The School of Movies Archive

Batman Returns

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

This time we’re focusing on the popular, troubled, dark, flawed and twisted sequel to Burton’s 1989 smash hit.

This was the only big-screen Catwoman until this year’s Dark Knight Rises and the only Penguin if you don’t count the 1966 Batman film or the frankly fuck-awful Catwoman (2004). It has Christopher Walken acting as himself, Michelle Pfeiffer in skin-tight vinyl, licking herself, Batman murdering three men in cold blood, a raw-fish-munching, diminutive, obese, sex-pest and many, many clowns.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Jerome McIntosh of GameBurst

Paul Gibson of Gonzo Planet

Batman

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

The 1989 film. This is the second of the Batman shows. This time we’re covering one of the most successful blockbusters of its day, a movie that redefined how Hollywood handled it’s big, fantastical character pieces. It followed on from Richard Donner’s Superman (1978) as the next significant step in comic-book movies, jump-starting a series that would dominate the 90’s in the way The Man of Steel dominated the 80’s.

With a soundtrack by Prince, a starring turn from Jack Nicholson’s Joker and spectacularly 80’s sensibilities, this review gave us so much meat to chew on and remains eminently quotable. Whatever your thoughts on Tim Burton are, he handled this film very well for the age of big business, shoulder-pads and rubber suits… and of course those wonderful toys.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

Jerome McIntosh of GameBurst

Paul Gibson of Gonzo Planet

 

Batman: The Movie

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

The 1966 film. This is the first of more than twenty of our shows reviewing the many many movies that have been made about The Batman, starting way back with Adam West and culminating with The Dark Knight Rises.

On the chopping block we have an extremely divisive depiction. Some will find it irritating, shallow, pointless and boring, others consider it a masterclass of camp humour. Will we manage a balanced view?

Guests:

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Jerome McIntosh of GameBurst

Paul Gibson of Gonzo Planet

 

Prometheus

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

33 years after the original film, the director that started off the series returns to the same universe to start a new one. Ridley Scott’s PROMETHEUS is arguably the most anticipated prequel to be released since The Phantom Menace, but is that word even an apt description of this film, considering what happens and what doesn’t? You could make a case that it serves as a remake as well. What’s certain is that after only a few days of release and before it’s even out in the USA, this film has caused a storm of negative and lukewarm responses, and a backlash of equally vociferous defense. 

This time there is opposition and a clash of opinion as we set out to get a balanced yet impassioned view on the movie. Spoilers abound from the start so be sure to watch it before listening.

Special Extended Edition: This version of the podcast now includes my final analysis at the end (around the 1.44 mark), answering many of the questions raised by the film by examining the original script by John Spaihts. This is available to view on YouTube with a ton of visual aid by searching for “Digital Gonzo: Prometheus Final Analysis”.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

James Perkins of The Digital Fix

Alien Resurrection

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

Quadrilogy (nonsense noun) Definition; “The greed-motivated act of adding a superfluous and worthless sequel to a trilogy that has been finished. Origin; Alien Resurrection.” - Oxford English Dictionary.

After Fincher’s effort ended Ellen Ripley’s story, the geniuses at Hollywood started plans for how a person could “get better” from being dead. Somebody mentioned cloning and within seconds a treatment was drafted.

Thereafter the future director of the fabulous film Amelie, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, along with scripting duties from the man behind Firefly brought us the disgusting fruits of the lowest points in their careers.

Ripley’s back. It’s 200 years in the future, Weyland-Yutani is no more and absolutely everything that doesn’t make a lick of sense in this cinematic turd is explainable by “Alien DNA”. This is the podcast review where some of us actually went berserk.

It’s hilarious. You’re welcome.

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

Alien 3

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

David Fincher’s directorial debut has been maligned by most and loved by few. It’s a flawed, filthy, foreboding and occasionally really effective story. The end result of thirty script rewrites and years of troubled development. We get our teeth into how studio meddling by Fox left this project multibuggered to the point where it almost ended up an Alan Smithee picture. Fincher certainly disowned it and everybody involved was frustrated and disappointed, as were audiences everywhere. We examine this twenty-year old curio with great enthusiasm, starting with the utterly soul-destroying deaths at the opening.

