The MovieByte Podcast

The MovieByte Podcast #150: They’re Woody and Buzz

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Join TJ, Joe, and Chad for the last episode of the show to discuss ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E. That is of course after reminiscing about the fun times had over the last few years of working on the show. The guys discuss their favorite episodes and movie reviews, they talk about the upcoming reboot of the show, and then they get to film news such as the ‘Star Wars’ super cut, the Honest Trailer for ‘Mad Max’, the Harry Potter fan theory, Dumbledore as Death, and ‘Jurassic World’ in 90 seconds as told by Legos.

Show Notes & Links

TRON: Legacy — Review
Perhaps the most unappreciated blockbuster success of 2010, Disney’s live action sci-fi/fantasy is a faithful continuation of the TRON franchise with returning cast members and filmmakers.
Episode 33: Bio-Digital Jazz
And the meat and potatoes for this episode is ‘TRON: Legacy’
Episode 100: Is This Real Life?
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ is here and it’s awesome!
Episode 79: Spaceship!
Be careful! Chad might unleash “The Kragle”!
The Giver — Review
The year is 2048 (but it could be at any time in the distant future).
Episode 104: Hannah Montana Kids
Critics don’t like it, it didn’t get good marketing, and it hasn’t made a boatload of money. So now despite all that the question before us, is ‘The Giver’ a good film?
Wreck-it Ralph — Review
Wreck-It Ralph is a 2012 3D computer-animated comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.
Episode 17: You Have No Soul
Wreck-it Ralph is estimated by your hosts to be a really, really great ‘Pixar’ film even though it’s technically not a Pixar film, it’s a Disney film.
Episode 32: Nuclear Fallout
Bear with us guys, this is the longest installment of ‘The MovieByte Podcast’ yet, but it’s well worth it.
Episode 50: As A Five Year Old
TJ welcomes a new co-host and talks a bit about the future of the podcast.
Episode 61: I Don’t Want To Die
TJ and Chad dive into their review of ‘The Way Way Back’, a surprising good film.
Episode 68: Thor Score and Seven
his episode brings together four of the best podcasters the nine realms have ever seen.
Episode 72: Kitten Acupuncture
And in summary they also found ‘Frozen’ quite delightful and a great film to be the subject of conversation!
Episode 85: Trust Issues
Chad and TJ are joined by Fizz to ostensibly talk about ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ — and they certainly do, but that of course means that they have to discuss the larger Marvel Universe as well.
Episode 92: Time To Start Over
Listen in as Chad and TJ live the same day over, and over, and over, and over. But it’s worth it since the film they are discussing was fantastic.
Episode 102: And it Exploded
TJ, Chad, and Joe hop in the time machine and go back to 1999 to review the wonderful and zany ‘Galaxy Quest’.
Episode 141: I Hate To Kill You
It may have the words “Princess” and “Bride” in the title, but this is not your average and sappy Disney fairly tale.
Episode 14: A Movie About a Fake Movie
they discuss the fine film Argo, Ben Affleck’s career, the great acting in the film, the great story telling and more.
Episode 30: We’re Fine Here
TJ and Joe are joined by Linsay Morgan to discuss ‘Star Wars’.
Episode 42: One Movie A Year
TJ and Joe are pleased to welcome to the show special guest Dan Benjamin of 5by5!
Episode 52: Punching Michael Bay In The Head
Here there be monsters folks! Michael and TJ review ‘Pacific Rim’
Episode 115: Bonus Episode - ‘The Force Awakens’ Teaser Trailer
It’s a special bonus episode of The MovieByte Podcast where TJ, Joe, and Clark talk about — actually dissect might be a better word — the first new teaser trailer for ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’. There’s no shortage of opinions, fun, and just generally geeking out. You won’t want to miss this!
Episode 148: Drunk Driving in a Teleporter
Joe and TJ are joined by Tim Smith to talk about just how bad ‘Fantastic Four (2015) really is.
Episode 86: Tell Good Stories
The episode you’ve been waiting for! The epic conversation about ‘Noah’. Was it good, bad, ugly, awful? TJ, Fizz, and Michael Minkoff discuss the film and the opinions vary widely, which always make for a good discussion.
Episode 5: I Don’t Want to Sound Crazy
the main topic, The Bourne Legacy.
Night Owl Newsletter
Night Owl on Twitter
Star Wars Wars: All 6 Films At Once
As promised, the HD version of all 6 Star Wars movies combined to battle for your attention.
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Honest Trailer: A Two-Hour Game of Mario Kart from Hell
We’ve already seen Mad Max: Fury Road get a Mario Kart overhaul, and now the Honest Trailer for the blockbuster from the director of Happy Feet and Babe: Pig in the City dives into what they describe as a two-hour, hellish version of the Nintendo racing game.
What Does J.K. Rowling Think About the Dumbledore as Death Theory?
A little over a couple weeks ago, a new fan theory about one of the major characters in the Harry Potter series was taking the internet by storm. And it finally made its way to the character’s creator, author J.K. Rowling.
Watch: ‘Jurassic World’ in 90 Seconds, With Legos
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. — IMDb
In the early 1960s, CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization, which is working to proliferate nuclear weapons.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: The Man from U.N.C.L.E. tries to distract from an unremarkable story with charismatic stars and fizzy set pieces, adding up to an uneven action thriller with just enough style to overcome its lack of substance.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Aug. 24, 2015: $27,268,376 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: August 14, 2015 Genre: ActionRuntime: 1 hrs. 56 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $75 million

The MovieByte Podcast #149: The World Was Black and White

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Alexis Johnson — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 13:00:00 GMT

This week, Joe and TJ and joined by Alexis Johnson to discuss the fine film, ‘Mr. Homes.’ Mr. Holmes follows the story of an aging and senile Sherlock trying to piece together what went wrong on his last case 30 years ago. The three also discuss Will Smith rebooting ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’, the upcoming ‘Heroes Reborn’ TV show, the ‘Inside Out’ short film coming this fall with the home entertainment release, Pixar’s plans for ‘Toy Story 4’, and the trailer for Quentin Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’.

Show Notes & Links

Will Smith Is Working On a ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Reboot
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is following fellow ’90s family sitcoms Full House and Boy Meets World back to the small screen.
‘Heroes Reborn’ Was Designed as ‘Heroes’ Season 10
Heroes Reborn joins Arrested Development and 24: Live Another Day as shows brought back years after their series finales.
‘Inside Out’ short film coming this fall: The Emotions deal with dating
We all loved Pixar’s Inside Out when it hit theaters in June. Want more from that interesting world? Now we have a short film to look forward to!
‘Toy Story 4′ is a love story about Woody and Bo Peep
Drumming up excitement for this weekend’s expo, Pixar Creative Head John Lasseter revealed Friday morning that Toy Story 4 will be a love story “centered around Woody and Bo Peep.”
THE HATEFUL EIGHT - Official Teaser Trailer
In Select Theaters on Christmas Day & Everywhere On January 8th, 2016
Basil Rathbone
Philip St. John Basil Rathbone, MC (13 June 1892 – 21 July 1967) was a South African-born English actor. He rose to prominence in the UK as a Shakespearean stage actor and went on to appear in over 70 films, primarily costume dramas, swashbucklers and, occasionally, horror films.
Mr. Holmes — IMDb
An aged, retired Sherlock Holmes looks back on his life, and grapples with an unsolved case involving a beautiful woman.
Mr. Holmes — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Mr. Holmes focuses on the man behind the mysteries, and while it may lack Baker Street thrills, it more than compensates with tenderly wrought, well-acted drama.
Mr. Holmes — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Aug. 13, 2015: $13,480,090 Distributor: Roadside AttractionsRelease Date: July 17, 2015 Genre: Crime DramaRuntime: 1 hrs. 43 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: N/A
A Slight Trick of the Mind
The tale is that of Sherlock Holmes, elderly and unable to walk without a cane, as his memory begins to fail. He lives with a housekeeper and her son, and talks to the son about his life before he forgets it entirely.

The MovieByte Podcast #148: Drunk Driving in a Teleporter

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Tim Smith — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Joe and TJ are joined by Tim Smith to talk about just how bad ‘Fantastic Four (2015) really is. And boy is it ever a doozy! All can agree that it is the lamest movie of the year so far. And that’s taking Terminator Genisys into account! Also up for discussion, the upcoming ‘Steve Jobs’ film by director Danny Boyle and writer Aaron Sorkin, Batman fighting Batman in the latest ‘LEGO Dimensinos’ trailer, and a retrospective on the making of ‘Back to the Future’.

Show Notes & Links

‘Steve Jobs’ TV Spot: The Apple Co-Founder’s Greatest Invention is Himself
As summer winds down, we’re starting to see glimpses of the movies that will be vying for Golden Globes and Oscars this fall and winter, and one of them is undoubtedly Steve Jobs, which just debuted a new extended TV spot.
Watch Batman Fight Batman in Latest ‘LEGO Dimensions’ Video Game Trailer
And now a new trailer has arrived online, showing the story behind how all these different franchises came to be mixed up with each other. But the real highlight is seeing Batman fight another Batman.
Watch This Thoughtful 30-Minute Retrospective on the Making of ‘Back to the Future’
Watch the extensive Back to the Future retrospective
Fox Faces Huge ‘Fantastic Four’ Write-off, Sequel Plan Still Rumored
The new Fantastic Four was a great disappointment, arriving as a hollowed-out shell of a movie with little character development, baffling internal logic, and lackluster effects.
Josh Trank Tweets and Deletes Lament Over ‘Fantastic Four’ Final Cut, Max Landis Chimes in Too
The post on Twitter has since been deleted, but here it is
What Went Wrong with ‘Fantastic Four,’ Plus See a Dozen Trailer Shots Cut from the Movie
Arriving in theaters just this past weekend, Fantastic Four is now the worst reviewed Marvel comics adaptation ever.
Why CG Sucks (Except It Doesn’t)
Are computer generated visual effects really ruining movies?
Fantastic Four: A Spoilereview
How bad is the latest effort to establish a cinematic franchise out of Marvel Comics’ iconic super-group the Fantastic Four? Well, it’s the worst to date—which is a substantial achievement, given the low quality of the (unreleased) 1994 Roger Corman adaptation and the let’s-test-drive-Chris-Evans-as-a-superhero films released in 2005 and 2007.
Fantastic Four — IMDb
Four young outsiders teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe which alters their physical form in shocking ways. The four must learn to harness their new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.
Fantastic Four — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Dull and downbeat, this Fantastic Four proves a woefully misguided attempt to translate a classic comic series without the humor, joy, or colorful thrills that made it great.
Fantastic Four — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Aug. 10, 2015: $27,948,196 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: August 7, 2015 Genre: Action / AdventureRuntime: N/A MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #147: The Evil Half of My Brain

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Clark Douglas — Wed, 5 Aug 2015 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe are joined by Clark Douglas to talk about Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation — and what a fantastic film it turned out to be. There’s really not a lot more one could wish for in a summer action blockbuster! They also discuss the possibility of ‘Spider-Man’ having a larger role in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ and ‘Spider-Man’ fatigue, the current state of Marvel television, JJ Abrams visual style and what that could mean for ‘Star Wars’, and Paramount confirming that ‘Mission Impossible 6’ has been green lit.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte T-Shirt (Last Chance!)
Show your dedication to the show and pick up a snazzy t-shirt or ten!
Spider-Man may have much larger role in ‘Civil War’ than initially reported
Tom Holland will be playing Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, and while it was originally reported to be a cameo, new reports suggest it may end up being a much larger role.
ABC President Talks The Future Of Marvel Television: Agents Of SHIELD, Inhumans, Agent Carter in Hollywood
ABC Entertainment Group President Paul Lee spoke before the Television Critics Association for an executive panel on Tuesday, August 4. When asked about ABC’s plans for Marvel, given that Netflix has many of Marvel’s television properties, Lee staked his network’s claim to the continuing success of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter.
Video: How Will JJ Abrams’ Visual Style Affect ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’?
This morning I came across a well-edited video essay titled Star Wars – The Force of Abrams by Dan Fox (aka Hello Film Guy). The video is essentially an examination of filmmaker JJ Abrams‘ visual storytelling skills, theorizing how his methods might affect Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Paramount Confirms ‘Mission: Impossible 6′ Development
With the latest mission, Rogue Nation, about to hit theaters, star and producer Tom Cruise says the wait for the next film might be much shorter.
The Four Types Of Tom Cruise Movies
Unlike Ferrell and Sandler movies, there are not clusters of Cruise movies, there are merely strata.
Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation Review
At one point in Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation, the head of the CIA (Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock) delivers a speech about the unyielding persistence of IMF Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise, Top Gun), and concludes by referring to Hunt as, “manifest destiny incarnate.”
Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation — IMDb
Ethan and team take on their most impossible mission yet, eradicating the Syndicate - an International rogue organization as highly skilled as they are, committed to destroying the IMF.
Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation continues the franchise’s thrilling resurgence—and proves that Tom Cruise remains an action star without equal.
Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Aug. 3, 2015: $62,310,176 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: July 31, 2015 Genre: ActionRuntime: N/A MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #146: He Wasn’t Wearing His Storm Trooper Helmet

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe do something crazy this week; they review THREE film! Mission Impossibles 2, 3, and Ghost Protocol (4) in a lead up to next week’s film in theaters: ‘Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation’. Also in discussion: whether Michael Douglas will return as Hank Pym for ‘Ant-Man 2’, the ‘Full House’ sequel, ‘Fuller House’ has cast Eva LaRue as Danny’s wife, ‘X-Men’ and ‘Fantastic Four’ will be getting a cross over (says Bryan Singer), and how many shots in ‘Star Wars VII’ are completely CGI?

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast T-Shirt
Show your dedication to the show and pick up a snazzy t-shirt or ten!
Michael Douglas Not Signed on for ‘Ant-Man’ Sequels
fans might be disappointed to hear that as of now there’s no guarantee that we’ll see Michael Douglas in Ant-Man 2.
‘Fuller House’ adds Eva LaRue as Danny’s wife
What has Danny (Bob Saget) been up to in the years following Full House? He got married!
‘X-Men,’ ‘Fantastic Four’ crossover in the works, says Bryan Singer
Fox has one — possibly two, possibly three — big super hero franchises on their hands, so it may not come as a surprise that they’re considering a crossover between a couple.
How Many Shots in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Are Completely CGI?
According to MakingStarWars.net, as of last summer when the film was in production, there were about 28 total shots that were supposed to be completely CGI.
The MovieByte Podcast Episode 145: Broke Evangeline Lilly’s Heart
TJ and Joe discuss the last film in Marvel’s Phase 2: ‘Ant-Man’.
leonard nimoy mission impossible — Google Image Search
Mission: Impossible II — IMDb
A secret agent is sent to Sydney, to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called "Chimera"
Mission: Impossible III — IMDb
Ethan Hunt comes face to face with a dangerous and sadistic arms dealer while trying to keep his identity secret in order to protect his girlfriend.
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol — IMDb
The IMF is shut down when it’s implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization’s name.
Mission: Impossible II — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Your cranium may crave more substance, but your eyes will feast on the amazing action sequences.
Mission: Impossible III — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Fast-paced, with eye-popping stunts and special effects, the latest Mission: Impossible installment delivers everything an action fan could ask for. A thrilling summer popcorn flick.
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Stylish, fast-paced, and loaded with gripping set pieces, the fourth Mission: Impossible is big-budget popcorn entertainment that really works.
Mission: Impossible II — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $215,409,889 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: May 24, 2000 Genre: ActionRuntime: 2 hrs. 3 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $125 million
Mission: Impossible III — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $134,029,801 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: May 5, 2006 Genre: ActionRuntime: 2 hrs. 6 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $150 million
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $209,397,903 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: December 16, 2011 Genre: ActionRuntime: 2 hrs. 12 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $145 million

The MovieByte Podcast #145: Broke Evangeline Lilly’s Heart

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe discuss the last film in Marvel’s Phase 2: ‘Ant-Man’. And while it may have it’s problems here and there it’s a pretty fantastic film and certainly one of the better films Marvel has turned out lately. Also don’t miss the discussion about ‘The Good Dinosaur’ first full length trailer, Sam Raimi looking forward to ‘Spider-Man’ in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and ‘Pacific Rim 2’ begins shooting this November. Also, don’t forget to buy your MovieByte T-Shirt!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast T-Shirt
Show your dedication to the show and pick up a snazzy t-shirt or ten!
A Making-of Featurette
‘This is the End of Disc 1. Please insert Disc 2 to continue playing.’
Entire ‘Back to The Future’ Trilogy Returning to Theaters in October for 30th Anniversary
It turns out that won’t be the only way you can celebrate the classic time travel trilogy, because buried in a press release for the new Blu-Ray set is word that the entire Back to the Future trilogy will also be returning to theaters that same day.
Pixar’s ‘The Good Dinosaur’: First full-length trailer released!
As we continue to recover from our Inside Out emotions, Pixar is impressing us again with a trailer for their second new film of 2015, The Good Dinosaur.
Sam Raimi Has “A Lot of Faith” in Marvel’s ‘Spider-Man’ Reboot
As Spider-Man gears up for yet another reboot — this time as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe — Sam Raimi, who directed the first Spider-Man feature, has weighed in with his thoughts.
Atom Man vs. Superman
Atom Man vs. Superman (1950), Columbia’s 43rd serial and the second live-action Superman screen appearance, both featuring Kirk Alyn as Superman, finds Lex Luthor (Lyle Talbot), secretly the Atom Man, blackmailing the city of Metropolis by threatening to destroy the entire community.
Evangeline Lilly Cuts Her Hair Into Her Ant-Man Character’s Bob
She looks Marvel-ous! Evangeline Lilly showed off her sweet short cut on Instagram recently, and it’s raising speculation among comic book fans that the star, who is playing Hope Van Dyne in the upcoming Ant-Man film, may be doing double duty as Ant-Man’s fellow superhero The Wasp.
Ant-Man — IMDb
Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Ant-Man — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Led by a charming performance from Paul Rudd, Ant-Man offers Marvel thrills on an appropriately smaller scale—albeit not as smoothly as its most successful predecessors.
Ant-Man — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jul. 20, 2015: $63,629,427 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: July 17, 2015 Genre: Action / AdventureRuntime: 1 hrs. 57 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $130 million

The MovieByte Podcast #144: Special Kind of Stupid

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Joe and TJ review the somewhat good, but mostly bad monstrosity that is ‘Terminator Genisys’ and also discuss the ‘Suicide Squad’ trailer, the new ‘Star Wars’ novels that explain what happens after ‘Return of the Jedi’ in the new cannon, the ‘Pan’ trailer, an ‘Aladdin’ prequel featuring the Genie, and how ridiculous the ‘Amazing Spider-Man 3 was going to be.

Show Notes & Links

Suicide Squad - Comic-Con First Look [HD]
David Ayer’s SUICIDE SQUAD is in theaters August 5, 2016.
What Happened Immediately After ‘Return Of The Jedi’ According To ‘Star Wars Aftermath’ Novel
Penguin Random House has released a first preview excerpt of another book in the Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens line.
‘Pan’ Trailer: Joe Wright Unveils a Colorful Vision of Neverland
Our next live-action fairy tale retelling comes not from Disney, but from Warner Bros. and the mind of Joe Wright.
Disney Developing ‘Aladdin’ Prequel ‘Genies’; ‘Aladdin’ Movie Could Follow
Disney is developing Genies, a live-action comedy adventure that’ll reveal how the jolly blue giant wound up in that tiny little lamp.
The Amazing Spider-Man 3 Was Going To Be Even More Ridiculous
there was this idea at one point that Spider-Man would be able to take this formula and regenerate the people in his life that had died. So, there was this discussion that Captain Stacy would come back even bigger in episode 3.
New ‘Back to the Future’ 30th Anniversary Blu-Ray Set Comes Inside a Flux Capacitor
Universal Pictures has just announced a new 30th anniversary Blu-Ray set of the entire Back to the Future trilogy.
How Terminator: Genisys made a “synthespian” of young Arnold Schwarzenegger
To pull off the recreation of the Griffith Observatory scene from the original Terminator, the special effects team for Terminator: Genisys decided to create what visual effects supervisor Sheldon Stopsack calls a “synthespian,” a visual effect that recreates an actor when they were younger.
How Terminator Genisys re-created 1984 Arnold Schwarzenegger for the summer’s coolest fight scene
The greatest compliment we could get is if people think we reused footage from the 1984 movie
Terminator Genisys — IMDb
John Connor sends Kyle Reese back in time to protect Sarah Connor, but when he arrives in 1984, nothing is as he expected it to be.
Terminator Genisys — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Mired in its muddled mythology, Terminator: Genisys is a lurching retread that lacks the thematic depth, conceptual intelligence, or visual thrills that launched this once-mighty franchise.
Terminator Genisys — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jul. 15, 2015: $74,067,580 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: July 1, 2015 Genre: ActionRuntime: N/A MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #143: Dinosaurs Eating People

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Clark Douglas — Wed, 8 Jul 2015 13:00:00 GMT

TJ, Joe, and Clark attempt to determine whether Collin Trevorrow’s Jurassic world can live up to the legacy left to him by Spielberg. Take your best guess whether he can or not, or just tune in and find out! Also up for discussion, Star Wars spin-off films featuring a young Han Solo as well as the possible appearance of Darth Vader, ‘London Has Fallen’ images have made the rounds, and the Netflix series ‘Daredevil’ has case the character of Elektra.

Show Notes & Links

‘Star Wars’ Han Solo spinoff movie to be directed by ‘LEGO’s’ Chris Miller, Phil Lord
Big news today about another Star Wars spinoff film in the works at Disney: A new Han Solo-led movie will be helmed by Chris Miller and Phil Lord, the directors of The LEGO Movie.
Darth Vader Will Be In ‘Star Wars: Rogue One’
Darth Vader will appear in Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One
‘London Has Fallen’ First Look: Gerard Butler Fights Terrorists Across the Pond
After narrowly escaping North Korean terrorists in Olympus Has Fallen, Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is back for more world-saving in London Has Fallen.
‘Daredevil’ Casts Élodie Yung as Elektra
As if Daredevil doesn’t have enough on his plate already for Season 2, what with the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) riding into Hell’s Kitchen, he’ll have Elektra to contend with as well. Élodie Yung (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) has just been cast as the mysterious figure for Season 2 of the Marvel / Netflix series.
Jurassic World — Clark’s Review
Jurassic World is one of the most weirdly self-critical movies I’ve ever seen. It’s refreshing when we see the film acknowledge the usual shortcomings of summer blockbusters, but after a while we realize that the movie has no intention of altering or transcending those shortcomings.
Jurassic World — IMDb
A new theme park is built on the original site of Jurassic Park. Everything is going well until the park’s newest attraction—a genetically modified giant stealth killing machine—escapes containment and goes on a killing spree.
Jurassic World — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Jurassic World can’t match the original for sheer inventiveness and impact, but it works in its own right as an entertaining—and visually dazzling—popcorn thriller.
Jurassic World — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jul. 6, 2015: $560,692,030 Distributor: UniversalRelease Date: June 12, 2015 Genre: Sci-Fi HorrorRuntime: N/A MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #142: Best CGI Baby

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Tim Smith — Wed, 1 Jul 2015 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe are joined by Tim Smith to talk about Pixar’s latest film. They answer the question, can Pixar return to their former glory with a resounding YES! They also take a few minutes to celebrate the work of James Horner, talk about Robert Zemmeckis’ firm stance that there will be no ‘Back to the Future’ remakes, discuss the new ‘Supergirl’ TV show trailer, and talk about Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto signing on for a fourth ‘Star Trek’ film.

Show Notes & Links

James Horner Has Died at Age 61
James Horner, the Oscar-winning composer whose scores are an integral part of films such as Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Aliens, Braveheart and Titanic, is dead after his personal plane crashed.
James Horner talks STAR TREK II score
A ‘Back to the Future’ Remake Will Happen Over Robert Zemeckis’ Dead Body
Don’t expect to go back to Back to the Future anytime soon.
‘Supergirl’ International Promo Reveals a Cool Angle for the Young Hero’s Origin
There can be no new superhero show on TV without at least a hint of an origin story, and an origin story for Supergirl means that poor ol’ Krypton has to suffer destruction again.
Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto Signed for ‘Star Trek 4′
As cameras roll on Star Trek 3, Paramount is looking ahead to Star Trek 4.
Did You Catch All of Pixar Animation’s ‘Inside Out’ Easter Eggs?
like every Pixar movie, it’s ripe with easter eggs referencing all of the animation studio’s movies that came before it.
Inside Out — IMDb
After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.
Inside Out — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Inventive, gorgeously animated, and powerfully moving, Inside Out is another outstanding addition to the Pixar library of modern animated classics.
Inside Out — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jun. 29, 2015: $192,061,039 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: June 19, 2015 Genre: AnimationRuntime: N/A MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #141: I Hate To Kill You

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 13:00:00 GMT

TJ, Joe, and Chad are here to discuss a beloved classic this week. It may have the words "Princess" and "Bride" in the title, but this is not your average and sappy Disney fairly tale. Above all, ‘The Princess Bride’ is simply one of the best, funniest, and wonderful films ever made. Also up for discussion: ‘The Maritan’ trailer — an upcoming film by Ridley Scott starring Matt Damon, the best ‘Jurassic World’ trailer to date, and how ‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron’ should have ended.

Show Notes & Links

‘The Martian’ Trailer: Ridley Scott Sends Matt Damon Into Outer Space
We’ve gotten a couple of intriguing peeks at Ridley Scott‘s The Martian in recent days, and now Fox has unveiled the first real trailer for us to enjoy.
THE MARTIAN Viral Video
Ares 3: Farewell (2015) Matt Damon, Ridley Scott
Indominus Rex is Born in Best ‘Jurassic World’ Trailer Yet
While I’m undoubtedly anticipating the release of Jurassic World next week, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t cautiously optimistic. From what we’ve seen in the footage so far, there’s a lot of dinosaur spectacle and action, which is the easiest way to market the film to a culture that has always been obsessed with dinosaurs. However, something just hasn’t felt right.
How The Avengers: Age of Ultron Should Have Ended – Part One
The folks at How It Should Have Ended previously skewered The Avengers: Age of Ultron by poking fun at one of the trailers for the Marvel Studios sequel. But now that the full film has been out in theaters for over a month, and the team has had a chance to soak it in a few times, they’re taking aim at the whole enchilada.
The Princess Bride — IMDb
While home sick in bed, a young boy’s grandfather reads him a story called The Princess Bride.
The Princess Bride — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: A delightfully postmodern fairy tale, The Princess Bride is a deft, intelligent mix of swashbuckling, romance, and comedy that takes an age-old damsel-in-distress story and makes it fresh.
The Princess Bride — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $30,857,814 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: September 25, 1987 Genre: Adventure ComedyRuntime: 1 hrs. 38 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #140: Everything Is Complete. We Can Die Now.

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 3 Jun 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Prepare your popcorn and you may want to bring some rotten fruit to throw at TJ as he is joined by Joe to review ‘Jurassic Park’! One has to wonder what TJ has been up to all these years that he has never seen it before. But that may make this review all the more fun. Also up for some good discussion: the cancelation of ‘Tron 3’, Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander in the upcoming ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ by J.K. Rowling, and ‘The Good Dinosaur’ teaser trailer.

Show Notes & Links

Revive Tron →
Disney cancelled production for the Tron sequel they’ve had in pre-production limbo since 2012. Turns out, they were more interested in making these new films: The Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Beauty and the Beast, and another Pirates of the Caribbean sequel.
‘Tron 3′ Petition: 10,000 Fans and Counting Rally Behind Cancelled Sequel
On Friday word got out that Disney had pulled the plug on Tron 3.
List of Walt Disney Pictures films
This is a list of films released theatrically under the Walt Disney Pictures banner
It’s official: Eddie Redmayne is Newt in J.K. Rowling’s ‘Fantastic Beasts’
Warner Bros. announced Monday afternoon that Eddie Redmayne will portray Newt Scamander in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter spinoff, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
‘The Good Dinosaur’ Teaser Trailer: Pixar Changes History
We’ve been pretty excited about this summer’s Inside Out, but that’s not the only treat Pixar has in store for us this year. Coming this fall is The Good Dinosaur, directed by Peter Sohn.
Jurassic Park — IMDb
During a preview tour, a theme park suffers a major power breakdown that allows its cloned dinosaur exhibits to run amok.
Jurassic Park — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Jurassic Park is a spectacle of special effects and life-like animatronics, with some of Spielberg’s best sequences of sustained awe and sheer terror since Jaws.
Jurassic Park — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $357,067,947 Domestic Lifetime Gross: $402,453,882 Distributor: UniversalRelease Date: June 11, 1993 Genre: Sci-Fi HorrorRuntime: 2 hrs. 7 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $63 million
How 4 Minutes Of CGI Dinosaurs In ‘Jurassic Park’ Took A Year To Make Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-cgi-works-in-jurassic-park-2014-7#ixzz3byBHe9tw
Before the 1990s, most visual effects in movies consisted of stop motion and people in suits.

The MovieByte Podcast #139: Sucking the Joy Out of Life

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Tue, 26 May 2015 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe go to a magical place of Brad Bird’s Making: ‘Tomorrowland’! Find out why TJ loves it so much and why some people just want to suck the joy out of everything? Also find out what news about ‘Star Trek’ has TJ so upset. And don’t forget, the androids are going to kill us all in the ‘Humans’ trailer. Speaking of the apocalypse, ‘World War Z’ 2 has a release date now!

Show Notes & Links

Second ‘Humans’ Teaser Trailer: Robots Are Watching Us
Watch the second Humans teaser trailer
‘World War Z’ Sequel Sets 2017 Release
Paramount has set the debut date for the World War Z sequel, with a mid-summer 2017 release targeted, rather than a 2016 bow.
Paramount Wants ‘Star Trek 3′ to Be Less ‘Star Trek-y’
Ask different people to define what Star Trek means to them and you’re likely to get a huge range of answers.
Tomorrowland — IMDb
Bound by a shared destiny, a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory.
Tomorrowland — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Ambitious and visually stunning, Tomorrowland is unfortunately weighted down by uneven storytelling.
Tomorrowland — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of May. 25, 2015: $41,736,000 (Estimate) Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: May 22, 2015 Genre: Sci-FiRuntime: N/A MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $190 million

The MovieByte Podcast #138: All the Good Wives

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 20 May 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Join Joe and TJ in the post-apocalyptic future of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ where woman and children are property of warlords and must be set free! While that may be a plot of the most simple variety, it is by no means unsatisfying. Also join in for the discussion of three trailers: ‘Supergirl’, ‘Pan’, and ‘Steve Jobs’. And did you know that Chris Pratt will be in some non-‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Marvel films?

Show Notes & Links

SUPERGIRL Season 1 TRAILER (2015) | New CBS Series First Look HD
‘Pan’ Trailer: Every Kid Needs a Visually Lavish Backstory
The story of Peter Pan is reconfigured in Pan, from Atonement and Hanna director Joe Wright.
‘Steve Jobs’ Teaser Trailer: Michael Fassbender Invents the Future
So far, all we’ve seen are photos with Michael Fassbender playing the titular Apple co-founder in Danny Boyle‘s forthcoming biopic Steve Jobs. But today that changes as a brief teaser trailer has just surfaced showing off the X-Men: Days of Future Past and Shame star as the late technology innovator, complete with glasses and black turtleneck.
Chris Pratt Will Be in Non-‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Marvel Films
Chris Pratt may be shooting down casting rumors left and right, but one thing we know for sure is that he’ll be back for another Guardians of the Galaxy.
Mad Max Primer: Is ‘Fury Road’ a Sequel or Prequel? Should You See 3D?
Mad Max: Fury Road is in theaters now, and it is a triumph.
The Heroic Masculinity of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’
What separates the good ones from the bad ones is what they use that masculine power for.
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Official Site
Mad Max: Fury Road — IMDb
In a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, two rebels just might be able to restore order: Max, a man of action and of few words, and Furiosa, a woman of action who is looking to make it back to her childhood homeland.
Mad Max: Fury Road — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: With exhilarating action and a surprising amount of narrative heft, Mad Max: Fury Road brings George Miller’s post-apocalyptic franchise roaring vigorously back to life.
Mad Max: Fury Road — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of May. 18, 2015: $50,767,601 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: May 15, 2015 Genre: Sci-Fi ActionRuntime: N/A MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $150 million

The MovieByte Podcast #137: They Were Drunk

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Join TJ and Joe to review, ‘The Homesman’, a thoroughly engaging yet disappointing film, and not really one either of them recommend. But as often happens, this makes for great conversation. Also find out about the upcoming ‘The Muppets’ TV show, ‘The Fugitive’ remake that’s coming up, ‘The Incredibles 2’ coming from the pen of Brad Bird, and the rumors of Joss Whedon directing ‘Star Wars Episode IX’.

Show Notes & Links

TJDraper - Instagram
Minor microphone shock mount crisis averted thanks to my wife’s pony-tail bands.
First trailer for ABC’s ‘The Muppets’ will leave you excited to watch puppets in primetime
As if we weren’t excited by the idea of a Muppets TV series on paper, the first trailer for the series is now available and reveals a great looking The Office-style comedy.
‘The Fugitive’ Will Return to the Big Screen
Dr. Richard Kimble will try to clear his name one more time on the big screen.
‘The Incredibles 2′ Will Be Brad Bird’s Next Film
With Tomorrowland out of the way, Brad Bird is ready to redirect his attention to an old new project.
Star Wars Bits: Joss Whedon Rumored for Episode IX, Star Wars Weekends, Battlefront Details & More
Rumors are swirling for who might direct Star Wars: Episode IX.
The Homesman — IMDb
Three women who have been driven mad by pioneer life are to be transported across the country by covered wagon by the pious, independent-minded Mary Bee Cuddy, who in turn employs low-life drifter George Briggs to assist her.
The Homesman — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: A squarely traditional yet somewhat progressive Western, The Homesman adds another absorbing entry to Tommy Lee Jones’ directorial resume.
The Homesman — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $2,429,989 Distributor: Saban FilmsRelease Date: November 14, 2014 Genre: WesternRuntime: 2 hrs. 2 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #136: Loki or Low Key?

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Clark Douglas — Wed, 6 May 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Join TJ, Joe, and Clark to discuss this most important film installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’! The highs were high and the lows were low, which makes the conversation great. Also learn about Martin Freeman joining the cast of the upcoming ‘Captain America: Civil War’ and talk of the sequel to ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’.

