Monday, August 31, 2009

Captain America Grows Mouse Ears to Replace His Wings!

Hello Kiddies,

Tombie here. Blogging about a business deal isn't the norm here at Webertainment Weekly. We are used to ranting about whether or not we liked a new film, or bashing Lindsay Lohan's latest exploits. As a collective, Zach, Chelsi, and I don't sit around and discuss the money spending of billion dollar corporations. Today is a little different.

Disney is going to buy Marvel. You may or may not know this already. Hopefully you do. Today I am going to free associate. Hopefully some of my thoughts will make sense. If you want to know some of the business details of the aquisition, you can find them here

Disney tells you about it here

Once upon a time, Marvel had a rough time and declared bankruptcy. They returned as the powerhouse of comic book companies. Movies of our favorite characters were only speculated about before the bankruptcy. Today they are a dream come true, even if we don't always enjoy them.

Once upon a time, Marvel's best talent walked out of the company and started Image comics, because Marvel wouldn't give creator's any royalty rights to their characters. Disney cares more about the licensing of their characters than any other corporation I can think of. Will new and upcoming talent want to work for the new Marvel?

Will Marvel be given the same freedom to create their projects that Pixar is given? If so, then this potentially could be a good deal.

No offense, but I don't want to see a costumed Wolverine running around at Disneyland. Nor do I want a roller coaster called the "Spider-Man." It's perfectly ok for Six Flags to use the DC Comic/Warner Bros gang.

A collaboration between Pixar and the Marvel characters could be very cool. The recent line of animated Marvel movies have been some of the hidden treasures of the last couple of years.

Paramount will continue to distribute the Avengers line of movies. Marvel studios has pretty much owned the ability to make the films. Every comic book fan is worried about Disney pictures getting involved too much in the production process. Although "Race to Witch Mountain" is a pretty cool film, it is still a kids film. I mention this one because we don't know when and where Disney will interfere with Marvel studios, and if they will try and make a kids movie, or a real film. No one knows if Disney can stay true to the Marvel history.

No one knows if this new family will get along. I can guarantee though that fans of Marvel feel like they just got a gaggle of unwanted step-brothers and sisters. Hopefully, we can beat up on them for awhile before we decide if we like them or not.

Hopefully my thoughts raised some questions to look out for. The world of comics as we know it is going to change, and again Marvel will be at the forefront of the pack. Who knows if it will be good or bad.

Hopefully I have given people some things to think of, even though I didn't mention the comic side too much. Comics are still my secret passion, and I am hoping that $4 billion dollars doesn't impact my life too much.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

We are back & with new stuff!

Hey guys, we are back from our week vacation! I enjoyed the cruise and Tombstone was out somewhere. We are back and we have some news! We have made Chelsei an official co-host! Below is another blog from her. But be sure to download the podcast, comment on our blog and give a review for our podcast on iTunes. You the listeners can talk to us and help us out! With out further delay, Chelsei's post!

Before I went to see the new Quentin Tarantino edition Inglorious Basterds I had to mentally prepare myself. Having seen many films by this well known director, I wanted to make sure that I was ready for the task that lay ahead of me. I did this by looking past the iconography so commonly associated with Tarantino and focused on the very unique aspects of this particular film. In short, I went into this movie pretending that I had never viewed Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Reservoir Dogs or Kill Bill v. 1 & 2. With that kind of mindset I really was able to look past the idiosyncrasies or predictability that I’ve come to expect from this director and I came out absolutely loving the film.

The scene is World War II in Nazi occupied France. Brad Pitt plays Lt. Aldo Raine, a hillbilly from the back hills of Tennessee who seems to view the killing of Nazi’s as revenge for their crimes as an art. His character brought humor to the film when it was needed and the director used this comedic timing wisely. Aldo’s tribe of followers, a special unit working for the C.I.A. are the most intimidating and astounding force to shake Hitler’s confidence since the beginning of the war. This film shows a scared Hitler grasping at his power with desperation which element is especially amusing.

One particular actor which has done mostly German films but made a huge impact on the general premise and feeling of this story was that of Christoph Waltz who played Col. Hans Landa. His way of weaving evil and likeability was stunning as well as haunting and may be responsible for the shaping of the films entire plot and I daresay success.

Diane Krugar was gorgeous in this film and her performance was equally enjoyable. Newcomer Melanie Laurent, a French actress who played Shosanna, was astounding in character and my personal favorite. BJ Novak from the Office, as well as Mike Myers and others make short appearances in the film. The only draw back was the graphic nature of the fight scenes, some of them too in your face at times. This is to be expected of war films. Samual L Jackson did some small narration and Harvey Kietel had a couple of lines which reminded me that I was watching a Tarantino film after all, but I was able to look past that quite easily.

Tarantino does not offer his audience a reason for the misspelled title or an apology for the completely inaccurate ending to the film. He offers his viewership a way to feel justice for the atrocities of the Third Reich and their actions during the 1940’s. Although it is all fictional, as a viewer you may find yourself cheering the whole way through and even feel a sense of relief at the end, despite its far fetched nature. If you saw Tom Cruise’s Valkarie and were as unsatisfied as I was, this is a film that definitely makes up for that sense of longing.

The soundtrack was superb as per usual and the defining moment for me was the use of the David Bowie song "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)"at the crux of the movie. If I had never seen Pulp Fiction I’d say this was the best use of Quentin Tarantino’s mind yet.


Until next time!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Whoops! and much more!

