MPW Blog: Two Trailers That Are Harbingers of Doom for American Cinema – by Jason Pyles

Posted on August 3, 2015 by producer

I realize that most of the people who listen to Movie Podcast Weekly or read this blog article are probably younger than I am. Yes, I’m 39 years old, and I promise if you hang with me through this article, my argument will amount to more than just a crotchety old man lamenting that “the times are a changing.”

If you’ve rolled your eyes or you’re bored already, then GET OFF MY LAWN!

The cinema has been evolving and changing ever since the very first motion pictures, circa 1895. Some historians peg the birth year at 1896, but I’ve mentioned both to cover my bases.

As remarkable as it seems, filmmakers and technicians are continually innovating and improving upon the techniques and technology behind film art.

To be clear, I believe this is exactly as it should be. Continue reading →

MPW Blog: Remembering Rowdy Roddy Piper – by Jason Pyles

Posted on August 2, 2015 by producer

I’m sure it’s no consolation to the people who knew him as Roderick George Toombs, or “Dad,” but 61 is actually a fairly long life for a professional wrestler. I knew him best as Rowdy Roddy Piper. He died from a heart attack two days ago on July 31, 2015.

As a young wrestling fan, I remember Rowdy Roddy Piper most as a villain who played Hulk Hogan’s arch nemesis at the time. That dates me back to the days of Saturday morning cartoons and “Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling,” which ran from 1985 to 1986 — not too long after the era as other animated brain children like The Dukes of Hazzard cartoon, “The Dukes” (1983), and the “Rubik, the Amazing Cube” cartoon! Continue reading →

Movie Podcast Weekly Ep. 148: Pixels (2015) and Southpaw (2015) and Paper Towns (2015)

Posted on August 1, 2015 by producer

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Welcome to one of the funniest, most rambunctious episodes of Movie Podcast Weekly. This is Episode 148, and it is expressly for the amusement of the lay idiot. During this show, we bring you Feature Reviews of Paper Towns and Pixels and Southpaw.

And please help us settle a debate from this episode:

survey tool

If you’re new to our show… Movie Podcast Weekly typically features four hosts — Jason, Andy, Karl and Geek Cast Ry — along with frequent guests. We give you our verdicts on at least one new movie release from the current year that’s currently playing in theaters, as well as several mini reviews of whatever we’ve been watching lately. And we usually provide specialized genre recommendations. New episodes release every single Wednesday. Continue reading →

MPW Blog: Alfred Hitchcock on the Difference Between Surprise and Suspense – by Jason Pyles

Posted on August 1, 2015 by producer

Prelude
Welcome to the resurrection of the Movie Podcast Weekly blog articles. This will probably only last for one or two articles, so enjoy it.

The Disappearance of Suspense
Lately I’ve been lamenting the absence of genuine suspense in our present-day cinema, especially in the Horror genre. I’m worried that it’s getting to be a lost art, or at least, a lost portion from the cinematic form.

The cynical side of me suspects that the recent generations of filmmakers have stopped spending time learning from “the great ones,” the pioneering filmmakers of the 20th century. I’m worried that black and white film has scared them away.

But I have a more likely theory: I believe we’ve lost genuine suspense with the advent of computer-generated imagery (CGI). Because we’re now able to conjure any being or environs out of thin air, I think the erroneous but pervasive belief must be that we don’t need to spend time “building up” to something; we can just make it happen right now.

Hence, the death of suspense. Continue reading →

Movie Podcast Weekly Ep. 147: Ant-Man (2015) and Mr. Holmes (2015) and The Gallows (2015) and Trainwreck (2015)

Posted on July 22, 2015 by producer

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

It’s time, once again, for Movie Podcast Weekly. This is Episode 147. Jason, Andy and Ryan are joined by two of the hosts of the Geek Cast Live Podcast: Geek Cast Bass and Geek Cast Nic! Our cohorts are here to help us bring you an in-depth, must-listen Feature Review of Ant-Man, as well as Feature Reviews of Trainwreck and Mr. Holmes. Jay also brings you a brief, teaser review of The Gallows, which is a film that has spawned a major episode over at Horror Movie Podcast this week. Join us!