Ethan’s Score : 8/10

Let me start this review with a simple warning. And this warning is that this is a sadistic, mean-spirited and somewhat disturbing comedy pegged as a big budget crowd pleaser. But keep this in mind too, it’s fricking hilarious.

Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s previous collaborations Anchorman and Talladega Nights were both rated PG-13. They were both hilarious but you couldn’t help but wonder what they would do with an R-rating. Here they are given that. And holy crap do they take such absolutely glorious advantage of it. Stars Ferrell and Reilly drop f-bombs like there’s no tomorrow and it’s funny everytime. In fact without the limitations of a more kid-friendly rating the characters and themes of the movie fully breathe.

But as stated in the beginning of this review, this is not a crowd pleasing movie by any reals means. The two main characters are complete and utter psychopaths. They’re so repulsively childish and aggressive but you can’t help but watch and laugh. I wouldn’t blame anyone for being endlessly disturbed by this movie. But still, it’s so damn funny.

I got to take advantage of Barry being on vacation and Josh taking a little time off as well and have a really fun chat with authors Tee Morris and Philippa Ballantine.  We just kinda talk movies in general and talk about their new books coming out on August 8th and their tag-team promotion Double Trouble.

Find out more about Tee and Pip at their respective websites and don’t forget to order Billibub Baggins and the Case Of the Pitcher’s Pendant and Digital Magic on 08/8/08 from Amazon.com!

 

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Good friend of the site, Brad Rusk from Colorado’s own Horrorfest, just e-mailed me and told me that Return to Sleepaway Camp has not only finished filming, but it has been picked up by Magnolia Pictures and will be released to DVD on October 14th.  He got the word from someone close to the production of the film.

The Sleepaway Camp series is cult-classic slasher film series.  I know that Barry is going to be extremely curious to check this out.  Click the picture below to get a sneak peak at the first trailer preview.

 I’ve just received final confirmation that our next episode will feature an interview with novelists/podcasters Tee Morris and Philippa Ballantine.  They’ve both got books coming out on August 8th and are doing a bit of a podcast tour.  We’re extremely pleased to have them on the show.  We’ll be talking about Tee’s new book, Billibub Baddings and the Case Of the Pitcher’s Pendant, as well as Philippa’s, Digital Magic.  We’ll be talking movies as well as exactly what a podcast novel is.  It should be a good time!

I’ve just finished listening to Mr. Morris’ Billibub Baddings and the Case Of the Singing Sword and absolutely loved every minute of it.  I’ve just started Ms. Ballantine’s Chasing the Bard and I’m already enjoying that as well.

You can find out more in the meantime by clicking the banner to the right or going to the Official Double Trouble page.

This week, we talk about one of Dave’s all-time favorite TV shows, Spaced.  The brainchild of Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes is our topic of discussion along with some opinions of The Dark Knight that may be construed by some as more negative than they are.

As for Spaced, check out the video below the flash player, but only watch to about the 2:05 mark if you don’t want to be spoiled on the episode.  This show is amazing!

 

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Holy crap in a bucket!  The trailer for Watchmen has finally gone live online, and I’m absolutely floored.    Trailer Addict comes through again with a great looking version of it.  Barry saw this on Monday and has been telling me how amazing it is.  Really, nothing could have prepared me for this trailer.  I’m not catching The Dark Knight until Sunday morning, but I’m almost more excited to see this on the big screen than the main feature!

As a bit of a disclaimer, this trailer suffers from the exact issues that the first Twilight trailer had.  It’s a trailer made for fans.  If you don’t know anything about Watchmen, you’re going to be lost.  You’re going to think these characters are ripoffs of other superheroes.  You’d be right.  If you are at all interested in comics or good adult stories, beg (from friends), borrow (from your local library), or buy (because we don’t condone stealing) this book.  There’s a reason this story is held in such high regard.

Let the drooling commence!

I know that we’ve been pretty harsh on Twilight in the past and I made the promise that we wouldn’t talk anymore smack until more stuff came out about it.  Well, Trailer Addict has put up the new trailer.  I have to say that I’m officially taking myself out of the “This looks like sheer crap” camp.  I’m now putting myself in the “This isn’t for me” camp.

Let me explain.  The production values look considerably better than the teaser trailer.  It gives a bit more of the story, and it’s just not a story I’m interested in.  If it gets a ton of good buzz, I may check it out.  Because this is a big phenomenon waiting to happen, though, we need to cover it.  Anyway check it out!

Sorry for the delay in this coming out.  Personally, I blame Tee Morris for writing and performing such a great book as Billibub Baddings and The Case Of the Singing Sword.  It’s good stuff and worth giving a listen to. 

In preperation for The Dark Knight coming out on Friday, we spend some time talking about the various incarnations of Batman on TV and in the movies.

Show notes coming shortly

 

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Hopefully, by now you’ve seen the first episode of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.  Episode will be releasing tonight at midnight EST.  I’ll be checking it out in the morning, but enjoy if you’re up when it comes out!

The new episode will be up this evening, but in the meantime, Chris from over at The Jesus Geeks has just put up the episode that Barry and I guested on along with Billy Flynn from Geek Radio Daily.  We recorded the show just after our episode on Saturday night and the topic of discussion was a critical look at Christian films.  Another way to put it is why Christian movies suck.  I don’t think that Barry or I have ever made our faith a secret, but we’ve made a conscious decision not to make a big issue of it.  I know that both of us have wanted to discuss this topic for awhile, but haven’t put it on SG just because it really doesn’t fit with the format of the show.

Our thanks to out to Chris and Clifford for letting us come on their show and have what I thought was a very interesting discussion.  No worries if this topic doesn’t appeal to you, but it’s a good listen if you are interested.