Year: 2014

The Diary of Anya Frank Selected to Denver 48 Hour “Best Of” Screening

(This teaser was for the Oriental premiere Aug 10th. I’m including it just so you can see some footage. Ignore the screening info and pay attention to the poster below)

Of course I’m going to exploit my podcast to promote the screening of my 2014 48 Hour Film ‘The Diary of Anya Frank”!

August 3rd-5th, I embarked on my 5th 48 Hour Film Project. Back from the previous years were Adam Smith, Robert Tanaka, and Eileen Agosta, but because of all of our JCVDDV filming, we were tepid about participating in this year’s competition. It’s exhausting and we’re not as young as we used to be. Last year we busted our asses making the action comedy Thunderbolt but ultimately crossed the finish line a bit too late (the second time that’s happened). The film turned out really well and audiences enjoyed it, but because it was turned in late, it had NO chance of getting screened at the Esquire for the “Best Of” screening.

Thus, my number one priority as team leader this year was: TURN IT IN ON TIME, no matter how polished it was. Impressively, this year, we turned “The Diary of Anya Frank”, early, and in solid condition, and I actually slept twice throughout the weekend! Big thanks are deserved for my teammates Adam Smith, Eileen Agosta, Jami Haber, Kendra Buck, Nathan Westlake, and Robert Tanaka for making the weekend easy.

Last week I was informed that our film was one of 14 films from the 54 competing this year that was selected to screen September 18th, 7pm, at the Esquire Theater. Although our only goal each year is to make something cool with cool people, it’s also nice for those involved to feel some outside validation for donating their time and energy over an exhausting three day weekend. Not only is our film in the running for “Best Film”, but other awards are handed out on this night for things like “Best Actor/Actress”, “Best Writing”, “Best Use Of…”, etc., and it would be exciting to see anyone from our crew go home with one.

Of course, there are 13 other amazing films (they’re still choosing a 15th) in contention next Thursday that demand your attention and this why should get your tickets to the screening as soon as you can. THIS EVENT SELLS OUT! I highly encourage you to attend and support the films and purchase tickets well in advance.

You can purchase tickets online here: http://tickets.landmarktheatres.com/%28S%28f5xplgbkmjwoqdvdfopk1kvv%29%29/Ticketing.aspx?TheatreID=228&MovieID=14064&ShowDate=9%2F18%2F2014&ScheduleID=31052

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Ep. 168: Nerds of Crime

It’s a guest overload as Zach leads another episode with appearances by Randy Turpin and Spencer Nova Kane and Shaughnessy McDaniel from The Stubby Shillelaghs stops by to promote their band’s new video, Gotham’s Finest all before reviewing Life of Crime.

Blu-Ray Review: Road House

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The Film: Road House follows the story of Dalton(Patrick Swayze), the worlds best bouncer. He is hired by Tilghman(Kevin Tighe) to help him fix up the night club he just purchased, Double Deuce. Dalton arrives and attempts to clean the bar up. While he is there he sees bartenders skimming off the top and waitresses dealing drugs. He fires them and tells everyone else follow his three rules:

1. Never Underestimate your opponent, expect the unexpected.

2. Take it outside. Never start anything inside the bar unless it is absolutely necessary.

3. Be Nice.

Dalton soon learns that the town is being hustled by a business man named Brad Wesley(Ben Gazzara), and he doesn’t take to kindly to Dalton not only firing his cronies from the bar but he also beds the beautiful Doctor, Doc(Kelly Lynch). The gloves are off in an all out war!

This movie is on my list of shame. I have never seen it until tonight and for some reason always put off watching it. I am disappointed in myself for taking so long to see this amazing piece of 80’s cinema. The film is loaded with gratuitous violence, curse words, big hair, loads of nudity, and tons of classic one liners. Is the movie cheesy? Of course. Is it awesomely over the top? Hell Yes! We learn that Swayze’s Dalton graduated from NYU with a degree in Philosophy, we learn this because he carries his medical file with him, because he gets hurt in fights all the time. When asked if he wants a shot to relieve the pain from a knife wound that will require nine staples he refuses. When asked why he waxes poetically, “Pain don’t hurt”. Sam Elliot has a fun part as Dalton’s bouncer mentor(they’re real!) who also spouts words of wisdom like, “That gal’s got entirely too many brains to have an ass like that.” The fights are crazy over the top. Dalton even has a Fatality. He rips the throats out of his opponents with his bare hands! I had so much fun watching this movie, I miss movies that are this silly fun. If you love explosions, synth-rock songs, naked women(and men, we see Swayze’s butt too ladies), and balls out fight scenes you can’t go wrong with Road House.

throatThe Video: Surprisingly this film looks great on Blu-Ray. Colors pop, there is no grain and the blacks are silky smooth. You will never see a clearer picture of Patrick Swayze’s butt, I promise.

