Slacker Uprising
September 28, 2008
Michael Moore
I just want to start this by saying that I think Michael Moore has done an amazing thing by releasing this for free to the North American’s via the web. However, I don’t think he went far enough. Even if he didn’t want it to be free everywhere in the world, he could have released a paid for copy simultaneously everywhere else. I would have paid for it! The DVD of this film is advertised on the site next to the free download, he could have made it free in North America and then released it on DVD and through iTunes rentals everywhere else at the same time.
Why do I concern myself with this? There are a lot of US citizens (myself included) living in foreign countries and I think the film is important and should be seen by ALL potential voters before this election is stolen by the Republicans again!
Okay, the film. How is it? Well, that is the interesting thing, I didn’t think the film was actually as good as his previous work. It is more of a highlights reel of his tour in 2004 than a documentary, but that was his aim I believe. What I will say about the film is his passion. I don’t think I have ever seen Michael Moore so passionate in his speaking. This is a subject that he feels is very important and he shows it.
The film is worth seeing and makes a nice companion piece to Fahrenheit 9/11. As a film on it’s own it is not quite as successful. It is worth noting that the sequence when they applaud the soldier in the audience reduced my wife to tears and Rosanne Barr’s speech near the end had me roaring with laughter.
We will be discussing this film, other works by Michael Moore and the current state of the US election in this weeks netcast, it should be worth downloading and listening to this. You will be able to Listen to it here or download (and subscribe) it on iTunes or Podbean.com on Tuesday (30th September 2008).
Wanted - Fun Nonsense
August 14, 2008
Saw Wanted last week. It is nonsense from the first frame until the last, but what fun nonsense. Listen to a full review in the podcast (Episode 2 - Don’t Take Our Popcorn).
In a nutshell, I loved this film. It was a loud cartoon of an action movie that is full of CG and things that go boom. If you are looking for the secret to life or wanting to improve you spirit and body, this is not for you. Grab the popcorn, a coke and an ice cream sit back and just go for a ride.
The X-Files: I Want to Believe - Not as bad as I thought it would be
July 30, 2008
I went to see the new X-Files movie last night, I was expecting a real Thanksgiving dinner, I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t suck as much as I was expecting. In fact, I thought it was a fairly interesting thriller. My biggest complaint would be that it didn’t need to be an “X-Files” movie. You could have put any detectives in there and it still would have worked as an interesting little thriller.
I was a huge X-files fan for the first 3 or 4 years of the show and then I kind of just lost interest. I did not see the final seasons at all and I was worried that I would not know where I was in the new movie. Luckily, as long as you are familiar with the characters of the series, you can jump straight into this film without much trouble. This film works like the odd little stand alone shows of the series, no aliens here. The story is simply about serial kidnappings and murders. What makes it an X-File is a fallen priest who is having visions of the victims. Mulder is called out of hiding to figure out if the priest is on the level or just faking it.
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson slip back into their roles of Scully and Mulder as easily as you put on an old comfortable glove. Although, Anderson is looking thin more gaunt than usual. Out of the two I think Duchovny has always been the more interesting to watch as an actor. Billy Connolly, as Father Crissman is a joy. Connolly has proved time and time again over the years that he is an excellent dramatic actor and he doesn’t disappoint here.
I will give a much more detailed review in this weeks podcast, so I hope you will be listening.
Bottom Line: “The X-Files: I Want To Believe” is far from perfect but is a an entertaining two hours. The thriller aspects of the film worked well, but it didn’t really have to be an X-Files story. Did I have a good time at the movies? You bet, it was fun.
Dr. Horrible - The Verdict
July 26, 2008
Well, I have been busy with getting the podcast happening and I completely forgot to write my verdict on “Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog”.
Okay, here goes, I loved it. I already think that Joss Whedon is a bit of a legend and I am a huge Buffy and Angel fan. I also think that Firefly was one of the most under-rated and mistreated shows on television. Firefly was were I discovered the amazing talent of Nathan Fillion, who plays Captain Hammer in Dr. Horrible.
I didn’t get to watch all of this streamed through the site, but I did buy it on iTunes so I feel I have supported the show in my own way. This site also carried banners for the show leading up to the release. Aren’t I good Whedon Fanboy!
