The Code Is Zeek

Step Up Revolution :  2 out of 5 Sean:   The Mob is our way to shout.   It’s like us say, “listen up, we exist.” People may have to stick with me on this, but I, myself, have stuck with this Step Up franchise for no discernible reason, beyond the fact that the choreography has always been impressive.  Despite the lack of Channing Tatum (who began as a bland, pretty face in the first Step Up and is now a hot commodity all over), the series has actually gotten ‘better’ with each entry…until now.  Yes, Step Up Revolution has a similarly generic story and weak characters that serve as the same elements that we are not supposed to care about, but the other films seemed better.  I was still more engaged with the previous entries and found the dances to be really involving.  This film has some elaborate dance sequences and the 3D looks pretty good, but everything around those aspects feels even lazier this time around than normal.  I don’t ask for ...

The Watch :  2 ½ out of 5 [While looking at green, alien slime] Evan:   Wait a minute, I’ve seen this stuff before. Franklin:   Had he just won a Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Award? I am all for a good comedy and fun & games, but I do also appreciate when the pieces of a film, no matter how initially scatterbrained, eventually work out within the realm of logic that said film has established.  The Watch is very funny in various moments, because it features funny people getting to say and do funny things with each other, and I am sure the blooper reel is probably hilarious.  That said, the film, as a whole, is really messy and does not come together in a way that could be considered clever or successful in a way that would make me find the film to be memorable.  Bits of it work really well and put it in the league of Ghostbusters , but by the end, it really just turns out to be more like Evolution .

This special bonus episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe is a continuation of The Dark Knight Rises episode.  While the first episode was all about reviewing Batman’s latest adventures, while staying spoiler-free, this episode features a spoiler-filled discussion about the film.  There is some quick talk about The Dark Knight Rises ’ box office totals, but after that, the rest of the show is dedicated to The Dark Knight Rises and everything about it.  Aaron (and Abe, eventually) is joined by guests Scott Mendelson, Jordan Grout, Alan Aguilera, and Adam Gentry.  Differing viewpoints certainly lead to some spirited conversing, but overall, everyone just wants to pick apart (in positive and negative ways) the most anticipated film of the year. So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill…

This week’s episode is only ‘Part 1’ of a large conversation.  The Dark Knight Rises has been hotly anticipated by pretty much everyone, which of course includes Aaron, Abe, and guests Mark Hobin and Adam Gentry.  While this is a regular episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe, the review for The Dark Knight Rises is a spoiler-free one, which serves as Part 1, because a longer, spoiler-filled discussion will be soon released as well.  Still, the gang does discuss the epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, along with delving into the regular segments, which includes “Know Everybody”, “Trailer Talk” ( Man of Steel and Oz: The Great and Powerful ), “Movie Call Back”, games, and other fun.  It may just be Part 1, but it’s definitely a big big movie episode. So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill…

Out Now with Aaron and Abe always loves delivering bonus episodes and now they are dealing out an audio commentary for Batman Forever .  I guess the logic was that at least one Batman film needed to be talked about, so why not the third in the former franchise, before everyone goes out to see the third in the Nolan franchise.  So that’s what occurred.  Aaron is joined by commentary regulars Jim Dietz, Jordan Grout, and Scott Mendelson, for another packed audio track to accompany anyone that wants to relive the Val Kilmer-Joel Schumacher Collaboration that occurred back in the summer of 1995.  A lot is discussed and there’s a lot to enjoy, so please do. Important Note:   This commentary features both juvenile uses of language and jokes that may be considered un-PC.  We of course are just trying to have a fun time… So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill…

The Dark Knight Rises: 4 ½ out of 5 Bane : When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die. Back in 2000, director Christopher Nolan was just starting to build acclaim with his second feature film, Memento .  Twelve years later, he has now directed his third film in an ambitious Batman franchise, which happens to also be one of the most anticipated films of all time.  The Dark Knight is admittedly a tough act to follow and despite sky high expectations, I was not really expecting The Dark Knight Rises to surpass what I consider the best Batman film of all time.  Putting that thought aside, The Dark Knight Rises still managed to be a rousing and emotional spectacle that puts a fine cap on Nolan’s Batman trilogy.  Wherever people end up in regards to this film, I am just pleased that the Caped Crusader was able to go out in heroic fashion.

