The Code Is Zeek

This week’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe finds the gang answering their call to the sea. Aaron is joined by Ana Bosch and Peter Paras to talk Disney’s Moana . This episode features discussion about Disney in general, the career of Martin Scorsese and much more. Among topics covered, we have a fun round of Know Everybody ( 3:00 ), some Out Now Quickies™ ( 7:53 ), Trailer Talk for Silence ( 22:07 ), the main review ( 42:38 ), Out Now Feedback ( 1:25:00 ), and Games ( 1:43:56 ). We then wrap things up ( 1:50:13 ) and have some bloopers ( 1:56:19 ), following this week’s close out song.  So now, if you’ve got an hour or so to kill… You can also find links to the episode at AudioBoom .  Subscribe via iTunes HERE

This month’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe commentary track brings back 90s science fiction in full force. Aaron is joined by Scott Mendelson , Brandon Peters and Cullen Bricker once again to talk the forgotten 1996 sci-fi gem The Arrival , starring Charlie Sheen . Listen in, as the guys do their best to fill this track with lots of info about the film, the summer season it arrived in, Sheen’s career, the talent of Ron Silver and lots of other silly banter. It seems as if this commentary track has been a long time coming, so we can only hope everyone enjoys what the arrival of it has to offer. Important Note:   This commentary may feature 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…

This holiday weekend sees the release of several films in wide and limited release. Disney's Moana is sure to clean up big, given the stellar reviews and how genuinely likable it is. Robert Zemeckis ' WWII drama Allied   has less to offer beyond Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard in movie star mode. Warren Beatty of all people is back with a new Howard Hughes movie. Then you have the limited releases and expansions of several other movies all worthy of checking out. Plenty of new home releases as well, including two of the year's best films. I also have some news stories and a podcast worth checking out. Enjoy! In Theaters Now: Moana -  http://whysoblu.com/afi- fest-2016-moana-movie-review/ (Disney has another hit) Allied -  http://whysoblu.com/love- war-allied-movie-review/ (An old school war drama romance with little importance) Rules Don't Apply -  http://whysoblu.com/afi-fest -2016-rules-dont-apply-movie-r eview/ (Warren Beatty is b...

This week’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe returns to the Wizarding World. Aaron and Abe are joined by Mark Hobin and David Yeh to talk Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them , the first spin-off film from the Harry Potter series. There’s also plenty of discussion concerning other recent releases. Among topics covered, we have a fun round of Know Everybody ( 3:16 ), some Out Now Quickies™ ( 8:49 ), Trailer Talk for Ghost in the Shell and Beauty and the Beast ( 24:33 ), the main review ( 41:12 ), Out Now Feedback ( 1:20:09 ), and Games ( 1:36:21 ). We then wrap things up ( 1:46:34 ) and have some bloopers ( 1:59:53 ), following this week’s close out song.  So now, if you’ve got an hour or so to kill… You can also find links to the episode at AudioBoom .  Subscribe via iTunes HERE

I don't doubt Martin Scorsese . If he wants to take decades to develop a historical drama that will likely just barely make back the money it cost to make, who cares, as long as the results are consistent with the legendary director's other work? Silence   is finally going to see the light of day this Christmas and now we finally have a trailer. The results provide just the kind of setup I want for a film with such an intriguing story.

Okay, so this week's recap is packed! In addition to the big release that is the quite wonderful Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them , several smaller films open, including the nice coming-of-age flick Edge of Seventeen and the stylish and dark Nocturnal Animals . Moonlight and Billy Lynn also go wide this week, but how about all these AFI Fest reviews I put together? Lots of good stuff coming up that I wrote all about. There's also a bunch of trailers, some other news and a really thoughtful podcast to check out as well. Enjoy it all! In Theaters Now: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them -  http://whysoblu.com/ fantastic-beasts-movie-review/ (A fun trip back to the wizarding world) The Edge of Seventeen -  http://whysoblu.com/edge- seventeen-movie-review/ (A nice coming-of-age comedy drama) Nocturnal Animals -  http://whysoblu.com/ nocturnal-animals-show- stylish-teeth-movie-review/ (Some twisted stuff in this dark tale) Billy Ly...

This is pretty simple: I'm all in for Kong: Skull Island . I'm a huge fan of movies featuring Kong in general. I find both the 1933 original and Peter Jackson's 2005 King Kong to be terrific. I've spoken more about all that on The Lambcast . I'm also a big fan of the recent American  Godzilla , which this film shares a universe with. The idea of a 70s-set film that delves into the mythology of Skull Island is exciting to me and what I'm seeing so far all looks very promising.

This week’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe shows a true decision to communicate. Aaron and Abe are joined by Ali Mattu and Terence Johnson to talk Arrival , starring Amy Adams and directed by Sicaro ’s Denis Villeneuve. In an attempt to get in a full review, please note that we have an entire spoiler-filled conversation that picks up after this week’s closing song. Among topics covered, we have a fun round of Know Everybody ( 5:08 ), some Out Now Quickies™ ( 9:51 ), Trailer Talk for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets ( 18:11 ), the main review ( 25:15 ), Out Now Feedback ( 54:34 ), and Games ( 1:18:00 ). We then wrap things up ( 1:30:05 ) and end it all with that spoiler conversation ( 1:37:59 ), following this week’s close out song.  So now, if you’ve got an hour or so to kill… You can also find links to the episode at AudioBoom .  Subscribe via iTunes HERE

There's been a lot of talk about what the upcoming adaptation of Ghost in the Shell  will have to offer. The popular 1995 anime film (and follow-up film/episodic entries), which was based on a manga series, has influenced lots of films, series and other anime. It is also very much the product of Japanese culture. Given the placement of Scarlett Johansson in the lead role, people are rightfully up in arms about the steps taken bring this property to a wider American audience. Now that the trailer is here, I wonder if that isn't the only issue.

