the year 2009, when Disney took over the Marvel universe, more and more classic comic book characters find their way on the big screen. Iron Man, the Hulk, Captain America, Thor and the whole bunch of superheroes saving the Earth (The Avengers), and even Nick Fury himself (he was revived in an excellent way… Continue reading Marvel Everywhere
A dramatic reading of the Sorority Dick Sucking Queen Letter. Dan explains #Supernatural tweets by girls on Twitter. Jose Can-Say-So. Game of Thrones spoilers, and a Michael Moore edition of the Rotten Tomatoes Game! Download the Latest Episode HEREor on iTUNES! Join the conversation on TWITTER @SuperDPS!
It's time for March Madness and Charlie Lightning's got everyone to fill out a bracket. Only time will tell as the NCAA series goes forward. In this episode, we talk about Walking Dead, Comics, Recent Movies and Games as well as which one of us would sleep with Madonna. We play Jose-Can-Say-So and the Rotten… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 86 “Madonna Madness!”
In this week's episode we go over our Oscar Winners once more and one of us gets to spin the Wheel of Pain to discover what their punishment will be. We talk about the new GTA Online expansion, Walking Dead's slow burn, and the new comic book releases of the week! Download the NEW EPISODE… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 84: 50 Ways to Leave Your Penis
A big week for news this frigid week on the Talking Nerdy Podcast! Justin Bieber was taken into custody, Ron Jeremy swings on a Wrecking Ball, and the word "Thug" is used more times in a single day than it was used by anyone, ever. We talk about the topics YOU care about and play… Continue reading Talking Nerdy Episode 78: Let My Bieber Go!
Marvel's Agents of SHIELD and Star Wars kick off this latest podcast which later turns to sports and the controversy surrounding Miami Dolphins players Martin and Incognito. We have a fiery debate over how football players should be expected to behave and if "bullying" has a place in the sport. Rate us on iTUNES and… Continue reading Talking Nerdy Episode 70: Precious Snowflake Incognito
The government may be shut down, but Talking Nerdy is in full swing! Today, we find out why Dan is a horrible person, keep up with the boys in Grand Theft Auto Online, and tread lightly on the topic of rape. Also, Richard Harrow stops by briefly to talk about Boardwalk Empire. Download HERE or… Continue reading Talking Nerdy Episode 67: Highway Wheelchair
In this week's episode, we discuss the now-somewhat-functional GTA Online, Weird News from Huffington Post, and we plan out the most flamboyant and wonderful experiment in physical and mental endurance: The often spoken of, but never attempted infamous Papa John's Poop-Off. Also, Richard Harrow stops by again. Download HERE or on iTUNES!
We kick this episode off with a bit of news and then some recap and predictions for Breaking Bad's series finale. We are once again visited by Boardwalk Empire's Richard Harrow and then we dive headfirst into the game that's been consuming us all, Grand Theft Auto 5! Download HERE or on iTUNES!!
The boys are back for another episode of Talking Nerdy! We begin with another installment of Mystery's Mystery--our noir radio experience. Richard Harrow from Boardwalk Empire stops by for a recap, and Lightning Round talks NFL and NASCAR. Download the latest episode HERE or on iTUNES!
After this week's Talking Nerdy news, we present another installment of "Mystery's Mystery." This week's episode is 'The Killer of the White Mountain.' Afterwards we discuss the recent media news involving Miley Cyrus and the MTV Video Music Awards, Lamar Odom, Fantasy Football and Joss Whedon. Thanks for listening! Download HERE or on iTUNES!!
