CinemaJaw

Once upon a time... Careers, like great stories, have a beginning, middle and end. This week on CinemaJaw we are taking a look at the beginning of some of our favorite directors careers as we cover the Best Directorial Debuts!  It was amazing to us how many fantastic movies are made by directors who nailed it right out of the gate. Seriously, there are too many to list in just a top 5 list! To help us cover this fresh topic, we needed someone with a fresh perspective. Welcome Sam Long. Recent graduate of Tribecca Flashpoint Academy and a winner in the Indie Incubator Film Fest. Sam lends us a fantastic point of view as we delve into the firsts... Best Directorial Debuts. Also returning are a few new segments: JawBox, CinemaFeud among others. Plus the usual suspects I for an I, Movie Reviews, Trivia and a whole lot more. It is brimming over with CinemaFresh Happiness! Listen: I for an I: Django Unchained, Zero Dark Thirty Reviewed This Episode: Ted, Lawless, Dark Shadows CinemaWAR: Superman Man of Steel, good idea? Or Leave it Alone?

Makin a list and checkin it twice! This Holiday Season, don't just listen to any ol' advice. Go to the people you trust at CinemaJaw to help you make those xmas shoppin lists for the movie lover in your family... or just for you, because CinemJaw is droppin the GEMS of home theater shopping. While Matt K may famously think that physical media is dead, it still seems to fly off the shelves and true collectors rejoice because this episode we are picking the Best DVDs and Blu Rays! Helping us choose is a guy on an epic mission. One that could take him 25 years or more. His mission... to watch every Criterion film! He is Matt Streets, also know as The Criterion Completist  over at Keeping-it-reel.com. Matt S. sits in on the entire episode and lends his tremendous expertise and shopping savvy to the show. Add to it new segments including a new game and this episode is chock full of ju-ju yummies! Its Cinemalishous! Happy Holidays! I for an I: The Hobbit and Unexpected Journey Reviewed This Episode: Killing Them Softly, Life of Pi, Hide Park on the Hudson, Brave CinemaWAR: Which is the better prequel The Hobbit or X-Men First Class?

Baby it's cold outside... Zip up those parkas because on this CinemaJaw the boys mount their Tauntauns and brave the elements as they cover their favorite Winter Movies. These are the frostbitten films that feature the season almost as an additional character in the script. There is no doubt that Winter can be the most picturesque of the 4 and we at the Jaw think that our picks will help keep you entertained when snowed in this year. Busting out his ice pick, and lacing up his Uggs, Eliaz Rodriguez is our Sherpa on this expedition up Mount Hollywood. Eliaz is the newest member of the CinemaJaw team, having stepped in for Reno, taking the reigns of the Engineer role. He is a wiz at photos, filmmaking and motion graphics. He made our "What Is CinemaJaw" Video (above) and even made us this slick visualizer, and shot our talk with Tony Moore of Walking Dead before he was officially on the team. What a guy! You can also catch his filmmaking and comedy work over at Woodsugars.com. We welcome Eliaz to the team with a full fledged guest spot! So scoop yourself another bowl of the Greatest Movies Podcast...EVER. Now in 131 flavors. Brrrrrr! I for an I: Killing Them Softly Reviewed This Episode: Anna Karenina, Silver Linings Playbook, The Campaign, Arthur Christmas, The Amazing Spiderman CinemaWAR: Which is the better Mob movie, Godfather or Goodfellas?

I am not an animal! Bust out your whips and chains this week, because the CinemaJaw Circus is in town, we ain't clownin around here. The boys are wrestling bears, and sticking their heads into the mouths of our favorite Animal Movies. Joining us is a lion tamer of a Producer over at The Onion, Mr. Gus Spelman, his new series of video for the Onion can be seen here. Gus and the boys dangle the fishies in front of the movie porpoises and coax an amazing episode into its cage. Also new is our engineer Eliaz Rodriguez! Take a listen to this beast of an episode as you digest that turkey. I for an I: The Life of Pi, Hitchcock Reviewed This Episode: The Phantom Toll Booth, Lincoln, Rock of Ages, My Sisters Sister CinemaWAR: Red Dawn remake, good idea or not?

This week CinemaJaw goes live, on location to bring you coverage of an amazing art opening that happens to be tied into an upcoming documentary film. We know... That sounds complicated, bear with us here, because this is a great episode! Prof. John Otterbacher (who you may remember from his other appearances on CinemaJaw) is currently in the process of making a new documentary called "Officially Limited" that takes a look at licensed and unlicensed movie posters, the artist that make and print them, their process, the fans, and the whole industry that has sprung up around this phenomenon. Recently Professor O. had an event at Gallerie F here in Chicago to raise some money and awareness for not only the film  but this whole movie poster movement in pop art. He was kind enough to ask CinemaJaw to join him. In this episode, we interview the Galerie F owner, discuss Wreck-it Ralph with Jaw heads outside of The New 400 Theaters, and talk about our favorite movie vampires. All in less than an hour... Hang this episode on your wall, because THAT is an ART! Also - This is Red Box Reno's last episode as the official Producer of CinemaJaw. Reno is the best in the biz, and we have been so happy to have him for the past 3 years! Stay tuned for a  proper goodbye and news on who the next Engineer will be! (Yes we already have one!) I for an I: Twilight Breaking Dawn pt2, Silver Linings Playbook Reviewed This Episode: Wreck-it Ralph, Flight, The Raven CinemaWAR: Will the new Star Wars films be cool, or worse than the Prequels?  

