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Three playful movie reviewers break down a variety of film franchises by dedicating a podcast to every single sequel, reboot, and spin-off in a series. In-depth conversations cover production history, literary sources, gossip, merchandising, and personal opinion with humor and critical insight. No cinematic universe is too obscure or sacred! Over 1,200 reviews at http://nowplayingpodcast.com
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It took fifteen years of development, but now the World's Finest heroes are together on screen with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Can the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel share the screen? The box office was big but the audience divided. Now join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob for this review to find out!
Watchmen was an acclaimed '80s comic series. It helped legitimize comics as a literary medium, and remained a bestseller for over 20 years. Yet with its complex, nonlinear narrative, all attempts to adapt it to film had failed to launch. But in 2009 director Sack Snyder, fresh off his success on 300, used the same visual style to bring Watchmen to theaters. The result was not as highly-praised as the graphic novel, but is it worth a watch? Join Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart as they review the film version of Watchmen, including a comparison of all three different cuts released!
After the success of the X-Men superhero properties were in demand. But before hero teams like Justice League, Watchmen, and Avengers could assemble, there was The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Sean Connery's Allan Quatermain leads a cadre of literary figures including Tom Sawyer, Dr. Jeckyll, The Invisible Man, and others. The film's reception, though, was anything but extraordinary with rumors this production ended the careers of both Connery and director Stephen Norrington. Is the film deserved of that reputation? Join our League of Extraordinary Movie Critics to find out!
Created by comic book superstars J Scott Campbell, Jim Lee, and Brandon Choi, Gen 13 was Wildstorm Comics' risque Gen-X version of the X-Men. After only a few years in publication the series' success led to Buena Vista creating this animated feature, starring voice actors Mark Hamill, John de Lancie, John de Lancie, and Flea. But before the movie could see release Wildstorm was bought by DC Comics, and Buena Vista parent company Disney forever shelved this action cartoon. Is this a gem that deserves its day, or a mercy killing a'la Corman's Fantasic Four? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob for this review to find out!
DC has had over 15 years of television dominance. From Smallville to Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl, the heroes of DC Comics have come to life on the small screen. But not every attempt to bring the comics to life succeeded. Birds of Prey was cancelled early, and David E. Kelley's Wonder Woman pilot was never aired at all. Neither was Justice League of America - a 1997 TV movie intended as a pilot for a CBS series. With The Flash, Green Lantern, The Atom, Martian Manhunter, Fire, and Ice sharing the screen, is this a lost gem? Join Now Playing's Super Friends Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!
In 1976 Wonder Woman spun into America's homes on CBS. In 1978 Superman took flight in theaters. So to capitalize on this success Hanna-Barbera brought a live-action Superfriends to TV with Legends of the Superheroes! This TV special was split into two episodes, one an adventure and the other a "roast" of the heroes. But with Adam West and Burt Ward returning to the roles of Batman and Robin, is Legends of the Superheroes a worthy successor to Batman's camp fun? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob with this review to find out!
This show description is guest written by Deadpool. Oh, hello there! Deadpool here. It took ten years but I've finally got my own solo film! Now, I know I'm awesome, but even I'm shocked at how many box office records it broke. I have to give a lot of credit to the marketing, but the movie stars me, so it has to be awesome. The real question, though, is what Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob think. So whatever you're doing -- STOP! You need to just put your life on hold for the next 100 minutes and listen to this show to hear the guys review of my first movie!
Neil Gaiman's Stardust began in 1997 as a DC comic book fairy tale. In 1999 it was then published as an illustrated novel. Finally in 2007 it was adapted to the screen, directed by Matthew Vaughn. This story about a fallen star had its own star power with Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, and Peter O'Toole. Is this yet another Vaughn comic adaptation worth checking out, or should it be burned ashes to ashes, Stardust to Stardust? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out as they return to their DC Comics Retrospective Series!
Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki are highly regarded among anime fans. But none of their previous successes compared to 1997's mythological Princess Mononoke. The film became Japan's top-grossing film of all time. Disney's Miramax Films even commissioned an English translation written by Neil Gaiman, voiced by stars including Claire Danes, Billy Crudup, and Billy Bob Thornton. Now join the Now Playing hosts as they travel into the forest for their first anime movie review!
Drinking game: take a shot every time someone in this podcast references another '80s franchise.
In the 1980s, Masters of the Universe was everywhere. Mattel's toy line filled store shelves, Filmation's cartoon turned He-Man into a household name, and kids across America (including Arnie) raised plastic Power Swords and declared, "I have the power!" Hollywood hoped to cash in on that popularity with a big-screen adventure starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man, Frank Langella as the evil Skeletor, and pre-Friends Courtney Cox (Misfits of Science). What audiences got was something a little different.
Produced on a modest budget and filmed largely on Earth rather than Eternia, Masters of the Universe struggled at the box office and helped bring down Cannon Films. Yet despite its reputation as a failed adaptation, the movie has developed a loyal following over the years. Was it an ambitious fantasy ahead of its time, or just another casualty of the '80s toy-to-movie craze?
Join Arnie, Stuart, and Marjorie as they travel to Eternia and beyond to find out if Masters of the Universe truly has the power.
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