The Audio: The audio is solid as well. The bar fight sound effects are clear and the awesome soundtrack thumps out those 80’s hits and in the tender love making scene Otis Reddings’ These Arms Of Mine sounds crystal clear.

The Extras: The only bummer is this Blu-Ray is bare bones, only the awesome trailer, that’s it.

The Verdict: This is a winning 80’s action movie. It deserves its status of a cult film. It might not be great filmmaking but it is a load of fun. What other movie has a scene when after Dalton rips the throat out of a dude he drags him into a lake and screams at the top of his lungs at the evil business guy, “F@ck You, Wesley!” The answer? Only one. Road House. If this Blu-Ray had even a little more special features I would give it a perfect score. Maybe for the 30th anniversary.

 

Blu-Ray Review: Silent Night (2012)

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Yes Reel Nerd fans, I will be taking a little time off form the Podcast to focus on my soon to be born son. But fear not I will still find a way to make sure my voice is heard, I will be reviewing the Blu-Rays I will be watching so you can still know what films I am checking out.

The Film: Silent Night is a remake of the “classic” slasher film, Silent Night, Deadly Night. In the film a small town in terrorized by a killer Santa Claus. The film relies heavily on the imagery of a psycho Santa and for the most part it succeeds. The film is well shot, the camera moves fluidly and there are some cool deaths for sure, which is a must for slasher films. The story is pretty ho-hum(or Ho-Ho). Two police officers played by the hit or miss Jaime King and the always spot on scene chewing Malcolm McDowell. Jaime King plays Aubrey Bradimore, a woman who has recently lost her husband and now lives with her parents. I guess that’s what happened because it is only briefly mentioned in the beginning. King gives an uneven performance through out the film, at times she is wonderful with a lot of warmth behind her eyes. Every once in awhile, whether the director did not care about her performance or if the writing let her down, she just reads the lines very flat. On the other hand Malcolm McDowell is once again relishing in the camp. His performance is right in tune with the tone of the film. Over the top and funny at the same time, I loved it. The kills are pretty gruesome, highlighted by a nude woman shoved in a wood chipper. The film does flip, flop on the motivation of the killer. Does he kill sinners, like it says on the Blu-Ray case? Or is he seeking revenge? Both are presented and I guess it doesn’t matter that much. Overall this film was a lot better then I was expecting and if you are looking for a campy, gory, good time you could do a lot worse.

The Video: The film is very sharp. The colors pop with a blue hue through out. The director seems to be more in love with lens flares then J.J. Abrams however, as he uses them an awful lot, especially when flashlights are in use. There is little or no grain and the blacks are inky good. This film looks really good for a low budget horror flick.

silentnight2The Audio: The mix is solid, but nothing spectacular. The sound effects are squishy when they need to be. The music is nothing memorable, in fact I can’t even remember what the theme to the film is. Overall the sound is good not great.

The Extras: The extras are pretty weak. There is a fifteen minute making of, but it is just a bunch of cobbled together behind the scenes footage. No interviews with the cast or crew, just some dude who is filming behind the crew while they shot the film, pretty boring. Same goes for the only other feature which are some deleted scenes. Nothing special.

The Verdict:  As far as the Blu-Ray is concerned it doesn’t offer a lot besides the film so it hurts the overall package. Overall I was pleasantly surprised how much fun this film was. Going into remakes can be a little scary, but with 80’s slasher films like Silent Night, Deadly Night if you stick close to the story and add better filmmaking techniques you can usually make a film that might not be better, but is not any worse.

Ep. 166: Sin Shitty

The Reel Nerds travel to Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.

Ep. 165: The Disposables

It’s a crossover episode as Jon Eks from the Jon of All Trades podcast joins us in remembering Robin Williams and blowing shit up in The Expendables 3. Listen to Jon’s podcast on Wednesday for our interview on his show, Jon of All Trades!

Ep. 164: Ninja Nerdles

The Reel Nerds try to save Denver from mutant turtle Bay-hem after they experience the newest incarnation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Cowabunghole!

Ep. 163: Guardians of the Nerds

The Reel Nerds scour the universe to see the Guardians of the Galaxy.

The 20 Most Dynamic Spider-Man covers!

This weekend I rewatched all the Spider-Man movies and was struck by the iconic images that Sam Raimi used in his films. It got me thinking of my favorite Spider-Man covers and thought I would share them with you, the loyal readers and listeners of Reel Nerds Podcast. As you will see Spider-Man has some truly amazing covers that will excite all comic book readers.

20.  Amazing Spider-Man #347, cover by Erik Larsen

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I am not the biggest Venom fan, in fact I think he is one of the most overrated Spider-Man villains. There was a time when he was truly terrifying, highlighted by this effective cover by Erik Larsen. In the book Venom believes he kills Spider-Man and retires. Unfortunately it did not last long and he came back as a wussy anti-hero.