Happy Election Day! Every four years our great nation participates in our great democratic act...electing the president. Polling places flood with the american masses each casting that ballot for their hopes, dreams and interests to be recognized. Truly it is a magnificent process to behold, at the end of which a triumphant great leader emerges. This year shall be no different. The Commander In Chief has been portrayed on the silver screen since movies began. This week on the Jaw we take a look at our favorites and arguably the best to ever fill the fictitious Oval Office. These can be actors portraying both real and made-up presidents and several examples of each are given. Joining us in this electoral episode is a great friend of the show, local Chicago filmmaker and Indie Incubator co-founder Mr. Charles Klein. Making his fifth appearance Chuck is our go-to guy an; d he has some wonderful new projects to plug. In addition to all that, you will hear our cabinet of segments: I for an I, CinemaWAR, Trivia, PLUS we choose our fantasy pick for director of the new Star Wars films recently announced. CinemaJaw for President! I for an I: Lincoln, Skyfall Reviewed This Episode: Cloud Atlas, Sessions, Cabin in the Woods CinemaWAR: Who is the better actor, Marlon Brando or Daniel Day Lewis?

AAAIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! Within the Horror genre there is a character archetype that is consistent and riveting. The fem finale, the One-Who-Got-Away, the lone survivor, valued for their blood curdling  SCREAM! They are the Matriarchs of Mayhem... the Scream Queens! These are the women who defy the role of damsel in distress and often become the hero or the aggressor. They make it to the end of horror films whit their life intact and that alone makes them noteworthy. Some of the greatest actresses of all time have had this title, so we examine our top 5. The guest this episode? None other than Professor John Otterbacher of  Tribeca Flashpoint Academy. Professor O. tells us about his new project documenting the interesting world of pop art movie posters for his upcoming film Officially Limited in addition to helping the boys with his own top 5 list of Scream Queens.  Its a scream! I for an I: Paranormal Activiy 4 Reviewed This Episode: Argo, Hotel Transylvani, Pirates Band of Misfits, Chico & Rita CinemaWAR: Which horror franchise would you rather be stuck in, Halloween or Friday the 13th?

Undercover Brothers. This week on CinemaJaw our operatives, Matt K. and Ry The Movie Guy go deep undercover to investigate the Best Undercover Movies! For this assignment they will need a man on the inside, welcome back Mike Hough. Our resident action and dude movie aficionado Mike returns for his 4th appearance on the show. In addition to Mike and the boys uncovering their favorite Undercover Movies, there is a CinemaWAR for the ages... (no seriously this is one to listen to!) and of course all the bits and bobs you've come to love from CinemaJaw. Your secret is safe with us! I for an I: Argo Reviewed This Episode: Looper, Snow white and the Huntsman, The Avengers CinemaWAR: Will Daniel Craig go down as the best James Bond after his run?  

I'm gonna git you sucka! This week on CinemaJaw we pull on our ski masks and suit up to take the movie law into our own hands as we cover Vigilante Movies! Closely related to (but ultimately separate from) the Revenge genre, Vigilante films are about a character or group of characters who decide to dish out their own brand of justice and it seems to be a dish best served with a knuckle sandwich on the side, this is some great violent stuff! Have no fear, CinemaJaw is not one to be a Lone Ranger in these matters. We brought along some Southern vigilantism from Matt and Francesca Scalici of the hit Birmingham blog and popular podcast  series, FilmNerds.com! Not only are Matt and Francesca amazing film critics in their own right as individuals, they also throw down family style with the highly interesting "ride home from the theater" film couples podcast: Cinematrimony. In fact they have a great podcast and reviews blog network going on, and we highly encourage you to check it out. Or else we will be looking for you. I for an I: Taken 2 Reviewed This Episode: The Master, Sleepwalk With Me, Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory, Jiro Dreams of Sushi CinemaWAR: Michael Cera or Jesse Eisenberg: Who is the bigger film nerd?

Rapid fire Louie like Rambo got bullets. I'm a gonna die harder like my man Bruce Willis! Since the days of Moonlighting, Mr. Walter "Bruce" Willis has entertained us with his acting. While he may not be Laurence Olivier, he has certainly had some amazing turns at  bat with hits like Die Hard, The Sixth Sense, Pulp Fiction, and many others. He has also had his fair share of duds, and a fair share of underrated films as well. This week on CinemaJaw, Matt K and Ry The Movie Guy are flying solo (no guest) and take an In Depth look at the man who would be John McClane, noting his Best, Worst and Most Underrated entries. In addition to that, the boys cover the Nakatomi Plaza of usual segments: I for an I, Jaw-101, Reviews, and even manage to rope in Julie and Matt from the front bar to participate in CinemaWAR and Trivia. Yippee-ki-yay, m-f-er! I for an I: Looper Reviewed This Episode: In Darkness CinemaWAR: Which Bruce is the bigger badass, Bruce Lee, or Bruce Willis?

