Gobbledygeek

Ridley Scott's Prometheus opened earlier this month and has generated some nerd controversy with its Alien overtones, questionable character motivations, and general ambiguity. Paul and AJ discuss everything they liked about the film (it's gorgeous!), everything they didn't ("Yes...father"), and Paul contemplates as many of the film's big questions as he can before AJ loses interest. Plus, the boys discuss the other Alien films, read an e-mail, and actually get asked a Formspring question for the first time in like a century.   Next: something to do with music. We'd like to say we're just playing coy, but we honestly have no idea.

That's right, gobblers. 100 episodes. Who'da thunk it? Not us, that's for sure. If you're a long-time fan of the show, we've got a nice trip down memory lane for you, and if you're new to our ridiculousness, this is a great primer/history lesson/greatest hits CD. The boys play snippets from various episodes throughout the show's run, going all the way back to our extremely painful first episode. These things used to be three hours long! And live! Wow. You'll also hear some of Paul's finest rants, the boys attempting to tackle the issue of feminism in pop culture, AJ's fascination with dinosaur-on-dinosaur erotica, and our chats with guests like K. Dale Koontz and Ernie Cline. Plus, some old friends drop by to share their thoughts on the show.

It had to happen sooner or later: the boys discuss John Carter. Do you, like Paul, feel that the film has been unfairly derided and that the media has latched onto its financial failure with too much glee? Or, like AJ, do you feel the film is terrible, filled with dead air, and populated with cardboard characters? Unless you're looking for someone to be in the rational middle, you'll find someone in your corner! Why does Paul like it and why does AJ hate it? The boys try to get to the center of the problem, and may or may not wind up psychoanalyzing one another in the process. Plus, Paul gives his thoughts on the first issue of Before Watchmen: Minutemen and AJ reveals his latest paranoid episode.   Next: unbelievably, we have reached 100 episodes. Tune in for a trip down memory lane with the best (and maybe some of the worst) of Gobbledygeek.

Hoo boy. Memorial Day musta done something to the boys; they barely remember how to run the show (if they ever knew). But they've lazed and stumbled through another episode, all for your listening pleasure! This week, they face another Geek Challenge: Paul has challenged AJ to watch What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and in turn, AJ has challenged Paul to watch The Royal Tenenbaums. Both films are about dysfunctional families trying to reach beyond their ways, which they are very much set in. They're different films, but it kind of works. One finds ennui in a small rural town; the other, in the sprawling New York home of a special family. One has Johnny Depp back when he was still trying, the other Gene Hackman pre-retirement. And at more than one point, a throwdown threatens to break out. Plus, AJ talks about Dan Harmon's firing from Community and his first-ever camping trip; and Paul speaks on Snow White and the Huntsman and the first annual Alabama Phoenix Fest.   Next: John Carter. Prepare for bloodshed.

Memorial Day is next weekend, so to get in the spirit, the boys have come up with a list of the Official Gobbledygeek Top 5 War Movies. Without giving too much away, we'll say there are a couple Spielbergs in there along with a couple others that are alternately meditative, pulpy, and batshit insane. Which, you know, war. Plus, Paul and AJ spout off about The Avengers some more, as both are baffled by a simple point that numerous critics have failed to grasp; and Paul mentions the Alabama Phoenix Festival, at which he'll be appearing on a few panels from May 25-27. Check it out!   Next: the boys have decided to slack off or Memorial Day, so no show next weekend. When we come back, there will be a Geek Challenge! In the meantime, grill some hamburgers and hot dogs for us.

This week, Paul and AJ are honored to sit down with Ernie Cline, author of the New York Times bestselling science fiction novel Ready Player One, which arrives in paperback on June 5. The three of them have a pretty epic geek-out session. Oh, they talk about the book, too. Ernie discusses his inspiration for writing Ready Player One, what the future holds for the film adaptation, his brutal experience writing the movie Fanboys, and the many virtues of the Alamo Drafthouse. Ernie also mentions how much The Avengers rocked his world, so after the interview, Paul and AJ obsess some more over the movie, its nooks, and its crannies (hint: mirrors!).   Next: The boys get in the Memorial Day spirit by talking about their favorite war movies. They love the smell of napalm in the morning.

