MIGHTY MOVIE PODCAST » Satire http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog Interviews with Filmmakers Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:35:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 Feed your film jones with MIGHTY MOVIE PODCAST! In every 10 - 15 minute episode, you'll join film journalist Dan Persons (Independent Film Channel; Air America) as he takes you behind the scenes for a lively conversation with some of the most innovative and intriguing filmmakers working today. Dan Persons no Dan Persons dan.persons@mightymoviepodcast.com dan.persons@mightymoviepodcast.com (Dan Persons) copyright Dan Persons Behind the Scenes, Bite-Sized! Film, Movie, Cinema, Filmmaker, Director, Criticism, Journalism, Moviegoing, Entertainment, Drama, Comedy, Documentary MIGHTY MOVIE PODCAST » Satire http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/logo_v02_144.jpg http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog Jennifer Yuh Nelson on KUNG FU PANDA 2 http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2012/01/02/jennifer-yuh-nelson-on-kung-fu-panda-2/ http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2012/01/02/jennifer-yuh-nelson-on-kung-fu-panda-2/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:51:27 +0000 Dan Persons http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2012/01/02/

Continue reading »]]> Embrace the Po: Hong Kong action is celebrated in KUNG FU PANDA 2.

Embrace the Po: Hong Kong action is celebrated in KUNG FU PANDA 2.

So, there, that’s one New Years resolution out of the way for me. A few months after the theatrical release of KUNG FU PANDA 2, I was able to score an interview with its director, Jennifer Yuh Nelson. With the home video release of the film (in just about every format available, including Amazon Instant Video and a Blu-ray boxed set that also includes the first KFP and a new short film, SECRETS OF THE MASTER), I felt it was time to raise some attention for this beautifully mounted, entertaining sequel.

KFP2 was, I felt, unjustly maligned in its original release. Thing is, what most critics seemed to feel was its greatest flaw — not enough focus on lovable doofus panda Po (Jack Black) — I saw as its greatest strength. Instead of the first film’s fish-out-of-water scenario, the sequel uses Po’s elevation to kung fu master to engage in a full embrace of Hong Kong action, casting him into a story that sees the panda facing off against a megalomaniacal peacock who has developed a weapon that may render martial arts obsolete: the cannon. It’s Jackie Chan enhanced with a lush, animation style — bridging over numerous formats, including 2D and shadow puppets — and highlighted with exquisitely choreographed battle scenes; exciting, funny, and a dazzling visual feast. For the love of martial arts, or pure, bravura animation, you need to see this.

Click on the player to hear my interview with Nelson.

KUNG FU PANDA 2
Trailer

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Official Website:
www.kungfupanda.com

 

]]> http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2012/01/02/jennifer-yuh-nelson-on-kung-fu-panda-2/feed/ 0 Acting Legend,Action-Adventure,Animation,Controversy,Fantasy,Satire,Success So, there, that's one New Years resolution out of the way for me. A few months after the theatrical release of KUNG FU PANDA 2, I was able to score an interview with its director, Jennifer Yuh Nelson. With the home video release of the film (in just ab... So, there, that's one New Years resolution out of the way for me. A few months after the theatrical release of KUNG FU PANDA 2, I was able to score an interview with its director, Jennifer Yuh Nelson. With the home video release of the film (in just about every format available, including Amazon Instant Video and a Blu-ray boxed set that also includes the first KFP and a new short film, SECRETS OF THE MASTER), I felt it was time to raise some attention for this beautifully mounted, entertaining sequel. KFP2 was, I felt, unjustly maligned in its original release. Thing is, what most critics seemed to feel was its greatest flaw -- not enough focus on lovable doofus panda Po (Jack Black) -- I saw as its greatest strength. Instead of the first film's fish-out-of-water scenario, the sequel uses Po's elevation to kung fu master to engage in a full embrace of Hong Kong action, casting him into a story that sees the panda facing off against a megalomaniacal peacock who has developed a weapon that may render martial arts obsolete: the cannon. It's Jackie Chan enhanced with a lush, animation style -- bridging over numerous formats, including 2D and shadow puppets -- and highlighted with exquisitely choreographed battle scenes; exciting, funny, and a dazzling visual feast. For the love of martial arts, or pure, bravura animation, you need to see this. Click on the player to hear my interview with Nelson. KUNG FU PANDA 2 Trailer [youtube FQ63rqSRrEI nolink] Official Website: www.kungfupanda.com Dan Persons no 25:15 Cinefantastique Spotlight Podcast: CFQ’s Top Ten 2011* http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/12/05/cinefantastique-spotlight-podcast-cfqs-top-ten-2011/ http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/12/05/cinefantastique-spotlight-podcast-cfqs-top-ten-2011/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:13:35 +0000 Dan Persons http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/12/05/