The special bonus episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe is all about San Diego Comic Con.  Aaron was in attendance for all five days along with frequent guest and friend of the show Alan Aguilera.  The two of them are both present for this episode, talking at length about what happened mainly in regards to the big movie panels that occurred within the always incredibly packed Hall H.  Both Aaron and Alan share their experiences within the hall and talk about the footage seen and what went on with the panel participants.  The two also talk about some of their favorite experiences and sights seen at this year’s Comic Con.  It is a lengthier discussion than anticipated, but certainly packed with info. So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill…

This week’s episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe could have easily been a disaster, much like the region that the characters in the main film of the week live in.  Instead, despite a tired co-host and not as much prep as is usually done to make the show feel seamless (although Abe is a damn good editor), Aaron, Abe, and guest Mark Hobin were all able to successfully review Beasts of the Southern Wild , as well as speak of several of the more recent art house and independent films that have come out.  The guys of course get into the regular segments as well, including “Know Everybody”, “Trailer Talk” ( Anna Karenina , and The Master ), “Movie Call Back”, and Box Office Talk.  While ‘ Beasts ’ may not be a widely seen film as of now, hopefully enough people will check it out based on what the group has to say about it. So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill…

Ice Age: Continental Drift :   3 out of 5 Sid:   My mother once told me that bad news was just good news in disguise. Diego:   Is this before she abandoned you? Sid:   Yes it was. The arrival of a new Ice Age film is not something that initially thrilled me.   I enjoyed the first film in the series, but was let down by the sequel, which led to me not even bothering with the third entry in the franchise.   Still, given the opportunity to see this latest entry, ‘Continental Drift ’, I guess I just felt like taking a break after seeing the angst-filled Amazing Spider-Man and the brutal Savages , and settling in for something a little more light-hearted, before seeing the fire rise in just over a week’s time.   Fortunately, I found this latest Ice Age film to be quite enjoyable.   While it may be missing a major element that made me enjoy the first film so much, I was still pleased with a good amount of the humor and vocal performances, animat...

This week’s episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe is jam packed.   Aaron and Abe were actually together in the same room this week, as they discuss The Amazing Spider-Man with guests Jordan Grout and Jordan from Jersey (of Legion of Dudes and The Walking Dead TV Podcast).   It is an episode full of thoughts from all involved and also brings on the regular segments as well, including “Know Everybody”, “Trailer Talk” ( Dredd 3D and The Man with the Iron Fists ), “Movie Call Back”, Box Office results and predictions, games (Celebrity Tweets returns!), and other fun.   Aaron and Abe also have a mini review of Savages , recorded later in the day, put towards the end of the episode, along with a more spoiler-y section in regards to Spider-Man .   As said, it’s a packed show. So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill…

The Do-Deca-Pentathlon :   3 ½ out of 5 Stephanie:   It’s not just sports between the two of you. The Duplass brothers, particularly Mark Duplass, must be doing something right.   This year alone, Mark has been in four movies and still has The League on FX coming back in the fall.   He and his brother Jay have also been doing quite well.   Earlier in the year, their film Jeff, Who Lives at Home came out in theaters and now they have The Do-Deca-Pentathlon hitting theaters and VOD.   ‘ Do-Deca ’ was actually made a few years ago, but between ‘ Jeff ’ and 2010’s Cyrus it would seem that the Duplass’ have been given the chance to put out their much smaller and more personal movie.   ‘Do-Deca’ is a minimalist sort of feature that doubles as a high stakes sports film and an exploration of sibling rivalry.   It is certainly small scale, but also well done.