Oh and huge props to Harry Partridge whose idea for rather brilliant videos I shamelessly copied for a neat bit of audio in this show.

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

Aliens (Original 2012 Edit)

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

(Note: This episode has been significantly improved with a 2021 Re-Edit that can be found on the main School of Movies feed)

James Cameron took the helm and made this sequel into something that complimented and expanded upon the masterful original. With more of a Sci-Fi action feel, the director of Avatar, the only great Terminator films and Piranha II: The Spawning chose to focus on humorous machismo, strong female characters, and a socio-political, anti-military, anti-corporate agenda… it would not be the last time.

Once again we tried to be as serious as possible, once again we failed, hence the multitude of outtakes at the end which include at least one of us in the grip of hysterics.

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

Alien

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

In this first and arguably best outing, directed by Ridley Scott, we take a look at a haunted house story set in space. A B-Movie creature feature lent integrity from its serious tone, sparing and masterful handling of tension and significant influence on several genres.

This was the film that made British-born Scott a key player in Hollywood, introduced the world to Sigourney Weaver, created one of the most iconic females in cinema history and one of the most terrifying monsters.

My crew and I try our level best to maintain a serious and bolted down tone throughout but inadvertently drummed up some of the funniest moments on Digital Gonzo yet. Maybe even a few Gonzo meme’s already exist within the darkened corridors of this episode. Stay tuned to the very end for that reason.

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

 

Avengers Assemble

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

This is the sixth and final of the official MARVEL superhero movie reviews for now. In the future we will be returning to Marvel with reviews of the Spider-Man and X-Men film series’, and maybe a few of the others like Daredevil, 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer and Ang Lee’s Hulk. We will also be covering any subsequent movies from the Marvel cinematic universe including Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2 and the inevitable follow-up to The Avengers. But right now we’re focusing on this culmination of years of setup and expectation as The Avengers Assemble.

This is actually the first ever Gonzo show I’ve recorded where myself, my guests and the rest of the world have only just seen the film in question for the first time. in fact it launches in the USA tonight. This makes for a slightly different discussion, not least because this is also the culmination of four years of waiting, longer if you’re a Marvel fan. It is also a new beginning for comic book movies and my theory is that in twenty years this will be seen as one of the first truly successful crossovers.

Some of the things we didn’t mention on the show that need mentioning…

1. The Helicarrier was awe-inspiring.
2. Black Widow did her fighting without high-heeled shoes again and in fact pointedly picked them up afterwards.
3. It would appear that the Americans get a brief post-credits Easter-Egg so stick around until the very end. That goes for this spoiler-packed podcast as well.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Jerome McIntosh of GameBurst

Paul Gibson of Gonzo Planet

Captain America: The First Avenger

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

This show covers the not the first but certainly the finest cinematic outing for the star-spangled man with the shield..

This was another tough movie to make happen considering America’s relationship with war over the past decade. If they had gone too patriotic the rest of the world would have hated it, too down on America and the domestic box-office would suffer greatly. In the end the smartest thing to do was to put Steve Rogers in the context to which his character was created. The simpler times of the 1940s where heroes were lantern-jawed and villains were hideous and motivated only by hate. It could have been disastrous. It wasn’t. Find out more inside, true believers!

To finish off we also talk about some of the best and worst MARVEL video games out there as well as some wild speculation on what might happen in The Avengers that will seem dated within hours once people start seeing it.

Neil and I also place a bet.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Jerome McIntosh of GameBurst

Paul Gibson of Gonzo Planet

Thor

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

This was a tough one for MARVEL. DC spent years developing the similarly magic-based superhero movie; Wonder Woman and ultimately stalled, ironically letting go the director of The Avengers. The rest of the established Marvels have their background in science, albeit fantastical science from the mind of dreamers. Thor has his basis in actual Norse mythology, given a space-age refreshing by Jack Kirby. The challenge was to sell modern cinema audiences this shining hero for the first time and make him every bit as believable as Iron Man.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Jerome McIntosh of GameBurst

Paul Gibson of Gonzo Planet

Iron Man 2

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

The first film was a huge success, but with The Dark Knight, expectations were driven far higher, both in terms of box office and critical success. This led to a hell of a lot of people being incredibly disappointed with iron Man 2. In this show, we defend the most maligned of the five MARVEL’s  whilst clearly defining its lazier, sloppier moments. We highlight it’s strengths and the intelligence and heart at the core.