Continue reading »]]> 2011: Definitely a good year for aliens. They waylaid a couple of fanboys, staged a showdown with cowboys, wrecked a tween’s film project, invaded LA, twice (must be the universal lure of In-N-Out Burger) — yessir, if you had more than four limbs and a palate for human flesh, you had a home in theaters over the past twelve months.

But the extraterrestrial infestation wasn’t really the big news in genre film for 2011. With an open couple of weeks before the final onslaught of major science-fiction, fantasy, and horror releases, Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons decided to look back over the year and pick out their favorites in ten categories*, including Best Performance, Best Use of 3D, and Best Film, among others. The selection they’ve come up with may well surprise you. (Hint: A certain film featuring big-ass robots does better than expected.)

Click on the player to hear the show.

Get a free audiobook download from audibletrial.com/mightymovie*And yes, we acknowledge that this is a provisional list, given that such titles as TINTIN, THE DARKEST HOUR, AND MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL have yet to screen.

]]> http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/12/05/cinefantastique-spotlight-podcast-cfqs-top-ten-2011/feed/ 0 Animation,Art,Comedy,Controversy,Death,Drama,Explosions,Fantasy,Gore,Gritty,Horror,Indie 2011: Definitely a good year for aliens. They waylaid a couple of fanboys, staged a showdown with cowboys, wrecked a tween’s film project, invaded LA, twice (must be the universal lure of In-N-Out Burger) — yessir, 2011: Definitely a good year for aliens. They waylaid a couple of fanboys, staged a showdown with cowboys, wrecked a tween’s film project, invaded LA, twice (must be the universal lure of In-N-Out Burger) — yessir, if you had more than four limbs and a palate for human flesh, you had a home in theaters over the past twelve months. But the extraterrestrial infestation wasn’t really the big news in genre film for 2011. With an open couple of weeks before the final onslaught of major science-fiction, fantasy, and horror releases, Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons decided to look back over the year and pick out their favorites in ten categories*, including Best Performance, Best Use of 3D, and Best Film, among others. The selection they’ve come up with may well surprise you. (Hint: A certain film featuring big-ass robots does better than expected.) Click on the player to hear the show. *And yes, we acknowledge that this is a provisional list, given that such titles as TINTIN, THE DARKEST HOUR, AND MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL have yet to screen. Dan Persons no 48:15 Cinefantastique’s New York Comic Con 2011: Jim Henson & TALE OF SAND http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/27/cinefantastique%e2%80%99s-new-york-comic-con-2011-jim-henson-tale-of-sand/ http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/27/cinefantastique%e2%80%99s-new-york-comic-con-2011-jim-henson-tale-of-sand/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:06:18 +0000 Dan Persons http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/27/

Continue reading »]]> Page to Page: Jim Henson's typewriter conjures a cinematic establishing shot in TALE OF SAND.

Page to Page: Jim Henson's typewriter conjures a cinematic establishing shot in TALE OF SAND.

Lest we forget that Jim Henson was about more than Kermit and Big Bird (ahem, DARK CRYSTAL, THE STORYTELLER, and on, and on…), this year’s New York Comic Con staged a panel in which Henson archivist Karen Falk and Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy exhibited footage from the Muppet-master’s experimental short films, commercials, and TV plays, and discussed the imminent publication of Tale of Sand, a wry, surreal, Kafkaesque graphic novel based on an unfilmed script co-written by Henson and frequent writing partner Jerry Juhl.

After the presentation, Falk and Christy granted us a few minutes to discuss Henson’s eclectic soul, how that translated into the furiously antic/ominous vision that became TALE OF SAND, and how Henson’s history is tied inextricably to that of CFQ. Click on the player to hear the interview.