Savages :  3 out of 5 Elena:  Let me remind you that I wouldn’t have a problem cutting both of their throats. In theory, I should have been fairly excited about a gritty, R-rated thriller from director Oliver Stone.  After Stone’s last set of films, which includes Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps , W. , and World Trade Center , Savages seems like the kind of film that would bring him back to the edgy kind of filmmaking once utilized by the man who made Natural Born Killers and scripted Scarface .  It certainly looks like an Oliver Stone film, complete with brutal violence, the use and repetition of certain types of music juxtaposed with symbolic cutaways, and a cranked up sense of direction.  Unfortunately, the film falters by having certain key characters not really register as well as they should, ending quite poorly, and not having much of a sense of purpose, which seems key in all of Stone’s films.  Still, a few of the actors and a number of other eleme...

Safety Not Guaranteed :  3 ½ out of 5 Darius:  I hope you worked harder on your calibrations. Kenneth:  My calibrations are flippin’ pinpoint, okay.  You ever face certain death? Darius:  If it was so certain, I wouldn’t be here, would I? Earlier in the year I saw Sound of My Voice , which pushed the limits in terms of being a low budget film that had time travel as a plot device (ok, so Primer is one that may have it beat).  Safety Not Guaranteed is a comedy/drama that does not aspire to be an ambitious film about time travel, but it does provide a reason to consider your options if you were given the chance to go back to a certain time.  It also has a likable cast and a sort of relaxed charm that keeps you invested with the film, even if it tends to stray from its main goal from time to time.  The film has its share of laughs, as well as plenty of touching aspects between the oddball cast members for it to work as a quirky, but audience-frie...

Out Now with Aaron and Abe knocks out two in one week.  Here’s another commentary for Spider-Man 2 .  Aaron and Jim Dietz return and ditch Scott “Motor Mouth” Mendelson for Jordan “Arachnid Boy” Grout.  The trio goes into it, as they try to stay focused talking about the web-head’s fantastic sequel, while also bringing up plenty of other superhero films as well.  Not for nothing, but opinions about Mary Jane run amok as well.  Anyone that does end up checking this out, feel free to right in as well.  It’s fun doing these commentaries and if anyone has a suggestion, we are more than welcome to hear it. Important Note:   This commentary features both juvenile uses of language and jokes that may be considered un-PC.  We of course are just trying to have a fun time…  So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill… You can also find links to the episode at HHWLOD HERE

This week’s episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe is yet another double episode, featuring two very similar movies…were you to think that vulgar teddy bears and Channing Tatum in a thong are similar.  Regardless, Aaron and Abe are joined by guests Jordan Grout and Jose Cordova, as the group discusses Ted and Magic Mike .  Additionally, the regular segments are here as well, including “Know Everybody”, “Trailer Talk” ( Taken 2, Hotel Transylvania, and Here Comes the Boom ), “Movie Call Back”, Box Office results and predictions, and of course Games (the return of an old game, in fact).  Plenty was gone over in this episode, matching last week’s excess of content, but with more male nudity this time. So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill…

The Amazing Spider-Man :  3 ½ out of 5 Peter Parker : We all have secrets: the ones we keep... and the ones that are kept from us. The Amazing Spider-Man sits in a very difficult place.  Despite the fact that Spider-Man is one of the most universally loved superheroes, the idea of a new movie that recaps his origins seems to be perplexing to many people.  It has only been 10 years since the first Spider-Man , and within that time frame, two widely praised films came from that franchise, along with a host of other superhero films.  It is one thing to restart a fairly recently created franchise and it is a whole new challenge to have yourself standout amongst a slew of other, similar features.  I can’t say that The Amazing Spider-Man succeeded at being the best Spider-Man film or among the best superhero films ever produced, but I can say that everyone’s friendly, neighborhood web-head is back in a very entertaining feature film.

Out Now with Aaron and Abe always loves delivering bonus episodes and now they are dealing out an audio commentary for Spider-Man , which is packed with distinctive voices talking about the 2002, Sam Raimi-directed film.  Aaron is joined by Scott Mendelson and Jim Dietz to delve into the theatrical film debut of everyone’s favorite web head.  Kudos to everyone that enjoys these commentaries, especially because this one may be one of the best yet.  Plus, it has another contest detailed within. Important Note:   This commentary features both juvenile uses of language and jokes that may be considered un-PC.  We of course are just trying to have a fun time… You can also find links to the episode at HHWLOD HERE So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill…