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Friday the 13th (2009) – Revisited

by Arnie Carvalho

“No matter how much you love the original films in the Friday the 13th series,
 it’s virtually indisputable that the 2009 remake/reboot/re-
imagining is far and away the best made of all of them.” 
— Adam-Troy Castro, Syfy.com

“Can we now admit ‘Friday the 13th’ 2009 was damn good?” 
— Michael White, Bloody-Disgusting.com

“It is one of the best film franchise reboots put out in theaters in the past 15 years.” 
— Jason Parker, Friday The 13th Franchise.com

“I’ve always been of the mind (and it’s a hill I’ll die on), that it kinda just 
makes no sense to be a fan of the original Friday the 13th movies and yet not
 a fan of Friday the 13th ’09”
 — John Squires, Editor in Chief of Bloody Disgusting.com, on Twitter

“Stay away from this movie. It really is one of the bad ones…
Run from this movie. Do not reward the makers with your money” 
— Arnie, Now Playing’s 2009 Podcast review

“In three years no one, absolutely no one, will remember that they saw it, that
 they liked it, it will have no aftertaste whatsoever. People will remember 
the original, they will not remember this movie.” 
— Stuart, Now Playing’s 2009 Podcast review

Still Now Playing 10 Years Later…

Today is a momentous day in my life. It’s a birthday of sorts.

While Now Playing Podcast started in 2007 it (like many shows, TV, radio, podcast, and otherwise) went through some growing pains. Cast changes, an irregular release schedule, and format changes all marred the first two years.

That began to change on January 9, 2009 — the date we released the first episode in our first retrospective series: a review of 1980’s Friday the 13th leading up to the 2009 reboot. The show went from two hosts to three (that would begin rotating later that same year). The “Recommend/Not Recommend” finale was solidified, as were patterns of series-specific opening credits, art, and titles for each film series.

Yet it’s arguably today, Friday, February 13th, that could be seen as Now Playing’s true 10th anniversary. It was the day we recorded our final Friday the 13th review. By that point we knew the retrospective was a big hit. Despite initial misgivings, we decided to immediately continue the format and review Star Trek leading up to its reboot. Stuart even went out and bought a microphone and literally stopped “phoning it in.”

I’ll never forget the night of Friday, February 13th, 2009. I was in New York City covering Toy Fair International. I went to see the Friday the 13th reboot in a Times Square movie theater, accompanied by my wife Marjorie. The excitement that caused me to begin the retrospective series was reaching its peak as the lights went down and the movie started.

Flash forward to five hours later. I’m in our hotel room (small, as most all NYC rooms are). I’m pacing. My iPhone 3G is hot against my face from being on a call for so long. I’m on a telephone recording my disappointment with the 2009 Friday the 13th reboot. Brock is in Chicago recording the call, and he would edit the show released to our listeners the following Monday.

All three of us had very similar reactions, and the reboot became the fourth Friday the 13th, out of 12, to get three red arrows on our website.

I honestly never looked back.

“Distance not only gives nostalgia, but perspective, and maybe objectivity” — Robert Morgan

As the 10th anniversary of the Friday the 13th reboot approached I came upon an interesting and unexpected turn of events: a number of think pieces were published celebrating the film. Even those who had reacted poorly to the movie initially had come around and not only enjoyed but celebrated director Marcus Nispel’s fresh take on iconic slasher Jason Voorhees (played by Derek Mears).

I started to question my own memory. Could they be right? Could that movie have aged well?

Having been a movie critic for over a decade I know from experience one of the hardest things to do when reviewing a film is to separate expectations from the final product. Movies are marketed to create expectations–to get you into a theater seat and spending money expecting delivery on what trailers, interviews, and even posters have sold.

Going into Friday the 13th in 2009 my expectations were sky high. I had loved Nispel’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake far more than the original Tobe Hooper film. I loved Jason as a killer. Jason’s last appearance on screen in 2003’s Freddy vs Jason was one of his best, and that movie’s writing team of Damian Shannon and Mark Swift were writers for the remake.

Could the movie have been good, or at least recommendable, but simply not met my expectations?

10 years have passed, so I decided to find out. For this re-review of 2009’s Friday the 13th I watched the extended “Killer Cut” released on Blu-Ray and Video on Demand. This cut was nine minutes longer than what I saw in theaters.

The Review

I watched the movie having not listened to our 2009 podcast since it was released. I remembered very little going in, only that Stuart thought Jason was a pothead. Then after watching the movie I listened to our old podcast to see what it was that got me so worked up.

SPOILERS BELOW for this 10-year-old movie!

I liked the opening. This is a reboot, and people want Jason as the killer, not old lady Pamela Voorhees. Yet Pamela’s plight from Sean S. Cunningham’s 1980 original Friday is integral to the Jason mythos. To have the climax of the original movie done in montage fashion pays homage and checks the boxes. It does create a confusing timeline as to Jason’s supposed drowning, but handled well.

Then we have the second prologue and, not having seen the movie in a decade, I was faked out. I thought this would be the movie and these five characters, Wade (Jonathan Sadowski), Richie (Ben Feldman), Mike (Nick Mennell), Whitney (Amanda Righetti), and Amanda (America Olivo), were going to be our core cast. They actually seem like a fun group and call back to so many earlier Friday the 13th casts where there’s couples hooking up…and the lonely odd man out. That Jason comes in and killed so many so quickly was a shock.

Then comes our new Jason by Derek Mears. One of my big problems in 2009 goes back to expectation: I was used to the Jason played by Kane Hodder. Jason had gone through many iterations, from bag-wearing woodsman to space-zombie, but the walking after people who run, the nearly supernatural way of catching the prey, seemed like a staple.

This Jason was fast and aggressive. He killed brutally. And he used tools and more thought power than earlier Jasons. Hanging one woman over the campfire to burn while setting a bear trap for another victim really wasn’t in Jason’s modus operandi. But then I had to remember, this is a reboot, not a remake. The Friday the 13th series had lost its luster by doing the same things again and again. In 2009 I couldn’t reconcile this Jason with the ones before. Now I realize this reboot gives us an entirely new Jason.

If I just accept this is a new character, perhaps call him “Jimmy Voorhees”, I’d have no trouble with these new killings. Nispel wanted to revitalize the character and return him to his violent, horror roots. Nearly 30 years had passed since Jason first wielded his machete. It may not be the Jason I wanted, but this viewing I can accept this “Jimmy Voorhees.”

The two characters coming upon Jason’s cabin (plus the bag over Jason’s head) took me back to 1981’s Friday the 13th Part II, and I can go with it.

Not only did the prologue surprise me in killing (seemingly) everyone so fast, I also understand the need to have a body count. One of the pressures with each new horror movie installment was to have more kills. Here, we establish Jason as a badass killer, and we got five good kills. And for those who expect topless women in your Friday films, you got that out of the way too.

Plus, the gore! I was watching the unrated cut, but I marveled at how freely the blood flowed.

Then we actually get to the movie. Again, my expectation was, since we had Shannon and Swift writing again, that we would have a group of fun, believable characters like they gave us in Freddy vs. Jason. Instead, we have a group of character types that would never be friends. I had a real problem with that in theaters.

Yet, when watching it at home on a television, I found myself more forgiving. How many groups of totally different people went camping together in the past? Sure, Parts 1 and 2 made them counsellors thrown together, and 8 had them as classmates, but the victims in parts 3 and 4, and especially 7, don’t feel like they’d hang out together either. So, is this bad writing…or is this an intentional homage to the bad writing in previous installments? More, if I can accept these weird groups in earlier films, why not here too? So, I compartmentalized that complaint and, instead, found these seven young adults appealing, flawed characters, most of whom were obviously going to end up impaled on a machete.

Trent (Travis Van Winkle) is a great douche you love to hate (and with a rich boy name like Travis Van Winkle I wonder how much he was acting). Bree (Julianna Guill) is a wonderful seductress, and the attraction Chewie (Aaron Yoo) shows for Bree takes me back to Crispin Glover’s character in The Final Chapter.

Lawrence (Arien Escarpeta) is a stoner that feels like he would hang out with Chewie. The other couple of Chelsea (Willa Ford) and Nolan (Ryan Hansen) aren’t in the film long enough for me to get a bead on them.

Which does raise one flaw–this group is too big to keep track of. They’re here for a body count, but I’m not sure they are disparate enough where I can even assign them tropes of “the smart one” and “the shy one”, etc. Especially Chelsea and Nolan, they are the flattest of characters.

Then we have typical last-girl Jenna (Danielle Panabaker). Like so many Jason survivors in films past, she’s a brunette, she’s smart, she doesn’t smoke weed, and she doesn’t get naked. And when she encounters, and partners with, Clay Miller (Jared Padalecki) who is searching for his missing sister Whitney, I’m taken back (in a positive way) to the similar plot in The Final Chapter.

The kills also are varied. I had a problem with Jason using an arrow to kill Nolan, but he used a crossbow in Part II so this wasn’t so far off. And again, this is the new “Jimmy Voorhees.” He’s a survivalist. He has to hunt to survive. It makes sense he’d be good with a bow. (It equally makes sense that this Jason is far more intelligent than the previous incarnations and so he uses Kerosene to power his home). And Chelsea’s machete-in-the-head gave Jason his usual, nearly supernatural sense of where his victims hide.

So halfway in the movie I wonder…was I too harsh on Friday the 13th? Did I allow my expectation to cloud what was delivered?

The answer is….partially, for the movie really does fall apart in the second half.

Nispel was best known (and may still be best known) for his Texas Chainsaw reboot. I don’t know if Nispel rewrote any of Shannon and Swift’s script, but the second half does turn this new Jason into a wannabe Leatherface. Why are there catacombs underneath Camp Crystal Lake? It makes no sense. Why did Jason kidnap Whitney? It makes no sense. Why does Whitney look so good after six weeks of captivity? It makes no sense.

Yet the deaths continue to impress. In this “Killer Cut” Chewie’s slow death in the tool shed was painful to watch as he writhes, groans, and bleeds for a very long time. Lawrence’s kill by Jason throwing an ax goes back to the survivalist skills, and creates a more “realistic” Jason who can’t just walk after every person who runs.

The best death/fake-out may belong to Trent, though. Waving down a tow truck, a silent hand waves Trent to get on. Can this Jason drive a car? No…it’s an old man on oxygen, unable to shout to the young man whose hesitation results in his being impaled on the truck as it drives away.

Yet another decent fake-out is Jenna. She seemed like the perfect “last girl” and, echoing The Final Chapter‘s Trish, I thought it was a given she’d escape. But two brunettes is one to many in a Friday the 13th film so when Whitney is discovered alive Jenna had to die.

The rest is pretty rote action with Jason just dead enough for a climax, yet, of course, always ready to come back for another sequel.

The Verdict

So, was I too harsh on the 2009 Friday the 13th? Yes, I clearly was. My expectation of what the previous Fridays had given clouded my ability to appreciate the changes Nispel tried to bring to make a Jason that could be scary in the 21st century.

Yet, the writing becomes very lazy in the second half. The film is almost a straight downward line, its quality decreasing with every passing frame of film, start to end. At no point does the body of the film reach the highs of its two prologues.