And of course there is the matter of Scarlett Johansson.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Jerome McIntosh of GameBurst

Paul Gibson of Gonzo Planet

The Incredible Hulk

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

This show covers the 2008 Requel (a portmanteau of both Sequel and Reboot) of The Incredible Hulk. This is a character who has been rendered onscreen many many times and unlike Iron Man, was not only fully formed in the minds of the public but had received a theatrical outing already.

Marvel’s job with this film was to deliver something more fun than 2003’s HULK, directed by Ang Lee (now officially a parallel universe one-shot, what-if origin story), as well as setting up an ongoing character that would tie into The Avengers and future films.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Jerome McIntosh of GameBurst

Paul Gibson of Gonzo Planet

Iron Man

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

This first show covers Iron Man, arguably the best of the released movies so far. A critical and box-office high for Robert Downey Junior and director John Favreau and the beginning of a new renaissance of Marvel comic book adaptations.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse

Jerome McIntosh of GameBurst

Paul Gibson of Gonzo Planet

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows [Part 2]

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

In watching this final part, it actually managed to gain the top spot as my favourite, just edging out Hallows Part 1, due to even more fantastic acting from all involved and some of the sharpest emotional peaks in the series. This is, however not a perfect film for many lovers of the book and we go in-depth on the various differences that make this a slightly different angle on Jo Rowling’s close-of-play on Potter.

Also up for discussion are Goblins, Gringotts, hearing horcruxes, the battle of Hogwarts, the Prince’s Tale, self-sacrifice, fear, courage, death and the afterlife, Neville Longbottom, Jo Rowling’s humble beginnings, the final conflict, the epilogue and the possibility of future books… so not much then.

The final recording weighed in at over five hours long so I am positively astonished that I managed to get it down to this length plus the History of Hogwarts.

A massive, massive thank you to everyone involved this week as well as everyone who has appeared on previous episodes; namely Chris and Kelly Brown of The Married Gamers, James Batchelor, Gary Blower and Neil Taylor of GameBurst and KDS 2.0 and Chris Eason of Ninja Fat Pigeons and the Gonzo Planet Community Cast

This has been one of the most special projects of my podcasting career. I’m so happy to be able to share the immense passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of everyone involved.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits

JamesCarter of Cane and Rinse

Graham Snape of Last Save Loaded 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows [Part 1] + The History of Hogwarts

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

My favourite of the eight films. Possibly because of the extra time afforded the creators by the two part-structure, possibly because of the serious, tense and thrilling atmosphere brought on by the game-changing final year, but most likely because of the genuinely effective and sustained emotional resonance throughout. Not just the explosive highs and lows but the incredibly heartfelt and subtle moments in between.

We go in-depth on wartime allegory, the Malfoys, Rufus Scrimgeour, the fall of the Ministry of Magic, the audiobooks, The One Locket, the degrading and changing friendships, the Tales of Beedle the Bard, Scabior and the Snatchers, the sudden coming-of-age that the tripod are forced to undergo and the simple, bravery of Dobby.

This is all accompanied by the breathtaking music of Alexandre Desplat and for one moment; Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits

Gary Blower of GameBurst

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

 It was the longest recording session yet and the final conversation clocked in at over three and a half hours. I pulled out all the stops and distilled the best two and a half for your listening pleasure and in the end this feels like the best Potter review so far.

This episode, we go in-depth on Pensieve flashbacks, Horace Slughorn, the Tripod at age 16, Draco Malfoy, Albus Dumbledore and the unhappy event, all scored by the moving, playful and sometimes haunting music of Nicholas Hooper.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

 This was the first of four films to be directed by David Yates, a man who learned his trade shooting serious, British drama for television. The tone-shift and change of pace is noticeable and appropriate for the darker final years of Harry’s time at Hogwarts.

This episode, we go in-depth on the Ministry of Magic, Delores Umbridge, Sirius Black, Dumbledore’s Army, Luna Lovegood, Severus and James as boys, possession and what it took to trim the longest book don to the shortest stand-alone film.

