Now Playing -- The Movie Review Podcast

Masters of the Universe was a beloved toy line and a hit '80s cartoon. Its 1987 live-action movie, however, is not so fondly remembered. This Dolph Lundgren vehicle broke its movie studio but created new figures for kids to play with. Does this film have the power? Listen to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

It started with a contest, a fan-submitted new "fake" trailer for Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's Grindhouse double feature. It ended up, like Machete, being made into a full movie! The title sums up the film, but with Rutger Hauer cast as the titular Hobo can this be more than midnight-movie fare? Join Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

The original film promised Danny Trejo would return as Machete, and that promise was kept! Machete Kills, released in 2010, boasts an even bigger line-up of stars than the original. Mel Gibson, Cuba Gooding Jr, Lady Gaga, Amber Heard, Charlie Sheen, and many more notable actors lined up to be featured in Robert Rodriguez's over-the-top film. But did Machete kill our hosts with its jokes? And are they anxious for Machete Kills in Space? Listen to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

He knows the score. He gets the babes. He kills the bad guys. He is Machete! The character was originally seen in a joke trailer in the Rodriguez/Tarantino Grindhouse double feature. Then in 2010 that joke became a major motion picture. Did the film live up to the trailer's promise? Listen to this episode of Now Playing to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

"If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy of that show and smash it."  So said Star Wars creator George Lucas regarding the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special. The two hour CBS special reunited Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, alongside most of the original Star Wars cast.  It also gave fans their first glimpse at the bounty hunter Boba Fett! So how can it be so hated, shunned, and disavowed? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Lucas promised it would never happen. He repeatedly swore that Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was the last Star Wars film.  Ever!      What a difference $4 billion makes!    Now, a decade since the last live action Star Wars film, Disney brings us The Force Awakens. The baton is being passed from the old trilogy's heroes to a new group, played by Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac. But with the shadow of the prequels hanging over the series, does director J. J. Abrams' new film fall to the dark side, or the light? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob in this episode of Now Playing to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

In 2005 Revenge of the Sith was touted as the last Star Wars film.  Ever. So fans were surprised and amazed in 2008 when the announcement came that Star Wars: The Clone Wars would be an animated, feature film. Originally developed as four episodes of the Clone Wars series, the footage was spliced together to feature length. With Samuel L. Jackson and Christopher Lee reprising their live-action characters, does this glorified TV pilot deserve its place as the final Lucas-era Star Wars movie?  Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Apollo Creed was a major part of the Rocky series through the character's death in Rocky IV. Now his son Adonis takes center stage in Creed -- the seventh movie to feature Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa.  Can Michael B. Jordan's Adonis be the new box office boxing champ? Listen to this episode of Now Playing Podcast to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

George Lucas wrapped up his six-part Star Wars saga with Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. This film needed to create the links between Lucas' two prequel films and his much-beloved original trilogy. Showing the rise of the Empire, the fall of Anakin Skywalker, and the downfall of the Jedi Order is an ambitious feat for any film. Did Sith rise to the challenge? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob for their review to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

The Phantom Menace opened to a big box office...and a big backlash. But for 2002's follow-up Attack of the Clones director George Lucas pulled out all the stops. Fans finally got to see in live action the origins of the Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, and an army of Jedi going to war. Did this universe-expanding story result in a better movie? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Star Wars returned to the big screen in 1999 with Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Sixteen years after Return of the Jedi the hype and anticipation were at manic levels. The result was the highest grossing Star Wars film of all time--and lots of internet hate. Now Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart travel to Naboo, Tattooine, and Coruscant to review The Phantom Menace. Is the hate deserved, or could no film live up to such high fan expectations?  Listen to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Despite being a box office draw for 50 years, James Bond's last outing Skyfall shattered all expectations, making over $1 billion worldwide. That set expectations exceedingly high for the next Bond adventure -- Spectre. The movie brings back the classic cadre of Bond baddies, as well as the star and director of Skyfall. Did this film hit its target? Join Brock, Arnie, and Stuart to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

It's a long-standing horror movie trope: teens who have sex are murdered. Friday the 13th, Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and dozens more films followed this pattern...but no film has made it as literal as It Follows. "It" is a supernatural creature that is passed through sex. When "It" is after you, your only escape is to pass it on by having sex with someone else.      Yet It Follows is not a morality tale; the director takes this concept to new and frightening places.   So should you watch It? Join Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Artisan Entertainment and Haxan Films wasted no time releasing a sequel to The Blair Witch Project. Intending to capitalize on the first film’s huge success they rushed Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 for release while the original film was still part of the cultural zeitgeist. The sequel goes meta as we watch a group of fans of the original film take a pilgrimage to some of its filming sites when strange things begin to happen and some of the team go missing. Despite being directed by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger Blair Witch 2 never escaped the original’s shadow and has been mostly forgotten. Does Book of Shadows conjure up scares to match the original? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

In 1999 two great fears gripped the American people -- Y2K and The Blair Witch Project. This little movie was made for only $20,000 but it became a Sundance darling. Released by Artisan it went on to become the most profitable movie of all time, shot its stars and makers to superstardom, and opened the door for more "found footage" horror films. But without the hype of the moment does the Blair Witch still have what it takes to scare you? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

1984's television movie The Ewok Adventure was a smash success for ABC, and soon George Lucas was working on a sequel. The result is Ewoks: The Battle for Endor. A darker continuation of the previous movie, Battle for Endor introduces new baddies, and a new heroic character played by Wilford Brimley. Was the Force with the Ewoks this time? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

George Lucas didn't want to do any more Star Wars movies after Return of the Jedi, but he wasn't done in that universe. Inspired by kids' affection for the furry Ewoks Lucas ordered the creation of an Ewok TV Special, which grew into The Ewok Adventure - a two-hour ABC Movie of the Week.  Does Star Wars work on the small budget of the small screen? And when did Wicket learn to talk? Join our hosts for this review and find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

George Lucas concluded the Star Wars trilogy in 1983 with Return of the Jedi -- a film thought for many years to be the final Star Wars movie ever. Needing to tie up every plot thread in two hours, this conclusion has been polarizing among fans, with some in the pro-Ewok camp, others anti-Ewok. Could this film ever live up to fan expectations? And which is better: Jedi Rocks or Lapti Nek?  Join Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart for their review of Return of the Jedi to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

When it was released The Empire Strikes Back was the highly anticipated sequel to the biggest movie of all time. And it became widely known as the best Star Wars movie ever made. With creator George Lucas taking more of a back seat, and an even bigger push on special effects, does this film live up to its reputation? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Star Wars.  It twice became the biggest movie of all time. It has launched a billion dollar empire of movies, toys, and merchandise. It has even started a religion. But now, under the ownership of Disney, the Star Wars universe is set to expand infinitely with a new movie each year -- starting with Episode VII: The Force Awakens.        Now Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart go back to where it all started -- the 1977 original George Lucas film Star Wars (a.k.a. Episode IV: A New Hope). Is the Force still with Star Wars almost 40 years after its release? And which version is better, the Special Edition or the original?  Listen to Now Playing to find out, then join us weekly for more Star Wars reviews culminating with The Force Awakens! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support