Movie Podcast Weekly Ep. 005: Cloud Atlas (2012)

For Episode 005, Karl and Jason tackle the cinematic mammoth, “Cloud Atlas.” We also bring you 13 Mini Reviews — seven of which are horror movie reviews to help you celebrate Halloween this week. So, if you’re looking for some good Halloween flicks, Jason has you covered.

SHOW NOTES:
I. Intro
II. Mini Reviews
Jason: Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988), Dance of the Dead (2008), Mask Maker (2010), Chain Letter (2010), Grave Encounters (2011), Quarantine 2: Terminal (2011), Zombie Death House (1987)
Karl: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) — Revisited, Here Comes the Boom (2012), Warrior (2011), Seven Psychopaths (2012), Alex Cross (2012), A League of Their Own (1992), Stir Crazy (1980), Elementary (TV series 2012- ) Continue reading

Written Review: Cloud Atlas (2012)

by Jason Pyles
Movie Podcast Weekly.com

A few questions about “Cloud Atlas”: How are there two movies currently playing in theaters with the word “Atlas” in the titles, namely, “Cloud Atlas” and “Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike”? How did this adaptation ever get past its initial pitch meeting? And more to the point, how would one pitch something like “Cloud Atlas” to studio execs? And how does one cut a trailer for such an execution-dependent film? And how long did it take to edit this film?

Premise: Adapted from a 2004 novel by David Mitchell, “Cloud Atlas” is essentially an anthology film with six story lines, set in various time periods, that are loosely interrelated and interwoven within one another:

One story involves a tribesman who is enlightened by a visitor who redefines his perception of the truth. Another story involves a seafaring traveler who is being treated by a doctor for a mysterious, deathly illness. Another story involves a female journalist pursuing a dangerous story pertaining to the energy industry. Another story involves a composer’s assistant who becomes perilously entangled with his employer. Another story involves an older man who has been tricked into admitting himself into an elderly care facility and tries to escape. And the sixth story involves a heroic man who rescues an enslaved woman in hopes that she can initiate the beginning of a great social revolution. Continue reading

Written Review: Argo (2012)

by Jason Pyles
Movie Podcast Weekly.com

Premise: Based on historical events, “Argo” depicts the rescue attempt of six U.S. embassy personnel who were holed up at a Canadian ambassador’s house during the Iran hostage crisis, which took place between 1979 and 1981.

Review: While watching “Argo,” I couldn’t help but wonder how this story hadn’t been adapted to the silver screen sooner. The full story wasn’t revealed until 1997, but I’m surprised we didn’t have a movie version at least by 1998. Truly, it’s one of those instances of “truth is stranger than fiction.” It’s also one of those “It’s so crazy, it just might work” kind of plans. I’ll describe the overview of said plan in broad strokes, without spoiling what happens, in case you haven’t seen the movie and aren’t familiar with the history. Continue reading

Written Review: Being Flynn (2012)

by Jason Pyles
Movie Podcast Weekly.com

Premise: A delusional, dead-beat dad (Robert De Niro) resurfaces in the life of his son (Paul Dano), who works at a homeless shelter where he finds it especially difficult to serve his father as a patron.

Review: Unless you have an affinity for dramas or Robert De Niro, the trailer for “Being Flynn” doesn’t look like anything to write home about. It appears to be just another little indie drama with a big star, some clever dialogue, and a few poignant moments, something along the lines of another “Smart People” (2008) or the like. Continue reading