In our 50-episode mark, we talk SUPERMAN! Man of Steel sets off a rally of comic book talk, ended with some bizarre sports news, and a fun new way for non-sports fans to play Fantasy sport games! Thanks for listening! Check out http://www.PhillyPodFest.com for ticket info for the upcoming PODCAST FESTIVAL featuring TALKING NERDY! Download… Continue reading Talking Nerdy, Ep. 50 “DAN of STEEL”
Director: Zack Snyder Writer: David S. Goyer Studio: Warner Bros. Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane Release Date (UK): 14 June 2013 Certificate: 12A Runtime: 143 min A common criticism of “Superman Returns,” director Bryan Singer’s spiritual 2006 follow-up to Richard Donner’s triumphant 1980 comic-book sequel “Superman II,”… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Man of Steel”
In this episode, we bring you more info and debate about XBOX One and PS4, Charlie Lightning's Sports Lightning Round, criticisms of Kanye West's latest album, and reasons why Christian messages through Superman are bonkers. Download HERE or on iTunes!!
In this week's episode, Alex, Dan and Charlie discuss recent revelations about upcoming consoles and games from the E3 conference. We go over some Star Wars Episode VII rumors and blow right through naptime with some Arrested Development spoilers. Thanks for listening! Download HERE or on iTunes
The amazing Technicolor dreamworld of Oz, as originally imagined at the turn of the 20th century by children’s author L. Frank Baum, was unforgettably brought to life in the iconic 1939 screen musical “The Wizard of Oz,” a groundbreaking masterwork that would enrich and live on in childhood memories for decades to come — just… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Oz the Great and Powerful”
“Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” is a fairy tale remix that’s Grimm in all the wrong ways, a one-joke premise that’s stretched paper-thin before the end of the first reel. Its title will remind many of last year’s “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” a goofy comic-book actioner in which America’s 16th president was reimagined as an… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters”
“A Good Day to Die Hard” is the worst of the “Die Hard” movies, not because of its restrictive 12A rating, nor its over-reliance on computer-generated effects, but because it is the first instalment in the 25-year franchise to treat its audience with open contempt — here is the “Die Hard" for the “Transformers" crowd,… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “A Good Day to Die Hard”
“How are you, Sheriff?” Arnold Schwarzenegger’s grizzled lawman Ray Owens is asked in the central firefight of “The Last Stand" after hurling himself through the front doors of a bakery. “Old," is his deadpan reply as he staggers to his feet and brushes the debris off his dusty leather jacket. It’s one of several self-deprecating… Continue reading Watson’s Review of The Last Stand
“The spaghetti western is one of the greatest genres, as far as I know, in the history of the world cinema and definitely in the history of the Italian cinema. The fact is that they've never been truly appreciated.” So says Quentin Tarantino, the exploitation maestro whose encyclopedic knowledge of cinema is legendary and whose… Continue reading Watson’s Review of Django Unchained
Look out at the Toulon dock on the right day in 1815 and you shall see a magnificent sight: a monster sailing ship being dragged to dry land by ropes exhaustively heaved by a raggedy chain gang who are thrashed by waves as they sing a song of slavery. This is the big opening to… Continue reading Watson’s Review of Les Miserables
The problem with “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” — and it’s a problem many fans have likely foreseen — is that it follows in the Middle-earth-shattering footsteps of a giant. Peter Jackson’s masterfully assembled “Lord of the Rings” films, based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic fantasy book series, arguably made for the greatest trilogy… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
It is as remarkable a culture clash as I can recall. In a small, wooden lifeboat straddling the waves of the vast Pacific Ocean sits an Indian teenage boy named Pi and a fully-grown Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Victims of a shipwreck, they sit at opposite ends of the 27-foot boat, watching the horizon… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Life of Pi”
“End of Watch” is a no holds barred, vivaciously visceral thriller centred on two workaday cops as they patrol the mean streets of South Central Los Angeles. Writer-director David Ayer has been working towards this film his whole career. In his previous efforts, such as “Street Kings,” “S.W.A.T.,” and “Dark Blue,” Ayer strived to enter,… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “End of Watch”
In a breathtaking, action-drenched prologue that boosts the heart rate and then brings it to a sudden, chilling halt, James Bond adventure “Skyfall” triumphantly vanquishes the bitter aftertaste left behind by the enduring M16 agent’s previous escapade, the chronically arse-numbing “Quantum of Solace,” and boldly promises that great things are to come. It’s an audaciously… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Skyfall”
Detective Alex Cross must be some kind of superhuman. He waltzes into a homicide scene, informed only of the basic details of the situation, and instantly knows all that has occurred. He knows how many were involved in the killing. He knows if the victim was drugged and whether or not they screamed. He knows… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Alex Cross”
Few will disagree that Paul Verhoeven’s planet-hopping, ultraviolent sci-fi classic “Total Recall” is utterly bonkers — those who do disagree need to order it on Netflix or buy the DVD/Blu-ray and watch it again, this time more closely. Loosely sprung from Philip K. Dick’s mind-boggling, reality-bending short story “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale,"… Continue reading Watson’s review of ‘Total Recall’
Here is a film in which an alien menace is treated with indifference by those being menaced. “The Watch,” scribed by “Superbad” helmers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, is a science-fiction comedy in which little green men (who aren’t so little) plan to annihilate all of mankind. A buddy film, it has four male leads… Continue reading Watson’s review of ‘The Watch’
“The Dark Knight Rises” opens not with a whimper but with an ominous crack of heart-stopping thunder. In the clouded skies looming large over a desolate landscape in central Asia, a CIA plane manned by a cocky agent and three handcuffed mercenaries is hijacked by its prisoners, suspended nose-down in mid-air from a second, much… Continue reading Watson’s Review of The Dark Knight Rises
I doubt we will see a funnier character on the big screen this year than Ted, the eponymous secondary protagonist of “Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane’s feature-length debut. This is at first surprising for the same reason it becomes so obvious: Ted is a stuffed teddy bear, the kind you can make at a Build-A-Bear… Continue reading Watson’s Review of TED
“The Amazing Spider-Man” is a reboot of a blockbusting franchise that got off to a good start with “Spider-Man” in 2002, web-slung to towering new heights with “Spider-Man 2” in 2004, and lost its footing with “Spider-Man 3” in 2007. While each of those films were helmed by horror maestro Sam Raimi, this redo is… Continue reading Watson Reviews “The Amazing Spider-Man”
“Friends with Kids” is an effective comedy and an even more effective drama, though technically it’s more of a comedy. More specifically, it is a romantic comedy ostensibly not about romance but about parenthood and child-rearing, two topics that - in spite of and because of the hardships that naturally accompany them - provide direct… Continue reading Watson Reviews “Friends with Kids”
“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” is based on a true story, in a way. Part biopic and part action-horror film, it takes more than a few creative liberties in telling the life story of America’s 16th president, reimagining him as a professional slayer of demonic bloodsuckers. Apparently, when not governing the US of A, Mr. Lincoln… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”
The films of Wes Anderson exist in their own little world, and what a strange little world it is. As shown in his “Rushmore" and “The Royal Tenenbaums," it is an eccentric, colourful world populated with flawed individuals who wander about in unfashionable clothing and whose every reaction is almost a non-reaction. It is soundtracked… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Moonrise Kingdom”
In his joyously vibrant comedy musical “Hairspray,” backing dancer-turned-Hollywood-movie-maker Adam Shankman transported us to 1962 Maryland, where racial segregation sadly ran rampant. In “Rock of Ages,” Shankman transports us to 1987 Los Angeles, where many things run rampant, not least of all the devil’s music - or rock and roll, to be less damning. Like… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Rock of Ages”
Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” intrigues with its opening scene and sustains this right up until the end credits, perhaps even after this point: hours after seeing the film, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it. A semi-prequel to Scott’s science-fiction horror masterpiece “Alien,” it begins rather appropriately with the silent introduction of an extraterrestrial… Continue reading Watson’s Review of ‘Prometheus’
