Now Playing -- The Movie Review Podcast

From Dusk Till Dawn - A Podcast Skit and Preview

Artisan Entertainment and Haxan Films wasted no time releasing a sequel to The Blair Witch Project. Intending to capitalize on the first film’s huge success they rushed Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 for release while the original film was still part of the cultural zeitgeist. The sequel goes meta as we watch a group of fans of the original film take a pilgrimage to some of its filming sites when strange things begin to happen and some of the team go missing. Despite being directed by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger Blair Witch 2 never escaped the original’s shadow and has been mostly forgotten. Does Book of Shadows conjure up scares to match the original? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

Four Rooms - A Podcast Skit and Preview

In 1999 two great fears gripped the American people -- Y2K and the indie film The Blair Witch Project. This little movie was made for only $20,000 but it became a Sundance darling. Released by Artisan it went on to become the most profitable movie of all time, shot its stars and makers to superstardom, and opened the door for more "found footage" horror films. But without the hype of the moment does the Blair Witch still have what it takes to scare you? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

Pulp Fiction - A Podcast Skit and Preview

1984's television movie The Ewok Adventure was a smash success for ABC, and soon George Lucas was working on a sequel. The result is Ewoks: The Battle for Endor. A darker continuation of the previous movie, Battle for Endor introduces new baddies, and a new heroic character played by Wilford Brimley. Was the Force with the Ewoks this time? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

George Lucas didn't want to do any more Star Wars movies after Return of the Jedi, but he wasn't done in that universe. Inspired by kids' affection for the furry Ewoks Lucas ordered the creation of an Ewok TV Special, which grew into The Ewok Adventure - a two-hour ABC Movie of the Week. Does Star Wars work on the small budget of the small screen? And when did Wicket learn to talk? Join our hosts for this review and find out!

True Romance isn't directed by Quentin Tarantino, but it was his first script and the tale of two young lovers on the run from the mafia bears many similarities to Reservoir Dogs, Natural Born Killers and Pulp Fiction. With Top Gun and Beverly Hills Cop II director Tony Scott behind the show, and a star-studded cast, how does this 1993 film compare to Tarantino's own films? Thanks to your donation to Now Playing Podcast you can listen and find out!

In 1994 Quentin Tarantino's name was dominating cinema. Reservoir Dogs had found a huge audience on video. Pulp Fiction won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and movie buffs anxiously awaited for its October wide release. Through self-promotion and film-making, Tarantino was a media darling. But beating Pulp Fiction to theaters was Natural Born Killers - Oliver Stone's thesis on the media based on one of Tarantino's early scripts. And in 1994 fans had to decide which Tarantino film was their favorite. Natural Born Killers' legacy is more controversial, with many real-life killers citing the film as their inspiration. How does the film hold up over 20 years later? Does its commentary on the media hold up then or now? Listen to the preview, then donate to Now Playing Podcast to find out!

George Lucas concluded the Star Wars trilogy in 1983 with Return of the Jedi -- a film thought for many years to be the final Star Wars movie ever. Needing to tie up every plot thread in two hours, this conclusion has been polarizing among fans, with some in the pro-Ewok camp, others anti-Ewok. Could this film ever live up to fan expectations? And which is better: Jedi Rocks or Lapti Nek? Join Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart for their review of Return of the Jedi to find out!

Eight bad guys go from breakfast to a bloodbath in Reservoir Dogs. The film set the tone for crime movies in the 1990s and beyond. It also put the spotlight on indie cinema for that decade, opening doors for Robert Rodriguez, Kevin Smith, and other Miramax darlings. Most importantly, though, it introduced the world to writer/director Quentin Tarantino. The first time filmmaker became a critic's darling with his first movie, and launched an award-winning career that has spanned over two decades. How does his first feature hold up so many years, and so many imitators, later? Donate to Now Playing to find out!

When it was released The Empire Strikes Back was the highly anticipated sequel to the biggest movie of all time. And it became widely known as the best Star Wars movie ever made. With creator George Lucas taking more of a back seat, and an even bigger push on special effects, does this film live up to its reputation? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

After the success of Battle Royale a sequel was put into production. Original director Kinji Fukasaku was set to return, but his death passed directing duties to the writer of both films, his son Takeshi Kitano. The result is Battle Royale II: Requiem, a wholly original story that eschews the bloody fun of the original for a shocking political statement. How does this follow-up compare to the original? Donate to Now Playing and you can listen to find out!

Star Wars. It twice became the biggest movie of all time. It has launched a billion dollar empire of movies, toys, and merchandise. It has even started a religion. But now, under the ownership of Disney, the Star Wars universe is set to expand infinitely with a new movie each year -- starting with Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Now Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart go back to where it all started -- the 1977 original George Lucas film Star Wars (a.k.a. Episode IV: A New Hope). Is the Force still with Star Wars almost 40 years after its release? And which version is better, the Special Edition or the original? Listen to Now Playing to find out, then join us weekly for more Star Wars reviews culminating with The Force Awakens!

The Japanese government has a new law to help deal with unruly, rebellious teens -- Battle Royale! Each year a class of students are put in competition to kill each other, and the last survivor wins. Based on the novel by Koushun Takamil, this ultraviolent film gained acclaim for its satire and its violence. It's also been speculated Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins used this story as the basis for her hit novel trilogy. Will the Now Playing hosts have a Battle Royale when reviewing the film? Listen to this preview, then donate to Now Playing and find out!