Featured in this episode are Daniel Radcliffe’s appearance on Extras, segments of a wonderful interview between Stephen Fry and J.K Rowling and the subtle, effecting score of Nicholas Hooper who also composed the music to film six.

And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s a whole chunk of rather hilarious podcast outtakes near the end.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

 

Chris Eason of GameBurst

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

 This installment surprised me as I’d always thought Azkaban a superior film, and that may still be so. Film four may be less of a faithful adaptation by virtue of the huge amount of non-essential plot that had to be left out to conserve the running time, or it could be more faithful in terms of thematic delivery. Either way, The Goblet of Fire is now my personal favourite of the opening quartet of Harry Potter films.

This episode, we go in-depth on the upside and downside of the trimmed down story, we talk book sales figures, Quidditch, unforgivable curses, endangering children, frivolous lawsuits, teenage awkwardness and Lord Voldemort’s first full appearance in the series.

All of this is scored with some choice quotes and the wonderful arrangements of the often-overlooked Patrick Doyle.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

James Carter of Cane and Rinse

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

 In this episode we discuss the sudden change of tone and style as the Potter films mature. A new director; Alfonso Cuaron is brought in to lend proceedings an indie sensibility, and the young cast start to grow into their characters. As Chris states on the show, this is really two stories; one about the wizarding world and one about a boy growing up. We go in-depth on those themes along with discussions on Lupin, The Marauders, time-travel, expeditionary dialogue, and the black specters that are J.K. Rowling’s Dementors.

Stay tuned to the very end for an Easter Egg with a tirade of protest against one Ginny Weasley.

Guests:

Sharon Shaw of School of Movies

Leah Haydu of Some Other Castle

James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond

Chris Brown of The Married Gamers

Neil Taylor of TheKiddDogg

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

[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

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

[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

 

A Christmas Carol + Muppet Christmas Carol

[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

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem

[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

 

Alien vs. Predator

[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

Predators

[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

Predator 2

[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

 

Predator

[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

James Bond 007: Brosnan / Craig

[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

James Bond 007: Moore / Dalton

[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

James Bond 007: Connery / Lazenby

[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

Toy Story 3

[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

Toy Story 2

[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

Toy Story

[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

 

Die Hard 4.0

[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

Die Hard with a Vengeance

[Digital Gonzo 2010]

The third Die Hard movie gets the Gonzo treatment. This time John McTiernan returns to bring the series back to greatness. We discuss how in many ways this is the equal of the original.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of GameBurst

Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

Die Hard 2: Die Harder

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

The 1990 sequel to Die Hard. You know the drill; airport in trouble, terrorists, gunfights. Experience firsthand what happens when the Gonzo format encounters a movie that’s actually just pretty mediocre. Tangents galore! Other movies, what made them good, anything to save us from traipsing through the minutia of this by-the-numbers late 80’s action movie.

There’s also some hilarious dubbing work from the TV edits.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of GameBurst

Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

 

Die Hard

[Digital Gonzo 2010]

In this first show, we discuss the Nakatomi incident, John and Holly’s relationship and Hans’ status as one of the greatest movie villains of all time. We also look at how immensely influential Die Hard has been both for action-thrillers and the portrayal of cinematic heroes.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of GameBurst.

Mike Philips from The Fanboys Lunchcast,

Matthew Ramsey of GamerDork

 

Back to the Future Part III

[Digital Gonzo 2010]

This Western take on time travel is, at its core, a tender love story concerning a reclusive scientist meeting the first woman who takes a genuine interest in both him and what he does. There’s also a flying train. This is the sweetest and possibly most epic of these movies and examine what elements make this a prequel of sorts.

Guests:

James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond

Neil Taylor of GameBurst

Back to the Future Part II

[Digital Gonzo 2010]

After last week’s brain-melting discussion on theoretical time travel we take more of a look at the movie’s production, the hurdles that Bob’s Zemekis and Gale had to leap to get this sequel made, the nightmarish tangent universe and the fascinating occurance, unique to this film alone, of going back to the events of the original and expanding upon them. 

This is possibly the least beloved of the BTTF trilogy and we’re here to talk about why it might be the most clever and inventive of the bunch.

Guests:

Neil Taylor of GameBurst 

James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond