The School of Movies Archive

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

In this one we discus Hagrid, Dobby, The flying car, Molly and Arthur Weasley, Gilderoy Lockhart, Fawkes the Phoenix, Tom Riddle’s childhood, John Williams’ music and (if you listen out for the Easter Egg) the most baffling moment in The Mummy Returns. Remember to please tell as many people about these as possible.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

In this one we discuss the tripod (Harry, Ron and Hermione) at age eleven, the Dursleys, Richard Harris as Dumbledore, Professor McGonnagal, dating centaurs, awesome tattoos and why at least one of us identifies very strongly with a core character. The main theme running through is the lighter tone of this first installment and why in retrospect it serves a very fine purpose. We also discuss the differences from the original book, which we will do in every subsequent episode.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

Kelly Brown of The Married Gamers

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

This is an extensive Gonzo review of two versions of the same classic tale by Charles Dickens:

1. The Muppets Christmas Carol [Disney, 1993]

2. A Christmas Carol [Disney, 2009]

We take you back to the winter-swept streets of London in 1843 as we take a close look at the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge and his transformation from mean-spirited miser to warm-hearted philanthropist literally overnight.

And all it took was a life-changing series of ghostly visitations upon one very long Christmas Eve.

Fantastic music from composers Miles Goodman, Paul Williams and Alan Silvestri punctuate this review, along with some choice snippets of dialogue and of course those singing Muppets.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of GameBurst

Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

This was the last ALIEN film produced leaving the once acclaimed series in the gutter of creature features filled with and made by talentless nobodies. The lack of gore in the Paul WS Anderson original caused the pendulum to swing back violently, the result being that this film is ONLY about the blood and guts. Its dingy, nasty, grotty, witless, artless garbage, unfit for the term “film” and the seven assembled reviewers get their critical teeth in with savage acuity.

The PREDATOR series fared better after this as the 2010 film PREDATORS was deliberately set apart from these crossovers and pitched itself as a follow-up to the 1987 original. As the spiritual equivalent of Cameron’s ALIENS it gave hope for continuation of that series. With Scott’s plans for the PROMETHEUS story skewing further away from the Alien franchise it could be a while before we see them emerge, dripping from the shadows once again.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

James Perkins of The Digital Fix

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

Director of two of the Resident Evil movies and producer of the rest, Paul WS Anderson helmed the first PG-13 foray for these licenses, combining them into one family-friendly Jurassic Park-style romp. If you’ve not seen it the plot could be adequately described on the back of a matchbox or indeed with crude, crayon diagrams. Humans go somewhere they shouldn’t, looking for stuff. They find ALIENS and then PREDATORs show up. The humans go squish and the creatures fight. It’s a right palava.

Josh Garrity of Cane and Rinse, Leah Haydu of GamerDork, Sharon Shaw of Gonzo Planet, James Perkins of Geek Wad and Matt Ramsey of DorkTunes are now joined by Neil Taylor of GameBurst as I bring this intrepid group of explorers closer to the ignoble end of one franchise that only ever needed to be two movies and another that maybe didn’t even need that many.

Find out what happened thousands of years ago, hear the deep-sea sequel idea conceived and marvel at the inappropriate attempted vocal characterization of the PREDATORS.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

James Perkins of The Digital Fix

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

For the third and concluding part of our Predator specials we cover the long-awaited third movie, released two decades after the second in 2010; Predators.

Find out what we feel about the expanding worlds of this alien hunter and ultimately how they could take the series in new and exciting directions in the future.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of GameBurst

Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

For the second part of our Predator specials we cover the 1990 film; Predator 2, this time starring too-old-for-this-shit Danny Glover. This one is directed by Stephen Hopkins who went on to helm The Ghost and the Darkness and Lost in Space. Once again the whole show is underscored by the music of Alan Silvestri.

Unlike last week, opinion is somewhat more divided on the subject of this one and its follow-up. Neil and I have opposing favourites and a somewhat scornful reaction to the other for different reasons. 

Guests:

Neil Taylor of GameBurst

Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

This first episode is all about the 1987 original (and some would say best). What seems at first an exercise in machismo actually becomes a fascinating study in hunter and warrior culture as well as a bloody tale of hardened men taken to the heart of darkness. Starring the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger himself alongside Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura and Bill Duke, stalked by the forgotten but exceptionally talented physical performer Kevin-Peter Hall as the alien hunter himself.

On a side note, to play the Predator drinking game, every time one of us quotes the movie take a shot. You will be unconscious within half an hour.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of GameBurst

Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

Part 3: After the Cold War

For the final part of our exploration of this epic series we cover the Brosnan and Craig eras of the 1990’s and early 21st century. These were the movies our generation saw in the cinema as we came of age. Consequently most people between 20 and 35 feel somewhat more identification with these than with the previous Bonds. As a result, this is a very enthusiastic show and we have plenty to say about all of them.

The transition to Craig is also very significant as it’s the first Bond that is starting entirely from scratch since Connery so all the continuity can be put aside in favour of a focused and energetic new direction. Though as Quantum of Solace proved, not always as measured as it could have been.

To round off the series we talk about all the Bond video games since GoldenEye 007 on the N64. Find out which are worth picking up and why Blood Stone and the GoldenEye remake on the Wii are actually quite essential for Bond Fans.

1. GoldenEye

Guests:

James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond

Gary Blower of GameBurst

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

Part 2: Back for Moore.

This second installment of the Gonzo Bond investigations covers the 007 career of the quintessential English gent; Mr Roger Moore. All seven of his films are covered along with the unofficial return of Connery in Never Say never Again. How did the raised eyebrow and suggestive quips affect perception of Bond and when was he at his best and worst?

After that we discuss Timothy Dalton’s short run as the most famous secret agent in the world. Was he underrated for a reason? What went wrong?

Next week for the final part: Brosnan and Craig, as well as the best and worst Bond video games.

1. Live and Let Die

Guests:

James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond

Gary Blower of GameBurst