Show Notes & Links

Martin Freeman joins ‘Captain America: Civil War’
Sherlock and The Hobbit star Martin Freeman is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
Spider-Man Movie: Sony & Marvel Spin Web Of Directors For New Franchise
There is 50/50 and Warm Bodies writer/helmer Jonathan Levine; Ted Melfi, writer/director of Golden Globe-nommed St. Vincent; Pitch Perfect helmer Jason Moore; John Francis Daley & Jonathan M. Goldstein, the directors/writers of the updated version of John Hughes’ Vacation; and Napoleon Dynamite and Don Verdean writer/director Jared Hess.
‘Kingsman’ Sequel Coming Together at Fox
It was bound to happen, and now there’s some news: a Kingsman sequel is in the works at Fox.
Theaters Are Fighting With Disney Over ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’
Among other things, Disney demanded theaters stop matinee screenings of Avengers: Age of Ultron at 5 PM. It also wants to set the national average ticket price as the minimum on which it’ll split box office revenue — meaning that cinemas won’t make as much money off of Avengers: Age of Ultron if they don’t meet the national average ticket price.
Joss Whedon Reveals What Thor’s Subplot Was Supposed to Be in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’
One of the weirder digressions in Avengers: Age of Ultron has Thor seeking answers to questions that crop up in a nightmare sequence.
This ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Plot Hole Will Be Filled on ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D’
Last week’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. perfectly set up Avengers: Age of Ultron with plenty of references to the film’s opening sequence. Soon, we’ll see another Avengers sequence explained on the show.
Avengers: Age of Ultron — IMDb
When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it’s up to Earth’s mightiest heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans.
Avengers: Age of Ultron — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Exuberant and eye-popping, Avengers: Age of Ultron serves as an overstuffed but mostly satisfying sequel, reuniting its predecessor’s unwieldy cast with a few new additions and a worthy foe.
Avengers: Age of Ultron — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of May. 4, 2015: $204,499,664 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: May 1, 2015 Genre: Action / AdventureRuntime: N/A MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $250 million

The MovieByte Podcast #135: Stealing the Scene With His Beard

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Clark Douglas — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe are joined by Clark Douglas to talk about the delightful film, ‘The Age of Adaline’. More films like this need to be made! Also up for discussion, the passing away of Cinematographer Andrew Lasnie — a sad day for cinema indeed, and the passing of Jonathan Crombie well know for his role as Gilbert Blythe in the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ series. Today is also, apparently, National Super Hero Day and IMDb has a few pictures for such an occasion. And don’t forget about all the various Marvel and DC rumors flying around.

Show Notes & Links

‘The Lord of the Rings’ Cinematographer Andrew Lesnie Has Died at 59
Oscar-winning Australian cinematographer Andrew Lesnie has died of a heart attack at age 59. Lesnie was Peter Jackson’s collaborator for fifteen years, and therefore has a significant authorship of the director’s exploration of Middle-Earth, in addition to his many other achievements.
Move over, sexy beasts, and make way for the real literary hero, Gilbert Blythe
It’s been a sad week for literary ladies of a certain generation: Gilbert Blythe has died.
Celebrating National Superhero Day
Rumor: Asa Butterfield Is Marvel’s Top Choice for ‘Spider-Man’
a new report says that Asa Butterfield is Marvel’s top choice for the role. Since Captain America: Civil War is shooting now and will feature the new Spidey, the actor has to be locked down soon. More details follow our original story.
Asa Butterfield
<img src="http://moviebyte.com/uploads/general/asa-butterfield-blue-eyes.png" alt="Asa Butterfield with Blue Blue Eyes">
Harrison Ford Impression
doing Harrison Ford as Han Solo from Star Wars.
Anthony Ingruber’s impressions
impressions of Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Jack Nicholson, heath ledger, marlon brando, harrison ford, jeff goldblum, john malkovich,bob dylan and of course Gollum!
The Age of Adeline — IMDb
A young woman, born at the turn of the 20th century, is rendered ageless after an accident. After many solitary years, she meets a man who complicates the eternal life she has settled into.
The Age of Adeline — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: The Age of Adaline ruminates on mortality less compellingly than similarly themed films, but is set apart by memorable performances from Blake Lively and Harrison Ford.
The Age of Adeline — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Apr. 27, 2015: $14,118,344 Distributor: LionsgateRelease Date: April 24, 2015 Genre: DramaRuntime: N/A MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #134: The Tarzan Shout

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Laura Fissel — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:00:00 GMT

This week, TJ and Joe are joined by Laura Fissel to discuss one of the greatest films of the greatest trilogies of all time: ‘Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi’. This episode may take a few unexpected twists and disagreements, but it’s a whole lot of fun. You’ll also hear discussion of the rumored title of the 13th ‘Star Trek’ film, an assessment of the the ‘Batman v Superman’ trailer as well as the ‘Fantastic Four’ trailer. And of course, deep analysis of the ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ teaser trailer #2. You won’t want to miss this one!

Show Notes & Links

BREAKING: Star Trek XIII to be titled ‘Star Trek Beyond’
It appears that ‘Star Trek Beyond‘ may be the title of the upcoming Star Trek film, lucky number 13 in the franchise.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Official Teaser Trailer [HD]
Zack Snyder’s BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE is in theaters March 25, 2016.
Super Cafe: Batman v Superman - It’s On!
Super Cafe returns when the new Batman v Superman Teaser hits the internet.
Watch the all new action-packed ‘Fantastic Four’ trailer right here
The almost three-minute-long trailer shows much more action than the first teaser trailer, revealing more details about the story in this new Fantastic Four movie. We also get to see more of the four “fantastics” including Mr. Fantastic, the Human Torch, the Invisible Woman and the Thing.
What we now know about new ‘Star Wars’ movie universe
The force won’t officially awaken until December, but ‘Star Wars’ fans got an early glimpse of a spooky new teaser trailer for ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ presented by J.J. Abrams and the cast of the latest installment.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi — IMDb
After rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the rebels attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to make Vader return from the dark side of the Force.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Though failing to reach the cinematic heights of its predecessors, Return of the Jedi remains an entertaining sci-fi adventure and a fitting end to the classic trilogy.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $252,583,617 Domestic Lifetime Gross: $309,306,177 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: May 25, 1983 Genre: Sci-Fi FantasyRuntime: 2 hrs. 14 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $32.5 million
The Machete Order: Star Wars Revisited
The Machete Order makes a good case for why fans should watch the films as follows: Episode IV, V, II, III, VI.
The Star Wars Saga: Introducing Machete Order
Brace yourselves, what follows is an amazingly long blog post about Star Wars.

The MovieByte Podcast #133: Very Upset

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Joe and TJ go back in time almost 20 years to review the first Mission Impossible film starring Tom Cruise and Jon Voight because nothing currently in the cinema really looks like it’s worth their time. But this one is sure worth the time. It’s a fun romp from the past! Also don’t miss the discussion about TJ’s new Roku 3, James Costa impersonating Robin Williams, Batman V Superman, Brad Bird working on ‘The Incredibles 2’, the new ‘Ant-Man trailer’, the early buzz surrounding ‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron’, and Netflix adding audio descriptions for the visually impaired.

Show Notes & Links

Roku 3
Incredibly powerful and fully loaded. Enhanced remote with voice search, headphones, and gaming.
James Costa Impersonates Robin Williams
Also Matthew McConaughey
Also Indiana Jones
‘Batman v Superman’ Footage Hits Thursday, Trailer Debut in Theaters April 20
The race between Marvel and DC is about to heat up, and the result is that you’re going to see some new Batman v Superman footage a lot sooner than expected.
Brad Bird Is Currently Writing ‘The Incredibles 2′
Brad Bird has finally turned his attention from tomorrow to the incredible.
First Full ‘Ant-Man’ Trailer Turns a Little Girl’s Toy Train Set Into a Battlefield
Disney has released a new trailer for Ant-Man, offering our biggest look yet at the smallest hero in Marvel’s lineup.
‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Early Buzz: Read the First Reactions To the Superhero Sequel
Avengers: Age Of Ultron is bigger, more complex, darker, more action packed than the first film, but ultimately not as much fun.
Netflix’s ‘Daredevil’ Adds Audio Descriptions for the Visually Impaired
Netflix, in an effort to be more inclusive of visually impaired television fans, has introduced a feature to add audio descriptions to its original programming, beginning with new Marvel series "Daredevil."
Mission Impossible — IMDb
An American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.
Mission Impossible — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Full of special effects, Brian DePalma’s update of Mission: Impossible has a lot of sweeping spectacle, but the plot is sometimes convoluted.
Mission Impossible — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $180,981,856 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: May 22, 1996 Genre: ActionRuntime: 1 hrs. 50 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $80 million
Mission: Impossible (film series) — Wikipedia
The Mission: Impossible films are a series of action spy films based on the television series of the same name, produced by and starring Tom Cruise as IMF agent Ethan Hunt. The series is the 18th highest grossing film series of all time with over $2 billion worth of worldwide gross.

The MovieByte Podcast #132: Poison Apples Don’t Grow on Trees

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Joe Rosensteel — Wed, 8 Apr 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Joe and TJ are joined by special guest Joe Rosensteel to go back in time a few years to discuss the delightful film, ‘Enchanted’. The film may or may not have enchanted all three of them. Also up for discussion this week, rumors of ‘Star Trek’ returning to the small screen, ‘House of Cards’ has set a date for Season 4, Pierce Brosnan is still (trying?) to make movies, and the third ‘Tron’ film’s title is rumored to be ‘Ascension’.

Show Notes & Links

Joe Rosensteel on Twitter
Visual effects artist, and nerd. VFX work: <a href="http://artofjoe.com">artofjoe.com</a> Personal blog: <a href="http://joe-steel.com">joe-steel.com</a> Zany podcast: <a href="http://defocused.co">defocused.co</a>
Joe-Steel.com
Defocused.co
Rumor: ‘Star Trek’ Could Return to TV
This time, the report is partially based in the old Star Trek: Federation pitch made a decade ago, which was then in development as a possible CBS series, with Robert Burnett, Bryan Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie as producers and a script from Geoffrey Thorne.
‘House of Cards’ Season 4 Set for 2016
Frank Underwood isn’t done yet. Kevin Spacey will return to Washington, DC. for a fourth season of the Netflix series House of Cards.
‘Survivor’ Trailer: Pierce Brosnan Is a Mad Bomber
Former Wachowski collaborator James McTeigue has a new film called Survivor, in which Pierce Brosnan, as a killer nicknamed “the Watchmaker,” helps frame a government officer played by Milla Jovovich.
Netflix Eyes ‘Full House’ Sequel Series
Netflix was responsible for reviving Arrested Development and The Killing, and it gave us new versions of Richie Rich and Inspector Gadget. Now it could resurrect yet another old show: Full House.
Third ‘Tron’ Movie May Be Called ‘Tron: Ascension’
Now a new report says the true Tron 3 title is Tron: Ascension.
Enchanted — IMDb
A princess, who is prepared to be wed, is sent away to New York by an evil queen, where she falls in love with a lawyer.
Enchanted — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: A smart re-imagining of fairy tale tropes that’s sure to delight children and adults, Enchanted features witty dialogue, sharp animation, and a star turn by Amy Adams.
Enchanted — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $127,807,262 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: November 21, 2007 Genre: Family AdventureRuntime: 1 hrs. 47 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $85 million

The MovieByte Podcast #131: If G.I. Joe and Spider-Man had a Baby

Joe Darnell, Michael Fissel — Thu, 2 Apr 2015 14:45:00 GMT

This week on the podcast, while TJ Draper is out of town and away from the microphone, Joe Darnell and Mikey Fissel discuss the Deadpool production, the Interstellar Honest Trailer, how we collect what we watch on Netflix, and the newly announced Apostle Paul Bible movie. In review, they talked about director Chad Stahelski’s ‘John Wick’, starring Keanu Reeves and Michael Nyqvist.

Show Notes & Links

‘Interstellar’ Honest Trailer
Relive Christopher Nolan’s space epic Interstellar, a movie so divisive, we might be at war with the Nolanites now!!
What’s new on Netflix for April, 2015
Lists are made at the top of the month of what’s new you should add to your streaming queue. Fizz had a lot to say about this ever-growing list!
Matt Taylor’s Epic ‘Back to the Future 2’ Custom Movie Posters
These posters are beautiful. Fans, please check them out. They go on sale April 2.
What’s this about the Deadpool movie?
The ‘Deadpool’ film that’s now in production is expected to have an R-rating. This isn’t surprising giving the source material and what everyone already knows about this comic book character.
Official test footage of ‘Deadpool’ with Ryan Reynolds
If you didn’t already see this and you’re curious, this short film will give you a good idea of what Deadpool’s story is all about.
John Wick — IMDb
An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him.
John Wick — Rotten Tomatoes
Stylish, thrilling, and giddily kinetic, John Wick serves as a satisfying return to action for Keanu Reeves—and what looks like it could be the first of a franchise.
John Wick — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $43,037,835 Distributor: Lionsgate/SummitRelease Date: October 24, 2014 Genre: ActionRuntime: 1 hrs. 36 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $20 million
Official ‘John Wick’ film trailer
An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground, JOHN WICK (Keanu Reeves) is a fresh and stylized take on the "assassin genre”.
Mike Fissel on Twitter
Husband. Christ Follower. Friend. Theologian. Musician. Sports Fan. Blogger. Podcaster @fizzyfootball @reelworldtheo
Reel World Theology
It is easy to walk into a movie and turn your brain off or label a movie as eye-candy. I encourage you to redeem entertainment by watching it with your brain on. We try to see what the story reflects about the character of God through His creation.
Joe Darnell on Twitter
Mac Daddy.

The MovieByte Podcast #130: The Sweet Taste of Nastiness

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Join TJ and Joe to discuss the brilliant, intense, wonderful, scary, and generally well regarded film ‘Whiplash’. No matter what you might say or think about this film, you have to admit that it generates some great conversation. Also in the news this week, the ‘Mission Impossible 5’ trailer, rumor of Marvel looking to cast a 16 year old for the part of ‘Spider-Man’, and the Russo Brothers confirmed for ‘Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 and 2’.

Show Notes & Links

Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation Trailer
Rumor: Marvel Auditioned a 16-Year-Old Actor For Spider-Man
Mateus Ward, a 16-year-old currently seen on the TNT show Murder in the First, reportedly did an audition for the role of Spider-Man.
Russo Brothers to Direct ‘Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 and 2′
Big news coming out of Marvel Studios. Badass Digest reports that Anthony and Joe Russo have just closed their deal to direct Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 and 2.
Whiplash — IMDb
A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student’s potential.
Whiplash — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Intense, inspiring, and well-acted, Whiplash is a brilliant sophomore effort from director Damien Chazelle and a riveting vehicle for stars J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller.
Whiplash — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Mar. 22, 2015: $13,038,300 Distributor: Sony ClassicsRelease Date: October 10, 2014 Genre: DramaRuntime: 1 hrs. 46 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $3.3 million

The MovieByte Podcast #129: Thomas Kinkade World

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe discuss the latest Disney live-action re-imagining: Cinderella. And what a feast for the eyes it is. From the dialog, to the story, to the acting, and even the casting, it’s hard to imagine how Disney could have gotten this re-make more right. Also don’t miss the discussion on the ‘Pixels’ trailer, rumors that J.J. Abrams will come back to the ‘Star Wars’ franchise for Episode IX, Alexandre Desplat possibly scoring one of the spin-off ‘Star Wars’ films, and more!

Show Notes & Links

Pixels - Official Trailer (HD) - Summer 2015
This summer, it’s game on or game over! When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth in the form of the video games. Watch as the arcaders
Rumor: J.J. Abrams Wanted for Star Wars Episode IX
Latino Review reports Abrams has emerged as the frontrunner to direct Episode IX, after Disney brass saw and loved the footage he’s put together so far for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
‘Star Wars: Rogue One’ Composer Is Alexandre Desplat, Not John Williams
The latest bit of info tells us who to expect as the Star Wars Rogue One composer — and it isn’t Star Wars franchise composer John Williams.
‘Star Wars Episode VIII’ Opens in May 2017
Rian Johnson has just been confirmed as the director of Star Wars Episode VIII via a Disney shareholders call. Along with that news, we’ve got the Star Wars Episode VIII release date: May 26, 2017.
The Flash - Villains Look Ahead Trailer
Prepare to be amazed. It all starts with the return of The Flash Tuesday, March 17!
Honest Trailers - Cinderella (1950)
With a yet another new version of Cinderella hitting theaters, we revisit the Disney animated classic that convinced a generation of kids that mice could talk.
Cinderella (2015) — IMDb
When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella’s fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.
Cinderella (2015) — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Refreshingly traditional in a revisionist era, Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella proves Disney hasn’t lost any of its old-fashioned magic.
Cinderella (2015) — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Mar. 17, 2015: $78,505,261 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: March 13, 2015 Genre: FantasyRuntime: 1 hrs. 52 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $95 million
1922-12-01 Laugh O Gram Cinderella
Mirror Mirror
Critics Consensus: Like most of Tarsem Singh’s films, Mirror Mirror is undeniably beautiful—but its treatment of the age-old Snow White fable lacks enough depth or originality to set it apart from the countless other adaptations of the tale.
Snow White and the Huntsman
Critics Consensus: While it offers an appropriately dark take on the fairy tale that inspired it, Snow White and the Huntsman is undone by uneven acting, problematic pacing, and a confused script.
Cinderella (1950) — Wikipedia
Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper (French: Cendrillon ou La Petite Pantoufle de verre, Italian: Cenerentola, German: Aschenputtel, Russian Золушка, Zolushka), is a European folk tale embodying a myth-element of unjust oppression.
Star Studded Ratings by the Numbers
MovieByte has a five star rating system: 0.5 to 5.0. This frees our reviews to be fairly specific about the value of a film using 2.5 stars for a median in terms of entertainment value and quality. However, there are so few good explanations of star rating systems on the Internet. What does a “2.0” or “4.5” mean? Why do we use a 5 star scale instead of a 4 or 10 star scale?

The MovieByte Podcast #128: Jake Lloyd as The Emperor

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Join Joe and TJ this week to talk about Will Smith and Margot Robbie’s latest, ‘Focus’. It’s so good in so many ways but the moral ambiguity may leave us all in a bit of a quandary. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide for yourself how you feel about that — after listening to TJ and Joe discuss it of course. And don’t miss discussion of rumors surrounding ‘Tron 3’ gearing up to shoot this fall in Vancouver, the new ‘Daredevil’ Trailer, the new ‘Inside Out’ Trailer, the new ‘Tomorrowland’ trailer, and the new ‘Age of Ultron’ trailer (there are a lot of trailers this week, it’s a regularly old "TrailerByte".

Show Notes & Links

‘Tron 3′ Gearing Up to Shoot This Fall in Vancouver
Tron 3 seems to be happening, after a very quiet period of development from Disney.
‘Daredevil’ Trailer: Daredevil and Kingpin Have a Lot in Common
Finish up House of Cards, catch up on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and prepare to race through Bloodline. You’ll want your queue cleared up for next month, when Netflix opens up its own corner of the Marvel universe with Daredevil.
Latest ‘Inside Out’ Trailer Goes Even Deeper Into Riley’s Mind
Anyone disappointed by Pixar’s recent focus on sequels should be looking forward to Inside Out, which features what might be the studio’s most original premise yet.
‘Tomorrowland’ Trailer: Brad Bird’s Sci-Fi Disney Adventure Finally Shows Its Stuff
In the past few years, few movies have been as secretive as Tomorrowland. Directed by Brad Bird and co-written by Damon Lindelof, almost everything about the sci-fi Disney adventure has been mysterious.
‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Trailer #3 Offers a Glimpse of Vision
There are two months left until Avengers: Age of Ultron hits theaters, which may seem like a painfully long time but is really nothing compared to the two years and ten months we’ve already been waiting for it.
Focus — IMDb
In the midst of veteran con man Nicky’s latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.
Focus — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Focus may have a few too many twists and turns, but it nearly skates by on its glamorous setting and the charm of its stars.
Focus — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Mar. 9, 2015: $35,423,933 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: February 27, 2015 Genre: ComedyRuntime: 1 hrs. 44 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $50.1 million

The MovieByte Podcast #127: The Most Human

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 4 Mar 2015 14:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe are back! And they are pretty sure you won’t catch any deadly germs from an MP3. This week the primary film in review is the wonderfully fun ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’. But of course, they can’t not pay tribute to the death of one of the great actors of our time, Leonard Nimoy.

Show Notes & Links

Writing Hiatus
Short version for those of you who won’t read all this: The MovieByte Podcast will continue, but I’m taking a break from writing.
Leonard Nimoy, Spock of ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 83
Leonard Nimoy, the sonorous, gaunt-faced actor who won a worshipful global following as Mr. Spock, the resolutely logical human-alien first officer of the Starship Enterprise in the television and movie juggernaut “Star Trek,” died on Friday morning at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was 83.
We Are Assembled Here Today To Pay Final Respects To Our Honored Dead: Celebrating Leonard Nimoy
When Captain Picard reveals his unfortunate duty of informing Spock that his father, Sarek, has died, Data posits that Spock – as a Vulcan – would surely see death as the logical conclusion of his father’s illness. Picard explains that death is never that easy, not even for a Vulcan. And for those of us who loved one Vulcan in particular, it’s not easy at all.
Russo Brothers Sign With Sony; Are They Working on Marvel’s Spider-Man Reboot?
This is interesting: Anthony and Joe Russo, the directors who did a great job with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, are directing Captain America: Civil War, and have been tipped as likely successors to Joss Whedon for the Avengers series, have signed a first-look deal with Sony. The Russo Brothers Sony deal begins in April, and immediately conjures up speculation about possible ties between the Russos and Spider-Man.
Watch: Lego ‘Back to the Future’ Short Recreates Film’s Climactic Clock Tower Sequence
Is there anything Legos can’t make better? If this Lego Back to the Future short is any indication, apparently not.
‘The Divergent Series: Insurgent’ Gets One Last Trailer
The dystopian YA trend is still going strong in 2015, with The Divergent Series: Insurgent the first one out of the gate. Shailene Woodley once again plays Tris, a special snowflake with more than one personality trait. That makes her a threat to the corrupt system, run by Jeanine (Kate Winslet).
‘Focus’ Trailer: Will Smith Will Be Very Rich or Very Dead
Focus is only a few days away from opening, but that’s still enough time to squeeze in one last trailer. Will Smith and Margot Robbie play two con artists with a romantic history — which proves quite inconvenient when she shows up just as he’s trying to pull off his biggest con yet.
Kingsman: The Secret Service — IMDb
A spy organization recruits an unrefined, but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.
Kingsman: The Secret Service — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Stylish, subversive, and above all fun, Kingsman: The Secret Service finds director Matthew Vaughn sending up the spy genre with gleeful abandon.
Kingsman: The Secret Service — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Mar. 2, 2015: $86,765,310 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: February 13, 2015 Genre: Action / AdventureRuntime: 2 hrs. 9 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $81 million

The MovieByte Podcast #126: Lizard Racist

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Michael Fissel — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe are joined by Mikey Fissel to talk about the big, fun, and half disappointing, half exciting space opera, ‘Jupiter Ascending’. Opinions are varied, and some love the film more than others. Also, Jon Stewart is leaving the daily show? What?!? And Spidey is coming back to the Marvel fold? Also, pigs seem to be taking flight! And since Marvel is in the news, why not talk about their upcoming Netflix show, ‘Daredevil’? Not to be left out, Lionsgate want to make more franchise films with ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise. Too bad their out of books.

Show Notes & Links

Jon Stewart Leaving ‘The Daily Show’
Jon Stewart said Tuesday that he would step down from Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” after 17 years, leaving a new hole in the ranks of latenight television and setting up another challenge for the Viacom-owned cable network, which recently bid farewell to popular timeslot host Stephen Colbert.
Sony and Marvel Reach ‘Spider-Man’ Deal
Marvel’s Kevin Feige to Produce Next Installment of the Spider-Man Franchise with Amy Pascal
Is THIS the First Marvel Movie Spider-Man Will Star in?
Marvel’s announcement last night remained cagey about just when Spidey would enter the MCU, but it might just have revealed a whole lot more than it was intending to.
Four MCU Films Shift Release Dates In Wake of ‘Spider-Man’ Deal
To fit it in, Marvel’s Phase 3 plans – as announced in October 2014 – have now shifted back to accommodate the change with the exception of the third and fourth Avengers installments which will hold their summer opening dates in 2018-19.
We Have Money
<img src="http://cdn.moviebyte.com/uploads/general/spidey-iron-man-we-have-money.jpg" alt="We Have Money">
Netflix’s First ‘Daredevil’ Trailer
“I’m just trying to make my city a better place.” Sounds an awful lot like Arrow if you ask me.
Lionsgate Wants to Make ‘Hunger Games’ Sequels and Prequels
Feltheimer says the studio is “actively looking at some development and thinking about prequel and sequel possibilities” because, obviously.
‘Jupiter Ascending’ Flops to ‘SpongeBob’ Success
“The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water” opened to much larger than expected $56 million dollar haul this weekend, far beyond the expected $30 million folks predicted.
Clark Douglas Reviews Jupiter Ascending
The term “space opera” gets thrown around every time a big-budget fantasy set in space rolls into theatres, but Jupiter Ascending actually earns the title
Jupiter Ascending — IMDb
In a bright and colorful future, a young destitute caretaker gets targeted by the ruthless son of a powerful family who lives on a planet in need of a new heir, so she travels with a genetically engineered warrior to the planet in order to stop his tyrant reign.
Jupiter Ascending — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Pleasing to the eye but narratively befuddled, Jupiter Ascending delivers another visually thrilling misfire from the Wachowskis.
Jupiter Ascending — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Feb. 9, 2015: $19,666,434 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: February 6, 2015 Genre: Sci-FiRuntime: 2 hrs. 7 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $176 million

The MovieByte Podcast #125: Tastes Like Cheese

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 4 Feb 2015 14:00:00 GMT

It’s been a while since TJ and Joe have had a good movie lampooning, so here is ‘Taken 3’ in all its terrible glory. Though TJ and Joe might quibble about which is worse, ‘Taken 2’, or ‘Taken 3’, they agree that neither film is really worth watching. But if you are not into hearing a good bashing of a bad film, don’t worry, there’s plenty else to talk about. Such as Harper Lee publishing a sequel to the famous book, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ — I know, right? — the ‘Honest Trailer’ for ‘The LEGO Movie’, a 3,000 piece LEGO ‘Avengers’ Helicarrier set, the Super Bowl TV Spot for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, Martin Scorsese and Kenneth Branagh talking about a ‘Macbeth’ film, the latest video from ‘Every Frame a Painting’ exploring cinematography, and Nicolas Cage praising Hayden Christensen’s performance in ‘Star Wars’ (oh my).

Show Notes & Links

Harper Lee to publish sequel to ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
F. Scott Fitzgerald famously claimed, “There are no second acts in American lives,” but Harper Lee is out to prove him wrong.
Honest Trailers - The LEGO Movie
Everything is awesome when you’re the #1 toy in the world! We take on the much-beloved LEGO Movie - with some help from Epic Rap Battles of History’s Nice Peter and EpicLLOYD!!!
3,000 Piece LEGO ‘Avengers’ Helicarrier
I MUST HAVE THIS!
Superbowl TV Spot for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’
This is for what we secretly or not so secretly want to be our favorite Marvel film ever, and maybe one of our all time favorites.
Martin Scorsese & Kenneth Branagh Are Talking About a ‘Macbeth’ Film
Martin Scorsese and Kenneth Branaugh have had “informal conversations” about Scorsese making a movie based on Branagh’s Manchester International Festival production of “Macbeth.”
The Quadrant System — Every Frame a Painting
This will be the second time I’ve posted an ‘Every Frame a Painting’ episode. I really need to subscribe to that or something.
Nicolas Cage Praises Hayden Christensen’s Performance in ‘Star Wars’ Prequels
“And so, I watched George’s movies, and the work Hayden did with George, and I was very impressed with Hayden’s sort of edgy, dangerous, dark and still soulful performance,” Cage explained to IGN. “I thought it was superb. And so I really connected with him.”
Tak3n — Review
First they took his daughter, then they took him and his wife. Now, they didn’t just take his wife, they killed her.
Taken 3 — IMDb
Ex-government operative Bryan Mills is accused of a ruthless murder he never committed or witnessed. As he is tracked and pursued, Mills brings out his particular set of skills to find the true killer and clear his name.
Taken 3 — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Hampered by toothless PG-13 action sequences, incoherent direction, and a hackneyed plot, Taken 3 serves as a clear signal that it’s well past time to retire this franchise.
Taken 3 — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Feb. 2, 2015: $81,774,301 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: January 9, 2015 Genre: ActionRuntime: 1 hrs. 49 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $48 million

The MovieByte Podcast #124: You’re Not The Boss Of Me

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 14:00:00 GMT

It’s the cute and lovable ‘Paddington’. Join Joe and TJ to find out what makes this film pretty great during a not-so-great season for films. Also up for discussion: Chris Pratt as Indiana Jones?, Joss Whedon on ‘Avengers 3’, ‘Jupiter Ascending’, ‘The Fantastic Four’ trailer, Dreamworks layoffs and delays for ‘How to Train Your Dragon 3’, and a silly sounding upcoming ‘Monopoly’ movie that will be… like ‘The Goonies’? Ugh.

Show Notes & Links

Disney To Cast Chris Pratt as Indiana Jones?
The studio’s plans for Indiana Jones are still in the very early stages. However, they’ve heard that the studio wants to build a new Indiana Jones franchise around Pratt.
Joss Whedon Talks About ‘Avengers: Infinity War’
I couldn’t imagine doing this again. It’s enormously hard, and it [will] be, by [the time I would make ‘Avengers 3 & 4’], a good five years since I created anything that was completely my own.
TV Spots for ‘Jupiter Ascending’
Don’t forget that next week we’ll finally get to see the delayed Jupiter Ascending.
The ‘Fantastic Four’ Trailer — “With Every New Risk, There Are Consequences”
The Fantastic Four will debut in theaters on August 7th of this year.
‘How to Train Your Dragon 3’ Pushed to 2018
How to Train Your Dragon 3 is just one of many DreamWorks Animation films being pushed back as it cuts down its feature film production from three films a year, to two.
‘Monopoly’ Movie Will Be Sort of Like ‘The Goonies
the Goonies-esque story involves a treasure map and revolves around a bunch of kids being chased by an adult.
Paddington — Review
Bears like marmalade. This is an incontrovertible fact.
Paddington — IMDb
A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven.
Paddington — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Paddington brings a beloved children’s character into the 21st century without sacrificing his essential charm, delivering a family-friendly adventure as irresistibly cuddly as its star.
Paddington — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jan. 27, 2015: $41,133,302 Distributor: Weinstein / DimensionRelease Date: January 16, 2015 Genre: FamilyRuntime: 1 hrs. 35 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #123: The Five Year Old In Me Is Happy

TJ Draper, JR Forasteros — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:00:00 GMT

I wish… I wish… I wish we could review a film, and so we do. Join TJ and JR Forasteros to discover whether ‘Into the Woods’ lived up to their expectations — or whether there is greener grass in pastures farther off. Also don’t miss a wonderful discussion on sci-fi television, crime drama, ‘X-Files’, ‘Fringe’ and more.

Show Notes & Links

‘Bosch’ — Amazon Studios’ Upcoming Crime Drama
These instant delivery content providers are really jumping into the game with both feet.
Fox Is Working on a ‘Minority Report’ Sequel in the Form of a TV Pilot
Fox is prepping a Minority Report TV pilot, intended as a sequel to the 2002 film starring Tom Cruise.
Fox May Bring Back ‘X-Files’
Fox execs have revealed that they are pursuing an X-Files return — ideally with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprising their roles as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully.
Into the Woods (2014) — Review
Into the Woods is based on the award winning Broadway musical of the same name
Into the Woods (2014) — IMDb
A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.
Into the Woods (2014) — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: On the whole, this Disney adaptation of the Sondheim classic sits comfortably at the corner of Hollywood and Broadway—even if it darkens to its detriment in the final act.
Into the Woods (2014) — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jan. 20, 2015: $116,945,363 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: December 25, 2014 Genre: MusicalRuntime: 2 hrs. 4 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $50 million
What is Bayhem? Must Watch Video Essay
So what exactly is Bayhem? It’s a question worth asking.
NorvilleRogers.com
JR Forasteros On Twitter
JR Forasteros on Facebook
The Storymen Podcast
Origami Elephants

The MovieByte Podcast #122: One of Those Nasty Critics

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 14:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe discuss another WWII movie this week: ‘Unbroken’. True to form, what Joe likes more about this film than ‘The Imitation Game, TJ likes more about ‘The Imitation Game’, and vice versa. But it takes all sort of people to make the world go ‘round. The thing is, TJ and Joe are still friends… Also in discussion this week, the new ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ trailer, the trailer for Rob Thomas upcoming ‘iZombie’ TV series, the ‘House of Cards, Season 3’ trailer, rumors that Roberto Orci wanted to resurrect Vulcan, and a few thoughts on the Golden Globe Awards.

Show Notes & Links

New ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Trailer
Trailer 2 here is pretty much all action and no menace. It’s fun and there are shots we haven’t seen yet, but this trailer is here to appeal to the people who come to the theater for the big bangs and loud booms.
‘iZombie’ Trailer — An Undead Veronica Mars?
There are some people who make stuff and you just don’t ask questions.
‘House of Cards’ Season 3 Official Trailer
Get ready for the most cinematic event on TV, that’s not even “on TV” (if you think TV is the broadcast stuff).
RUMOR: Orci Was Going to Resurrect Vulcan in His Version of ‘Star Trek 13’
This is terrible if true. And again, completely rumor, but if true, I am so glad he got booted from the writer and director chair.
The ‘Golden Globes’ — My Quick Takes On Some of the Wins
Last night was the 2015 Golden Globe Awards for films and TV shows from the year 2014. Here’s what we’ve got:
Unbroken — IMDb
After a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, Olympian Louis Zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before he’s caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.
Unbroken — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Unbroken is undoubtedly well-intentioned, but it hits a few too many of the expected prestige-pic beats to register as strongly as it should.
Unbroken — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jan. 12, 2015: $102,016,445 Distributor: UniversalRelease Date: December 25, 2014 Genre: War DramaRuntime: 2 hrs. 17 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $65 million
Takamasa Ishihara (Miyavi) Interview - Unbroken
Stefan Pape from HeyUGuys interviews Takamasa Ishihara (Miyavi) for his movie Unbroken which is directed by Angelina Jolie. The movie is based on the incredible true story of Louis Zamperini.
"Unbroken’s" Louis Zamperini: The Rest Of The Story
He shook hands with Hitler, spent more than a month lost at sea, and ended up in a Japanese torture camp. Louis Zamperini has seen many days he’d rather not recall but he’ll never forget the day he met Jesus Christ.

The MovieByte Podcast #121: A House Divided

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 7 Jan 2015 14:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe discuss the amazing craft, the historical accuracies and inaccuracies, the agenda, and everything else about ‘The Imitation Game’ staring Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing. What a fantastic film. TJ wishes he had seen it before he made his top films of 2014 list. They also discuss the newest ‘Peanuts’ trailer and the state of animation, CGI, and nostalgic filmmaking, the new trailer for the live action remake of ‘Cinderella’, some of the actors we lost in 2014, and the films TJ is looking forward to in 2015 (by no means a comprehensive list).

Show Notes & Links

New ‘Peanuts’ Trailer
The job of any trailer is to get people excited for the film — or at the very least, to get them interested in the film. The first two teaser trailer succeeded in that.
Cinderella "Midnight Changes Everything" Official Sneak Peek
Celebrate New Year’s Eve and welcome 2015 with a brand new sneak peek at Disney’s Cinderella. See the live-action version of the classic fairy tale when it opens in theatres March 13, 2015.
A Tribute Video to Actors We Lost in 2014
We lose great actors every year because time marches on, people get old, accidents happen, tragedies are unavoidable. Some years we lose better actors than others.
Murder on the Orient Express
In 1935, when his train is stopped by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before.
Films I’m Looking Forward To in 2015
And now the question is, will there be any good or great films in 2015?
The Imitation Game — Review
I wonder what the process of casting for the part of the irascible “father of modern computing” looked like? I have to say I have no idea, but whatever process lead them to casting Benedict Cumberbatch was the right one!
The Imitation Game — IMDb
During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians.
The Imitation Game — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: With an outstanding starring performance from Benedict Cumberbatch illuminating its fact-based story, The Imitation Game serves as an eminently well-made entry in the "prestige biopic" genre.
The Imitation Game — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jan. 5, 2015: $31,104,620 Distributor: Weinstein CompanyRelease Date: November 28, 2014 Genre: DramaRuntime: 1 hrs. 54 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #120: Word Dyslexia

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe review the notable films of 2014 — both the good and the bad. They also run down their favorite and least favorite films. It’s always a lot of fun to look back over the landscape of the year to see what panned out and what did not.

