46 thoughts on “Movie Podcast Weekly Ep. 107: Dracula Untold (2014) and The Judge (2014) and The Longest Swim (2014) and See No Evil 2 (2014) and Swelter (2014) and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014)”

1. This is for Karl:

   http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/

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2. Thanks Juan! I hope to come back in December – circumstances permitting. I already miss it and everyone. 😉

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   • Karl, here’s a brief list of things about you that we’ll miss:

     • Your no-nonsense approach.

     • A voice that’s as smooth and satisfying as a properly pulled pint of Guinness.

     • The fun stories of you admonishing unruly filmgoers.

     • Your deadpan sense of humour.

     • Your guiltless appreciation for the most maligned of genres: Romantic Comedy.

     • All the talk concerning your dongle.

     • The fact that you are the Yin to Andy’s Yang.

     • Who else can help me convince these guys that they need to watch “Hannibal”?

     • And who else will help Jay win sexual desserts from Andy in ludicrous bets?

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     • You are far too kind David. Seriously I feel like the dead guy at a funeral where everybody says awesome things about him but everyone secretly knows none of it is true. 😉

       Thank you!!!!

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       • Well normally at all the funerals I go to I’m the troublesome drunk who tumbles in and gives an impromptu, unflattering but brutally honest eulogy so you’ve gotten off pretty lightly Karl!

         Also I forgot to mention one of the most important things of which we’ll be bereft: Your actors insight. When this comes into play it’s always really interesting and often quite enlightening. For example: Until you mentioned it I’d never considered how hard it must be to pull off a comedic role successfully.

         I can’t speak for everyone but I will anyway: We totally understand you needing a break from those three ne’er-do-wells but we do hope with all our hearts that we’ll hear from you again sometime soon good sir!

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   • Karl, my only regret is that you never called me out in the show for “pouring a big bucket of meh” on Jeff Bridge’s performance as an alien.

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     • Crap – was that you Juan ? I thought it was Cody Clark that gave “Starman” a meh review. I will plan a full rebuttal to the meh review of Jeff’s performance when I return. 🙂

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       • Haha yes! But make no mistake, Cody Clark is an instigator and he too shall get his one of this days *waves fist in the air*

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         • Isn’t Cody Clark the one who always starts those troublesome food-tangents that Jay hates so much? He’s a troublemaker for sure.

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   • I’ll miss you Karl. When your co-hosts went off on their horror movie tangents and I was getting bored I’d always think: “Well, hey, if Karl is toughing it out, so can I!” And then whenever Jason says “Karl, you may actually like this one…” I start listening again.

     Anyway, enjoy the break. Come back during summer blockbuster season.

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     • Vance – you hit on one of the key points that is driving my sabbatical – and that is my reluctant realization that all of my co-hosts are, ultimately, batshit crazy. 😉

       (especially Andy – you can only sit through that much snoring for a certain number of weeks)

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       • Woah, woah, woah, woah … I don’t recall Vance saying anything like that!

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3. Guys I have a question somewhat unrelated to movies (don’t worry it’s not about food.)

   If I use the Amazon link in the sidebar and then navigate from there to Amazon.co.uk and buy stuff will it help you out any?

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   • I will have to look into that, but off the top of my head … I don’t think so. If you are logged in, you should be able to use your account on the U.S. site, at least I often use the UK site and the Germany site, but don’t go out of your way to do that for us. Just, in the case that you are ordering a U.S. version BluRay or something, think of us. I will check on that, though. Thanks for asking.

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     • Unfortunately I seldom purchase stuff directly from abroad because the customs duty here is such an amazing rip-off but if I ever do find myself making a purchase from Amazon US I definitely won’t forget you guys. And if it does work through Amazon UK then I’ll of course do the same. Also, you guys should bring up the Amazon links in the podcasts every once in a while because it’s easy to totally overlook them.

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4. Josh, hurry up and catch up with Arrow, man! There is some great stuff in season 2. There are enough changes to keep things fresh and overall it’s a slightly more mature show with heavier themes, more interesting ideas, and has even more of a superhero vibe to it. The drawbacks are mostly still there, but in the overall picture they’re still not enough to prevent one from liking the show. Oh and the crossover stuff with The Flash is so good! Now I have to check out that show.

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   • I’m so addicted, it’s disgusting. It’s been perfect because I have been editing non-stop, so it is just on in the background 24/7. That also helps me get through all of the soap-opera-like stuff. I’m now a ways into Season 2–just saw the first episode with Barry. He is cool. I agree 100% with all of your comments above. Season 2 is so much stronger. They’ve really found their groove. However, I have to say, I disagree with you more and more on the island stuff. It’s some of my favorite. And it is definitely drawn directly from LOST, so proceed with caution there. My only complaint is that now that it seems to be going “full-super” the wirework and fakeness of some of these other characters are starting to bug, like Black Cannary and Cyrus. Why couldn’t they just cast people as athletic as Oliver and Roy? Having said that, really looking forward to the future of Thea and Felicity.

