Friday, December 30, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 89: AFTER ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY



So this episode was supposed to be up last week, but hard times befell the audio file for the episode. But fear not! This week we have all the ROGUE ONE goodness you could ask for and hopefully you still care! Ryan and MJ are joined once again by Corey Tindall for an excellent discussion about the film, what they've been watching, and some thoughts on the passing of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Also, Corey and MJ try not to veer into a separate conversation about the incredible LA LA LAND

Thursday, December 15, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW PODCAST EPISODE 88: BEFORE ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY



This week, The Before and After Show welcomes Corey Tindall back to the mix! Corey joins Ryan and MJ to talk about the latest film in the STAR WARS universe, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. It's a sprawling conversation about re-shoots, studio involvement, expanded universes, and much more! But also they talk about what they've been watching. And, since Spider-Man is Corey's all-time favorite superhero, they dedicate some time to discussing the SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING trailer. It's a good one! Check it out below!

Thursday, December 8, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW PODCAST 87: AFTER BLOOD FATHER



And we're back! This week, Ryan and MJ circle the wagons around BLOOD FATHER starring Mel Gibson! They also discuss what they've been watching, including MJ's 4-hour tour of the history of hip-hop! They also take time to visit their newest segment, Top 5! This Top 5 is about their favorite comeback stories in history. This list was not bound simply to movies, but any instance of an underdog or someone they had written off coming back from behind!

Friday, December 2, 2016

Whiplash Movie Review -- The Before and After Show

This week Corey Tindall takes a break from gameSPACE to tackle some movie reviews. In anticipation for Damien Chazelle's newest film La La Land, Corey reviews Damien Chazelle's breakout film from 2014, Whiplash!

Thursday, December 1, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW PODCAST EPISODE 86: BEFORE BLOOD FATHER



Ryan Buell is back this week to discuss Mel Gibson! The guys take a deep dive to discuss Mel's career and legacy, warts and all. They also talk about what they've been watching, including discovering that everyone seems to be watching 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU on Netflix!

Monday, November 28, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW PODCAST EPISODE 85: AFTER FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM



This week, MJ is joined by Hannah Tindall and Alicia Hawks to discuss their final thoughts on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as well as what they've been watching!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Top 10 Wii U Games --gameSPACE

Recently Nintendo announced they would be halting production of the Wii U, probably to begin preparation for their next console the Nintendo Switch. With this news the gaming community sadly says bye to eighth generation Nintendo console the Wii U. Today on gameSPACE, Corey Tindall counts down his top 10 Wii U games and discusses why you should check them out!

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Pokémon 20th Anniversary and Personal Retrospective --gameSPACE

With the release of Pokémon Sun and Moon, the Pokémon franchise celebrates its 7th generation of games on handheld consoles and its 20th Anniversary! On this episode of gameSPACE, Corey Tindall shares some personal memories of Pokémon and discusses why the long running franchise is so important in the video game industry.

Friday, November 18, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW PODCAST EPISODE #84: BEFORE FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM



This week, MJ is joined by Alicia Bean Hawks and Hannah Tindall as they dig deep deep deep into Harry Potter fandom and discuss their expectations for the latest Harry Potter Universe film, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND them. The episode also begins with Alicia and Hannah proving their cred over a discussion about HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD. Also, Corey Tindall and MJ hop into the wayback machine for a near-lost installment of The Before and After Show Film School! Check it!

Thursday, November 10, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 83: AFTER DOCTOR STRANGE



This week, Ryan and MJ step back into the Sanctum Santorum to discuss their final thoughts with Marvel's latest hero, DOCTOR STRANGE! They also introduce a new segment called Top 5, and talk about FRASIER, ROSEMARY'S BABY, and Dana Carvey's latest stand-up special! Check it below and be sure to let us know what you thought of DOCTOR STRANGE!

Thursday, November 3, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW: EPSIODE 82: BEFORE DOCTOR STRANGE



This week, Ryan and MJ enter the Sanctum Santorum and learn about the mystical side of the Marvel Universe! They discuss the state of comic book movies, how Benedict Cumberbatch's name fits perfectly into the Nickelback song Photograph, and just what they expect out of DOCTOR STRANGE! Conjure it below!

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Scary Video Games --gameSPACE

In honor of Halloween on this episode of gameSPACE, Corey Tindall discusses what makes a good scary video and shares about three of his favorite horror/scary games: Resident Evil 4, Five Nights at Freddy's and Silent Hill: Shattered Memories!

Thursday, October 27, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 81: AFTER JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK



Guess who's back? Back again. Reacher's back. Should you tell a friend? Find out on this week's episode as Ryan and MJ talk about their final thoughts regarding JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK. They also talk about FINAL FANTASY, Christopher Guest's latest, and just why OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL works! Check it below!

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Nintendo Switch Revealed!! -- gameSPACE

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!
This week on gameSPACE, Corey Tindall reacts and recounts his thoughts on the long awaited reveal of Nintendo's next gen console formerly code named the "NX" but now confirmed as the Nintendo Switch! Corey also shares why he thinks this is great marketing for Nintendo and why he thinks this console-handheld gaming hybrid could sell well in the future!
 