Show Notes & Links

TJ’s Top Films of 2014
Making a top films of the year list is hard. These things are so subjective, not to mention I have to remember my feelings about the various films I’ve seen this year — and I see lots of films. It’s made somewhat easier by the fact that if I have strong feelings about a film one way or the other, it tends to stick and or come back more quickly when I look over the list of films that were released this year.
The LEGO Movie — Review
When I was a kid I loved to play with my LEGOs. I built so many things with LEGOs that I couldn’t possibly remember them all.
Episode 79: Spaceship!
Be careful! Chad might unleash “The Kragle”!
Noah — Review
Noah is a film that is sure to make people mad.
Episode 86: Tell Good Stories
The episode you’ve been waiting for! The epic conversation about ‘Noah’.
Episode 91: Hello Father
Maleficent is not receiving a lot of praise from critics, but Chad and TJ both think this is a little unfair.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes — Review
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the latest in the reboot of the Apes franchise. I really love it for a few reasons.
Episode 97: Don’t Confuse Me With the Facts
Join TJ and Clark to talk about one of the better summer block busters: ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’.
X-Men: Days of Future Past — Review
Mutation. It is the key to this franchise’s evolution. Normally this process is slow, taking dozens of films, but every once in a while, a franchise’s mutation takes a giant leap forward.
Episode 90: Jabba Origin Story
Join TJ and Clark to discuss ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ because there’s a lot here to like!
Episode 98: Love it Or Hate it
Join the conversation on Snowpiercer
The Maze Runner — Review
I went to see The Maze Runner with no expectations. I saw a trailer two or three times in the last season that promoted this young adult (YA) dystopian sci-fi, but other than the trailers, I didn’t have prior knowledge of the film.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 — Review
You know those films that all your friends love, so you feel a little emotional pressure to like them too? How to Train Your Dragon and its sequel are those films for me.
Episode 93: These G.I. Joes Were About To Die
TJ persuaded former co-host and co-founder Joe Darnell to join him to talk about ‘How To Train Your Dragon 2’.
Episode 107: The Story of Batman
Liam Neeson is back, and he’s got a gun. And he’s taking ‘A Walk Among the Tombstones’.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier — Review
So how do you make a Captain America movie for a world that is moving very fast down a road that is in many ways, for better or for worse, a very unicultural place? Films made in the U.S. are no longer released just in the U.S. (and vice versa). And yet Marvel has here a character named Captain America. How do they make that work? It’s genius really: they leverage something that is bothering most of us as Americans, and that has relevance to the rest of the world as well.
Episode 85: Trust Issues
Chad and TJ are joined by Fizz to ostensibly talk about ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ — and they certainly do, but that of course means that they have to discuss the larger Marvel Universe as well. This is, of course, a lot of fun, and a conversation you won’t want to miss!
Episode 105: You a Bad Man, Sir
Hang out with TJ and Joe for a discussion of ‘The November Man’ — which both TJ and Joe found to be a pretty poor excuse for a film all things considered.
Episode 101: Intellectual: The Thing That I am Not
Lucy over-promised with it’s trailers, and under-delivered in the theater.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) — Review
I expected to hate this film. And to be fair, I had every reason to believe I would
Episode 103: Water Park Ride
Cowabunga, dude! The heroes in a half shell are brining you some turtle power this week! Listen in to find out the good and the bad of the Jonathan Liebesman directed ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’.
Edge of Tomorrow — Review
It sounds a little dull — Tom Cruise repeating the same day over and over and over and over and over… and over again. But you must trust me, this film is anything but dull.
Episode 92: Time To Start Over
Edge of tomorrow may have been about reseting the day every single time, but it was anything but boring.
The Monuments Men — Review
I believe a film like Monuments Men is important and has cultural significance, or at least it can have. And I certainly believe that preserving the art of the ages is a worthy endeavor.
The Giver — Review
The Giver is the first in four novels by Lois Lowry that have earned a place on such a list in America, Australia, and Canada. And only now, after 21 years of popular bookshelf demand, The Giver makes an appearance in cinemas.
Episode 104: Hannah Montana Kids
Critics don’t like it, it didn’t get good marketing, and it hasn’t made a boatload of money. So now despite all that the question before us, is ‘The Giver’ a good film?
Guardians of the Galaxy — Review
That awkward moment when a character who said only three (well okay, five, technically) words throughout the entirety of the film had way more character development than any character in Man of Steel. This is the power of the Marvel creative team at this particular juncture in history.
Episode 100: Is This Real Life?
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ is here and it’s awesome! Believe the hype.
The Judge — Review
Robert Downey Jr. plays hot shot lawyer Hank Palmer who has (seemingly?) never defended an innocent man. And he knows it.
Episode 109: Denzel Fu
‘The Judge’ on the other hand was pretty fantastic.
Birdman — Review
What is film? More specifically, what do films, or the folks who make them, want to accomplish with their film?
Episode 116: It Felt Purposeless
TJ and Joe didn’t get to watch the movie they wanted to watch because it was in limited release, so they watched ‘Birdman’ instead.
Episode 111: Better Love Story Than Twilight
Join TJ, Joe, and Fizz to discuss what is possibly one of the most disturbing films of the year, but also almost certainly one of the most well crafted films of the year too.
Episode 106: A Little Taste of Home
TJ and Joe talk about food! No, really! That’s because this week, they had the great delight of reviewing the latest offering from Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, and Charlotte Le Bon: ‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’.
Big Hero 6 — Review
You guys remember Wreck-it Ralph? It was a film by Disney Animation Studios in 2012, and in many ways very much in the same line of work as the latest offering from Disney, Big Hero 6.
Episode 113: Diagnosis, Puberty
Find out about TJ and Joe’s differing view on ‘Big Hero 6’ — even if they both liked it.
A Most Wanted Man — Review
If you were looking for a modern spy thriller with lots of bangs and explosions, a lot of high paced action scenes and over the top explosions and bombs going off in all directions, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this film is not the right one for you.
Episode 99: We Are Here To Study Your Brain
TJ, Joe, and Clark discuss Philip Seymour Hoffman’s final leading role in ‘A Most Wanted Man’.
Episode 110: Lenox Square
Find out all you need to know about ‘Kill The Messenger’!
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 — Review
To say that Katniss is troubled might, in fact, be the biggest understatement of the year.
Episode 114: Anti-Captain America
TJ and Fizz discuss what’s good and bad about ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1’.
Interstellar — Review
I have a confession to make. I think Christopher Nolan is one of the more highly overrated directors of our time.
Episode 118: Bratty Version of Anakin
One thing is clear, everyone wanted the movie the trailer for ‘Exodus: Gods and Kings’ promised us, but that was not what was given.
Episode 119: Benjamin Button Legolas
And now for the review of the Trilogy based on a book, which is a prequel to the trilogy based on three books! This week, TJ, Joe, and Clark review ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies’.

The MovieByte Podcast #119: Benjamin Button Legolas

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Clark Douglas — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 18:49:00 GMT

And now for the review of the Trilogy based on a book, which is a prequel to the trilogy based on three books! This week, TJ, Joe, and Clark review ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies’. While all three liked it in some ways, some liked it more than others. TJ found significant challenges and issues with the films, while Joe has become a heretic and prefers Peter Jackson’s films to the book (is burning at the stake still allowed?). Clark takes a somewhat more moderate position. Listen in to hear them hash it out! Also up for discussion, Justin Lin will direct the next ‘Star Trek’ film which has been set for a release date of July 8, 2016, the sony hacking, and a quick overview and thoughts of the latest trailer for ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’.

Show Notes & Links

Told You So. That Is Andy Serkis’ Voice in the ‘Star Wars VII’ Teaser Trailer
Yes, that is his voice in the film’s teaser trailer. Although this has been roundly confirmed, particularly after a brief period of time when everyone was convinced that the voice belonged to Benedict Cumberbatch—who isn’t even in the film! probably!
Justin Lin Will Direct the Next ‘Star Trek’ Film
...we finally know who will be the next leader of Trek on the silver screen. Justin Lin, who directed ‘Fast and Furious 6′ has reportedly taken over the role.
BREAKING: Next Star Trek Film Set for July 8, 2016
Paramount has a Christmas present for the fans with the announcement of a release date for the next Star Trek feature film, which is now set for July 8th, 2016.
Op-Ed: Kim Jong-un now controls Hollywood
We are deep into uncharted territory. It doesn’t look like a place we should stay.
Paramount Stops Screenings of ‘Team America: World Police’
The Daily Beast reports that Paramount has ordered cinemas not to show “Team America: World Police,” perhaps in the fear that Kim Jong-il might return from the dead, or possibly that Kim Jong-un doesn’t know it exists.
Hackers Now Say Sony Can Release ‘The Interview’ With Changes
USA Today reports that the hacker group known as Guardians Of Peace issued a message last night, stating that “The Interview” could be released…but only if changes were made.
The Interview will be in select theaters on Christmas Day
The Interview is making it out for Christmas. After a week of drama surrounding hacking, threats, and Presidential disses, Sony has decided to give The Interview a limited theatrical release on December 25th.
Belcourt Theatre, Franklin Theatre to screen ‘The Interview’
The Belcourt in Hillsboro Village and the Franklin Theatre in downtown Franklin announced that they will be two of the independent theaters screening "The Interview" on its original release date of Christmas Day.
Hollywood Cowardice: George Clooney Explains Why Sony Stood Alone In North Korean Cyberterror Attack
As it begins to dawn on everyone in Hollywood the reality that Sony Pictures was the victim of a cyberterrorist act perpetrated by a hostile foreign nation on American soil, questions will be asked about how and why it happened, ending with Sony cancelling the theatrical release of the satirical comedy The Interview because of its depiction of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ International Trailer and Featurettes
February has typically been a dumping ground for not-so-great films. But I want to believe that Kingsman is not a dumping ground film.
Honest Trailer: ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’
Awww yeah! This is the one we’ve been waiting for. This is why Honest Trailers exists. This one does not disappoint.
Director Peter Jackson Laments Franchise & VFX Driven Hollywood
"I don’t really like the Hollywood blockbuster bandwagon that exists right now. The industry and the advent of all the technology, has kind of lost its way. It’s become very franchise driven and superhero driven."
The Lord of the Rings Mythology Explained
Before you see the final Hobbit Movie, learn about the mythology of The Lord of The Rings universe
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies — IMDb
Bilbo and Company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of a rising darkness.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Though somewhat overwhelmed by its own spectacle, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies ends Peter Jackson’s second Middle-earth trilogy on a reasonably satisfying note.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Dec. 22, 2014: $98,138,554 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: December 17, 2014 Genre: FantasyRuntime: 2 hrs. 24 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A
Devindra Hardawar — Twitter
So glad to be done with the Hobbit films, and hopefully with 48fps as well. Movie was ok, but I didn’t give a lick about anything in it
Devindra Hardawar — Twitter
Also, can we all agree CG orcs were a huge mistake? What a step down from the LotR trilogy
Devindra Hardawar — Twitter
To be clear, I’m sure Smaug and Five Armies used a ton of CG orcs, not just the lead dude. Feels like a video game compared to the LotT orcs
Dain Ironfoot CGI or not?
He was, apparently made CGI because Connolly, a man suffering Parkinson’s disease, could not remember his lines while filming. So the character was created digitally and he was able to do his lines later. That’s according to a redditor who claims to have a relative who worked on the shoot

The MovieByte Podcast #118: Bratty Version of Anakin

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Michael Fissel — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

One thing is clear, everyone wanted the movie the trailer for ‘Exodus: Gods and Kings’ promised us, but that was not what was given. TJ, Joe, and Fizz lament the film that could have been, as well as discuss their varying opinions on how bad or not the film is, what could have gone better, Ridley Scott’s contempt for God and more. They also discuss Colbert interviewing Smaug, the ‘Insurgent’ trailer, Hal Rudnik’s interview with James Gunn about ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, the trailer for Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’, and who might direct the next ‘Star Trek’ film.

Show Notes & Links

Watch: Stephen Colbert Interviews Smaug from ‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy
After posing for a photoshoot inspired by Peter Jackson’s trilogy adaptation of The Hobbit, late night satirist and future inheritor of "The Late Show with David Letterman," Stephen Colbert, continued his love for all things J.R.R. Tolkien by interviewing the one and only Smaug the tyrannical, the dragon under the mountain.
Gollum wins an Award
Gollum wins an Award on MTV
‘Insurgent’ Full Trailer
Critics just hated the first installment in the Divergent series of films. They thought it too formulaic and predictable. I found the film to be okay — yes, occasionally formulaic, but… ahem… diverting.
Hal Rudnik Interviews James Gunn About ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’
I’m not really a huge fan of Hal Rudnik, but he managed to not be too annoying during this interview and it’s certainly worth it to get a few nuggets from James Gunn about Guardians.
Trailer for Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’
I think it’s safe to say that this doesn’t look at all like anything Pixar has ever done before — and that’s probably a good thing.
Jonathan Frakes is Interested in the ‘Star Trek’ Director’s Chair
I’m very interested in this. Frakes directed two great Star Trek (TNG era) films. And don’t let anyone tell you Insurrection was terrible. It wasn’t.
Rupert Wyatt Reportedly on Shortlist to Replace Roberto Orci in Directing Next ‘Star Trek’ Film
Studio is high on and has met with Rupert Wyatt, who helmed Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and the new remake The Gambler with Mark Wahlberg for Paramount. He seems to be atop this list, but he’s got company.
Riker Yell
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Exodus: Gods and Kings — IMDb
The defiant leader Moses rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.
Exodus: Gods and Kings — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: While sporadically stirring, and suitably epic in its ambitions, Exodus: Gods and Kings can’t quite live up to its classic source material.
Exodus: Gods and Kings — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Dec. 15, 2014: $26,088,368 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: December 12, 2014 Genre: DramaRuntime: 2 hrs. 30 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $140 million
Joe and Nathaniel are Movie Critics
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The MovieByte Podcast #117: Moustache Twirling

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Jim Metzendorf — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Joe and TJ are joined for this very special episode of the show by a very special guest — Jim Metzendorf — to discuss one of the great classics of our time, ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’. No matter what George Lucas has done or continues to do, he did give us this great film and we shall forever be grateful. So tune in to have some great fun and a lot of analysis (and over-analysis as well) of a dearly beloved film. The guys also talk about Roberto Orci leaving the director’s chair for the upcoming ‘Star Trek’ Film, TNG’s ‘All Good Things’ stand-alone Blu-ray release, Evangeline Lilly’s statements about ‘Ant Man’ and Edgar Wright, and the first trailer for ‘Terminator Genisys’.

Show Notes & Links

Joy the Baker
Roberto Orci No Longer Directing Next ‘Star Trek’ Film
Roberto Orci is giving up the helm of the USS Enterprise, and will no longer direct the third installment of Paramount Pictures’ “Star Trek” franchise, sources confirmed to Variety.
‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’, ‘All Good Things’ Stand-Alone Blu-ray
Wow, “All Good Things…” is 20-years old. It’s still a shining example of what Trek in the mid-90’s could be. It’s quite telling that Brannon Braga and Ron D. Moore excitedly hammered out this loving wrap-up to Next Gen in a matter of days, while with Generations they spent much more time on it, fretting about the motion picture debut of the TNG crew, and it is hardly the unanimous success that “All Good Things…” is. “All Good Things…” is great TNG-era Trek.
Evangeline Lilly Says Edgar Wright’s ‘Ant Man’ Would Not Have Fit In the Marvel Universe
“I thought Edgar’s idea to blend the [Hank and Scott] stories was brilliant,” Lilly told Buzzfeed about Wright’s approach. “You’re going to have fans up there who insist that you tell the story of Hank Pym, and fans up there who will be more on the Scott Lang side of it. … I think we are going to come close to pleasing them all.” But when Wright exited the movie, things were then thrown up in the air.
First Trailer for ‘Terminator Genisys’ Starring Arnold Schwarenegger, Emilia Clarke, & Jai Courtney
Remember when Arnold said, “I’ll be back” in that first Terminator film? Well, he wasn’t joking, because he’s back. Again. And he looks old.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope — Review
Movies are bedtime stories for adults, and Star Wars has become my favorite. From the very beginning of the film “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” to the glorious Star Wars music fanfare that resounds during the end credits, it is just an epic bedtime story.
Episode 30: We’re Fine Here
TJ and Joe are joined by Linsay Morgan to discuss ‘Star Wars’. And oh do they discuss it. Joe and Linsay think it may be the best film ever made. TJ has reservations. The discussion is lively and fun, you won’t want to miss it!
Modernized ‘Empire Strikes Back’ Trailer
It is into our modern landscape that a fan has created a more modern feeling trailer for the best Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back.
Just How Fast is The Millennium Falcon?
So how fast is the Millennium Falcon’s hyperdrive, anyway?
Sand People Are Bad Shots
My conclusion is that this part of the film is an unsolved mystery because Stormtroopers are not accurate and Obi-Wan only assumed it was them because of the accuracy they were renowned for when he fought in the Clone Wars.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back — IMDb
After the rebels have been brutally overpowered by the Empire on their newly established base, Luke Skywalker takes advanced Jedi training with Master Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader as part of his plan to capture Luke.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Dark, sinister, but ultimately even more involving than A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back defies viewer expectations and takes the series to heightened emotional levels.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $209,398,025 Domestic Lifetime Gross: $290,475,067 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: May 21, 1980 Genre: Sci-Fi FantasyRuntime: 2 hrs. 9 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $18 million

The MovieByte Podcast #116: It Felt Purposeless

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 3 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe didn’t get to watch the movie they wanted to watch because it was in limited release, so they watched ‘Birdman’ instead. And they are glad they did. There’s a lot to chew on with Birdman and TJ and Joe relish in the analysis. Also don’t miss some follow up on ‘The Force Awakens’ trailer, news of the ‘House of Cards’ season 3 premiere date, and Batman vs. Darth Vader. It’s most impressive!

Show Notes & Links

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Alternate Trailers
I’ve got a little bit of Monday morning fun here for you. The first teaser trailer for The Force Awakens hasn’t been out that long, but we’ve already got some alternate fan and/or hate cuts going on that I’d like to share with you.
VOTD: Stephen Colbert Analyzes ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Lightsaber
Stephen Colbert has had enough. He explained why the new lightsaber would work, and is awesome, on Monday’s episode of The Colbert Report.
Here’s When You’ll See Another ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Trailer
We’ve been definitively told that another trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be attached to Avengers: Age of Ultron when it opens in the Spring.
‘House of Cards’ Season 3 Premieres on February 27
House of Cards” season three will debut on Netflix on Feb. 27, the streaming service announced Monday.
Batman Vs Darth Vader
This is completely cheesy and corny, and I completely loved it… except for the end maybe. I’m not convinced that was the correct outcome, and it seemed a little too easy.
Birdman — Review
What is film? More specifically, what do films, or the folks who make them, want to accomplish with their film? The answer to this question can be different for every film and every filmmaker out there.
Birdman — IMDb
A washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero must overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory.
Birdman — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: A thrilling leap forward for director Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman is an ambitious technical showcase powered by a layered story and outstanding performances from Michael Keaton and Edward Norton.
Birdman — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Dec. 1, 2014: $17,343,886 Distributor: Fox SearchlightRelease Date: October 17, 2014 Genre: Comedy / DramaRuntime: 1 hrs. 59 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $18 million

The MovieByte Podcast #115: Bonus Episode - ‘The Force Awakens’ Teaser Trailer

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Clark Douglas — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 2:50:00 GMT

It’s a special bonus episode of The MovieByte Podcast where TJ, Joe, and Clark talk about — actually dissect might be a better word — the first new teaser trailer for ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’. There’s no shortage of opinions, fun, and just generally geeking out. You won’t want to miss this!

Show Notes & Links

The ‘Star Wars VII’ Teaser Trailer is HERE!!!!
Here it is guys, the Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser trailer we’ve been waiting all week for.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Photos – Let’s Over-Analyze the First Trailer
“There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?” asks a voice, which we think is probably Andy Serkis. We don’t yet know yet what role Andy Serkis plays in The Force Awakens.
Forcegiving
There’s now a teaser trailer for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, and you know we have opinions. And so, in great Incomparable fashion, we’re here to talk about 80 seconds of video for more than an hour. How could we not?
Attack the Block
A teen gang in South London defend their block from an alien invasion.

The MovieByte Podcast #114: Anti-Captain America

TJ Draper, Michael Fissel — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

TJ and Fizz discuss what’s good and bad about ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1’. As ever, they don’t always see eye to eye, but that will give you, dear listeners, some fun things to chew on. They also discuss the redesign of the MovieByte website, Disney’s live action ‘Cinderella’ trailer (no, really, it’s a thing), the Russos possibly directing ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ parts one and two as opposed to Joss Whedon — which leads to a lot of discussion — and of course what theaters will have the ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ trailer.

Show Notes & Links

MovieByte 3.0
As you can see, I have just rolled out the second major redesign (or third version) of the MovieByte website.
Disney’s Live Action ‘Cinderella’ Trailer
I’ve said in the past that I am just not the target demographic for this film, and that remains true. I’m not sure why we need this film or what it offers to compel me to go to the theaters to see it.
Russo Brothers May Direct ‘Avengers: Infinity War’
The thing is, I’m completely and utterly torn on this. I’m just a bit of a Joss Whedon fan and I wanted to see him keep directing the Avengers films. At the same time I realize that these films have to be the most exhausting to make in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and he’s probably a bit burnt out. If someone is going to take the helm from him, it might as well be the Russos, because they did a fantastic job with The Winter Soldier — even if I took minor issue with their cinematography choices sometimes
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Trailer Debut In 9 Select Regal Theaters — What?
The first trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be debuting in a small number of theaters across the US on Friday.
List of Theaters Showing ‘Star Wars’ Trailer This Weekend
Yes! My theater in Franklin, TN is on this list (the Carmike, Thoroughbred 20)! I’m excited. Guess I’ll be making the drive into Franklin for my film this weekend though I haven’t been driving that far lately.
Thai Cinema Chain Pulls ‘Mockingjay’ On Account of the 3-Finger Salute
Had tickets to see The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 in Thailand? You might be seeing a Woody Allen film instead.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 — Review
I found the film to be compelling, it did in fact have some action which I deemed to be enough for me, I liked the pacing and much of the acting, the story is improved upon from the book, and I quite enjoyed watching the film in the theater.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 — IMDb
When Katniss destroys the games, she goes to District 13 after District 12 is destroyed. She meets President Coin who convinces her to be the symbol of rebellion, while trying to save Peeta from the Capitol.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 sets up the franchise finale with a penultimate chapter loaded with solid performances and smart political subtext, though it comes up short on the action front.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Nov. 24, 2014: $130,875,952 Distributor: LionsgateRelease Date: November 21, 2014 Genre: Action / AdventureRuntime: 2 hrs. 3 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $125 million

The MovieByte Podcast #113: Diagnosis, Puberty

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Find out about TJ and Joe’s differing view on ‘Big Hero 6’ — even if they both liked it. TJ liked it a lot more than Joe did it seems. But they can both agree it’s a great film and representative of the good influence John Lasseter is having over at Disney Animation Studio. Also find out about some follow up from last week having to do with Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’ sound issues. Other items on the docket include Playmobil coming out with their own toy movie (because they want a piece of that pie too!), James Gunn talking about a ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ trilogy, the ‘Peanuts’ official trailer, ‘Night at the Museum 3’ trailer, and ‘Exodus: Gods and Kings’ trailer.

Show Notes & Links

Christopher Nolan Responds to Sound Issues with ‘Interstellar’
“I’ve always loved films that approach sound in an impressionistic way and that is an unusual approach for a mainstream blockbuster, but I feel it’s the right approach for this experiential film,”
Playmobil Has Its Own Toy Movie Coming in 2017
Playmobil, that other company that made childhood figurines and action playsets, managed to get ON Entertainment, Wild Bunch and Pathe to throw $80 million towards a feature film.
Hasbro Studios
Hasbro Studios is an American production company located in Burbank, California.
James Gunn is Talking About a ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Trilogy
James Gunn was set to return for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 before Guardians of the Galaxy 1 even opened. But it seems his vision extends even beyond that. In a new interview he reveals he’s already been thinking about Guardians of the Galaxy 3, and has been since he was working on the first one.
Peanuts | Official Trailer
For the first time ever, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang we know and love from Charles Schulz’s timeless "Peanuts" comic strip will be making their big-screen debut; like they’ve never been seen before in a CG-Animated Feature film in 3D.
‘Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb’ Trailer
I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical about a third installment in this franchise. I was quite pleasantly surprised by both of the previous films, so maybe I should have had a little faith.
‘Exodus: Gods and Kings’ Trailer 3
I continue to hold out very little hope that in terms of the Biblical narrative this will actually be a good film. I expect it to be unfaithful to the text. But at the same time, I doubt it will be as bad as Noah was.
The MovieByte Podcast #86: Tell Good Stories
The episode you’ve been waiting for! The epic conversation about ‘Noah’. Was it good, bad, ugly, awful? TJ, Fizz, and Michael Minkoff discuss the film and the opinions vary widely, which always make for a good discussion.
Big Hero 6 — Review
I enjoyed this film immensely. It has all those qualities that draw me to cinema — good story telling, great characters and character development, a great script, a sense of its place in the world, fantastical world building and escapism, and just the right balance of action and heroism mixed with principles and life lessons.
Big Hero 6 — IMDb
The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.
Big Hero 6 — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Agreeably entertaining and brilliantly animated, Big Hero 6 is briskly-paced, action-packed, and often touching.
Big Hero 6 — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Nov. 17, 2014: $111,617,471 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: November 7, 2014 Genre: AnimationRuntime: 1 hrs. 48 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $165 million

The MovieByte Podcast #112: Michael Pain

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Our intrepid podcast explorers are on a journey across the vastness of the movie landscape to see what can be deciphered from Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’. Is it "stellar" or not so much? On this once in a lifetime quest, TJ and Joe are joined by none other than former co-host of the show, Chad Hopkins, to see if they can discover the true meaning behind podcasting and wether they might even be able to bend the fabric of space time enough to affect what happened all the way back at the very first podcast. You can also find out in the episode about Johnny Rockets bringing back drive-in theaters, Matt Damon returning to the Bourne franchise, ‘Toy Story 4’ happening in 2017, and the new title for ‘Star Wars VII’.

Show Notes & Links

Johnny Rockets Is Bringing Back Drive-in Theaters
Johnny Rockets, a chain restaurant whose specialty is heaping nostalgia with a side of burgers, wants you to watch movies like it’s 1959. The company has announced a partnership with USA Drive-ins to open Johnny Rockets drive-throughs with their drive-ins.
Matt Damon Confirms Return to ‘Bourne’ Franchise with Paul Greengrass
“Yes, next year,” Damon responded to E! News when asked for clarification. “It’ll be in 2016 when the movie will actually come out. [Director] Paul Greengrass is going to do another one and that’s all I ever said. I just needed him to say yes.”
Code Name Vivaldi (Bourne Soundtrack/Vivaldi Double Cello Concerto) - ThePianoGuys
90% of this tune was written in 3 days. We worked on it day and night because it was so enjoyable to write.
‘Toy Story 4’ Set for June 16th, 2017 — John Lasseter to Direct
During their earnings call with investors this afternoon, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced “Toy Story 4” will arrive on June 16th, 2017. But perhaps more intriguing is that John Lasseter—now chief creative officer at Pixar,Walt Disney Animation Studios, and DisneyToon Studios (as well asWalt Disney Imagineering)—is going to direct.
The Force Was Asleep, But Now It Awakens — ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’
Star Wars: Episode VII” officially has a title. Disney revealed the news this afternoon and the highly-anticipate movie, set for release on on December 18, 2015, will be called “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
McConaughey’s family faith
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Interstellar — Review
As we have come to expect from the esteemed filmmaker, Interstellar is nothing, if not epic.
Interstellar — IMDb
A group of explorers use a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer an interstellar endeavor.
Interstellar — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Interstellar represents more of the thrilling, thought-provoking, and visually resplendent filmmaking moviegoers have come to expect from writer-director Christopher Nolan, even if its intellectual reach somewhat exceeds its grasp.
Interstellar — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Nov. 10, 2014: $54,936,670 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: November 5, 2014 Genre: Sci-Fi AdventureRuntime: 2 hrs. 49 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $165 million

The MovieByte Podcast #111: Better Love Story Than Twilight

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Michael Fissel — Wed, 5 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Join TJ, Joe, and Fizz to discuss what is possibly one of the most disturbing films of the year, but also almost certainly one of the most well crafted films of the year too. The guys dive in to the filmmaking craft, David Fincher’s other work, the fantastic acting, Ben Affleck’s career, and much more. Also, what is it that makes this film so disturbing? Well they tackle that too. Also up for discussion, Fizz’s thoughts on Marvel and the upcoming ‘Age of Ultron’ and Phase 3, the ‘Fast and Furious 7’ trailer, and Ridley Scott producing ‘3001: The Final Odyssey’ as a SyFy channel miniseries.

Show Notes & Links

Another Leaked Clip for Marvel’s ‘Age of Ultron’
It sure seems like Hydra has been particularly troublesome for Marvel lately. They keep leaking stuff.
Kevin Feige Proclaims End of ‘Age of Ultron’ “Alters” ‘Avengers’ Roster
Sounds to me like Joss Whedon is going to kill one of our beloved characters.
‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Extended Teaser Sequence
This is the extended sequence and trailer that aired (as far as I understand) with Agents of SHIELD last night.
‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Teaser Trailer
Yesterday, the trailer for Avengers: Age of Ultron leaked online. Marvel and Disney made a couple of half-hearted attempts to get people to take it down. Then they gave in.
Marvel’s Phase 3 Plans Announced
I haven’t had time to write about this since the announcement on Tuesday, but you can hardly have missed the news, I’m sure (I did retweet several items of interst from the @MovieByte account which you should be following!). But if you are living under a rock and have missed the news, here are the highlights
Michael Lopp On Disney’s Run With Marvel
Acquiring Marvel is arguably one of the smartest things Disney has ever done.
Brief Thoughts on Marvel
Marvel announced their Phase 3 plans for the Marvel Cinematic Universe yesterday and the best way to describe my reaction is they succeeded in diffusing my excitement about Avengers – Age of Ultron and I’m pretty excited about that sequel.
Jason Snell’s Thoughts on the Marvel/DC Upcoming Films
I love being able to link to Jason Snell — who’s writing I have admired for a while — now that’s he’s writing about things other than Apple sometimes on his new website.
Begun, these superhero movie wars have
Two weeks ago Warner Bros./DC Comics got its act together and announced its cinematic counterattack to the success of Marvel’s movies.
‘Fast & Furious 7’ Trailer
Well, it’s here. Paul Walker is actually featured quite prominently in the trailer.
Ridley Scott Producing ‘3001: The Final Odyssey’ As SyFy Miniseries
This is not going to end well. Regardless of your opinion about 2001: A Space Odyssey, maybe it’s best to just leave some classics and franchises alone?
Syfy Looking To Get Back To Battlestar Galactica-quality Sci-fi
Shortly after Ron Moore’s dark, engaging remake of Battlestar Galactica helped raise the bar for all of sci-fi TV, the network it aired on - the appropriately named Sci-Fi Channel - rebranded and went broader with its content. Because while BSG drew raves from critics and fans, the audience was still relatively small. Enter the "Syfy" rebranding and the introduction of lighter, Earth-based procedural shows like Eureka, Haven, and Warehouse 13.
The MovieByte Podcast #92: Time To Start Over
Listen in as Chad and TJ live the same day over, and over, and over, and over.
Gone Girl — IMDb
With his wife’s disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it’s suspected that he may not be innocent.
Gone Girl — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Dark, intelligent, and stylish to a fault, Gone Girl plays to director David Fincher’s sick strengths while bringing the best out of stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.
Gone Girl — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Nov. 3, 2014: $136,978,838 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: October 3, 2014 Genre: ThrillerRuntime: 2 hrs. 25 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $61 million

The MovieByte Podcast #110: Lenox Square

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Find out all you need to know about ‘Kill The Messenger’! Joe was able to see the film even though it was in limited release, and so he breaks it down for us. TJ was not able to see the film because it was not showing anywhere in Nashville. But Joe fills him and you in. Also don’t miss a lot of discussion about the ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ teaser trailer, TJ’s decision to buy an Amazon Fire Stick, and ‘The Hunger Games; Catching Fire’ on Netflix in time for you to get caught up before the next installment hits theaters.

Show Notes & Links

‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Teaser Trailer
Yesterday, the trailer for Avengers: Age of Ultron leaked online. Marvel and Disney made a couple of half-hearted attempts to get people to take it down. Then they gave in.
Timeline Photos
Sometimes I don’t even know what to do with this guy. <img src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10615407_10152579495668682_5649694988177005351_n.jpg?oh=a14c27ef9af84582e2f7aea72e9a7011&oe=54E44139" style="max-width:477px;">
Amazon Fire Stick — $19 Today (Prime), $39 Thereafter
If, like me, you’ve become a little disillusioned with Apple TV and have grown weary of waiting for Apple to actually do something there, then I think this may be the right product for you.
‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ is Now on Netflix
Great to see Netflix pick this one up.
The MovieByte Podcast #70: Might Flip Out
Join TJ, Chad, and Mike Fissel to discuss a few of the latest TV shows their watching. Then dive into a review of ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’.
ByteSized Video Reviews #4: Catching Fire
TJ fills you in on ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ from director Francis Lawrence.
Kill the Messenger — IMDb
A reporter becomes the target of a vicious smear campaign that drives him to the point of suicide after he exposes the CIA’s role in arming Contra rebels in Nicaragua and importing cocaine
Kill the Messenger — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Kill the Messenger’s potent fury over the tale of its real-life subject overrides its factual inaccuracies and occasional narrative stumbles.
Kill the Messenger — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Oct. 27, 2014: $2,240,931 Distributor: Focus FeaturesRelease Date: October 10, 2014 Genre: ThrillerRuntime: 1 hrs. 52 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #109: Denzel Fu

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 14:00:00 GMT

TJ is back from the dead! Well, it seemed like he was dead anyway. Really he was just very, very sick. But he’s back and together with Joe sets for the review two film to try to catch up for lost time. ‘The Equalizer’ is R rated for a reason — it’s bloody and violent, but it’s not a bad story and probably worthy of your investigation. ‘The Judge’ on the other hand was pretty fantastic. Overall Joe’s not as happy with it as TJ, but they both feel it’s probably worth your time. And there’s lots of messages in the film to tease out, so TJ and Joe do so.

Show Notes & Links

The Equalizer — Review
Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) is former black-ops for the CIA. He’s now retired and living somewhere in Boston.
The Equalizer — IMDb
A man believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and has dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by - he has to help her.
The Equalizer — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: The Equalizer is more stylishly violent than meaningful, but with Antoine Fuqua behind the cameras and Denzel Washington dispensing justice, it delivers.
The Equalizer — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Oct. 20, 2014: $89,573,265 Distributor: Sony / ColumbiaRelease Date: September 26, 2014 Genre: ThrillerRuntime: 2 hrs. 8 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $55 million
The Judge — Review
Robert Downey Jr. plays hot shot lawyer Hank Palmer who has (seemingly?) never defended an innocent man. And he knows it.
The Judge — IMDb
Big city lawyer Hank Palmer returns to his childhood home where his father, the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Hank sets out to discover the truth and, along the way, reconnects with his estranged family.
The Judge — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Solidly cast and beautifully filmed but thoroughly clichéd, The Judge seems destined to preside over a large jurisdiction of the basic cable afternoon-viewing circuit.
The Judge — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Oct. 20, 2014: $27,506,183 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: October 10, 2014 Genre: DramaRuntime: 2 hrs. 21 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $50 million

The MovieByte Podcast #108: Balanced On The Back of a Turtle

Joe Darnell, Michael Minkoff — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 18:00:00 GMT

TJ wanted to discuss the new ‘Left Behind’ (starring Nicolas Cage), but since he was out sick, Joe Darnell and Michael Minkoff talk about the film and critique Christian arts at large. As the ‘Left Behind’ film’s description put it, “In a moment, the entire planet is plunged into darkness.” This says a lot about how lame the film is. We believe that true Christianity is largely not practiced by artists, and the Church doesn’t appreciate Christains that produce great art.

