GeekScholars Movie News

Super fun episode this week, as the GeekScholars Movie News podcast asks its hosts to recast the iconic 1999 science-fiction hit, The Matrix. Hear the crew's picks on who would they would choose to play Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity, should the film be made today (as well as Lauren's pick of who recast it best). As always, if you're a fan of the Casting Challenge Competition segment, check out our friends over at FillThePart.com, where you can play the game online! In terms of headlines, the GeekScholars give lots of background on several news items, including the film adaptation of the young adult novel, Divergent, a new Dracula movie focusing on the vampire's origins, and the rumors surrounding Black Panther's appearance in The Avengers 2, and who might be playing him. The show caps off with Preview Reviews where the hosts give their grades for and thoughts on the trailers for Elysium, The Way Way Back, and Rush.

Lots of interesting discussion on this week's episode of the GeekScholars Movie News podcast. The hosts kick things off talking about Robert Redford's upcoming movies, including an adaptation of Bill Bryson's bestseller A Walk in the Woods, and his involvement in Captain America: The Winter Soldier as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. From there, the GeekScholars discuss Zoe Saldana testing as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, Matthew McConaughey joining Christopher Nolan's Interstellar, and Tim Burton's Margaret Keane biography, Big Eyes, which will star Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz. Also, from a great a question from a fan, the hosts muse about which movie they would pick to watch for the rest of their lives, if they could only choose one. Finally, the show concludes with a big wave of Preview Reviews as the hosts discuss and grade the latest trailers for: Grown Ups 2, The English Teacher, The Purge, And Now a Word From Our Sponsor, Only God Forgives, and This is the End.

Welcome to April! On this episode of the GeekScholars Movie News podcast, as they always do, the hosts run down all of the biggest movies coming out this month, including their personal hype scores, and their predictions for how well each movie will fare on Rotten Tomatoes. Looking back at their March 2013 predictions, the GeekScholars were back in form, with their guesses being, on average, only off by +/- 6 points on Rotten Tomatoes! So, how will April stack up? Find out by listening in to their thoughts on: Evil Dead, Trance, Oblivion, 42, Scary Movie V, Pain & Gain, The Big Wedding, and Mud! Also in this episodes, the crew weighs in on the news that a Tomb Raider reboot is on the way (along with some thoughts on should play Lara Croft), and a discussing the four relative no-name actors who are set to play the green heroes in Ninja Turtles. Finally, the show concludes with some trailer grades and analyses during Preview Reviews for The Wolverine, and 2 Guns, starring Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington.

It's been a slooooow news week, so on this episode of the GeekScholars Movie News podcast, the crew begin by playing one of their favorite games— 'Never Tell Me the Odds'. The hosts weigh in on the probability that: old Jurassic Park characters return for Part IV, the Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool movie gets made, and that The Rock gets a Fast and Furious spin off movie and/or he appears in Star Wars: Episode VII (which he's been campaigning for). There's also a new installment of 'Either/Or', with the theme this time around focusing on U.S. Presidents in film. How do you choose between Paul Giamatti's John Adams and Daniel Day Lewis' Lincoln? Which president could kick more ass— Harrison Ford in Air Force One, or Bill Pullman in Independence Day? And did Michael Douglas play a more loveable commander-in-chief in The American President over Kevin Kline's Dave? Listen in to the debates and weigh in with your own thoughts! Finally, Fox and Jill weigh in with their spoiler-free review of Olympus Has Fallen.

This week's episode of the GeekScholars Movie News podcast kicks off by covering the big headlines, particularly Colin Treverrow directing Jurassic Park 4, and the Veronica Mars movie being completely fan-funded thanks to Kickstarter, but each topic dives into some deeper issues and discussion. Does the Jurassic Park franchise have any place left to go? Is it a good idea to hand over such a big franchise to a relatively untested director? And in terms of Veronica Mars— is budget outsourcing from fans the new paradigm? What are the pros and cons of that? After tackling all of that, the hosts introduce a new entry into their Unsung Heroes series, highlighting the work of writer/director Shane Black, whom soon many will know as the man behind Iron Man 3, as well Allison Janney of The West Wing, and Juno, and Boardwalk Empire's Kelly MacDonald, who recently appeared as Helena Ravenclaw in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and lent her voice to Merida in Brave. The show caps off with Preview Reviews and the hosts' grades for the first trailers for The Hangover: Part III, and Kick-Ass 2.

