Now Playing -- The Movie Review Podcast

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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. After you hear this interview, get our review of Chopping Mall! You can get this review now and help support Now Playing! It is available on our Podbean page. Every dollar you donate goes to make this show the best it can be. Thank you for your support and we hope you enjoy the podcast! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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!   {Marvel Series} {Avengers Series} {Comic Book Movies Series} {Dr Strange Series} --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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 Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob as they dig up this movie and find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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 dog and join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support