It's here. It's finally, really, actually here. The Avengers is in theaters. Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk assemble into one giant superhero-palooza under the watchful eye of Joss Whedon. We hope it doesn't spoil the episode very much if we say that the film more than lives up to our expectations. Paul and AJ discuss the film's impressive structure, the insane giddiness of watching our heroes rumble with one another, and what Joss Whedon puts these iconic characters through. Among other things. There's a lot of talking going on; there kind of had to be. Plus, the boys pay tribute to Adam "MCA" Yauch.   Next: Paul and AJ sit down with Ready Player One author Ernest Cline.

Get out your surfboards and bikinis, boys and girls! Hollywood's gearing up for its summer movie season, so Paul and AJ discuss the 10 movies they're most looking forward to, four mutual picks and three solo choices apiece. We cover everything from superhero fare like The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises to quirky independents like Moonrise Kingdom and Safety Not Guaranteed. Plus, AJ talks about seeing Casablanca on the big screen, Paul heaps praise on the comics Saga and Prophet, and a retraction is issued in regards to Girls.   Next: So, hey, The Avengers? Yeah, we're gonna talk about that.

Last month, Paul and AJ recorded a commentary track for Jurassic Park. Now, with The Avengers on its way, they decided to blab all over Jon Favreau's instant classic superhero film Iron Man. Things that occur: Paul and AJ confess relative ignorance of Iron Man's comic book adventures; AJ professes his desire to marry Pepper Potts; Paul admires Jeff Bridges' beardliness; and much--too much?--Tony/Rhodey slash is read. Really. That happens. Several times.Like last time, we give you some time to set up your DVD/Blu-ray, so you can go ahead and start the commentary before you start the movie.

There's been a disturbance in the Force...and that's only the tip of the iceberg! Well, after that peach of a sentence, we're about to be dragged offstage, so really quickly: AJ likes Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace; Paul likes Titanic. Paul hates Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace; AJ hates Titanic. FIGHT! Well, it's actually a lot more civil than that, but yes, arguments are had, rants are ranted, bile is spewed. Plus, they also have a fundamental disagreement over the new HBO series Girls, so, you know, more fighting and stuff.   Next: It's that time again...the Gobbledygeek Summer Movie Preview!

Calling all jocks, nerds, sluts, virgins, and stoners: there's a certain cabin you might want to take a trip to. Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard's long-delayed The Cabin in the Woods is finally in theaters this weekend, and Paul and AJ offer up their thoughts. We know the movie isn't just about kids going to a cabin and getting sliced and diced, but how much can we say here without pissing off the Internet? As far as that goes, in lieu of a witty banter portion, we discuss our NON-SPOILERY thoughts on the film up top before getting into a SPOILERY discussion. So, yeah. It's a barrel o' laughs, there's some arguing, and lots of affection for certain cast members. Why don't you go ahead and walk down into that dark cellar?   Next: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Titanic were both recently released in 3D. Both of our hosts enjoy one of these movies, and both of them also hate the other one of those movies. Expect fistfights and the death of a friendship.

It's Geek Challenge time! Paul has challenged AJ to Real Genius, and in turn, AJ has challenged Paul to Donnie Darko. Our two challenges this time may seem wildly different in terms of plot and tone, but they're really not that dissimilar: Both take place in the '80s, both are centered around "extraordinary" young men, both feature schools which are important to the story, and both ensure that Tears for Fears will keep receiving those royalty checks for a good long while. As far as the boys' discussion is concerned, things are going pretty well until they're not. Plus, Paul and AJ rave about the Game of Thrones season premiere.   Next week: It's real! The Cabin in the Woods exists!

Atten-SHUN! It's the last week of Tarantino Month, so that means one thing, and one thing only: we're here to discuss Inglourious Basterds, Tarantino's charmingly misspelled WWII epic. Points of interest for the boys include Brad Pitt's ridiculous accent, the puzzling nature of Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa, the film's Spaghetti Western stylings, the greatness of Mélanie Laurent, and what Tarantino has to say about the power of cinema. Plus, AJ recounts his Lez Zeppelin experience and Paul has a few extra thoughts about The Hunger Games.   Next: The Geek Challenge returns when AJ challenges Paul to Donnie Darko, and Paul retorts with Real Genius.