Monday, October 24, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 80: BEFORE JACK REACHER NEVER GO BACk



The punches keep coming as Ryan and MJ settle in to talk about the latest Tom Cruise vehicle, JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK! They talk about their expectations for the film, the state of action movies, and just what makes Tom Cruise so watchable! Also, Corey joins MJ to talk about sound design and its role in film/television at The Before and After Show Film School. Buckle up!

Friday, October 14, 2016

Gameplay vs Narrative & Aesthetics -- gameSPACE

This week on gameSPACE Corey Tindall tackles a long disputed argument among gamers and developers in the gaming industry: Gameplay vs Aesthetics. Which one is more important and why should we as gamers care?!

Thursday, October 13, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 79: AFTER MS. PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN



This week, MJ and Ryan convene to talk about Tim Burton's latest film, MS. PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN and whether or not it met or exceeded their expectations. Ryan also talks about SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, which leads to MJ gushing about Spielberg, but you already knew that. Also, they guys break down the slew of trailers that came out during New York Comic-Con, including the trailer for everyone's favorite "retired" hit man, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2!

Friday, October 7, 2016

Playstation 4 Pro and the Future of Gaming --gameSPACE

Today on gameSPACE Corey Tindall talks about the Sony Playstation 4 Pro and why he thinks its release marks a pivotal point in the gaming industry and the eighth console generation!

Thursday, October 6, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 78: BEFORE MS. PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN



Get ready for a super-sized episode of The Before and After Show! This week, Ryan and MJ sit down and discuss what drives people into subcultures and how MJ's 30 ROCK re-watch is going. Then, Corey Tindall joins MJ to talk about D.W. Griffith's sprawling (and racist) epic, THE BIRTH OF A NATION. After that, Ryan and MJ chat about their expectations for the latest Tim Burton film, MS. PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN. The conversation runs the gamut from somber to silly, so check it out!

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Yooka-Laylee and 3D Platforming Games -- gameSPACE

This week on gameSPACE, Corey Tindall takes a look at Playtonic's upcoming game Yooka-Laylee; a spiritual successor to games like Banjo-Kazooie from the era of the 3D platformer genre. Corey shares some history behind 3D platforming games and discusses why he thinks the genre is making a comeback in 2016 and 2017!

Friday, September 30, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 77: AFTER THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016)



This week, Ryan and MJ get together to talk about their final thoughts on Antoine Fuqua's THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016) starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Peter Saarsgard! They also talk about WARCRAFT and RAIDERS!: THE STORY OF THE GREATEST FAN FILM EVER MADE. Check it out below!

Friday, September 23, 2016

Why Is Zelda:Breath of the Wild so Important? -- gameSPACE

The gaming community and internet is anticipating the release of Nintendo's newest Zelda game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild slated for 2017. In the midst of all the excitement, Corey shares a couple reasons why this Zelda game is so important for Nintendo and the gaming industry at large.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 76: BEFORE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016)



Another week, another podcast! This week, MJ and Ryan gather together to talk about the latest movie from Antoine Fuqua, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016)! It leads to a good conversation about cultural storytelling, how people need community, and just how great Denzel is! The duo also discuss what they've been watching (hint: The Beatles are involved) and Corey Tindall joins MJ for a super-sized installment of The Before and After Show Film School as they talk about the 1915 silent epic BIRTH OF A NATION. Yes, that BIRTH OF A NATION. Give it a listen, below!

Friday, September 16, 2016

Super Mario Run, Apple, and Nintendo -- gameSPACE

Nintendo showed up at Apple's 2016 keynote? What's that about!? Corey weighs in with his thoughts on why Nintendo's new upcoming mobile game Super Mario Run, encourages him for the future of Nintendo.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 75: AFTER SULLY



The boys are back in town! They never really left town, but that doesn't matter. This week, MJ and Ryan are here to discuss their final thoughts on Clint Eastwood's ode to the hardworking American man, SULLY. They also discuss the astounding HELL OR HIGH WATER, whether or not THE AVENGERS holds up, and the evolution of Ben Affleck's career because of the LIVE BY NIGHT trailer. It's a brisk, but fun discussion, so check it out!

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

CHADWICK BOSEMAN CHATS ABOUT BLACK PANTHER AT COMIC-CON



Black Panther has had quite the year. He nearly stole the show from Marvel's cinematic heavyweights in CIVIL WAR and was the recipient of an excellent new comic series from writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. But things only seem to be getting busier for the king of Wakanda. Production is ramping up on the BLACK PANTHER stand alone film and if the cast is any indication, it's going to be a doozy. And while the character and his fans are certainly experiencing their moment in the sun, Chadwick Boseman also sees the hardships that come with bringing T'Challa and his world to life. Boseman is no stranger to challenging roles. He has built a career playing real life black icons of the twentieth century including Jackie Robinson, James Brown, and an upcoming turn as Thurgood Marshall, the first black Supreme Court Justice. In an interview at Comic-Con International, Boseman dished about all manner of BLACK PANTHER related things, including how they are finding the right character notes to give to audiences in his first solo adventure, the challenges that face them after giving the character's origin in a larger narrative, and whether or not he would align with his character in the Cap v. Iron Man throwdown.