While this is a totally new Jason, much of the film, including the group of victims, is a throwback to the installments released 1980-1984. I wasn’t a fan of many of those early groups, so this is not a success, but it’s not worthy of the damnation I gave on the podcast.

So is it a recommend or not recommend?

It is on the borderline. I think that slasher fans will have a lot to enjoy, while old school Friday the 13th fans will have a lot to swallow.

The ridiculous ending, including everything after the rescue of Whitney (the tunnels under the camp, the convenient machinery, the obvious final “jump scare”), make me stand by my red arrow. But it’s a close call, and it’s what I’d call on the podcast “A very weak not recommend”…which is the most positive thing said about this movie in the entire history of Now Playing Podcast.



(the tunnels under the camp, the convenient machinery, the obvious final “jump scare”), make me stand by my red arrow. But it’s a close call, and it’s what I’d call on the podcast “A very weak not recommend”…which is the most positive thing said about this movie in the entire history of Now Playing Podcast.

Yet the film has had a longer lifespan than I had imagined ten years ago today and, had it not been for endless legal wrangling over Friday the 13th’s IP rights, I have no doubt “Jimmy Voorhees” would have returned to slay again.

Yet while lawsuits continue over who has the right to make the next Friday film, I look forward to it. Ten years is the longest Jason has ever gone without a movie since his inception in 1980. He is missed, and hopefully Jason Voorhees, not “Jimmy”, will return to the silver screen again in the near future.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments below!

Hear Now Playing Podcast’s original retrospective series, 12 reviews of Friday the 13th films (plus a bonus recap episode), all available now at NowPlayingPodcast.com

February 13, 2019 Posted by | Movies, News, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Star Wars Toy Sales Down as “Movie Fatigue” Sets In

Are you suffering from “Movie Tie-In Fatigue?”

Per a Bloomberg article, Star Wars toy sales are down. Specifically adult collectors are still buying (but, judging by some “fan” sites, they’re complaining the entire time they shop); however, kids have less interest in the Star Wars toys.

The article states: “While ‘Star Wars’ was still the top-selling toy line during the nine-week holiday period, sales fell from 2016 and the brand lost its No. 1 position for the year…This was despite “Last Jedi” being the top-grossing film released in the U.S. last year “

The most telling quotes? “Adult collectors, who grew up with the brand, are still buying a lot of merchandise when the toys come out, but demand dies down afterward… That doesn’t bode well for Hasbro, which has the main “Star Wars” toy partnership, or Jakks Pacific Inc., which has a secondary license. ”

What do you think? Is the problem fatigue? Is a new movie per year too much? Is it the types of toys offered? Why do YOU think sales are down?  Let us know in the comments!

January 19, 2018 Posted by | Comic Books, Movies, Movies & Television, News, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hellraiser – Pinhead’s JUDGMENT – A Video Interview With Paul T. Taylor

Hosted by Arnie Carvalho

In the tenth HELLRAISER film a new actor gets nailed with the starring role — Paul T. Taylor. In this video Taylor discusses his acting past, how he got the role, how the production went, and his hopes on how the new HELLRAISER: JUDGMENT is judged by fans!

Join Arnie and Paul now in this spoiler-free behind-the-scenes look at this upcoming Hellraiser film!

January 18, 2018 Posted by | Movies, Movies & Television, News, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Hellraiser – Pinhead’s JUDGMENT – A Video Interview With Paul T. Taylor

New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 497: 2 Cons 1 Porg

Hosted by Marjorie Carvalho, Arnie Carvalho, Justin Kozisek, and Daryl Whitlow

This weekend is New York Comic-Con…or it might be called a mini Star Wars Celebration! There are dozens of Star Wars guests including Mark Hamill, Felicy Jones, Ashley Eckstein, plus Star Wars comic creators, artists, and more! On this Star Wars Action News, Marjorie and Arnie run down the Force-filled events at this con! Including an interview with Star Wars author Greg Stones, whose book 99 Stormtroopers Join the Empire is on sale now and he’ll be signing at the show!

Plus hear a first-hand report of Hasbro’s own HASCON convention! Arnie was there. Hear if this is a con you should plan on going to next year. Plus Arnie is joined by Steve Niven and Joe Ninivaggi from Hasbro for an exclusive interview talking more Star Wars Toys.

With an interview with Justin, owner of FigureShield protective cases, and an early report on Hasbro’s Han Solo movie figures, it’s all in this new Star Wars Action News podcast!
Source: Star Wars Action News

 

October 2, 2017 Posted by | Movies & Television, Podcasts, Star Wars Action News | | Comments Off on New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 497: 2 Cons 1 Porg

New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 496: Force Friday II

Hosted by Marjorie Carvalho, Arnie Carvalho, Justin Kozisek, and Daryl Whitlow

This weekend was like Black Friday for Star Wars fans. Force Friday II — the weekend where Hasbro, Sideshow, Hot Toys, and every other company unleashes their new products for the first time! New figures were found in 6-inch and 3.75-inch…plus some super-articulated figures that weren’t supposed to be out yet!

On this episode of Star Wars Action News the team comes together to report on Force Friday not just across the US but across the globe! Hear reports of store finds from California, Illinois, Florida, Nebraska, and even the UK! What were everyone’s favorite finds? Join the crew to find out!

Plus on this episode Marjorie and Arnie review some new Hasbro 3.75-inch items, including the new C-3PO, Hux, and First Order Stormtrooper figures, the Rey and Praetorian Guard 2-pack, and the new deluxe Rathtar and Imperial Probe Droid!

All this and more on the new Star Wars Action News podcast!
Source: Star Wars Action News

 

September 4, 2017 Posted by | Movies & Television, Podcasts, Star Wars Action News | | Comments Off on New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 496: Force Friday II

New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 495: Summer ’17 Cons: D23 & SDCC

Hosted by Marjorie Carvalho, Arnie Carvalho, Justin Kozisek, and Daryl Whitlow

Force Friday is a few short weeks away and (aside from a few leaks) Star Wars fans have little idea what to expect. But some news was had at the two big Star Wars events in July — D23 and SDCC!

On this new Star Wars Action News podcast Daryl joins Arnie and Marjorie to bring first-hand accounts from both conventions. Find out about the exclusives, the reveals, and more!
Source: Star Wars Action News

 

August 14, 2017 Posted by | Conventions, Movies & Television, Podcasts, Star Wars Action News | | Comments Off on New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 495: Summer ’17 Cons: D23 & SDCC

PEELERS Review: This Zombie/Stripper Film Isn’t APEEL-ing, it’s Appalling.

Review copy provided courtesy of October Coast Publicity

I like zombies.  I like strippers. So it seems zombie-strippers would be (pardon the pun) a no-brainer.  But 2008’s Jenna Jameson/Robert Englund film Zombie Strippers fell in its high heels. 2012’s Zombies Vs Strippers failed to get a rise out of me. And defying my expectations, Sevé Schelenz’s new film Peelers is even worse than those two previous efforts.

Peelers’ concept is simple enough. When four coal miners accidentally strike oil they head to the Titty Balls Strip Club to celebrate. And it’s the club’s last night as owner “Blue” Jean Douglas, played by Wren Walker, has sold the club to a land developer who plans to shut it down.  Soon their night of revelry turns into revulsion as the black ooze infected the miners turning them into bloodthirsty, mindless killers. No one in the club is safe, and the infection is spreading.

This set-up seems like a perfect throwback to ‘80s slasher films. I had low expectations for Peelers, but if it could give me base genre thrills along the lines of Prom Night 3 (yeah, part 3, not even part 1) or Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan I would have given this film a solid recommend.

Sure enough, the film’s set-up seems to indicate that’s what I’ll get as we’re introduced to owner “Blue Jean”, her bad-boy brother Logan (Madison J. Loos), and the various strippers, bouncers, bartenders, and cooks that populate the Titty Balls.  Instantly we see a large cast we know will lead to a decent body count.  And it doesn’t take long before the miners arrive, and one begins regurgitating and transforming into a zombie.

And I was jazzed by some comic book cred. One character is named Logan, and another is Remy.  I could chalk that up to a coincidence, but when the bartender drops a line about adamantium it’s obvious writer Lisa DeVita is an X-Men fan.

From there all the film had to do was coast on “cruise control” and give me some inventive kills along the way.  Unfortunately first-time screenwriter DeVita can’t even accomplish that.

The set-ups in this film are so obvious I thought DeVita was trying to be funny. In the first fifteen minutes of the film we are introduced to what I can only call Chekhov’s arsenal: the strip club has a baseball bat, several handguns, and even, improbably enough, a chainsaw. Clearly every awkwardly-shown item will (and does) lead to later zombie defense.

But soon I realize the script wasn’t being ironic, it’s just poor.  The plotting is confusing in several ways.  For example, the miners believe they found oil, but it smells awful and converts them to zombies. Yet later we’re told it is still actual oil that can fuel your vehicle…and turn you into the living dead?  

Beyond ridiculous, the script is downright ignorant. (Minor spoiler) The kryptonite for these oil monsters isn’t a gunshot to the head, it’s….water? The rationale is “Water and oil don’t mix” so, obviously, water will kill these bloodthirsty beasts?  

Unlikely as it seems, the stupidity only escalates from there! The survivors in the club could just run away, but “Blue Jean” marshals them to stay and fight, lest these monsters go to the general population. Yet no one realizes that if they just wait out one good rainstorm then the problem will take care of itself.

Additionally, this group has every weapon known to god and man, but not one person has a cell phone?

If I gave the film the benefit of the doubt I’d say this was all intentional humor, but the leaden dialogue delivered by a cast of complete unknowns makes it all seem deadly serious. And deathly boring.

Yet I found myself slightly impressed with the production. Post-viewing research told me Peelers was a Kickstarter-funded film made for about $20,000. For that small sum Peelers achieved quality sound work, and decent camerawork. I looked up cinematographer Lindsay George and he has over a decade’s work on shorts and television. The result is a professional looking production that seems to make spectacular work of existing lights, and good effect of digital video cameras that work well in low-light conditions.  

Some of the gore effects are also passable for cheapie-horror.  

But if I’m complimenting a movie for saying it’s well lit, I’m stretching to find compliments. George is a good cameraman but he had nothing good in front of the camera to film.  And several times he’s let down by poor staging and editing that makes action scenes downright confusing.

If you’re only requirement for this film is gratuitous nudity, yes, you’ll find it here, but every single bit of it is undercut by the most repugnant of “humor.”  One stripper does her dance, only to end by giving guys in the front row a golden shower.  Another stripper is late into her third trimester. I’ve been to a couple dive clubs in my life, but this is simply grotesque.  

And yes, one zombie is indeed killed when the pregnant stripper’s water breaks on his head. If you think that sounds cool, you’ll still be bored as hell by Peelers.

It takes a lot to revolt me. The strippers here pulled it off. So…congratulations? But it wasn’t even in the fun Human Centipede way. More in the vein of “no one should have to watch this.”