Coming to you straight the 2013 South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, the GeekScholars Movie News podcast has reviews from the biggest premieres, and conversations with the top talent, including Mud - a drama about a man hiding on an island who befriends two young boys, complete with exclusive interviews with star Matthew McConaughey, and writer/ director Jeff Nichols Rewind This! - a documentary about the rise of the VHS cassette tape. Don Jon- The comedic story of Jon, a New Jersey man who loves women, and pornography, a whole lot, complete with exclusive interviews with writer/ director/ star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tony Danza, and Brie Larson

Coming to you straight the 2013 South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, the GeekScholars Movie News podcast has reviews from the biggest premieres, and conversations with the top talent, including Much Ado About Nothing - Joss Whedon's modern adaptation of Shakespeare's hilarious comedy about fools in love, complete with exclusive interviews with Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, Amy Acker, and Alexis Denisof The Incredible Burt Wonderstone - a comedy about rival magicians starring Steve Carell, Jim Carrey and Steve Buschemi Before Midnight - Richard Linklater's latest chapter about a chance romantic encounter between two kindred souls, complete with an exclusive interview with writer/ director Richard Linklater

The GeekScholars Movie News podcast kicks off a special week of mini-episodes with a fantastic exclusive interview with Eisner Award nominee and Xeric Award-winning comic book writer and artist, Kevin Colden. Colden currently serves as one of the main writers on the latest arc for The Crow, and the conversation starts there, with his thoughts on the potential upcoming movie reboot of The Crow, as well as Colden's thoughts on who might be cast in the lead role. From there, Colden expands more on the process of how comic book movies make it from page to screen, his thoughts on filmmakers altering the source material, and his favorite comic book movies to date. Finally, Colden weighs on several upcoming projects including Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Man of Steel, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and where he'd like to see the Batman franchise go next. It's an interesting and insightful interview that any fans of comic book movies should definitely take a listen to. If you want to learn more about Kevin Colden, and his work, you can follow him on Twitter @KevinColden, or check out his website, www.kevincolden.com.

In honor of Oz the Great and Powerful coming to the big screen this week, the crew of the GeekScholars Movie News podcast hold another Casting Competition Challenge, recasting the iconic 1939 The Wizard of Oz, including the roles for Dorothy Gale, The Scarecrow, and The Wicked Witch of the West. Honestly, the whole thing gets hilariously out-of-control as the hosts blast each other picks. Also, if you're a fan of the GeekScholars Casting Competition Challenge (and c'mon, who isn't?), then you must visit our friends at Fill the Part, which is essentially our segment, but where everyone can play. Vote on your favorite actors and/or actresses to play old roles in the movies you love, or submit picks of your own! In terms of headlines, it's most sequel news this week as the GeekScholars discuss Chris Cooper signing on to play Norman Osborne in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Halle Berry on playing Storm in X-Men: Days of Future Past, and rumblings about Super Troopers 2. To top things off, the hosts review and grade the first trailer for Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.

Well, another awards season has come and gone, culminating with 85th Annual Academy Awards, which recently bestowed its honors to many happy recipients. So, on to begin this episode of the GeekScholars Movie News podcast, the hosts weigh in on some of their favorite moments from the 2013 Oscars, including which picks surprised them, as well as what worked and what didn't work in trying to make the long ceremony entertaining. After that, the GeekScholars discuss the news that composer John Williams has publicly said that he wants to score Star Wars: Episode VII (but will he be J.J. Abrams' choice?), and Megan Fox has been cast in the Ninja Turtles reboot, presumably as reporter April O'Neil. Finally, the crew takes a look at all the blockbusters coming out in March 2013, with their Monthly Preview, including their personal hype scores and Rotten Tomatoes predictions for: Jack the Giant Slayer, Stoker, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Call, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, Olympus Has Fallen, The Croods, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and The Host.

