Now Playing -- The Movie Review Podcast

George Lucas didn't want to do any more Star Wars movies after Return of the Jedi, but he wasn't done in that universe. Inspired by kids' affection for the furry Ewoks Lucas ordered the creation of an Ewok TV Special, which grew into The Ewok Adventure - a two-hour ABC Movie of the Week.  Does Star Wars work on the small budget of the small screen? And when did Wicket learn to talk? Join our hosts for this review and find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

George Lucas concluded the Star Wars trilogy in 1983 with Return of the Jedi -- a film thought for many years to be the final Star Wars movie ever. Needing to tie up every plot thread in two hours, this conclusion has been polarizing among fans, with some in the pro-Ewok camp, others anti-Ewok. Could this film ever live up to fan expectations? And which is better: Jedi Rocks or Lapti Nek?  Join Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart for their review of Return of the Jedi to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

When it was released The Empire Strikes Back was the highly anticipated sequel to the biggest movie of all time. And it became widely known as the best Star Wars movie ever made. With creator George Lucas taking more of a back seat, and an even bigger push on special effects, does this film live up to its reputation? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Star Wars.  It twice became the biggest movie of all time. It has launched a billion dollar empire of movies, toys, and merchandise. It has even started a religion. But now, under the ownership of Disney, the Star Wars universe is set to expand infinitely with a new movie each year -- starting with Episode VII: The Force Awakens.        Now Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart go back to where it all started -- the 1977 original George Lucas film Star Wars (a.k.a. Episode IV: A New Hope). Is the Force still with Star Wars almost 40 years after its release? And which version is better, the Special Edition or the original?  Listen to Now Playing to find out, then join us weekly for more Star Wars reviews culminating with The Force Awakens! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

It's been seven years since the last Transporter film was released.  In that time the series continued on television, but now is racing back to theaters with The Transporter: Refueled.  This movie is intended to start a new trilogy of films, but without signature star Jason Statham has the series run out of gas?  Listen to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

In 2008 Jason Statham came back for one last ride in Transporter 3.  This time Frank has to drive the daughter of a Ukranian politician to Odessa, avoiding danger and romantic entanglements along the way.  The film ended Statham's run as the Transporter, but launched the American career of aptly-named director Olivier Megaton.  Did the trilogy end on a high note?  Listen to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

The first Transporter film was a modest theatrical success, but thanks to DVD sales put star Jason Statham back in the driver's seat.  Again directed by Louis Leterrier, the second Transporter film's fast ride cemented Statham's status as an action star.  How does it measure up to the original?  Listen to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

If you need someone or something moved quickly, Frank Martin is your man.  This former Special Ops soldier has moved to France and now works as a freelance driver for big spending criminals.  His illicit career survives by strict adherence to rules, but when he breaks two of the rules he finds himself the target of a human trafficking ring.  The plot is simple, but this action film from Luc Besson and Louis Leterrier launched Jason Statham's career as an American action star.  Should you go along for the ride?  Listen to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

It's been 20 years since Roger Corman first made (but never released) the world's first Fantastic Four film, and now we get our fourth.  Gone is the humor of the Tim Story duology; instead, Chronicle director Josh Trank created a grim and gritty version of Marvel's First Family, more based on the Ultimate Comics version than any other. But behind the scenes squabbles and internet gossip led to this movie's record low audience and critic ratings. Can this film be, if not Fantastic, any good at all? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

In Tom Cruise's fifth Mission: Impossible film he finally goes up against the original television series' legendary foe -- The Syndicate.  This evil group of spies and assassins has infiltrated the globe and is prepared to start a revolution.  With the IMF disbanded for dangerous and risky tactics, can Ethan Hunt and his team possibly uncover and stop this Rogue Nation?  And even more risky, can the fifth installment of a series still retain a high level of quality?  Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Tom Cruise's MIF Agent Ethan Hunt is back with a mission to literally stop the end of the world.  Disavowed by his agency, can Ethan stop a madman from launching a nuclear missile?  And do newcomers Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg mix up the Impossible formula?  Join Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

The second phase of Marvel Studios' Cinematic Universe is going out small.  Compared to their other Phase 2 films, the hero is smaller, the budget is smaller, the box office is smaller.  But it's a big moment as comics' final founding Avenger arrives on the big screen.  The film was fraught with production delays and creative changes, but can Marvel prove good things come with small packages?  Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!   {Marvel Series} {Avengers Series} {Comic Book Movies Series} {Ant-Man Series} --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

IMF agent Ethan Hunt has had enough combat.  He wants to settle down, get married, and train new agents instead of going in the field himself.  But when his star pupil is captured by a ruthless arms dealer Hunt gathers a new crew for another globetrotting mission.  Should you choose to accept this third impossible mission?  Join Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

It may have taken 13 years, but Arnold Schwarzenegger is back as the T-800 in his movie series that absolutely will not stop ever -- The Terminator.In the new movie Genisys Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) goes back in time to 1984 to save the life of Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke), but he fins 1984 very different than he expects. Is Kyle's trip back to the future one worth taking? Join Marjorie, Arnie, and Stuart to find out!PLUS - listen to find out how you can win some Terminator collectibles! Contest ends July 15, 2015! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Tom Cruise's character Agent Ethan Hunt has a new mission - stop a rogue IMF agent from releasing a deadly biological weapon -- and protect the woman he loves.  With John Woo in the director's chair, this film is sure to have some slow motion action and doves flying, but should you choose this second impossible mission?  Join Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Mission: Impossible was a smash hit TV series in the 1960s and 70s, and it even had a revival in the late 80s.  But in the 90s, producer and star Tom Cruise tried to do the impossible:  create a hit movie franchise based on an old TV show.  Many shows have tried to become films, but few have succeeded.  Yet with noted director Brian De Palma behind the camera, a bevy of stunt work, and Cruise on the poster, this film had a better chance than most.  Should you choose to accept this first impossible mission?  Join Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

It's like a riddle:  When does Chapter 3 come before Chapter 1?  When it's an Insidious sequel!  The new film may be titled Insidious: Chapter 3 but the film is actually a prequel to the original film.  Were you interested how Tucker and Specs met Elise?  Or what the Bride in Black did before harassing the Lambert family?  It's all in Chapter 3, with a background story of a new demon trying to kill a high school girl.  Is this an essential chapter in the Insidious story?  Join Marjorie, Stuart, and Arnie to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Firestarter: Rekindled has Malcolm McDowell and Dennis Hopper starring in a movie based on the works of Stephen King!  If this movie came out in 1982 it may have had the star power, and budget, to be a true classic.  But Rekindled didn't come out when those actors' star power was at its peak, it was made in 2002 as an original Sci-Fi Channel two part miniseries.  Does this story of Charlie's next battle against The Shop keep with King's original vision?  Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

In 1984 Stephen King had been given the moniker "The King of Horror."  Movies on his books had more hits than misses, and his every novel was a bestseller, including the tale of a pyrokinetic girl hunted by government agents -- Firestarter!  The heat from that book drew star Drew Barrymore, fresh off her role in the highest-grossing film of all time, E.T.,  With these two names combined, did the movie spark?  Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support

Warning: This podcast deals with a movie that has no plot, hammy acting, and a hack script we wouldn't want to wipe our asses with. It's not even funny bad, it's just a boring, miserable watching experience. We want no one to give this film a penny by paying for the rental. We appreciate you listeners enough to tell you this up front - you really don't need to watch this film. And if you want to hear why - join Arnie, Stuart, and Marjorie for this podcast review. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/support