Show Notes & Links

Michael Minkoff, President of The Nehemiah Foundation for Cultural Renewal
The Nehemiah Foundation is dedicated to rally support for Christian artists…
(Trailer) ‘Inside Out’ “A Major Emotion” Motion Picture
These clips, along with the help of onscreen text, show us the range of emotions and feelings PIxar has been through in their many films over the years. It then concludes with introducing us to some actual footage and characters from the upcoming film.
The original ‘Monsters Inc.’ teaser trailer
The original ‘The Incredibles’ teaser trailer
The original ‘Brave’ teaser trailer trailer
Sony’s Spider-Man To Enter the Marvel ‘Avengers’ Universe?
According to HitFix, the two studios are discussing an alliance…
Spider-man in eighties ‘Transformers’ comic books
Peter Benjamin Parker is a photographer for the Daily Bugle newspaper under Editor-in-Chief Joe Robertson.
Mechanized Rhino villain in ‘The Amazing Spider-man 2’
Michael’s article: Why the Label “Christian Art” Needs to be Left Behind
First, I must say that I won’t be seeing the new Left Behind movie. Ever. I don’t think you should see it either. In fact, I beg you not to see it. It may be “Christian art,” but it isn’t Christian.
‘Left Behind’ — IMDb
A small group of survivors are left behind after millions of people suddenly vanish and the world is plunged into chaos and destruction.
‘Left Behind’ — Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Consensus: Yea verily, like unto a plague of locusts, Left Behind hath begat a further scourge of devastation upon Nicolas Cage’s once-proud filmography.
‘Left Behind’ trailer on YouTube
About ‘Left Behind’ novels on Wikipedia
Left Behind is a series of 12 best-selling novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, dealing with Christian dispensationalist End Times: pretribulation, premillennial, Christian eschatological viewpoint of the end of the world.
Christianity Today’s ‘Left Behind’ review by Jackson Cuidon
This is not the Left Behind movie anyone expected. The last time the property was in the public eye—2005, with the release of the third movie installment, Left Behind: World At War—the movies had Kirk Cameron and spanned the first two books in the Left Behind series of novels.
Christianity Today’s follow-up to the readers’ response to their review
Last week we published our review of Left Behind, written (contrary to some assertions) by one of our regular critics. It took the film, and its source material, to task for a few things: not being at all entertaining, being outright offensive in its portrayal of a number of characters both Christian and not, and pursuing the minimum “Christian” content to be marketed at Christians while not embodying or exploring any particularly Christian traits or concerns.
LeCrae: ‘Christians Have Prostituted Art to Give Answers’
They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes But if I talk about God my record won’t get played, huh?
Nathan the prophet confronts King David in II Samuel 12
Nathan Rebukes David
Michael’s video: “Beyond Judging a Movie by its Poster”
Michael’s video: “How Can Movies Help You Understand Your Times”
Joe manages to make a Star Wars reference at 56:53 ;-)
Your Search For: star wars
About Ben-Hur 1959 film on Wikipedia
Ben-Hur is a 1959 American epic historical drama film, directed by William Wyler, produced by Sam Zimbalist for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Hugh Griffith and Haya Harareet.
Michelangelo, 15th century artist
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564), commonly known as Michelangelo (Italian pronunciation: [mikeˈlandʒelo]), was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer of the High Renaissance who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art

The MovieByte Podcast #107: The Story of Batman

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Liam Neeson is back, and he’s got a gun. And he’s taking ‘A Walk Among the Tombstones’. Apparently some filmmakers feel like that’s enough for a good film. Joe tends to agree but TJ feels a little differently. Together, they explore why. Also in discussion, Marvel has released plot details for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, CGI animated footage of Popeye, a ‘Supergirl’ TV series coming soon, and the latest upcoming films and trailers.

Show Notes & Links

Official Plot Synopsis for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’
Disney has released a new official plot synopsis for Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron.
CGI Animated ‘Popeye’ Test Footage
Popeye was one of my mainstay cartoons growing up. It was funny and unique and I enjoyed it immensely. Looking back on it, it’s pretty cheesy and probably not really worth watching. But it still holds a special place in my heart.
Garfield and Friends (1988–1995)
Stories about either Garfield and Odie and the trouble they get into, or Orson the Pig and his adventures on a farm with fellow farm animals.
‘Supergirl’ TV Series Coming to CBS
Supergirl is coming to CBS. The network has just landed the DC Comics adaptation, which is being executive produced by Greg Berlanti (Arrow) and Ali Adler (No Ordinary Family).
Supergirl (1984)
After losing a powerful orb, Kara, Superman’s cousin, comes to Earth to retrieve it and instead finds herself up against a wicked witch.
Smallville (2001–2011)
A young Clark Kent struggles to find his place in the world as he learns to harness his alien powers for good and deals with the typical troubles of teenage life in Smallville.
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993–1997)
In addition to fighting evil, Superman has a burning romance with Lois Lane in both his identities.
A Few Upcoming Films
I enjoy trailers before films. It’s one of my favorite parts of the experience. Sometimes that experience lets me down, sometimes not. I would call my trailer experience tonight a little better than I was expecting.
Kill the Messenger
A reporter becomes the target of a vicious smear campaign that drives him to the point of suicide after he exposes the CIA’s role in arming Contra rebels in Nicaragua and importing cocaine
A Walk Among the Tombstones — IMDb
Private investigator Matthew Scudder is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife.
A Walk Among the Tombstones — Rotten Tomatoes
A Walk Among the Tombstones doesn’t entirely transcend its genre clichés, but it does offer Liam Neeson one of his more compelling roles in recent memory, and that’s often enough.
A Walk Among the Tombstones — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Sep. 22, 2014: $13,721,370 Distributor: UniversalRelease Date: September 19, 2014 Genre: DramaRuntime: 1 hrs. 54 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $28 million

The MovieByte Podcast #106: A Little Taste of Home

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe talk about food! No, really! That’s because this week, they had the great delight of reviewing the latest offering from Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, and Charlotte Le Bon: ‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’. It really is a pretty fantastic film with only a few flaws and well worth seeing — certainly over much of the cruft at theaters the last few weeks. It has a wonderful story, but you might not want to see it while hungry! Also don’t miss discussion about Andrew Garfield and the blame game for Amazing Spider-Man 2’s failures, Tommy Lee Jones starring in a western (and it actually looks pretty good!), ‘Star Wars Rumors’, the first full trailer for ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1’, and heavy rumors about Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass returning to do more Bourne films — which sounds exciting to Joe and TJ!

Show Notes & Links

Reel World Theology — The LEGO Movie and The Man Upstairs
We get to do something we don’t often have the chance to do (as of now) on the show– go back and talk about a movie that has been out for awhile.
Andrew Garfield Claims Studio Cuts Hurt ‘Amazing Spider-Man 2’
Oh goodness. He thinks the film is bad because they cut stuff out of it? There was original MORE in that bloated incoherent mess? No, no, NO! The film was bad because the script was bad and no amount of monkeying with it could fix it.
Tommy Lee Jones and Hillary Swank Oscar Bid: ‘The Homesman’ Trailer
This one looks to me like a bid to get in at the Oscars. And maybe it is Oscar material, might be too early to tell.
STAR WARS SPOILERS - Aerial Shot of X-Wings and Millennium Falcon
Yeah, so, obvious spoilers ahead.
RUMOR: Obi Wan Kenobi Stand Alone ‘Star Wars’ Film?
I know, I know, I know, we like to pretend the prequels don’t exist. I get it. But look, I agree that Episode 1 is unbearable, but 2 and 3 are at least watchable — largely due to Ewan McGregor’s role as Obi Wan.
First Full Trailer for ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’
I think this series is getting better with each successive film. That’s what it looks like to me. Mockingjay Part 1 seems no less fantastic than Catching Fire if this trailer is to be believed.
Whoa! Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass Returning for New Bourne Film!
While I have never seen a pig fly, both Greengrass and Damon had led us all to believe that some bacon taking wing would be far more likely than a new Bourne film from them.
The Hundred-Foot Journey — IMDb
The Kadam family leaves India for France where they open a restaurant directly across the road from Madame Mallory’s Michelin-starred eatery.
The Hundred-Foot Journey — Rotten Tomatoes
Director Lasse Hallstrom does lovely work and Helen Mirren is always worth watching, but The Hundred-Foot Journey travels predictable ground already covered by countless feel-good dramedies.
The Hundred-Foot Journey — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Sep. 15, 2014: $49,580,589 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: August 8, 2014 Genre: DramaRuntime: 2 hrs. 2 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $22 million
The Hundred-Foot Journey — Wikipedia
The Hundred-Foot Journey (French title: Les Recettes du bonheur, literally "The Recipes for happiness") is a 2014 American comedy-drama film directed by Lasse Hallström from a screenplay written by Steven Knight, adapted from Richard C. Morais’ 2010 novel of the same name.

The MovieByte Podcast #105: You a Bad Man, Sir

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Hang out with TJ and Joe for a discussion of ‘The November Man’ — which both TJ and Joe found to be a pretty poor excuse for a film all things considered. If you like to tune in for the occasional good film bashing session, this may be the podcast for you. But there are also other things that are worth talking about too which they cover at the beginning of the show, such as how ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ is raking in the dough, plus how ‘Guardians’ cassette player which Star Lord used isn’t very real to life. And then there’s Robert Downey Jr. talking about how there will be no more ‘Iron Man’ films. And the ‘Honest Trailers’ series really influenced ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ and made it the great film that it is today!

Show Notes & Links

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Brings in the Big Bucks
Marvel’s “Guardians Of The Galaxy” was number one for the fourth weekend
Lego ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Short by Brotherhood Workshop
I loved Guardians of the Galaxy, but if I were nitpicking, I would point out that cassette tapes and cassette players rarely worked in a flawless enough way to keep a tape in good shape for 30 some years.
BrotherhoodWorkshop
Robert Downey Jr. Says Marvel Isn’t Planning ‘Iron Man 4’
Downey Jr. told Variety, when asked about a possible fourth solo movie for Stark, “There isn’t one in the pipe. No, there’s no plan for a fourth ‘Iron Man.’ ”
How ‘Honest Trailers’ Made ‘The Winter Soldier’ a Better Film
What’s so funny is that I’m an avid honest trailer watcher. I love it, it cracks me up.
The November Man Official Trailer #1 (2014) - Pierce Brosnan Movie HD
An ex-CIA operative is brought back in on a very personal mission and finds himself pitted against his former pupil in a deadly game involving high level CIA officials and the Russian president-elect.
The November Man — IMDb
An ex-CIA operative is brought back in on a very personal mission and finds himself pitted against his former pupil in a deadly game involving high level CIA officials and the Russian president-elect.
The November Man — Rotten Tomatoes
The November Man has a few of the ingredients necessary for a better-than-average spy thriller, making it all the more disappointing that it falls back on dull genre clichés.
The November Man — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Sep. 9, 2014: $18,935,824 Distributor: RelativityRelease Date: August 27, 2014 Genre: ActionRuntime: 1 hrs. 48 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #104: Hannah Montana Kids

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 3 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Critics don’t like it, it didn’t get good marketing, and it hasn’t made a boatload of money. So now despite all that the question before us, is ‘The Giver’ a good film? Is it worth your time and consideration? Joe and TJ say yes. The film is worth seeing and makes for great discussion. Frankly, Joe and TJ can’t understand why the critics are rating it so poorly. The film is not without its flaws, but what film doesn’t have a few flaws? Also up for discussion, ‘Machete Kills’ Writer will pen the upcoming Michael Bay produced film ‘Cosmic Motors’ — that sounds like a whole lot of stupid, an ‘Underworld’ reboot is on the way to us, ‘Steve Carell’ will headline an ACME focused live action ‘Looney Tunes’ film, TJ has friends who have not seen ‘Star Wars’, Chloe Moretz blames her film failures on piracy (because: SCAPEGOAT!), and ‘Full House’ is returning to TV.

Show Notes & Links

‘Machete Kills’ Writer…Pen Michael Bay-Produced ‘Cosmic Motors’
Warner Bros. has set Machete Kills screenwriter Kyle Ward on their upcoming Michael Bay-produced adaptation of concept artist Daniel Simon’s book Cosmic Motors.
‘Underworld’ Reboot on the Way
Each successive Spider-Man movie has earned less at the box office than the previous entry, calling into question the theory that audiences want more of the same. Despite this, THR reports that Lakeshore Entertainment has decided to go down a similar path and reboot the “Underworld” series.
Steve Carell to Star in ACME Focused, Live Action Looney Tunes Film
Originally pitched by Kevin and Dan Hageman, the ACME film will focus on the behind-the-scenes working of the imaginary company, famous for its elaborate trap products that Wile E. Coyote repeatedly makes use of to limited success.
Chloe Moretz Blames Piracy for ‘Kick-Ass’ Franchise Failure
“Kick-Ass 2 was one of the number one pirated movies of the year, but that doesn’t help us because we need box office figures. We need to prove to the distributors that we can make money from a third and a fourth movie - but because it didn’t do so well, we can’t make another one. “If you want more than one movie, everyone has to go and see movies at the cinema. It’s all about the numbers in the theatre.”
‘Full House’ Returning to TV?
Warner Bros. television is considering a possible reboot of Full House, the popular ABC television sitcom which ran 1987 to 1995. The reboot would bring the Tanner family back to television with new episodes which would even include some of the original cast.
The Giver — IMDb
In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world.
The Giver — Rotten Tomatoes
Phillip Noyce directs The Giver with visual grace, but the movie doesn’t dig deep enough into the classic source material’s thought-provoking ideas.
The Giver — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Sep. 1, 2014: $33,230,314 Distributor: Weinstein CompanyRelease Date: August 15, 2014 Genre: Fantasy DramaRuntime: 1 hrs. 31 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $25 million

The MovieByte Podcast #103: Water Park Ride

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Cowabunga, dude! The heroes in a half shell are brining you some turtle power this week! Listen in to find out the good and the bad of the Jonathan Liebesman directed ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’. TJ was astounded that it wasn’t half bad. Joe was slightly harsher on it but he too liked it better than he thought. Also up for discussion: Marvel vs. DC movie release schedule infographic, a trailer demonstrating the monster that would have been created had Michael Bay directed ‘Up’, the despecializing of ‘Star Wars’, and rumors of ‘Star Wars VII’ rumors.

Show Notes & Links

Marvel vs. DC Movie Release Schedule Infographic
If you needed any more evidence that the D.C. comic film universe is in shambles, you need look no further than the infographic below.
What if Michael Bay Directed ‘Up’ — Well Here’s the Trailer
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a Michael Bay film? Well for me, the first thing I think of is THINGS GO BOOM!
THE ORIGINAL Scary ‘Mary Poppins’ Recut Trailer
This recut of the Disney classic ‘Mary Poppins’ was made by myself (Christopher Rule), with assistance by Nick Eckert.
Descpecializing ‘Star Wars’
I know this video has been out for a while, but I only just became aware of it via /Film (yes I have been aware of and have the original Despeicialized Editions of Star Wars, I’m talking about this particular little documentary).
More Star Wars Episode 7 Villain Rumors Revealed
A couple weeks back, a hot rumor hit the internet explaining how the Star Wars Episode 7 villain could rewrite Star Wars franchise history. Well a new report adds more heat to the fire.
TMNT S01 E01 Turtle Tracks
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Original Series Season 1 Episode 1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (History) — Wikipedia
This article is about the franchise as a whole. For specific entries in the franchise, see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (disambiguation).
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) — Review
I expected to hate this film. And to be fair, I had every reason to believe I would — not at all the least of which is Michael Bay’s involvement as producer.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) — IMDb
A group of mutated warriors face off against an evil kingpin who wants to take over New York.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) — Rotten Tomatoes
Neither entertaining enough to recommend nor remarkably awful, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may bear the distinction of being the dullest movie ever made about talking bipedal reptiles.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Aug. 25, 2014: $146,829,042 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: August 8, 2014 Genre: Action / AdventureRuntime: 1 hrs. 41 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $125 million

The MovieByte Podcast #102: And it Exploded

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Joe Darnell — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

TJ, Chad, and Joe hop in the time machine and go back to 1999 to review the wonderful and zany ‘Galaxy Quest’. It may be a parody, but it’s one with heart and story, and one which all three enjoyed immensely. Highly recommended. Also up for discussion: the time has come for Chad to leave his full time co-host spot on the podcast due to other responsibilities. But don’t be sad, he’ll still be around. And in film news, Warer Bros. casts Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan the tiger, Robin Williams learns about hand drawn animation, we’ll get more President Coin in the films than the ‘Hunger Games’ book series, the original theatrical cuts of the ‘Star Wars’ trilogy are not likely to be released any time soon, and Robin Williams Daughter Zelda has left social media after being harassed in the wake of her father’s death.

Show Notes & Links

Kaaahhhhhnnnn — Warner Bros. Casts Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan
This casting choice is so perfect and so obvious I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before.
Benedict Cumberbatch Says "Button Lady" In Smaug Voice At The Hobbit 3 Comic Con Panel
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Jar-Jar and Gollum Impressions Are Amazing
Yes, well all hate Jar-Jar here and everything, but this is Benedict Cumberbatch doing impressions and it’s just as great as you think.
Benedict Cumberbatch impersonates Alan Rickman, David Tennant, and Jonathan Ross.
Michael Caine does Michael Caine
Robin Williams “Learns” About Hand-Drawn Animation in ‘Back to Neverland’
You know, there is really something endearing about hand-drawn animation that I miss. I think maybe that was part of the charm of a film like Enchanted for me. But in any event, I found this gem via Peter Sciretta over at /Film. It’s a little film of Robin Williams and Walter Cronkite taking us on a tour of the different stages of animation of the day.
There’s more President Coin in the Film Than the Books
“There’s more of her in this than in the book, and because of that, there’s some development,” Lawrence says. “I think the character has developed into something pretty amazing. And Julianne was a big part of that.”
Why An ‘Original Theatrical Cut’ Release of the ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy is Probably Not Happening
I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but this is probably right. The rumor that Disney is working on it is just wishful thinking.
Robin Williams Daughter, Zelda, Leaves Social Media After Being Harassed
Zelda Williams abandoned her Twitter and Instagram accounts Tuesday after saying at least two people were sending her Photoshopped images of her father’s dead body and other disturbing messages – some blaming her for father’s death.
Galaxy Quest — Wikipedia
Galaxy Quest is a 1999 comic science fiction parody film about a troupe of actors who defend a group of aliens against an alien warlord.
Everyone Involved With ‘Galaxy Quest’ Wants a Sequel
Why hasn’t this happened yet and who do I need to bribe to make it a thing?!?
Galaxy Quest — Review
We’ve decided to take a break from new films on this week’s episode of The MovieByte Podcast because JOE AND CHAD HAVE NEVER SEEN GALAXY QUEST!
Galaxy Quest — IMDb
The alumni cast of a cult space TV show have to play their roles as the real thing when an alien race needs their help.
Galaxy Quest — Rotten Tomatoes
Intelligent and humorous satire with an excellent cast—no previous Trekkie knowledge needed to enjoy this one.
Galaxy Quest — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $71,583,916 Distributor: DreamWorksRelease Date: December 25, 1999 Genre: ComedyRuntime: 1 hrs. 42 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $45 million
The MovieByte Podcast #50: As A Five Year Old
TJ welcomes a new co-host and talks a bit about the future of the podcast.

The MovieByte Podcast #101: Intellectual: The Thing That I am Not

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Lucy over-promised with it’s trailers, and under-delivered in the theater. That’s the sad truth of it if you want Joe and TJ’s opinion. The ideas were good, but they were only half fleshed out and the film was a bit of a mess, really and that’s really a bummer. Also this week, TJ and Joe spend some time reflecting on the sad news of Robin Williams tragic death. He made many great films over the years that are worth remembering. And then a bit of other film news: everyone involved with ‘Galaxy Quest’ wants there to be a sequel, ‘Turtles’ beats ‘Guardians’ at the box office, and the ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ extended directors cut will come to Blu-ray in 2015 sometime.

Show Notes & Links

Robin Williams Has Passed Away at Age 63
Man, this is so sad. It’s one of the dangers of following the movie business I suppose. You come to like people, sometimes you think you even know them a little from afar, and as can happen in this life, they leave us.
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams was born on July 21, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, a great-great-grandson of Mississippi Governor and Senator Anselm J. McLaurin. Robin briefly studied political science, before enrolling at Juilliard School to study theatre. After he left Juilliard, he performed in nightclubs where he was discovered for the role of Mork on an…
Everyone Involved With ‘Galaxy Quest’ Wants a Sequel
The idea of a Galaxy Quest sequel has been batted around for years.
‘Turtles’ tops ‘Guardians’ with $65 million
There is no justice in the world…
Guardians of the Galaxy’ Pushes Disney over the $1B Mark This Year
Gangbuster of a year for Disney.
‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Extended Cut Coming in 2015
Now, Fox’s EVP of Marketing Communications, James Finn, has clarified, saying the first upcoming ‘DOFP’ release will be have a theatrical release, with the extended cut dropping in 2015.
‘Mortdecai’ Trailer — Johnny Depp as a Suave and Sophisticated Idiot
We all know that the insane idiot is a role Johnny Depp is well suited for. But what about the suave and sophisticated idiot.
Lucy — IMDb
A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.
Lucy — Rotten Tomatoes
Enthusiastic and silly, Lucy powers through the movie’s logic gaps with cheesy thrills plus Scarlett Johansson’s charm—and mostly succeeds at it.
Lucy — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Aug. 12, 2014: $100,250,990 Distributor: UniversalRelease Date: July 25, 2014 Genre: Sci-Fi ActionRuntime: 1 hrs. 30 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $40 million

The MovieByte Podcast #100: Is This Real Life?

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Michael Fissel — Thu, 7 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ is here and it’s awesome! Believe the hype. But first, TJ, Joe, and Fizz go on a retrospective journey on this 100th episode of The MovieByte Podcast! Relive memories and nervousness from the first couple of episodes of the show and have a lot of fun. Also discussed is the news that ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ has moved to a March, 2016 release date, a video essay of ‘Snow Piercer’, Martin Scorsese’s defense of Kodak film, and all things Marvel and Marvel Easter eggs.

Show Notes & Links

‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ Moves to March 2016
DC has budged. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has moved from its May 6, 2016 release date and will now open on March 25, 2016.
Understanding Art House — ‘Snowpiercer’
I was linked to this video yesterday. I saved it to watch when I got home from work, and its worth sharing with you.
Read Martin Scorsese’s passionate defense of Kodak film
“This news is a positive step towards preserving film, the art form we love.”
All the Marvel Easter Eggs (Prior to Guardians) in One Video
Marvel is back in the theaters for the second time this year with their latest offering, Guardians of the Galaxy (it’s fantastic, you should see it!). But if you haven’t had your fill of Marvel yet (and who can, really), then you might want to check out this video featuring all the Easter eggs from all the Marvel films over the years.
Guardians of the Galaxy Parody - Single
Where Are All Those Important Infinity Stones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
It’s always been possible to watch a Marvel movie – an individual entry in the “Marvel Cinematic Universe,” if you want to be precise – independent of the rest of the franchise, but why would you want to? Read more at Film School Rejects: http://filmschoolrejects.com/features/infinity-stones-marvel-cinematic-universe.php#ixzz39gCddi8U Read more at http://filmschoolrejects.com/features/infinity-stones-marvel-cinematic-universe.php#caq07AEiGwUXZRgQ.99
Guardians of the Galaxy — Review
That awkward moment when a character who said only three (well okay, five, technically) words throughout the entirety of the film had way more character development than any character in Man of Steel.
Guardians of the Galaxy — IMDb
Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.
Guardians of the Galaxy — Rotten Tomatoes
Guardians of the Galaxy is just as irreverent as fans of the frequently zany Marvel comic would expect—as well as funny, thrilling, full of heart, and packed with visual splendor.
Guardians of the Galaxy — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Aug. 5, 2014: $117,951,060 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: August 1, 2014 Genre: Action / AdventureRuntime: 2 hrs. 1 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $170 million
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix, Vol. 1 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Guardians of the Galaxy (Original Score)

The MovieByte Podcast #99: We Are Here To Study Your Brain

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Clark Douglas — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

TJ, Joe, and Clark discuss Philip Seymour Hoffman’s final leading role in ‘A Most Wanted Man’. It’s a brilliant performance punctuated by great sadness at the loss of such a great actor. The film is well worth seeing as all three agree. Other topics include Community Season 6 being released to VOD one episode at a time, ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ deluxe soundtrack, the ‘Mockingjay Part 1’ Trailer, ‘Ant-Man’, and Pierce Brosnan in the trailer for ‘The November Man’.

Show Notes & Links

‘Community’ Season 6 Online Will Still Be One Episode Per Week
But will the company squander its most high profile programming asset by presenting it in a week-to-week schedule that viewers (especially online) have long abandoned?
‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ Deluxe Soundtrack
A special two-disc deluxe edition of Michael Giacchino’s Star Trek Into Darkness score is now available from Varese Sarabande.
Katniss is Here to Fight with Us in New ‘Mocking Jay Part 1’ Teaser Trailer
This is one of the films this year that I have more excitement for. I’d say my levels of excitement are approaching the same amount as my excitement for Days of Future Past in fact.
Paul Rudd & Peyton Reed Address Edgar Wright’s ‘Ant-Man’ Exit
“It was pretty bumpy for sure and I was really sad about it,” Rudd said of the “Ant-Man” imbroglio, noting that Wright is his friend and he still talks to him almost every day. “That being said, I love where we’re at now and [the movie has] opened up and grown in a new exciting way.
Pierce Brosnan Is Back in Action in Trailer for ‘The November Man’
It seems to be a thing lately that old action stars feel the need to make a comeback. And many of them haven’t been altogether unsuccessful attempts either. One need look no further than the delightful RED franchise to see that there’s still something there for some of them.
A Most Wanted Man — Review
If you were looking for a modern spy thriller with lots of bangs and explosions, a lot of high paced action scenes and over the top explosions and bombs going off in all directions, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this film is not the right one for you.
A Most Wanted Man — IMDb
A Chechen Muslim illegally immigrates to Hamburg, where he gets caught in the international war on terror.
A Most Wanted Man — Rotten Tomatoes
Smart, subtle, and steadily absorbing, A Most Wanted Man proves once again that John le Carre books make for sharp, thoughtful thrillers.
A Most Wanted Man — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jul. 27, 2014: $2,686,526 Distributor: Roadside AttractionsRelease Date: July 25, 2014 Genre: ThrillerRuntime: 2 hrs. 1 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #98: Love it Or Hate it

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Clark Douglas, Michael Fissel — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

What a wide range of opinions there are on this episode! On the one end of the spectrum you’ve got a 5 star review, and on the other end you’ve got 1/2 star review. Then you’ve got one of the guys who thinks the truth probably lies somewhere just shy of the middle, and another guy who thinks it may lie a bit above the middle. This obviously makes for some interested discussion as you would expect. Also on the docket, ‘Star Wars VII’ supposed plot details, the ‘Kite’ trailer starring Samuel L. Jackson, the trailer for the ‘12 Monkeys’ TV series, some details about ‘Heroes Reborn’, and Kevin Feige speaking well of ‘D.C. Comics’.

Show Notes & Links

Suposed ‘Star Wars VII’ Plot Details
You’ll have to click through for the details, I’m not going to post the spoilers here
Spoiler Alert! The Idiot’s Guy to SPOILERS!
Spoilers is something we who like movies and books and things think about almost as part of our thought processes.
‘Kite’ Trailer Starring Samuel L. Jackson
Back in January, I posted about this interesting looking film coming up starring Samuel L. Jackson. It’s based on an anime film from 1998 and looks extremely violent and gritty. And yet, despite that, I feel like there might be something here.
‘Kite’ - 9 Minutes Worth of Trailer and Clips
I haven’t heard of this film before now, but after watching I’m actually a little intersted.
Trailer for ‘12 Monkeys’ TV Series — A Complete Reimagining
I really didn’t like the film Twelve Monkeys starring Bruce Willis. So color me a little bit skeptical about this TV series.
A Few Details About ‘Heroes Reborn’
Despite the reboot premiering sometime next year according to plan, Kring was still pretty vague on details. “It takes place in a post-season 4 universe,” he said. “So it will tie into some of the ideas that were left dangling.”
Kevin Feige Proves His Classiness in Speaking of D.C.
“I don’t think it is quite far to say DC is finally getting their act together. ‘The Dark Knight’ movies were rather successful and genre-defining, they altered the genre in big ways.”
Edwin Catmull
Edwin Earl "Ed" Catmull, PhD[1] (born March 31, 1945) is a computer scientist and current president of Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DisneyToon Studios.[3][4][5] As a computer scientist, Catmull has contributed to many important developments in computer graphics.[6][7]
Snowpiercer — IMDb
Set in a future where a failed climate-change experiment kills all life on the planet except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, where a class system emerges.
Snowpiercer — Rotten Tomatoes
Snowpiercer offers an audaciously ambitious action spectacular for filmgoers numb to effects-driven blockbusters.
Snowpiercer — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jul. 20, 2014: $3,454,248 Distributor: Radius-TWCRelease Date: June 27, 2014 Genre: Sci-Fi ActionRuntime: 2 hrs. 6 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #97: Don’t Confuse Me With the Facts

TJ Draper, Clark Douglas — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Join TJ and Clark to talk about one of the better summer block busters: ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’. Sure, ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ may have been a pretty decent film, but this one far surpasses it. It’s intelligent sci-fi with a lot of emotional resonance and great story telling. Also up for discussion are ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ performing better than initially thought over its lifetime, the trailer for ‘Exodus: Of God’s and Kings’ which is the upcoming film from Ridley Scott, Disney’s upcoming live action ‘Dumbo’ which sounds about like its name implies, and Jon Favreau’s upcoming live action ‘The Jungle Book.’

Show Notes & Links

Lucas Shaw Explains Why ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ Is Not a Flop
Well, turns out, while it’s still not the biggest hit here in the U.S., overseas it has had a very different life — raking in $256 million so far. That brings the worldwide total up to $350.4 million.
‘Exodus: Of Gods and Kings’ Trailer
Purley from an artistic perspective, I think Ridley Scott is the right man for the job.
Disney Developing Live Action ‘Dumbo’
Wow. “Dumbo” seems to be the correct title for this live action film. What is the deal with turning these animated classics into live action these days anyway?
Jon Favreau Finds His Mowgli for Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book’
His name is Neel Sethi. The 10-year-old New Yorker has been cast as Mowgli in the film, which is scheduled for release October 6, 2015.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes — IMDb
In the wake of a disaster that changed the world, the growing and genetically evolving apes find themselves at a critical point with the human race.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes — Rotten Tomatoes
With intelligence and emotional resonance to match its stunning special effects, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes expands on its predecessor with an exciting and ambitious burst of sci-fi achievement.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jul. 14, 2014: $80,828,184 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: July 11, 2014 Genre: Sci-Fi ActionRuntime: 2 hrs. 10 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $170 million

The MovieByte Podcast #96: It’s A Metaphor

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Clark Douglas — Wed, 9 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Join TJ, Joe, and Clark to discuss what turns out to be a pretty big disappointment for this summer movie season: ‘Earth to Echo’. While the film has a couple of redeeming qualities, its sins were just to great for the film to be much good for anything. This, of course, merits a good deal of discussion. Also in the news, more ‘Star Wars VII’ and Harrison Ford injury talk, ‘Trans4mers’ holding the number 1 spot at the box office, a video essay on what, exactly, constitutes "Bayhem", a gritty Henry Cavill ‘Batman v Superman’ poster, the upcoming Blu-ray release of the old Adam West ‘Batman’ series, and ‘Enchanted 2’ is on its way to production.

Show Notes & Links

‘Star Wars VII’ Taking Two Weeks Off for Harrison Ford Injuries
In August, the team will take a brief two-week hiatus while adjustments to the current production schedule are made as actor Harrison Ford recovers from a leg injury.
‘Transformers 4’ Holds No. 1 Spot At Box Office
Transformers: Age of Extinction showed its summer might once more by holding onto the No. 1 spot in its second weekend of release, grossing an estimated $36.4 million from 4,233 locations and effectively shutting out the slate of new releases.
What is Bayhem? Must Watch Video Essay
So what exactly is Bayhem? It’s a question worth asking. The reasons for Bay’s success may be beyond you if you do not take the time to analyze what Bay is doing in his filmmaking.
Henry Cavill in Gritty ‘Batman “Five” Superman’ Poster
I like my superheroes the way I like my chocolate milk: dark and gritty… er, well, dark… actually I guess it’s more of a light brown.
‘Batman’ (1960s) Blu-ray Remastered Trailer
I sure loved the reruns of this show growing up but I can’t think of anything more apalling now. Funny how that works. And yet, as apalling as it is, I do get sort of nostalgic whenever I see clips from this show. It’s a cheesy and a cheesy piece of cheese, but it’s just a part of my childhood I guess.
‘Enchanted 2’ On The Way
Seven years after Amy Adams brought fairy tales into modern New York City, Enchanted is—finally!—continuing after ever, ever after, according to Deadline.
Earth to Echo — Review
This story, like E.T., involves pre-adolescents who think they are much too old for their own good, parents with little to no clue what’s going on in their children’s lives, an extraterrestrial trying to find his (or her?) way home, and a menacing U.S. government. But Earth to Echo is really more like E.T. light. It’s far less crude in its humor, and to my way of remembering E.T. at least, far more likable and easier to view.
Earth to Echo — IMDb
After receiving a bizarre series of encrypted messages, a group of kids embark on an adventure with an alien who needs their help.
Earth to Echo — Rotten Tomatoes
Earth to Echo doesn’t do itself any favors by beggaring comparison to E.T., but for younger viewers, it should prove a reasonably entertaining diversion.
Earth to Echo — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jul. 7, 2014: $14,859,400 Distributor: RelativityRelease Date: July 2, 2014 Genre: AdventureRuntime: 1 hrs. 31 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $13 million

The MovieByte Podcast #95: Enablers

TJ Draper, Clark Douglas, Michael Fissel — Thu, 3 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

This week, TJ, Clark, and Fizz tackle the pure awfulness that is ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’. While we try to tackle things that in general are wonderful and good and likable, it is fun once in a while to do a complete smack-down and that’s what you’re going to get this week. Other topics of interest include ‘Star Wars’ and Harrison Fords injury, ‘Pacific Rim 2’ set for 2017 and an animated ‘Pacific Rim’ series, and Frank Darabont set to direct ‘Snow White and the Huntsman 2’.

Show Notes & Links

Disney Not Budging on ‘Star Wars VII’ Release Date Despite Injury?
Producer Kathleen Kennedy and director J.J. Abrams are looking for a May 4, 2016 release date, but Disney honcho Bog Iger is still saying no.
‘Pacific Rim 2’ Set For 2017, Animated Series Coming
Universal has now slated “Pacific Rim 2” to hit theatres on April 7, 2017. Yep three years from and four years after the first movie.
Frank Darabont To Direct ‘Snow White And The Huntsman 2,’ Kristen Stewart Might Not Return
Deadline reports that Frank Darabont — previously shortlisted with Gavin O’Connor and Andy Muschietti —is now in talks to direct a “Snow White And The Huntsman” spinoff. That’s right, the plan right now is apparently to focus on Chris Hemsworth’s character, while Kristen Stewart remains in doubt to return.
Michael Bay and ‘Transformers’ Producer On Why Critics Hate Michael Bay
But, my experience with the critics is that when they like a big movie, it’s because they’re afraid they’r going to so go against the tide that they act like they liked it. That’s my opinion.
‘Transformers: Age Of Extinction’ is new evolution of weirdest series around Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/motion-captured/review-transformers-age-of-extinction-is-a-new-evolution-of-the-biggest-weirdest-franchise-around#6QAEL6eBDOVB3PcR.99
Here’s the thing… you’re going to read a lot of reviews of "Transformers: Age Of Extinction" that will exist primarily to give the critic writing the review a chance to entertain other critics. That drives me crazy. Even when a film is as over the top horrifyingly awful as, say, "Winter’s Tale," I’ll still try to engage with the material, because that’s only fair. I may hate everything about it, but if I’m not willing to treat the film with the same level of scrutiny that I treat everything else, then why bother writing about it?
Michael Bay Doesn’t Care About ‘Transformers’ Haters
“They love to hate, and I don’t care; let them hate,” Bay said. “They’re still going to see the movie! I think it’s good to get a little tension. Very good.”
Trans4mers plot
Trans4mers plot: 17 yo blond with HOT LEGS BE SURE TO SHOW THEM, Optimus Prime, THINGS GO BOOM, forbidden obtanium, EXCKSPLODE!!$12@!
‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ is the Culmination of Film as Commerce
Transformers: Age of Extinction is a relentless assault on the senses that somehow still managed to bore me to tears.
7 Ways to Tell You’re a Woman in a Michael Bay Movie
When you woke up today, did you have trouble recognizing yourself? Did you panic when you noticed your newly tawny skin, hair extensions, and frosted lip-gloss? Are you now fighting the desire to sensually arch your back wherever you go? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions (or if you happen to be reading this article while running from an explosion in six-inch heels), don’t panic: You may be a woman in a Michael Bay movie.
Transformers: Age of Extinction — Review
This movie exists for one reason: you people keep seeing these awful things.
Transformers: Age of Extinction — IMDB
A mechanic and his family join the Autobots as they are targeted by a bounty hunter from another world.
Transformers: Age of Extinction — Rotten Tomatoes
With the fourth installment in Michael Bay’s blockbuster Transformers franchise, nothing is in disguise: Fans of loud, effects-driven action will find satisfaction, and all others need not apply.
Transformers: Age of Extinction — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jul. 1, 2014: $120,953,107 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: June 27, 2014 Genre: Sci-Fi ActionRuntime: 2 hrs. 45 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $210 million

The MovieByte Podcast #94: He’s Really Slimy

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 13:00:00 GMT

This week, TJ and Chad travel back in time to 2005 to review what TJ considers to be Michael Bay’s only really good film: ‘The Island’. It seems appropriate since Bay’s latest film ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ will be hitting theaters this weekend. You also won’t want to miss Chad’s thoughts on ‘How To Train Your Dragon 2’, some analysis of Young Adult Material and some geeking out about the upcoming ‘Hunger Games: Mockingjay’, Harrison Ford’s injury on the set of ‘Star Wars’, TNG Season 6 Blu-ray, Rian Johnson as director for ‘Star Wars VIII’, ‘The Judge’ trailer staring Robert Downy Jr. and Robert Duvall, and Joe Darnell’s op-ed on marketing films.

Show Notes & Links

President Snow’s Panem Address — "Together as One"
CITIZENS: The Capitol requires your viewing of President Snow’s official Panem Address, "Together As One," brought to you by Capitol TV in stunning 4K.
Harrison Ford’s Injury May Have Screwed Up Episode VII
Uh-oh. Please take out your official Star Wars: Episode VII Salt Lick, but now that it’s been officially revealed that Harrison Ford’s leg is broken, the rumor is he’ll be sidelined for six full months
Adam Chitwood - Twitter
Breaking: What the Harrison Ford Injury Tells Us About the Plot of STAR WARS: EPISODE VII; Han Solo May Use His Ankles in a Scene
‘TNG Season 6’ Blu-ray
Season 6 is arguably the best season of TNG. The writers that we associate with TNG’s better episodes were all present, the production staff had TNG down cold, the visual effects were at their peak technologically, and the episodes covered a diverse group of subjects and genres.
Early Buzz for ‘Transformers 4’ Brings More of the Same
But for everything that’s changed about the series, more things have stayed the same — at least if the first reviews are to be believed. Hit the jump to read the early buzz onTransformers: Age of Extinction.
Rian Johnson Just Announced as the Next Star Wars Director
Rian is best known for Looper, the trippy 2012 time traveler sci-fi action/drama starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. Rian wrote and directed Looper.
‘The Judge’ Trailer has Robert Downey Jr. Fight the Law to Save Robert Duvall
Everyone wants to see Iron Man (a.k.a. Robert Downey Jr.) suit up for another Marvel film. Personally, I would enjoy more super hero stuff with Downey, but I’m more interested in the rest of his career.
Good Films Get Marketing Late In Production
Transformers 5, along with G.I. Joe 3, Paranormal Activity 5, Hansel and Gretal 2, and Beverly Hills Cop 4 are slated for release in 2016. Color me skeptical about all of the above, since the films in these franchises leave much to be desired. If you’re into these films, you and I would have some serious disagreements.
The Island — IMDb
A man goes on the run after he discovers that he is actually a "harvestable being", and is being kept as a source of replacement parts, along with others, in a Utopian facility.
The Island — Rotten Tomatoes
A clone of THX 1183, Coma, and Logan’s Run, The Island is another loud and bombastic Michael Bay movie where explosions and chases matter more than characters, dialogue, or plot.
The Island — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total Gross: $35,818,913 Distributor: DreamWorksRelease Date: July 22, 2005 Genre: Sci-Fi ActionRuntime: 2 hrs. 7 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $126 million

The MovieByte Podcast #93: These G.I. Joes Were About To Die

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Chad is out of town, and Clark is down with a cold. But never fear, TJ persuaded former co-host and co-founder Joe Darnell to join him to talk about ‘How To Train Your Dragon 2’. While TJ has much more love for the film (and the first one) than Joe, it’s a fun conversation about a great film you won’t want to miss. Other topics of discussion: Jon Favreau on ‘Iron Man 4’ possibilities, Marvel Considering Another ‘Hulk’ Film, Elsa now most popular baby name of 2014, A Taste of What’s to Come With the ‘Ninjago’ Film, and RUMORED Details on the ‘Star Wars VII’ Villains.

Show Notes & Links

Jon Favreau Talks About the Possibility of Robert Downey Jr. Returning For ‘Iron Man 4’
As far as I’m concerned, Robert Downey Jr. is Iron Man, and Iron man is Robert Downey Jr. Maybe at some point in the future there can be another actor to take up the mantle, but right now I’m not interested in any version of Iron Man that does not include RDJ.
Marvel Considering Another ‘Hulk’ Film
It would seem the tide is shifting on Marvel’s feelings about making a new, standalone Hulk movie.
Elsa now most popular baby name of 2014. No, really!
According to the UK-based BabyCenter.com, after combing through a database of 555,000 baby names, Elsa has become one of the hottest new baby names for 2014.
A Taste of What’s to Come With the ‘Ninjago’ Film
The Lego Movie is going a little bit meta on us apparently. From what I understand, this is a clip that can be found somewhere on the upcoming Blu-ray release of The Lego Movie.
RUMORED Details on the ‘Star Wars VII’ Villains
This might be total BS. We’re going to be honest about that. But reading this new information was interesting and fun, and even if it may not be true, why deny you the same joy? Let the Star Wars speculation continue!
‘How To Train Your Dragon 2’ And ‘22 Jump Street’ Will Battle for the Box Office This weekend
It’s a sequel slugfest at the multiplexes this weekend as “How to Train Your Dragon 2″ and “22 Jump Street” battle for No. 1 at the box office.
Characters - How To Train your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon 2 — IMDb
When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 — Rotten Tomatoes
Exciting, emotionally resonant, and beautifully animated, How to Train Your Dragon 2 builds on its predecessor’s successes just the way a sequel should.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jun. 17, 2014: $60,413,114 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: June 13, 2014 Genre: AnimationRuntime: 1 hrs. 45 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $145 million

The MovieByte Podcast #92: Time To Start Over

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Listen in as Chad and TJ live the same day over, and over, and over, and over. But it’s worth it since the film they are discussing was fantastic. Edge of tomorrow may have been about reseting the day every single time, but it was anything but boring. It was in fact energetic and lively; and a lot of fun. Other topics of fun and discussion include the ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ soundtrack, ‘Pacific Rim 2’, Alamo Drafthouse Banning Google Glass, ‘The Boxtrolls’ trailer, an upcoming ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ film, and the upcoming Disney Lion King straight-to-TV movie, ‘The Lion Guard’.

Show Notes & Links

How To Train Your Dragon 2 — Soundtrack
Guillermo del Torro Working on ‘Pacific Rim 2’ With Zak Penn
Legendary Pictures CEO Thomas Tull has said that he’s in no big hurry to make Pacific Rim 2, but make no mistake: Guillermo del Toro is working on it. Only now, he’s working in it with Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand) rather than original writer Travis Beacham.
Alamo Drafthouse Bans Google Glass During Movies
Add Google Glass to the Alamo Drafthouse‘s long list of no-nos. The Texas-based chain has officially banned the wearable devices in auditoriums “once lights dim for trailers.”
‘The Boxtrolls’ Trailer: A Young Troll Learns He Is Actually Human
Laika, the animation studio behind Coraline and ParaNorman, has a new film coming this fall: The Boxtrolls.
Sony Is Making a ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ Movie
Hollywood’s track record with video game adaptations is spotty at best. But video games are well-known properties with wide name recognition and built-in followings, so there’s always going to be someone willing to try and buck that trend. Today, that someone is Sony and producer Neal Moritz, and the project in question is a Sonic the Hedgehog movie.
Disney Launching ‘The Lion King’ Sequel TV Series ‘The Lion Guard’
The Lion King is giving birth to a new small-screen franchise, two decades after the original film hit theaters. Disney Junior announced today that it is planning an animated series titled The Lion Guard, which will first launch as a made-for-TV movie.
Edge of Tomorrow — Review
It sounds a little dull — Tom Cruise repeating the same day over and over and over and over and over… and over again. But you must trust me, this film is anything but dull.
Edge of Tomorrow — IMDb
An officer finds himself caught in a time loop in a war with an alien race. His skills increase as he faces the same brutal combat scenarios, and his union with a Special Forces warrior gets him closer and closer to defeating the enemy.
Edge of Tomorrow — Rotten Tomatoes
Gripping, well-acted, funny, and clever, Edge of Tomorrow offers entertaining proof that Tom Cruise is still more than capable of shouldering the weight of a blockbuster action thriller.
Edge of Tomorrow — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jun. 10, 2014: $35,409,969 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: June 6, 2014 Genre: Sci-Fi ActionRuntime: 1 hrs. 53 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $178 million

The MovieByte Podcast #91: Hello Father

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 4 Jun 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Maleficent is not receiving a lot of praise from critics, but Chad and TJ both think this is a little unfair. The film may not be destined for Oscar season or anything, but it was quite a good film and quite an enjoyable experience. Also of interest: set pics from ‘Star Wars VII’ OF THE MILLENNIUM FALCON. Guys, seriously! We’re living in a time when new ‘Star Wars’ is being made. And they’re building a Millennium Falcon Set. Also some casting news in the form of Lupita Nyong’o's and Gwendoline Christie. Secret Cinema is recreating Hill Valley from ‘Back to the Future’ in London and Chad is probably going to get to go. Lucky dog. And Warner Bros. has moved ‘Jupiter Ascending’ to February of 2015… you know, where all the good films are released… sigh.

Show Notes & Links

Uh, guys, it’s the Millennium Falcon! (I might be geeking out just a little right now!)
Brace yourselves Nerf Herders … TMZ obtained a photo of what looks like the beginning stages of Han Solo’s famous spaceship the Millennium Falcon!!!
Lupita Nyong’o and Gwendoline Christie Join ‘Star Wars Episode VII’
Those who were upset that the first big wave of Star Wars Episode VII casting did not include more women can breathe a bit easier. Lupita Nyong’o (Non-Stop, and winner of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for 12 Years a Slave) and Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) have just been added to the cast.
Rumor: ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ close to casting Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o
The casting search for Star Wars: Episode VII has been huge, and if this casting rumor is accurate, Lupita Nyong’o may be close to signing.
Secret Cinema To Recreate Hill Valley From Back to the Future
Key scenes from Back to the Future will be recreated at a secret location in London this summer for epic screenings of the time travel movie.
Alfonso Cuarón Won’t Direct ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’
[Directing Prisoner of Azkaban] was a very beautiful experience for me. I have a lot of love for that universe and I tremendously admire JK Rowling, but today, for the present, projects based around lots of visual effects don’t attract me. I’m coming out of a five-year process of doing visual effects and now I sort of want to clean my palate of that a little bit.
Wachowskis’ ‘Jupiter Ascending’ Abruptly Bumped From July to February 2015
At the 11th hour, Lana and Andy Wachowski’s sci-fi epic Jupiter Ascending is being pushed back from July 18 to Feb. 6, 2015.
Maleficent — Review
Once upon a dream, Disney brought us the tale of Sleeping Beauty, but according to their latest film, they may not have been entirely truthful in that story they told us, and now they’re here to set the record straight.
Maleficent — IMDb
A vindictive fairy is driven to curse an infant princess only to realize the child may be the only one who can restore peace.
Maleficent — Rotten Tomatoes
Angelina Jolie’s magnetic performance outshines Maleficent’s dazzling special effects; unfortunately, the movie around them fails to justify all that impressive effort.
Maleficent — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jun. 2, 2014: $75,639,040 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: May 30, 2014 Genre: FantasyRuntime: 1 hrs. 37 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #90: Jabba Origin Story

TJ Draper, Clark Douglas — Fri, 30 May 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Join TJ and Clark to discuss ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ because there’s a lot here to like! Bryan Singer is back at the helm of the franchise and he certainly gets it right. But there are a few things to complain about as well, because duh! Also discussed the upcoming ‘Stargate’ reboot, ‘Batman v Superman’ and how it relates to ‘Justice League’, the firing of Edgar Wright from ‘Ant-Man’, the ‘Big Hero 6’ trailer, and Gareth Edwards upcoming directorial installment of a ‘Star Wars’ Spinnoff film.

Show Notes & Links

MGM, Warner Bros Reboot ‘Stargate’
MGM and Warner Bros. announced they are teaming with Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin to create a re-imagined trilogy based on the sci-fi hit Stargate, one of the biggest titles in the MGM library. Emmerich, who directed and co-wrote the original film with Devlin, is on board to direct this one, with Devlin producing.
‘Batman V Superman’ Sets Up “Five or Six” Film ‘Justice League’ Story, Says Kevin Smith
Smith criticizes the title but says it makes sense because, as he understand it, the film isn’t a Man of Steel sequel any more. Instead it’s the beginning of a five- or six-film Justice League story.
Edgar Wright Leaves ‘Ant-Man’
Ant-Man is getting new director. Edgar Wright has just dropped out of the Marvel movie, owing to “differences in their vision of the film.” Paul Rudd is still leading the cast of the superhero film, which also stars Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly.
Edgar Wright Tweeted Then Deleted a Photo Responding to the ‘Ant-Man’ Firing
Edgar Wright and Marvel are in that awkward, post-break-up stage, when it’s a good idea to stay off of social media because you can’t trust what you might possibly say about the other party.
The Inside Story On The Divorce Between Marvel & Edgar Wright Over ‘Ant-Man’
About 3 months ago, Marvel had notes. The meat of the notes were about the core morality of the piece, must include franchise characters. etc., These notes came from the big four at Marvel. Joe Cornish and Edgar Wright did two drafts to try and answer the notes without compromising their vision.
‘Big Hero 6’ Trailer
This film is an animated collaboration between Marvel and Disney. It’s a Marvel property and Disney owns Marvel so no big surprises there.
Big Hero 6 — Wikipedia
Big Hero 6 is a team of fictional comic book superheroes appearing in Marvel Comics. They first appeared in Sunfire and Big Hero 6 #1 (September 1998), though they were created by Steven T. Seagle and Duncan Rouleau in the pages of Alpha Flight, volume 2.
‘Godzilla’ Director Gareth Edwards To Helm a ‘Star Wars’ Spinnoff Film
THR reports that he’ll direct one of the upcoming “Star Wars” spin-offs. Of course, given the shroud of secrecy around those movies, it’s not clear which one it will be, but rumors abound.
Understanding The Timeline of ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’
At the end of The Wolverine, Logan has bone claws. In the dark future of Future Past, he has adamantium claws. Yes. Explain. Um, maybe Magneto gave him adamantium claws? Like, he just had some adamantium lying around?
X-Men: Days of Future Past — Review
Mutation. It is the key to this franchise’s evolution. Normally this process is slow, taking dozens of films, but every once in a while, a franchise’s mutation takes a giant leap forward.
X-Men: Days of Future Past — IMDb
The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.
X-Men: Days of Future Past — Rotten Tomatoes
X-Men: Days of Future Past combines the best elements of the series to produce a satisfyingly fast-paced outing that ranks among the franchise’s finest installments.
X-Men: Days of Future Past — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of May. 28, 2014: $124,500,629 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: May 23, 2014 Genre: Action / AdventureRuntime: 2 hrs. 11 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $200 million

The MovieByte Podcast #89: One Look, One Line

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 22 May 2014 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Chad review ‘Godzilla’ — though there will be those who would like to disqualify them from reviewing a film in a franchise where they have never seen any of the previous films. But TJ and Chad think they have something to bring to the table and so they do. They also discuss the rumor that Alfanso Cuaron may direct the ‘Harry Potter’ Spin-off ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ and whether or not that’s a good thing, possible Blu-ray release of the unadulterated original ‘Star Wars’ films, the new title for the upcoming Batman/Superman crossover film, comic book franchise wars and people being truly stupid, and more!

Show Notes & Links

Chad’s New Speed Test
Rumor: Alfonso Cuaron to Direct Harry Potter Spin-off ‘Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them’?
There’s nothing official yet, but fans of the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban may have a big reason to anticipate the new Harry Potter spin-off film, Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them. Reports this morning say that Alfonso Cuaron, fresh off the triumph of Gravity, is readying a return to the Potter franchise.
Report: Alfonso Cuaron ‘deep in talks’ to direct ‘Fantastic Beasts’
Let the rumors begin! Former Deadline editor-in-chief Nikki Finke says that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuarón is in talks to helm Fantastic Beasts.
Blu-rays of Unadulterated Original ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy? YES, PLEASE!
Here’s a kind of convoluted rumor for you to chew on as we continue to wait for no news about Star Wars: Episode VII. According to an interesting e-mail we’ve intercepted, and which purports to come from within Disney’s marketing department, the studio are planning to re-release A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi on DVD/Blu-Ray/On Demand in their original form, without all the things George Lucas changed for the “Special Edition” releases back in 2004.
‘Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice’ Title Announced, Logo Revealed
Warner Bros has officially announced that Zack Snyder’s Batman vs. Superman movie will be titled Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. The Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice title is obviously playing upon the announced Justice League follow-up. Principal photography starts today in Detroit, MI.
BVS:DOJ could also be an abbreviation for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Dawn’s Office Job, which I would still be more excited for than this.
The Best Twitter Responses: ‘Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice’ Title Announcement
Warner Bros has announced the official title for Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel follow-up will be titled Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. You can read more about that here. The responses from fans and critics have been overwhelmingly negative, and since some of them have been interesting or funny, I thought we’d take a look at the best of the bunch.
Popcorn GIF
Man of Steel Sequel Writer David Goyer Calls Marvel’s She-Hulk “A Giant Green Porn Star,” Insults Geeks
Last night, a podcast called Scriptnotes interviewed a panel of screenwriters before a live audience. The Summer Superhero Spectacular panel included Andrea Berloff (The Legend of Conan), Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), and David S. Goyer (Man of Steel). Podcast hosts Jon August and Craig Mazin asked the screenwriters a few questions on how they approached the genre of superheroes and mythical warriors. As expected, Goyer answered some questions but avoided giving away spoilers on his upcoming projects bringing the DC Comics Universe to live-action. But it’s the way he spoke about a Marvel Comics hero which got our attention.
‘X-Men: DOFP’ director Bryan Singer fans the flames of Marvel Vs Fox battle
He continues to explain why The Avengers was successful, saying, “The Avengers is a mash-up of massive single character franchises of incredibly familiar characters and Iron Man. And did I mention Iron Man? Oh, and by the way – Iron Man.”
Godzilla (2014) — Review
Since the human race seems to have a fascination with monsters, monsters in art, and monster movies, it is no surprise that a new Godzilla film has made its way from the cameras and computers of a studio near you, to your local theater.
Godzilla (2014) — IMDb
The world’s most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity’s scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.
Godzilla (2014) — Rotten Tomatoes
With just enough human drama to anchor the sweeping spectacle of giant monsters smashing everything in sight, Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla satisfyingly restores the franchise’s fire-breathing glory.
Godzilla (2014) — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of May. 20, 2014: $107,804,839 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: May 16, 2014 Genre: Sci-Fi ActionRuntime: 2 hrs. 3 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $160 million

The MovieByte Podcast #88: He Should Have Flew The Coop

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 15 May 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Join Chad and TJ to talk about ‘Rio’ and ‘Rio 2’. You might also wish to console TJ while he weeps in the corner for the disappointment he suffered with the sequel. Okay, maybe it’s not as bad as all that, but it was quite a disappointment. The good news though, is that Kristin Chenoweth as Gabi the poisonous frog nearly makes up for it. Nearly, but not quite. Other topics include Rob Bricken’s ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ Spoiler FAQ, which TJ foudn to be fantastic, TJ and Chad’s disparity in Internet speed, a clip from ‘Jupiter Ascending’, the end of ‘Revolution’ and the renewing of ‘SHIELD’ for a second season, and the new Battfleck suit.

Show Notes & Links

‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ Spoiler FAQ
This is awesome and you should click through and read every. single. word!
The Amazing Spider-Man 2: The Amazing Spoiler-FAQ
Having trouble figuring out the insane plot of the hot mess that was The Amazing Spider-Man 2? No worries. Our patented Spoiler FAQ is here to help decipher what the hell happened in all those weird, awkward scenes where Spidey wasn’t fighting people. Spoilers ahead, obviously!
TJ’s Speed Test
Chad’s Speed Test
Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis in First Clip from ‘Jupiter Ascending’
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The End of ‘Revolution’
Revolution has come to an end. NBC has cancelled the series, from executive producers J.J. Abrams, Eric Kripke and Jon Favreau, and it will not be back for a third season.
‘Agents of SHIELD’ Renewed for a Second Season
In breaking news, “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” has been renewed by ABC for a second season to begin in Fall 2014 while “Marvel’s Agent Carter” has been picked up to series to debut on ABC.
A Closer Look At Ben Affleck’s BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN Bat-Suit
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the day I’m sure you’ve already seen our first official pic of the new Bat-suit that’ll be worn by Ben Affleck in Zack Snyder’s still untitled sequel to Man Of Steel. But here we have a much higher resolution version of the snap which allows us to zoom in and examine the little details—and as any CBMer knows, that’s where the devil is.
Fatman
LOL: The Ben Affleck Sad Batman Meme
Ben Affleck Sad Batman Meme Photos
Rio 2 — Review
It seems to me that it would be difficult to make a sequel to Rio. I’m not sure I would have tried.
Rio 2 — IMDb
It’s a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids after they’re hurtled from Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beak-to-beak with the vengeful Nigel, and meets his father-in-law.
Rio 2 — Rotten Tomatoes
Like most sequels, Rio 2 takes its predecessor’s basic template and tries to make it bigger—which means it’s even busier, more colorful, and ultimately more exhausting for viewers outside the youthful target demographic.
Rio 2 — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of May. 13, 2014: $113,662,132 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: April 11, 2014 Genre: AnimationRuntime: 1 hrs. 41 min. MPAA Rating: GProduction Budget: $103 million

The MovieByte Podcast #87: It’s My Birthday

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Clark Douglas — Wed, 7 May 2014 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Chad are joined by Clark Douglas to discuss ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’. Believe it or not, TJ’s rating of the film was not the lowest. But you’ll have to listen in to get the full details. They also spend some time remembering the great acting of the legendary Bob Hoskins — mostly his performance in ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ which was truly inspiring. Then there’s the new ‘Gotham’ trailer for the upcoming ‘Batman’ prequel series. There’s a really good look at ‘Godzilla’ that must be talked about. And of course, the guys have to talk about some of the ‘Star Wars’ news going around. This is a "don’t miss" episode!

Show Notes & Links

Bob Hoskins Dies at 71
Bob Hoskins, who is probably most recognizable for his role in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, is dead at 71.
Bob Hoskins — IMDb
Bob Hoskins was born on October 26, 1942, in Bury St. Edmund’s, Suffolk, where his mother was living after being evacuated as a result of the heavy bombings. He is the son of Elsie Lillian (Hopkins), a nursery school teacher and cook, and Robert William Hoskins, Sr., who drove a lorry and worked as a bookkeeper.
The Talented Bob Hoskins Acting on Blue Screen for ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’
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Who Framed Roger Rabbit
A toon hating detective is a cartoon rabbit’s only hope to prove his innocence when he is accused of murder.
‘Gotham’ Trailer
“Gotham” is an origin story of the great DC Comics super villains and vigilantes, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. From executive producer/writer Bruno Heller (“The Mentalist,” “Rome”), “Gotham” follows one cop’s rise through a dangerously corrupt city teetering on the edge of evil and chronicles the birth of one of the most popular super heroes of our time.
A REALLY Good Look at Godzilla
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Mothra
Mothra (モスラ?, Mosura) is a giant divine moth kaiju created by Toho that first appeared alongside Godzilla in the 1964 Godzilla film, Mothra vs. Godzilla, and first appeared in the 1961 Toho film, Mothra.
About the ‘Star Wars Expanded Universe’
Now, with an exciting future filled with new cinematic installments of Star Wars, all aspects ofStar Wars storytelling moving forward will be connected. Under Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy’s direction, the company for the first time ever has formed a story group to oversee and coordinate all Star Wars creative development.
Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci Splitting Up as Movie Team
Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, the biggest writing team in modern tentpole movies, are breaking up.
‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Clip from ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ Credits
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The Amazing Spider-Man 2 — IMDb
Peter Parker runs the gauntlet as the mysterious company Oscorp sends up a slew of supervillains against him, impacting on his life.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 — Rotten Tomatoes
While the cast is outstanding and the special effects are top-notch, the latest installment of the Spidey saga suffers from an unfocused narrative and an overabundance of characters.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of May. 5, 2014: $96,776,618 Distributor: Sony / ColumbiaRelease Date: May 2, 2014 Genre: Action / AdventureRuntime: 2 hrs. 22 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #86: Tell Good Stories

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Michael Fissel, Michael Minkoff — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:00:00 GMT

The episode you’ve been waiting for! The epic conversation about ‘Noah’. Was it good, bad, ugly, awful? TJ, Fizz, and Michael Minkoff discuss the film and the opinions vary widely, which always make for a good discussion. So listen in and decide for yourself whether this film is any good. But first, Chad wants to talk to TJ about ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ which leads to some great side conversations. And obviously the ‘Star Wars VII’ casting announcements must be discussed. And don’t forget about the upcoming ‘Justic League’ film. D.C. Comics wants a piece of that Comic Book Cinematic Universe action very badly!

Show Notes & Links

‘How To Train Your Dragon 2’ First Five Minutes
DreamWorks has released the first five minutes of How to Train Your Dragon 2 and I have to say, it’s pretty awesome. I have recently sat myself down and watched the first How To Train Your Dragon film and it was amazing.
‘Star Wars VII’ Cast Announced
Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.
Vertical Video Syndrome - A PSA
‘Justice League’ Super Sequel to ‘Batman Vs. Superman’ Will Be directed by Zack Snyder
The Wall Street Journal reports that WB has made it official that “Justice League” is happening, though there are a few caveats. Firstly, the script is still being worked on and secondly, the movie isn’t expected to arrive until at least 2018 (get ready for four years of rumors, oy). But the big deal is that Zack Snyder is staying in the fold, and has been tapped to direct the movie, and the move makes sense considering (what everyone has long suspected) that “Batman Vs. Superman” will establish the team up movie.
Noah — Review
Noah is a film that is sure to make people mad. A film and the enjoyment of it is already such a subjective thing. There are people in this world who, believe it or not, have seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier and hated it. And it’s perfectly legitimate for them to do so even if I completely disagree. There are many who have seen Noah, and who loved it for various different reasons. And I would even go so far as to say that liking or loving this film is a legitimate opinion. I do not share that opinion.
Noah — IMDb
A man is chosen by his world’s creator to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.
Noah — Rotten Tomatoes
With sweeping visuals grounded by strong performances in service of a timeless tale told on a human scale, Darren Aronofsky’s Noah brings the Bible epic into the 21st century.
Noah — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Apr. 28, 2014: $97,510,776 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: March 28, 2014 Genre: DramaRuntime: 2 hrs. 18 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $125 million

The MovieByte Podcast #85: Trust Issues

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Michael Fissel — Tue, 8 Apr 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Chad and TJ are joined by Fizz to ostensibly talk about ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ — and they certainly do, but that of course means that they have to discuss the larger Marvel Universe as well. This is, of course, a lot of fun, and a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Show Notes & Links

Mickey Rooney Passes Away At Age 93
Mickey Rooney, a celebrated child actor who embodied the All-American boy in the “Andy Hardy” films of the 1930s and ’40s and became one of the era’s top box-office draws, has died. He was 93.
Captain Puerto Rico
<img src="http://f.cl.ly/items/0l1s0o262T3Y472U2242/The-moment-you-realize-hes-really-Captain-Puerto-Rico.jpg" alt="Captain Puerto Rico">
‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ Brings in a Helicarrier Load of Money
Are you guys sitting down? This is a staggering amount of money. Staggering. Captain America: The Winter Soldier has raked in $303.3 Million worldwide. That’s more than the majority of films make over their lifetime.
‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ End Credits Breakdowns
This article breaks down the significance of the two end of credits scenes for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. If you haven’t seen the film yet and don’t want to be spoiled, now would be a good time to leave. Also, that’s right, we said two. You didn’t just up and leave after that first one, did you? Shame.
Coulson And Co. Are About to Have A Very Bad Day — ‘Agents of SHIELD’
So if you’ve been paying any attention to Agents of SHIELD (and if you haven’t, WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?), you know that they have been gearing up for a seismic shift. In the last episode, you definitely got a glimpse and taste of things to come in this week’s episode. Allegiances were tested and broken, and weird things happened.
Film reveal retools TV’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’
The evil organization Hydra becomes a massive new threat as the show mixes things up before its season finale.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier — IMDb
Captain America: The Winter Soldier — Rotten Tomatoes
Captain America: The Winter Soldier — Box Office Mojo
Captain America: The Winter Soldier — Marvel.com
Armin Zola
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/Arnim_Zola.PNG" alt="Armin Zola">
Armin Zola
<img src="http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_small/1/15659/2289521-arnim_zola_edited_captain_america_24.jpg" alt="Armin Zola">

The MovieByte Podcast #84: They’re Nobodies

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 2 Apr 2014 14:00:00 GMT

This episode may be recorded on April Fools’ Day, but this is no joke! TrailerByte is back this week as Chad and TJ make their way through a long list of very fun and exciting trailers. Lots of good discussion on the upcoming films — it’s all very exciting! Some of those trailers and upcoming films include ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’, ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’, ‘Transcendence’, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, ‘Jupiter Ascending’, ‘Edge of Tomorrow’, ‘Peanuts’, and more! And don’t miss our review of ‘Divergent’. The critics are being quite harsh on the film, is it really that bad? Emphatically not. It’s not bad at all.

Show Notes & Links

Sasquatch Decoy Coming Soon
Whether you’ve dedicated your life to hunting Sasquatch or you are simply a weekend Squatch hunter, this new decoy will bring him close to your sets.
Flux Capacitor Car Charger
GREAT SCOTT!! Marty has travelled back in time and taken the Flux Capacitor with him.
‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ Teaser — Cap Trusts Black Widow Now
There’s obviously something going on between our favorite captain and the Black Widow.
‘Captain America 2’ Clip — ‘Here to Ask a Favor’
Apparently it takes a hijacking or possibly nuclear war to get Nick Fury to visit the big boss upstairs (at least I assume he’s the big boss or something).
‘Captain America 2’ Black Widow Featurette
It’s not much, but if you’re like me, you lap up most anything Marvel throws at you. In’s just a couple short weeks until Marvel kicks off their cinematic year and I can’t wait. At the risk of repeating myself, Captain America: The First Avenger was easily my favorite pre-Avengers Marvel film and I’m hoping that despite all the tonal and directorial differences we’ve been hearing about, Captain America can stay high on my list.
‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ TV Spot — Destined to Destroy Each Other?
“Are we destined to destroy each other? Or can we change who we are?”
Latest TV Spot Highlights Mutants for ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’
In case the lastest trailer wasn’t enough for you, 20th Century Fox has more for you. In this TV spot, the “mutant roll call” is given, and all our old favorites are here, as well as some new faces.
‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Trailer 2
Bryan Singer made the two best X-Men films hands down. That is not to say that I have not enjoyed some of the other installments in the X-Men movie universe, but there just isn’t any topping X2. That may be about to change of this trailer is any indication.
Frequency - IMDb
An accidental cross-time radio link connects father and son across 30 years. The son tries to save his father’s life, but then must fix the consequences.
‘Transcendence’ Featurette
This may be a typical featurette without a whole lot of new or interesting information, but I’m intrigued with the film all the same and found it worth watching.
The Apes are Scary in TV Second Spot for ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Still not sure I care about this one really. I’m also not sure what I need to have already watched in the Planet of the Apes movie franchise in order for this film to work (if anything). I think someone told me I only need to see the James Franco film, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. I’ve put it in my Netflix queue but I’m not all that excited about it.
‘Into the Storm’ Trailer
Well here’s one I haven’t heard of before. It looks pretty ludricous to me and I have no idea what the story motiviating it is and/or why I am interested. But here it is anyway.
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Trailer
From what I do know of TMNT, this feels a lot grittier, but at the same time it would appear if you watch until the end of the trailer that they are trying to preserve the humor of the Turtles.
Honest Trailers : Transformers
Based on the cartoon shamelessly designed to sell toys, Michael Bay’s TRANSFORMERS is an incomprehensible mess that doesn’t make any sense. But at least there’s a lot of porny shots of Megan Fox!
The ‘Jupiter Ascending’ Trailer Looks AWESOME!
Somehow I missed the first trailer for this film, but this second trailer looks quite amazing.
‘Edge of Tomorrow’ Trailer
I sure do love a good Tom Cruise Sci-Fi flick, and this appears to be one of the good ones — at least as far as I can tell thus far.
New ‘Godzilla’ Trailer
I’ve never seen any incarnation of Godzilla, but from what I can tell, they have previously all been cheesy, at the very least in the looks and visual effects department. If this trailer is to be believed that is about to change. I think the technology has advanced sufficiently to let us make a good Godzilla film.
‘Maleficent’ Trailer 3 — Here There Be Dragons
If you were waiting for a little bit more DRAGON to spice up your Maleficent trailers, well wait no longer. Your time has arrived!
‘Peanuts’ Teaser Trailer
I suppose by some measures of time, it was long overdue for someone to take advantage of this franchise. I can’t say I’m particularly excited about the money machines getting ahold of this one, but I have to say the teaser trailer does definitely get me excited about this film.
Peanuts — IMDb
For the first time ever, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang we know and love from Charles Schulz’s timeless "Peanuts" comic strip will be making their big-screen debut; like they’ve never been seen before in a CG-Animated Feature film in 3D.
Divergent — Review
This is not exactly the film that the trailers tried to sell. And it’s definitely not the film many critics would have you believe either. They’ve been a little bit rough on this film. Yes, at times it felt like it was sticking a bit too much to the “young adult” formula, but I did find it to be pretty good.
Divergent — IMDb
In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she’s Divergent and won’t fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it’s too late.
Divergent — Rotten Tomatoes
With an adherence to YA formula that undercuts its individualistic message, Divergent opens its planned trilogy in disappointingly predictable fashion.
Divergent — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Mar. 31, 2014: $96,042,660 Distributor: Lionsgate/SummitRelease Date: March 21, 2014 Genre: Action / AdventureRuntime: 2 hrs. 23 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $85 million

The MovieByte Podcast #83: They Want a Sequel

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Join Chad and TJ to talk about concepts for an Apple TV refresh, Acapella Mario and other late ‘80s/early ‘90s games, Andy Serkis directing the Warner Bros. version of ‘The Jungle Book’, thoughts on Pixar, ‘Newt’, ‘Cars 3’, ‘The Incredibles 2’ and more, Brian Tyler scoring ‘The Avengers 2’ instead of Alan Silvestri, and lots of other fun stuff. Plus, don’t miss TWO film reviews this week: ‘3 Days to Kill’, which TJ found to be passable but Chad pretty much as an active dislike for, and ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ which both agree is a great film. TJ may have enjoyed it a bit more however.