Finally, the title Peelers was misleading. From the poster, showing an amputated stripper, and the title I thought I’d be watching a film about creatures that peel the skin off their victims. It would be the ultimate strip-club irony–a monster that continues to “undress” their nude victims. But these beasts just bite and gouge. The title, I suppose, references the strippers, but I’ve never heard a dancer called a “peeler” before. I suppose it’s a shame the title Striptese, Zombies vs Strippers, Zombie Strippers, Showgirls, and Zombeavers were taken. (FYI, every single movie listed there is more enjoyable than Peelers).

The end result is a film that seems to think it’s a cheapie From Dusk ‘Til Dawn rip-off, and ends up being so much worse than either of Dawn’s direct-to-video sequels.  It’s not even fun in a so-bad-it’s-good way. It’s a mind-numbing 90 minutes that I will never get back.

The cover art reads “You may not get the happy ending you were looking for.” I certainly didn’t. Neither will anyone who watches this imbecilic production.

Congratulations to the film crew for accomplishing what they did on so little budget, but next time perhaps give that script a second draft before you start shooting. 

July 14, 2017 Posted by | Movies, News, Reviews | , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on PEELERS Review: This Zombie/Stripper Film Isn’t APEEL-ing, it’s Appalling.

Episode 494: Star Wars Turns 40

Forty years ago today blockbuster movies jumped to hyperspace. Science fiction was forever changed, as were the lives of millions of moviegoers. Over the four decades since Star Wars’ popularity has only grown, as have the collections of fans.

On this Star Wars Action News Marjorie and Arnie discuss the few 40th Anniversary exclusives released. And then they are joined by Justin, Brock, and Andrew to reminisce on some of their early Star Wars collecting memories.

Also on this week’s show, a wrap-up of Celebration Orlando, a review of the new Thrawn novel, and a look at HASCON — the official Hasbro con coming this September. All this and more on the new Star Wars Action News podcast!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

May 24, 2017 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 494: Star Wars Turns 40

Episode 493: Star Wars Celebration 2017 Prep Show

Star Wars Celebration is one week away and each day closer brings more announcements. Join Marjorie and Arnie on this podcast to run down the news. Exclusives from mainstays LEGO, Funko, Gentle Giant, Hallmark, ThinkGeek and Hasbro, plus oddballs like Nissan and WonderWorld Comics are discussed.

On this show you can also hear interviews with Celebration Art Show artists Brian Miller and Joe Corroney, discussing their exclusive artworks for the convention. And Frank Diorio is back on the show to talk about this year’s Celebration Diorama Project — the Death Star.

But what if you’re not going to Celebration? Star Wars Action News is here with reviews of things to watch and buy while at home, including Hasbro’s new Jedha Revolt action figure 4-pack, and a rundown of the Rogue One Blu-Ray exclusive releases.

Then you can follow Star Wars Action News on Facebook and Twitter for live updates and broadcasts from the convention! Whether you’re in Orlando or not, Star Wars Action News will bring the Celebration to you!

Online or at home, be sure to catch Star Wars Action News at the following Celebration Events!

Saturday 2pm ET: Meet and Greet/Patch Giveaway (W305)

Sunday: 12:30pm ET: Live Podcast on the Celebration Podcast Stage!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

April 3, 2017 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 493: Star Wars Celebration 2017 Prep Show

Episode 492: Celebration of Collectors

Star Wars Action News is back! And they’re preparing to Celebrate. In four weeks the largest Star Wars party in the world erupts in Orlando. Exclusives. Panels. Autographs. SWAG!

On this podcast Marjorie and Arnie run down the latest Celebration news. They also give their tips on how to make this convention the best time it can be! Whether you’re a con newbie or veteran there’s sure to be some tips here to make your Celebration even better.

Plus the Artist Alley prints have gone up for order. On this show Daryl interviews Brian DeGuire about his print “Desert Palace” and how he got his start as an official Star Wars Artist.

And on the show find out about the Star Wars Celebration Orlando Collecting Track! Marjorie & Arnie are again running the Collector’s Social Area in Room 305. Find out about some of the meet-ups there, including the always-packed Saturday Night Swap Meet. And new this year, Star Wars Re-Collections — a video diary of collectors sharing their favorite memories. All in Orlando next month!

All this, plus details on the Star Wars Action News pre-Celebration dinner, and a review of Star Wars: Aftermath – Empire’s End are in this jam-packed podcast!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

March 16, 2017 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 492: Celebration of Collectors

Episode 491: Death Star Light, Death Star Bright

It is the 40th Anniversary of Star Wars. Toy companies are sure to celebrate the occasion with loads of merchandise, much of which will be revealed next week at Toy Fair International.

While we wait for all that news, Marjorie & Arnie are back with a new episode of Star Wars Action News!

On this week’s show hear an in-depth review of Hasbro’s AT-ACT toy. This bluetooth enabled walker came with a high price tag but has been on deep discount since Christmas. Listen to find out how much this toy really should cost you!

Also on this show, Brock reviews the novelization of Star Wars: Rogue One. Listen to see if there are any of those cut plot threads revealed in its prose.

With a look forward to Toy Fair and a review of Uncle Milton’s USB powered Death Star Projector, it’s all in this week’s new Star Wars Action News!

Then follow Star Wars Action News on Facebook and Twitter for all the news live from Toy Fair in New York next weekend!



Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

February 7, 2017 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 491: Death Star Light, Death Star Bright

Episode 490: Star Wars Collecting 2016 Year in Review

In 2016 Star Wars collectors got 21 new Black Series 6-Inch figures, over a dozen Hot Toys figures, 3.75-inch figures, LEGO sets and more. To look back at the highlights (and lowlights) of the year Arnie and Marjorie are joined by Steve, Justin, Daryl, Andrew, and Action Figures Blues host Eddie. Relive the year that was with their two-hour retrospective!

Also on this show Brock and Nathan P Butler look at all the Star Wars books and comics that expanded the new canon.

The show ends with a look at what 2017 will bring–it is the 40th Anniversary of Star Wars! So jump to hyperspace while listening to this new Star Wars Action News podcast!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

January 10, 2017 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 490: Star Wars Collecting 2016 Year in Review

Resident Evil

In 1995 Paul W.S. Anderson scored a major hit with Mortal Kombat, a box office hit grossing more than double any other video game adaptations. In 2002 Capcom hoped Anderson could beat his own high score with Resident Evil. Based on the zombie survival-horror game, this movie brought the game’s iconography and added some martial arts action. The movie was a success and launched the longest-running video game movie franchise. But is this a movie you want to watch, or just play? Join Justin, Stuart, and Arnie to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/resident-evil-1482885351/

      

December 27, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Resident Evil

Beyond Re-Animator

Like one of Herbert West’s patients, the Re-Animator series often seems dead and lifeless, but then it springs back up ready for mayhem. Such is the case with Beyond Re-Animator, the third film in the series that was released 14 years after Bride of Re-Animator. Now only Jeffrey Combs and director Brian Yuzna remain to continue the story of West’s experiments…now in a prison and aided by a new novice assistant. Can this Sci-Fi Channel premiere capture the soul of the original, or is it just going through the motions? Thanks to a donation to Now Playing you could listen to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/beyond-re-animator/

      

December 23, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond Re-Animator

Episode 489: Rogue Group – A Rogue One Discussion

The very first Star Wars standalone movie has arrived. Without the Skywalkers and the Jedi, how does Rogue One stack up compared to the “saga” films?



On this show Arnie and Marjorie are joined by several members of the Star Wars Action News Team: Steve, Brock, Daryl, Andrew, and Jerry. Plus we have special guests Eddie from the Action Figure Blues podcast, and Chris and Sarah. They go through the new characters in the film, how it changes their view of the Original Trilogy, and which toys the film made them want to buy!



And also on this show Brock gives a spoiler-free, in-depth review of the Rogue One prequel novel Catalyst by James Luceno!



So join these Rogues on their mission to review the new film!



Then head to NowPlayingPodcast.com for Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob’s in-depth review of the movie!



Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

December 20, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 489: Rogue Group – A Rogue One Discussion

Episode 489: Rogue Group – A Rogue One Discussion

The very first Star Wars standalone movie has arrived. Without the Skywalkers and the Jedi, how does Rogue One stack up compared to the “saga” films?

On this show Arnie and Marjorie are joined by several members of the Star Wars Action News Team: Steve, Brock, Daryl, Andrew, and Jerry. Plus we have special guests Eddie from the Action Figure Blues podcast, and Chris and Sarah. They go through the new characters in the film, how it changes their view of the Original Trilogy, and which toys the film made them want to buy!

And also on this show Brock gives a spoiler-free, in-depth review of the Rogue One prequel novel Catalyst by James Luceno!

So join these Rogues on their mission to review the new film!

Then head to NowPlayingPodcast.com for Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob’s in-depth review of the movie!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!

Arnie C: https://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/play/zikxpd/SWAN489-RogueOneRoundtable.mp3

      

December 20, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 489: Rogue Group – A Rogue One Discussion

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

Everybody wants to rule the galaxy…but is it all it’s cracked up to be? Now Emperor, Paul Atreides must balance his leadership with numero
us plots to undermine him. After the great success of Dune, can Frank Herbert match with the sequel: Dune Messiah? Join Stuart in this review to find out!

Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/zgys9b/BN130-DuneMessiah.mp3

      

December 20, 2016 Posted by | Books, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , | 1 Comment

Rogue One – A Star Wars Story

Fans of Star Wars comics, books, video games, and cartoons have long known the universe is ripe for adventures outside of the Skywalker family tree. But with Rogue One this type of story comes to the big screen for the first time. Detailing the group of rebels who steal the original Death Star plans, this film was seen as a creative risk by Lucasfilm. The result was one of the biggest opening weekends of all time; another super-successful Star Wars movie. But was it a story that needed to be told? Join the Now Playing Podcast hosts to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-1482197621/

      

December 19, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Rogue One – A Star Wars Story

Bride of Re-Animator

Jeffrey Combs is back to raise the dead again in Bride of Re-Animator. His character Dr. Herbert West, along with several supporting characters, returned to Arkham for this body-bending sequel. Behind the scenes, however, things were shaken up as Brian Yuzna, who produced the original, replaces Stuart Gordon. Do our hosts say “I Do” to this sequel? Support our show by donating to find out!

Note: This podcast is not available for general download. The Re-Animator Movie Retrospective Series was made as a special “Thank you” for those Now Playing Supporters who donate between September 1 and December 31, 2016.

You can listen to a preview of this podcast now, and then visit our donation page to find out how to pledge and support Now Playing!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/bride-of-re-animator-1481940300/

      

December 16, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Bride of Re-Animator

Children of Dune

The original Dune mini-series broke Sci-Fi channel records for viewing. Three years later they attempted to hit that same peak with the sequel Children of Dune. Combining the stories of two Frank Herbert novels, this three-part series brings back old characters and introduces new ones in the continuing story of House Atreides. Should you watch these Children? Listen to this episode of Now Playing to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/children-of-dune/

      

December 13, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Children of Dune

Re-Animator

In 1985 slasher films were the bread and butter of horror. That all changed with Re-Animator–a crazy, gory, wild zombie film that delivered splatter and humor in equal measure. Loosely based on the H.P. Lovecraft story “Herbert West: Re-Animator”, the film starred the then-unknown Jeffrey Combs as the titular scientist. The unrated film became a midnight movie staple, and an unlikely critical hit! So now if you support Now Playing you can join our hosts as they inject some Re-Agent into this franchise and see how the body holds up over 30 years later!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/re-animator-1481332060/

      

December 9, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Re-Animator

Chopping Mall — Interviews with director Jim Wynorski and writer Steve Mitchell

In this holiday season you can head to your local Chopping Mall to pick up the new Blu-Ray release of this 1986 horror cult classic. A brand new transfer and lots of bonus features accompany this new release. Going even further, on this podcast Arnie Carvalho talks to Chopping Mall director Jim Wynorski and writer Steve Mitchell, dispelling internet rumors and finding out about the making of this film.