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     • Dude, I’m with you 100% on the island stuff. I thinks it’s gotten a lot stronger and now it’s one of my favorite things about the show. Does it seem to you that there’s less arrow work or is it just me? Yeah Black Cannary is a little weak but the focus isn’t on her too much. I like what they did with the detective though. It made me like him so much more. Too bad his screen time has been severely reduced. How do you feel about Slade? I really dig him. I think he is a much more worthy enemy than Merlyn and so far he seems to pose more of a threat. His relationship with Oliver is also much more intriguing. And what about Summer Glau? She’s so lovely. I wish she had a better role or at least have more screen time.

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       • http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/15/warner-bros-unveils-full-dc-movies-slate-through-2020?utm_campaign=fbposts&utm_source=facebook

         I don’t think DC gets it. That’s why Marvel is “winning”. It’s too early to tell, but the casting seems really odd to me. I really like the guy that’s currently playing The Flash, but I have to say that I’m intrigued about Ezra Miller playing the character. He was amazing in “We Need to Talk About Kevin”. And Josh, I second you on keeping Stephen Amell as Green Arrow. Like you said, he’s not an amazing actor, but he’s really good in the role and he brings a lot of heart to it (on top of the athleticism of course). I don’t know, I hope it all works well in the end I guess.

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         • Against our better judgement, my wife and I got addicted to “Arrow.” Some of the relationship stuff and soapy moments are cringe-worthy, but overall it is fun fluffy superhero melodrama, and binge-worthy entertainment. We are about done with season 2. I agree with ya’ll, season 2 is stronger than season 1, though I do think that Arrow’s circle of super friends is getting a bit convoluted. I miss the just-Diggle days …okay, and Felicity too.

           I am afraid I can’t get behind the idea to cast Stephen Amell in the movie role. If he was cast it would imply that the TV show shares the same universe as the films, and unfortunately the CW world doesn’t play well with Snyder’s more gritty, real-life world. The CW universe of attractive people slathered in makeup, living lives heaped in heavy melodrama, drives me a bit bananas. I don’t want that spilling over into the films.

           All irks considered, we enjoy “Arrow.” And my wife has been impressed/sickened that I can call out all the broader superhero stories/characters…okay, mostly just sickened.

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         • I agree that the CW world is more candy-coated … or is that pancake base (Laurel has become hideous in Season 2)? Still, Stephen Amell is more gritty and grounded than any superhero movie actor that I can think of to date.

           Micky Rourke and the Sin City crew are obviously more gritty, but not grounded at all. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine has that grounded, gritty feel … but it is hard for me to not simultaneously see him as a dance-based theater-thesp, one pirouette away from turning any fight scene into ballet.

           To poke at your premise a bit … Snyder’s world is already going to include a gigantor, Polynesian Aquaman, a frail, mactor Wonder Woman, and Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. Far from convincing for a fan … at least at this stage. Meanwhile, Arrow has already won over fans and Amell’s physicality can only help bring things back down to earth. And, I think he would fit incredible well with Batfleck. To me it’s an obvious choice. Plus, Arrow will be over by the time they actually get to a Justice League movie.

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5. So glad to hear that Willis enjoyed “The Deadly Spawn”. Boy do I love that movie!

   Also I like the movie collection coverage suggestion by Chris. And I’d be really interested to see these apparent videos of Dr. Shocks collection if anyone has any links.

   And I meant to say last week but forgot: I love Jay’s new segment. Despite relating very much to Josh’s aversion to horror films that are too “demented” and unpleasant I actually quite enjoy the original “Toolbox Murders”. I think those gritty, disturbingly realistic movies have less of a sickening effect on me the older and more distanced from present day that they are. And I’m a casual Cronenberg fan but I have to admit that I’ve never checked out “Rabid”. Not sure I’ll bother now anyway.

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   • Shivers is much better .

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     • That’s another one I haven’t seen. I really need to catch up on my early Cronenberg flicks!

       Thanks for the recommendation Wild Man!

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       • David,

         Rabid is actually a pretty decent movie. It’s definitely not Cronenberg’s best, and I’d probably rank it towards the bottom of his body of work (see what I did there?). But it’s worth a watch if only to see where he was heading as a director. The way the kills happen is pretty goofy like Jay mentioned, but the overall feel of the movie is gritty and somber. I have to agree with Jay, the ending is incredible. One of my favorite ones in horror movie, actually. Give it a try and let me know what you think. My score would be a 6.

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         • I’m going to give it a shot because I don’t think Jay likes Cronenberg in general. We need him to list a top 3. I’m guessing he likes 1. Eastern Promises 2. The Fly 3. History if Violence … Jason?

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         • Josh, yould you considered those 3 films as not properly representational of Cronenberg’s style or maybe catergorised them as “Cronenberg-lite”? Because I think my top 3 of his movies that I’ve seen would probably be 1. The Fly 2. Videodrome 3. History of Violence.