Show Notes & Links

Apple TV Concept by Martin Hajek
These sorts of things are fun, but I can’t see Apple really doing much of it. We’ll almost certainly see a new Apple TV this year (or maybe next depending on how overwhelmed Apple’s hardware team are feeling this year), but I expect it to be a more conservative update.
Acapella Mario (and Other) Game Music
This has absolutely nothing to do with movies or TV shows, but I absolutely love this and I thougth you guys would too. As you might recall from my previous posts about Nintendo, the Wii, the Wii U and the like, I’m a casual gamer and like to post stuff about it occasionally. So enjoy. And feel free to click on through and some other work this guy has done. He’s pretty amazing.
Andy Serkis Will Direct Warner Bros. Version of ‘The Jungle Book’
Andy Serkis is going to go from playing CG animals to directing them. The acclaimed mo-cap actor is set to helm Warner Bros.’ live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book, based onRudyard Kipling‘s classic tales about an orphan boy raised in the jungle. Although Serkis has served as a second unit director on Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy,The Jungle Book marks his feature directorial debut.
Pixar’s ‘Newt’ Cancelation, Cars, The Incredibles, and more.
It’s sad to me that an original film was canned. Something is sure going on over at Pixar that has us all more than a little worried. But since Brad Bird is involved with The Incredibles sequel, I’m hopeful at least for that. Cars 3 makes me more than a little nervous. In fact I’d go as far as to say that the prospect of Cars 3 makes me want to gag.
Brian Tyler to Score ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’
Brian Tyler is a fine composer, but it makes me more than a little sad that Alan Silvestri is not coming back for Avengers 2. His work on The Avengers was fantastic and I really like it when we can keep composer continuity across films.
3 Days to Kill — IMDb
A dying CIA agent trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter is offered an experimental drug that could save his life in exchange for one last assignment.
3 Days to Kill — Rotten Tomatoes
3 Days to Kill uneasily mixes technically accomplished action sequences with an underdeveloped family conflict.
3 Days to Kill — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Mar. 24, 2014: $29,806,393 Distributor: RelativityRelease Date: February 21, 2014 Genre: Action ThrillerRuntime: 1 hrs. 57 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $28 million
Muppets Most Wanted — IMDb
While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick.
Muppets Most Wanted — Rotten Tomatoes
While it may not reach the delirious heights of The Muppets, Muppets Most Wanted still packs in enough clever gags, catchy songs, and celebrity cameos to satisfy fans of all ages.
Muppets Most Wanted — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Mar. 24, 2014: $18,163,292 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: March 21, 2014 Genre: Family ComedyRuntime: 1 hrs. 52 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $50 million

The MovieByte Podcast #82: Punny

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Follow up! Sam the Eagle has arrives and he’s awesome (see the show links)! This leads to a bit of muppet talk of course. And don’t miss, GLaDOS tells us all about the difference between Fusion and Fission. Idris Elba has been cast in Disney’s live action ‘The Jungle Book’ as Shere Khan, which seems just about right. And while TJ thinks the ‘Annie’ remake looks fantastic, Chad is quite a bit less than thrilled. TJ suspects he has had his heart removed. And the primary review is ‘Mr. Peabody and Sherman’ which was better than TJ was expecting but not as good as Chad would have liked. So they met in the middle.

Show Notes & Links

Followup On Shirt
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The Muppet Show Starring Mark Hamill
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GLaDOS Explains the Differences Between Fusion and Fission
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Idris Elba Cast in Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book’
Disney has picked up momentum in developing its version of The Jungle Book, which is set to be a live-action film with extensive CG embellishment. The project has just cast Idris Elba as Shere Khan, the tiger whose name literally means “king.” Elba has a regal bearing no matter what he’s doing, and even his voice alone should be able to command respect, and instill fear.
The Lion King Broadway
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‘Annie’ Remake Starring Quvenzhane Wallis, Cameron Diaz, and Jamie Foxx
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Mr. Peabody & Sherman — Review
Mr. Peabody & Sherman — based on the Peabody’s Improbable History segments from the old 1960s television show The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show — tells the story of Mr. Peabody (Ty Burrell), a dog who is accomplished as a scientist, cook, dancer, mathematician, historian, and many other various careers, and his adopted human son, Sherman (Max Charles).
Mr. Peabody & Sherman — IMDb
The time-travelling adventures of an advanced canine and his adopted son, as they endeavor to fix a time rift they created.
Mr. Peabody & Sherman — Rotten Tomatoes
Mr. Peabody & Sherman offers a surprisingly entertaining burst of colorful all-ages fun, despite of its dated source material and rather convoluted plot.
Mr. Peabody & Sherman — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Mar. 10, 2014: $34,438,736 Distributor: FoxRelease Date: March 7, 2014 Genre: AnimationRuntime: 1 hrs. 30 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $145 million

The MovieByte Podcast #81: Don’t Bad Guys Watch Movies?

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 5 Mar 2014 14:00:00 GMT

TJ’s voice is better, his Internet is back, and he and Chad are raring to go! First up: ‘The Muppets’! TJ has been getting caught up in preparation for the upcoming ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ and though he’s enjoyed some of them more than others he’s enjoying himself with the outlandish Muppet clan. Of course there’s also The Oscars to talk about. And don’t forget that there’s the rumor of a new ‘Matrix’ trilogy by the Wachowskis. And this week features two reviews: ‘The Monuments Men’ which neither Chad nor TJ liked very much, and ‘Non-Stop’, which was sadly a far better film than ‘Monuments Men’. What is the state of filmmaking coming to?

Show Notes & Links

Chad’s Sam the Eagle/Captain America Cross Over Shirt
The Oscar Winners
Best Picture: “12 Years a Slave.” Actor: Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club.” Actress: Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine.” Supporting Actor: Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club.” Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave.” Directing: Alfonso Cuaron, “Gravity.”
Rumor: New Matrix Trilogy in the Works
The Wachowski siblings have a very long history over at Warner Bros. but with the exception of the Matrix Trilogy, none of their movies have had great financial success.
The Monuments Men — Review
As you may have guessed from my star rating however at 2 of 5 stars, I did not really care for this film that much. So what happened. Well that my friends, is what I shall attempt to answer.
The Monuments Men — IMDb
An unlikely World War II platoon is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners.
The Monuments Men — Rotten Tomatoes
Its intentions are noble and its cast is impressive, but neither can compensate for The Monuments Men’s stiffly nostalgic tone and curiously slack narrative.
The Monuments Men — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Mar. 3, 2014: $66,034,874 Distributor: Sony / ColumbiaRelease Date: February 7, 2014 Genre: Action DramaRuntime: 1 hrs. 50 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $70 million
Non-Stop — Review
The one thing you can never do when Liam Neeson is in the film is say that there was no talent brought to bear for whatever film you happen to be watching. Let’s review.
Non-Stop — IMDb
An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account.
Non-Stop — Rotten Tomatoes
While Liam Neeson is undoubtedly an asset, Non-Stop wastes its cast—not to mention its solid premise and tense setup—on a poorly conceived story that hinges on a thoroughly unbelievable final act.
Non-Stop — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Mar. 3, 2014: $30,899,585 Distributor: UniversalRelease Date: February 28, 2014 Genre: ThrillerRuntime: 1 hrs. 50 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $50 million

The MovieByte Podcast #80: I Wouldn’t Buy That for a Dollar

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Michael Fissel — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:00:00 GMT

This week, Chad, Fizz, and TJ talk about RoboCop, both old and new. Tune in as the epic battle ensues over which is better! Also, Find out why you should always return your rentals on time so you don’t go to jail, find out about ‘Back to the Future’ style power laces coming in 2015 — right on time, listen to a little pontificating about ‘House of Cards’, and find out that ‘Black Widow will be getting her own Marvel Movie starring, of course, Scarlett Johansson.

Show Notes & Links

Police State Warning: Woman Jailed for Failing To Return Movie Rental From 2005
South Carolina woman Kayla Michelle Finley was sent to jail last week for failing to return a copy of the Jennifer Lopez comedy Monster-in-Law that she’d rented nine years ago. Although the store where she originally picked up the tape, Dalton’s Video, has since shut down, the warrant for her arrest never expired.
Midwestern United States — Wikipedia
The Midwestern United States, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is one of the four U.S. geographic regions. The area is informally referred to as the Midwest throughout the United States, although the census bureau officially designates it as the North Central region.
‘Back to the Future’ Power Laces Coming Right On Time
Technically, we’ve still got one year to go before Marty McFly is due to fly in from 1985 in his DeLorean. But so far, it’s not looking all that likely that next year will deliver on the oddly ’80s-ish future promised in Back to the Future Part II. There are no hoverboards in the streets, the Jaws frachise stalled after four installments, and fax machines are growing more obsolete by the day.
TV Line’s 5 Things To Know About ‘House of Cards Season 2’
Netflix dealt another hand of Cards on Feb. 14, unveiling all 13 new episodes of the acclaimed original series at once. Some things about the drama haven’t changed: Frank Underwood is as ruthless as ever, his wife Claire is still devastatingly stylish and the politics are still really, really dirty. But there are some new elements in the series’ sophomore season. If you haven’t yet pressed PLAY on Season 2, here are five (semi-spoilery) tidbits to know while you watch.
‘Black Widow’ To Get Her Own Film Starring Scarlett Johansson
Hold on to your hammers, Scarlett Johansson is about to shatter the comic book movie glass ceiling. After stealing scenes from Tony Stark and the rest of super men in Iron Man 2 and The Avengers, Scarlett Johansson’s popular spy character Black Widow is going to get her own movie. Marvel Studio president Kevin Feige has said that the Marvel movie universe is going to change dramatically going forward.
RoboCop (1987) — Review
I think this film may be one of the more genre confused films I’ve seen in quite a while. It wasn’t sure if it wanted to be a comedy, an action film, a “blood, guts, and gore” film, or just a drama. So the film decides to try it’s hand at all the above and fails miserably.
RoboCop (2014) — Review
I believe that, when you look across the films of history that stand the test of time, the focus is almost always on the story and the characters. My issue with the original film is that they didn’t focus too much on the story and characters. In fact, as I argued, they never really figured out what to focus on. This modern remake is actually quite refreshing in that regard.
RoboCop (2014) — IMDb
In 2028 Detroit, when Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) - a loving husband, father and good cop - is critically injured in the line of duty, the multinational conglomerate OmniCorp sees their chance for a part-man, part-robot police officer.
RoboCop (2014) — Rotten Tomatoes
While it’s far better than it could have been, José Padilha’s RoboCop remake fails to offer a significant improvement over the original.
RoboCop (2014) — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Feb. 17, 2014: $30,007,193 Distributor: Sony / ColumbiaRelease Date: February 12, 2014 Genre: Sci-Fi ActionRuntime: 1 hrs. 48 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $100 million

The MovieByte Podcast #79: Spaceship!

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Joe Darnell — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Be careful! Chad might unleash "The Kragle"! In this episode we find out that no one is going to be taken in ‘Taken 3’. Seems like maybe they want to think about a name change then, doesn’t it? Of course Joe, having written a review of ‘Taken 2: Please Take it Back’ has something to say about all this. We also now know the start date of the principle photography for ‘Star Wars VII’. Joe may not be too excited about this, but Chad and TJ are. And then, Chad and Joe get all excited about ‘Back to the Future — The Musical’ coming in 2015. Yeah, they’re geeks. And before diving into the primary review of ‘The LEGO Movie’ the stupidity of Fox News Hosts must be discussed because it directly relates to ‘The LEGO Movie’. And the consensus on said film is that it was quite awesome.

Show Notes & Links

The Kragle!
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No One Gets Taken in ‘Taken 3’
But let’s get it from Liam Neeson, via Bleeding Cool. The actor was on the show hosted by Jonathan Ross in the UK, and explained “They called me up and I said “I’ll do it… but only as long as nobody gets taken.”
Taken 2: Please Take It Back — Review
If I were introducing Taken 2 to a friend, I would ask him, “Have you seen the first one?” “Yes,” he might answer blankly. Then there would be an awkward pause. “Well,” I would beg the question, “What did you think of it?” “It’s alright,” he might answer halfheartedly. I would promptly nod in approval. Then I would tell him plainly, “Okay, then Taken 2 wouldn’t work for you.”
Non-Stop — IMDb
An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account.
‘Star Wars VII’ Start Date Revealed (No Bothan Spies Harmed)
Multiple sources now have confirmed for us that “Star Wars Episode VII” is set to start shooting mid-May and will run through September of this year, and most principal casting on the film is complete, with many announcements still to come.
‘Back To The Future - The Musical’ Coming In 2015
Synchronize your watches. The Future is headed…to the Stage! We have just received official confirmation that the original Back to the Future film is currently being developed into a musical — a project that’s quietly been in the works over the past decade — and is planned in alignment with the film’s 30th Anniversary next year.
Fox Anchor Dislikes ‘The LEGO Movie’
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The LEGO Movie — Review
Back when I was a kid — geeze, listen to me, don’t I sound old? Anyway… When I was a kid I loved to play with my LEGOs. I built so many things with LEGOs that I couldn’t possibly remember them all.
The Lego Movie — IMDb
An ordinary LEGO minifigure, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil LEGO tyrant from gluing the universe together.
The Lego Movie — Rotten Tomatoes
Boasting beautiful animation, a charming voice cast, laugh-a-minute gags, and a surprisingly thoughtful story, The Lego Movie is colorful fun for all ages.
The Lego Movie — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Feb. 10, 2014: $72,544,343 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: February 7, 2014 Genre: AnimationRuntime: 1 hrs. 40 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $60 million

The MovieByte Podcast #78: The Science Oven

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Michael Fissel — Wed, 5 Feb 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Join TJ, Chad, and Fizz for the ultimate Microsoft Windows Fail! Well, okay, that did happen to poor Chad, but the show must go on! It’s sad, but to start things off, the trio discuss the death of Philip Seymore Hoffman. It’s a downer, but it would have seemed wrong not to address it. Then they briefly find out if Chad and TJ did okay discussing Fizz’s top 13 films of 2013. Follwed by a good discussion on the casting of Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luther. Given TJ’s supreme disdain for ‘Man of Steel’, you wouldn’t think he would have so much to say about it but he does, as do Chad and Fizz. Also in question and discussion, has J.K. Rowling lost her mind? Probably. Then Chad and Fizz get to talk about ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ trailer. And don’t miss out on the spirited discussion of David O. Russell’s latest film, ‘American Hustle’.

Show Notes & Links

Windows Crashes
Philip Seymour Hoffman Dies at 46
Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose — with a hypodermic needle still stuck in his arm — inside a Greenwich Village apartment on Sunday, cops said. Screenwriter and friend David Bar Katz called 911 around 11:30 a.m. after he and a female friend found Hoffman in his underwear on a bathroom floor at 35 Bethune St., sources said. The pair went to check on Hoffman after he missed an appointment to pick up his three kids from longtime girlfriend Mimi O’Donnell, sources said.
OD eyed in Philip Seymour Hoffman death
Hoffman — a versatile and prolific actor famed for his vivid portrayals of troubled souls — had repeatedly struggled with substance abuse. He spent 10 days in rehab last year for abusing prescription pills and heroin after 23 years of sobriety.
Jesse Eisenberg Cast as Lex Luther — Jeremy Irons as Alfred
Warner Bros. Pictures has cast Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons will play Alfred in the upcoming Superman-Batman film. The castings, announced Friday, come two weeks after Warner pushed production on the untitled “Superman-Batman” movie to the second quarter of this year and set a release date of May 6, 2016 as the studio departed from a July, 2015 slot.
Who is Jesse Eisenberg Really Playing in ‘Batman Vs. Superman’?
An interesting bit of thinking and reasoning going on here. I wish I liked Man of Steel enough to have a well formulated opinion on this subject. As it is, I can already feel the rage building in me about how bad this franchise has started off and how they’re probably going to continue the downard spiral…
J.K. Rowling Has Lost Her Mind, Regrets Hermione and Ron Pairing
Okay, now she’s just messing with us. Harry and Hermione were never meant to end up together. Harry and Ginny were always the correct (and perfect pairing) and I couldn’t have been happier that in the epilogue of the book, Harry and Ginny are happily married with children. Putting Harry and Hermione together would have been catering to the classic trope of leading man and leading lady should be together. And that just doesn’t seem very much like something Rowling would do. She sticks to conventions throughout her story-telling, but in much more subtle ways.
J.K. Rowling questions Ron and Hermione’s relationship
In a new interview conducted by Emma Watson, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling drops a bombshell: She’s not so sure she should have put Ron and Hermione together. The shocking revelation came in the new issue of Wonderland, of which Watson is a guest editor this month. The comments were obtained by The Sunday Times.
‘Amazing Spider-Man 2’ Superbowl Ad and Long-form Trailer
Chad tells me that he looks forward to reading any of my Spider-Man related articles just so he can see if I’ve found new and creative ways to express my hatred of the new series. I’ll try not to disappoint.
American Hustle — IMDb
A con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive British partner, Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso. DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia.
American Hustle — Rotten Tomatoes
A fictional film set in the alluring world of one of the most stunning scandals to rock our nation, American Hustle tells the story of brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who along with his equally cunning and seductive British partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that’s as dangerous as it is enchanting.
American Hustle — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Feb. 3, 2014: $133,827,214 Distributor: Sony / ColumbiaRelease Date: December 13, 2013 Genre: DramaRuntime: 2 hrs. 18 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $40 million
Golden Globes 2014: David O. Russell notes ‘Hustle’ not improvised
Asked whether there was a lot of improvisation on the set of “American Hustle,” Russell said that even though it may have come across that way, there was not. “I want to correct the notion of improvisation,” the co-writer/director said. “You can’t make a film that complicated and improvise it.”
Award Shows and Every American’s Hustle — Reel World Theology
We tackle another fine offering from David O. Russell, American Hustle (rhyming unintentional!). Russell, has been a part of a number of really thought-provoking character-driven films, such as Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees, The Fighter, and last year’s critically acclaimed, Silver Linings Playbook. American Hustle brings us a story of a con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive British partner, Sydney Prosser, being forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso. Though selfish ambition has DiMaso pushing them all into a world of Jersey power-brokers and mafia big men.

The MovieByte Podcast #77: That Ten Dollar Word

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Join TJ and Chad for a review of the surprise hit, ‘Lone Survivor’. But up first, TJ got a cool ‘Star Trek’ shirt for his birthday. Then, ‘Atlas Shrugged 3’ is apparently a thing — whatever. TJ and Chad have fun walking through Mike Fissel’s list of top 13 films. The new Maleficent trailer is set to the classic Disney tune ‘Once Upon a Dream’, but it may not be the way you remembered it. And there are nine (count ‘em, NINE) new clips and a really awesome featurette for the upcoming ‘Lego Movie’. Folks, it’s looking pretty awesome! And obviously the reason you’re here is for the primary review. TJ and Chad may differ on their rating but they agree on many of the featured points.

Show Notes & Links

The Star Trek Shirt
Guys. Your sister is just not as cool as mine because she didn’t get you a cool shirt like this for your birthday. I’m just saying…
‘Atlas Shrugged 3’ Is An Actual Thing That Is Happening
Well, “Atlas Shrugged: Who Is John Galt?” is still an actual thing that is happening and the producers are continuing a trend that they started with the second film: bringing in an entirely new cast. For the final installment of the trilogy, John Galt will be played by Kristoffer Polaha (“Devil’s Knot”), Laura Regan (“Unbreakable,” “Mad Men”) will play Dagny Taggart, and the rest of the main cast includes Rob Morrow, Eric Allan Kramer, and Joaquim de Almeida.
The MovieByte Podcast #15: I’m Shrugging As Well
TJ welcomes Joseph back from being away for an episode on jury duty. They discuss the situation with Wally Pfister making jabs at ‘The Avengers’ Cinematography and story telling style — TJ is fired up for sure, then they talk about the video circulating of Stephen Spielberg and John Williams composing the score for E.T. which of course leads to a discussion about the era of filmmaking back in those days and why film is still a superior format, and they also discuss ‘Skyfall’ and some thoughts on the ‘Bond’ franchise as a whole. But the main topic today is ‘Atlas Shrugged Part II’ which naturally means a discussion of part I as well. They discuss the political philosophies present in this film, likes, dislikes, budgetary constraints, the fact that mainstream Hollywood does not like this movie for it’s politics, the poor story telling at times, the acting, the changing of actors for the second film, and much, much more.
Mike Fissel Posts His Top 13 of 2013
So, is it possible to run a movie review/conversation website and get away with not having a “Top X” list for a year? Well, I don’t think so! Actually, I think it’s one of the more fun things to do in this non-business. Taking a look back at the year in movies gives you an idea, not only what stuck with me or flopped (IMHO), but what themes and ideas culture really couldn’t get enough of. With that said, here is a list of my 13 favorite films of 2013. I had originally thought it was a poor year for films, but the year end really redeemed things!
The MovieByte Podcast #52: Punching Michael Bay In The Head
Here there be monsters folks! Michael and TJ review ‘Pacific Rim’ But first: This week in trailers! Wolverine interrupts a funeral, plus he gets an honest trailer from his first film, Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson star in the upcoming film about bringing Mary Poppins to the screen, Christian Bale and Zoe Saldana make an appearance in an upcoming film titled ‘Out of the Furnace’, ‘Planes’ also gets a new trailer, and ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ has been properly teased! Plus in movie news, ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ gets a digital download and Blu-ray release date, Bruckheimer’s future at Disney looks grim, 3D is fairing poorly at the box office of late and good riddance! J.J. is still expecting to direct the next installment in the franchise, and a fifth season of ‘Arrested Development’ is in the negotiation stage. And of course the main topic this week is all about Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pacific Rim’, not a bad film in the estimation of your hosts, though not without its problems, which TJ and Michael discuss in depth.
‘Maleficent’ Trailer Set to ‘Once Upon a Dream’
If the tone of the upcoming Maleficent film has been hard to pin down before now, I think this trailer will help you on that front a little bit. This trailer is set to the classic tune from Disney’s original Sleeping Beauty, but there’s a twist. This version of the song by Lana Del Rey is haunting and hollow and turns sinister. In addition, Angelina Jolie effects the most sinisterly creepy smile you’ve ever seen in the first few seconds of the trailer.
9 Clips and a Featurette from the Upcoming ‘Lego Movie’
Man, this is the right way to market a film. Especially that featurette! I am now legitimately excited for this film. Also, let me tell you that the voice cast for this film is pretty much perfect in every way.
Lone Survivor — Review
On the night of June 25th, 2005, a four-man Navy SEAL team - consisting of Lieutenant Michael Murphy, Sonar Technician 2nd Class Matthew “Axe” Axelson, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Danny Dietz, and Corpsman 1st Class Marcus Luttrell - is lowered via fast-rope into the Hindu Kush Mountains near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Their mission: track and eliminate notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah.
Lone Survivor — IMDb
Marcus Luttrell and his team set out on a mission to capture or kill notorious al Qaeda leader Ahmad Shahd, in late June 2005. Marcus and his team are left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.
Lone Survivor — Rotten Tomatoes
While it may deliver its messages of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice a tad heavy-handedly, Lone Survivor finds writer/director Peter Berg wielding enough visceral power to mitigate many of his movie’s jingoistic flaws.
Lone Survivor — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jan. 27, 2014: $94,765,641 Distributor: UniversalRelease Date: December 25, 2013 Genre: Action DramaRuntime: 2 hrs. 1 min. MPAA Rating: RProduction Budget: $40 million

The MovieByte Podcast #76: I Am Stoic

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 14:00:00 GMT

A man walks into a theater with prescription lenses in his ‘Google Glass’ glasses and is "escorted out" for pirating. You can’t make this stuff up folks. This is crazy making right here. Long live the police state. In happier news, Carrie Fisher expects to start filming ‘Star Wars’ in March or April. It’s a rumor so take it with a grain of salt, but that seems about right for releasing sometime in 2015. TJ and Chad really just want to know if she’ll be sporting the Cinnamon Bun hairstyle again! It’s a sad day in film distribution as Paramount is now the first company to officially end film print distribution and go all digital. And of course, Chad and TJ have something to say about the Oscar nominees this year. Our primary review this week is of ‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit’.

Show Notes & Links

Federal Agents Take Man Out of Theater for Wearing Google Glass
Because I don’t want Glass to distract me during the movie, I turn them off (but since my prescription lenses are on the frame, I still wear them). About an hour into the movie (Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit), a guy comes near my seat, shoves a badge that had some sort of a shield on it, yanks the Google Glass off my face and says “follow me outside immediately”. It was quite embarrassing and outside of the theater there were about 5-10 cops and mall cops. Since I didn’t catch his name in the dark of the theater, I asked to see his badge again and I asked what was the problem and I asked for my Glass back. The response was “you see all these cops you know we are legit, we are with the ‘federal service’ and you have been caught illegally taping the movie.”
Carrie Fisher Expects to Start Filming ‘Star Wars VII’ In March or April
While speaking with TV Guide about the upcoming Big Bang spot, she revealed that she, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford are expecting to start working on J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII in March or April. Wha wha wha?! Not only that, she elaborated on the look she hopes to sport in the sequel
Steven Weintraub
Mark Hamill, last May and this afternoon. Someone’s been working out. Almost like he has a movie coming up. via Bryan
Paramount is Ending Film Print Distribution
Over the weekend, the LA Times reported something that many had expected, but hoped not to hear: that the first major studio — in this case, Paramount — was going all-digital and ending distribution of actual, physical film prints. Though they didn’t announce it at the time, “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” was the last Paramount film for which 35mm prints were shipped (way to go out on a high?), while “The Wolf of Wall Street” became their first all-digital affair (an irony, given that Martin Scorsese is a passionate defender of old formats and old filmstock). It also feels significant that the last physical film and the first all-digital one from the studio are about wild 1980s businesses…but it probably isn’t.
Camera Vs. Log!
This article is not about saying one medium is "better" than another, generally, but here’s my reasoning. Given the incessant stream of "film is dead" articles that seem to keep clogging the Internet, there has to be some counterbalance. Rumors and hype are jeopardizing the possibility that future generations will be able to enjoy film photography. That would be an art tragedy of epic proportions.
Oscar Nominees 2014
I wish I could see every one of the these films, but I think I’d have to quit my job and then I’d go broke bying the tickets. But I will see how many of these films I can get seen that I have not yet seen. Click through for the full list, I’ll just list a few categories here
Younger Audience Gives ‘Jack Ryan’ the Cold Shoulder
More than a third of the audience was over the age of 50, while only 15 percent was under 25, according to exit-polling service CinemaScore. All told, 63 percent of the audience was over the age of 35.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit — Review
This is not the Jack Ryan you may know from the books, and this is not the Jack Ryan you may remember from the four previous films. This film is a reboot and an origin story — because that’s what you’re supposed to do these days. I don’t think anyone over at Paramount could tell you exactly what motivated this film to be made other than the vague idea of hearing the ringing of the cash register as the ticket sales poured in. But unfortunately that sort of motivation does not usually produce the most compelling of stories.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit — IMDb
Jack Ryan, as a young covert CIA analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit — Rotten Tomatoes
Based on the character created by bestselling author Tom Clancy, "Jack Ryan" is a global action thriller set in the present day. This original story follow a young Jack (Chris Pine) as he uncovers a financial terrorist plot. The story follows him from 9/11, through his tour of duty in Afghanistan, which scarred him forever, and into his early days in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the modern CIA where he becomes an analyst, under the guardianship of his handler, Harper (Kevin Costner).
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jan. 22, 2014: $20,344,459 Distributor: ParamountRelease Date: January 17, 2014 Genre: Action ThrillerRuntime: 1 hrs. 40 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $60 million

The MovieByte Podcast #75: Unmake It Up

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 15:00:00 GMT

Join us for another edition of the adventures of Armond White! Watch as he makes a spectacle of himself and gets kicked out of the New York Film Critics Circle. See how TJ and Chad shed not one single tear! Seriously guys, he brought this on himself and he deserved it. Who’s crying. TJ and Chad certainly aren’t. In other news, ‘Catching Fire’ topped ‘Iron Man 3’ in the 2013 box office. That’s a fairly impressive feat. And oh yes, we have ‘Star Wars’ news and rumors (it’s such a very long way to 2015, sigh). You see, Disney is appointing a committee to oversee what official fits into the ‘Star Wars’ canon, and how. Plus, rumor has it that Episode VII will focus on Luke, Han, and Leia. And finally on the news front, ‘Gravity’ is returning to theaters so if you are a bad human being and did not see it the first time, you may crawl in shame to the nearest theater. And the primary review this week is ‘Saving Mr. Banks’.

Show Notes & Links

Why Armond White Was Kicked Out of the New York Film Critics Circle
This morning, the members of the New York Film Critics Circle, including me, voted to expel Armond White, the former critic of the now-defunct New York Press (and currently the editor and movie critic of CityArts), from the group. To me, it was a sad moment — pathetic, really, though Armond brought it on himself.
‘Catching Fire’ Topples ‘Iron Man 3’
Iron Man 3 had the year’s biggest opening weekend and dominated the summer box office, but when the dust eventually settles on 2013, Catching Fire will go down as the year’s biggest smash. The second film in the Hunger Games franchise, based on Suzanne Collins’ book trilogy, inched past Marvel’s superhero movie on Jan. 9 and now holds the top spot with $409.4 million.
Disney Appoints a Committee (I am not a committee!) To Determine ‘Star Wars’ Canon
The complicated Star Wars canon can be separated into two groups. The official, main Star Wars canon is composed of the (currently) six feature films and the animated Clone Wars series, while the expanded universe is composed of everything else — every weird book you see in the sci-fi section of Amazon, every video game, and every comic.
Star Wars VII Rumors
The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision has tried to make sense of all the new Star Wars rumors. The latest of which include thatMichael Fassbender, Girls star Adam Driver, and Hugo Weaving are now being considered for roles. Yet that isn’t all the rumors.
GRAVITY Returns to Theaters This Weekend
After winning a Golden Globe for Best Director, Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity will be returning to theaters this weekend. In case you missed the buzz-worthy sci-fi thriller, you’ll now be able to experience it on the big screen. It’s no coincidence that the 86th Annual Academy Awards’ nominations list will be unveiled this Thursday either. Read more at http://collider.com/gravity-re-release/#RyiKV2yLHeogXd5P.99
Saving Mr. Banks — Review
Let me be clear from the outset, I enjoyed this film quite a bit. That said, I feel like I would have enjoyed it better if I actually liked Disney’s Mary Poppins. As it is I really do not like Disney’s classic film that much. While P.L. Travers’ concerns and complaints about the film may be too far reaching and come from a bit too dour of an attitude, I tend to agree with her underlying issues regarding Disney’s version of the film.
Saving Mr. Banks — Chad’s Review
It seems that biographical films are often more dramatic and heavy than they are light-hearted and fun, and even rarer are they both at the same time, but Saving Mr. Banks manages to pull it off quite well without seeming forced or bipolar.
Saving Mr. Banks — IMDb
Author P.L. Travers reflects on her difficult childhood while meeting with filmmaker Walt Disney during production for the adaptation of her novel, Mary Poppins (1964).
Saving Mr. Banks — Rotten Tomatoes
Two-time Academy Award (R)-winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar (R)-winner Tom Hanks topline Disney’s "Saving Mr. Banks," inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic "Mary Poppins" made it to the screen. When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ "Mary Poppins," he made them a promise-one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep.
Saving Mr. Banks — Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Jan. 13, 2014: $69,436,293 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: December 13, 2013 Genre: DramaRuntime: 2 hrs. 0 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: $35 million
P.L. Travers Audio - 1961 Mary Poppins Meetings at Disney
Published on Dec 31, 2013 P.L. Travers reads through the Mary Poppins script with screenwriter Don DaGradi and the Sherman Brothers, the duo behind the film’s music. The meetings took place at the Disney Studios in L.A. in 1961.
Walt Disney’s Tour of Disneyland
Walt Disney takes us through his kingdom from the time he was alive, to the magic kingdom of today. Containing very old and rare footage of Disneyland from 1956 to 2007.
Walt: The Man Behind the Myth (FULL)
Walt: The Man Behind the Myth is a biographical documentary on Walt Disney. It was narrated by Dick Van Dyke and directed by Jean-Pierre Isbouts.
Saving Mr. Banks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition]
To preview a song, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to buy and download music.
Saving Mr. Banks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
To preview a song, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to buy and download music.

The MovieByte Podcast #74: Tens and Twenties

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 15:00:00 GMT

Join TJ and Chad for a brief bit of talk about the whole "Armond White heckling Steve McQueen situation" and be sure to follow the links to the recommended listening of Dave Chen’s interview with White. Basically TJ and Chad think the guy is nuts. Then there’s movies that are turning 30 this year and it makes TJ feel old to realize that he was alive when these classics were made. And for this podcast, TJ and Chad talk over their list of films that they liked and loved from 2013, and then move on to anticipate what’s coming up in 2014. 2013 was a great year for film and maybe 2014 can be too.

