Now Playing -- The Movie Review Podcast

Fledgling spy Eggsy Unwin (Taron Egerton) barely had time to assume his place as Galahad before chirpy drug czar Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore) reduced the whole Kingsman Round Table to rubble. Now the English gentleman must dust off his suit and accept assistance from newfound American allies Jeff Bridges, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum, and Pedro Pascal.  How many shots of whiskey will it take to ply recommends from Yank hosts Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob?  Their review of this highly anticipated sequel is finally available to listeners who missed the September live-stream podcast! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

In 1974 Charles Bronson made his entry in the self-defense/revenge genre with Death Wish. The film is a gritty look at a New Yorker who is pushed to the breaking point by the city's rampant crime. Based on a novel, is this just another grim exploitation flick, or does it Wish to be something more? Load up with Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob as they begin their series reviewing all the Death Wish films--ending with the Eli Roth/Bruce Willis reboot this November! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

First came Halloween. Then Friday the 13th. Soon after, no holiday was safe! New Year's Evil, Mother's Day, Graduation Day. Prom Night...all became occasions for slasher fests. Then in 1981 it was time to blow out the candles with Happy Birthday to Me, a murder-mystery slasher starring Little House on the Prairie's Melissa Sue Anderson, and Superman's dad Glenn Ford. It's Now Playing co-host Arnie's birthday today, and listener Matt has chosen this to be his gift! Is it all he wished for? Join him, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Marvel's Inhumans are the result of combining alien DNA with humans. In that way they're neither human nor alien, they're inhuman. Likewise Marvel's Inhumans is a halfbreed--it's neither television nor film. It is the TV series pilot premiering this weekend on IMAX screens. Is it worth the IMAX ticket price to see a shorter version of network television four weeks early? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob in this hair-raising review to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Philip K. Dick's novel Radio Free Albemuth was published in 1985, three years after the author's death and nine years after the book was written. Yet with the author's name as propellant, this discarded novel was optioned for a low-budget movie. After lengthy post-production the film Radio Free Albemuth was released direct-to-VOD in 2014.  Can the acting (and singing) of Alanis Morissette help audiences swallow this film's extra-terrestrial premise? Listen to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Do you remember Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1990 movie Total Recall? If not, Columbia Pictures will remind you with their wholesale retelling of that film. Featuring Colin Farrell in the lead this movie was quickly forgotten in theaters. But now, after much listener demand, the Now Playing hosts give Len Wiseman his props! So join Stuart, Brock, and Jakob for this return to our Philip K Dick Retrospective Series! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Annabelle was a prequel to The Conjuring. Now we go even further back in time with Annabelle: Creation--the story of the doll's manufacture and first possession. These films hit big at the box office, but can this demonic doll break the curse of getting no recommends from the Now Playing hosts? Listen to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Over the span of 34 years Stephen King wrote his Dark Tower saga of books, amassing more than 4,000 pages of lore. The story features the last legendary Gunslinger on a quest to ward off evil forces and reach The Dark Tower. The story has often been called "unfilmable" but, after nearly two decades of trying, the story has come to the screen. Is it an epic fit for King, or another dark tale that didn't survive the leap from page to screen? Join Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie on their quest to unravel the mystery and find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Christopher Nolan's latest film tells of the English army's rescue from German assault at Dunkirk. The director is relying on visual spectacle over star power, choosing mostly unknown actors for many of the lead roles. But what can Nolan's unique film-making and storytelling style add to distinguish Dunkirk from other World War II films? Jump on the boat with Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Trainspotting was a breakthrough film, gaining acclaim for both director Danny Boyle and star Ewan McGregor. Now, twenty years after their original tale of Scottish heroin addicts, the stars and director come together to catch up on the lives of Rent Boy, Spud, Sick Boy, and Franco. Who kicked the habit, and who hasn't? And what consequences are due for Renton stealing the £16,000?  Choose life! Choose to listen to Now Playing and find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

In 1996 director Danny Boyle exploded on the indie film scene with his octane-fueled heroin comedy-drama Trainspotting. Based on the eponymous novel by Irvine Welsh, the film has a unique vibe, a killer soundtrack, and turned Ewan McGregor into a star. Can the 20-year-old film give the Now Playing hosts the same high it once did? Choose life. Choose Now Playing. Inject this into your ears now! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Spider-Man has finally come home! While Marvel Studios started without its most popular characters, an agreement between studios (aided by some North Korean hackers) has now made it so Marvel's most super of heroes, Spider-Man, can stand alongside the other cinematic Avengers. But this is this third big-screen incarnation of the wall crawler in 10 years. Does this one swing higher than Raimi's and Webb's movies? Listen to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

No, Baby Driver is not about an infant taking his parents' car for a spin. Baby Driver is the latest film from Scott Pilgrim vs the World and Shaun of the Dead auteur Edgar Wright. For his fifth studio film Wright brings his unique take to the car chase genre. Or is it the musical? No matter. Load up your iPod Classic, pop in your ear buds, and join the hosts of Now Playing for this revved up movie review! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

I'm pretty sure Anthony Hopkins said watching this film is what killed Hitler... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Bad Boys exploded in 1995. The career surge it caused for both stars Smith and Lawrence, as well as for director Bay, meant an eight-year wait for the sequel. In 2003 the Boys were back and it was bigger, badder, and much longer. But was it better? Join the bad boys of Now Playing Podcast for their review to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

In 1995 Will Smith was a sitcom star with a rap career. Martin Lawrence was host of HBO's Def Comedy Jam, and his own show Martin where he would cross-dress to play Sheneneh. And Michael Bay was an unknown, save for a few stylish music videos. Their careers all blew up, as did several cars and an airplane, when they teamed up to make Bad Boys.  Now join the bad boys of Now Playing for their review of this action classic! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Fans of the 1975 Wonder Woman series have to be excited for the Wonder-ful release from La La Land records: The Wonder Woman 3-CD set. This release has music cues and score from all three seasons of Wonder Woman's run from composers Charles Fox, Artie Kane, Robert Prince, Johnny Harris, Robert O. Ragland, Angela Morley, and Richard LaSalle.  On this bonus Now Playing, Arnie talks with Wonder Woman album producer Neil S. Bulk. Find out what goes into making a soundtrack for a 40-year-old show, and take a listen to some of the music found in this set.  And on this episode--find out how to win one of six copies Now Playing is giving away! You have until June 13th to enter. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Sometimes a movie becomes something more than a film--it becomes a movement. That seems to be the case with Wonder Woman. It has become celebrated as not only a great DC movie but also the first wonder-ful female-led superhero film, and a breakthrough for a female director. Beyond the politics, though, how much does this movie improve the Snyder-verse of DC Comics films? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Cathy Lee Crosby's Wonder Woman series didn't take off. But one year later ABC was ready to try again with The All-New Original Wonder Woman. It was a huge success and this is the series everyone remembers. Starring then-unknown Lynda Carter as the titular superhero, how does Wonder Woman work in a movie made in the 1970s, set in the 1940s? Spin along with Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

When you think of Wonder Woman on ABC in the '70s no doubt you think of Lynda Carter in her red, white, and blue outfit, spinning through costume changes. But do you remember ABC's first Wonder Woman played by Cathy Lee Crosby? Based on DC Comics' "Diana Prince" era of comics, this made-for-TV movie introduces Wonder Woman the super-spy. Her bracelets may not deflect bullets, but they are gadgets worthy of James Bond. The series based on this pilot was not green-lit, and the next year ABC would try again with their iconic Lynda Carter show. But was this original movie still a Wonder? Wonder no longer! Listen to Now Playing to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support