The opiate of the masses. With the 2012 apocalypse looming less that a quarter away, we decided it was time for CinemaJaw to  get right with the higher power and cover our top 5 Religious Movies, although Matt's list is sure to send him to... well it's a heck of a list. The topic is quite genre crossing, from comedy to horror, it seems that religious themes can permeate through all tropes, and quite a few are mentioned. Joining us is none other than the Zeus of cinema podcasting himself, a podfather, an O.G., Mr. Adam Kempenaar of the highly acclaimed film podcast and radio show, Filmspotting. Adam, a hero of the show, joins us this whole episode and lends his top list talents to the cast. In addition to the list, we go I for an I on a new movie coming out, play some trivia (in which Matt is outgunned), and rack up another CinemaWAR! We pray you wont miss this awesome episode! I for an I: The Master Reviewed This Episode: Lawless, Silent House, Killer Joe CinemaWAR: Who has the beter career at this point. Matt Damon or Ben Affleck?

Gonna go back in time. The 1980s were a special time. Day-glow and cyberpunk, the 80s had a flavor of optimism and decay. Many movie genres hit a stride in the 80s such as Slasher, Sci-Fi, Action, but none more so than Comedy. Comedies in the 80s felt effortless and genuine, and consistently hillarious. It was the beginning of the SNL films, and titans like Dangerfield, Chase, Murray and Aykroyd loomed large on the silver screen. This week on CinemaJaw we dip our toes into the 80s Comedy Exto-Cooler and pick out our favorite entries. We will need a copilot in this dilorian. Enter Martin Marrow, Chicago stand up comedian, and film major. Martin will help the boys sift through the Baby Ruths floating in the pool and unearth the real genius. Take a listen.   I for an I: Lawless Reviewed This Episode: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Galaxy of Terror, The Flowers of War CinemaWAR: Zach Galifinakis Vs. Bradley Cooper

The leaves are falling everywhere. While we are somewhat reluctant to mourn the end of another great summer season (and one of the best in decades) it's time to turn our sites to Fall and the season that Ry likes to call Oscar Bait. The leaves will salute the season with a fiery hue, and apple orchards will fill up with tourists trapped in corn mazes while the Great Pumpkin eludes Linus for yet another year.Yes JawHeads it is once again time for the Fall Movie Preview Special. And helping us on this Special Episode of CinemaJaw is a very special man... Donny Rodriguez, writer and performer of comedy for Wood Sugars. Donny will lend our boys the help they need to sift through the nonsense and pick the best of the season like so much ripe fruit ready to fall and give us gravity. Also dropping this episode, the usual bad apples: I for an I, Trivia, Hollywood Headlines and a whole lot more. Harvest it. I for an I: the Expendibles 2 Reviewed This Episode: Searching For Sugarman, Comic Con Episode IV: a Fans Hope, WE CinemaWAR: is Liam Neeson still an A list star? Or has he slipped down to the B list?

Some people call me a space cowboy... Space... The Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the podcast, CinemaJaw. It's weekly mission: to explore strange new genres, to seek out new releases and new-to-us classics... To boldly go where no movies podcast has gone before! (cue theme song) Who among us was not fascinated with space at some point in childhood? To gaze up in wide wonder at the glorious heavens and imagine oneself "up there" is truly a universal experience, if you'll excuse the pun.  It's no surprise to us that Space Movies is such a popular genre with so many great entries, and this week on CinemaJaw we will dish up, freeze dried, a few of our favorites with a glass of Tang. Joining us on this intrepid sojourn is none other than Chicago taste-maker, epic mustache sporter and Do312 General Manager, Jeremy Scheuch! In addition to the top 5 space movies of our three explorers, you will also be treated to Trivia, Hollywood Headlines, Interested or Ignore, and a whole lot more great stuff! So please take your protein pills and put your helmet on.   I for an I: The Expendables 2 Reviewed This Episode: Margaret CinemaWAR: Which Hollywood breakup was more important?

Take a look, it's in a book... Writers, those tortured souls, have managed to work themselves into their stories since pen first hit paper. The Movies are no different. It's all quite meta, and it happens in every genre: Comedy, Action, Horror, etc. These are the movies about writers and this week on CinemaJaw we pick our top 5! Joining us on this literary quest is none other than RedEye Columnist and writer extraordinaire, Mr. Stephen Markley! Stephen helps us choose our top 5 and even drops the science on his latest project in what is another CINEMAJAW EXCLUSIVE! Also ever-present are our usual line up of great segments. So take a listen, then go read a book!