Show Notes & Links

James Avery - Uncle Phil From ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Dies at 68
The actor, most notable for his role as Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has died at the age of 68. According to Avery’s manager Toni Benson, Avery passed away from complications of open-heart surgery, CNN reports.
Dave Chen Interviews Armond White about Steve McQueen Heckling
I listened to about half of the interview on my way to work this morning. Armond White does not speak as if he is not guilty, he hedges and uses his words carefully and wordsmiths everything he says. Now, that may just be the way the man is but it struck me as odd. Additionally, there are plenty of eyewitnesses coming forward so I’m not sure what the point of denying it is.
The /Filmcast Speaks to Armond White About Heckling Claims: “It’s a Smear Campaign”
I asked Armond White to respond to the allegations. I have recorded our conversation and I am releasing it in its entirety as a bonus /Filmcast episode. After the jump, you can download the episode and find some transcribed excerpts from our conversation.
Movies Turning 30 in 2014
Prepare to relive the greatest time in cinematic history — 1984. Don’t laugh. There’s no other way to describe a year that produced bothGremlins and Ghostbusters. And, not one, but two Tom Hanks movies.
42 (2013) - Chad’s Review
I love baseball. I grew up playing baseball and have fond memories of attending Texas Rangers games with my family as a child, so I can always appreciate a good baseball film, whether it’s a baseball film that isn’t really about baseball (i.e. Moneyball), baseball films that ARE about baseball, or even cult classics like The Sandlot. After last year’s Trouble with the Curve left much to be desired (my review), I was quite excited to see 42, even from the very first trailer I saw for it last fall sometime. I desperately wanted it to be a great film, but, unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed.
42 (2013) - Rotten Tomatoes
Hero is a word we hear often in sports, but heroism is not always about achievements on the field of play. "42" tells the story of two men-the great Jackie Robinson and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey-whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball. In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) put himself at the forefront of history when he signed Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team, breaking Major League Baseball’s infamous color line.
My Top 10… Top 15… No, Top 20 Films of 2013
Top ten film lists are hard. I started this article with the intent of making a top ten list. I failed. Every single film on this list deserves to be in my top ten. But, there are twenty. What to do? Hey, maybe I just won’t be boxed into the mold of a top ten (or maybe I don’t have the discipline to trim my list, whatever). Maybe I’ll write a top twenty list instead. So that’s what I’m doing.
Top Ten Films of 2013
2013 was a pretty great year for me. I saw more films than ever before, largely due to my involvement in The MovieByte Podcast with my friend TJ. If I totaled everything correctly, I saw 40 new films this year in theaters, so this list is drawing from a pretty wide selection.
Minority Report - IMDb
In a future where a special police unit is able to arrest murderers before they commit their crimes, an officer from that unit is himself accused of a future murder.
Looking Forward - 2014
Anticipation is half the fun isn’t it? Well, in the case of some films, it’s all the fun unfortunately. But then sometimes films really exceed expectations and then it’s more than half. So I reckon that it sort of balances out to, “half the fun.”

The MovieByte Podcast #73: The Misty DVD

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Clark Douglas, Michael Fissel — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 14:00:00 GMT

TJ and Chad are joined this week by special guests Mike Fissel and Clark Douglas to talk about ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’. But first, a Peter Pan origin story? Apparently so. No one on this podcast is quite sure they needed this, but whatever. And of course, your hosts must talk about A.V. Club’s 15 worse films of 2013. It seems everyone has something on this list to quibble with. But no one can agree on what that one film on this list is that shouldn’t be there. And of course be sure to find out all about the thoughts and opinions behind ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’. Is this just big-boy fan fiction or is there something more here? And what’s with Tauriel? Who’s she and why was a non-cannon character added to the cast? Is this film worth seeing, is it better than the first film? So many questions, and your intrepid hosts set out to find answers!

Show Notes & Links

Responsive Redesign
Here it is guys. This is the responsive redesign I’ve been talking about for a couple months. There is very little code reuse from the previous design. I’ve re-factored or re-wrote pretty much every line of code. There were two primary focuses with this redesign: Fully responsive, mobile first design More modern, less heavy design
‘Pan’ - Peter Pan Origin Story Gets a Release Date
Warner Bros. has dated “Pan,” its Peter Pan origin tale, for June 26, 2015. Joe Wright is attached to direct from the Jason Fuchs script but the 3D film has not yet been cast with shooting planned for April. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the pic is certain to bring back the characters created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie about a boy who can fly and never ages. Wright adapted “Pride and Prejudice” and “Anna Karenina.” Hmm. Okay. I know I tend to say this about new films sometimes but, did we really need this? I don’t think I need it.
Peter Pan (2003)
The Darling family children receive a visit from Peter Pan, who takes them to Never Never Land where an ongoing war with the evil Pirate Captain Hook is taking place. Director: P.J. Hogan
A.V. Club’s 15 Worst Films of 2013
Bad movies are like bullies: You know in your heart you should just forget them, turning the other cheek rather than holding a grudge, but the thirst for retribution can be consuming. At The A.V. Club, we prefer to get mad and even, blowing (golden) raspberries at cinema’s annual lowlights. Here, ranked by rankness, are the year’s worst movies—a hall of shame that includes blockbusters, sequels, spinoffs, franchise hopefuls, laughless comedies, and a couple micro-indie stinkers. (Bad movies, after all, come in all shapes, sizes, and budgets.) Don’t have the stomach for such petty score settling? Check back next week, when we celebrate the best movies of the year.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug — Review
The Hobbit trilogy is, I think, perhaps the ultimate fan fiction for the universe surrounding Middle Earth — that is to say, for The Lord of the Rings. Consider: why would one take a book less than 300 pages and make a trilogy out of it where with The Lord of the Rings trilogy, 3 books of about ~400 pages each were made into 3 films? If the same logic was applied to The Lord of the Rings filmmaking as we’re seeing here with The Hobbit, we’d have 9 films, 3 for each book. So what has happened here? Well, I’ll tell you: Peter Jackson is a fan boy of Middle Earth and he wanted to mix in some (a lot) of fan-fiction with the story of The Hobbit. While this is not altogether a bad thing, it is strange. I cannot recall any time previous that fan-fiction acheived such heights and blockbuster status.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - IMDb
The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring. Director: Peter Jackson
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Rotten Tomatoes
The second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellan) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.(c) WB PG-13, 2 hr. 41 min.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Dec. 16, 2013: $79,847,401 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: December 13, 2013 Genre: FantasyRuntime: 2 hrs. 41 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #72: Kitten Acupuncture

Joe Darnell, Chad Hopkins — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:17:42 GMT

With TJ reportedly on his death bed (or something like that), Joe and Chad hold down the fort this week. Join them to find out their thoughts on the ‘Indiana Jones’ franchise and what Disney’s recent acquisition of that property means and whether future films would be a good thing. And since TJ is not in the game to spoil their fun they can freely talk about the rebooted ‘Spider-Man’ film franchise and the upcoming ‘Spider-Man’ films, and so they do. And you always wanted to know if ‘The Hobbit’ extended edition is better than the bloated and over-long theatrical version, right? But of course. And before diving into the primary review this week of ‘Frozen’, Chad and Joe discuss the Disney Animation short film that accompanies the feature film. In summary they found it delightful. And in summary they also found ‘Frozen’ quite delightful and a great film to be the subject of conversation!

Show Notes & Links

Disney Acquires Full Rights to Future ‘Indiana Jones’ Films
This news came this past weekend from Dominic Patten over at Deadline.com. Though Disney purchased Lucasfilm last year, giving them the rights to future Star Wars films, the company did not have the marketing or distribution rights to make more Indiana Jones films - that right still belonged to Paramount, who was in charge of the first four films in the franchise.
Disney Gets Full Rights To Future ‘Indiana Jones’ Pics In Deal With Paramount
Walt Disney Studios and Paramount Pictures said today that they’ve reached a marketing and distribution deal for the Indiana Jones franchise. Among other things, this agreement removes the last hurdle for Disney in moving forward with future Indiana Jones movies, which the company acquired when it purchased Lucasfilm in a multibillion-dollar deal late last year. The new deal gives Disney marketing and distribution rights to future films as well as retaining Lucasfilm’s ownership rights — which basically means they’ve got the whole shebang now.
‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ Trailer
Well, the day is upon us, the day I once again rail on the rebooted Spider-Man franchise. Doggoneit! Why couldn’t they just let this one rest for a little bit? I hated the first installment in this reboot universe so much it’s impossible for me to put it into words. But, many people apparently liked it so a second one is coming to screens. I cannot tell you just how wrong Andrew Garfield seems for this part. I know Toby Maguire takes a lot of flack, but he seemed like the perfect Peter Parker to me. I don’t hate Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, but that doesn’t make up for anything.
About ‘The Hobbit’ Extended Edition
I’m going to tell you something, and you’re not going to believe me: The Extended Edition of the first Hobbit film, An Expected Journey, is actually better than its theatrical release. I know this seems impossible given that the Extended Editions of Lord of the Rings were not—they were chock full of fun bits that we missed, but they didn’t play as better films. The pacing got all wonky, and they didn’t really move. The Extended Edition of The Hobbit is different.
7 Fun Facts About Disney’s New Short “Get A Horse”
Frozen hit screens nationwide last week to a wow-ing opening weekend of $93 million! If you were one of the lucky ones that got to see it (where I live, practically every showing was sold out), then you may have been scratching your head over the latest Disney short that is shown just before Frozen. The short is called “Get A Horse” and it is a magical blend of 1928 meets 2013 with 2D and 3D animation. Wondering if that was really Walt’s voice or if it was a real short from 1928? Click through the slideshow below for 7 fun facts about Disney’s new short “Get A Horse.”
Chad’s Brave Review
I’ll say this now: lots of this review is going to be negative, but be patient…I did enjoy this movie and will give it a not-terrible rating. I just have lots of things to say about it. I don’t know whether to praise or criticize the people who were in charge of promoting Brave. For a year, we were shown various trailers and posters that were vague about the plot of the movie, and, for a while, the film looked very uninteresting. As in, I had absolutely no desire to see it. However, a couple of months before its release, we were finally treated to a trailer that made me a tad bit excited, resulting in me attending the midnight showing.
Frozen "Fixer-Upper" Lyrics WARNING: Spoilers
Bulda: What’s the issue, dear? Why are you holding back from such a man? Trolls: Is it the clumpy way he walks or the grumpy way he talks? Or the pear-shaped, square-shaped weirdness of his feet? And though we know he washes well-he always ends up sort of smelly But you’ll never meet a fellow who’s as sensitive and sweet! So he’s a bit of a fixer-upper, so he’s got a few flaws Like his peculiar brain-dear, his thing with the reindeer That’s a little outside of nature’s laws!…
Spotted: Rapunzel and Flynn at Elsa’s Coronation
It looks like fellow Disney royals, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, made an appearance at Elsa’s coronation in Arendelle. <img src="http://a.dilcdn.com/bl/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/12/Rapunzel_Flynn1.jpg">
Mickey Short "Get a Horse" clip | OFFICIAL Disney HD
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hiTwhXfgHPc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Frozen — IMDb
Fearless optimist Anna teams up with Kristoff in an epic journey, encountering Everest-like conditions, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf in a race to find Anna’s sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter.
Frozen — Rotten Tomatoes
Featuring the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, "Frozen" is the coolest comedy-adventure ever to hit the big screen. When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna, a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa, the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell. Encountering mystical trolls, a funny snowman named Olaf, Everest-like extremes and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.
Frozen — Box Office Mojo
Frozen (2013) Domestic Total as of Dec. 10, 2013: $138,768,437 Distributor: Buena VistaRelease Date: November 22, 2013 Genre: AnimationRuntime: 1 hrs. 48 min. MPAA Rating: PGProduction Budget: $150 million

The MovieByte Podcast #71: Back When I Was A Child

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Sun, 8 Dec 2013 0:24:00 GMT

Join Chad and TJ to discuss the sad event of Paul Walker’s death. Neither Chad nor TJ are really ‘Fast and Furious’ fans, and TJ has only seen one of the films he was in so they don’t feel quite up to the task. But it’s a sad event and needs talking about. And in what they are sure is a very difficult decision, Universal has halted production on ‘Fast and Furious 7’. Prayers go out for family and friends. And with no good way to transition out of that sad news, Chad and TJ do find some way to move to the next topic: ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ has been announced for May of 2016. It seems a little odd given that ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ is not even out in theaters yet. But TJ at least is excited because Bryan Singer is back at the helm and as far as he’s concerned, Singer can make as many ‘X-Men’ films as he wants to! Obviously all this leads to talk of the ‘X-Men’ universe in general. They also discuss the general state of films for 2015 and 2016. And the primary review this week is ‘The Book Thief’ which is in many ways delightful, but you’ll also want to have your tissues on hand when you go to see this one. There’s just not enough good things to say about this film, but TJ and Chad do try valiantly. Also, find out how this film is in a way like ‘Anne of Green Gables’ — no really!

Show Notes & Links

Paul Walker of ‘Fast and Furious’ Dead at age 40
Actor Paul Walker — a self-styled adrenaline junkie best known for his role in “The Fast and the Furious” movies — was killed Saturday in a fiery single-car wreck in Southern California. The 40-year-old Walker was riding in a red Porsche GT about 3:30 p.m. when the sports car flew off the road and slammed into a tree in Santa Clarita, authorities and witnesses said. The car burst into flames…
‘Fast & Furious 7’ Will Be Going Ahead
Paul Walker’s final Fast & Furious film remains on course for a cinema release, despite the death of its 40-year-old star in a road accident on Saturday. Sources told the Hollywood Reporter that production on Fast & Furious 7 would be delayed, with the shoot in Atlanta unlikely to resume until today or tomorrow at the earliest. There were no plans to abandon the film, for which Walker had shot the majority of his scenes. However, the cast were due to travel to Abu Dhabi in January for an additional shoot and the movie was likely to be delayed beyond its planned July 2014 release date…
Universal Halts ‘Fast & Furious 7’
Remember how I posted earlier this week that Fast & Furious 7 would be moving forward? Well, not so fast apparently: The death of Paul Walker — an obviously key figure in the mega-sequel (and franchise) “Fast & Furious 7” — makes the future of the movie and series completely unclear. Production on the James Wan directed movie was supposed to continue this week in Atlanta following the Thanksgiving holiday, and additional filming with the entire cast in Abu Dhabi in January. Clearly, things are in flux and while this past weekend a conference call between suits and director tried to figure out how they salvage the film and honor the memory of Walker, it seems everyone is still weighing their options. But until then the set has been cleared. Universal Pictures has officially announced they are stopping filming on the sequel…
‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ Announced for May 27, 2016
“X-Men: Apocalypse” will hit theaters on May 27, 2016, thus kicking off over two years of rumors, speculation and more even before ‘DOFP’ has hit theaters. Hooray? No word on who will direct, but with Bryan Singer getting in on the announcement action it’s probably safe to say he’ll be at least producing if not more. I’m just excited that there’s an announcement for a film that is not in 2015! WooHoo!...
2016 in film - Wikipedia
There are numerous films set to be released in 2016. While some films have announced release dates but have yet to begin filming, others are in production but do not yet have definite release dates…
2015 in film - Wikipedia
There are numerous films set to be released in 2015. While some films have announced release dates but have yet to begin filming, others are in production but do not yet have definite release dates…
X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST - Official Trailer (2014)
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pK2zYHWDZKo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Albus Dumbledore - Harry Potter Wiki
Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., D. Wiz., X.J.(sorc.), S. of Mag.Q.,[6] (Summer[1] 1881[2]–late June 1997) was the Transfiguration Professor, and later Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Professor Dumbledore also served as Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards (?–1995) and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot (?–1995; 1996-1997). He was a half-blood wizard, the son of Percival and Kendra Dumbledore, and the elder brother of Aberforth and Ariana…
The Book Thief - IMDb
While subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Under the stairs in her home, a Jewish refugee is being sheltered by her adoptive parents. Director: Brian Percival Writers: Markus Zusak (novel), Michael Petroni (adaptation) Stars: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson
The Book Thief - Rotten Tomatoes
A bit too safe in its handling of its Nazi Germany setting, The Book Thief counters its constraints with a respectful tone and strong performances.
The Book Thief - Box Office Mojo
Domestic Total as of Dec. 6, 2013: $10,130,000 (Estimate) Distributor: FoxRelease Date: November 8, 2013 Genre: DramaRuntime: 2 hrs. 11 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A

The MovieByte Podcast #70: Might Flip Out

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Michael Fissel — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Join TJ, Chad, and Mike Fissel to discuss a few of the latest TV shows their watching. Then dive into a review of ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’. Of course there’s some analysis and general thoughts about the first film and how Garry Ross the director handled that film and what it’s strengths and weaknesses are. And of course, how this film blows that one away.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #69: Authorization from Aunt Jenny

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:00:00 GMT

TJ and Chad really wanted to see and talk about ‘The Book Thief’ but they got bit by the limited release stuff and couldn’t find it playing anywhere. So instead in this episode they talk about how stupid the MPAA is for fighting a losing battle against piracy. They also spend a bit discussing the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ film and the fact that Samuel L. Jackson says that Mark Hamill hasn’t been contact about playing a part yet. But they’re not despairing for the film yet. And this week’s main topic of review is ‘A Few Good Men’ from 1992. This may seem a bit out of the blue, but it’s a favorite of TJ’s and a great film. Chad had never seen the film before so be sure to tune in and get his take!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #68: Thor Score and Seven

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Joe Darnell, Michael Fissel — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Prepare for the epic-ness in what is quite possibly the most awesomely title episode of MovieByte ever! This episode brings together four of the best podcasters the nine realms have ever seen. Join TJ, Chad, Joe and Fizz to discuss the current state of the Marvel Cinematic universe. Find out which films have been better and which don’t work so well in the differing opinions of these four. Spend a short amount of time with them in reviewing the first ‘Thor’ film. And finally, take an epic walk through the finer point, intricacies and details of ‘Thor: The Dark World’.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #67: Grew Up with Hannah Montana

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Michael Fissel — Sat, 9 Nov 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Join TJ, Chad and Mike Fissel to discuss ‘Ender’s Game’ in all its facets. The film was both good and bad, glorious and disappointing. This produces much lively conversation on what was missed, the pacing, how it could have been better, and in general what it’s strengths and weaknesses are. Other topics of conversation include why there was no episode last week, some brief thoughts on ‘Escape Plan’, Movies all three are looking forward to, TJ’s new video podcast, ‘ByteSized’, and ‘Thor: The Dark World’! You won’t want to miss it!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #66: Real World Computers

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Chad kick things off with a little bit of follow up on ‘Captain Phillips’ and Paul Greengrass’ response to accusations of the real life crew members. Then, after a several week hiatus, it’s a new edition of TrailerByte! (and much clapping and cheering ensued!). Trailers and clips includes the first trailer for ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ and offerings from ‘Thor: The Dark World’, ‘Ender’s Game’, the upcoming TV series staring Karl Urban: ‘Almost Human’, ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’, and one that looks really good: ‘The Book Thief’. This week’s primary review takes a look at Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Bruhl in ‘The Fifth Estate’. Both TJ and Chad were pretty disappointed with the film and mostly because of such a seriously squandered opportunity.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #65: Real Life Plot Holes

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 12:00:00 GMT

A little bit of follow up on ‘Gravity’: a reporter asked Alfonso Cuaron if filming in space was difficult… yeah, really. Turns out it was something of a joke for the comedic news outlet. Still, pretty funny because apparently Cuaron answered as if it were a real question. In other news, Hans Zimmer is talking about *not* scoring ‘Man of Steel 2’ (or Superman Vs. Batman if you prefer). TJ and Chad have differing opinions on the merits of the first ‘Man of Steel’ film’s score so that leads to some interesting conversation. Madonna was banned from the Alamo Drafthouse for texting during a film and then screamed at the other patrons when asked to stop. Bravo, Drafthouse! TJ is thinking he needs one of those in Nashville! This week’s main topic and big review focus is ‘Captain Phillips’ — another outsanding entry into this year’s cinematic run down and TJ and Chad sure think it ought to be an Oscar contender, even with the news that it may not be as entirely accurate to the real life story as we might have hoped.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #64: Air Pressurized Place

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 13:00:00 GMT

For this week’s "grave" (see what we did there?) situation, TJ and Chad discuss how ‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy has already cost $561 Million to date — over twice as much as ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy — and they’re not done spending money yet. It’s a good discussion on film and budget bloat and how Peter Jackson has sort of lost his way and is riding his previous successes too much. Next up is the upcoming film and trailer ‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit’. The trailer was fairly disappointing to both TJ and Chad. Chad is not that interested in the departure from the books, and TJ is both not interested in the departure, or the direction in general. The episode quickly turns to the main review: ‘Gravity’, which is an astonishing and breathtaking cinematic achievement. Neither Chad nor TJ find much wrong with this film and it is a highly recommended watch.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #63: Hammering The Profoundness

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 3 Oct 2013 13:00:00 GMT

TJ welcomes Chad back from a week of being away, and they discuss changes to the show’s format, keeping it interesting and engaging, and how to be candid with the listenership. That aside, they talk for a few minutes about the tragic death of Tom Clancy. Several of his books have made great films over the years, and there’s one in production now. He will be missed. Then, obviously, they have to spend a few minutes talking about ‘Agents of SHIELD’ because that’s the big new hotness in TV shows right now. And they also discuss a highly recommended video that’s been making the rounds about how to make ‘Star Wars’ great again. TJ and Chad agree with every point. And the topic of primary interest this week is the film ‘Rush’ directed by Ron Howard and starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #62: Daughter Of Darth Maul

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 13:00:00 GMT

TJ is joined by Joe to talk about the latest trailers: ‘The Need for Speed’, ‘Toy Story of Terror’, ‘Escape Plan’, Everything you ever wanted to know about Ultron, ‘Big Ass Spider’ Trailer, an ‘Ender’s Game’ TV Spot, and the ‘Agents of SHIELD’ episode 2 trailer. Of course the ‘Toy Story of Terror’ trailer prompts quite a bit of discussion about Pixar. Also of interest is that Pixar will not have a film in 2014. TJ and Joe talk about why they aren’t bothered by this. And then they turn their attention to ‘Star Wars Episode VII’ rumors, casting and more for a bit before turning to their main topic. In review this week is ‘Prisoners’ which both found to be a satisfying film with some minor flaws. It’s a highly recommended thriller that you all should catch in theaters if you can. Don’t miss this conversation!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #61: I Don’t Want To Die

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:00:00 GMT

This episode brought to you especially by the hard work and preparation of Chad since TJ has had such a busy and week and was unable to do much show prep. This week in trailers is ‘The Railway Man’, five clips form ‘Agents of SHIELD’, two ‘The Fifth Estate’ clips, and ‘Last Days on Mars’. And in the news, lots to talk about, ‘World War Z’ may get a sequel, Hugh Jackman thinks we’ll like ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’, Ellen Page wants a Kitty Pryde film directed by Joss Whedon, Marvel schedules ‘Ant-Man’ for 2015 to coincide with the release of every other film in the world ever. ‘Pirates 5’ has been delayed, ‘Harry Potter’ is getting spinoff films written by J.K. Rowling! This is exciting! ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes’ has been delayed, it’s probably dead actually. ‘Star Wars’ spinoff films will be origin stories. Plus some talk of ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’. Then TJ and Chad dive into their review of ‘The Way Way Back’, a surprising good film.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #60: Crystal Clear

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Chad discuss the newest trailers: ‘Runner Runner’, ‘Gravity’ starring Sandra Bullock, ‘Agents of SHIELD’, the new ‘Robocop’ trailer, and a cast interview for ‘Agents of SHIELD’. Plus in the news and up for discussion, Paul Greengrass says he is not making more ‘Bourne’ films, Alan Taylor is set to direct the next ‘Terminator’ film, Roland Emmerich wants to reboot the ‘Stargate’ franchise, which irritates TJ greatly, Cumberbatch is playing it coy with ‘Star Wars VII’, and speaking of ‘Star Wars VII’, there a rumored title floating around, Lea Thompson is set to appear in the new ‘Left Behind’ film reboot, and Vin Diesel wants to make more ‘Riddick’ films. And speaking of ‘Riddick’ that is the main film in review this week. Tune in to listen!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #59: They Got Away With It

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 5 Sep 2013 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Chad discuss the latest in trailers, including ‘47 Ronin’, ‘Man of Tai Cih’, ‘Riddick’, ‘Thor: The Dark World’, ‘Agents of SHIELD’, and ‘Rush’. Obviously there’s lots to say and lots of opinions to be had here. Neither TJ nor Chad are holding out a lot of hope for the Keanu Reeves offerings. ‘Thor’ on the other hand is looking pretty good. There’s a big possible spoiler this week for ‘Avengers 2’ as well as some casting news involving James Spader as Ultron and Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Star Wars VII’. And TJ is worried about Pixar since Bob Peterson has been pulled from ‘The Good Dinosaur’ project. Kevin Spacey has a little bit to say about ‘House of Cards’ and the TV distribution model and TJ is all on board with that. And this week, the film in review is ‘Closed Circuit’ which wasn’t very good.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #58: Shadow Hunter

TJ Draper — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:00:00 GMT

This week, TJ hosts the show by himself and has all kinds of fun with all sorts of topics. Of course, as usual, there’s TrailerByte, taking a look at the latest film trailers, and TJ has lots of opinions on those. This week’s selection includes ‘Getaway’ staring Selena Gomez, Ethan Hawke, and Jon Voight, ‘The Book Thief’, which looks like an Oscar bid, the upcoming TV show ‘SHIELD’, ‘Thor: The Dark World’, ‘Divergent’, ‘Captain Phillips’ International Trailer, a fan made ‘Man of Steel 2’ trailer, and a clip from the upcoming film ‘Riddick’ in which Riddick saves a puppy. And one of the rather large news items this week is Ben Affleck being cast as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the upcoming ‘Man of Steel 2’. Plus several items from Joss Whedon to discuss this week (as you do, you know, as a fanboy and all). And then there’s Hayley Atwell joining Kenneth Branagh’s live action ‘Cinderella’, which makes the film like mildly more interesting. And JJ plans to shoot ‘Star Wars Episode VII’ on film. This week’s primary review is ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’. TJ had a few choice things to say about just how bad this film is.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #57: An Amazing Jobs

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe are reunited! First they exchange some banter and inside baseball. Then they talk about a few trailers that have come up since the last episode including ‘Closed Circuit’, ‘Squirrels’, and ‘The Counselor’. Then, before getting to the two main topics in review, they discuss the idea of Mark Wahlberg wanting to play ‘Iron Man’, Ewan McGregor and ‘Star Wars’, and the ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ honest trailer. In review this week is the new film ‘JOBS’ in which Ashton Kutcher does a fantastic job portraying Jobs. This is the film the two spend the bulk of their time on. But they do spend a little time talking about ‘Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters’ which TJ liked well enough, and Joe didn’t like at all.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #56: Blow Up Endor

TJ Draper, Michael Fissel — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 15:00:00 GMT

TJ is joined by by Mike Fissel to discuss the latest trailers, including ‘Thor: The Dark World’ U.K. trailer, ‘The Mortal Instruments’ Five Minute Clip, ‘Her’ Staring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson, ‘Captain Phillips’ Trailer 2, ‘The Counselor’, The Hollow Crown’, ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ International Trailer, and ‘How I Live Now’. This week a few items of interest include a comparison of the ‘Back to the Future’ actors age make-up, and what they actually look like now 30 years later, whether Mark Strong or Bryan Cranston should play Lex Luthor (or maybe someone else altogether), ‘Now You See Me’ is getting a sequel, Was Christian Bale offered $50 Million to play Batman again?, a rumor that Ian McDiarmid will be reprising his role as Palpatine in Episode VII, Natalie Portman has a *possible* ‘Thor’ spoiler, and do ‘Trek’ fans hate ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’? And the main review this week is ‘Elysium’ which TJ didn’t like and desperately wanted to be better. Fizz liked it better but he also had his complaints about it.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #55: I Didn’t Hate It

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 8 Aug 2013 15:00:00 GMT

In this episode, TJ and Chad talk about the latest movie trailer including, trailers and clips from ‘Elysium’, a clip from ‘The Frozen Ground’, new trailers for ‘Agents of SHIELD’, Clips and featurettes for ‘JOBS’, a new ‘Riddick’ trailer, ‘Ender’s Game’ Trailer 2, ‘Muppets Most Wanted’, and ‘Thor: The Dark World’. There’s also an extended version of ‘The Hobbit’ coming to Blu-ray (TJ wonders didn’t we already see the extended version in the theaters?), ‘Pacific Rim’s’ chances for a sequel are increased with the good reception in China, James Cameron plans to make 3 sequels to ‘Avatar’, more ‘Bourne’ without Bourne, Chris McQuarrie will direct ‘MI:5’, and ‘Indiana Jones’ may make a 5th appearance. TJ and Chad have many opinions on all these things. And the main review this week is ‘2 Guns’. Tune in to hear the thoughts and opinions on this film!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #54: The Quest for Adamantium

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 1 Aug 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Chad and TJ discuss the latest in trailers and film clips including the latest from Sandra Bullock’s upcoming film ‘Gravity’, a trailer for Keanu Reeves upcoming film’ 47 Ronin’, a clip from ‘In a World’, two clips from ‘Elysium’, a trailer for ‘Escape Plan’, and a viral video for Trask Industries of the ‘X-Men’ franchise. They also discuss their disgust for the upcoming 3D CGI ‘Peanuts’ film, the rumor about Ryan Gosling and Zac Efron staring in ‘Star Wars’, the idea of ‘G.I. Joe’ and ‘Transformers’ sharing a movie, John Williams officially announced to be returning to score the new ‘Star Wars’ trilogy, and more! And the main review this week is for ‘The Wolverine’. Of course Chad and TJ touch on all things concerning the ‘X-Men’ franchise and it’s a lot of fun!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #53: No Grasshopper

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 15:00:00 GMT

TJ and Chad take a look at the latest trailers, TJ goes on a rant about ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ and too-soon reboots in general, which was satisfying for him to get off his chest. And both are looking forward to ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ quite a lot. And there’s several other trailers worth checking out this week. Also of interest, Joss Whedon has revealed the name of his upcoming ‘Avengers’ sequel, ‘The Avengers: The Age of Ultron’. Plus lots of other Marvel news and goodies and other cool stuff coming out of SDCC. And some not so welcome news to TJ, more welcome to Chad, Zack Snyder will direct a Superman/Batman crossover film. And then they review 2 new films this week, ‘R.I.P.D.’ and ‘RED 2’. TJ found ‘R.I.P.D.’ fun and watchable, though nothing special. Chad didn’t really like it at all. Both liked ‘RED 2’ however, though TJ liked it a little more.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #52: Punching Michael Bay In The Head

TJ Draper, Michael Fissel — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Here there be monsters folks! Michael and TJ review ‘Pacific Rim’ But first: This week in trailers! Wolverine interrupts a funeral, plus he gets an honest trailer from his first film, Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson star in the upcoming film about bringing Mary Poppins to the screen, Christian Bale and Zoe Saldana make an appearance in an upcoming film titled ‘Out of the Furnace’, ‘Planes’ also gets a new trailer, and ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ has been properly teased! Plus in movie news, ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ gets a digital download and Blu-ray release date, Bruckheimer’s future at Disney looks grim, 3D is fairing poorly at the box office of late and good riddance! J.J. is still expecting to direct the next installment in the franchise, and a fifth season of ‘Arrested Development’ is in the negotiation stage. And of course the main topic this week is all about Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pacific Rim’, not a bad film in the estimation of your hosts, though not without its problems, which TJ and Michael discuss in depth.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #51: Hi-Ho, Silver

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins, Michael Fissel — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 17:00:00 GMT

TJ welcomes Chad back for another week, and they also welcome guest Michael Fissel of Reel World Theology. They talk about the latest film trailers, their thoughts on the upcoming films, and the last trailer for ‘Agents of SHIELD’ leads to a discussion about Joss Whedon. Then they talk about some film news and interesting items, such as David Chen’s comparison of ‘Superman’ and ‘Man of Steel’ music, Russell Crowe would be interested in a ‘Man of Steel’ prequel, Vin Diesel and ‘Riddick’, a live action ‘Jungle Book’, Hayden Christensen in Episode VII and more! And our main topics this week are ‘Despicable Me 2’ and ‘The Lone Ranger’. Tune in for a fun and lively discussion!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #50: As A Five Year Old

TJ Draper, Chad Hopkins — Thu, 4 Jul 2013 15:47:00 GMT

TJ welcomes a new co-host and talks a bit about the future of the podcast. Then they discuss the latest in trailers and movie news including ‘Percy Jackson’, ‘The Lone Ranger’, ‘Pacific Rim’, ‘The Wolverine’, ‘Turbo’, and ‘The Mortal Instruments’. In movie news, Pixar promises more original stories, Peter Jackson talks about releasing an extended ‘The Hobbit’, Julianne Moore is cast to play President Coin, Liam Neeson will star in ‘Taken 3’ for a large sum, Christian Bale will not appear again as Batman, and Goldblum and Pullman are in for ‘Independence Day 2’. The main reviews for this episode are ‘World War Z’ and ‘White House Down’, Both enjoyable films, both rated well enough by your hosts. ‘White House Down’ was a bit more enjoyable to TJ, while ‘World War Z’ was slightly more enjoyable to Chad.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #49: Where Is The Incredibles Sequel?

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Ben Kayser — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe are joined by special guest Ben Kayser, who has some things to say about TJ’s first topic of follow up on Man of Steel. Also, TJ watched ‘Supergirl’, which is just as bad as he remembered. Plus, an all new edition of the new feature ‘TrailerByte’, featuring opinions on trailers from ‘The Smurfs 2’, ‘JOBS’, clips from ‘RED 2, ‘The Counselor’, and ‘Pacific Rim’. Other topics include ‘The Avengers’ on Netflix, HBO Go on the Apple TV and how stupid content providers are being about the digital age, some ‘Star Wars VII’ rumors, and Robert Downey Jr. has signed on for two more ‘Avengers’ films. And of course the main topic of review is ‘Monsters University’.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #48: I Will Say This Backwards

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 16:00:00 GMT

TJ launches a new feature (in beta!) of The MovieByte Podcast, "TrailerByte". The name makes it sound like more than it is. Basically, TJ and Joe just list several of the current trailer making the rounds and talk about them. Ashton Kutcher’s ‘JOBS’ has a new release date of August 16. Spielberg and Lucas are predicting the implosion of the film industry. Joss Whedon says that Loki will not be in ‘The Avengers 2’, which may show the cards for what is to come in ‘Thor: The Dark World’. Netflix and Dreamworks have arranged a deal to distribute new, original Dreamworks content. And the main review for this week is for ‘Man of Steel’. Joe liked it and TJ didn’t. Discussion ensues.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #47: The Ursa

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joe are back! First a side topic about how many podcasts they listen to and a recommendation for ‘The Incomparable’. Then they’re off to talk about ‘Man of Steel’, the trailers, and promos, the general excitement, how they felt about the previous ‘Superman’ films and more. ‘The Blue Umbrella’ is an upcoming Pixar short that takes a photo real approach, which is interesting and worthy of a little bit of time talking about. HISHE made a great video for how ‘Iron Man 3’ should have ended, TJ and Joe loved it!. TJ goes off on a bit of a rant about patent and copyright issues in the United States. Then there’s the upcoming film ‘World War Z’. And of course, the two main topics this week are ‘Now You See Me’ and ‘After Earth’. Listen in on the fun!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #46: The Smug Look On His Face

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 30 May 2013 12:46:00 GMT

In this episode TJ and Joe start out with a little follow up about Alice Eve as Carol Marcus in her underwear and why TJ wrote his article on the subject. Kayla over at TrekMovie.com also felt the same way. Then there’s the ‘Byzantium’ trailer which neither Joe nor TJ are thrilled about as it’s yet another vampire movie. But TJ did find out that Tom Cruise was in a vampire movie once. Who knew? Saoirse Ronan wants to play The Scarlet Witch in the upcoming ‘Avengers 2’, and Joss Whedon has confirmed that that character is in the upcoming film. And will Sony sell the rights to ‘Spider-Man’? Also, you probably should not throw someone’s phone across the room, even if they are texting in the theater and being rude. And of course, there’s an ‘Epic’ review this week (pun intended).

