Film Geek Central

Film Geek Central welcomes the first films of 2010 in a big way! DAYBREAKERS puts a sci-fi spin on the vampire story. In a world populated by vampires, the last remnants of humanity take one last stand. Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill star in this film from the directors of the fun Aussie zombie flick UNDEAD. We love Amy Adams. But although LEAP YEAR looks like fun, we hope Adams doesn't get caught in the same trap as Kate Hudson and Katherine Heigel. In this one, Adams travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend, only to get diverted to Wales with a surly yet sexy Welshman in tow. YOUTH IN REVOLT was delayed from its initial fall date, but is thankfully getting a slightly bigger release than we expected. In this one, nice guy Michael Cera invents a bad boy alter ego to snare the object of his love/lust. THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS is cursed director Terry Gilliam's latest film. It is also unfortunately the last film from Heath Ledger. In order to fill Ledger's shoes, his character is now played by various people in various different realities. Friends and castmates Johnny Depp, Colin Ferrell and Jude Law stepped up to the plate while Christopher Plummer and Tom Waits compliment the cast. THE LOSS OF A TEARDROP DIAMOND comes to us out of the blue, after an odd delay. Based on an unproduced screenplay by Tennessee Williams, the film stars Bryce Dallas Howard and is helmed by actress turned director Jodie Markell. All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week! Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

Film Geek Central rings in 2010 with a bang, an angry angry bang. This is a special episode of FGC. No reviews, just a recap of the very worst films that 2009 had to offer? Who will make the list? Jack Black (possibly)? Miley Cyrus (probably)? Will Ferrell (count on it)? Scott and Austin will take you through each of their Ten Worst Films of 2009, the ones that really made their skin crawl. But that's not all, we will also be taking you through the films that might make the cut next year in our Least Awaited Films of 2010! But don't worry. The episode is not all doom and gloom. We will close the show out with our mammoth lists of our Most Awaited Films of 2010! It's a big, big show that says "good riddance" to the year that was and looks ahead to the new year! Don't miss it, Film Geeks!

The Geek's afoot! For our last show of 2009, we'll be taking a look at the final five big films hitting theatres. This is not your father's SHERLOCK HOLMES. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective is given a new physique and an energy drink as Guy Ritchie recasts him as a man of action as well as wits. Robert Downey Jr. plays Holmes and Jude Law is his Watson. Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong join the cast. NINE is a goof of a title, and not to be confused with the CGI-animated film from a few months back. It was Stephen Sondheim's wink at Felini's film 8 1/2, on which his play and now this film is based. Daniel Day-Lewis plays a director in the middle of a difficult shoot who looks back on his life as he is getting older. These flashbacks often take the form of the various women who have touched his life. IT'S COMPLICATED stars Meryl Streep as a divorce who sees her ex (Alec Baldwin) re-enter her life years later. This coincides with a budding relationship with her nerdy but well-meaning architect (Steve Martin). ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL is, as you can imagine, the sequel to the live-action film from a couple years back. This one also introduces the Chipettes as competition for the Chipmunks' careers and hearts. BROKEN EMBRACES is the newest film from celebrated director Pedro Aldmovar. Working once again with his muse, Penelope Cruz, in a semi-autobiographical film about a filmmaker trying to heal wounds from years before. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks! And don't forget to check us out in 2010, which will begin with a look at the worst films of this year!

It's Film Geek Central's biggest show yet! We're covering the biggest film of the decade, the current Oscar front-runner and there's five more films where they come from! Has there ever been a film as huge as AVATAR? Not if you believe the hype, the ambition or the sheer numbers involved there hasn't. James Cameron brings us his first feature film in twelve years, a sci-fi epic filled with cutting edge special effects and (we hope) a great story to back it up! Before seeing any trailers or info, Scott said he had a funny feeling about UP IN THE AIR, that it would be a surprise critical fave. Sure enough, it's the current front-runner to take the Best Picture Oscar in a few months. See why should listen to us? DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS? Okay, well then did you hear that Hugh Grant is trying to do his stammering comedic persona in another romantic comedy? Sarah Jessica Parker co-stars and we smell zaniness. THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG is Disney's earnest attempt to keep 2-D animation alive by revisiting the formula that made them a mint in the early 1990s. INVICTUS has Clint Eastwood directing Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in a film about Nelson Mandela trying to bring South Africans together following the end of apartheid. We didn't expect THE ROAD to make it down here, but it did. So, we finally get to see this Viggo Mortensen film about the end of the world, written by NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN's Cormac McCarthy. Finally, Emily Blunt plays THE YOUNG VICTORIA in a film about the ruler's early years in power. All this plus film news, our DVD Picks of the Week and a look at the Golden Globe nominations. We told you it was big! Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