]]> http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/27/cinefantastique%e2%80%99s-new-york-comic-con-2011-jim-henson-tale-of-sand/feed/ 0 Art,Comedy,Drama,Earth,Fantasy,Indie,Off Beat,Satire,Success Lest we forget that Jim Henson was about more than Kermit and Big Bird (ahem, DARK CRYSTAL, THE STORYTELLER, and on, and on…), this year’s New York Comic Con staged a panel in which Henson archivist Karen Falk and Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen ... Lest we forget that Jim Henson was about more than Kermit and Big Bird (ahem, DARK CRYSTAL, THE STORYTELLER, and on, and on…), this year’s New York Comic Con staged a panel in which Henson archivist Karen Falk and Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy exhibited footage from the Muppet-master’s experimental short films, commercials, and TV plays, and discussed the imminent publication of Tale of Sand, a wry, surreal, Kafkaesque graphic novel based on an unfilmed script co-written by Henson and frequent writing partner Jerry Juhl. After the presentation, Falk and Christy granted us a few minutes to discuss Henson’s eclectic soul, how that translated into the furiously antic/ominous vision that became TALE OF SAND, and how Henson’s history is tied inextricably to that of CFQ. Click on the player to hear the interview. Dan Persons no 17:23 Cinefantastique’s New York Comic Con 2011: ATTACK THE BLOCK’s Joe Cornish http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/21/cinefantastique%e2%80%99s-new-york-comic-con-2011-attack-the-blocks-joe-cornish/ http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/21/cinefantastique%e2%80%99s-new-york-comic-con-2011-attack-the-blocks-joe-cornish/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:12:28 +0000 Dan Persons http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/21/

Continue reading »]]> Kids Strike Back: The cast of ATTACK THE BLOCK faces down an alien incursion.

Kids Strike Back: The cast of ATTACK THE BLOCK faces down an alien incursion.

You gotta love an alien invasion film where the aliens make the serious mistake of trying to invade some council estates (read, “projects”) in London and discover that the street-tough kids there are not going to yield the territory without racking up a body count. That’s the idea behind ATTACK THE BLOCK, Joe Cornish’s directorial debut that was exec produced by SHAUN OF THE DEAD’s Edgar Wright. It’s neatly pulled off with a surprising bit of depth, and worth checking out when it’s released on homevid on October 25th.

So a bunch of us were gathered in a room in New York Comic Con’s press warren, and got to throw questions indiscriminately (but incisively) at Joe. I managed to capture the session for this podcast.

]]> http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/21/cinefantastique%e2%80%99s-new-york-comic-con-2011-attack-the-blocks-joe-cornish/feed/ 0 Action-Adventure,British,Controversy,Debut Feature,Drama,Emotion,Explosions,Gritty,Horror,Justice,Off Beat,Racism You gotta love an alien invasion film where the aliens make the serious mistake of trying to invade some council estates (read, “projects”) in London and discover that the street-tough kids there are not going to yield the territory without rack... You gotta love an alien invasion film where the aliens make the serious mistake of trying to invade some council estates (read, “projects”) in London and discover that the street-tough kids there are not going to yield the territory without racking up a body count. That’s the idea behind ATTACK THE BLOCK, Joe Cornish’s directorial debut that was exec produced by SHAUN OF THE DEAD’s Edgar Wright. It’s neatly pulled off with a surprising bit of depth, and worth checking out when it’s released on homevid on October 25th. So a bunch of us were gathered in a room in New York Comic Con’s press warren, and got to throw questions indiscriminately (but incisively) at Joe. I managed to capture the session for this podcast. Dan Persons no 17:53 Cinefantastique’s New York Comic Con 2011: THE VENTURE BROS’ Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/17/cinefantastiques-new-york-comic-con-2011-the-venture-bros-jackson-publick-and-doc-hammer/ http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/17/cinefantastiques-new-york-comic-con-2011-the-venture-bros-jackson-publick-and-doc-hammer/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:42:41 +0000 Dan Persons http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/17/

Continue reading »]]> Dean Venture succombs to the inexorable pull of the Floyd Hole in THE VENTURE BROS.