Channel Update Video -- "What'd I Miss?"

It's been a while since we've heard from Corey of The Before and After Show, so what's he been up to?

Friday, September 9, 2016

The Precinct: Deception ~ Available for Streaming

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 74: BEFORE SULLY



After taking some time off to hide from DON'T BREATHE, Ryan is back! This week, he and MJ talk about their expectations for the Clint Eastwood directed, Tom Hanks starring SULLY. They also talk about what they've been watching (which includes HELL OR HIGH WATER, ALIEN, and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN) and take a little time to do some more memorializing of Gene Wilder. Also, Corey Tindall is back for another installment of The Before and After Show Film School as they talk about Mary Pickford in LITTLE ANNIE ROONEY!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Before Patton - The Before and After Show

Another week, another classic.  This time with some different expectations.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

REVIEW: MARATHON MAN


MARATHON MAN is the Dustin Hoffman of movies. It seemingly doesn't have a lot going on, yet once you start paying attention, you find all these fascinating little nooks and crannies in the stories and characters. It's the sort of mature thriller that Hollywood either doesn't make anymore or viewing audiences have no interest anymore and it rules. Not quite as bombastic as a James Bond movie and not quite as paranoid as a Robert Redford political thriller, MARATHON MAN opts to simmer its story to a boiling point and then end once the pot reaches a boil and spills over a little bit. It's restrained, masterful filmmaking.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 73: AFTER DON'T BREATHE



Second time's the charm as MJ is joined by his wife Kristen to talk about the latest picture from Fede Alvarez and Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures, DON'T BREATHE! Major spoilers do abound, so be warned! Also, they talk about the crazy Irish horror film Kristen watched, the movie MJ was in, THE PRECINCT: DECEPTION, MJ's dislike for Michael Shannon but love for ELVIS AND NIXON, and they pay tribute to the remarkable Gene Wilder!
Let us know what you thought about DON'T BREATHE!
You can find THE PRECINCT: DECEPTION right here for FREE!

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

REVIEW: ELVIS AND NIXON


ELVIS AND NIXON worked like a charm on me. It's a breezy way to spend an hour and twenty-five minutes but finds the time to inject plenty of heart into these characters that are larger than life simply by existing. The film follows Elvis Presely from a fateful night at his Graceland home to the front lawn of the white house attempting to hand deliver a letter to President Nixon that is a "matter of national security." You see, Elvis is fed-up with the way society is going and he firmly believes that he can help change the fabric of America if he can go undercover as a Federal Agent-At-Large and infiltrate dangerous groups like The Commies, The Black Panthers, and The Rolling Stones.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

THE IN-BETWEEN SHOW: THE VERY SPECIAL PRECINCT SPECIAL



This week's YouTube video is a podcast! Wrap your brain around that! Basically, we had some camera issues and our video stopped recording about halfway through. Fortunately, we were able to save the audio! So here is MJ talking to Michael Morea, Matthew Morea, and Slade Oran about their latest project, THE PRECINCT: DECEPTION. If you want to watch the film, you watch it right here for FREE!

Monday, August 29, 2016

REVIEW: KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS



Kubo spends his days in the town square of his small village telling elaborate stories using his magic shamisen to bring elaborate origami creations to life. After staying out too late attempting to contact the spirit of his father, Kubo's location is given up to the fearsome Moon King and his deadly twin daughters. With The Moon King on his tail, Kubo must go on a quest to find a set of magical armor which will lead to The Moon King's demise.

Friday, August 26, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 72: BEFORE DON'T BREATHE



This week, MJ is joined by his wife, Kristen, to talk about the 2016 horror/thriller DON'T BREATHE! Do they think it's going to be a tense thrill ride or a total disaster disguised as a lean and mean thriller? Listen to find out! Also, COREY TINDALL IS BACK! He and MJ take you all the way back to the turn of the century to talk about Mary Pickford and her effect on filmmaking as a business as well as her talents in front of the camera. MJ and Kristen also talk about the two pilots they've seen for Amazon pilot season and their reaction to the latest trailer for Damien Chezelle's LA LA LAND! Check it out below!

Monday, August 22, 2016

The Future of Video Games


2016 is a crazy time to be alive right now if you're a video game fan or anyone interested in getting into the video game industry. Since much of video game development depends on hardware and software, technology advancement has always played a huge role in how the video game industry ebbs and flows, particularly in terms of what types of software can be developed. 

In years past, different spans of time (i.e. 2003-2008) have been categorized by the term "generation" which denotes the years different consoles and games were produced and developed. Usually these console "generations" have consisted of three of four major hardware and software companies developing a gaming console and supporting it with software for about 5 to 6 years before the next, usually more powerful console arrives.

Most recently though, the industry finds itself in the 8th console generation with the main consoles consisting of Nintendo's Wii U, Sony's Playstation 4, and Microsoft's Xbox One. What makes this console generation so different than past ones is the fact that after only 3-4 years all three major companies are planning to either launch a new console (Nintendo) or a new "iteration"(Sony/Microsoft) of their current consoles with only minor tweaks made things like processing power, streaming capabilities, battery, etc. This is very unusual in the gaming industry and I believe there are a few main factors that have led to this interesting and worrisome development in the gaming industry.

1. Technology trends have changed, a lot.- Technology has changed so much since the previous 7th generation that many people who were only passive gamers and used their console for other things such as movies or streaming have gravitated to streaming devices like Chromecast, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, etc… These passive gamers have found their interest in games satisfied on smart devices, tablets or PC and therefore don't need to invest in any of the 8th generation devices. Another main way technology has changed is the progression to the point of being able to give consumers "relatively" affordable Virtual Reality (VR) possibilities. Whether or not this will catch on is yet to be seen, but this something that has definitely drawn away some gamers' interest in dedicated 8th generation consoles.

2. A rift has occurred in software development. - As home consoles have gotten better and faster, the cost for third party developers to program software goes up and up exponentially. Because the 7th generation had such a huge install base the software development companies invested tons of money into their R&D for 8th generation software hoping to make that money back plus so much more. But since the 8th generation has had a substantially less install base for all three major consoles, this has created a development rift, where software companies like EA or Ubisoft must develop an annual Call of Duty or Assassin's Creed(with continually diminishing quality) to break even on the cost of developing for these consoles or face major financial loss. This means mostly no new IPs from most software companies, a lot of lazy "HD" remasters for established software companies, and uninspired sequels with paywalls of DLC in almost every major home console release. This sounds depressing, and you might be thinking to yourself, where are all the new creative worlds, concepts, characters, and gameplay mechanics you ask? Well the answer is they've all gone indie. Indie developers can spend less for startup development and release their games on platforms like Steam or the App Store, or even virtual stores within in the console networks like Nintendo's virtual console, or Sony's Playstation Store with minimum hassle and escape the financial ruin that has become the sad story of many third party developers in the home console market.


3. The consoles were all underpowered at launch. - Anyone who is heavily invested in video games or software development in 2016 will tell you that all three major current generation consoles were woefully underpowered when they launched in 2012 (Wii U) and 2013 (Xbox One/Playstation 4). Though video game consoles have come a long way in what they can display in terms of graphics and frame rates, PC gaming had already hit those benchmarks years before any of these systems had come out. In earlier generations there used to be a chasm between the difficulty of setting up a gaming PC and the ongoing cost for upkeep versus the ease of a purchasing a home console. But now with technology moving at such a rapid rate and becoming more affordable than ever, even most standard PCs nowadays are capable of producing graphical and frame rate performances comparable and usually better than all current eight generation home consoles. All this to say, that in the past consoles have normally launched ahead of the curve in terms of power and performance, but in the eight generation this is not the case and Sony and Microsoft are playing catchup. 


4. The Wii U is a commercial failure.  - This has to be its own point in the conversation of the eight generation consoles, because even despite how much I love the Wii U and personally think its a better console than the original Wii, no one can deny the fact that it has been a huge commercial failure for Nintendo. Whether you like Nintendo or not, they're a huge tentpole in the gaming industry and their actions and reactions tend to be one of the factors that shapes the way the gaming industry evolves. They innovated and stunned with the original NES, the developed the standard layout for most controllers with a d-pad, they pioneered motion controls and shifted Sony and Microsoft to do the same; the list can go on and on. The point is, Nintendo has some weight to throw around the industry, and the fact that the Wii U failed forced them into a corner to develop something new with codename NX (their next console system). This news of Nintendo releasing a new console that would innovate and possibly be more powerful than their current console offerings may have given Sony and Microsoft another strong reason to pursue developing their "new" consoles, the Xbox One Scorpio and the Playstation 4 Neo which will be released next year in 2017 to compete with the NX.

So with all these major points currently at play, it's very interesting to try and speculate what the future of video games will be in a couple years. Will VR catch on and we'll all be playing video games with dedicated goggle headsets and motion controllers? Or will Nintendo's almost confirmed home console hybrid, the NX, take the the world by storm and show us we can have a true console experience in our pocket and then bring it home to our living room? Or will a majority of gamers switch over to PC's and force many of the dedicated console third party software development companies to follow? I truly don't know, and your guess is as good as mine. Like I said earlier "2016 is a crazy time to be alive if you're a video game fan".

Thursday, August 18, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 71: AFTER PETE'S DRAGON (2016)



And we're back! This week, your fearless duo head to the forests of the PNW to uncover the mystery of PETE'S DRAGON (2016) and the bigger mystery of why Ryan liked Suicide Squad! There's talk of kids movies, Star Wars, and personal taste here and it's a real good time!

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Before Ben Hur (The Good One) - The Before and After Show

This week we're taking on the 1959 classic, Ben Hur!

Friday, August 12, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 70: BEFORE: PETE'S DRAGON (2016)



The live action re-boot of PETE'S DRAGON is here and Ryan and MJ are here to talk about it! They discuss their expectations for the film as well as the nature of all these live action Disney re-makes! MJ also discusses all the films he's been catching up with, and our dynamic duo talk about Christopher Nolan and the trailer for DUNKIRK!

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

REVIEW: SING STREET


With his parents on the verge of divorce, his adjustment to a strict new school going less than stellar, and his entire country in financial turmoil, Conor is having a rough time. When an aspiring model named Raphina enters his life, in a moment of pubescent over-confidence, Conor asks if she would like to be in a music video for his band. The problem is, he has to start a band.

THE IN-BETWEEN SHOW: BEFORE AND AFTER PLANET OF THE APES (1968)



It's a random Wednesday bonus episode for your ears! This episode was recorded a few weeks ago on July 24th. MJ and his guest, Robert Mayo, went to see PLANET OF THE APES (1968) for Robert's birthday! It was a special screening put on by TCM in conjunction with Fathom events and Regal Cinemas. A good time was had by all! So tune in and hear both Before and After MJ and Robert's journey to the planet of the apes!

Monday, August 8, 2016

After Suicide Squad - The Before and After Show

What did we think of Suicide Squad?  Uhhhhhh, you might want to see down for this one...

Sunday, August 7, 2016

REVIEW: I SAW THE LIGHT


Hank Williams is a struggling country-western singer trying to work his way up to The Grand Ole Opry stage. The film chronicles his tumultuous marriage to Audrey Williams, birth of his son, Hank Jr., struggles with addiction, and his untimely death due to a combination of heart failure, alcohol, and horse tranquilizers. Amidst the personal trials in his life, Williams became a bona fide country-western star and in just six short years in the music industry, left a legacy that still inspires would be country musicians to this day.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 69: AFTER JASON BOURNE



We're back! MJ and Ryan are back to talk about the slight (and slightly stale) JASON BOURNE, fawn over how good STRANGER THINGS, and STAR TREK: BEYOND are, and talk about Mel Gibson and the trailer for his latest directorial effort, HACKSAW RIDGE! Seen JASON BOURNE? Let us know what you think!

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

REVIEW: STAR TREK: BEYOND


During a rest from their five-year mission, the crew of The U.S.S. Enterprise agree to help a scientist whose vessel broke down on a planet in uncharted space. What should be a routine engineering mission goes sour when The Enterprise is destroyed by Krall, a mysterious and violent alien in search of a precious artifact held in the ship's vault. The crew is forced to evacuate and find themselves stranded on an unknown planet. They must re-unite and stop Krall before he unleahes a powerful ancient weapon on a large section of the Federation.

Before Suicide Squad - The Before and After Show

We're back with another Youtube video, with new co-host, Michael Morea! This week's episode we discuss our expectations for the the next film in the DC extended "meh"-niverse, Suicide Squad. And we're visited by the monster from Lights Out!

Friday, July 29, 2016

REVIEW: LIGHTS OUT


Dealing with the grief of losing her husband, Sophie gives up her medication and slips into a bout with depression. Her son and daughter then begin dealing with a sinister supernatural force that can only be seen in the dark. As their mother gives into her depression more and more, it becomes clear that she is deeply connected to the force and must be rescued from its power.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 68: BEFORE JASON BOURNE



It's a brand new chapter in The Before and After Show this week as Ryan Buell officially joins MJ as the new co-host for the show! They tackle all the big news and trailers from Comic-Con, discuss what they've been watching, and give their expectations for the latest Matt Damon film, JASON BOURNE! Also, Corey and MJ head back to film school to talk about A TRIP TO THE MOON and HUGO! ALSO ALSO there is big news re: Corey's involvement on future episodes!

Friday, July 22, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW PODCAST EPISODE 67: AFTER GHOSTBUSTERS (2016)



This week Corey and MJ are joined by Ambra Williams to talk GHOSTBUSTERS (2016) and just whether or not all the fuss was worth it (it wasn't). Corey and MJ also talk about their experience watching the 1976 classic, NETWORK, and the group explain the appeal of Pokemon Go!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

After The Secret Life of Pets - The Before and After Show

On this episode of The Before and After Show, Corey sadly says goodbye as the co-host of the show, while he and MJ discuss their post viewing thoughts on Illumination Studios newest animated film The Secret Life of Pets!

Friday, July 15, 2016

REVIEW: NERVE


Facing a tough decision about where she will go to college, and pressure from her friends about her reserved nature, Vee (Emma Roberts) makes a snap decision to join an underground online game/social experiment called NERVE. NERVE players take on increasingly dangerous dares from their "watchers" while racking up money and viewers. After her first dare, Vee is partnered with Ian (Dave Franco), and they begin unraveling the dark secrets behind NERVE.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 66: BEFORE GHOSTBUSTERS (2016)



This week, Corey and MJ are joined by Ambra Williams to talk top to bottom about everything Ghostbusters (2016)! They address the controversy head on as well as discuss the nature of reboots. Also, Corey and MJ take you to The Before and After Show Film School to talk about Georges Melies! What do you think about this latest iteration of Ghostbusters? Let us know (civily) in the comments!

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Before The Secret Life of Pets - The Before and After Show

This week Corey and MJ talk about Illumination Studios (the people behind Despicable Me and Minions) newest animated film, The Secret Life of Pets! Also in the episode of the show Corey and MJ discuss major changes coming to the podcast and the youtube channel!