“Mirror mirror on the wall,” commands the villainous Queen Ravenna, as played - or rather performed - by South African Oscar-winner Charlize Theron in fantasy action picture “Snow White and the Huntsman.” “Who is fairest of them all?” she questions her magic mirror with sturdy self-assurance. But, much to the evil queen’s tumultuous horror, the… Continue reading Watson’s Review of ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’
Not since Marty McFly sent streaks of fire hurtling through the streets of 1955 Hill Valley has a method of time travel been so exciting. In “Men in Black III,” alien-hunting MiB Agent J (Will Smith, of course) time jumps: he climbs to the 61st floor of the Chrysler Building, steps out to the edge… Continue reading Watson’s Review of ‘Men in Black III’
Tim Burton’s “Dark Shadows” is a Frankenstein’s Monster of a movie - or should that be a Frankenweenie? Like Mary Shelley’s undead creature, Burton’s gothic horror-comedy is constructed from separate bits and bobs dug up from hither and thither and hurriedly stitched together without the slightest care for sightliness or collectivity. The result is indeed… Continue reading Watson Reviews “Dark Shadows”
If there’s one thing I admire about Sacha Baron Cohen, it’s his uncanny ability to always get a laugh out of his audience. The English actor and comedian, whose award-winning “Da Ali G Show" launched a television comedy career to be reckoned with, has what some would refer to as “funny bones,” although perhaps those… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “The Dictator”
I don’t need to tell you that “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble” is the full-blown manifestation of many a comic-book nerd’s wet dream - I assume you’ve seen the film’s many marketing materials, which show Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Incredible Hulk heroically assembling, and have come to the exact same conclusion all by yourself.… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “The Avengers”
To my knowledge, “Safe” is the one and only Jason Statham vehicle to not only utilise the “odd couple” formula, but to effectively epitomise it. The film, a balls-to-the-walls actioner, is a classic case of brain and brawn, pairing a stubble-faced cockney geezer (who once rammed the barrel of a tarred-up shotgun deep inside a… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Safe”
As twenty-four young citizens from the twelve districts of Panem travel to the Capitol to take part in the annual Hunger Games, aliens from outer space are travelling to planet Earth to play a few rounds of Battleship. Following in the plodding footsteps left behind by “Skyline,” “Battle: Los Angeles” and “The Darkest Hour,” “Battleship”… Continue reading Watson’s Review of Battleship
The characters of the “American Pie” franchise have survived high school, college and a wedding, and now it seems a reunion is on the table. Well, I say survived, but the most dangerous circumstances these horny teens ever encountered merely involved unbearable discomfort, traumatizing embarrassment and, last but not least, sexually transmitted infections (the causes… Continue reading Watson’s Review of American Pie: Reunion
Before he began assembling the Avengers (that’s Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and that incredibly incredible Hulk, by the way), “Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon was helping longtime collaborator Drew Goddard (the writer of “Cloverfield") disassemble the horror genre in “The Cabin in the Woods,” a horror-comedy filmed three years ago but, due… Continue reading Watson’s Review of Cabin in the Woods
In her bestselling 2008 young adult novel “The Hunger Games,” Suzanne Collins imagined a futuristic world in which a post-apocalyptic North America (now renamed “Panem") revels in the thrills of televised adolescent violence, in much the same way that our present society revels in the intimate, private dramas of “Big Brother” contestants. In his adaptation,… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “The Hunger Games”
The thing about Indian film director Tarsem Singh is that he’s very much a visual filmmaker; take a look at his 2000 debut “The Cell” or last year’s “Immortals” and his keen dedication to catering to the viewer’s eyeballs is all too clear. And the thing about classical fairy tale “Snow White,” as written by… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Mirror, Mirror”
It’s clash of the accents in “Wrath of the Titans,” an action-packed blockbuster sequel that’s so multicultural you’d swear you were attending or listening in on a United Nations meeting - well, you would be, had it not been for all the fire-breathing monsters and lava-spewing demons on frequent display. While apparently set in ancient… Continue reading Watson’s Review of “Wrath of the Titans”
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