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Welcome to Episode 094 of Movie Podcast Weekly! In this show, we bring you Feature Reviews of “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” and “Jodorowsky’s Dune.” To help us, we have special guest Willis Wheeler. Also, we’re happy to announce the arrival of Andy’s son, Eiger, pictured here below with his Uncle Karl. Thanks for listening. Movie Podcast Weekly typically features four hosts (and frequent guests), who give you their verdict on at least one new movie release that’s currently in theaters, mini reviews of what they’ve been watching lately and specialty recommendation segments. New episodes release every single Monday.
SHOW NOTES:
Show notes (and links) will be added soon… Sorry about the delay. This show was another big editing endeavor.
NEXT WEEK:
We will be reviewing THE PURGE: ANARCHY.
Links for this episode:
Willis’s plugs:
Willis Wheeler on TV’s Toy Hunter
Terror Troop horror movie podcast
Cinema Beef Podcast
On Twitter: @NastyWillDC
Willis On Facebook
Willis on the NFW Movie Commentary Podcast (mostly horror-related)
Please vote for MPW for Best Podcast on Twitter here: @Jape_Man with #Podbodys2014BestPodcastVoting
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Josh covers streaming movies: Movie Stream Cast
We’d also like to thank The Dave Eaton Element and Dave Eaton himself for the use of his music for our theme song.
Special thanks goes out to singer-songwriter Frederick Ingram and the Blue Claw Philharmonic for the use of their music and the voice talents of Midnight Corey Graham from The Electric Chair Podcast, Willis Wheeler from the Terror Troop Podcast and Spike Real for their help with our recommendation segment intros.
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Thank you for listening, and join us again next Monday for Movie Podcast Weekly.
By the way, I went to see “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” again last night, in theaters — full price, and it’s still a 10 out of 10, even on a second viewing. Tremendous film! Best summer blockbuster so far this year, and it will probably make my Top 10 list at the end of the year. (Theater / Buy it!)
And incidentally, I also got “The Lego Movie” from Redbox for my kids, and Andy’s nuts: I just sat stone-faced, wishing I was watching “Toy Story,” instead… “The Lego Movie” is somewhat funny the first time, but that’s it. Still just a decent rental.
Jason
Hi Jay,
I’m super excited to see Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. I hear great things about it. I was pleasantly surprised by “Rise” so I hope hearing nothing but positive things about the sequel doesn’t overhype it and then in turn affect my rating of it.
Jay, I’m with you all the way when it comes to Toy Story being the better movie. I loved The Lego Movie, I even think I gave it a 9.5 or a 10, but there’s something about Toy Story that just makes it timeless. It could nostalgia, it could be that Toy Story did it first, or maybe it’s the fact that the movie has been around for much longer (and it’s had two sequels) so it’s more embedded in our minds and hearts, and even popular culture. I have to admit though that The Lego Movie does many things better than the first Toy Story. It is funnier, more clever, and touches on much more complex themes. But in the end, I think Toy Story is a much more human story. Pixar is great at storytelling and character development and their first full length film is proof of it. Look at how timeless the story about a band of toys led by a cowboy and a spaceman is. Even to this day, with its dated visuals, it holds up just as well as when it first came out. Oh and if Toy Story bests The Lego Movie, Toy Story 3 completely destroys it. Only time will tell which property will endure the test of time the best., but my money’s on Pixar. I give Toy Story a 10, Toy Story 2 a 9, Toy Story 3 a 10, and The Lego Movie a 9.5 (or maybe a 10).
Josh, I watch animated films all the time. I don’t need to have kids around me to be able to enjoy a good animated feature. Why you would think that the only reason why adults watch “kid’s movies” is if they have kids of their own to watch them with baffles my mind. Animation is an art form of the highest caliber and whether it’s your thing or not, it doesn’t diminish its value. One of the greatest art teachers that I had in college had a profound admiration for animated films. He deemed the people who worked on such projects (particularly Disney and Pixar) the greatest artists of our time. He was a true artist through and through and I guess he influenced my appreciation for animation. I’m sure you have your own reasons for thinking the way you do Josh, and I apologize if I’m coming on too strong. But just like you’re passionate and defensive about documentaries, I’m passionate about animation.