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/chopping-mall-interviews-with-director-jim-wynorski-and-writer-steve-mitchell/

      

December 8, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Chopping Mall — Interviews with director Jim Wynorski and writer Steve Mitchell

Dune by Frank Herbert

Frank Herbert’s 1965 landmark novel DUNE is one of the most celebrated works of the science fiction genre, but does today’s reader have to be a Mentat in order to wrap their mind around its dense mythology? Host Stuart In LA promises, “there’s nothing to fear…. fear is the mind killer.” Join him as he dives headfirst into this first chapter of his six podcast exploration of the Duneverse.

Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/4vjy3k/BN129-Dune.mp3

      

December 7, 2016 Posted by | Books, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , | Comments Off on Dune by Frank Herbert

Dune (2000)

The Dune novels have built a universe full of history and lore. So many details and characters exit that it seemed even David Lynch had trouble squeezing Frank Herbert’s original novel into two hours, but could it work in six?

In 2000 the Sci-Fi Channel released Frank Herbert’s Dune — a three-night mini-series telling of the fall of House Atreides, and the rise of its son Paul. How does this telling compare to both the ‘84 film and Herbert’s original novel? Join the Now Playing hosts to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/dune-2000/

      

December 6, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Dune (2000)

From Beyond

After 1985’s Re-Animator was a critical and financial success the cast and crew reunited to adapt another Lovecraft story–From Beyond. But with Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna at the helm this film is a sticky, kinky, perverse horror that Lovecraft could never have imagined. What is this horror film about, and should you watch it? Go BEYOND and help support Now Playing with a donation and you can listen to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/from-beyond/

      

December 5, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on From Beyond

Dune (1984)

Frank Herbert’s novel Dune had a long path from the novel to film. After a series of false starts it finally hit theaters in 1984 directed by Oscar nominated director David Lynch. The director turned down Return of the Jedi for this other sci-fi epic. Yet while both are space fantasies on desert planets, Jedi was populated with muppets and Dune came with a pamphlet to help moviegoers unfurl the dense narrative. How much of this film is Herbert and how much is Lynch, and is this film the worm or the hook? Join the Now Playing podcast hosts to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/dune-1984-1480462884/

      

November 29, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Dune (1984)

Trick Or Treat

Believe it or not, there was a time when heavy metal music was frightening! Politicians and religious figures banded together to save the youth from the satanic forces of rock. In the midst of such hysteria comes Trick or Treat in which playing an album backwards summons the demonic soul of a murderous rocker. Do cameos by Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne make this a rockin’ good time? Donors who support our show can listen to find out!

Note: This podcast is not available for general download. The Horror Films of 1986 Movie Review Series was made as a special “Thank you” for those Now Playing Supporters who donate $25 or more to Now Playing between September 1 and December 31, 2016.

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/trick-or-treat-1480114886/

      

November 25, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Trick Or Treat

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

As the school year ended in 1986 John Hughes gave the world a film honoring playing hooky — Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. On the surface this is a fluffy comedy about three teens set loose in Chicago, but its themes and characters clicked with audiences and have endured for thirty years. Now, as Now Playing continues its look at the films of 1986, Arnie, Marjorie, and Justin skip school to give you this bonus movie review. Is this the best Day ever? Join them to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/ferris-buellers-day-off-1479964812/

      

November 23, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Episode 488: The Star Wars Holiday Sale & Gift Guide 2016

Happy Thanksgiving, Star Wars Action News listeners! And welcome to our 12th Annual Holiday Shopping Guide!In this issue Marjorie and Arnie run down all the major Black Friday toy sales. Find out where to get Black Series figures, video games, Star Wars themed glasses and gifts, and other toys with the biggest savings! Then follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the best online Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!Then the hosts, aided by the entire Star Wars Action News team, run down the best Star Wars themed gifts for 2016. With prices from $5 to $800, there’s something for fans of all ages and interests! What are the must have collectibles this year? Join us to find out!All this and a 2016 Toys For Tots Challenge in this issue of Star Wars Action News!Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

November 23, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 488: The Star Wars Holiday Sale & Gift Guide 2016

Episode 488: The Star Wars Holiday Sale & Gift Guide 2016

Happy Thanksgiving, Star Wars Action News listeners! And welcome to our 12th Annual Holiday Shopping Guide!In this issue Marjorie and Arnie run down all the major Black Friday toy sales. Find out where to get Black Series figures, video games, Star Wars themed glasses and gifts, and other toys with the biggest savings! Then follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the best online Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!Then the hosts, aided by the entire Star Wars Action News team, run down the best Star Wars themed gifts for 2016. With prices from $5 to $800, there’s something for fans of all ages and interests! What are the must have collectibles this year? Join us to find out!All this and a 2016 Toys For Tots Challenge in this issue of Star Wars Action News!Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!

Arnie C: https://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/play/3f3e58/SWAN489.mp3

      

November 23, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 488: The Star Wars Holiday Sale & Gift Guide 2016

Issue 176: Sweet Christmas 2016 – Black Friday & Holiday Shopping Guide!

Happy Thanksgiving, Marvelicious Toys listeners! And welcome to our 7th Annual Holiday Shopping Guide!In this issue Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin run down all the major Black Friday toy sales. Find out where to get Marvel Legends, movies, games, and other toys with the biggest savings! Then follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the best online Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!Then the hosts, aided by the entire Marvelicious Toys team, run down the best Marvel themed gifts for 2016. With prices from $5 to $800, there’s something for fans of all ages and interests! What are the must have collectibles this year? Join us to find out!All this and a 2016 Toys For Tots Challenge in this issue of Marvelicious Toys!And don’t forget, while out shopping for the holidays, Marvelicious Toys needs your help to keep operating. To support our show and get exclusive rewards Check out our crowdfunding campaign, live now on PodBean

Arnie C: https://marvelicious.podbean.com/mf/play/bqm8kh/MT176.mp3

      

November 23, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Marvelicious Toys, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Issue 176: Sweet Christmas 2016 – Black Friday & Holiday Shopping Guide!

The Elephant Man

I am not an animal! I am a human being! That quote from David Lynch’s The Elephant Man has become part of the American lexicon, quoted in literally hundreds of movies and television shows. But what of the film that created the quote? Lynch’s 1980 black and white biopic, his first commercial production, was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won many other statues. How does The Elephant Man hold up over 35 years later? Take the bag off your head, put in your earbuds, and join Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/the-elephant-man/

      

November 22, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on The Elephant Man

Deadly Friend – Support Now Playing and get this bonus review!

By 1986 Wes Craven had been making horror films for more than a decade. After the instant success of his signature film A Nightmare on Elm Street he was able to write his own ticket for a follow-up film. Of all the scripts available to him, the movie he chose was Deadly Friend–a box office bomb and critical failure. How did this happen? And is this film’s bad reputation truly deserved? If you donate to help keep Now Playing on the air you can join Arnie, Stuart, Jakob, and BB to find out!

Plus we are giving away a DVD of Deadly Friend signed by star Kristy Swanson! No donation is needed to win. Head to our forums for details how to enter!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/deadly-friend-support-now-playing-and-get-this-bonus-review/

      

November 18, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Deadly Friend – Support Now Playing and get this bonus review!

Eraserhead

David Lynch is a popular director of such films as The Elephant Man, Dune, Wild at Heart and Mulholland Drive. And he became a household name with his 1990 TV Series Twin Peaks where “Who killed Laura Palmer?” was the new decade’s “Who shot JR?”. But before all those films came Eraserhead – Lynch’s surreal feature debut. It has become a midnight-movie cult hit and its meaning has been debated for decades. Now you can join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob as they give their analysis and review!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/eraserhead-1479243546/

      

November 15, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Eraserhead

The Fly II

David Cronenberg is a hard act to follow. He is a cult filmmaker with an undeniably unique visual style. So without the director returning to the franchise, it’s unlikely 1989’s The Fly II will match the vision of the original, so new director Chris Walas doesn’t even try. Instead The Fly II is a more classic horror-revenge film, with Eric Soltz as the son of Seth Brundle, fly DNA in his veins. Does this film succeed as a splatter flick? If you support the show Now Playing puts out week after week you can now hear this review, and every review in The Fly Retrospective Series!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/the-fly-ii/

      

November 11, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on The Fly II

Issue 175: Deadpool — I Am So Touching My Hot Toys Tonight

In a year that saw four Marvel Comics movies, including Civil War, Doctor Strange, and X-Men: Apocalypse only one came out of nowhere to turn the genre on its ear: Deadpool. Now, nine months later, Hot Toys has given birth to their Deadpool figure, based on the movie outfit. It’s sold out almost everywhere, but is the figure as good as the movie? Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie break the fourth wall to tell you!

Speaking of Marvel movies, Doctor Strange hit U.S. theaters last week. Our hosts give their impressions of the film, and how it fits in the Marvel Universe.With a tale of two Captain America shields from Hasbro, an expensive Spooktaculer, and Marvel Hot Toys figures under $100 shipped, it’s all in this loaded issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!

And don’t forget, Marvelicious Toys needs your help to keep operating. We need to add new team members and hopefully bring back the regular full-video episodes. To support our show and get exclusive rewards Check out our crowdfunding campaign, live now on PodBean

Arnie C: https://marvelicious.podbean.com/mf/play/x3b7jh/MT175.mp3

      

November 9, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Marvelicious Toys, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Issue 175: Deadpool — I Am So Touching My Hot Toys Tonight

Issue 175: Deadpool — I Am So Touching My Hot Toys Tonight

In a year that saw four Marvel Comics movies, including Civil War, Doctor Strange, and X-Men: Apocalypse only one came out of nowhere to turn the genre on its ear: Deadpool. Now, nine months later, Hot Toys has given birth to their Deadpool figure, based on the movie outfit. It’s sold out almost everywhere, but is the figure as good as the movie? Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie break the fourth wall to tell you!

Speaking of Marvel movies, Doctor Strange hit U.S. theaters last week. Our hosts give their impressions of the film, and how it fits in the Marvel Universe.With a tale of two Captain America shields from Hasbro, an expensive Spooktaculer, and Marvel Hot Toys figures under $100 shipped, it’s all in this loaded issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!

