Episode 17 is up in all its stereo-sonic glory.  Get it with iTunes or directly here.

Hey all…

So we had a few drinks…

And mashed up the infamous “Grape Lady” youtube clip with some of the more nastier movie torture scenes…

Here’s the first one: “Grape Lady vs Casino Royale”

embedded by Embedded Video

YouTube DirektGrape Lady vs Casino Royale

More drinks…so more videos soon on the GeekAloud youtube channel.

Yep, it’s true..after hibernating for a silly amount of time, we are back.  Grab the new episode off iTunes now!

Starring

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark

Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts

Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko

Scarlett Johansson as Natalie Rushman/Natasha Romoanoff

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury

Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer

Don Cheadle as Lt. Col. James Rhodes

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I liked it, see it, but I recommend waiting for the DVD/Blu Ray (and then I’d probably make sure I had a few drinks under my belt and a couple more in the fridge before I put it on).

I really liked the first Ironman so I went with high expectations. I think if you start with low expectations, this movie will satisfy.

I don’t particularly like watching robots fight, especially CGI robots. I don’t care how much one can look stronger that the other. They aren’t real and this film certainly didn’t capture my imagination to even care which robot won out in the end.

I didn’t like Tony Stark’s childish relationship problems. Watching him swoon over the ‘hotter’ and ‘younger’ female addition (Rushman/ Romoanoff) for the whole film definitely lessened the tension between him and Pepper to the point where I wished Pepper would just grow some self respect and move on with her life.

The only real laugh out loud part for me wasn’t even intended by the film makers of Ironman 2. It was the introduction of Ironman’s Dad, John Slattery, and only because I love him in “Mad Men” and it was unexpected to see him.

I liked Mickey Rourke and thought he portrayed a particularly dark and nasty villain but mainly because he was the only one who seemed not to take the whole thing very seriously, unlike Samuel L. Jackson, in my opinion.

Now this is very petty but I really don’t like the way in which Ironman flies. He looks dorky with his hands pointed out at right angles to his body. I’m sure it’s a direct comic book technicality but I think it just looks stupid.

Oh and in tune with all the other Marvel movies stick around until after the credits for an extra scene.

***This review supports responsible drinking when you are watching Ironman 2***

You’re In the Movies on XBOX 360 – Released 2009

This physical interactive game allows you to play mini games with up to four people using action and motion gestures to progress through 4 rounds. The games in themselves are pretty fun as you are the main star and they keep your heart rate up. The games are broken up with individual screening tests where you get direction for particular actions and expressions. After 4 long rounds a movie preview is created using your acting from the mini games and screening tests. It is hilarious. The more exaggerated your performance the funnier the preview becomes. The game also keeps score over the rounds and awards the Best Actor at a mock ceremony, so have your acceptance speech ready.  I can’t see this game having a long life span in the rotation of games I play but as it was rescued from a bargain bin for $4 it’s been worth every penny.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2010) 

I’ll start by saying this is a Swedish film (unbeknownst to me upon going to the film) so be up for subtitles. The original released title is “Män som hatar kvinnor” (translated: Men Who Hate Women) and is based on Part 1 of a trilogy written by Stieg Larsson (which I have NOT read).

The film has some very confronting scenes with sexual abuse. It’s not damaging to the narrative, and in fact, strengthens it. I’m in debate about whether I would have seen the film if I’d known about them. I’d like to think I’d overcome my sheltered, fairy tale ending preferences and seen it regardless but in all honesty I just don’t think I would have.

This film is a refreshing murder mystery, not like the CSI kind which I believe is filling our heads with mindless fantasy rather than compelling fiction. But I digress.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s  main characters are an investigative journalist and a female computer hacker attempting to solve  a case where so many have failed before them. It never feels drawn out or padded and the ending manages to tie up all loose ends leaving me feel very satisfied. I believe this to be quite clever as it is part of a trilogy. I hate it when film makers leave too much for the next instalment.

The female lead character, Lisbeth Salander, played by Noomi Rapace, is a disturbed damaged woman and even though some scenes are distressing (for her and for me) seeing her play it out with a champion attitude encourages and inspires me.

Apparently Hollywood will be attempting to remake this (or make it based on the book) and I think that given Hollywood’s reputation (don’t get me wrong I love a good blockbuster) it will be made for a more sensitive audience. Given the basis of the narratives content I am expecting it to be sub-par, compared to this version.

I hate Fieldrunners. (See previous article titled as such) I was playing it very frequently and it made me extremely frustrated. I actually passed Grasslands on Extended Hard (finally). After all my heartache and social isolation, I finally passed it, without losing a life in the process. You would think I would take satisfaction in that. Celebrate my Victory for a while? I didn’t, I moved straight onto Crossroads where I have found myself inevitably stuck again.

