Geekfest Rants

"The Hunger Games" versus "Twilight" on the Big Screen - by Kea Alwang

Looking back, it was the trailers for Twilight and The Hunger Games that influenced how quickly I needed to see those films: I wound up waiting to see Twilight (and all its successors) on DVD, yet I attended a 9:20 a.m. showing for The Hunger Games the first day it was out. 

Now, book-wise ... I love both series, but if pressed to pick one over the other, Twilight would edge out Hunger Games by a fang's width. So what made me wait to see Twilight the film on DVD, yet juggle my schedule around to catch The Hunger Games on opening day? 

TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE CLICK HERE: http://www.keaalwang.com/2012/03/the-hunger-games-versus-twilight-on-the-big-screen.html

Episode 78 - New York Toy Fair 2012 - Part 3

It's Part 3 of GFR's Toy Fair coverage! Concluding our reporting of the big event, Carlos saves the best for last as he discusses the most popular Star Wars toy line - Hasbro! When it comes to Star Wars action figures and ships Hasbro is the one, true successor to Kenner and on today's episode we discuss all their latest offerings. 

Episode 78 - New York Toy Fair 2012 - Part 3
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Anyone wishing to suggest show topics or participate on any future shows, please leave us a comment below or e-mail us at [email protected].

The Missing "Star Wars" Links: Episode IV - A New Hope - by Carlos Perrone

As we examined on a previous editorial, the history of missing Star Wars deleted scenes is finally being completed with the recent release of the Star Wars Blu-rays.  Let's take a little time to break down what we got with Episode IV - Star Wars: A New Hope.

Episode 77 - The Avenger Trailer Park

It's an Avengers special on this week's GFR! We preview this summer's most eagerly anticipated film (for Steve V. anyway!) First, Carlos and special contributor Mike Sutton discuss the Avengers panel from last year's NYCC (which they attended). Actors Chris Evans, Clark Gregg, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, and Cobie Smulders were on hand and they previewed a special scene that has only been screened at NYCC! Then Carlos and Steve discuss the first full trailer that was released and the Super Bowl trailer. That is followed by Carlos and son Kyle discussing the hot trailer released at Apple Trailers. FInally Carlos wraps it up with the recent Japanese trailer packed full of surprises.

  (To download as an MP3, right click on the above bar and save to desktop)

 Episode 77 - The Avengers Trailer Park

Anyone wishing to suggest show topics or participate on any future shows, please leave us a comment below or e-mail us at [email protected].

Uncle Forry - by Steve Vivona

 

Back in 2000, the opportunity of a lifetime fell in my lap when I was invited to cover a series of celebrity interviews being conducted in Beverly Hills by a friend who had his own talk show. I was thrilled beyond measure to say the least.

Being a film buff, I knew California was the center of the universe for movie making, and I planned to use the trip for my own purposes, and tour as many studios as I could reasonably squeeze in. I had one goal above all others though, and that was to tour the “Acker-Mansion,” home of Forrest J Ackerman, sci-fi fandom’s #1 guru, and creator of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine.

“Uncle Forry,” as his acolytes knew him, possessed the largest collection of science fiction, horror and fantasy-related memorabilia in the known universe, and for decades he opened his home to eager young fans every Saturday for a tour. I extended my trip by one day just so I could visit the Promised Land. I’d be damned if I was going to miss out on such an opportunity.

 

Episode 76 - Ralph McQuarrie Retrospective Tribute

Today's episode of GFR discusses the enormous contributions of the late Ralph McQuarrie to the Star Wars mythos. We'll hear thoughts from Carlos and wife Kim, the Steves and special contributor James as they reminisce about this visionary artist and how his unique style breathed life into George Lucas' creation.

 Episode 76 - Ralph McQuarrie Retrospective Tribute

  (To download as an MP3, right click on the above bar and save to desktop)

Anyone wishing to suggest show topics or participate on any future shows, please leave us a comment below or e-mail us at [email protected].

Saving the Part of Yourself That Matters Most - by Tony Rossi

How far would you go to get revenge on someone who hurt a person you loved? That’s the question at the heart of a 2011 episode of the CBS series, “Person of Interest” titled “Cura Te Ipsum,” a Latin saying which translates to “Heal thyself.”

In case you’re not familiar with “Person of Interest’s” premise, Harold Finch (Lost’s Michael Emerson) is the creator of a machine that uses pattern recognition to identify people about to be involved in violent crimes. He recruits presumed-to-be-dead former CIA agent, John Reese (The Passion of the Christ’s Jim Caviezel), to help him stop these crimes before they happen. Both men have secrets in their past that motivate them to help others, especially Reese who has killed people in his CIA work, losing a part of his soul in the process.

TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE CLICK HERE:  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christophers/2012/02/saving-the-part-of-yourself-that-matters-most/

Episode 75 - Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hope - Geek Commentary

As part of our tribute to the late Ralph McQuarrie, we present Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hope - Geek Commentary.  The poster art below is of an unused McQuarrie key art concept poster.

It's a commentary 20 years in the making! For two decades, the guys have been rehashing Star Wars - in school, at parties, at bbq's, at weddings - just about any chance they got! Now, for the first time, the entire Core 6 of the GFR team - Carlos, the Steves, Brian, Rob and Tony, provide commentary for Episode IV: A New Hope! Yeah, there are countless fan commentaries on this one, but this one is special...and who knows when it will happen again??

 Episode 75 - Star Wars - Episode IV - A New Hope - Geek Commentary
  (To download as an MP3, right click on the above bar and save to desktop) 

 

Anyone wishing to suggest show topics or participate on any future shows, please leave us a comment below or e-mail us at [email protected].

Ralph McQuarrie 1929-2012

 Coming Soon:  A retrospective podcast on the Academy Award winning artist and conceptual desiger of the original Star Wars Trilogy, Ralph McQuarrie.

"The Conversation" -- Best Film of the 1970s - by Rob

 

Every now and then I like to sit down and take a look at a movie I've seen a number of times but maybe haven't watched in awhile. Recently, I had a jones to watch Francis Ford Coppola's sad 1974 thriller "The Conversation." I first saw it in college, then bought it on DVD several years later, and I have revisited it on occasion. But during my most recent viewing it dawned on me that I might be watching the best film of the entire Me Decade.

Considering the competition, you might think I'm crazy. After all, as good and classic as "The Conversation" is considered, the competition was fierce. The 1970s produced one of the greatest collections of Hollywood genius in movie history. From "Taxi Driver" to "Nashville" to Coppola's own "Godfather" films, a rundown of 70s releases plays like a movie lover's dream. It seems like every month -- possibly every week -- some new gem was premiering at the local movie house. Moviegoers had no shortage of riches awaiting them when they plunked down their cash.