The story is simple, Dr. Horrible wants to join the Evil League of Evil and Captain Hammer is out to stop him. Add to this mix a shared love interest and some really good songs (sung well by the talented cast) by Mr. Whedon and you have a very enjoyable comedy romp. I must note that I also really enjoyed the Buffy episode, “Once More With Feeling” and the music is very similar in style.
The stand out is Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Horrible, his performance is pitch perfect and I have all new respect for this man - I was never an Doogie Howser fan and what the hell was he doing in Starship Troopers! After this, I’d watch him read the telephone book - great stuff.
As far as the female love interest goes, Felicia Day is lovely. She has a wholesome, girl next door charm. She is a newcomer to me, I looked over her IMDB profile and although she has done a number of roles (including Buffy episodes) and yet I’ve never really noticed her before. I hope this leads to many more roles.
And lastly we come to Mr. Fillion, he plays Captain Hammer with gusto. A not so bright, full of himself superhero who really only wants the girl to piss off Dr. Horrible. He is fun and I didn’t know he could sing, although it has to be said he is the weakest singer of the three.
Overall, a really fun 40 minutes and hopefully a vision of the shape of things to come in TV making and distribution. I applaud you Joss, and everyone else involved.
Get Smart
July 18, 2008
On Tuesday me and the big geek went to see Get Smart at the movies and it was really good and it was funny. It’s a really good film and my dad liked it too. Go see Get Smart you will like it.
Steve Carell makes a good Max and Anne Hathaway was good as 99.
I have started watching the TV show on Foxtel and even though it is better, the movie is really fun.
Hi, Big Geek here,
I’m just adding my two bits worth to Little Geeks post. I did enjoy Get Smart, it is not as fresh or original as the series (as expected), but we had a great time watching it and that is what this site is all about. Bringing back the fun to the movies.
Watch for the peeing scene, it is a killer!!!!
Speed Racer, Visual Overload!
July 17, 2008
Okay, my son, The 9 Year Old Geek, and I went to see this a couple of weeks ago but with all the iPhone news, it got kinda lost in the background.
The Wachowski Brothers (The Matrix Trilogy) have not really done it again. Sorry, but the film was complete style over substance and I know it based on a cartoon and I know it was the brothers intent to put a live action cartoon on screen, but come on! Batman is based on a comic book, Iron Man is based on a comic book, Spider-Man was based on a comic book. You can make a visually stylish film and still give it deeper characters and a story to latch onto, look at Sin City, this was a stylish film that used all sorts of digital tricks but still managed to grip the audience and make sense.
Okay, rant over. I didn’t hate Speed Racer, but I was disappointed. I, as a child, watched the cartoon all the time and I was looking forward to the film. I enjoyed all of the Matrix films, I loved Bound and was blown away by their production of V for Vendetta (James McTeigue directing). Speed Racer by the Wachowski’s, what could be better, I thought. Well to answer this I would like to paraphrase Stephen Colbert when he said it was like putting all of the 4th of July fireworks in a tumble dryer and then climbing inside with them! The film is a digital cartoon that is so colorful it threatens to give you a headache and moves so fast that when they are on a race track you have no idea what is going on. When the announcer says things like, “Such and such has won, oh my god, they won!”, you go, “Oh, is that what just happened?”
My last point on this is: why do we talk down to kids? Speed Racer set out to be a kids’ film, okay, that’s fine but we don’t give kids enough credit. Speed Racer has the “funny” chimp side kick and the silly young kid who go around and offer silly comic relief whenever the filmmakers feel that they need to lighten things up. Kids don’t need this kind of shit and the parents with the kids just groan.
When Steven Spielberg released E.T. on the world in the early 80s it was a smash success. Why? Because it treated kids like everyone else. Everyone in the audience got the same experience, adults and kids alike. We can let our kids see grown up concepts without fear of scarring them for life; this is how they get prepared for the world. Kids and adults alike cried during the death scene of E.T. The only “kids” film I can think of in recent years that really dealt with an adult concept was The Bridge to Terabithia (a great film, by the way). My son and I watched this film and we both really enjoyed it. He accepted the tragedy in the film as a part of life and we moved on.
See Speed Racer at your own risk but I would say wait for DVD. With a pause button you might actually be able to make it make sense.
Hancock soars!
July 17, 2008
Hey everyone, saw “Hancock” the other night. I really enjoyed the film, it was light weight but an enjoyable romp.
