Apr 14

Web Series – Mortal Kombat: Legacy – Episode 1

About a year ago, on The Geek Actually Podcast, we talked about this strange little video that seemed to be a “Mortal Kombat” fan film, we speculated that it could be a new film, elaborate promotion for the new game or possibly a TV series, well a year later here it is. “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” is a new 10 part web series based on the popular series of fighting games by NetherRealm Studios (formerly Midway Games Chicago). Machinima.com is hosting the series on their YouTube channel. For those that didn’t know that this was coming, I guess a little back story is needed.

About a year ago a curious video showed up on YouTube called “Mortal Kombat: Rebirth” (you can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4WKGweLeeY) and it was a dark re-imagining of the “Mortal Kombat” world and it seemed to have a reasonable budget, a couple of name actors (Michael Jai White and Jeri Ryan) and pretty high production values. It turned out that it was a leaked $7500 pitch video made by director Kevin Tancharoen (director of the remake of “Fame”) who was trying to convince Warner Bros. to back his new series. Continue reading

Apr 14

Roger Ebert’s Inspirational TED Talk – “Remaking My Voice”

There isn’t much I can write that isn’t covered in the embedded video. Earlier this year at TED, film critic Roger Ebert (with help Dean Ornish, John Hunter and his wife Chaz) gave a talk at TED called, “Remaking My Voice”, it was about regaining his voice through technology. We say a little about this awhile ago when he went on Oprah, but this is much better and not quite so, you know, “Oprah”.

Watch this video and see if it doesn’t bring a lump to your throat.

Apr 14

New Trailer: Priest

A new trailer has premiered on Yahoo for the film “Priest” and I just can’t seem to get excited about it. The film looks like a mix of “Underworld”, “Equilibrium” and a dash of “I Am Legend” (all films that enjoyed) and I should be chomping at the bit to see it… but I’m not.

I am not trying to be negative here, I will go see the film and I will probably end up enjoying it more than my co-host Josh, because that’s how these things usually work out, but for the moment we have trailers that excite him more than me.

Anyway watch the trailer below and let me know if you are excited or not for this one in the comments below. Continue reading

Apr 11

Reader Review: Season of the Witch (2011)

Reader JamesFromMelbourne wanted to share his experiences with the movie, “Season of the Witch”. Directed by Dominic Sena and written by Bragi F. Schut. The film stars Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Claire Foy, Stephen Campbell Moore, Stephen Graham and Christopher Lee.

JamesFromMelbourne Writes:

Mead, crusades, violence, bawdy wenches, religion, epic battles, great humour, horror, human sacrifices, witchcraft, the occult and still 88 minutes to go OH YEAH!!!!

Too many films recently have fallen into the idea that the audience wants authentic films for entertainment and to be honest it’s become a bit dull. This film has a nice balance of fantasy and realism and with a cast that just works so well together, it really gives the film depth. Ron Perlman really has a lot of fun with the role and at Nicolas Cage’s expense on a few occasions, and here’s a question that doesn’t get asked a lot, can you have too much Ron Perlman? And the answer to that is HELL NO! Continue reading

Apr 11

Film Actually Ep035 (127) – Sucker Punch

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Hosts: David McVay & Josh Philpott

This week after we raid the mailbag we review “Sucker Punch”. We also take a look at the week’s entertainment news including James Cameron’s future of cinema, “The Hangover Part 2” trailer pulled from release, the Smiths team up with Shyamalan, “The Governator” heads to a 3D theatrical release and Adult Swim’s animated “Black Dynamite” series. All this and a new Lists of Five: Five Post Credits Scenes Worth Waiting For. So put on your 3D glasses, turn up the volume and enjoy. Film Actually is the official movie podcast of geekactually.com.

*Update 31/07/2012 – Film Actually was a split off from the main Geek Actually show and originally maintained numbering continuity with that show. That logic no longer works as the shows have become two unique entities, so we have gone back and re-numbered the Film Actually shows to reflect their true episode number. This show is now officially episode 35 but when you listen to the show you will hear it referred to as episode 127, this is why. Sorry about any confusion or inconvenience.

Film Actually is recorded live every Saturday. Go to geekactually.com/live for the schedule and to watch it

Your show notes:

Feedback

“Ghostbusters” giveaway winner and what we’ve been watching.

and MikeFromCanada’s link to fan made “X-Men First Class” titles.
http://www.latinoreview.com/news/fan-made-retro-film-opening-for-x-men-first-class-13143

Feature Film Review

‘Sucker Punch’ directed by Zack Snyder and written by Zack Snyder and Steve Shibuya based on a wet dream (I’m sorry I mean story) by Zack Snyder. It stars Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac and Scott Glenn.