I didn't choose to write about the initial teaser trailer for Beauty and the Beast , as I wanted to wait and get more of a feel for what this Bill Condon -directed live-action adaptation would have to offer. Now we have a full trailer that goes more into the look of the film, let alone an understanding that it will be pretty much a shot-for-shot remake of the 1991 Oscar-winning animated classic. Here's the thing - it looks pretty good.

Arrival opens in theaters this weekend and it is most certainly the right kind of movie we could all use right now. It promotes the urgency and necessity of communication and compassion over threats and danger, in addition to being a well-made and strongly acted science fiction film. Other releases are out now, which I have done plenty to recommend in the past already. Additionally, some new home releases and news posts. Plus, be sure to dig into our Doctor Strange podcast, as it's a fun one. Enjoy! In Theaters Now: Arrival -  http://whysoblu.com/arrival- interesting-alien-mystery- movie-review/ (Strong, smart sci-fi drama) Denial -  http://www.thecodeiszeek. com/2016/11/brief-thoughts- denial.html (Like a fancy TV movie) Loving -  http://whysoblu.com/loving- v-nichols-movie-review/ (Spreading wider and still very good) Here's The Archive Of Every Review Throughout The Year(s) -  http://www.thecodeiszeek.com /p/review-archive.html

I really enjoy putting my reviews together.  I honestly wish I could delve deeper into certain movies, but alas, I get incredibly busy and can sometimes only deal with movies to a briefer extent than I would prefer.  This is why I write these occasional "Brief Thoughts" posts on movies I have seen, as I want to at least offer some of my own perspective on them.  They may not be as polished, but I can at least get my opinions out there. This "Brief Thoughts" post is a mini-review for the drama based on a true story, Denial . Denial: 3 out of 5 Especially considering our current times, there is an interesting story to be told about the time American historian Deborah Lipstadt had to go through a legal battle with English Holocaust denier (and anti-Semitic, Hitler historian) David Irving. Sadly, the film Denial  only manages to do so much and its success is largely due to the strength of the acting.

We now have a full trailer for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets  and it looks great. Big, bold and fun should be the key terms that come out of a new Luc Besson -written and directed sci-fi adventure and that applies here. Based on an acclaimed French graphic novel series, the footage seen at Comic-Con was some of the most intriguing stuff featured and this trailer continues to lend confidence that Valerian  will be one of the more exciting non-sequels to be arriving in theaters next summer.

This week’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe bends the reality of podcasts as we know them. Aaron and Abe are joined by Adam Gentry and Tyler Smith to talk Marvel’s Doctor Strange . Among topics covered, we have a fun round of Know Everybody ( 11:38 ), some Out Now Quickies™ ( 14:59 ), Trailer Talk for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales ( 26:23 ), the main review ( 35:45 ), Out Now Feedback ( 1:37:48 ), and Games ( 1:47:33 ). We then wrap things up ( 1:55:57 ) and end it all with some bloopers ( 2:05:45 ), following this week’s close out song.  So now, if you’ve got an hour or so to kill… You can also find links to the episode at AudioBoom .  Subscribe via iTunes HERE

Doctor Strange is finally at large this weekend. the Sorcerer Supreme is Marvel Studios ' latest adventure and it certainly warrants theater viewing to experience some visual magic. Also out is Trolls , which makes a good plea for kids to enjoy shiny, colorful things that sing, with little else to go along with. Loving is the other new release this week and while only in a limited amount of theaters for now, it is worth seeking out, as Jeff Nichols delivers again. A few home releases are now available as well and I also have some news posts. Best of all, as always, two very enjoyable podcasts are here to be listened to. Enjoy! In Theaters Now: Doctor Strange -  http://whysoblu.com/doctor- strange-movie-review/ (Inventive visuals in a familiar story) Trolls -  http://whysoblu.com/trolls- sparkles-glitters-way-stock- animated-adventure-movie- review/ (For the kids) Loving -  http://whysoblu.com/loving- v-nichols-movie-review/ (Wonderfully ...

Whether or not director Danny Boyle , Ewan McGregor or the world needs a Trainspotting sequel, I'm glad this is finally happening. Having said many times over the years by Boyle that the original actors needed to start actually looking older and shed their natural vanity, before going forward with a sequel (loosely adapted from Irvine Welsh's novel sequel, Porno ), it seems as if this has finally happened. Hopefully it all works out.

This week’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe finds the guys delving into the world of symbology. Aaron and Abe are joined by Zaki Hasan to talk Inferno , featuring David Pumpkins himself, Tom Hanks . Among topics covered, we have a fun round of Know Everybody ( 4:29 ), some Out Now Quickies™ ( 7:31 ), Trailer Talk for Allied ( 14:23 ), the main review ( 19:50 ), Out Now Feedback ( 44:44 ), and Games ( 59:34 ). We then wrap things up ( 1:06:56 ) and end it all with some bloopers ( 1:24:04 ), following this week’s close out song.  So now, if you’ve got an hour or so to kill… You can also find links to the episode at AudioBoom .  Subscribe via iTunes HERE