John Hancock is a superhero with a twist, he hates himself and everyone else. He drinks too much and sleeps on park benches like a hobo. When problems arise, Hancock tries to help but because he doesn’t really care about anything, destruction usually follows in his wake. This drives everyone in the city to hate him, which fuels his self loathing and so he drinks more. Enter Justin Bateman, a humble PR man who gets saved by Hancock, so he decides that it is time to change Hancock’s image.
This film is a romp with a fairly unexpected twist. Will Smith is wonderful as Hancock, a role, it would seem, he was born to play. The cast is uniformly good and director Peter Berg (”The Kingdom”) handles the film well. Berg is much better suited to this kind of material (just as he was with “Very Bad Things” and “The Rundown” (”Welcome to the Jungle” for the Australian readers)) than he was to “The Kingdom”. For the film and TV buff, watch carefully in the ER scene to see a cameo by Berg looking very much like he did in “Chicago Hope”.
Buy your popcorn, disengage your brain and just enjoy it for what it is, a fun, loud, fantasy romp.
“The Dark Knight” Rocks!
July 17, 2008
Saw “the Dark Knight” last night, what a great film. I thought director Christopher Nolan did an amazing job on “Batman Begins” a couple of years back, but now I see he was just warming up.
The original cast is back (sans Katie Holmes, she is now replaced by Maggie Gyllenhaal) and in fine form. A year has passed and Gotham is a changed place. The underworld is on the run and because of Batman, people are more willing to step up and stand against the criminal element. Enter The Joker (an absolutely mesmerizing performance by Heath Ledger) who has one agenda, cause chaos! How do you fight a bad guy that doesn’t seem to want anything? This is what Batman must find out. Along with Ledger we also introduce Harvey Dent who is the white knight district attorney and Gotham’s real hope of salvation. Anyone who has read a Batman comic or seen the 1995 film “Batman Forever” knows were this is leading and it doesn’t disappoint. If you don’t know, I won’t spoil it for you.
Okay, if you thought “Batman Begins” was dark, brace yourselves, “The Dark Knight” is darker and not a film for sensitive types or small children. it is violent, sinister and The Joker is downright scary at times. It deals with complicated moral issues of right and wrong and is all the better for it. My son, The 9 Year Old Geek, is disappointed as I have told him that he has to wait for the DVD. We will be able to watch it together, with the lights on and I can explain things as it goes along. I can also hide his face at some of the more disturbing scenes.
I highly recommend this film though, it is just a great ride and Christian Bale IS Batman and this time he has a villian that is his equal! Can’t wait to see this one again and please let there be more to come. The mission of Geek Actually is to bring fun back to cinema, Is “The Dark Knight” a good, fun time…. You bet! I’d see it again.
“Kung Fu Panda” Will Blind You With Its Awesomeness!!!
July 11, 2008
Been so caught up with iPhone releases the movies had gone to the backseat! No more.
Went to see Kung Fu Panda a few days ago with my son, The 9 Year Old Geek, and my lovely wife. What a film!
The first thing that will strike you is the CG. Perfect animation from start to finish. As far as the animation and computer work is concerned, it is this geeks opinion that it out does anything that Pixar has put on screen yet.
The second thing that will get you is that the story and voice performances are great and a perfect match for the wonderful CG work. This is a great film. We all had such a wonderful time that you just get swept up with the film.
The voice talent is uniformly good, starting with Jack Black who brings a wonderful innocence to Po the Panda. Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogan, Jackie Chan and Ian McShane all put in wonderful performances in a perfectly balanced comedy action film that will appeal to all ages.
Have I told you how much I liked this film yet 
The motto of Geek Actually is to bring back the enjoyment of films, well this one does it in spades! Go see it, you will not be disappointed.
“The Happening” didn’t happen!
July 5, 2008
I am currently researching M. Night Shyamalan’s films for a podcast segment and I planned on going to the movies tonight to see “The Happening” to complete the list of his films (I have watched a few of his films over the last few nights on DVD) and to my surprise it is no longer playing at my local cinema, The Ritz in Randwick.
What happened? Was it really that bad? I mean, Prince Caspian is still playing 4 sessions a day and it has been running a week longer. This will add a new dimension to the Podcast episode, stay tuned.
After a quick check around, The Happening is finished everywhere. This is a film that opened on June 12! It has not even been in circulation for a month. Good lord, this after the failure of Lady in the Water could be a problem for Night’s career.