Dean Venture succombs to the inexorable pull of the Floyd Hole in THE VENTURE BROS.

Yes, Cinefantastique Online was at the just-wrapped New York Comic Con 2011, and we’re going to be bringing you tons o’ goodies — in both audio and video form — over the coming days (and weeks!). But we figured we should start you off the with the choice of the choice: the full press conference for Adult Swim’s hit series, THE VENTURE BROS, featuring creators Jackson Publick (a.k.a. Christopher McCulloch) and Eric “Doc” Hammer.

It’s close to a full hour of goodness, during which Publick and Hammer not only field questions about the show but — as has become legendary during their press conferences — also take the audience on a wild ride through their fertile imaginations, including expressing frustration for their lack of involvement in the DOCTOR STRANGE movie, confessing an unsettling fascination for a certain, esoteric sex act, and developing on-the-spot an entire action-thriller movie starring Liam Neeson as a man on a desperate quest to rescue his child bride.

Even if you’ve never seen THE VENTURE BROS. (and you should — it’s one of the best animated series going), you should check this out. It’s funny, it’s informative and, fair warning, it’s definitely NSFW. Plug them headphones in.

]]> http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/10/17/cinefantastiques-new-york-comic-con-2011-the-venture-bros-jackson-publick-and-doc-hammer/feed/ 0 Animation,Comedy,Controversy,Fantasy,Off Beat,Satire,Science Fiction Yes, Cinefantastique Online was at the just-wrapped New York Comic Con 2011, and we’re going to be bringing you tons o’ goodies — in both audio and video form — over the coming days (and weeks!). But we figured we should start you off the wit... Yes, Cinefantastique Online was at the just-wrapped New York Comic Con 2011, and we’re going to be bringing you tons o’ goodies — in both audio and video form — over the coming days (and weeks!). But we figured we should start you off the with the choice of the choice: the full press conference for Adult Swim’s hit series, THE VENTURE BROS, featuring creators Jackson Publick (a.k.a. Christopher McCulloch) and Eric “Doc” Hammer. It’s close to a full hour of goodness, during which Publick and Hammer not only field questions about the show but — as has become legendary during their press conferences — also take the audience on a wild ride through their fertile imaginations, including expressing frustration for their lack of involvement in the DOCTOR STRANGE movie, confessing an unsettling fascination for a certain, esoteric sex act, and developing on-the-spot an entire action-thriller movie starring Liam Neeson as a man on a desperate quest to rescue his child bride. Even if you’ve never seen THE VENTURE BROS. (and you should — it’s one of the best animated series going), you should check this out. It’s funny, it’s informative and, fair warning, it’s definitely NSFW. Plug them headphones in. Dan Persons yes 56:06 Cinefantastique Spotlight: LION KING 3D & MST3K VS. GAMERA http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/09/19/cinefantastique-spotlight-lion-king-3d-mst3k-vs-gamera/ http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/09/19/cinefantastique-spotlight-lion-king-3d-mst3k-vs-gamera/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:49:37 +0000 Dan Persons http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/09/19/

Continue reading »]]> So Real, You Can Almost Smell the Lion Breath: THE LION KING makes his debut in 3D.

So Real, You Can Almost Smell the Lion Breath: THE LION KING makes his debut in 3D.

There were no new genre films in theaters this weekend, but there was one old one in a shiny new, 3D coat: THE LION KING 3D, which just so happened to top this week’s box-office. With a prescience befitting a Cinefantastique editor, Steve Biodrowski recognized the film for the hit it was going to be, and attended a screening. In this episode of the Spotlight, he gives his impression of the newly dimensional musical fantasy, after which Dan Persons joins in for a discussion of MST3K VS. GAMERA, the new home video box set that collects all of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000’s episodes devoted to Japan’s beloved, mammoth flying turtle.

Also in this episode: discussions of Harlan Ellison’s IN TIME lawsuit and of the impending Hannibal Lecter TV series.

Plus: Gamera is friend to all children!

HELP SUPPORT THE CFQ SPOTLIGHT
Simply Watch this Video – Thanks!

]]> http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/09/19/cinefantastique-spotlight-lion-king-3d-mst3k-vs-gamera/feed/ 0 Animation,Comedy,Controversy,Death,Drama,Emotion,Explosions,Fantasy,Off Beat,Satire,Science Fiction,Social Drama There were no new genre films in theaters this weekend, but there was one old one in a shiny new, 3D coat: THE LION KING 3D, which just so happened to top this week’s box-office. With a prescience befitting a Cinefantastique editor, There were no new genre films in theaters this weekend, but there was one old one in a shiny new, 3D coat: THE LION KING 3D, which just so happened to top this week’s box-office. With a prescience befitting a Cinefantastique editor, Steve Biodrowski recognized the film for the hit it was going to be, and attended a screening. In this episode of the Spotlight, he gives his impression of the newly dimensional musical fantasy, after which Dan Persons joins in for a discussion of MST3K VS. GAMERA, the new home video box set that collects all of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000’s episodes devoted to Japan’s beloved, mammoth flying turtle. Also in this episode: discussions of Harlan Ellison’s IN TIME lawsuit and of the impending Hannibal Lecter TV series. Plus: Gamera is friend to all children! HELP SUPPORT THE CFQ SPOTLIGHT Simply Watch this Video - Thanks! Dan Persons no 1:11:26 Cinefantastique Spotlight: FRIGHT NIGHT http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/08/21/cinefantastique-spotlight-fright-night/ http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/08/21/cinefantastique-spotlight-fright-night/#comments Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:22:43 +0000 Dan Persons http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/08/21/

Continue reading »]]> Road Rage Bites: Anton Yelchin (left) courts the wrath of Colin Farrell in FRIGHT NIGHT.

Road Rage Bites: Anton Yelchin (left) courts the wrath of Colin Farrell in FRIGHT NIGHT.

There goes the neighborhood. Charismatically feral vampire Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves into a struggling Las Vegas suburb, and it’s up to teen lovers Charley (Anton Yelchin) and Amy (Imogen Poots) to keep property values from seriously bottoming out by curtailing his ongoing recruitment campaign. Enter indifferent magician Peter Vincent (David Tennant) and screenwriter Marti Noxon (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) and you’ve got FRIGHT NIGHT, a retelling of the 1985 tongue-in-cheek mini-classic, modernized with CG effects and goosed with 3D gimmicks. Special guest Judith Furnari joins Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons (yes, the band is back together!) as they explore whether the outer reaches of Las Vegas carry more than a little whiff of Sunnydale, and if this remake is worth the literal and figurative blood that was spilled in its making.

Also: A discussion of Ridley Scott’s announced return to the BLADE RUNNER universe, and what’s coming in theaters and on home video.

]]> http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/08/21/cinefantastique-spotlight-fright-night/feed/ 0 Comedy,Death,Drama,Explosions,Fantasy,Gore,Horror,Love,Murder,Off Beat,Satire,Violence There goes the neighborhood. Charismatically feral vampire Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves into a struggling Las Vegas suburb, and it’s up to teen lovers Charley (Anton Yelchin) and Amy (Imogen Poots) to keep property values from seriously bottoming out ... There goes the neighborhood. Charismatically feral vampire Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves into a struggling Las Vegas suburb, and it’s up to teen lovers Charley (Anton Yelchin) and Amy (Imogen Poots) to keep property values from seriously bottoming out by curtailing his ongoing recruitment campaign. Enter indifferent magician Peter Vincent (David Tennant) and screenwriter Marti Noxon (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) and you’ve got FRIGHT NIGHT, a retelling of the 1985 tongue-in-cheek mini-classic, modernized with CG effects and goosed with 3D gimmicks. Special guest Judith Furnari joins Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons (yes, the band is back together!) as they explore whether the outer reaches of Las Vegas carry more than a little whiff of Sunnydale, and if this remake is worth the literal and figurative blood that was spilled in its making. Also: A discussion of Ridley Scott’s announced return to the BLADE RUNNER universe, and what’s coming in theaters and on home video. Dan Persons no 1:04:42 Cinefantastique Spotlight: COWBOYS AND ALIENS http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/08/01/cinefantastique-spotlight-cowboys-and-aliens/ http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/08/01/cinefantastique-spotlight-cowboys-and-aliens/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:53:25 +0000 Dan Persons http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/08/01/

Continue reading »]]> I've Heard of Iron Horses, but Iron Dragonflies?: Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford (way, way back there) undergo future shock in COWBOYS AND ALIENS.