Of course this week's episode of the GeekScholars Movie News podcast begins with more Star Wars: Episode VII news, since it appears that Harrison Ford is the first almost-nearly-probably confirmed actor to appear in the sequel, as Han Solo. The hosts also discuss the news that Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage has joined X-Men: Days of Future Past as the primary antagonist, and a sequel to Oliver Twist appears to the be in the works. Also, since we're coming up fast on the 85th Annual Academy Awards, the crew plays 'Either/Or' with some of the best and worst moments and snubs from Oscar history, which naturally causes some fun, passionate disagreements among the hosts. Because, really, how can you choose between Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Robert Benigni? Or Jack Palance versus Sally Field? From there, the GeekScholars engage in a little reviewing, with Preview Reviews for The Numbers Station and The Internship, followed up with some thoughts on the critic-battered A Good Day to Die Hard.

What an AMAZING week to be a movie geek. The GeekScholars Movie News podcast is covering all the fantastic headlines this week, starting with the news that stand-alone Star Wars films featuring Han Solo, Boba Fett, and maybe even Yoda are in the works. Listen in as the hosts discuss what plot lines (if any) they'd like to see on the big screen, and should possibly play some of these iconic roles. From there, the GeekScholars discuss J.J. Abrams' (as if he wasn't busy enough) plans to bring Valve's incredible video game library to the big screen, possibly including Portal and/or Half-Life (along with some casting suggestion), The Hulk's potentially prominent role in Marvel's Cinematic Universe in Phase 3, Chris Pratt winning the role of Peter Quill aka Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, and Paul Walker's willingness to shave his head to play the new lead in a Hitman adaptation, this time being called Agent 47. Whew! The crew, after thoroughly geeking out from the above headlines, close out the show with a Preview Review of Fast and Furious 6.

We have a great episode of the GeekScholars Movie News podcast for you this week! The crew kick things off by talking about the rumor that Paul Giamatti is in negotiations to play the villainous Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man 2! Other headlines discussed include the newly completed cast for Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, the potential World of Warcraft movie gaining steam by getting a director, Bradley Cooper's next films, and Benedict Cumberbatch replacing Leonardo DiCaprio in The Imitation Game. Also on this show, the GeekScholars host another installment of 'Where Are They Now?', seeking out the latest happenings from former film stars. Included in this week's episode are insights into the lives of Peter Billingsley, Macaulay Culkin, Thora Birch, and Ashley Judd. Finally, the crew close things out with a spoiler-free review of Warm Bodies. Enjoy!

It's been an exciting past couple of days, so of course this week's episode of the GeekScholars Movie News podcast begins with a discussion surrounding J.J. Abrams being named the director of Star Wars: Episode 7! The crew then also talk about: the new Lance Armstrong biopic that's in the works (as well as who may play the famed cyclist), Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler's potential involvement with Guardians of the Galaxy, and Schwarzenegger's role in Terminator 5. From there, the GeekScholars discuss the movies coming out in February 2013, giving their hype scores and Rotten Tomatoes predictions for: Warm Bodies, Bullet to the Head, Stand Up Guys, Identity Thief, Side Effects, A Good Day to Die Hard, Beautiful Creatures, and Snitch. Finally, the crew rounds things out with a pair of Previews Reviews, giving their grades to the first trailers for Olympus Has Fallen and Inside Llewyn Davis, the latest film from the Coen Brothers.

On this week's episode of the GeekScholars Movie News podcast, the crew announces their final round of the 2012 GeekScholars Movie News Awards, by revealing their winners for: Best Trailer, Funniest Movie, Prettiest Movie, and each of the hosts' Top 5 Films of 2012. Before all that though, the GeekScholars discuss the latest movie headlines making the rounds, including: Bradley Cooper in the pre-World War I crime thriller Dark Invasion, a possible remake of Ben-Hur, Hot Tub Time Machine 2, and Brian DePalma being named the director of the Al Pacino-led biography of Joe Paterno, now being called Happy Valley. Also, it's been far too long since the GeekScholars conducted a Casting Competition Challenge, so to honor Arnold Schwarzenegger's return to the big screen with The Last Stand, listen in to their picks for recasting Terminator 2: Judgement Day. And finally, the crew runs through a whole bunch of Preview Reviews, giving their grading the trailers for: Mud, Spring Breakers, Emperor, and Red 2.