Cinema Fix

Andrew has read The Hunger Games. Frank has not. How did that impact their reaction to the film? Does it live up to the spirit of the book? Are our hosts Team Peeta or Team Gale? And why can't Gary Ross use a damn tripod, anyway? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 2:47 - Comparisons with the book; betraying the book's view of violence in the media? 8:45 - Peeta, Rue and rebellion 12:09 - Healthy eating, unexplained motivations 20:45 - Produced with a franchise in mind 22:36 - Gale and Peeta's dye job 25:22 - Giant dogs, the PG-13 rating, protecting loved ones 30:00 - Reboot This! 39:30 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Andrew and Frank tackle the film adaptation of the bestselling young adult novel The Hunger Games. Twenty-four tributes. One fight to the death. Are the odds in its favor? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 5:14 - General thoughts 16:28 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Andrew and Frank have gotten old. In this episode, they discuss why Project X is irresponsible filmmaking at its worst, and how it sets Western culture back a few decades. At what point should consequences matter? How obligated are the filmmakers to promote healthy values? And when will you get off Andrew and Frank's lawn? SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 2:24 - Ethically unsettling compared to other "party movies" 11:35 - "Real" events with no real consequences, what we see vs. what we don't see 16:00 - A single change that could have made it a brilliant film 21:00 - In the shadow of Occupy 24:10 - Offensive, backwards humor 20:55 - Unique imagery, or just standard superhero visuals? 25:22 - Disliking a film for its messages 29:06 - The quest for sex 30:35 - Fantasy masked as reality, supermodel teens 34:35 - Reboot This! 43:16 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Andrew and Frank give their general impression of the Todd Phillips-produced Project X. Is this party a winner, or just plain lame? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 4:55 - General thoughts 14:54 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Andrew and Frank analyze what does and doesn't work about Wanderlust. What's up with all the free love stuff? What is the film trying to say modern Western civilization? And just how much penis flashing is too much penis flashing? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 5:38 - Free love confusion 10:45 - Comparing Paul Rudd's character with his brother 11:49 - Paul Rudd's improvisation 12:32 - Supporting characters 17:25 - The use of nudity for comedy 20:19 - Ken Marino's character; working for a jerk isn't so bad 22:15 - No clear message 29:43 - Reboot This! 34:39 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Andrew and Frank give their general impression of the David Wain-directed comedy Wanderlust. Is this comedy about a disgruntled New York couple going to live in a commune worth your time? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 4:35 - General thoughts 13:33 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In this special bonus post-Oscars episode of Cinema Fix, Andrew calls up three special guests to talk about the 84th Academy Awards. First up, Jett Loe from The Film Talk explores demographics and how the Academy is a reflection of larger industry trends. Then, Bad Fever director Dustin Guy Defa gives the perspective of a low-budget independent filmmaker on how much these fancy shmancy awards really matter. And finally, author and pop culture expert Robert J. Thompson comes on to talk about the Oscars' place in history and the growing artistic merits of television. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro 5:57 - Interview with Jett Loe 26:31 - Interview with Dustin Guy Defa 9:42 - Interview with Robert J. Thompson 43:05 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Andrew might have to give up his critic card. Critics everywhere are calling Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance a worthless piece of garbage, but is it as bad as that? Tune in as Andrew defends the film (or at least, the filmmakers) and points out signs of creativity. Plus, our hosts unveil a new show segment. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 5:57 - Frank's favorite scene 7:48 - So bad it's good? 9:42 - Elements of the Neveldine/Taylor style; peeing fire and Twinkies 16:22 - A callback to the Wicker Man remake? 19:09 - The Blackout makeup design 20:55 - Unique imagery, or just standard superhero visuals? 22:38 - Disregarding the backstory of the first film; plot inconsistencies 29:52 - Blackout's love life, the action sequences 35:29 - Reboot This! 43:05 - Show close 45:41 - More Ghost Rider sequel ideas DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Frank and Andrew tackle the sequel to Ghost Rider. Do Crank filmmakers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor inject any life into the proceedings at all? Is Nicolas Cage just as crazy as we've come to expect? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 3:35 - Intro and clip 4:54 - General thoughts 14:54 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Just how much is there to say about a mediocre spy action flick? Quite a bit, it turns out. Tune in as Andrew and Frank discuss what the filmmakers might have been aiming for (or not). What is the film's primary message? Is its cynical refreshing or just depressing? Is the protagonist in danger of losing his soul? SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 3:09 - Institutions as inherently corrupt 8:53 - The second safe house, the government pawn 12:37 - Action scene flaws, logic gaps and supermen 16:09 - The protagonist's character arc; is he becoming corrupted or not? 24:56 - The romance; what does it reveal about his character? 31:51 - The relationship with Tobin Frost, the ending 39:00 - Plot holes 40:30 - The death of a (sort of) key character 42:46 - Lots of punching and gratuitous corpse shooting 44:35 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Our hosts talk the new film starring Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington. Is this spy thriller an effective cat-and-mouse game, or just a bore? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 4:54 - General thoughts 12:03 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Andrew and Frank discuss the thematic threads running through Chronicle. Why does Matt keep quoting philosophers like Schopenhauer and Plato? Is the choice to make it a found-footage film an appropriate one? What is Josh Trank trying to say about the nature of art? All this and more. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 2:43 - Becoming your parents 6:09 - Schopenhauer and the concept of will 10:55 - The camera as social buffer, art as inherently selfish 22:22 - Plato’s allegory of the cave 24:24 - Film as unfulfilled desire 27:15 - A political message? 31:20 - The handling of high school stereotypes, cinematography 35:00 - The nosebleeds 40:00 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Andrew and Frank give their general thoughts the feature directorial debut of Josh Trank. A found-footage movie about superpowers? Can that work, or does the film fail to follow the rules of successful mockumentary films? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 4:00 - General thoughts 13:06 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Andrew and Frank discuss the existential questions posed by The Grey. In this world, does God exist? How should we interpret the ending? Is this really an allegory for coping with loss, and if so, what is its ultimate message? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 1:24 - In the universe of The Grey, does God exist? 6:03 - An allegory for grief 14:12 - Is the ending too ambiguous? 21:20 - The trailer and why it sucks 24:22 - Favorite death scene 29:00 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Andrew and Frank give their general thoughts on the new film from Joe Carnahan, The Grey. The film stars Liam Neeson as an oil rig security agent who is forced to survive in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash. Do he and his fellow survivors stand a chance against a pack of wolves? Is Neeson still the king of January action? And just what kind of movie is this, anyway, with all its talk of God and existentialism? SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 2:48 - General thoughts 12:28 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Andrew and Frank discuss the stylistic choices made by Soderbergh in Haywire. Is the non-linear structure necessary? Is the cinematography dull or inventive? And what's the big deal about that car chase? Tune in to find out the answers to these questions and more. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 2:20 - The non-linear structure and character of Scott 9:18 - Cinematography 10:51 - An analysis of the car chase 14:41 - A responsible, maternal heroine 18:16 - The climactic fight 23:32 - The link between female sensuality and death 25:35 - The relationship between Mallory and her father 27:50 - The final scene; what happened to the other woman? 30:28 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Andrew and Frank briefly discuss some films they saw over the break, and then they dive into the new action thriller from Steven Soderbergh, Haywire. Does MMA star Gina Carano have any acting chops? Does Soderbergh bring any interesting elements to a familiar plot? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro 1:35 - Brief thoughts on Tintin, War Horse, Young Adult, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Beauty and the Beast 3D, Pina, Shame and Hugo 8:28 - Haywire intro and clip 10:47 - General thoughts 12:38 - Thoughts on Gina Carano 17:16 - The plot 19:52 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Andrew and Frank rip apart the ludicrous developments of Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part 1. Is Bella and Edward's "sexy time" even slightly erotic? Just how creepy is Jacob's new obsession? And what's up with werewolf telepathy, anyway? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 3:04 - The honeymoon segment and what Twilight says about women 7:56 - Tolerable characters/actors 10:40 - The pregnancy and abortion politics 17:55 - Wolf telepathy and over-the-top ridiculousness 22:14 - Saving all the action for later 26:43 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In the first part of their discussion on the first part of the fourth part of the series, Andrew and Frank give their general impressions on the latest Twilight film. Is there any pleasure to be found in this installment? Is the series getting better or worse? And is it true that being under the influence of alcohol makes it more bearable? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 4:32 - General thoughts 23:03 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Andrew and Frank give their spoiler-filled analysis of Immortals. How much can visually stunning cinematography compensate for a poor story? Are there any interesting characters in this film at all? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:22 - Intro and clip 2:46 - The Virgin Oracle 9:18 - Hyperion's desire for biological world domination 12:11 - Are the visuals too gaudy? 23:53 - That "heavenly war" image from the trailer 25:00 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing cinemafix@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!