Having devoted the entire show last week to talk of the future (Star Trek), we return to the here and now for this week's podcast. [Fun technical note: we think we might have both microphones working this time, so this one might sound a little less like two guys talking in empty rooms.] On this week's episode, we talk about the number one movie in America, Steven Soderburgh's 'Contagion' (Bear Trap took in a weekend showing), which devolves into some thoughts on whether an actress by the name of Ms. Paltrow is or is not awful. We also ponder the meaning of some early hype for the upcoming Brad Pitt zombie epidemic film, 'World War Z', zombies in general, and then, naturally, boxing. Click on the link for a cochlear massage. It's a good one.
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Hey that was almost interesting guys, so keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave! That kinda complement from you is like the blessing for a divorce granted from the pope. Keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeleteI also bestow kinda compliments upon you guys. For despite any faults this week's episode had at least it had nothing to do with Star Trek.
ReplyDeleteOne question - and surely you know this is coming - where is all this hate for Gwyneth Paltrow coming from? I guess I missed the boat on this. Where can I find examples of her telling people how they should live their lives? On her blog? Am I supposed to be mad that she has a blog period? I'm still confused. Clue me in here. What did she do to warrant this?
I also listened to that World War Z audiobook (the one with Henry Rollins and Rob Reiner and others?). I enjoyed it, but yes it's quite hard to imagine any version of this story being the best film of the year. Or maybe I should just say that I hope there will be movies better than whatever they came up with for World War Z.
Since Peter brought up a sport that very few care about, let me also highly recommend the 24/7 series HBO did last fall centering around the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals, which culminated in their outdoor battle in the NHL's now annual Winter Classic game. As a Penguins and a hockey fan I loved it. But I suspect it would also translate to non-fans as well. It's just good storytelling.
Anyway, the mics sounded good. Maybe I'll throw some trailer suggestions your way later for you to ignore once more.
@Speck -- Thanks for the compliment. We hope to get to 'so so close to being good' one day very soon.
ReplyDelete@Pepperoni -- The single-subject shows do run the risk of offering nothing for anyone. Particularly Star Trek-themed ones. Just to broaden our appeal, I think we'll have to wait at least a couple weeks before our next Star Trek-themed show. In a very special 4-hour episode, we're really going to go hard at the timeless question of who's cooler, Klingons or Romulans. So, look out for that one.
Gwynneth. Her blog's name is Goop. Here's a sample I JUST found at random: "Okay, it may not be the healthiest of indulgences, but cheese, really beautiful, well-made cheese, has to be one of the best things on the planet. Give me a slice of Camembert over chocolate cake any day." See how she tosses off 'Camembert' like "Duh! Camembert." She is awful. Case closed.
I agree on the World War Z thing. NO way is that going to be best picture material. Though, if it's good, I'd imagine it'll be as deserving as whatever okay-decent movie they do end up handing it to.
I checked out some of the 24/7 shows HBO was doing ahead of the Ortiz/Mayweather fight tonight and it is shockingly well-done storytelling. If the hockey episodes you're talking about were done in a similar style, I'm sure it's some equally riveting stuff. HBO's so good. Except for True Blood. They really gave up on that one.
And yes, please. More trailer suggestions. We may ignore them, true, BUT... we may not.
Agreed - y'all got your flow on this joint. A nice stride. And the mics sound like butter. Good stuff all around.
ReplyDeleteI'm neither here nor there on Gwyneth. I think she's done some good work, but as with most celebrities, it's best if you ignore her in real life. Apparently she's said now that she'll only take small parts like the one in Contagion for the rest of her life? Not sure. Check her blog.
Speaking of Masters of Horror, etc. Wow, I didn't know there was a Sci-fi version. Yeah, Masters of Horror was pretty awful all the way around. I think there were two episodes that were worth a damn at all - one being the Screwfly Tapes by Brad Anderson and the other never aired on Showtime, but was called Impulse by Takeshi Miike. Impulse I recommend deeply and highly if you like horror. But pretty everything else by these 'masters' - like Mick Garris and Rob Schmidt? Really? These are our masters? Jeez. Anyway. That's my rant on Masters of Horror.
Trailers - Burke & Hare, The Rum Diary, The Artist, Like Crazy, The Big Year
Alright, gents. Thank you again for the goodness.
Yeah, that Rum Diary trailer is interesting. You guys should watch it and livecast your guesses as to what freaking decade it takes place in. I'm still not sure.
ReplyDeleteAlso, "denim denim denim."
That's true about Rum Diary. I think it was set sometime in the latter half of the 20th century. Also - I think Like Crazy has a pretty amazing trailer for its genre. And The Big Year looks like it was made by robots.
ReplyDeleteJ Edgar trailer's up at Apple. That'll be a good one to discuss, too. Namely, is it better to show Leo in old make up now or save it for the film itself? And how many more does Eastwood have left in him? Why are two of our oldest directors (the other being Woody Allen) two of our most prolific? Hmm...
ReplyDeleteI don't use guns, I would save Brian - but it would mostly be biting and scratching and screaming.
ReplyDelete