I've Heard of Iron Horses, but Iron Dragonflies?: Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford (way, way back there) undergo future shock in COWBOYS AND ALIENS.

It’s genre-meets-genre at your local multiplex, and not since Gene Autry faced down an advanced, subterranean civilization in PHANTOM EMPIRE has the American west faced such daunting enemies as are encountered in COWBOYS AND ALIENS. With Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig bringing steely resolve to their roles as bitter foes forced to set aside differences in order to ward off an impending invasion of vicious, and quite greedy, aliens, the film — under the direction of IRON MAN’s Jon Favreau — is an intriguing mix of western conventions and summer blockbuster thrills. Join special guest Orenthal Hawkins as he joins Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons in a debate over whether the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, as well as an exploration of why aliens always seem to be on the short-end of the evolutionary development chain, and a discussion of whether there are better ways to build secure, interplanetary vessels.

Also in capsule reviews: Larry and Dan discuss the low-budget, alien invasion film ATTACK THE BLOCK, and Dan gives his take on the experimental fantasy-drama, THE FUTURE.

]]> http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/08/01/cinefantastique-spotlight-cowboys-and-aliens/feed/ 0 Acting Legend,Action-Adventure,Drama,Explosions,Love,Satire,Science Fiction,War It's genre-meets-genre at your local multiplex, and not since Gene Autry faced down an advanced, subterranean civilization in PHANTOM EMPIRE has the American west faced such daunting enemies as are encountered in COWBOYS AND ALIENS. It's genre-meets-genre at your local multiplex, and not since Gene Autry faced down an advanced, subterranean civilization in PHANTOM EMPIRE has the American west faced such daunting enemies as are encountered in COWBOYS AND ALIENS. With Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig bringing steely resolve to their roles as bitter foes forced to set aside differences in order to ward off an impending invasion of vicious, and quite greedy, aliens, the film -- under the direction of IRON MAN's Jon Favreau -- is an intriguing mix of western conventions and summer blockbuster thrills. Join special guest Orenthal Hawkins as he joins Cinefantastique Online's Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons in a debate over whether the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, as well as an exploration of why aliens always seem to be on the short-end of the evolutionary development chain, and a discussion of whether there are better ways to build secure, interplanetary vessels. Also in capsule reviews: Larry and Dan discuss the low-budget, alien invasion film ATTACK THE BLOCK, and Dan gives his take on the experimental fantasy-drama, THE FUTURE. Dan Persons no 1:22:48 Cinefantastique Spotlight: CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/07/25/cinefantastique-spotlight-captain-america-the-first-avenger/ http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/07/25/cinefantastique-spotlight-captain-america-the-first-avenger/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:06:50 +0000 Dan Persons http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/07/25/

Continue reading »]]> And What Did You Do This Weekend?: Chris Evans wins the war for the Allies in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER.

And What Did You Do This Weekend?: Chris Evans wins the war for the Allies in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER.

We’re betting Paramount would’ve preferred that CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER had come out on the Memorial Day or July 4th weekends. However, martial-arts-happy animals and big-ass robots claimed those two slots, so here we are in later summer, trying to get our patriotism back for a red-white-and-blue bedecked super hero doing his bit for mom, apple pie, and gas-guzzling cars in the thick of WWII. Does director Joe Johnston’s ROCKETEER-tested period style work its magic for this final bit of table setting before next year’s THE AVENGERS? Are two hours enough time for an origin story, rescue adventure, and ultimate clash between good and evil? And where the hell are all the Nazis? Join Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons as they discuss these issues and more.

Also in this episode: Dan gives his capsule review of the moody, science-fiction drama, ANOTHER EARTH.