Josh, I also agree with the guys when they say that Casino Royale is the greatest James Bond movie. I haven’t seen any of the Bond movies outside of what Pierce Brosnan did, so I can’t speak about the older Bond films. What I can tell you is that Casino Royale is an excellent film. I know that action films are not your thing, but I think there are things in this film that might just elevate it enough to qualify as a quality film in your eyes. The acting, cinematography, photography, editing, sound, and the scope of the film in general will more than likely be of your liking (I think). I back you up guys, I think Josh should give this a try and I’m almost certain that he will be pleasantly surprised. I give Casino Royale a 10.
Juan, if you’re ever interested in checking out any other movies in the Bond franchise you should watch “License to Kill”. It’s great!
David,
I’ve been wanting to watch the Bond movies since these guys have been covering them, but there’s just too much great stuff on my to watch list. But I’ll make an effort to watch License to Kill since you’ve been championing it. Hopefully it’s streaming somewhere. That’ll make it easier for me.
I totally know where you’re coming from man, I have so many films that I’ve been meaning to watch recently and just not being able to find the time.
I will check out Casino Royale, Juan. And I’d second David’s recommendation for License to Kill.
It isn’t that I dislike animation, but you can’t argue that the VAST majority if them are made with children in mind as the primary audience. And because if that, despite the potential technological breakthroughs which are incredible and should be applauded, they usually just aren’t very interesting. Totally obvious storytelling, paint by numbers, sentimental stuff. There is some animation that I love. I love Richard Linklater’s animation/roto flicks, A Scanner Darkly and Waking Life. I am a relative Japanimation novice, but I adore stuff like Akira, Spirited Away, Grave of the Fireflies, Princess Mononoke, etc. I was high on Fantastic Mr. Fox, Tin Tin, Paranorman, Monster House, Curse of the Were Rabbit, Iron Giant, Coraline, the How to Train Your Dragon movies, Rango, and Frankenweenie. I appreciate most Dreamworks and Pixar movies as a one time watch, but I would almost never see them in the theater or re-watch on my own without coercion. Speaking as a parent, Ratatouille, Toy Story 3, Wall E, Monsters Inc, Kung Fu Panda and Wreck It Ralph are all preferable to watching another episode of My Little Pony or Jake and the Neverland Pirates with my little monsters, but I will NEVER watch them again in my life of my own volition. The Disney musicals like Frozen (and even the ones I grew up on) are like Chinese water torture at this point and I honestly believe stuff like The Incredibles, Up, Finding Nemo, and Toy Story are WAY overrated. I honestly can’t even sit through any of those without getting anxious.
“The Disney musicals like Frozen (and even the ones I grew up on) are like Chinese water torture at this point”
Even those beautiful Disney classics like Snow White and Pinocchio!? Wow, and I thought Jason was the heartless monster of this podcast.
Of course I’m kidding, but I do think those older Disney movies are incredibly beautiful to look at.
Josh I’m curious if you’ve ever seen any of the early stop-motion animation films made by Ladislaw Starewicz? Some of those are beautifully crafted and extremely interesting to watch. My favourite is “The Mascot” which is kind of like a 1930’s version of Toy Story in a lot of ways, though much more atmospheric and strange.
Ouch! I think I’m crying a little inside :'(
Jay, you have got me excited for “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” I think I will check it out this week if I can swing it. I wasn’t over the moon about “Rise,” but I liked it.
I do hope “Dawn” is not another scolding directed towards the human race. I worry it will be hard for me to sympathize with the apes’ plight. I seem to side with the humans in these kind of films. For example, I was rooting for the human military in “Avatar.” (Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty Na’vi.)
I’m no fan of preachy, ham fisted message-movies, but sometimes I think the human race is in need of a good scolding, especially when it comes to how we can mistreat animals and our environment.
David and Vance,
I don’t want to oversell it, but I can’t believe how much I’ve loved and enjoyed “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” I’m pretty certain it will end up on my Top 10 list for 2014 — and probably pretty high up on the list.
I mentioned in my review that there are four types of beings in this sequel: Humans who make efforts with apes, and humans who mistrust apes. And apes who make efforts with humans, and apes who mistrust humans. I believe all four perspectives are relatable and understandable. I could sympathize with each perspective, which makes the film thrilling to watch! So, I get your complaints about heavy-handed critiques on humanity, but this film makes it clear that humans and apes alike suffer from the “disease of being human.”
Finally, I went my second time with two friends who never saw “Rise.” I’d recommend watching it first (simply because it’s good), but if you can’t / won’t see it first, here’s all you need to know about “Rise” in order to see “Dawn”:
[ Mild spoilers for “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” below: ]
A scientist (James Franco) creates a drug intended to cure Alzheimer’s that makes its ape test subjects extremely intelligent, but it affects the human race as a deadly virus.
Franco raises an ape at his home — “Caesar” — who is especially bright and resourceful. Caesar learns to communicate through sign language and even begins to speak by the end of the film. Caesar exposes many other apes to this “smart drug,” and he leads his ape followers to the forest outside of San Francisco. The End. And “Dawn” begins 10 years later…
Let me know your ratings when you guys see it!
Thanks,
Jason
Another great episode guys! I’m really psyched to see “Jodorowsky’s Dune” so I’m really glad you covered it. I’ve always found something fascinating and kind of mysterious about this particular aborted attempt at an adaptation and I always love to see some off-the-wall Sci-Fi concept art so hopefully I’ll be satisfied.
Also, call me crazy, but I really don’t think Lynch’s “Dune” is quite as bad as people make out. I watched it having just read the novel and to be honest I couldn’t really fault it that much as an adaptation. It’s not a great movie but I think it’s a fair attempt at translating an extremely dense and esoteric book to film and at least it’s interesting to look at, which is a lot more than can be said for the majority of modern Sci-Fi films which all look like I-phone commercials to me. I’d give it a 6/10.
And Jay, as for Tim Burton’s “Planet of the Apes” I personally don’t think it’s one of the worst movies ever or anything but I remember going to see it when it first came out and, even as an easily impressed 14 yearold, I left just feeling underwhelmed. My main problem with that film is just how redundant and lifeless it feels. Was there really any need to remake such a classic movie? I mean sure if someone had come up with a really clever and unique spin on the concept but that just wasn’t the case here. I will give it a few points for varying somewhat from the original but even as a reinterpretation it just didn’t capture my interest. 4.5/10 for me but you have my respect for being an honest critic and sticking up for such a maligned film.
Also I think I’d secretly love to see a really dark, horrific R-rated “Planet of the Apes” movie, but maybe that’s just my inner horror fan talking.
– David
I think Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is pretty damn close to that horrific ape film you’re looking for. There is a maniac muderous ape, a inside job assassination, and hundreds of apes being burned and shot to death. It was really kind of disturbing.
That sounds pretty promising and the reviews in the episode had me intrigued anyway. I was put off seeing “Rise” because I admittedly find it kind of hard to tolerate CGI heavy movies; the mixing of computer imagery and live action is something that just doesn’t appeal to my sense of aesthetics in the least, but if a story is good enough then I can definitely look past that. Do you think skipping “Rise” and going straight into “Dawn” would be advisable?
Have you guys seen this? I’m not a big movie collector, but these covers are so sweet I might just get them.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/16/sdcc-2014-foxs-exclusive-sci-fi-blu-rays-revealed
This is from my wife when I asked her which one is the best animation movie we watched this year:
Dragon is better than frozen and so far the best this year.
Me: what about the Lego movie?
Wife: Lego is not a movie. It is a documentary.
😉 best moment for movie discussion.
awesome!
Hahaha
This episode is hilarious.
Serkis Ape. Hahaha.
Dawn was great, but I actually might like Captain America: Winter Soldier more. Of course, this means I must watch them both again to figure it out.