And don’t forget, Marvelicious Toys needs your help to keep operating. We need to add new team members and hopefully bring back the regular full-video episodes. To support our show and get exclusive rewards Check out our crowdfunding campaign, live now on PodBean

Arnie C: https://marvelicious.podbean.com/mf/web/x3b7jh/MT175.mp3

      

November 9, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Marvelicious Toys, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Issue 175: Deadpool — I Am So Touching My Hot Toys Tonight

Doctor Strange

Fourteen movies into the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes the Strangest movie yet – Doctor Strange. This film eschews all the other movies’ science fiction basis to bring that magic feeling to the franchise. Can lauded actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, and Tilda Swinton cast their spell on our reviewers? Listen now to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/doctor-strange-1478644243/

      

November 8, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Doctor Strange

The Fly (1986)

It’s rare for a remake to eclipse the original’s popularity. However, David Cronenberg’s reimagining of The Fly has done that. When people think of The Fly they are more likely to think of Jeff Goldblum, his skin mottled, his fingernails and teeth falling out, than they are Vincent Price and the man-bug screaming “Help me! Help me!”. Now The Fly remake turns 30. Do its Academy Award winning monster makeup and memorable body horror hold up? If you support our show you can join Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/the-fly-1986/

      

November 4, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on The Fly (1986)

Rob Zombie’s 31

After swearing he was done with horror movies, director Rob Zombie scared up some crowd-funded money to make a tale of Halloween murder– 31. Featuring a group of carnies trapped by psychotic clowns, the film is a throwback to Zombie’s earliest films. But is retro horror what we need, or is it just too much clowning around? Join the Now Playing hosts as they treat your trick with this special Halloween movie review!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/rob-zombies-31-1477947154/

      

October 31, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Rob Zombie’s 31

Episode 487: Troops in Black

Stores are stocking up for holiday shoppers, and a good portion of their shelf space is devoted to Star Wars: Rogue One toys! While they have been out for a bit over a month some of the first wave of figures are still elusive.

On this episode of Star Wars Action News join Arnie, Marjorie, and Scott from Tulsa as they give in-depth reviews on the Black Series 6-Inch Rogue One figures. Plus a look at Amazon’s exclusive Shadow Trooper Helmet — all in this spooky Halloween episode!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

October 30, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 487: Troops in Black

Episode 487: Troops in Black

Stores are stocking up for holiday shoppers, and a good portion of their shelf space is devoted to Star Wars: Rogue One toys! While they have been out for a bit over a month some of the first wave of figures are still elusive.

On this episode of Star Wars Action News join Arnie, Marjorie, and Scott from Tulsa as they give in-depth reviews on the Black Series 6-Inch Rogue One figures. Plus a look at Amazon’s exclusive Shadow Trooper Helmet — all in this spooky Halloween episode!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!

Arnie C: https://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/play/b5deaj/SWAN487.mp3

      

October 30, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 487: Troops in Black

Sinister 2

It took three years for Blumhouse to scare up a sequel to Sinister. Original creator Scott Derrickson had moved on to make Dr. Strange, but he returned to co-write and produce this follow-up. But can a story of a demon shaming Deputy So & So live up to the suspense of the original? Justin, Stuart, and Arnie are here to fill your trick or treat bag with this bonus podcast! So listen to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/sinister-2/

      

October 30, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Sinister 2

Vamp – A Podcast Preview

In a time where vampire films were plentiful, including The Lost Boys, Fright Night, and many more, Vamp stood alone. With its striking visual style, a focus on humor over horror, and ads heavily promoting star Grace Jones, this sexy, violent gory comedy was unique. Now Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob bite into Vamp. Donate to Now Playing and you can join them and hear this review!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/vamp-a-podcast-preview/

      

October 28, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Vamp – A Podcast Preview

Issue 174: People Are Strange When You’re a Doctor

It’s a magical time for Marvel fans! Next week Doctor Strange gets released to theaters across the US. It is already vexing audiences overseas. So to prepare for the new film, Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie are reviewing the new Doctor Strange wave of Hasbro’s Marvel Legends. With three different versions of Strange himself, plus Nico, Brother Voodoo, Enchantress, Iron Fist, and more–and the build-a-figure Dormammu! Join them to find out which figures are repaints, which are new, and which you must have for your collection!

Also on this week’s show, the hosts review Hasbro’s Marvel Legends Electronic Iron Man Helmet. Plus looks at the new trailers for Logan and Guardians of the Galaxy 2, all in this special 100-minute issue of Marvelicious Toys!

And don’t forget, Marvelicious Toys needs your help to keep operating. We need to add new team members and hopefully bring back the regular full-video episodes. To support our show and get exclusive rewards Check out our crowdfunding campaign, live now on PodBean

Arnie C: https://marvelicious.podbean.com/mf/play/ppnm96/MT174.mp3

      

October 26, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Marvelicious Toys, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Issue 174: People Are Strange When You’re a Doctor

Pet Sematary Two

The Pet Sematary series returned from the grave in 1992. The three years in the ground (or the video stores) did it no favors as the return looked little like the ‘89 original. Gone was the entire cast, replaced by new star Edward Furlong — fresh off his success of Terminator 2. Can returning director Mary Lambert reanimate this franchise, or does this sequel smell of rot and death? Dig up this show to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/pet-sematary-two/

      

October 25, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Pet Sematary Two

Sinister

One of the most acclaimed horror films of this decade was Sinister. On the surface this Blumhouse production seems little different than many haunted house films like Paranormal Activity and Insidious. But Sinister hit a note with fans, and its success and style set director Scott Derrickson on the path to direct Marvel’s Doctor Strange. Is this another false scare, or is there something truly Sinister here? Listen to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/sinister/

      

October 23, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Sinister

April Fool’s Day

After Friday the 13th, Halloween, Black Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, New Year’s Evil, Silent Night Deadly Night, and so many more calendar themed slashers comes…April Fool’s Day! On this Spring weekend a group of preppies visit their friend on her private island. Soon the pranks end when their bodies turn up one by one. But is this one Fool worth following? Donate to keep Now Playing on the air and you can join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/april-fools-day-1477066124/

      

October 21, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on April Fool’s Day

Pet Sematary

In 1983 King published Pet Sematary – the book he dubbed to scary to print, with a title too difficult to spell. The book was a smash success. Six years later the film adaptation was released. Can it possibly be as frightening as the source novel? Join

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/pet-sematary

      

October 18, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Pet Sematary

Episode 486: New York Comic Con 2016!

In just a few years New York Comic Con has become one of the top three most important conventions for collectors. Each year the number of exhibitors grow, now including Sideshow and Hot Toys, Kotobukiya, Sphero, Air Hogs, Hallmark, Beast Kingdom and more! And Hasbro isn’t on the show floor, but they use the event to reveal new toys as well.



For all the Star Wars news out of NYCC join Arnie, Marjorie, and Daryl for this podcast. Watch exclusive interviews with Hasbro, Tantrum Cases, and Kotobukiya (along with their Celebration ’17 exclusives!). Plus a booth tour of Sideshow and Hot Toys, and news from so many other collectible lines!



Plus a review of the new Star Wars novel Ahsoka, it’s all in this feature-length episode of Star Wars Action News! (and available in both full video and audio versions!)



Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

October 16, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 486: New York Comic Con 2016!

Episode 486: New York Comic Con 2016!

In just a few years New York Comic Con has become one of the top three most important conventions for collectors. Each year the number of exhibitors grow, now including Sideshow and Hot Toys, Kotobukiya, Sphero, Air Hogs, Hallmark, Beast Kingdom and more! And Hasbro isn’t on the show floor, but they use the event to reveal new toys as well.

For all the Star Wars news out of NYCC join Arnie, Marjorie, and Daryl for this podcast. Watch exclusive interviews with Hasbro, Tantrum Cases, and Kotobukiya (along with their Celebration ’17 exclusives!). Plus a booth tour of Sideshow and Hot Toys, and news from so many other collectible lines!

Plus a review of the new Star Wars novel Ahsoka, it’s all in this feature-length episode of Star Wars Action News! (and available in both full video and audio versions!)

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!

Arnie C: https://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/play/tjy9wb/SWAN486.mp3

      

October 16, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 486: New York Comic Con 2016!

Chopping Mall – A Podcast Preview

In the ’80s every teen wanted to hang out at the mall, often getting into trouble. But when a group of employees decide to party in the mall after hours they find themselves in more trouble than they ever imagined–on the run from homicidal security robots! It’s a concept that could cause your head to explode. But should you shop in the Chopping Mall? Help Now Playing by donating to support our show and you can find out! And Have A Nice Day! Note: This podcast is not available for general download. The Horror Films of 1986 Movie Review Series was made as a special “Thank you” for those Now Playing Supporters who donate $25 or more to Now Playing between September 1 and December 31, 2016.

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/chopping-mall-a-podcast-preview

      

October 14, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Chopping Mall – A Podcast Preview

Issue 173: New York Comic Con 2016

This weekend saw over 160,000 fans converge at New York City’s Javitz Center. They were all there for one thing: New York Comic Con! Marvel fans found much to do, including getting autographs from John Bernthal and Evangeline Lilly, art from Adi Granov and Mark Brooks, and exclusive toys and comics galore!

For collectors NYCC holds lots of surprises. Hasbro revealed new Marvel Legends figures, Kotobukiya showed off their upcoming Bishoujo and Art-FX statues, plus displays by Sideshow, Mezco, NECA, and a dozen more companies. Even Cross Pens and Hallmark had new things for die-hard Marvel fans.

Marjorie and Arnie were on site all four days. In this issue of Marvelicious Toys you can see all the upcoming toy reveals. Plus join them for exclusive interviews with Kotobukiya, Hasbro, and John Tyler Christopher — the artist behind all the awesome action figure variant covers!

And don’t forget, Marvelicious Toys needs your help to keep operating. We need to add new team members and hopefully bring back the regular full-video episodes. To support our show and get exclusive rewards Check out our crowdfunding campaign, live now on PodBean

Arnie C: https://marvelicious.podbean.com/mf/play/ubfmq9/MT173.mp3

      

October 12, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Marvelicious Toys, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Issue 173: New York Comic Con 2016

Christine

By 1983 Stephen King had been christened the “King of Horror”, his every book a bestseller, and his three films hits. John Carpenter was an acclaimed horror director who created the modern slasher with Halloween. When these two masters of terror joined forces to make 1983’s Christine, could the results be anything but frightful fun? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob as they review the carnage to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/christine

      

October 11, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Christine

House

The movie House may be more remembered for its art — a ghoulish
hand reaching for a doorbell — than for its plot. But if you opened
that door you find a haunted house tale of a Vietnam vet trying to cope
with his missing son. How do the Now Playing hosts appraise this House and its cast of familiar small-screen stars? If you donate to Now Playing you can come on in and find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/house-1477067406/

      

October 7, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on House

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie

From the minds of Stephen King and George Romero comes Tales from the Darkside: The Movie…a horror anthology like no other. Well, scratch that, it’s like several others–including Romero’s own Creepshow! In fact, the King story in this film was written by Romero for Creepshow 2, but now it’s joined by two other stories of monsters and murder. Are these Tales the best Creepshow sequel of all? Join us to find out…but only if you promise to never tell!n

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/tales-from-the-darkside-the-movie

      

October 4, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Tales from the Darkside: The Movie

Episode 485: Rogue Friday Around the World!

