“Movie Buzz Podcast” Archive
George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
Now that every human being alive has seen the final Harry Potter installment (well, almost every human being, he admitted sheepishly), as well as the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, Green Lantern (I liked it, so sue me), Super 8, and Captain America: The First Avenger, we can officially say we are about to pass the "peak" of this year's summer movie madness (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, anyone?).
And that means it's time to start thinking about what's coming down the pipeline next. Here's Movie Irv and his guest to tell you about the pictures they're most excited to see later this year and in 2012. Are they the films on your must-see list?
George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
Has anyone ever topped the performance Boris Karloff gave as the Frankenstein Monster? Does anybody out there think Steve Martin was as funny playing Inspector Clouseau as the late, great Peter Sellers? Maybe you thought that once the Shat created the character of James T. Kirk onscreen, no one else could do justice to the unique character of the Enterprise captain. (I once thought that, too, but Chris Pine convinced me otherwise)
There are plenty of unforgettable characters played by actors (and actresses) whose shoes were then thought to be too big to fill in sequels or remakes. Irv and his guest have come up with their own list of filmdom's most daunting iconic roles, with an insightful rundown of how those brave thespians who attempted to avoid the shadows of beloved and brilliant performances past fared for good or ill. See if you agree!
George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
They all have big big-screen credits. But how will Ewan McGregor (he of the Star Wars prequels), Melanie Laurent (she of Inglourious Basterds), and Christopher Plummer (he of...well, just look at his filmography, for cryin' out loud, it's astounding) fare with a much smaller-scale movie about coming out of the closet, dying with dignity, and talking to your dog? That's Beginners, a romantic comedy-drama that's getting a lot of hot buzz.
To top it off, Movie Irv has just made his very first 2012 Oscar prediction:
George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
There are few things that get me (as Irv's video producer) jazzed up to see a movie more than a hotly split critical reaction. And, much like the works of Lars von Trier (Oh, I guess it won't be as fashionable anymore to say he's a terrific director) and David Lynch (someday maybe we can all have a splendid debate about the merits of Mulholland Dr. versus those of Lost Highway), the films of Terrence Malick can usually be counted on to stir up viewers' passions. His latest, The Tree of Life, has proven that again.
What's Irv's verdict on the winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes? Let's find out:
(Minor SPOILER ALERTS are tagged! Turn down your volume or skip ahead as instructed if you don't want any parts of the story spoiled for you ahead of time)
George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
Woody Allen, who must now be regarded as cinema's most reliable auteur, is back. This time, Owen Wilson is playing him. Well, maybe let's just say he's playing the Woody Allen part. OK, that's still maybe not quite so fair. Let's just say he's playing a screenwriter whose travels through the City of Light turn into something that sounds like a cross between Manhattan and The Purple Rose of Cairo.
Then again, I haven't seen it yet, so maybe none of that is completely accurate. Movie Irv has seen the Woodman's latest, however, and he's here now to tell us if it's just as good as his "earlier, funnier" movies:
George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
Everybody out there loved Machete, right? Right???
(Sound of crickets)
Well, I certainly loved it, and that makes me more than curious about Hobo with a Shotgun. Rutger Hauer stars as the trigger-happy vagrant in this feature-length expansion of the fake exploitation trailer. Has lightning struck twice, or is this a cult film wannabe that pales in comparison to the real thing? Movie Irv has his verdict:
George D. Allen | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
Fourteen-year-olds (of all ages) are juiced for the summer of 2011, because not only do we have the much-anticipated Marvel Comics blockbuster Captain America on tap, we're also primed for some intergalactic action with DC Comics' emerald avenger Green Lantern, more hardy (ar-harr) hijinks with Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and a lot of monkeying around with the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. In the midst of this cinematic cacophony, the movie addict overstuffed with effects-heavy efforts might reasonably ask: Is that all there is?
Movie Irv is back just in time to clue you in on a few summer "sleepers" he believes will act as effective counterprogramming as we enter a season sweltering with superheroes, sequels, and reboots:
George D. Allen | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
You laughed out loud (or cringed, perhaps depending on your outlook) when he impersonated President George W. Bush; you couldn't get enough of the dueling between Alex Trebek and Sean Connery every time Celebrity Jeopardy! aired a new episode; you loved him when he played a man-sized Elf; and you instantly decided you really didn't need to see any more of Will Ferrell in his patriotic thong.
Your wish is his command (for now, anyway): Ferrell is gambling his fans are going to enjoy the risk he is taking with the leading role in Everything Must Go. Just how different is this from the typical "Will Ferrell Movie"? Does it work? Let's check in with Movie Irv:
George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
If you're Collecting Movie Classics (and you already know which are the best Movie Bombs to put in your library), you're going to want to make space on your shelves not just for John Wayne (take the poll to choose your favorite), Clint (check out Clint's underrated movies), Bond (especially the sixth 007), Bogie (the stuff that dreams are made of), Bronson (yes, he made these awesome commercials), Rambo, and any number of other "Real Man" outings...but also for those cinema treasures that celebrate the strength, sass, and staying power of the—ahem—"fairer" sex.
We're talking about Thelma & Louise. We're talking about Fargo. And, we're talking about Foxy Brown. Yes, we're talking about unforgettable movies starring tough women. Underestimate these hardy gals at your peril:
George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
Even as they mourn the recent passing of Elisabeth Sladen, Doctor Who fans are happily gearing up to enjoy their beloved program in a way never before possible: On April 23, the 32nd season (or the sixth season, depending on your particular approach to the Doctor's canon) will be broadcast day-and-date for the first time on both the BBC and BBC America! So, now seems like the perfect time to publish this shocking video we obtained of a genuine Doctorwhoaholic in the midst of his talking cure. WARNING: You are about to see a Doctor Who fanatic sharing stories of his addiction to the long-running sci-fi hit (currently starring Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor) and offering details about the booty he obtained while attending the 2011 Gallifrey One convention, held in Los Angeles (Earth).
Yes, this can happen to you or someone you love:
"Brian's" analyst, who supplied us with this disturbing tape, has since been stripped of his license to practice due to this egregious breach of doctor-patient confidentiality.
George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
Every movie collector wants to have the greatest movies produced in their library, right? But who can ever agree on that list? We're tempted to say Movie Irv and his guest are about to share picks for their Top 10 "Guilty Pleasures," but they're not embarrassed at all when it comes to saying that they love these movies the public at large deemed worthy of BOMB status.
From All the Pretty Horses to Speed Racer and many other notable box-office duds, our flop-loving friends are now eager to share with you their reasons as to why you need to give some movies a second chance:
George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz Podcast
Why have just one monster when you can have two? And why stop there? Why not check the box for a third creature? Fit in a fourth freaky fiend...now you've really got something! Whether we're talking about a one-on-one battle or a tag team smackdown--or even those rare occasions when frighteners team up to face a common foe--Monster Mashups in the movies have always been popular, especially when they include such chiller combatants as Dracula, the Frankenstein Monster, King Kong, Gozdilla, Freddy Krueger, or the one and only Mega Shark!
Ghouly Irv now throws his hat (and the rest of himself) into the ring for this rundown of "monster vs. monster" movies:
OK, monster mavens...now that you've seen the Ghouly One's rundown of dread-packed duke-'em-outs, it's your turn: What monster vs. monster battle should we see on the screen next? Jigsaw vs. The Scorpion King? The Blair Witch vs. The Human Centipede? The Blob vs. Charlie Sheen?
1 Comment »