           Either way I will add “Rabid” to my list but there’s a whole bunch of stuff ahead of it at the moment.

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         • Not necessarily. I just think they’re more accessible to the average viewer. Plus, Jason loves crime/gangster films and doesn’t typically like “weird” movies that require the audience to do much of the work. I suppose you could also argue those films are less Croenebergian because The Fly and History of Violence are both adaptations (although, so is very Cronenberg Naked Lunch) and he didn’t write Eastern Promises or History of Violence. So, I guess they are less “from his head.” But I’d say all of his movies have a very specific quality, even when they are absent the body-horror that is prevalent in the majority of his work. Also, just to clarify, my comment wasn’t meant as a slight to Jason in any way.

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6. A hilarious alternate universe with terrible movie titles: http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/17/replacing-tom-cruise-movie-titles-with-tag-lines

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   • Haha. This is great, Juan.

     They should have just kept the title “All You Need is Kill.” Live Die Repeat is better than Edge of Tomorrow, but still makes a better tagline.

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7. By the way, as far as 2014 movies that I’d like you to cover, here’s my list:

   ’71 (Not sure if it’ll be out in the US before the end of 2014)
   American Sniper
   Automata
   The Babadook
   Birdman (My most anticipated film of the year)
   Blind
   The Canal
   Cooties
   Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
   Evolution of a Criminal
   Foxcatcher
   Future Shock! The Story of 2000AD
   House Bound
   Inherent Vice
   Interstellar
   I Origins
   Kumiko the Treasure Hunter
   Leviathan
   Nightcrawler (My second most anticipated film of the year)
   Open Windows
   Penance
   Whiplash
   Young Ones

   Sorry for the long list.

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   • I’m not aware of a few of these movies, Juan, but those I am aware of are on the top of my list. I will search a few of these others out. Which Leviathan is this?

     I covered Young Ones pretty thoroughly during our Sundance report at the start of the year and WIlliam Rowan Jr gave it a rating. If I recall, he liked it more than I did: http://bit.ly/1FiznLn

     Ranked my interest in those you mentioned:

     1. Birdman
     2. Whiplash
     3. Cooties
     4. Interstellar
     5. American Sniper
     6. Foxcatcher
     7. Nightcrawler
     8. Inherent Vice

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     • Oh I wasn’t aware of your review. I’ll check it out, thanks! Leviathan is a 2014 Russian film. Not to be confused with the documentary of the same name.

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       • Or the awesome deep sea monster movie of the same name!

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         • Haha yes! Which it is awesome! \m/

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         • Oh, okay. I found it. I own the documentary and the sea monster flick. Haha.

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     • So which other movies that I didn’t list and that haven’t come out should I be on the lookout for, Josh?

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   • Juan,

     As a perpetual inhabitant of the rose-tinted past I have no films released as recently as this year that I want these guys to review (aside from “Birdman” which is on your list anyway!).

     This very Podcast is my main source of modern movie knowledge/coverage and I’m only inclined to take a break from watching older films if I hear REALLY interesting stuff about a new one. So I am glad that you’re knowledgeable enough in this area where I am so lacking to have posted such a hefty list.

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     • You give me too much credit, David. I just use the interwebs a lot. I’m glad you find my useless knowledge useful. On the other side of the spectrum, I learn a lot about older horror films and japanese cinema from you, so that makes us even… or something.

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       • Guys, get The Room!

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         • Hahaha!

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8. Thanks so much for covering your movie collections! I enjoyed hearing about them and was very impressed by how many movies Willis and Dr. Shock have. I’ll look forward to hearing the stats of Josh’s collection tomorrow. I too would like to see the aforementioned images of Dr. Shock’s collection if they are available. I also appreciate that Jason was able to admit he had less movies than everyone else. I definitely respect that one of the movies he owns is Independence Day though. I’ve seen that over 50 times with most of the watches coming in late middle school and early high school. I myself own about 200 movies with all of them being digital now. I decided to declutter my shelves and use the disc to digital service offered by VUDU to digitize my collection. I then sold all of the discs that I converted. I find that the HDX quality on VUDU is very close to blu-ray quality although admittedly it is not as good. I also like the lazy approach of just pointing and clicking a movie rather than having to get up and put a disc in. Keep up the great work and I look forward to hearing the new episode tomorrow!

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9. “— Let us know in the comments which 2014 movies you’d still like to hear us review before the end of the year.”

   I would like to hear about “13 sins” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2059171/
   IMHO Jason should like it.

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   • Oooh, great recommendation, Michal, we will do that one for sure.

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10. Are you taking requests for any review? How about Robot Jox?? That or Dogville.

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    • We were talking about 2014 movies, but we can work those in, I’m sure! I’d love to talk Dogville and I’m actually interested in seeing Robot Jox.

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