19. Web of Spider-Man #1, art by Charles Vess

web1The Web of Spider-Man promised to tell darker Spidey stories when it was launched, the issues were hit or miss but the first issue features a battle between Peter and the symbiote that concludes in a churches bell tower. Awesome fully painted cover is stunning.

18. Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 art by John Romita

Amazing Spider-Man Annual 21 miniPeter Parker and Mary Jane are married in this landmark issue. It also features two covers by John Romita.

17. Amazing Spider-Man #92, art by John Romita

amaz92Spider-Man is blamed for the death of Gwen Stacy’s father, and in this issue the X-Man Iceman attacks Spidey because he believes Spider-Man is dangerous. John Romita will pop up often in this list.

16. Amazing Spider-Man #142, art by John Romita

amaz142Mysterio is a under utilized villain. When used effectively he is truly scary, look he can remove his head!

15. Amazing Spider-Man #630, art by Carlos BachaloASM630This is a striking and powerful cover, in this issue The Lizard returns and does something truly horrible, he eats his own son!

14. Amazing Spider-Man vol.2 #43, art by John Romita, Jr.

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John Romita Jr, really hit his stride in the late 90’s as Spider-Man’s premiere artist and he continued to build upon his impressive run in this issue that featured Doctor Octopus.

13. Web of Spider-Man #32, art by Mike Zeck

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The most iconic cover from one of the most memorable Spider-Man stories, Kraven’s Last Hunt. After being buried alive by Kraven The Hunter, Spider-Man claws his way out of his own grave. Moody and scary, this is one of the best comic stories of all time.

12. Amazing Spider-Man #275, art by John Romita, Jr.

amaz275Awesome Hobgoblin story captured perfectly by this radical cover by John Romita, Jr.

11. Amazing Spider-Man #103, art by John Romita

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The story is ho-hum but the cover is awesome. It has Spidey and Gwen Stacy(in a jungle girl bikini!) swinging away from the monstrous Gog! Plus it has Ka-Zar and a sabretooth tiger named Zabu, silly yes. Freaking amazing? Hell yes!

10. Amazing Spider-Man #685, art by Gabrielle Dell’Otto

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The Chameleon has never been more frightening then in this stunning cover. The Ends of The Earth story was ok, the covers were unforgettable.

9. Amazing Spider-Man #33, art by Steve Ditko

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A defining moment in Spider-Man legend is highlighted by this incredible cover by Steve Ditko. Spidey is being crushed by machinery and about to drown, almost giving up he realizes that the world and his Aunt May need him, he lifts the debris of of himself and with it our spirits.

8. Amazing Spider-Man #39, art by John Romita

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John Romita defined the Spider-Man look on his first cover for the web slinger ever in this two part story that revealed the identity of The Green Goblin. What a cool cover.

7. The Spectacular Spider-Man vol. 1, #2, art by John Romita

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A Green Goblin cover fully painted by the great John Romita, hell yes! This is an oversized original story by Stan Lee and John Romita that establishes the Goblin schizophrenia, great stuff.

6. Amazing Spider-Man #125, art by John Romita

amaz125Spider-Man is fighting a werewolf on top of a convertible trying to save a beautiful woman, do you need another reason why this cover is awesome?

5. Amazing Spider-Man #9, art by Steve Ditko

amaz9Early in his career Spidey was still learning to be a hero. In this landmark issue he fights Electro for the first time and gets his butt kicked. Ditko sells this with this dynamic cover.

4. Amazing Spider-Man #72, art by John Romita

amaz72The Shocker was at one time a formidable adversary for Spider-Man. This was his second appearance and this is one of John Romita’s coolest covers.

3. Amazing Spider-Man #122, art by John Romita

amaz122This is my favorite single issue of Spider-Man. It follows the shocking fallout of Gwen Stacy’s death(murder?) The cover perfectly captures the tense aftermath of her demise, and we all knew the Goblin had to die after this, right?

2. Amazing Spider-Man #50, art by John Romita

amaz50Perhaps the most iconic Spider-Man cover ever, Peter decides he has had enough of the pain of being Spider-Man, and gives up. Of course he changes his mind when he remembers “With great power, comes great responsibility.”

1. Spectacular Spider-Man #226, art by Sal Buscema

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This is not a well known cover. It is though my most favorite. Sal Buscema is my favorite Spider-Man artist and in this simple yet striking cover he expertly crafts a preview of the story. The story is smack dab in the middle of the convoluted clone saga but it still is a great cover. The revelation is quickly reversed in Spider-Man #75, but to me this is the coolest Spider-Man cover of all time.

Agree? Disagree? Did I miss one you love? Hit me up in the comments and read those adventures of Peter Parker!

 

 

 

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