Awards season is here at Film Geek Central, time for a more sophisticated type of motion picture, reviewed by your unsophisticated hosts. PRECIOUS is sure to be one of the big films mentioned when people talk about the best films of 2009. This film about an illiterate, obsese inner-city teenager from an abusive home is drawing raves across the board. Will we agree? BROTHERS is another remake of a foreign film, but this one isn't about long-haired ghosts. When a man's brother is assumed killed in action in the Middle East, his brother cares for his wife and children in his absence. His affection for his brother's wife starts to cross a line however, which becomes exceedingly problematic when the original brother returns. Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhall, Tobey Maguire and Sam Shepard star in this film from Jim Sheridan (MY LEFT FOOT, IN AMERICA). If you want action this weekend, the only place to go is ARMORED. In this film, a struggling armored truck driver decides to go along with his co-workers as they rob one of their own trucks. When violence erupts however, he rebels against his co-conspirators. EVERYBODY'S FINE is an episodic drama in which Robert De Niro decides to pay surprise visits to his grown children, none of which are having the easiest time in their lives. Finally, TRANSYLMANIA seems an odd choice to get major theatrical distribution. But anyone who wants to get in a few yuks at the expense of the recent wave of kinder gentler vampires might want to check it out. Also, Scott will discuss the influence of genre icon Paul Naschy, who passed away this week. All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

Our kung fu is strong here at Film Geek Central! First up, Disney has been plugging the comedy OLD DOGS for months now. Obviously, this is their big post-Thanksgiving release. Robin Williams and John Travolta who play middle-aged bachelors who suddenly have to care for the twins Williams didn't know he had. This is from the same director as WILD HOGS, so we're expecting family-friendly comedy here. Next up is NINJA ASSASSIN. See, back in the 1980s, ninjas were everywhere. Ninjas and cocaine. We're fine without the cocaine but the ninjas we miss. The director of V FOR VENDETTA brings us a modern-day ninja epic. Some are wondering if this is going to be a real ninja movie. We will be happy if it recreates the magic of those cheesy Cannon films from the 1980s. Paging Michael Dudikoff... THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX seems to be an indie film masquerading as a big family blockbuster. Done in the style of vintage stop-motion animation, it recreates a Roald Dahl story about a fox who wants to settle in his dream home, despite the nasty farmers lurking about. Wes Anderson, who gave us RUSHMORE and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS did this one, so we're not expecting ICE AGE material here. We've pushed back THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL twice already. No more! This episode, we promise we will deliver a review of Ti West's horror shocker which has a retro-80s film to it and boasts cult favorites Tom Noonan and Mary Woronov in its cast. We're also finally able to review COCO BEFORE CHANEL, the story of the famous fashion designer long before she was famous. Audrey Tatou (AMELIE) stars in this award-winning film. All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

This week, Film Geek Central sucks! THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON has the enviable pop culture hype usually reserved for films with three times its budget. Honestly, we're not TWILIGHT haters here at FGC. Both of us thought the original film was decent and could certainly see why it appealed to its target audience. Truth be told, we're sort of curious to see where this series goes with the second installment. PLANET 51 is supposed to be the next big CG-animated film, but will it have what it takes to work in such a crowded market? In it, a conceited American astronaut lands on a planet that turns out to be home to a domesticated alien species. THE BLIND SIDE is the type of film designed to get Oscar buzz. Sandra Bullock plays a well-off southern woman who takes in a large, shy teenager with a mysterious and tragic past. AN EDUCATION is the bittersweet story of a sheltered girl in 1960s London who falls for a man twice her age. Star Carey Mulligan is being tipped as someone to watch. THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL is a chilling horror film from Ti West. A woman agrees to house-sit for an evening, only to become increasingly on edge due to the strange events around her. Genre greats, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov and Dee Wallace show up in supporting roles. BLACK DYNAMITE was Austin's pick for his most awaited film of 2009 and its easy to see why. It's a spoof/throwback to 1970s blaxspoloitation films whose trailer has been getting people excited ever since it appeared on the net early this year. All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