A young girl is locked away in a mental asylum by her abusive stepfather where she will undergo a lobotomy in five days time. Faced with unimaginable odds, she retreats to a fantastical world in her imagination where she and four other female inmates at the asylum, plot to escape the facility. The lines between reality and fantasy blur as Baby Doll and her four companions, as well as a mysterious guide, fight to retrieve the five items they need that will allow them to break free from their captors before it’s too late. – Source: Anonymous on IMDB

Our Verdict: Avoid this until you can get a rental DVD and fast forward to the pretty action scenes. The script is incomprehensible.

Watch the trailer here: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/suckerpunch/

Entertainment Buzz

Jeremy Renner being consider for Bourne sequel.
http://www.slashfilm.com/jeremy-renner-bourne-series/

Roland Emmerich’s doesn’t destroy the world in his new film “Anonymous”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBmnkk0QW3Q

James Cameron declares the future of cinema
http://www.slashfilm.com/cameron/
…but it looks like “The Hobbit” might have already made his future.
http://marketsaw.blogspot.com/2011/04/hobbit-shooting-at-48-frames-per-second.html

“The Governator” trailer hits and it will be getting a 3D theatrical release as well!
http://www.deadline.com/2011/04/the-governators-multi-platform-plans-unveiled-at-miptv/

“The Hangover 2” trailer pulled from release and destroyed, but why?
http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/04/06/hangover-2-trailer-mpaa/

Failed Experiment: PG-13 version of “The King’s Speech” bombs at box office – duh!
http://www.slashfilm.com/pg13-the-kings-speech-fails-box-office-impact/

The Smiths team up with Shyamalan, what could possibly go wrong?
http://www.slashfilm.com/jaden-smith-star-scifi-film-directed-night-shyamalan/

Adult Swim announces “Black Dynamite” animated series.
http://www.slashfilm.com/adult-swim-buys-black-dynamite-animated-series/

Lists of Five

This week our Lists of Five: Five Post Credits Scenes Worth Waiting For. Post credit scenes are a mixed bag and often just there to tease you into staying through the credits. Here are five post credit scenes that are worth waiting for.

Just a reminder, because we never like to just make things easy on ourselves, our lists are not necessarily top five lists, they are more or a less a list of film recommendations within the theme of the list.

This episode carries an explicit tag due to infrequent coarse language. Listen or download it here or subscribe to it on iTunes

Send feedback for this show to feedback@geekactually.com or leave us a voice mail message to play on the show at (Sydney number) 02 8011 3167 or Skype ID: geekactually (you can also send us an mp3 file if you’d prefer).

If you are an iTunes user, please leave a review. Your comments (good or bad) help us improve the show.

Join us on our Facebook Fan Page: facebook.com/GeekActually

Follow David on Twitter: @davidmcvay – Follow Josh on Twitter: @Dogm3at

Get your Geek Actually swag at cafepress.com.au/geekactually

Make sure you check out our other fine podcast Geek Actually for all your geek cuture needs.

David’s “My Year With Movies” blog is on Tumbr

Listen to Reel Junkies podcast by going to weekendronin.com

Find out more about Josh’s other show, DLC Live, and Movember go to rawDLC.com

Our show logo is by Josh Spencer over at Spencer Cartoons at http://attackninja.blogspot.com/

We are finishing the show today with the opening track from “Sucker Punch” – “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” by Emily Browning.

Apr 10

REPLAY – Geek Actually Live Video Shows for April 9th, 2011

Here are this week’s live shows presented in the same order that we recorded them. We start with the all new Geek Actually and then move onto Film Actually.

Because the show is live, you get it here with all the mistakes intact. Check the individual audio show posts for the show notes.

This week in Geek Actually we discuss the latest in the week in geek and other geeky tech stories. Plus take a look at “Mouse in a Can”, the new taste sensation.

This week on Film Actually, David &  Josh review ‘Sucker Punch’, check out the week’s entertainment news and deliver a brand new lists of five. I hope you enjoy. Watch the videos below.

The Geek Actually podcasts are recorded live every Saturday from 12pm (AEDST) or UTC +11 at geekactually.com/live Continue reading