For the penultimate installment of Tarantino Month, the boys set their high-beams on 2007's Death Proof. Thrill! as they discuss Kurt Russell's magnificent creepiness as the psychotic Stuntman Mike. Contemplate! as they analyze the film's subversion of slasher movie tropes. Ponder! as they explore the rape-y aspects of Death Proof and even Kill Bill, and what that means in the context of stories about strong women. Plus, Paul rants about spoilerphobes and the lie Fandango (quite literally) sold him; and, with a rueful, barely-functioning heart, AJ explains how he came into contact with a deep-fried Twinkie and lived to tell the tale.   Next: Tarantino Month comes to a close with the WWII revenge fantasy Inglourious Basterds.

After seeing The Hunger Games at midnight, Paul and AJ recorded their thoughts...not all of which are positive. Jennifer Lawrence makes for a good Katniss, but how does the movie stack up to the book? Was there a way around some of the film's narrative pitfalls? And just what in the fuck is up with that camerawork? (Yes, friends and Gobblers, that means Paul goes on another shakycam rant. And it is glorious.)

It's Week Three of Tarantino Month, and that can only mean one thing. Put on your Kangol hat, grab your Raptor bag, and grow some whack-ass facial hair, because it's Jackie Brown time. Paul and AJ wax rhapsodic about Pam Grier's badassitude, the mysterious cool of Robert Forster, the brilliant build-up to a perfect pay-off, and of how this might have been the last time Robert De Niro actually cared about acting. Plus, AJ describes the extreme elation and subsequent torture he put himself through by following a big-screen viewing of The Godfather with two Twilight movies; and Paul lambastes the media's coverage of John Carter.   Next: Rev your engines, boys and girls. Tarantino Month speeds along with Death Proof.

It's week two of Tarantino Month, so the boys discuss the big one: Pulp Fiction, the film that rekindled or launched a thousand careers. What's in the briefcase? Is Butch a true American patriot? What would have become of Vincent and Mia if things had gone a little differently? Did Reservoir Dogs' Mr. Pink survive to become Buddy Holly the waiter? Paul and AJ tackle these questions and more in discussing one of their all-time favorite films. Plus, AJ discusses Ben & Arthur, the worst movie he's ever seen; and Paul details how he amazingly tried to make his zoo visitors happy.   Next: Tarantino Month continues with a look at 1997's Jackie Brown.

Boy, Paul and AJ sure are branching out, aren’t they? If interviews and 30-second specials weren’t enough for you, get ready to be thrilled and amazed by the boys’ first-ever commentary track! Born out of a whim to take up even more of your time, the guys decided to hunker down with a copy of Steven Spielberg’s mega-hit Jurassic Park and proffer their thoughts, musings, and ridiculous opinions on the film. Things they learned in the making of said commentary: you probably don’t want to live-feed dinosaurs; Jeff Goldblum’s exposed chest hairs get a lot of screen time; those short shorts look swell on Laura Dern, but not so much Bob Peck; and goddamn, what a great logo. I mean, there are other things, too, but it’s mostly about Jeff Goldblum’s pecs. So, enjoy!   If you enjoy this commentary and would like to hear more of them, drop us a line at gobbledygeek@yahoo.com or leave a comment on this here post. Which films would our voices enrich? Do you ever want to hear from us ever again after this? Let us know!

Are you gonna bark all day, little doggy, or are you gonna bite...and/or listen to us babble about Reservoir Dogs for the first entry of Tarantino Month here at Gobbledygeek? In covering Quentin Tarantino's first feature, we discuss the film's ingenious construction; Michael Madsen's disturbing performance as Mr. Blonde; why AJ thought he might go to hell after watching it for the first time; how it inspired a multitude of copycats; and why none of its imitators have ever been able to rival the real thing. Plus, the boys geek out over the Avengers trailer, Paul brags about a little somethin', and a revelation is revelated!   Next: Tarantino Month continues with a look at the big bang of '90s film, Pulp Fiction.

As you may have heard, the Oscars were tonight. The body isn't even cold yet, but Paul and AJ are here on the scene with their barely coherent criticisms, crammed into 30 seconds!