]]> http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/07/25/cinefantastique-spotlight-captain-america-the-first-avenger/feed/ 0 Acting Legend,Action-Adventure,Drama,Explosions,Fantasy,New York,Romance,Satire,Science Fiction,Success,War We’re betting Paramount would’ve preferred that CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER had come out on the Memorial Day or July 4th weekends. However, martial-arts-happy animals and big-ass robots claimed those two slots, so here we are in later summer, We’re betting Paramount would’ve preferred that CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER had come out on the Memorial Day or July 4th weekends. However, martial-arts-happy animals and big-ass robots claimed those two slots, so here we are in later summer, trying to get our patriotism back for a red-white-and-blue bedecked super hero doing his bit for mom, apple pie, and gas-guzzling cars in the thick of WWII. Does director Joe Johnston’s ROCKETEER-tested period style work its magic for this final bit of table setting before next year’s THE AVENGERS? Are two hours enough time for an origin story, rescue adventure, and ultimate clash between good and evil? And where the hell are all the Nazis? Join Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons as they discuss these issues and more. Also in this episode: Dan gives his capsule review of the moody, science-fiction drama, ANOTHER EARTH. Dan Persons no 1:12:40 Cinefantastique Spotlight: TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/07/04/cinefantastique-spotlight-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/07/04/cinefantastique-spotlight-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/#comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:11:48 +0000 Dan Persons http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/07/04/

Continue reading »]]> Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Getcher Big-Ass Robots Right Here: Automatons face-off again in TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

Big. Bigger. Biggest. Somehow those words don’t seem fitting descriptions for the new TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. Biggeriest? Spectactimammogigantular?

In any case, it seems that Michael Bay’s plan for redeeming himself for the universally reviled TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE FALLEN involves ironically jettisoning as much plot as possible and focusing on the fireworks, all in glorious, James-Cameron-approved 3D. That’s maybe not a bad idea, considering that the film’s less-than-innovative narrative once again centers on the noble Autobots trying to foil the Decepticons’ plan for world conquest, with the hapless Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf) serving his traditional role as the beanbag tossed around by the warring factions. He gets a new girlfriend (Rosie Huntington-Whitely), reunites with old associates (including John Turturro as the self-aggrandizing Simmons), and gains some new friends (John Malkovich) and enemies (Patrick Dempsey), plus a visit from (the voice of) Leonard Nimoy as the latest addition to the robot corps. But who cares as long as the explosions are concussive and the action nonstop? Well, Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons do, and they’re ready to discuss what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s flat-out non-existent (hint: logic) in this big-ticket extravaganza.

PLUS: Steve gives his take on BEGINNERS, a drama that skirts the borderline with some fantasy elements.

Click on the player to hear the show.

Big-Time Transformers at ENTERTAINMENT EARTH!

]]> http://mightymoviepodcast.com/blog/2011/07/04/cinefantastique-spotlight-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/feed/ 0 Acting Legend,Action-Adventure,Animation,Controversy,Explosions,Fantasy,Satire,Science Fiction,Violence,War Big. Bigger. Biggest. Somehow those words don’t seem fitting descriptions for the new TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. Biggeriest? Spectactimammogigantular? - In any case, it seems that Michael Bay’s plan for redeeming himself for the universally ... Big. Bigger. Biggest. Somehow those words don’t seem fitting descriptions for the new TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. Biggeriest? Spectactimammogigantular? In any case, it seems that Michael Bay’s plan for redeeming himself for the universally reviled TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE FALLEN involves ironically jettisoning as much plot as possible and focusing on the fireworks, all in glorious, James-Cameron-approved 3D. That’s maybe not a bad idea, considering that the film’s less-than-innovative narrative once again centers on the noble Autobots trying to foil the Decepticons’ plan for world conquest, with the hapless Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf) serving his traditional role as the beanbag tossed around by the warring factions. He gets a new girlfriend (Rosie Huntington-Whitely), reunites with old associates (including John Turturro as the self-aggrandizing Simmons), and gains some new friends (John Malkovich) and enemies (Patrick Dempsey), plus a visit from (the voice of) Leonard Nimoy as the latest addition to the robot corps. But who cares as long as the explosions are concussive and the action nonstop? Well, Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons do, and they’re ready to discuss what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s flat-out non-existent (hint: logic) in this big-ticket extravaganza. PLUS: Steve gives his take on BEGINNERS, a drama that skirts the borderline with some fantasy elements. Click on the player to hear the show. Dan Persons no 1:01:41