Last Friday the Rogue One toys were released! Well, officially any way…they had been showing up on store shelves worldwide for weeks before the official street date. But, like for The Force Awakens, these Rogue One toys were celebrated with a midnight release at Toys R Us and Walmart stores. Plus exclusive figures at Target, Walmart, K-Mart, Toys R Us, and more.

On this episode of Star Wars Action News, Arnie and Marjorie recount their Midnight Madness shopping, and are joined by collectors in California, England, and Australia to see how the experiences were in other areas as well!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

October 2, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 485: Rogue Friday Around the World!

Episode 485: Rogue Friday Around the World!

Last Friday the Rogue One toys were released! Well, officially any way…they had been showing up on store shelves worldwide for weeks before the official street date. But, like for The Force Awakens, these Rogue One toys were celebrated with a midnight release at Toys R Us and Walmart stores. Plus exclusive figures at Target, Walmart, K-Mart, Toys R Us, and more.

On this episode of Star Wars Action News, Arnie and Marjorie recount their Midnight Madness shopping, and are joined by collectors in California, England, and Australia to see how the experiences were in other areas as well!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!

Arnie C: https://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/play/8c2yjk/SWAN485.mp3

      

October 2, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 485: Rogue Friday Around the World!

The Hitcher (1986)

In The Hitcher C. Thomas Howell is a young man driving cross
country. To stay awake he picks up a hitchhiker on the freeway…and
it’s a mistake he may not live to regret. But should you pick up The Hitcher for
a good scare, or keep on driving by? Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob let you
know in this first review of the “Horror Films of 1986″ Review Series! Donate to Now Playing today and you can hear this, and all eight horror movie reviews!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/the-hitcher-1986/

      

September 30, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on The Hitcher (1986)

Issue 172: Pumpkin Spice Goblin

The Marvelicious Toys crew is back with Venom…in space! On this new podcast they review the Space Venom wave of Marvel Legends including two Ultimate Spider-Men, Silk, Electro, Ashley Barton Spider-Girl, and Hobgoblin!

Also, next week is New York Comic Con and Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin run down the exclusive toys you should hunt for at the con. And if you’re going to NYCC be sure to say “hi” to our hosts!

With a new thin crust Hot Toys figure and more, it’s in this new issue of Marvelicious Toys!

And don’t forget, Marvelicious Toys needs your help to keep operating. We need to add new team members and hopefully bring back the regular full-video episodes. To support our show and get exclusive rewards Check out our crowdfunding campaign, live now on PodBean

Arnie C: https://marvelicious.podbean.com/mf/play/ddj62f/MT172.mp3

      

September 28, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Marvelicious Toys, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Issue 172: Pumpkin Spice Goblin

Creepshow 3

Nearly 20 years after the last Creepshow left theaters a third installment creeped onto video shelves. Five more tales of terror await, but now they are all intertwined with crossover characters and a twisting timeline. Does this add enjoyment to the final Creepshow? Grab a hot dong and join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/creepshow-3

      

September 27, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Creepshow 3

Curse of the Fly

In 1965 20th Century Fox released a third (and final) sequel to the original The Fly. A radical departure from the previous films, Curse of the Fly had no Vincent Price and no fly! So what makes this film something that a Now Playing host chose as an Underrated Movies We Recommend? Support Now Playing today to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/curse-of-the-fly

      

September 23, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Curse of the Fly

Blair Witch

The studio made it in secret. No one knew that Adam Wingard’s new horror film The Woods was actually the third installment of the Blair Witch film series. This one goes back to the original 1999 film in both universe and style. Watch the found footage as James Donahue, brother of the original film’s Heather, leads a new crew into Burkittsville to try and uncover the age old mystery. Is this a great return to form? Head into the woods with Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/blair-witch

      

September 20, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Blair Witch

Episode 484: Hasbro Star Wars Figures? There's an App for that.

Next week Star Wars will again descend upon stores across the world. Sep 30 is this year’s designated date for Rogue One toys, housewares, and more to be released. Some are hitting shelves now, but come Sep 30 everyone will have access to figures of Jyn Erso, the Deathtrooper, and more!

On this episode of Star Wars Action News the team gathers to discuss their anticipation for the toys, the new movie, and so much more. LEGO, Hot Toys, Disney Elite figures, and, of course, Hasbro Toys!



Build your anticipation for this toy release with this episode of Star Wars Action News!



Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

September 18, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 484: Hasbro Star Wars Figures? There's an App for that.

Episode 484: Hasbro Star Wars Figures? There’s an App for that.

Next week Star Wars will again descend upon stores across the world. Sep 30 is this year’s designated date for Rogue One toys, housewares, and more to be released. Some are hitting shelves now, but come Sep 30 everyone will have access to figures of Jyn Erso, the Deathtrooper, and more!

On this episode of Star Wars Action News the team gathers to discuss their anticipation for the toys, the new movie, and so much more. LEGO, Hot Toys, Disney Elite figures, and, of course, Hasbro Toys!

Build your anticipation for this toy release with this episode of Star Wars Action News!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!

Arnie C: https://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/play/cddicu/SWAN484.mp3

      

September 18, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 484: Hasbro Star Wars Figures? There’s an App for that.

Return of the Fly

Less than a year after audiences were terrified by The Fly came its fast-tracked sequel. The plot is the same, but the cast is almost entirely different–only Vincent Price returned from the first film. But should we celebrate The Return of the Fly? Support Now Playing with a donation of $10 or more before December 31, 2016 and you can join Jakob, Stuart, and Arnie to find out!

Note: This podcast is not available for general download. The Fly Movie Retrospective Series was made as a special “Thank you” for those Now Playing Supporters who donate between September 1 and December 31, 2016.

You can listen to a preview of this podcast now, and then visit our donation page to find out how to pledge and support Now Playing!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/return-of-the-fly/

      

September 17, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Return of the Fly

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – 30th Anniversary Soundtrack

When you think of Ferris Bueller what comes to mind? Is it “Oh Yeah”? Or perhaps the Star Wars theme playing while Cameron’s Ferrari shot above the city streets. And the iconic parade scene with Ferris lip syncing The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout”. But for all the important music moments in the film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off never had a soundtrack…until now. And to talk about it are Arnie, Marjorie, and Justin along with some guests. Join them for some music, some information, and a review of this new Ferris Bueller’s Day Off CD.

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/ferris-buellers-day-off-30th-anniversary-soundtrack/

      

September 16, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – 30th Anniversary Soundtrack

Issue 171: Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut

They’re Uncanny! They’re Astonishing! They’re Extraordinary! They’re the Figures of the Atom — Hasbro’s new X-Men wave of Marvel Legends. Gather Phoenix, Rogue, Kitty Pryde, Cable, Havok, Iceman and Wolverine and then you can build The Unstoppable Juggernaut! Oh yeah, did we mention there’s a Deadpool figure in there too?  Join Arnie, Marjorie, and Justin on this issue of Marvelicious Toys for an in-depth look at this hard to find figure wave!  
With a look at Iron Studios new Winter Soldier statue, Sideshow’s Wolverine vs Hulk Maquette, the NYCC exclusive Daredevil from One:12 Collective and more, it’s all in this issue of Marvel-X-ious Toys!

And don’t forget, Marvelicious Toys needs your help to keep operating.  We need to add new team members and hopefully bring back the regular full-video episodes.  To support our show and get exclusive rewards Check out our crowdfunding campaign, live now on PodBean

Arnie C: https://marvelicious.podbean.com/mf/play/s5ff3k/MT171.mp3

      

September 14, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Marvelicious Toys, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Issue 171: Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut

Creepshow 2

Five years after Stephen King and George Romero revived the horror anthology with Creepshow, New World Pictures released the sequel. The poster looked the same, but there was a new director, Romero was now only writing, and King had a “Story By” credit. With just three tales of terror, versus the original’s five, is the humor as sharp and the horror as scary? Get your ticket and join Jakob, Stuart, and Arnie to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/creepshow-2

      

September 13, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Creepshow 2

The Fly (1958) – A Podcast Preview

From the pages of Playboy magazine sprung a horror classic–The Fly! In 1958 this sci-fi fright film scared audience members while also scaring up big money for the studio, all while setting Vincent Price on the path to his career as a horror icon. Its ending has become a cultural reference everyone gets. But now, almost 60 years later, can you still be afraid of…The Fly? If you want to find out…help us! Help us! Donate to keep Now Playing running and hear reviews of all the Fly films!Note: This podcast is not available for general download. The Fly Movie Retrospective Series was made as a special “Thank you” for those Now Playing Supporters who donate between September 1 and December 31, 2016.

You can listen to a preview of this podcast now, and then visit our donation page to find out how to pledge and support Now Playing!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/the-fly-1958-a-podcast-preview/

      

September 10, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on The Fly (1958) – A Podcast Preview

Episode 483: ICE — Collecting to the Extreme!

Over Labor Day weekend a group of Star Wars collectors from across the globe gathered in the Washington DC area for an International Collector’s Event–or ICE. Items were sold and traded, collections were put on display, and friends swapped stories. All while traveling through Virginia and Maryland visiting a dozen Star Wars collections!

Marjorie and Arnie were on-hand to see these impressive displays and talk to some of the other attendees. So kick back and enjoy this extra-cool episode of Star Wars Action News!



Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

September 7, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 483: ICE — Collecting to the Extreme!

Episode 483: ICE — Collecting to the Extreme!

Over Labor Day weekend a group of Star Wars collectors from across the globe gathered in the Washington DC area for an International Collector’s Event–or ICE. Items were sold and traded, collections were put on display, and friends swapped stories. All while traveling through Virginia and Maryland visiting a dozen Star Wars collections!

Marjorie and Arnie were on-hand to see these impressive displays and talk to some of the other attendees. So kick back and enjoy this extra-cool episode of Star Wars Action News!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!

Arnie C: https://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/play/34q7j3/SWAN483.mp3

      

September 7, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 483: ICE — Collecting to the Extreme!

Creepshow

Stephen King was a master of written horror, and George Romero a master of cinematic scares. And in 1982 those two combined forces to bring you Creepshow — five tales of terror, written by King and directed by Romero. Were two kings of horror better than one? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob as they creep up on you with this review!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/creepshow

      

September 6, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Creepshow

Mallardlicious Toys

August, 1986 was a landmark for Marvel Comics fans. After years of seeing DC heroes in theaters, Marvel struck back. The very first Marvel Comics movie was released by Lucasfilm, starring actors from Back to the Future, Amadeus, and Top Gun. Before there was Iron Man there was…Howard the Duck!!

Now celebrate 30 years of duckiness! Howard the Duck stars Lea Thompson and Ed Gale join Arnie, Marjorie, and Justin on this look back at the movie–and all the collectibles from it! Candy cigars, trading cards, View-Master slides, Laserdiscs, DVDs, video games, and more — all based on Lucasfilm’s adaptation of Howard.

They’re not just toys, they’re Mallardlicious!