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Is VR the Future of Gaming?


Over the past few years there has been murmuring about VR (virtual reality) and how it's going to change the landscape of the video game industry. As the years passed though, the gaming community only received bits and pieces about VR tech rather than full concrete facts, all the while seeing different companies invest millions of dollars into this mystery technology. This past June at E3 in Los Angles, gamers everywhere were given a more in-depth look at what's to come from VR in the form of the Oculus Rift, the HTC Vive and Playstation VR. While some gamers and critics are excited for what VR will bring to the table, many others are wary that VR doesn't really have anything new to offer and will end up being an overpriced gaming industry "gimmick". All this talk brings us back to the title of this post's discussion: Is VR the future of gaming? In my short post I want to offer two possibilities/scenarios I can see happening with VR technology in the gaming industry in the next few years.

Why VR could be the future of gaming:


I believe one of the major facets that makes playing video games and the video game experience enjoyable is in the aspect of experiencing something new. Now when I say "new", I don't necessarily mean reinventing a formula every time a new game is made, but rather having a "fresh" experience even with old assets or elements from other games (some of my favorites games are refinements of games or genres that came before them!). Whether that new thing be a new game mechanic, a new genre of game, a new graphical interface or resolution, a new story element, or a new control scheme, etc… I think all these potential "new" aspects in gaming have the power to attract people who've never played games as well as "veteran gamers". If VR can open a new natural and intuitive way for all these things I just listed to be experienced by old and new players, I do truly believe VR could have a space in the video game market.

Why VR might not be the future of gaming:

Cost and Intuitiveness. These two things will be the biggest hurdle in VR being adopted by the mainstream gaming community and the general public. First looking at cost, VR is extremely expensive when compared to standard console or PC gaming. Anyone interested in playing the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive will have to shell out about $1,000 for just the VR headgear and controllers plus they will need to invest about $1500-$2000 more on a  top of the line gaming PC with a high end graphics card and cutting edge processors to actually power the VR system. In total we're looking at almost $3000 in some cases and that's a high barrier of entry, especially when you look at the fact that most console gamers usually invest about $500 on their home console systems. Playstation VR isn't that much better with a startup cost of $400 plus an investment of a PS4 at about $350, though Sony will launch a new PS4 Neo alongside the Playstation VR that will be more powerful and optimized for VR which will probably clock in at about $500. So when it's all said and done Playstation VR will cost about $750-900. With any of these VR options someone might choose, there is a substantial financial cost for technology they're just not sure about. 

The second problem I see with VR is how intuitive it will be for gamers and non gamers. VR seems like it would work great in some applications like flight training or combat simulation or medical examination, but I'm not sure if gamers and developers will really catch on to how this new form of entertainment will truly change the way we intuitively play games. The best positive intuitive comparison I can draw is with motion controls with the Wii and touch screen controls with mobile games. Love or hate either of these types of innovations in gameplay (when people say the word gimmick when describing different innovative concepts in gaming, my blood boils a little!) these controls styles with the Wii and mobile devices intuitively made sense. I can swing my sword or aim my gun at the TV with a Wiimote or I can touch the screen on my mobile phone or tablet to make my character jump or speed up in a mobile game; these actions intuitively made sense with the control setup, if they didn't (and in some bad software they didn't) I and most other gamers would rather just have a normal controller with a control stick and buttons. In that sense, VR will need some sort of amazing game or tech demo that can convince supporters and skeptics alike that requiring a headset with goggles and at times hand motion controllers to play a game is an evolution in intuitive gameplay.

Friday, July 8, 2016

THE IN-BETWEEN SHOW: BIG NEWS!



This week, Corey and MJ take a break from the hustle and bustle of summer movie season to bring you some big news! Listen to find out what it is! After that, we delve into the summer so far and give our grades for everything we've seen so far and what we think the rest of the summer will hold!

Thursday, July 7, 2016

After The BFG - The Before and After Show

This week Corey and MJ delve into their post viewing thoughts and discuss the overall critical reception of Disney and Spielburg's first film collaboration, The BFG!

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Fix That Film!! -- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

In this episode of Fix That Film, Corey celebrates the history of the summer blockbuster by discussing one of the biggest "critical" flops (this film still made so much money!!) in the history of summer movie franchises with Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Corey shares his thoughts, gives a quick film review and discusses positive aspects, problems, and offers constructive solutions that would have improved the overall film! After you watch the video, tell us what did or didn't work in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise!

Thursday, June 30, 2016

THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOW EPISODE 65: AFTER INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE



This week, Corey and MJ are visited by Slade Oran to talk about every last little bit of INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE! It's a shorter episode, but we definitely got everything we needed to say out of the way. We also talk about what we've been watching and Forest Whitaker's ROGUE ONE character reveal!

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Before The BFG - The Before and After Show

This week on The Before and After Show, Corey and MJ discuss The BFG, which is the first ever collaboration between Disney and the father of modern American film, Steven Spielburg!

Monday, June 27, 2016

The Spiral of Star Fox Zero

It's time to do a barrel roll. 