I don’t hate Fieldrunners. I LOVE to hate Fieldrunners.

To distract me from my torment I have briefly switched to Plants Vs Zombies on the iphone. This tower defence game has kept me busy AND happy while playing it. You strategically defend your house from Zombies equipped with a variety of Plants. As you progress through the game you unlock a myriad of plants but only have a select number you can take into each level.

I really liked that as it was fun trialling different combinations to combat the different Zombies. You also have a ridiculous number of lawn mowers, as a fall back defence, however if they reach your house the Zombies WILL eat your brains.

It’s actually very comedic and challenging and it has enough variety to keep me wanting more. The final boss battle is hard and worth persisting to defeat to see a catchy and humorous song, about the ordeal, in the credits.

There was no ‘fast’ option which I normally take liberty of in these games. I guess it did give me a chance to practice being patient (something I’m NOT good at). Maybe that’s a good thing.

Date Night (2010)

Starring

Tina Fey (30 Rock)

Steve Carell (40 year Old Virgin)

I loved it. Go see it.

If you can handle seeing Tina Fey playing Liz Lemon married with children then you’ll be OK.

There was also a bit of gossip hubbub as Tina Fey had the scar on her chin airbrushed out for posters for the film (I’m sure it wasn’t actually Fey’s decision) however I think Carell’s face looked airbrushed throughout the whole film to make him look younger. That is just speculation but take a close look for me when you see it. I think you’ll be surprised.

I laughed out loud at several parts.  The credits of the film show several outtakes of scenes where both Fey and Carell use different punch lines to the same gag. Their abilities to improvise in this way lead me to believe the best parts of the film weren’t actually scripted. It’s almost like a big Thank God You’re Here where they put these people in crazy situations and hopefully (fingers crossed) see how funny they can be. They are very funny but I wonder what the film would be like with actors of a different background.

Hang around until the end of the credits too for a little extra improv on a particularly funny scene. It’s great.

Directed by Kevin Smith who directed/Wrote Clerks, Clerks 2, Chasing Amy. etc etc.

Starring Bruce Willis from everything .  Tracy Morgan from 30 Rock.   Sean William Scott from American Pie .  Jason Lee from My name is Earl (and various Kevin Smith films)

I loved it however I think the majority (even the movie going majority) will want to wait for DVD.

I must start with: I love Kevin Smith. He can do me no wrong.

Going in to this film I’d heard very bad things about it, as you usually do going into a Kevin Smith film (except Clerks). I believe this negative publicity is an extremely effective way to promote a film. The only thing better than seeing the best film of the year, is seeing the worst film of the year. They are just better films to talk about. And I must say the more people that hate a Kevin Smith film the more I want to see it. To me it means it is potentially crasser, politically incorrect or just more offensive (and hence, in my opinion, more humorous).

So as this is a Negative Nancy film review and there has already been so much negativity about this film I’m going to tell you what I loved about it.

Cop Out is the first film Smith has Directed without writing it.  I really liked seeing Kevin Smith’s Direction with a bigger budget to see what he is capable of and I really think he’s used the Brooklyn backdrop nicely. I love a white/black detective film and this is definitely one of them, but I’ve noticed Kevin Smith  generally writes with an steady level of humour whereas this film has a few extremely wrong situations or moments of pure hilarity.  I laughed enough to come out very satisfied though.

The best aspect of the partnership between Willis and Morgan is the ongoing cop movie quotes however, I didn’t like was the way they told you where the quote was from right after it. I like the feeling of being on an inside joke when you know something like that and they didn’t give the audience time to enjoy that. The idea of cops really doing that is pretty funny in itself though.

The soundtrack to this film is also amazing. There are some real blasts from the past and the Spanish version of ‘Insane in the Brain’ by Cypress Hill was an interesting treat.

So I have finished all 3 levels of Field Runners on Medium including Classic and Extended, without letting any of those little buggers though.  I’m not saying it was easy, I got a whole lot of satisfaction from the VICTORY at the end of each level however it only gave me confidence to move on and begin on Hard. I thought I won’t bother with Hard Classic so I’ve moved straight onto Extended.

I only play Grasslands Extended on Hard and as soon as ONE guy gets through I restart the level.  I have been stuck on it for over 3 months now and the updated social games have not distracted me.

Up until very recently I have only been getting to level 20-30, using various methods. Some borderline cheating I’d say but today I’ve had a break through, a new technique where I can get to level 60 no problems.

I got to level 63, no sweat, 65 no worries. I even got to level 75!

But alas I have not even reached the seemingly impossible 100. Oh what a day when I do. I imagine there will be confetti and trumpets and people cheering at my victory. Then and only then can I put the game away for good. I hope that day comes soon.