Nerd Culture Podcast

The Woman in Black

Released: 2012

Directed by: James Watkins

Written by: Susan Hill (novel), Jane Goldman (screenplay)

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer and Ciarán Hinds

Plot: A recently widowed young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals by murdering their children.

For: A welcome addition to the Hammer Studios. Very atmospheric, with a great performance from Radcliffe (I was finally able to see him as another character and not just Harry Potter). It uses all the haunted house cliches, but generally uses them well.

Against: Arthur doesn’t seem all that concerned by the presence of the ghost / Some of the ‘scares’ are painfully obvious.

Favourite Scene: Almost every Woman in Black appearance / Arthur places his hand on the window palm print and gets a nasty surprise.

Rating: 3.5 Lukes

TED

Released: 2012

Directed by: Seth MacFarlane

Written by: Seth MacFarlane. Alec Sulkin & Wellesley Wild

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane

Plot: As the result of a childhood wish, John Bennett’s teddy bear, Ted, came to life and has been by John’s side ever since – a friendship that’s tested when Lori, John’s girlfriend of four years, wants more from their relationship.

For: Funnier than it should be / Mila Kunis / Sam Jones / ‘Look what Jesus did!’

Against: Some of the jokes fall flat / I love Giovanni Ribisi & Patrick Warburton, but their scenes drag the film to a halt / Norah Jones can’t act

Favourite Scene: TED is revealed to the world / Partying with Sam Jones / Every scene with TED and his boss at the grocery store

Rating: 3.5 Lukes

American Reunion

Released: 2012

Directed by: Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg

Written by: Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg

Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan and Seann William Scott

Plot: Jim, Michelle, Stifler, and their friends reunite in East Great Falls, Michigan for their high school reunion.

For: Jim’s dad (the legendary Eugene Levy) is always awesome

Against: Nostalgia is great, but sometimes it’s good to know when to let go / Not funny

Favourite Scene: Every scene with Jim’s Dad.

Rating: 1.5 Lukes

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Episode #30 features:

Dust Jacket: Alien Influences by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Round Table: NCP’s Top 5 Movie Cliches

And introducing our new segment – Channel Zero. This episode featuring – Star Trek: The Next Generation

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Iron Sky

Released: 2012

Directed by: Timo Vuorensola

Written by: Michael Kalesniko

Starring: Julia Dietze, Christopher Kirby, Götz Otto, Peta Sergeant

Plot: After World War 2 a select group of Nazis build a secret base on the Moon and plan for a future invasion. Accidentally discovered by astronauts they begin the invasion early.

For: Some cool FX / great idea.

Against: Everything else. Not funny, acting is terrible, plot is terrible etc

Favourite Scene: None

Rating: 0.5 Lukes

Haywire

Released: 2011

Directed by: Steven Soderbergh

Written by: Lem Dobbs

Starring: Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor and Michael Fassbender

Plot: A black ops mercenary seeks payback after she is betrayed during a mission.

For: Great stunts and fighting scenes. You can actually see what is happening, which seems to be a rarity these days. Gina Carano’s first acting performance and she does a good job. Great cast

Against: Plot is obvious and drags on a bit / soundtrack is weird and distracting / Carano sounds dubbed

Favourite Scene: Every fight scene, especially the sequence where she is trying to elude capture through the city.

Rating: 3 Lukes

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