       So... I've put off writing this post for quite a while. Ever since Star Fox Zero came out this past April, I've really wanted to discuss the game and much of the controversy that surfaced around it.  Since video games and game creation are topics I'm very passionate about, I didn't know how to begin this conversation without being emotionally driven to one extreme or another. I wrote draft after draft trying to frame the argument about Fox Star Zero from different perspectives. I wrote personal bio-esqe introductions about myself so people would know where I'm coming from in the gaming world. But after so many drafts that didn't feel right, I decided just to jump right into the deep end of this conversation.

       Nintendo is company that is very near and dear to me personally. Nintendo introduced me to video games early in my life and they've created some of my favorite video games and characters of all time. Nintendo as a company has pushed boundaries in innovation and their drive to create software that is at the top of its game (pun intended!) has always amazed me. I think they are one of the last few major gaming companies that still try to push themselves to innovate and really make the overall gaming experience engaging. Though I love most of the things Nintendo creates, I have historically not always agreed with their business decisions, marketing campaigns or system branding (seriously if there was an award for dumbest hardware names, Nintendo would be a contender). I say all this to give some background in how I felt in light of arguably Nintendo's last recent major AAA release for the Wii U, Star Fox Zero.

      I was excited to play Star Fox Zero when it came out and I picked up my copy late in the day on April 22. Though Star Fox isn't my favorite Nintendo IP, it's one I have fond memories of playing back on my N64 and my Gamecube. (yes, I did play Star Fox Adventures!) But when the game released I started to read reviews and impressions from different news outlets and youtube gamers, and my mind was baffled by the things I started to hear and read. 

"The controls are terrible"

"Everyone stop panicking. The new Star Fox is good."

" The motion controls bring an unnecessary difficulty to the game" 

"This game is just a lazy retread of Star Fox 64"

"Fox McCloud should have stayed in the 90's where he belongs"

"Save for very rare, extreme circumstances, ------- reviews require that a game be completed, or at least a good faith effort be made to complete it. I am not playing any more Star Fox Zero"---said by a paid reviewer on staff with an entertainment website

       After buying the game and taking in this initial press during the first week of the game's launch, I was confused, frustrated and annoyed by many of the shoddy comments and reviews people were giving the game. I honestly felt like most of the press just wouldn't meet Star Fox Zero halfway and were looking for reasons to rip into Nintendo. The controls were different, but I played the game for a couple hours and I felt fine with the controls. The game wasn't literally broken with bugs or glitches, so why were people freaking out so much? After a few weeks of hearing both sides from people who loved and hated the game, having my personal experience of beating the game, and some extensive thought on this whole issue, I think I'm ready to weigh in on what happened in the Star Fox Zero controversy. 

       I honestly believe Star Fox Zero from the beginning of development was a game being made to prove the significance of the Wii U gamepad, which blows my mind because Super Mario Maker and Splatoon did that in spades! Shigero Miyamoto, the director behind Star Fox Zero, was tasked with developing a game that validated the Wii U gamepad and allowed the player to play games in a way they never could have before. I believe this sentiment is exactly where the division and debate about this game begins. 



       Star Fox Zero as a game is fine. I've played better games, but I've played worse games, and Star Fox Zero sits on the high side of past average to great. I would argue tooth and nail that Star Fox Zero is an innovative game in terms of controls, but whether or not that "innovation" is a positive thing is where much of this debate is coming from.

      Star Fox Zero uses the gamepad to render a first person cockpit view of the ship you're flying, while the TV displays a standard third person perspective of your vehicle. Where the innovation comes into play is that you can now glance between the two screens to shoot at opponents from different vantage points, shooting at enemies that fly past you and aren't directly in front of you on the TV's third person perspective view. This concept seems to work in description, but once it's put into practice it becomes a new skill entirely unto itself to understand and efficiently use in gameplay. And this is where many gamers, reviewers, and critics got tied up and divided. Some people felt this new "innovation" broke the game and felt like a control "gimmick" (I hate that term btw) and called for Nintendo to just give them a regular control setup. Others said this was an amazing control setup that more games should be gravitating towards and employing to mix up gameplay. Many people got frustrated with how long the game required playtime to understand the controls and called them broken, while supporters likened the difficulty of the controls to a more precision demanding game, requiring you to spend hours with the controls before the game even truly starts to open up. Add on top of all this "innovation" struggle, a "re-imagined" version of Star Fox 64 that detractors called a lazy rehash (even though for years people have been calling for a Star Fox 64 in HD), debates about the game's length (despite the fact Star Fox falls into a rail shooter genre and a staple of said genre is high replay value of shorter games for high scores), and arguments about whether rail shooters are relevant in 2016, and you can see that Star Fox Zero didn't even have a chance to be understood on its own merits before it was thrown to the wolves.

       But at the end of all this debate and division, I personally felt more in favor of the controls, and I liked the game on its own merits. I'm not saying I want every game from now on to implement a setup like Star Fox Zero, but I did appreciate the way the game developers were ambitious and gave me a new way to play that I'd never experienced before. After a few mildly frustrating play sessions I really started to feel in control and able to take advantage of this crazy new setup to rack up some high scores and wreck some bosses!