Arnie C: https://marvelicious.podbean.com/mf/play/mzx72j/MallardliciousToys.mp3

      

August 31, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Marvelicious Toys, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mallardlicious Toys

Stand by Me

They didn’t market Stand by Me as a Stephen King film. In 1986 a period piece drama didn’t fit with King’s history of films, including axe murderers, ghosts, zombies, vampires, and killer semis. Few would have thought this 50’s coming-of-age nostalgia piece was from King’s short story “The Body.” Yet the movie was a smash hit, nominated for Golden Globe and Academy Awards. How does this movie hold up thirty years later, playing to people other than Baby Boomers? Stand by Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/stand-by-me

      

August 30, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Stand by Me

Apt Pupil

A Nazi in hiding is uncovered by a suburban boy, and the result is blackmail and bloodshed. That is the story of Apt Pupil, Bryan Singer’s directorial follow-up to his breakthrough The Usual Suspects. Is Kurt Dussander’s secret past a mystery on par with Keyser Söze? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/apt-pupil

      

August 23, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Apt Pupil

Issue 170: The Raft – JAILBREAK!

Abomination. Purple Man. Spider-Man. Enchantress. Sandman. Dread Knight.
What do these disparate Marvel Comics characters have in common? They
are the characters Hasbro bundled together in their 2016 San Diego
Comic-Con Exclusive Marvel Legends set — The Raft! ​They sold out at
the show and last Tuesday online, but now you can join the Marvelicious
Toys crew as they review these six figures! And they tell you how you
can get most of them soon.

Also
on this week’s show are reviews of the new Marvel Legends Role Play
Captain America shield. Priced at about $100, this is Hasbro’s first
entry into high end Marvel collectibles. There’s a metal shield coming
this Fall, but should you jump on the current (cheaper) version? Find
out on this show.

With
reviews of Jada Toys’ Black Widow figure, some great bargains on Marvel
Legends figures, and so much more, it’s all in this issue of
Marvelicious Toys!

And don’t forget, Marvelicious Toys needs your help to keep operating. We need to add new team members and hopefully bring back the regular full-video episodes. To support our show and get exclusive rewards Check out our crowdfunding campaign, live now on PodBean

Arnie C: https://marvelicious.podbean.com/mf/play/quiuke/MT170.mp3

      

August 17, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Marvelicious Toys, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Issue 170: The Raft – JAILBREAK!

The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption has been voted the #1 movie of all time by IMDB.com users. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for star Morgan Freeman. It has played endlessly on TNT. And yet, upon its release, the film flopped in theaters. Is history right? Is this the best movie of all time, underappreciated when it first came out? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/the-shawshank-redemption

      

August 16, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on The Shawshank Redemption

Suicide Squad

Earlier this year DC brought Batman back to the big screen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Now it’s time for his nemesis to get the spotlight. Suicide Squad stars villains like Joker, Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and Enchantress — a group of bad people who may be able to do some good. The characters are the worst of the worst…but is the film also the worst? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/suicide-squad

      

August 9, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Suicide Squad

Episode 482: SDCC Exclusives — Thumbs Up!

San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone, but the desire for exclusives lives on! Yesterday Hasbro Toy Shop put up for order their three Star Wars Black Series 6-Inch 2016 exclusives: Jyn Erso, Unmasked Kylo Ren, and A New Hope Obi-Wan Kenobi with talking holographic Leia! They were all gone in under an hour.

Are these figures worth the trouble it took to get them? Or the eBay prices? Join Arnie and Marjorie on this week’s show for in-depth reviews of all three Hasbro SDCC 2016 exclusives!

With a bonus review of Funko’s SDCC exclusive BB-8 with “Thumbs Up” lighter, and a look at the new Star Wars novel Aftermath: Life Debt, all this and much more is in this week’s new podcast!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

August 7, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 482: SDCC Exclusives — Thumbs Up!

Episode 482: SDCC Exclusives — Thumbs Up!

San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone, but the desire for exclusives lives on! Yesterday Hasbro Toy Shop put up for order their three Star Wars Black Series 6-Inch 2016 exclusives: Jyn Erso, Unmasked Kylo Ren, and A New Hope Obi-Wan Kenobi with talking holographic Leia! They were all gone in under an hour.

Are these figures worth the trouble it took to get them? Or the eBay prices? Join Arnie and Marjorie on this week’s show for in-depth reviews of all three Hasbro SDCC 2016 exclusives!

With a bonus review of Funko’s SDCC exclusive BB-8 with “Thumbs Up” lighter, and a look at the new Star Wars novel Aftermath: Life Debt, all this and much more is in this week’s new podcast!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!

Arnie C: https://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/play/ufzjie/swan482.mp3

      

August 7, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 482: SDCC Exclusives — Thumbs Up!

Batman: Assault on Arkham is the Original Suicide Squad!

NOTE:  Now Playing Podcast and La La Land Records are giving away 5 copies of The Killing Joke limited CD Soundtrack. Follow @nowplayingpod on Twitter and retweet their pinned tweet to enter!
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Starting today, DC movies are committing Suicide.  

Sure, everyone knows Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman – the featured characters in last Spring’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. But Killer Croc? Deadshot? Captain Boomerang? These are some lesser known characters–and the stars of the new movie Suicide Squad.

With an August release date and a story of criminals out to do good, it’s obvious DC is hoping to capture some of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy magic (and dollars). Outside of comic book die-hards these characters aren’t household names, but with this film DC hopes they will be.

So to prepare for this live action film, I watched another movie version of this tale:  DC’s 2014 animated direct-to-video Batman: Assault on Arkham.

 

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Like the live-action film, this cartoon tells of a “Suicide Squad” formed to infiltrate Arkham Asylum — Gotham City’s infamous sanitarium for the criminally insane.  Government official Amanda Waller calls together a team of seven criminals to covertly infiltrate the prison.  Batman foe The Riddler is imprisoned there, and he has a thumb drive that could expose Waller’s above-the-law operations.

The group she assembles consists of five lesser-known DC baddies: Captain Boomerang, King Shark, Killer Frost, Black Spider, and the hilariously named KGBeast.  For a little star power, the headliners are two more popular Batman enemies: Harley Quinn and Deadshot.

For full disclosure, I certainly hadn’t heard of most of the characters in this film.  When it comes to DC comics, if a character wasn’t featured in a live-action film or the ‘60s Batman TV show, odds are I don’t know them.  I have seen a handful of episodes of Batman: The Animated Series though, and I find great enjoyment in several of DC’s direct-to-video animated films.  

 

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I suspect those excited by seeing Captain Boomerang and KGBeast in action are already DC Comics readers and fans.  Those die-hards would excitedly pre-order a Suicide Squad animated film, because they know what that means.  Instead, for marketing, this movie is called Batman: Assault on Arkham but the Dark Knight is very much a supporting player in this tale.  This movie should have been called Suicide Squad, but wasn’t, I suspect, for two reasons.

First, invoking Arkham in the title shows this movie is set in the universe of the immensely successful Batman: Arkham video games.  In fact, the movie is a sequel to Arkham: Origins and takes place about two years before the original Arkham Asylum game.  

Second, giving Batman top billing appeals to more casual fans like me.  Without a heavy marketing campaign like the live-action film has, I would likely skip an animated movie called Suicide Squad.  Call it Batman and you have my interest.

If you don’t know these characters as I didn’t, it won’t be a barrier to your enjoyment.  These enslaved villains are introduced quickly with ‘70s style title cards announcing their names.  Before you know it, this motley crew is rounded up and told of their mission.  If they don’t comply, Waller will detonate explosives planted in their necks.

 

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Why are these specific people chosen?  Why use criminals instead of more traditional assassins?  The film glosses over the answers so we can get to the action!

Once the titular Assault begins, the fun never ends.  The plot is full of so many twists and turns I am hesitant to discuss them lest I rob you of the fun of discovery.  Suffice it to say the team’s objectives change every ten to fifteen minutes, and when Quinn’s former beau The Joker shows up, it all goes sideways.

The animation is rudimentary, and I sometimes had trouble distinguishing between Deadshot and Black Spider. Even though one is African-American and the other Caucasian, the coloring muted the skin tones.  Add to that identical facial hair, somewhat similar hairstyles, and my lack of familiarity with these characters, at times I found myself confused.

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Despite that, this hard PG-13 cartoon did the seemingly impossible–the action excited me.  This Squad isn’t afraid to kill some cops in brutal ways. In truth, I haven’t seen so many decapitations since David Cronenberg’s original Scanners!

Not only are nameless guards and cops taken out, but so are some characters from DC Comics.  The team is called a Suicide Squad and, surely enough, some of them don’t survive the mission.  This feeling that all the characters are at risk upped the suspense–no one feels safe in this cartoon.

If you know these characters, if you are steeped in the Arkham video game universe, I can only imagine your enjoyment is even greater than mine. I did, however, become giddy when Poison Ivy, Bane, Penguin, and other characters I actually knew, made minor appearances.

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Beyond violence, there is a PG level sex scene, and some “almost see it” nudity with the femme fatales Quinn and Frost.

What the film lacks in visuals, it makes up for in the score.  The music is omnipresent and sets a mood that the script and characterizations sometimes fail to do. But I found myself tapping my fingers throughout.

The voice acting is also well done.  Nearly all the actors, including Kevin Conroy (Batman), C.C.H. Pounder (Waller), and Jennifer Hale (Killer Frost), have played these characters for years. Their familiar performances were welcome.  Newcomers Greg Ellis (Captain Boomerang), Neal McDonough (Deadshot) and Giancarlo Esposito (Black Spider) also do very well.

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I did, however, truly miss Mark Hamill and Arleen Sorkin, the respective voices of The Joker and Harley Quinn since the ‘90s Batman: The Animated Series and several of the Batman: Arkham games.  Both had retired from the role (though Hamill reprised in this year’s Batman: The Killing Joke).  Troy Baker and Hynden Walch are fine in the roles, but I felt a lack of menace and chaos from both.

While Batman: Assault on Arkham is by no means a perfect movie, its manic action is a blast. The script does an admirable job of introducing the characters and the “Suicide Squad” concept. And, based on the trailers, I strongly suspect today’s live-action Suicide Squad took many beats from this animated version.

I give Assault on Arkham a solid Recommend.

Now Playing Podcast’s review of Suicide Squad will be released Tuesday, Aug 9th!

Buy Batman: Assault on Arkham now on Blu-Ray

Buy Batman: The Killing Joke now on Blu-Ray

Hear Now Playing Podcast’s entire Batman movie review series.

*Note: There are no plans for Now Playing Podcast to do podcast reviews of the direct-to-video DC Animated films. 

August 4, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Movies, Music, Reviews | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Batman: Assault on Arkham is the Original Suicide Squad!

Jason Bourne

It’s been nine years since Matt Damon last played Jason Bourne. But now he is back, ready to uncover new secrets about Treadstone and what turned David Webb into Jason Bourne. Do Greengrass and Damon still have the spark that made those original films so memorable, or should they have not Borne out another sequel? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob in this podcast movie review to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/jason-bourne

      

August 2, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Jason Bourne

Star Trek Beyond

On Thursday, September 8, 1966, Star Trek beamed into people’s homes for the first time. Since then, Star Trek has become a cultural phenomenon spanning 725 television episodes across six series, and 12 movies. But now it is time for Star Trek to go Beyond. Is there still power in those warp coils on the Enterprise’s 13th voyage in theaters? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Brock to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/star-trek-beyond

      

July 29, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Star Trek Beyond

Issue 169: Marvel Collecting at San Diego Comic-Con 2016

For Marvel collectors, keeping up with all the news out of 2016’s San Diego Comic-Con International can be overwhelming. Waves of new Legends from Hasbro, new Hot Toys sixth scale figures on display, Kotobukiya, Gentle Giant, Mezco, NECA, Sideshow Collectibles, and so much more!