Celebrate the end of the world with Film Geek Central this week! First up, Roland Emmerich gives us his newest with 2012. You know what to expect from Emmerich. The world ends, character actors pick up a paycheck, monuments topple and billions die... though in the most impersonal and special effects savvy way possible. Also, there is a renewed message of hope. Awwww.... Yeah, we're kind of not looking forward to this but we'll give it a shot anyway. Next up is the UK import PIRATE RADIO. This is the newest film from Richard Curtis (LOVE ACTUALLY, NOTTING HILL) and was supposed to be released a couple months back as THE BOAT THAT ROCKED. It's gone through a title change and Curtis himself has trimmed the film more to his liking. It follows a rowdy rock n roll station that broadcasts from a ship off the shores of 1966 Great Britain. ANTICHRIST has been stirring controversy wherever it plays, especially at the Cannes Film Festival. Some have called it brilliant, others inept. Some have called it daring, others offensive and mysogynistic. We will try to sort through the vitriol and give you our look at Lars Von Trier's newest, which stars Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg. NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU features a huge all-star cast as several directors supply vigenettes which show the various connections people make in the Big Apple. Finally, FLAME & CITRON is a gritty Danish import that follows the exploits of a resistance group during World War II. All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

Film Geek Central returns with a look at six new films at the multiplex. First, we look at A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Whoah! Hold on! Christmas?!? We're still knee-deep in Halloween candy over here! Regardless, this Jim Carrey feature is the newest motion capture film from the folks who brought you POLAR EXPRESS and BEOWULF. THE FOURTH KIND is the type of film we've seen surprisingly little of - alien abduction. It's allegedly based on a true story and the trailer brilliantly incorporated documented evidence, dramatic re-enactment and fourth wall-breaking narration from Milla Jovovich. Let's hope the film delivers on that promise. THE BOX is based on a story by Richard Matheson (I AM LEGEND, THE TWILIGHT ZONE, so many others) and directed by Richard Kelly (DONNIE DARKO). In this one, a couple gets a box with a single red button. If they push the button, their financial troubles disappear but someone out in the world will die. THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS continues George Clooney's trend of picking quirky, out there projects. Based loosely on the CIA's experimentation with psychic soldiers during the Cold War, it co-stars Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey. MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT repurposes rehearsal footage from his never realized tour in a two hour love letter to the fans. This one has gotten considerable buzz as a monument to the celebrated but controversial performer. Finally, A SERIOUS MAN is the newest film from the Coen Brothers. Taking place in a Jewish community circa 1967, it follows a professor as he deals with personal problems surrounding his family. This one finds the Coens firmly in quirky dramatic comedy territory with a more ecclectic cast than usual. All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

Trick or treat, film geeks! Halloween weekend brings us a few new movies to take a look at. Used to be there were a ton of horror movies for the Halloween season. But these days, the holiday belongs to SAW. The latest installment, SAW VI, finds Jigsaw's heir apparent trapping another group of thankless people in fatal tests. Also, lots more info on the insanely complex back story. ASTRO BOY is based on the classic anime series which many credit with revolutionizing the art form. This one features the voice "talent" of Nicolas Cage, because he just can't leave a comic property alone. It's a big CG-animated film that tries to bring in the young boys who didn't get what they wanted from the Wild Things. CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT will also be competing for the kids. It's based on the rather gruesome series of young adult novels by Darren Shan. But unless the trailers are completely misleading (possible), this one has a bit of comedy in it as well. The first salvo in the race for Oscar glory has been thrown and it is AMELIA. Two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank plays famed aviator Amelia Earheart in what looks to be another fantastic performance. This one probably won't get a lot of bucks, but it might get a lot of acclaim. Richard Gere and Ewan MacGregor co-star. Finally, Tony Jaa returns in ONG BAK 2: THE BEGINNING to make us all feel like giant wussies as we watch his amazing martial arts prowess. This one doesn't look like it's really a sequel, but it's done by the same folks and that's good enough for us. All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

I hate these hiatuses. So, Film Geek Central comes back with five exciting new films to review! PARANORMAL ACTIVITY is the scariest movie of the year, or at least that's what all the hype is saying. This modest $15,000 film has sold out everywhere its played in its limited engagement and now expands nationwide thanks to an enormous groundswell of internet support. Is this the film that will make us cry for mommy and never sleep in the dark again? Of course the big one this weekend will be Spike Jonze's WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. Based on the classic children's book, this highly inventive film has been on our "must see" list for some time. In the surprise hit, LAW ABIDING CITIZEN, Gerard Butler plays a resourceful man who takes matters into his own hands after a lawyer (Jamie Foxx) makes a plea bargain with the man who killed Butler's family. We didn't do a show last week, so you will have to tune in this week to see what we think of COUPLES RETREAT. Vince Vaughn, John Favreau, Jason Bateman, Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kristen Davis and Faizon Love are just some of the people in this all-star romantic comedy, which was directed by former child star Peter Billingsley. Finally, THE STEPFATHER remake is from the same guy that put extra stink on PROM NIGHT a couple years back. Be sure to check out the fireworks on this one. All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week! NOTE: There were a couple audio drop-outs during this episode. It lasted for roughly a minute around the 63:30 mark and roughly 40 seconds around the 96:20 mark. We do come back though. Listen until the end of the show or you don't get a cupcake later.