       In coming back to that word "innovation" on which this whole experiment called Star Fox Zero hinges, I believe there is a two fold verdict. I think Miyamoto and his team succeeded in giving people a new way to play a game like Star Fox Zero, but he failed in terms of justifying the Wii U gamepad as an industry changing device in how gamers intuitively want to play games. I think it's sad that Star Fox Zero will probably be remembered more for its controversial space in the evolution of gameplay "innovation" rather than being a fun and fantastic return to a long misunderstood and misrepresented franchise.

Friday, June 24, 2016

STEVEN SPIELBERG STILL BELIEVES IN THE 80'S



Steven Spielberg has been acquiring projects left and right lately and isn't showing any signs of slowing down. During a press round table for his latest film, THE BFG, he was asked about the 80's-pop culture nostalgia that permeates his next film, READY PLAYER ONE, he had this to say:
"I think we were pretty awesome in the 80's. I hope this brings all of us back to the awesomeness of the 80's and lets me do anything I want...except with my own movies."
When it was brought up that the book's author, Ernie Cline drives around in a DeLorean and the plethora of references to Spielberg's work in the 80's he responded with:
"I cut all the references to my own movies. With a couple exceptions, like the DeLorean. And I was very happy to see that there was enough that even without me the 80's were a great time to grow up."
So there you go, Spielberg is all in on the 80's for READY PLAYER ONE. The film takes place in a dystopian future where everyone is obsessed with a SECOND-LIFE style video game. When the creator of the game dies, he sets in motion a quest to find his heir by way of a dangerous treasure hunt. I really didn't get the hype surrounding the novel, and if it were any other director, I would likely feel the same way about the film. The story does take place in a very cool world and the premise is A+, I just found the book to be meandering and a little bit too in love with Dungeons and Dragons style world building. The good news is that Steven Spielberg is one of the greatest directors of all time and can easily handle all of that world building, nostalgia, and then some so I can't wait to see what he does with this property! Do you agree with Spielberg's claim that we were awesome in the 80's? Let us know! Disney's THE BFG opens July 1, 2016


Source: Birth.Movies.Death.

FIRST SET PHOTOS FROM THOR: RAGNAROK REVEALED!



Taika Waititi's latest movie, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE hits theaters today, but the director is already hard at work at his next film, THOR: RAGNAROK for Disney and Marvel Studios. Principal photography on the film, which is being described by Mark Ruffalo as a "Thor/Hulk buddy picture," doesn't start until July 4th, but an Australian newspaper has obtained photos of the sets under construction. Check them out below!







I understand that it's not much to go on as far as juicy details go, but it really puts into perspective the craftsmanship that goes into making a movie. The THOR franchise has switched hands more than any other director and has proven to be a little bit tougher sell to mainstream audiences than his MCU counterparts. Both THOR: THE DARK WORLD and THOR received middling reviews from critics, but Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston certainly bring a lot of gravitas into the MCU and have a very vocal fanbase. Hopefully Waititi can imbue this film with some of the quirky charm that made WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS such a treat. THOR: RAGNAROK opens November 3, 2017


Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

ROLAND EMMERICH IS GOING TO USE THE MOON TO DESTROY EARTH



Hot on the heels of sending aliens after our planet in INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE, director Roland Emmerich has announced his next project titled MOONFALL. The movie is fast tracked over at Universal and Emmerich will co-write with the film with Harald Kloser, with whom he penned 2012. The plot centers around "an unlikely band of misfits who must unite to save humanity when the moon falls out of orbit and hurtles towards earth." and is being described as "Emmerich’s 2012 mashed together with Close Encounters Of The Third Kind." Emmerich has a special affinity for destroying our planet so this project sounds right in his wheelhouse. I'm not a huge Roland Emmerich fan so I could take or leave this news, but I'm sure he will make it all look really pretty. Though, I can't help but think he's missing a opportunity by not calling this movie ARMAGEDDON 2: MAJORA'S MASK. What do you think about Roland Emmerich's next earth-shattering project? In the meantime, you can see Jeff Goldblum, Liam Hemsworth, Bill Pullman, and Jessie T. Usher try to save the earth from extraterrestrials (again) in INDEPENDECE DAY: RESURGENCE, which is in theaters now


Source: Deadline

Thursday, June 23, 2016

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING SLINGS ITS WEB AROUND ANOTHER CAST MEMBER



Another day, another casting announcement from the set of SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. Hot on the heels of news that BEASTS OF NO NATION'S Abraham Attah will be joining the wall-crawler on his next outing, it has now been announced that Bokeem Woodbine will be playing a villain in the film. Details surrounding the casting are scant at best, but Woodbine will be fighting the web-slinger alongside Michael Keaton and Logan Marshall-Green. If you're keeping score, that brings the final villain count to three. And if you know your Spider-Man on film history, you'll know that a three-villain affair has never been Spidey's strong suit. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 fared slightly better than Sam Raimi's SPIDER-MAN 3, but not by much. Consider me skeptical on this one, folks. I loved Tom Holland's take on the character in CIVIL WAR, and I trust Marvel a whole lot at this point, but we've all been burned in the past. SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING swings into theaters July 7, 2017


Source: The Hollywood Reporter