Episodes
Friday Jan 14, 2011
A Christmas Carol + Muppet Christmas Carol
Friday Jan 14, 2011
Friday Jan 14, 2011
[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
Thursday Jan 13, 2011
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
Thursday Jan 13, 2011
Thursday Jan 13, 2011
[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
Wednesday Jan 12, 2011
Alien vs. Predator
Wednesday Jan 12, 2011
Wednesday Jan 12, 2011
[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
Tuesday Jan 11, 2011
Predators
Tuesday Jan 11, 2011
Tuesday Jan 11, 2011
[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
Monday Jan 10, 2011
Predator 2
Monday Jan 10, 2011
Monday Jan 10, 2011
[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
Sunday Jan 09, 2011
Predator
Sunday Jan 09, 2011
Sunday Jan 09, 2011
[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
Saturday Jan 08, 2011
James Bond 007: Brosnan / Craig
Saturday Jan 08, 2011
Saturday Jan 08, 2011
[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
2. Tomorrow Never Dies
3. The World is Not Enough
4. Die Another Day
5. Casino Royale 1967
6. Casino Royale 2006
7. Quantum of Solace
8. Bond in Video Games
Guests:
James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond
Gary Blower of GameBurst
Friday Jan 07, 2011
James Bond 007: Moore / Dalton
Friday Jan 07, 2011
Friday Jan 07, 2011
[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
2. The Man With the Golden Gun
3. The Spy Who Loved Me
4. Moonraker
5. For Your Eyes Only
6. Never Say Never Again
7. Octopussy
8. View to a Kill
9. The Living Daylights
10. License to Kill
Guests:
James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond
Gary Blower of GameBurst
Thursday Jan 06, 2011
James Bond 007: Connery / Lazenby
Thursday Jan 06, 2011
Thursday Jan 06, 2011
[Digital Gonzo 2011]
Part 1: Enter Bond.
James Bond has been thrilling us all for over four decades and it’s high time we discussed this unkillable agent in detail.
So there are 22 movies, two unofficial releases and a boatload of hallmarks/cliches to chew over. The villains, the ladies, the guns, the gadgets, the cars and of course the men who have stepped into the tuxedo of 007. But since we never claimed to be the least bit objective on Gonzo this is a show charged with rabid opinion, and when the lows hit, we tear into them with the ferocity of Onatopp and the sharp-tongued witticism of Moneypenny.
This first week we cover the six official Connery films along with the brief in-and-out appearance of George Lazenby. Find out which films in our less-than-humble opinions are gems, which are duds and prepare to be reminded of the sheer, facepalm-inducing stupidity of the many many goofball moments in this notoriously inconsistent series.
1. Dr. No
2. From Russia With love
3. Goldfinger
4. Thunderball
5. You Only Live Twice
6. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
7. Diamonds Are Forever
Guests:
James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond
Gary Blower of GameBurst
Wednesday Jan 05, 2011
Toy Story 3
Wednesday Jan 05, 2011
Wednesday Jan 05, 2011
[Digital Gonzo 2011]
Daniel Floyd is back with me to tackle the most expensive, the most successful and arguably the most eagerly awaited of all Pixar’s films. We track the production of what is at present the fifth highest grossing movie of all time and things get a little emotional near the end as we say goodbye to the toys.
Guests:
Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits
Tuesday Jan 04, 2011
Toy Story 2
Tuesday Jan 04, 2011
Tuesday Jan 04, 2011
[Digital Gonzo 2011]
This is the third Pixar movie and the second Toy Story installment; 1999’s Toy Story 2. For over a decade fans of these movies have been debating which of the two were better. Then Toy Story 3 came along which made things… complicated. So in this we dive into the merits and deeper aspects of this fantastic follow-up. By all means not perfect, but considering the straight-to-video throwaway title it could have been it’s a triumph, and also a turning point in the growth curve of Pixar itself.
Guests:
Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits
Neil Taylor of GameBurst
Monday Jan 03, 2011
Toy Story
Monday Jan 03, 2011
Monday Jan 03, 2011
[Digital Gonzo 2011]
Released in 1995, this is one of the most significant animated movies of all time. Influential beyond belief and universally adored, for many very good reasons.
Guests
Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits
Sunday Jan 02, 2011
Die Hard 4.0
Sunday Jan 02, 2011
Sunday Jan 02, 2011
[Digital Gonzo 2011]
We’re back for the last Die Hard movie (for now). This time almost everyone from the original three is absent save for Bruce Willis himself and we struggle to locate our interest in what is otherwise a functional, but unrelated action flick.
We’re aided by some sterling musical accompaniment and at the end we bring in the big guns with Doctor Mark Kermode’s views on this particular waste of a sequel. There are also rants about the focus-grouped nature of this production, the PG-13 certificate, the subsequent lack of bite onscreen and why Willis needs to see a wigmaker and a vest-supplier.
Guests:
Neil Taylor of GameBurst
Matt Ramsey of GamerDork
Saturday Jan 01, 2011
Die Hard with a Vengeance
Saturday Jan 01, 2011
Saturday Jan 01, 2011