After a short absence, Film Geek Central rises from the grave with five new reviews this week. We start out with ZOMBIELAND, which we expect to do well at least for a couple weeks. Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin star in this film which features a roving band of people who survive by hunting down the zombies that have now taken over much of the world. This one is a comedy in the same spirit of SHAUN OF THE DEAD. Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut with WHIP IT, a film we're excited about even if we think the title sounds too generic. Ellen Page makes a triumphant return to the big screen as a young woman who realizes her own self worth as she becomes immersed in the culture of women's roller derby. Early word on this is that it's great, so hopefully this will be the roller derby film we've been waiting for since Racquel Welsh played the KANSAS CITY BOMBER. Michael Moore. You'll either be interested in what he says or the very mention of his name will make you froth at the mouth. His newest, CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY looks at corporate crime. Moore looks at the current recession, what caused it, and how banks exploited it and used their government bailout money. Ricky Gervais is a brilliant comedian and his first directing gig sounds like its exactly his type of concept. In a world where everyone can only tell the truth, Gervais is the first one to come up with concept of lying. In turn, he liberates himself and much of society. Finally, THE BURNING PLAIN stars Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger in a film about a mother and daughter who try to reconnect after the daughter's traumatic childhood. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

On this episode of Film Geek Central, Scott and Austin take a look at five new films. First up, Megan Fox is a sexy succubus who seduces and eats high school boys in JENNIFER'S BODY. This is a horror comedy written by Diablo Cody (JUNO, THE UNITED STATES OF TARA). This could either be a fun and cheesy horror comedy or a complete disaster. But the film is reportedly nothing like the trailer, so we'll see how this one goes. While you're watching Megan Fox, your kids will probably be loving CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS. This film about a scientist who invents a machine that makes it rain food is aimed right at the kiddies. It will probably also make a small fortune. THE INFORMANT is Stephen Soderbergh's newest film and it might be an early Oscar contender. Matt Damon plays an executive turned whistle-blower who lets the spy game go to his head. LOVE HAPPENS for Jennifer Anniston and Aaron Eckhart. A widower turned self-help guru courts a florist while facing demons from his past. THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX is a critically-acclaimed film about Germany's controversial Red Army Faction during the 1960s and 1970s. All this plus film news and our DVD Picks of the Week.

This week, Film Geek Central tackles five more new releases for the fall season. First up is one of Scott's most awaited films of the year, the animated sci-fi adventure 9. After humanity is wiped out, a small group of stiched-together dolls fight against the machines that wiped them out. Tyler Perry returns as Madea in I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF. Based on one of the most popular Madea plays, this one co-stars Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Mary G. Blige and Gladys Knight. Kate Beckinsale investigates a murder in the antarctic and finds otherworldly evidence in WHITEOUT, based on the acclaimed graphic novel. SORORITY ROW is a sort-of remake to the obscure 1980s slasher, HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW. This one promises pure candy for the horror fan with lots of gore and skin. Robin Williams stars as the WORLD'S GREATEST DAD. Actually, the title is meant to be ironic in this surprisingly dark comedy from comedian-turned-director Bob Golthwait. All this plus film news and our DVD Pick of the Week! Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!

Another big show for you this week as Film Geek Central christens the fall movie season with five new films to look at. First up, we have GAMER - a bombastic sci-fi action spectacular where video games involve programming real people. This is from the guys who did the CRANK movies, so thier love of games is real. It stars Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Kyra Sedgewick, Alison Lohman and Ludacris. Next up is the newest Sandra Bullock romantic comedy, ALL ABOUT STEVE. In this one, she plays a spinster who meets a nice guy (Bradley Cooper) and stalks, er that is "follows her heart" across the country. This was supposed to come out last spring before being moved at the last minute. Still, these things are all about hope, right? EXTRACT is the new film from Mike Judge and if history repeats itself, perhaps it will develop a large following as well. Jason Bateman plays a frustrated operator of a food extract company, trying to deal with frustrations from both his job and his home life. Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig, Ben Affleck and virtually every comedic character actor around co-stars. MY ONE AND ONLY snuck up on us and was not even in our Fall Movie Preview. It's a last minute addition (in other words, they're burying it) starring Rene Zellweger, Kevin Bacon, Eric McCormack, Chris Noth and too many others to mention. What's the deal with it? You'll know when we know. Finally, ADAM is an acclaimed indie drama about a man with Asperger's Syndrome who falls for the new neighbor of his apartment building. After mulling around for the summer, this one really expanded in the last couple weeks. It all happens this week on Film Geek Central. Hope to see you there, Film Geeks!