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #45: My Name Is…

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Anthony Pascale — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:25:00 GMT

In this episode, TJ and Joe are joined by Anthony Pascale to talk about ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’. And that they do. The entire show is a big celebration of ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’. And don’t let the nit-picks lead you in the wrong direction. Though they talk about a lot of nit-picky things, they all enjoyed the film immensely. And there’s plenty of fun stuff like a GIF of the Vengeance crashing into Alcatraz (tell us how you really feel about that show being canceled J.J.!), and the humor-full IO9 FAQ review of ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’. So, nerds and general movie going audiences, unite! ‘Star Trek’ was fun for all!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #44: Old Sport

TJ Draper, Alex Arena — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:49:00 GMT

While Joe is on vacation, TJ is joined by his friend, Alex Arena to talk about Kevin Feige’s delusional state of being over ‘Iron Man’, Mark Hamill actually likes Jar Jar and the prequels to the ‘Star Wars’ trilogy, plus Kathleen Kennedy says ‘Episode VII’ will draw from the original ‘Star Wars’, also, Alex has never seen ‘Star Wars’ (what?!?), the teaser trailer for the upcoming film ‘Gravity’, ABC picks up ‘Marvel’s Agents of ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ to series, and the trailer for ‘Captain Phillips’ an upcoming film based on a true story starring Tom Hanks. And of course, the main topic for this week is Baz Lurhman’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carrie Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, and Elizabeth Debicki.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #43: She Was Totally Gangsta

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 9 May 2013 13:52:00 GMT

Join TJ and Joe to discuss a variety of topics, like the ‘White House Down’ Trailer, This film looks like a cross between Olympus has fallen, and possibly ‘G.I. Joe’, and really, anytime you can see the White House being blown up on film, why wouldn’t you? Then there’s the little art house theater that is being forced to go digital. It’s a crying shame in some regards, but TJ has mixed feelings about this. This leads into discussion about how stingy movie studios are bing, and in particular, Marvel, as well as some thoughts about the actors for ‘The Avengers’ wringing every last dollar out of the studio. In other news, ‘Men in Black 4’ is in development, the ‘Man of Steel’ trailer music has been released on Soundcloud, which prompts some good discussion, and the ‘Ender’s Game’ trailer has been released. Then, settling in for the main topic, Joe discusses his experience at the Cinebistro when he went to see ‘Iron Man 3’. And of course, all kinds of talk about ‘Iron Man 3’, including a spoiler discussion later on. TJ and Joe both enjoyed the film and recommend it.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #42: One Movie A Year

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Dan Benjamin — Fri, 3 May 2013 16:12:00 GMT

TJ and Joe are pleased to welcome to the show special guest Dan Benjamin of 5by5! Dan is a prolific broadcaster and maker of fine podcasts, he has opinions on many things, and movies are one of them. They spend just a few minutes talking about podcasts and mixers, mice and the like. Then they kick things off with a quick discussion about Instacast for Mac Public Beta. And on to film news with J.J. Abrams saying John Williams is likely to score ‘Star Wars VII’, as well as Carrie Fisher and Ian McDiarmid talking about the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ film with McDiarmid being pretty sure Palpatine won’t be returning (no, really?). They also spend a few minutes talking about online media consumption versus broadcast TV, some thoughts about J.J. Abrams version of Star Trek, and a minute or two on ‘Pacific Rim’. And of course, the main review for this week is ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’ which leads to some great discussion. You won’t want to miss it!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #41: Everybody is Taller Than He Is

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:43:00 GMT

TJ and Joe discuss ‘The Avengers’ assembling for ‘The Avengers 2’ in February of next year and a few thoughts on the Marvel Universe in general, trailer 2 for ‘The Internship’ and how TJ is not liking this in any way, the news of a ‘Fantastic Four’ reboot, the ‘Thor 2’ teaser and the state of teasers versus trailers in general, and then they get to the main topic. Up for review this week is ‘Oblivion’ which TJ and Joe both liked a lot but quite a lot of critics didn’t like the film so much. One critic in particular really did a disservice to the film, which TJ and Joe discuss. Beware of a few spoilers here and there! But be sure to tune in for a great conversation!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #40: Decking Wesley

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Anthony Pascale — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Join TJ and Joe as they chat with special guest Anthony Pascale of TrekMovie.com. They briefly discuss the new ‘Man of Steel’ trailer, all three are looking forward to the film, then they turn their attention to the final ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ trailer. They discuss first impressions, general thoughts, marketing ‘Star Trek’ to a broader international audience, the big old ship Cumberbatch is driving around in, is the villain Khan or not, captain Kirk’s disposition, destroying the Enterprise… again…, and the fact that most Trekkies are loving the trailer. Then after bidding farewell to Anthony, TJ and Joe discuss the film ‘42’ about the life of Jackie Robinson and his struggle as a black man in Major League Baseball during a time of incredible racism.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #39: Dads Don’t Play With Toys

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Why do films like ‘Evil Dead’ get made and who goes to see them? TJ and Joe want to know because they are both not interested in this film or films of its ilk at all. Join in to hear them discuss it. They also discuss the passing of the great film critic Roger Ebert, ‘Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ name change, ‘Captain America 2’ has begun filming, hopes and dreams for the upcoming film ‘Oblivion’, and the new Elysium trailer featuring Matt Damon. Then they turn their attention to the two featured reviews for this episode, ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’, and ‘The Host’ based on the novel by Stephanie Meyer. Starting with ‘G.I. Joe’, they both thought it was an awful film, though disagreeing on some specifics. And TJ and Joe both agree that ‘The Host’ is a far better film even though it’s getting a bad rap. Tune in to hear the lively and fun conversation about these two films.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #38: Finding Pixar

Joe Darnell, Clark Douglas — Thu, 4 Apr 2013 17:03:00 GMT

Joe Darnell is joined by Clark Douglas to discuss Pixar announcing production of ‘Finding Dory’, the much-anticipated sequel of ‘Finding Nemo’ (2003) scheduled for release in 2015. How has Pixar weathered major changes since they were acquired by Disney? How has Disney’s animated films been influenced by Pixar’s reputation? Clark analyzes from the audiences standpoint what movie flops like ‘Brave’ represent for the studios, and animated films at large. What might we expect to see in ‘Monster’s University’, Disney’s ‘Planes’ and beyond?

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #37: Nuclear

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:17:00 GMT

TJ and Joe talk about ‘The Wolverine’ using viral marketing, Vine video, 20 second teasers and the like, J.J. Abrams’ vision for ‘Star Trek’, ‘Star Wars VII’ and TJ’s feelings on his comments about ‘Star Trek’, Robert Redford being rumored as a cast member for ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ and the casting of the previous ‘Captain America’ film, Apple’s podcast app and a little bit of ranting (mostly from TJ) about the inadequacies of said app, and why piracy is good for business and media companies should stop fighting it and start focusing on pleasing customers and making it easy for them. And the main topic this week is the film ‘Olympus Has Fallen’. TJ liked it a lot, and Joe liked it well enough, but the film is not without its flaws. Tune in to find out more!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #36: Halle Berry’s Hair

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:39:00 GMT

TJ and Joe kick off the podcast talking about the Slash Filmcast Episode 221, their take on ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’, film criticism in general, and how they both hope they don’t get jaded to the point where films loose their wonder and wow factor. Then they discuss the Apple TV software update and the new Hulu interface, the upcoming ‘Hansel and Gretel’ sequel, the delay of the Steve Jobs film staring Ashton Kutcher, Pepper Potts in an Iron Man suite, China lifting their ban on the IMDb site, and Joe’s review of ‘Emperor’. And for the main review this week they discuss Halle Berry’s new film, ‘The Call’. Be sure to tune in to hear more about this film and why it was good until it ran off the rails.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #35: Monochromatic

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:20:00 GMT

TJ and Joe discuss the track released from the soundtrack for the upcoming film ‘Oblivion’, and how it sounds like it has been influenced by ‘Tron: Legacy’ and how that is a good thing, Joe’s article ‘Star Studded Ratings by the Numbers’ and how MovieByte rates films, the U.K. getting ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ a week before we do here in the states, Joss Whedon and Clark Gregg on Agent Coulson in the upcoming TV Series ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’, and why the ‘Oz’ sequel will not feature Dorothy. And that leads TJ and Joe into their main topic today in discussing ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’. A fine film, worth seeing, with a few disappointments. But certainly, when compared with some of the utter rubbish in theaters at this time of the year, it’s the obvious choice when heading to the cinema. Be sure to tune in for the full discussion and review.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #34: Darth Vader Meets Barack Obama

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 7 Mar 2013 17:40:00 GMT

TJ and Joe talk about CGI Superman capes and other thoughts about the upcoming ‘Man of Steel’, the CGI animation of late actress Audrey Hepburn, thoughts about the state of the industry in general in regards to CGI and the idea of bringing an actress or actor back from the dead, the ‘Game of Thrones’ director shrugging off piracy and the general state of the industry and the stance of the content providers, ‘The Hobbit’ crossing the $1 Billion mark and how well it’s doing, and the dismal opening weekend of ‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ and why might that be. And the main topic of discussion with that lead in, is ‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ and why it’s a better film than many seem to think it is. TJ like it a lot, Joe just thought it was okay. But the discussion is a fun one and you won’t want to miss it!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #33: Bio-Digital Jazz

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:20:00 GMT

Join TJ and Joe to talk about ‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ being pricer to produce than ‘TRON’ and why that’s probably a bad thing, why ‘Argo’ won "Best Picture" at The Oscars even though ‘Affleck’ didn’t take "Best Director", the new ISP "six strikes" policy to "combat" piracy and why it won’t work and why it is the wrong move, and the idea of remaking the ‘Star Wars’ prequels to make them, you know, actually good films. TJ is kind of in favor, and Joe isn’t really. And the meat and potatoes for this episode is ‘TRON: Legacy’, and by extension, some talk about the entirely lackluster original ‘TRON’. It’s interesting how TJ and Joe both feel ‘TRON: Legacy’ is a great film, while the original leaves so much to be desired. Tune in for a great conversation!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #32: Nuclear Fallout

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:34:00 GMT

Bear with us guys, this is the longest installment of ‘The MovieByte Podcast’ yet, but it’s well worth it. Get settled in and get ready for some fun. First off, TJ and Joe chat about why the podcast was late in arriving. Joe has been sick, TJ had a baby (well, his wife did). Then they talk briefly about John Williams’ desire to score ‘Star Wars VII’, film and video aspect ratio, as well as the pitfalls of improper TV setups when receiving widescreen HD signals, and Michael Bay is bringing Megan Fox to his upcoming film on the Ninja Turtles? First of all, how well will this work out for Bay seeing as he fired her perviously for personal differences. And secondly, how is this film even getting made? And of course, the main discussion is about the ‘Back to the Future’ trilogy and oh what fun. Joe and TJ pretty much agree completely on the first film. But then they diverge. TJ loves the second film a lot, and doesn’t care for the third one too much, and Joe has just the opposite opinion. But of course, the trilogy is a beloved one by both TJ and Joe and you won’t want to miss this conversation!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #31: James T. Hook

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:20:00 GMT

TJ and Joe kick off this exciting podcast to talk about Tennessee Spring Water! No really, it does come up. Then they get to the real episode. Up first is talk of ‘Portal’ and ‘Half-Life’ films in development by J.J. Abrams, plus TJ is flabbergasted that Joe has never played ‘Portal’ before. Seriously, it’s very uncool. Then they touch on the passing of the revered ‘Star Wars’ makeup artist, Stuart Freeborn, whose contributions to the ‘Star Wars’ universe will long be remembered. Then TJ geeks out a bit about ‘The Best of Both Worlds’ (Star Trek TNG) coming to Blu-Ray as a stand alone film/episode. Plus there’s a new ‘Oblivion’ trailer! TJ is excited about it, Joe not so much. And then last for the general talk in this episode, TJ touches on his review of ‘Identity Thief’. Spoiler: it was not a good film. And for the meat and potatoes of this episode, Joe waxes on about ‘Hook’ which TJ only found to be a kind of decent film, but it was a mainstay for Joe. Tune in to hear the debate!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #30: We’re Fine Here

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Linsay Morgan — Thu, 7 Feb 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Joe and TJ warm up before the big talk of ‘Star Wars’ with a conversation about ‘Warm Bodies’ and TJ’s review of it — TJ is not a big fan, Joe thinks he might just have to see it to see if he agrees with TJ, an R2D2 translator (loads of fun), the ‘Skyfall’ Honest Trailer, the Netflix original series and political drama, ‘House of Cards’, as well as a conversation about Netflix’s full season release strategy, ‘The Avengers’ ‘Firefly’ style opening credits sequence, a few new releases to video on demand, and finally before the big topic, a quick discussion of the highly alliterated title for this run of podcasts, ‘Favorite Fun Futon Films for February’ (say that 10 times fast). And then, TJ and Joe are joined by Linsay Morgan to discuss ‘Star Wars’. And oh do they discuss it. Joe and Linsay think it may be the best film ever made. TJ has reservations. The discussion is lively and fun, you won’t want to miss it!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #29: Renner Has a Boom Stick

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:45:00 GMT

Joe and TJ talk about Joss Whedon’s wish to do more ‘Firefly’ — which warms a nerd’s heart, Lex Friedman tries to cut the cord and how Cable companies are clinging desperately to the old business model, the SAG Award Winners, and then this little bitty bit of news about J.J. Abrams directing the next ‘Star Wars’ film and what all that means and entails. Then the main topics for this week’s episode are ‘Parker’ and ‘Hansel and Gretel’. Neither TJ nor Joe liked ‘Parker’ very well and there are definite morality issues to consider when your hero is no hero at all but a "principled" thief (whatever that means). ‘Hansel and Gretel’ was a topic of a bit more debate. TJ enjoyed the film but Joseph did not. Catch their thoughts and reviews of this film right here!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #28: Guilty Until Proven Innocent

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:39:00 GMT

FIGHT! In this episode TJ and Joseph disagree on whether ‘Broken City’ was a good film or not. Joseph did not enjoy it very much at all, TJ found it to be pretty good with only more minor grievances. It’s a lively discussion. They also review Gangster Squad, and there is much more agreement on the merits and lesser qualities of this film. Particularly the performances in this film are top notch, as is the visual style and heartfelt story. TJ and Joseph also talk about ‘Man of Steel’s’ Jimmy Olson… as a girl!, ‘Iron Man 3’ coming to IMAX, the Honest Trailer for ‘Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’, the trailer for the upcoming film ‘Emperor’ staring Tommy Lee Jones and Mathew Fox, and a sneak peak at Joe’s review of ‘The Last Stand’ which is really just TJ going on about how bad Arnold Schwarzenegger is at acting. Be sure to tune into the fun!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #27: Countless Taxpayer Dollars

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:39:00 GMT

TJ and Joseph dive in for some good fun and lively discussion. They discuss Jon Polito commenting on a negative review on The New York Times, the news that a ‘Jack Reacher’ Sequel is unlikely, which disappoints TJ, The entire ‘Die Hard’ series coming to theaters for one day only, the White House’s response to a petition for the U.S. to build a Death Star — it’s dead funny regardless of any political leanings, ‘Independence Day 2’ rumors, a Joss Whedon video interview discussing ‘Avengers 2’, and the Jurassic Park IV release date (face palm!). And then for the main topic, they discuss Promised Land starring Matt Damon. The discussion is a lively one, though be prepared, politics are involved (how could they not be) and you may disagree with TJ and Joseph. But that’s okay. It’s a lot of fun, be sure to tune in!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #26: Overstayed Welcome

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:09:00 GMT

Join TJ and Joseph as they discuss The Piano Guys teaming up with Lindsey Stirling for a ‘Mission Impossible’ music video and the incredible talent they bring to the screen, and to the music, the upcoming film, ‘Gangster Squad’ and the six teaser clips recently released to promote it, more talk of ‘Hansel and Gretel’, Joseph’s ‘Hitchcock’ review and some general thoughts on the film, and the news that Guillermo Del Toro turned down the opportunity to direct ‘Star Wars VII’. Then the main topic this week is Django Unchained. There was plenty to like and plenty to dislike about the film and TJ and Joseph dive in praising and disparaging the film in equal parts. They have a lot of fun with this one! And then, the big announcement of who won the HD TV giveaway. Be sure to tune in!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #25: Poor Little Boy

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Liz Darnell — Thu, 3 Jan 2013 18:29:00 GMT

TJ and Joseph discuss Ebert’s top ten films of 2012, including ‘Argo’, which Ebert named top of the year, and TJ’s own top ten films of 2012 as well. This involves a little quibbling over the positioning of items on the list as well as if some actually belong there. They also discuss the teaser for the upcoming ‘Monsters University’ which TJ thinks is pretty great and Joseph thinks it is less so. Hansel and Gretel also has some new promotional material out, including a new TV spot which they discuss briefly. And for the main top, TJ and Joseph are joined by Joseph’s wife, Liz, to discuss Les Miserables, the film based on the stage musical. It’s a worthy production, if disappointing in some ares. So they dive deep to discuss likes, dislikes, things that could have been better, and why the story, regardless of the production values and choices of the film, is worth paying attention to.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #24: Tom Cruise Haters

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:56:00 GMT

In this episode, TJ gives some really brief thoughts on ‘Les Miserables’ (next week’s episode will be all about ‘Les Mis’), and some follow up on last week’s episode pertaining to ‘The Hobbit’, then they talk about GLaDOS’ voice in ‘Pacific Rim’, and a little about the trailer, then they discuss the horrifying idea of Carrie Underwood as Maria in ‘The Sound of Music’ TV remake, as well as a ‘Cars’ spin-off, ‘Planes’ and their fears and trepidations for that upcoming film as well as some general feelings about Pixar and the direction their films have been going. And the main topic this week is ‘Jack Reacher’, the crime/action/thriller featuring Tom Cruise. TJ found it quite enjoyable, Joseph less so, but still rated it positively. They talk likes, dislikes, Tom Cruise’s performance, what could have been done better, and more.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #23: In a Starship Lived a Hobbit…

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Anthony Pascale, Clark Douglas, Marcus Pittman — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:59:00 GMT

TJ and Joseph are joined by TrekMovie.com founder and editor in chief, Anthony Pascale, to discuss the nine minute prologue debut of ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’, what we know and don’t know about the film, who the villain ultimately is, how JJ Abrams’ ‘Trek’ is not just for fans, but goes for a broader appeal, which Enterprise is the best, how it’s not just a question of old ‘Trek’ or new ‘Trek’ and more. Lots of nerdery to be had here. Then TJ and Joseph are joined by Clark Douglas, who appeared on episode 14 of ‘The MovieByte Podcast’ with TJ, and new guest Marcus Pittman to discuss ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’. Much discussion is had about the merits as well as the not so good aspects of the film. While all enjoyed the film and ultimately rated it on the positive side of the scale, there were varying degrees of elation and disappointment with the film. This is a fun one, be sure to join the discussion!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #22: Hindsight 2012

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Melinda Snodgrass, Michael Minkoff — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:39:00 GMT

TJ and Joseph welcome special guest this week, Melinda Snodgrass, a successful screenwriter, and particularly as pertains to this episode, wrote one of the best ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ episodes in Season 2, ‘The Measure of a Man’. She tells us a lot about the writing process on ‘Star Trek’ and what that was like, and talks particularly about that episode, her love for the character Data, her thoughts on how to better use the cast and crew of the Enterprise, the great character moments in the episode, ‘The Next Generation in HD’ and the extended cut of ‘The Measure of a Man’. It was great fun to talk to her. Then TJ and Joseph briefly review two films they didn’t care much for, ‘Killing them Softly’, and ‘Playing for Keeps’. And finally, they welcome special guest, Michael Minkoff as they talk about gearing up for relaunching the Movieology brand as a podcast on MovieByte, some discussion on the favorite films of 2012 and more.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #21: I’m Not a Kangaroo

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 6 Dec 2012 18:22:00 GMT

Join TJ and Joseph as they talk about whether Joseph Gordon-Levitt will be Batman or not, the upcoming remake of ‘Flight of the Navigator’, ‘Revenge of the Sith’ as a great work of art — which leave them scratching their heads, the ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ poster and how much it looks like a rip-off of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ poster, and the Man of Steel’ in hand cuffs? What gives? And then the two main topics of discussion, Rise of the Guardians, and Men in Black 3. They didn’t think very highly of Rise of the Guardians, its convoluted and complicated plot, its confusing message for children, its lack of precision with regards to story and more. And for Men in Black 3, TJ enjoyed it very much while Joseph was pretty neutral on it. They also announce the winner of the "Ratings and Reviews" contest. Be sure to tune in!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #20: Soooooooooo Cooool

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:31:00 GMT

Join TJ and Joseph for a conversation on the upcoming ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ and ‘Man of Steel’ trailers coming out with ‘The Hobbit’ - TJ is more excited about the ‘Star Trek’ trailer and Joseph is more excited about the ‘Man of Steel’ trailer - which leads to a discussion of ‘Production Video #9’ of the insane production schedule and things going on behind the scenes with ‘The Hobbit, then they turn their attention to Blockbuster getting in the magazine business, Miley Cyrus’ stupid looking ‘So Undercover’ trailer, Matthew Vaughn sort of confirmed for ‘Star Wars VII’, giveaway opportunities, and then the two main film topics, ‘Red Dawn’ and ‘Life of Pi’. TJ doesn’t like ‘Red Dawn’ very much and Joseph has mixed feelings about ‘Life of Pi’. Be sure to leave a review, along with a 4 or 5 star rating of the podcast on iTunes for a chance to win a Blu-ray copy of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. At least ten entries are needed for the contest so be sure to tell your friends and ask folks to review.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #19: Liquid Golden Eyes

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Linsay Morgan — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 16:05:00 GMT

TJ and Joseph are joined this week by special guest Linsay Morgan to discuss ‘Twlight: Breaking Dawn Part II’. Lots of fun discussion about what is good and what is bad about the series, how bad Stephanie Meyer’s writing is, which films have been better and which have been worse (there is much disagreement on this topic), which film had better music (again, disagreement), the male versus female perspective on the series, the difference in Meyer’s vampire mythos versus normal vampire mythos and more. Then TJ and Joseph discuss Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’. It is difficult not to discuss political views with a film like this but TJ and Joseph make a grand attempt to relate their views but be open and not offend too many people. All in all they determine that ‘Lincoln’ was a well made film but suffers from some historical revisionism. They also briefly discuss (or they try to keep it brief) Corey Poff’s MovieByte review of ‘The Amazing Spider-man’, and the ‘Now You See Me’ trailer.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #18: That Was Your Master Plan?

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:30:00 GMT

TJ and Joseph discuss ‘The Host’ and the new trailer for the upcoming feature film based on Stephanie Meyer’s first post-Twilight book, the idea that Darth Vader might come back for ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’, Michael Arndt writing ‘Star Wars VII’, ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ newest trailer, ‘Arrested Development’ being picked up by streaming video service Netflix as well as an original show, ‘House of Cards’, and they spend some time talking about how the industry can move forward and move toward a more on-demand model. Then they get down to the main topic, ‘Skyfall’. Neither TJ nor Joseph were quite as blown away by this film as the rest of the world seems to be and they discuss why that is and why everyone else may like it so much, and why it was after all a decent film. They discuss likes, dislikes, what they would have liked to see different and more.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #17: You Have No Soul

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 8 Nov 2012 15:40:00 GMT

Join TJ and Joseph for some awesome movie discussion! This week they kick off with some follow up on the ‘Star Wars’ discussion with Mathew Vaugn rumored to be in the running to direct Episode VII, plus Joseph really liked the idea of Machete Order. Then they briefly talk about ‘The Amazing Spider-man’ coming on on DVD and Blu-ray. As they have discussed in a past episode, Joseph quite liked the film and TJ didn’t see it in protest. TJ also wrote a short article regarding 3D which TJ and Joseph discuss. Then they get to the meat and potatoes and talk about ‘Wreck-it Ralph’. Wreck-it Ralph is estimated by your hosts to be a really, really great ‘Pixar’ film even though it’s technically not a Pixar film, it’s a Disney film. With John Lasseter executive producing though, who would have expected anything different? They also discuss the idea that Disney and Pixar swapped studio names for ‘Brave’ and ‘Wreck-it Ralph’. They have a lot of fun with this one. And then the discus briefly the also released this past weekend ‘Flight’. Flight was an okay film and worth watching. Be sure to tune in for a great conversation.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #16: Meesa Think Jar Jar Stupid

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 1 Nov 2012 21:20:00 GMT

Oh boy is there a lot to talk about this week! TJ and Joseph get ready to catch two films this weekend, ‘Wreck-it Ralph’ and ‘Flight’, they discuss a lot of things, such as the return of Bryan Singer to the ‘X-Men’ Franchise to direct ‘Days of Future Past’, there will be another ‘Mission Impossible’, ‘Argo’ came in number one in the box office last weekend despite going toe to toe with ‘Cloud Atlas’, the launch of ‘The Wrap’ a new weekly show under ten minutes at the end of each week giving an overview of the highlights of the week, and the TV giveaway contest. They then turn their attention to the two main topic items this week, ‘Cloud Atlas’ — TJ hated it with a fiery burning passion, Joseph didn’t like it, but didn’t feel as strongly about it as TJ, and then the big news of the week (year?), the sale of Lucas Film, including all IP having to do with ‘Star Wars’ to Disney. And there’s going to be another ‘Star Wars’ trilogy. This may not be a good thing. They discuss their feelings about George Lucas no longer being directly involved with ‘Star Wars’, their feelings about the original trilogy and the prequels, what they would like to see in a new ‘Star Wars’ film, who should direct and much, much more!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #15: I’m Shrugging As Well

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:00:00 GMT

TJ welcomes Joseph back from being away for an episode on jury duty. They discuss the situation with Wally Pfister making jabs at ‘The Avengers’ Cinematography and story telling style — TJ is fired up for sure, then they talk about the video circulating of Stephen Spielberg and John Williams composing the score for E.T. which of course leads to a discussion about the era of filmmaking back in those days and why film is still a superior format, and they also discuss ‘Skyfall’ and some thoughts on the ‘Bond’ franchise as a whole. But the main topic today is ‘Atlas Shrugged Part II’ which naturally means a discussion of part I as well. They discuss the political philosophies present in this film, likes, dislikes, budgetary constraints, the fact that mainstream Hollywood does not like this movie for it’s politics, the poor story telling at times, the acting, the changing of actors for the second film, and much, much more.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #14: A Movie About a Fake Movie

TJ Draper, Clark Douglas — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:00:00 GMT

In this episode, TJ is joined by Clark Douglas while Joseph is off on jury duty. TJ and Clark talk a lot about Clark’s radio show and podcast about film scores and soundtracks, Alan Silvestri and Clark’s recent highlighting of his work, what it’s like to be a radio station manager, Hans Zimmer and his approach to film scoring, some of Clark’s favorite composers such as John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith and more, as well as some geeky discussion of Star Trek and Star Trek Scores, and then TJ and Clark talk about their differences of opinion on John Williams. They then briefly discuss a couple of quick things from Clark’s interview on Movieology. After this they turn their attention to a couple of films. TJ briefly discusses Taken 2, which Clark has not seen. It is simply not as good as the original Taken and was very disappointing to TJ. And finally, they discuss the fine film Argo, Ben Affleck’s career, the great acting in the film, the great story telling and more.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #13: Mr. Anderson

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell, Stewart Adams — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:40:00 GMT

In this episode of MovieByte, TJ and Joseph discuss Matt Damon’s recent comments that he thinks it unlikely he will return as Jason Bourne, the ‘Hitchcock’ Trailer — Joseph thinks it looks like a fantastic movie, TJ is nonplussed — and a little bit of discussion about the ‘Taken’ franchise and the fact that Taken 3 is "a go". And then they are joined by special guest Stewart Adams to talk about ‘The Matrix’. TJ and Stewart are fans! (that might be an understatement). They talk about all the different themes of the film, the multiple layers you get out of subsequent viewings, the fact that Stewart first saw this film in the form of a TV edit, the characters and casting of the film, the stylistic choices and so much more. Join us for a lively discussion!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #12: Jafar from Aladdin

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 4 Oct 2012 15:50:00 GMT

In this episode of MovieByte, TJ and Joseph discuss ‘Looper’ and ‘Trouble with the Curve’, two pretty good films. For ‘Looper’ they talk about the relatively low budget and indie nature of the film, the exceptional acting from the three top tier actors, Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Emily Blunt, the pitfalls of time-travel plots and the nature of time-travel films, how could Cid have become The Rainmaker in the first loop and more. For ‘Trouble with the Curve’ they discuss why critics are dissing such a good film, the lack of budget information available about the film, a drama vs. an action film, the humanity of the characters, Eastwood’s grouchy old man schtick, the poor acting of Timberlake, TJ and Joseph disagree on whether John Goodman is a good actor or good in his role in this film, why the film is not a flop and more.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #11: Shakespeare In The Park

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:18:00 GMT

In this episode, TJ and Joseph discuss Skyfall - The upcoming ‘Bond’ film, the new TV series from J.J. Abrams, ‘Revolution’ and how TJ has probably jinxed the series because shows he likes get canceled, the upcoming straight to DVD release with actor Bruce Willis ‘Fire with Fire’, and the main topic, ‘The Avengers’. TJ and Joseph heap loads of praise on this glorious film, the writing, the dialog, Joss Whedon as well as discuss the backstory with the preceding films and what did and didn’t work in them, how TJ liked the previous incarnation of ‘The Hulk’ and Joseph did not, their favorite lines in the film, whether it is better than Christopher Nolan’s Batman films and much more.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #10: A Great Mini Series

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:30:00 GMT

"Yet another kingdom falls to your glory. Is there no end to your power?" Join TJ and Joseph this week for a review of ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ as they discuss it’s high and low points, as they delve into their likes and dislikes, and as they discuss why TJ loved this film while Joseph didn’t love it so much. They discuss the portrayal of beauty and the contrast between the beautiful but evil queen played by widely haled beauty Charlize Theron, and Snow White played by Kristen Stewart who is by no means ugly, but not considered the beauty that Charlize is and that perhaps the message is beauty is more than skin deep. They also discuss the beauty of the film itself, aspects of The Huntsman’s character they enjoyed and much more. Conversation is also had about TJ’s latest article about the ‘Bones’ Season 8 premiere, TV shows and why we love to talk write about them on MovieByte, and how disconnected film critics can be from audiences at times.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #9: You Gave Them Your Money Twice?

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:57:00 GMT

"Asps… very dangerous. You go first." In this episode, TJ and Joseph discuss the Indiana Jones film ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and the recent release of the film to IMAX theaters. They cover how well it held up on the ginormous IMAX screen, what worked and didn’t work about this 1981 film now that it’s 2012, how much it cost to make this film back in the day, its great rating on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB, their childhood experiences with the Indy trilogy, John Williams score and a more general discussion of John Williams film compositions and. They also discuss the idea of a fifth ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ film, Joss Whedon’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ starring Alexis Denisof and Amy Acker, ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ out for Home Entertainment, ‘For Greater Glory’ now on DVD and more.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #8: Monopoly and Candy Land

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Fri, 7 Sep 2012 14:00:00 GMT

"I gotta bad feeling about this - a we’re gonna need a new planet bad feeling"... Join Joseph and TJ as they discuss ‘Battleship’ which was just released to iTunes, Blu-ray, and DVD. Joseph laments the state of film-making in a post-Transformers world, TJ enjoyed the film a bit more, but just a bit. They also discuss ‘Monsters Inc.’ coming out in 3D and the merits of 3D movies, the possibility of a directors cut of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and why TJ doesn’t like directors cuts for the most part, having a glass of beer or wine with Christopher Nolan and what we would like to pick his brain about, what we would like to see in Batman special edition releases, what films we are looking forward to this year, which leads to a discussion about ‘Branded’ and much more.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #7: Really Bad Bees

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:59:00 GMT

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor." Tune in for a discussion about ‘The Hunger Games’ film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ novel. TJ and Joseph discuss their likes, dislikes, the themes in this film, who should see it and why, whether it is appropriate for young children and young adults, they evaluate the practical effects, special effects, CGI, editing, directing, shooting style and much more. They also discuss shooting video on your smartphone in portrait mode, ‘Taken 2’, the ‘Jack Ryan’ reboot, and the upcoming TV show ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ which will involve Joss Whedon.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #6: This Isn’t About Johnny Depp

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:19:00 GMT

“Oompa Loompa, do-ba-dee-doo” In this week’s episode TJ and Joseph discuss films from TJ’s Box Office Overview Article - ‘The Hunger Games’ and it’s critique of modern culture, ‘The Avengers’ and Joss Whedon, ‘Brave’ and where Pixar veered off track, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and its great box office success yet still overshadowed by ‘The Avengers’, and the box office failures of ‘Total Recall’ and ‘The Bourne Legacy’. And they also discuss Mel Stuart’s ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ as well as a little discussion of the newer Tim Burton remake, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ (spoiler, Joseph and TJ thought it was a horrible film).

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #5: I Don’t Want to Sound Crazy

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:00:00 GMT

This week, TJ and Joseph discuss the TVShack.net and Richard O’Dwyer extradition case and discuss their great consternation over the entire affair, Joss Whedon signing on for a second Avengers movie and what that might mean for the film and the entire Marvel universe, and the main topic, The Bourne Legacy. TJ and Joseph might have "slightly" differing opinions on the worth of this film and which of the Bourne films is the best. We also apologize for the poorer audio quality on TJ’s end this week. There were… technical issues with TJ’s pre-amp.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #4: Schwarzenegger Can’t Act

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 8 Aug 2012 21:04:00 GMT

This week Joseph and TJ discuss the idea of a Brady Bunch reboot, the canceled TV Show Alcatraz, Vertigo and the best movies of all time, Hulu Plus on the Apple TV, content providers and the digital age, ‘The Hobbit’ reworked trailer, and the main discussion on the new film Total Recall. TJ and Joseph disagree on how good the movie was, what parts they liked and disliked, what could have been better, and the totally deplorable state of the first incarnation of Total recall in 1990 with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #3: He’s Wearing the White Hat

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 1 Aug 2012 20:00:00 GMT

"And you, Preston, the supposed savior of the resistance, are now its destroyer, and, along with them, you’ve given me yourself… calmly… coolly… entirely without incident." "Not without incident…" - Get ready for a fun and lively discussion as TJ and Joseph have a lot of fun talking about the Man of Steel trailer and the Superman franchise in general, Total Recall coming out on Friday, The Bourne Legacy featuring Jeremy Renner, the Avengers Post Credits Clip, Star Trek: The Next Generation remastered on Blu-ray, and of course the main topic, Equilibrium starring Christian Bale, Sean Bean, Angus McFadyen, Taye Diggs, and Emily Watson.

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #2: A Man of My Principles

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 1:22:00 GMT

TJ and Joseph discuss things pertaining to The Dark Knight Rises. Please be aware there will be spoilers in the second half of the episode. Topics of discussion include the shooting in Colorado and what a horrible tragedy it was, trilogies in general (Indiana Jones, Toy Story, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings), likes and dislikes about The Dark Knight Rises, Spoilers, Liam Neeson’s roll and more. Plus we follow up on Joseph’s "sealed note" predictions for what he thought would happen in this film and whether Christopher Nolan lived up to expectations. Our podcast is also now live and listed in the iTunes Podcast directory so be sure to rate the show in iTunes!

Show Notes & Links

The MovieByte Podcast #1: Hope For Humanity

TJ Draper, Joe Darnell — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:00:00 GMT

TJ and Joseph discuss the inception (see what we did there) of MovieByte and former life as Movieology, the upcoming Movieology podcast, and more. But mostly they focus on Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Night Rises, their past with Batman, what made these films work so well, music by Hans Zimmer, casting, their expectations as they prepare to see the new film in the theater, Joseph’s sealed predictions for the film, Christopher Nolan’s directorial ability, and much, much more.