If you couldn’t keep up, or if you want to experience the excitement of the convention, join Arnie, Marjorie, and Justin in this full-video coverage of San Diego Comic-Con! Recorded live on the floor, plus around the convention, the Marvelicious Toys hosts run down the most exciting news and reveals from the show!

Plus watch exclusive interviews with Hasbro, Gentle Giant, Kotobukiya, Jada Toys, and Diamond Select Toys.

It’s like being at the con without the sore back and tired feet! So watch this super-sized Marvelicious Toys show now!

And don’t forget, Marvelicious Toys needs your help to keep operating. We need to add new team members and hopefully bring back the regular full-video episodes. To support our show and get exclusive rewards Check out our crowdfunding campaign, live now on PodBean

Arnie C: https://marvelicious.podbean.com/mf/play/26iegg/MT169.mp3

      

July 28, 2016 Posted by | Comic Books, Marvelicious Toys, Podcasts | , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Issue 169: Marvel Collecting at San Diego Comic-Con 2016

The Last Starfighter

A long time ago, in a trailer park far, far away… a teen named Alex beat the high score on the Starfighter arcade. But it wasn’t just a game–it was a proving grounds for fighters to join an intergalactic war. Is Alex the Luke Skywalker for the ’80s? And how does this film’s once-groundbreaking CGI hold up over 30 years later? Join Arnie, Marjorie, and Justin to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/the-last-starfighter

      

July 26, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on The Last Starfighter

Episode 481: Star Wars Collectibles at San Diego Comic-Con 2016

San Diego Comic-Con was last weekend, and Star Wars was everywhere! From announcements on books and comics to toys and collectibles, the Star Wars Action News team was there to bring you the highlights!

On this full video episode, Arnie and Marjorie are joined by Marvelicious Toys’ host Justin to talk about all the exclusives, the Hasbro reveals, and more.

Watch this episode for exclusive interviews with eFX Collectibles, Kotobukiya, Gentle Giant and Hasbro! Plus a tour of the floor and look at items by Beast Kingdom, Funko, and more!

And check out our photo galleries to see hundreds of pictures from the convention!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

July 25, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 481: Star Wars Collectibles at San Diego Comic-Con 2016

Episode 481: Star Wars Collectibles at San Diego Comic-Con 2016

San Diego Comic-Con was last weekend, and Star Wars was everywhere! From announcements on books and comics to toys and collectibles, the Star Wars Action News team was there to bring you the highlights!

On this full video episode, Arnie and Marjorie are joined by Marvelicious Toys’ host Justin to talk about all the exclusives, the Hasbro reveals, and more.

Watch this episode for exclusive interviews with eFX Collectibles, Kotobukiya, Gentle Giant and Hasbro! Plus a tour of the floor and look at items by Beast Kingdom, Funko, and more!

And check out our photo galleries to see hundreds of pictures from the convention!

Also, please check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!

Arnie C: http://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/play/99gbx8/SWAN481-edited_audio.mp3

      

July 25, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 481: Star Wars Collectibles at San Diego Comic-Con 2016

Ghostbusters (2016)

It’s been almost 30 years since the Ghostbusters took control, and despite repeated attempts the closest we got to a Ghostbusters 3 was the 2009 Atari video game. But finally we have an all new Ghostbusters — a total reboot that shows the original formation of three scientists to stop poltergeists from plaguing New York City. The film was politicized and mired in controversy almost from the moment it was released, but when you get past all that–is the movie good? Supporters of Now Playing can join Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/ghostbusters-2016

      

July 23, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Ghostbusters (2016)

Episode 480: Celebrating Star Wars in Eurorpe, 2016!

Source: Star Wars Action News

July 19, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 480: Celebrating Star Wars in Eurorpe, 2016!

Episode 480: Celebrating Star Wars in Eurorpe, 2016!

Arnie C: http://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/feed/fi2c7q/SWAN480.mp3

      

July 19, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 480: Celebrating Star Wars in Eurorpe, 2016!

The Bourne Legacy

The Bourne Ultimatum proved its box office dominance, and director Paul Greengrass and star Matt Damon were ready leave Jason Bourne behind. But Universal Pictures wasn’t going to let that stop their blockbuster franchise, so enter The Bourne Legacy! Jeremy Renner stars as Aaron Cross – another covert super soldier from the same CIA operations as Bourne. Rather than risk exposure, the CIA has chosen to kill all their agents and start over. Can Cross survive this extinction protocol? And can the franchise survive without its signature star and character? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob now to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/the-bourne-legacy-1477021823/

      

July 19, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on The Bourne Legacy

The Bourne Ultimatum

Three years after Bourne was supreme at the box office, star Matt Damon reteamed with director Paul Greengrass for the series’ third installment – The Bourne Ultimatum. This film promises to reveal the final secrets about the secret agent’s past, and gives co-star Julia Stiles something to do. Did this original Bourne trilogy end on a high note? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

Arnie C: http://podcast.nowplayingpodcast.com/e/the-bourne-ultimatum/

      

July 19, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on The Bourne Ultimatum

The Bourne Ultimatum by Robert Ludlum

In 1990 Robert Ludlum returned to Jason Bourne one last time for The Bourne Ultimatum. This story finds Bourne once again in the crosshairs of Carlos the Jackal. It was a book intended to set a legacy for many Bourne novels to follow in the hands of other writers. So why is this the worst book ever reviewed at Books & Nachos? Join Stuart in L.A. as he tears into The Bourne Ultimatum and tells you why this is a novel you should avoid at all costs!

And if you enjoy Books & Nachos, support the show through our PodBean Crowdfunding Page!

Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/kkadn7/BN128-BourneUltimatum.mp3

      

July 18, 2016 Posted by | Books, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , | Comments Off on The Bourne Ultimatum by Robert Ludlum

Ghostbusters 2

It took five years, but the Ghostbusters were back! Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson strapped the proton packs on once more, rejoined by co-stars Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, and Annie Potts. The crew is the same, and a lot of the story beats are the same, but Ghostbusters 2 has a far worse reputation than the original. Is this deserved, or should the naysayers be soaked in happy slime? Donate to Now Playing Podcast before July 31, 2016 and you can listen to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/ghostbusters-2

      

July 15, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Ghostbusters 2

Ghostbusters (1984) – A Podcast Preview

You know the song. You know the cartoon. You know the film — Ghostbusters! This 1984 horror-comedy from the makers of Caddyshack and Meatballs defied all expectations. Not only did this film break box-office records, it has become a cultural touchstone. For over 30 years it seems everyone loves this film. But critically, how does it hold up after so many imitators have aped the formula? Help keep Now Playing going strong–make a Platinum donation and hear the entire trilogy of Ghostbusters movie reviews! Note: This podcast is not available for general download. The Ghostbusters Retrospective Series was made as a special “Thank you” for those Now Playing Supporters who donate between April 1 and July 31, 2016. You can listen to a preview of this podcast now, and then visit our donation page to find out how to pledge and support Now Playing!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/ghostbusters-1984-a-podcast-preview

      

July 11, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Ghostbusters (1984) – A Podcast Preview

Episode 479: We Collect Eternal…Shiny and Chrome!

Star Wars fans around the world — rejoice! In the next 2 weeks comes Star Wars Celebration Europe and San Diego Comic-Con! The news will be coming quickly about new toys and collectibles, as well as information on Episode VIII, Rogue One, and Rebels! And the Star Wars Action News team is going to be at both conventions covering it all.

Join the hosts this episode for the ultimate SDCC shopping guide. From exclusive Hasbro Black Series figures to Chewbacca watches to car decals–Arnie and Marjorie run down and rate the numerous Star Wars collectibles only available at the show!

And Steve “The Gingerprince” joins in to share his excitement for this weekend’s Celebration Europe 3! With an exclusive Black Series Kylo Ren figure, a bevy of Original Trilogy stars signing autographs, and more, Steve preps you for the event.

With a review of the Kotobukiya Art-FX+ Captain Phasma and a Vintage Viewpoint reviewing Topps’ new Empire Strieks Back trading card book, it’s all in this extended Star Wars Action News podcast!

And also check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!
Source: Star Wars Action News

July 11, 2016 Posted by | Movies & Television | | Comments Off on Episode 479: We Collect Eternal…Shiny and Chrome!

Episode 479: We Collect Eternal…Shiny and Chrome!

Star Wars fans around the world — rejoice! In the next 2 weeks comes Star Wars Celebration Europe and San Diego Comic-Con! The news will be coming quickly about new toys and collectibles, as well as information on Episode VIII, Rogue One, and Rebels! And the Star Wars Action News team is going to be at both conventions covering it all.

Join the hosts this episode for the ultimate SDCC shopping guide. From exclusive Hasbro Black Series figures to Chewbacca watches to car decals–Arnie and Marjorie run down and rate the numerous Star Wars collectibles only available at the show!

And Steve “The Gingerprince” joins in to share his excitement for this weekend’s Celebration Europe 3! With an exclusive Black Series Kylo Ren figure, a bevy of Original Trilogy stars signing autographs, and more, Steve preps you for the event.

With a review of the Kotobukiya Art-FX+ Captain Phasma and a Vintage Viewpoint reviewing Topps’ new Empire Strieks Back trading card book, it’s all in this extended Star Wars Action News podcast!

And also check out Star Wars Action News’ crowdfunding campaign on Podbean! We want to make the show better and bring back the full video podcasts, but we need your help to make it happen!

Arnie C: https://swactionnews.podbean.com/mf/play/tfgum6/SWAN479.mp3

      

July 11, 2016 Posted by | Podcasts, Star Wars, Star Wars Action News | , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Episode 479: We Collect Eternal…Shiny and Chrome!

The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum

Bourne is back! Robert Ludlum had never written a sequel to any of his novels before. That streak ended in 1986 when Jason Bourne (or really David Webb) has to travel to China in search of the men who kidnapped his woman. This novel bears virtually no resemblance to the Matt Damon film, but is it worth a read? Join Stuart in LA in this review to find out!

And if you enjoy Books & Nachos, support the show through our PodBean Crowdfunding Page!

Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/rq3cvu/BN127-BourneSupremacy.mp3

      

July 11, 2016 Posted by | Books, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , | Comments Off on The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum

Short Circuit 2

Just two short years after Short Circuit electrified audiences Johnny 5 returned in Short Circuit 2. This time Johnny is in the big city and realizing what it means to be human…or in his case, not human. The film was supposed to be full of heart, laughs, and special effects. But Johnny’s wires got crossed and no connection was made with audiences. With this film Johnny 5’s cinematic life ended, but did he deserve his fate? Join Justin Five, Stuart, and Arnie to find out!

Arnie C: http://nowplayingpodcast.libsyn.com/short-circuit-2

      

July 7, 2016 Posted by | Movies, Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts, Reviews | , , , , , | Comments Off on Short Circuit 2