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And now, ladies and gentlemen, the all-singing, all-dancing, greatest show on Earth…THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS…reviewing an adaptation of an extremely popular musical that cinematically feels more like a standard rock bio.
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Beau, JC and Chris take on Clint Eastwood’s latest cinematic outing and probably are going to piss off some Clint fans along the way. Check out the outrage…
Conceptually, The Expendables sounds like a great idea. Teaming up the greatest action icons of the 1980s taps into the beloved nostalgia factor studios love to milk dry. However, after two films, both of which were met with less than favorable reviews, that concept seems to only work on paper.
Enter the recent trailer for The Expendables 3. It features an “all-star” cast of senior citizens pretending to fire guns bigger than they are. Opening August 15, The Expendables 3, directed by Patrick Hughs (Red Hill), showcases some of the returning cast members to the series. Franchise veterans include Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews and Jet Li. Recent additions to the cast feature Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Kelsey Grammer, Ronda Rousey, Kellan Lutz and Victor Ortiz.
As the trailer points out, Barney (Stallone) and his team of steroid abusers are being hunted by arms dealer Conrad Stonebanks (Gibson). Years ago, Barney and Stonebanks formed the Expendables, but bad blood between the two mercenaries forced them into an awkward situation involving the use of assorted dangerous armaments on one another. Believing Stonebanks to be dead, Barney is shocked to see that he is actually very much alive. In order to protect his team, Barney recruits additional members that no one really cares about to take out Stonebanks for good.
Even with a cast of many recognizable names, this trailer doesn’t provide much hope for those wanting to see an action film with even a semblance of intelligence and competent acting. I know it seems like I’m asking for too much and perhaps I am, given who is involved with this film. As Stallone, Schwarzenegger and many other action stars have proven over the decades, acting isn’t exactly their forte. Still, this particular film features a few MMA fighters. I’m sure they’ll just light up the screen with their acting abilities.
One of the trailer’s few bright spots, and I say this with much trepidation, is Mel Gibson. Outside of his occasional racist and sexist rants, Gibson has always proven himself to be a pretty good actor. For The Expendables 3, he’s playing the villain. If there’s one thing that Gibson can pull off in spades, it’s being completely out of his mind. While the trailer doesn’t feature him doing anything particularly crazy, I’m willing to bet he’ll have a few moments of Martin Riggs-like insanity.
The action itself doesn’t look bad necessarily. Does it look unrealistic? Sure, but it’s not terrible looking. You have some quick shots of a couple of fight scenes, and an odd amount of attention paid to a motocross bike. These clips might have been able to generate excitement at one time, but in a world where films like The Raid: Redemption, Skyfall and Taken exist, the action in films like The Expendables just comes off being goofy and trite.
Look, I love movies like Conan the Barbarian, Predator and First Blood as much as anyone, but the reason why I like them is because they have a little intelligence to them. There was some actual effort put into those movies, and that’s why they continue to be so popular today. This trailer, much like the previous two Expendables movies, is trying to re-create the success of those classic films, but with little of the effort or creativity involved in their creation.
The marketing for the film points out that this will be the last hurrah for this team of arthritis-afflicted action stars, but with so few of their other cinematic endeavors pulling in the money, I doubt they’ll abandon this franchise after three movies. Who knows? Maybe OneOfUs.net’s resident senior-in-chief, Martin Thomas, can exchange fisticuffs with the Austrian Oak and Italian Stallion in Expendables 4. It would certainly be a more realistic fight scene than anything featured in this trailer.
What are your thoughts about the trailer for The Expendables 3? How could the franchise revitalize itself while retaining its core concept? Share your suggestions in the comments!
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Richard and Chris are back with a whole slew of titles this week for review, ranging from the truly spectacular to the craptastic and everything in between. We discuss the grim and beautiful True Detective: Season One, the very funny Alan Partridge, The intriguing Tim’s Vermeer and, well, disagree COMPLETELY about Visitors.
Those and many more reviews on this week’s episode of DIGITAL NOISE!!!!
Please do consider using our links below to make all of your Amazon purchases! Much appreciated!
HOW TO WIN THIS WEEK’S GIVEAWAY:
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Toshi and Sarah return with the second half of their podcast from Tokyo and delve in head first to the most recent season of Supernatural. So, ya know, spoiler warning and all that.
One of the good things about this gig is that I get the chance to go back and correct mistakes and oversights from earlier in my life. Despite being damn near perfect (*cough* yeah right *cough*), I do occasionally fall short on things or miss an opportunity.
Case in point, I let both Mother’s and Father’s Day roll around without doing anything here on One Of Us for those worthy folk who bear those titles! I am hanging my head in shame, because supportive parents deserve all the accolades and respect we can possibly muster.
Many of us loud and proud geeks today wouldn’t be geeks at all if our parents hadn’t supported our passions, whether they understood them or not. When I think of all the time, effort, and let’s be honest, money (bein’ geeky ain’t cheap, yo!) my parents spent on me exploring my passion for books (comic or otherwise), TV, movies, and video games, it’s enough to bring a tear to my eye.
My folks may not share the same level of love that I do for these things, but my happiness fills their hearts with joy which in turn fills my heart with even more joy. I know that’s sappy, but a great deal of you know exactly what I’m talking about, so suck it!
So here’s what I’m thinking, I’d like everybody to leave comments about all the cool stuff their parents have done for them in the name of their geeky passions. Let’s turn this page into one giant thank you card to the people who allowed us to play and dream.
To Mom and Dad.
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We kind of ran our mouths this episode and ended up talking for nearly 2 hours, but dammit Season 9 of Supernatural is over and we need to talk about it. Fortunately, to save people from massive, massive spoilers, we’ve divided this episode into two parts.
In part 1, we have some random talk about medicine, movies, the bubble era, and Michael Bay wanting to direct a live-action adaptation of one of Japan’s iconic anime series.
Note: In this episode, we spoil Evangelion, a bit of X-Men Days of Future Past and its ending stinger clip for what’s to come.
COMING TOMORROW: Wayward Podcast: The Part-Twoer, which is devoted entirely to talking about “Supernatural”.
Thankfully, turning back to films we actually LIKE to watch (after that trio of painful choices you guys made for us to watch as the ‘worst of 2013’), we go to our Jedi Knight subscribers who got to pick a movie for us…and we were MORE than glad to comply.
Big Trouble in Little China not only is one of our favorite goofy fun movies, but it adds to our steadily increasing collection of John Carpenter movie commentaries we’ve done. Collect the whole set! Except maybe Ghosts of Mars. I’m not sure we could sit through that one again.
Regardless, this tale of Kurt Russell channeling John Wayne while fighting Chinese Black Magic (drink whenever you hear it!) is a cult classic. We’ve gotten together Chris with Richard Whittaker from Digital Noise, and have added in Richard’s best gal Melissa, who jumps into the fray like she was born to do these commentaries. We think you’ll enjoy listening to this one as much as we did recording it.
Click here to download the commentary.
In a summer dominated by superheroes, mutants, giant lizards and aging action stars, it’s challenging to find room for a film that dares not to be a bombastic blockbuster. However, sometimes the film that dares to go against the typical cinematic titans of the summer movie season can impress just as much as a man throwing a vibranium shield, or a dragon soaring across a frozen sea.
Director James Ward Byrkit’s science-fiction indie film, Coherence, provides intelligence and subtlety to a season typically associated with explosions. For those who are looking for a science-fiction film with a focus on the plot and characters, Coherence is the movie you need to see this week.
In the film’s opening, viewers see a lone woman driving down a street while talking on her cell phone. She’s planning to meet friends at a dinner party with her boyfriend. Her phone suddenly goes dead, and even stranger, cracks in her hand. She doesn’t know why and is even more perturbed by the presence of a shooting comet overhead.
The party is pleasant enough. Small talk eventually turns into more serious discussions. There’s some animosity between particular members of the group, but it’s brushed off as guests change the subject to the mysterious comet blazing across the night sky. Suddenly, the lights go out at their house, and almost every single residence in the neighborhood. They notice that only one home two blocks away from them has its lights on. Like a moth to a flame, they’re instantly attracted to it and go to investigate why this particular place is the only one to have power. What they see shocks them and it sets them down a path that might possible destroy everything that they are.
Revealing too much about Coherence could potentially take away from the more shocking moments. To put it simply, the film deals with an astronomical anomaly that causes a series of reality-bending events. Viewers follow eight friends as the attempt to deal with this event, and what it reveals about who they really are.
The film feels very much like a classic Twilight Zone episode. Honestly, if I wasn’t told that Byrkit wrote this, I would think this was a forgotten script written by Rod Serling himself. Relying less on special effects and CGI creatures like most science-fiction movies, Coherence delves into the more psychological aspects of how we view ourselves. What would we do when we are abruptly introduced to a completely terrifying situation that forces us to reveal our true nature in the presence of those we think we really know? That’s the type of film Coherence is.
It’s easy to tell that the actors had room to improvise their actions and dialogue. It certainly feels that way in the beginning of the film. The relationship drama is meant to ease the viewer into a false calm. While amicable at dinner, these characters have a level of tension between them that rears its ugly head over the course of their traumatic night together. These people are not dumb. Don’t expect them to be acting like idiotic horny teenagers in a slasher film. They’re normal people with their own thoughts and opinions. Yes, some of them can act a little self-obsessed or egotistical, but that’s what makes them feel so real.
Unlike most science-fiction or horror films, the individuals in Coherence quickly realize the type of situation they’re in and work tirelessly to escape it. They recognize that what is happening to them is completely out of the ordinary, but they still work together to try to figure everything out. Should they attempt to protect themselves and fight against a threat they never encountered before? Is there even a threat to begin with? Some of them act in rash ways, and their rashness is returned tenfold.
Before long, seemingly meaningless objects become increasingly important as the movie progresses. Glow sticks, a ping pong paddle, a plant in a vase and a never ending series of scribbled notes take the place of a typical CGI monster hiding under the bed. Even seemingly insignificant pieces of dialogue and interactions between characters become huge revelations. Paying attention to the littlest of details is necessary to follow the film’s ever evolving plot. Thankfully, the filmmakers don’t feel the need to point out all the clues. It’s up to the viewer to catch some of the secrets and realize their impact on the story.
Coherence is very much the type of film to see with a bunch of friends, and it provides more than enough intense discussions to be had long after the credits have rolled. It’s a smart and well-written science-fiction mystery. You’ll be more than pleased to get the chance to see Coherence when it’s finally released in theatres Friday, June 20.
Welcome to the latest Pre-Weekend Recap! As you might expect, this was another fruitful week for One of Us’ contributors. There are plenty of articles, blog posts, reviews, and podcasts waiting for you, so don’t let your schedule deny you of what’s rightfully yours!
This is the place where you can start catching up on the material that might have slipped by you in the rush of the week. Below you’ll find a few of the features that debuted this week, with descriptions and links right there. All you have to do is enjoy the content. And scroll down to the bottom for information about the site’s World Cup coverage, Game of Cups!
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The Original Gentlemen: Schrodinger’s Cargill
Regular OG listeners may be sad when they find out that Ashley couldn’t be on the latest episode of the show, but since the artist formerly known as Carlyle is on mic, the disappointment will certainly not last long. C. Robert Cargill, the writer of the film Sinister, the author of Dreams And Shadows and Queen of the Dark Things, and a founding member of the Spill Crew is here to discuss TV, the X-Men films, and the fact that his friend and collaborator Scott Derrickson is directing Marvel’s upcoming Doctor Strange film. It’s a beautiful reunion that longtime fans definitely need to hear!
World of UScast: The British Bodcast – Episode 2
The latest edition of the World of UScast podcast, the show where we feature a podcast from an international partner, is the sophomore entry of The British Bodcast. Our hosts Duke and Kia discuss the World Cup and different levels of anticipation for the world’s game, question why so villains in American cinema are British, and rank the best and worst accents in movies.
If you live outside the United States and you have or would like to create a quality podcast for the World of Us show family, please get in touch with us at oneofusnet@gmail.com. Your podcast could be on the next episode!
I’m All Out of Love #4: Kevin Smith
I’m All Out of Love is all about Thomas Mariani recounting past passions that have since burnt out. The subject in the spotlight is Kevin Smith, who has gone from an inspiration to all independent filmmakers to an extremely polarizing figure. Thomas shares his journey with Smith’s various works, recalling the movies he loved, disavowing the ones he despised, and makes an astute assessment about what exactly has caused former fans to turn against the director. And there’s a mention of Clerks: The Animated Series, a show that was both underrated and canceled far too soon. Give this article a read and discuss your thoughts about Kevin Smith in the comments!
SMARK Country: Payback is a Bitch
Last weekend, WWE held its Payback pay-per-view event. If you’re a wrestling fan and you missed it, Eugene has a rundown and analysis of all the big matches. Who put on the best show? Which wrestlers were underwhelming and which ones were better than the material the Fed gives them to work with? Check out what Eugene has to say about all of these questions and see what his final verdict on Payback 2014 was.
The Top 5 Reasons You Should Be Watching Longmire
Perhaps you, like many discerning viewers, have ignored A&E for years. No one can blame you, because most of what’s on that channel is utter garbage. However, if John Eckes is correct, there is one show on A&E that bucks that trend and is a great program. Longmire is all about a sheriff in Wyoming who is battling numerous threats to preserve the peace in his county. As a man who loves his westerns, John has plenty of praise for the show and its cast. He has five compelling reasons why Longmire is well worth your time, so read his list and get started. The first two seasons are on Netflix, so excuses are limited!
GAME OF CUPS!
One of Us hasn’t forgotten all of you futbol fans out there! Through the World Cup’s opening weekend, Inside the Locker is teaming up with sports website Bro Jackson’s soccer experts, the hosts of the International Players Anthem podcast, for an event we’re calling Game of Cups! Every day from until June 16th, both shows will be gathering at The Mohawk in Austin for a live broadcast full of enlightening analysis and drunken revelry. Not in Austin? Fear not, there will be a live stream during every game, just for you. To see the full Game of Cups schedule, click the link above. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!
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If you like what you’ve seen here, please be sure to share our stuff with others who might enjoy it. In addition, please consider becoming one of our proud subscribers! There are plenty of benefits for those who are generous enough to contribute to the site each month, so don’t miss out on your chance to earn some exclusive rewards! Have a great weekend!