Everyone, I am back from my River Trip. And I have to admit, that I goofed and I won't be gone until next week, so that means there is another show!!!! This Week!!!
...But then next week, there is no show. So you get one more show before you get a break from us. And as a special treat, Chelsi has written another blog post! Read, comment, and enjoy. Til Next time,

Zach Jenkins

Hey Webertainment Weekly Fans,

This is guest host Chelsi again. I'm here to let you know about a film that was previously a limited release film but has now become wide release. 500 Days of Summer, is more of the independent film genre starring Zooey Deschanel (Almost Famous, Failure to Launch and Yes Man) as Summer and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock from the Sun, 10 Things I Hate About You) as Tom. Summer grew up jaded after her parents divorce and does not believe in true love. She lets Tom know from the beginning that she won't be getting serious. But Tom is a timeless romantic, constantly listening to The Smiths and never losing hope in finding 'the one'.

They meet as coworkers at a greeting card company, the film centering around the good and bad times of a relationship. It shows the adorable firsts when Tom is incandescently in love as well as the confusion of defining a relationship. While Summer seems nonchalant and easy going, Tom is evaluating every word and event of the relationship. The film lets you know from the beginning that this is not a love story. And although I was slightly saddened by the fact, as a viewer I was able to focus on the journey of their relationship, the awkward and funny times, rather than the ultimate outcome.

I think guys and girls will love this film because it is easy to relate to on several levels. First loves found and lost, relationship definition and overcoming hardships are a few of the interesting and blithe aspects of this film. Definitely one of the best love story films of the summer.

Another film I'm greatly looking forward to is Paper Heart, starring Michael Cera. It will also be limited release on August 14th at the Salt Lake Broadway Theater. Also, this week's installment of the free Twilight Concert Series held at Gallivan Square is a reggae band called Toots and Maytals with opener N.A.S.A. It should be a really chill time. Hope to see you there!

Until next time, Happy Movie going!
Chelsi

Monday, August 3, 2009

Finally a new Blog post!

We haven't forgotten our lovely little blog, (Even though we haven't had a post in a month... Sorry)

This week we have a special blog post by one of our guest hosts, Chelsi. Let us know what you think of her post and we might include some more.

I will have a post up soon about some other stuff going on, as well as my experience in Adventures in Voice Acting.

Also one last thing, we will not be having the show next week, the second week in August, as both Tombstone and I will be out of town. Enjoy the post and our past shows to tide you over. Also listen to our friends at the Big Bald Broadcast at the thebigbaldbroadcast.com and listen to our promo on their episode 115!

Your intrepid host,

Zach Jenkins
(And now a word from Chelsei)


Hey all you Webertainment Weekly fans! This is Chelsi, a big fan and frequent guest host on the show. I'm here to let you in on some of the fun concerts and films I've seen in the past few days.

Last week I actually had quite an awkward experience involving the movie The Ugly Truth, starring Katherine Heigl from Grey's Anatomy and Gerard Butler from 300. My Mother invited my husband and I to go see this movie with my two aunts and my uncle, all whom are in their 50's. I was not expecting the movie to be as grown up and adult as it was. The Ugly Truth is rated R and although it was a very funny movie which I thoroughly enjoyed, I couldn't quite get past the awkwardness of sharing those funny moments with my older family members.

Gerard Butler plays Mike, a guy who gives other men advice about women on a cable show. Katherine plays Abby, a successful producer of a local news network. Their stories collide when Mike is hired to work on Abby's network and they don't get along. He has a foul mouth and she can't believe his lack of manners. Things get tricky when she tries to impress her hot neighbor next door and is forced to enlist Mike's help. With his knowledge about what men are truly attracted to as well as his successful boosts to her confidence, she is able to get the man of her dreams. The only problem is that it turns out to be someone she least expected.

This movie is fun and warm hearted. It plays on the differences between men and women. I truly enjoyed it. I just suggest going with an open mind for language and no older parents or relatives ;)

The other movie I was able to see was Funny People, starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogan. Adam Sandler plays George Simmons, a retired comedian who finds out that he is very ill and on the verge of death. He decides to revive a stand up comedy tour and hires Seth Rogan, who plays Ira Wright, as his assistant. At first Ira is thrilled, but after a few days of dealing with a sick person he sees the harsh truth of who his idol comedian really is. This movie is about life and the hard times we all seem to go through. It shows us that there are lessons in everything, from being a person dying to being a caretaker.

I thought this was the best performance I've seen from Seth Rogan yet. He was funny as usual, but was able to play a very serious role, making it both believable and easy to relate to. Other actors who really added to the comedic timing were Jason Schwartzman and Jonah Hill of Superbad fame. Newcomer Aubrey Plaza who plays love interest Daisy was also someone I was impressed with and am looking forward to seeing in future films.

The writer/director Judd Apatow, who has written, directed and produced everything from Talladega Nights to the 40 Year Old Virgin really put a lot of his own life and story into this film and it really paid off. Leslie Mann is his real life wife of 12 years and plays Sandler's love interest. Apatow even used his two daughters in the film who are very adorable and hilarious. All in all I felt the film was worth seeing and was very well put together.

The last thing I wanted to mention is something I've been really psyched about, The Twilight Concert Series in Gallivan Plaza. These concerts are free and so far have been beyond stellar. Granted, it gets very crowded and if you decide to go you should be forewarned that early arrival is the only way to get a seat on the lawn or in the plaza. The sound is amazing at all points however. Some of my favorites this summer have been Bon Iver and Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley fame as well as M. Ward who is in a band with actress Zooey Deschanel called She and Him. Seriously amazing shows. Last week Sonic Youth visited and it was fantastic.

Some upcoming bands are Iron and Wine with Okkervil River, two of my favorite bands. They will be here August 20th. You won't be sorry. Its totally free and there is food, fun, and amazing tunes.

Thanks again for listening to the show!
Chelsi