TFR Ep. 94: The Descendants, The Muppets, Inventory Of Gifts For Movie Lovers '11

This week on the big show Alexander Payne, the director of 'Election', 'About Schmidt' and 'Sideways', returns with 'The Descendants'. With 'Michael Clayton', 'Up In The Air', and 'The American' has George Clooney become "Mr. November"? And just in time for the holiday season, we got to see the return of 'The Muppets', thanks to Jason Segal. But is it a triumphant return...? We'll review the big releases on Blu-Ray & DVD, then wrap it up with an Inventory of Holiday Gifts for the Movie Lover in your life. So start the music, light the lights, We're The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 94

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:


00:00-13:35: Intro/The Descendants
13:36-23:22: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks
23:23-33:12: The Muppets
33:13-56:42: Inventory Of Gifts For Movie Lovers '11
56:43-58:49: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 93: Breaking Dawn pt.1, The Next Three Days, Limitless, Great Debate: Russell Crowe

And they're back.  Bella, Edward & Jacob return with the penultimate film in the Twilight saga, 'Breaking Dawn, Part 1'.  Does the latest entry satisfy our emo, metro sexual desire for all things vampire & werewolf?  After that we break out with Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks in Paul Haggis' 'The Next Three Days'.  Did the director of 'Crash' make another Oscar worthy film?  And we throw in a surprise quick review of 'Limitless', thanks to Dave...  We'll review the big releases on Blu-ray & DVD, as well as find out Dave's online streaming pick of the week, then wrap it up with a Great Debate about Russell Crowe, and let you know what his best film is.  So don't bother grabbing the garlic, or a cross, or even exposing us to daylight, cause we'll just sparkle and look forlorn.  We're The First Run. 

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 93

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-16:22: Intro/Breaking Dawn, Part 1

16:23-25:28: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

25:29-35:07: The Next Three Days & Limitless (sorta')

35:08-44:56: Great Debate: Russell Crowe

44:57-47:43: Wrap Up/Outtake

Theme music provided by Jamal Malchi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 92: J. Edgar, Immortals, Inventory Of Biopics

This week on The First Run, special guest Ricky! Can he pull of the podcast carrying performance that we all know burns inside of him? Then we take a look at the new Clint Eastwood directed biopic 'J. Edgar'. Also, 'Immortals' from the producers of 300 gets a chance to show it's stuff. Can the it follow up the success of 300 or will it just seem to go on forever? Chris will give us the upcoming DVD and Blu-Ray picks for the week, and dave tells us his streaming pick. And finally we will find out what the top 5 Biopics of all time are on this weeks inventory.

Download the show from iTunes: Episode 92

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below

00:00-14:05 Intro/ J. Edgar

14:05-25:01 Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

25:01-40:05 Immortals

40:05-54:48 Inventory of Biopics

54:48-58:56 Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 91: A Very Harold & Kumar 3-D Christmas, The Trip, Call It!

This week Dave and I dose a bit of A Very Harold and Kumar 3-D Christmas.  I'm not sure how many folks were waiting for a third film in the Harold and Kumar series, but here we are.  And it's a holiday movie.  Is the latest entry worthy of another hit, or we're just down to the resin.  After that, a movie I have spoken of repeatedly on this show, Michael Winterbottom's 'The Trip'.  Will Dave and I agree on this English comedy, or will he once again shake his head in disgust.  We'll review the big releases on blu-ray & dvd for November 15th.  Then we'll set up the mistletoe for this show that is the return of 'Call It'.  So settle in, smoke 'em if you got them.  We're the First Run. ...and I want a Wafflebot. 

Download the show from iTunes: Episode 91

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-11:13: Intro/A Very Harold & Kumar 3-D Christmas

11:14-20:47: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

20:48-28:57: The Trip

28:58-44:11: Call It!

44:12-46:09: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 90: The Rum Diary, In Time, What are the Odds?

Through the smoke of diesel and wood. Over the downed trees and power lines. Around the crying tree huggers. Two men stand alone. Willing to brave Arborpocalypse to bring you the movie reviews you need. Can our heroes brave the terrors of Octoberfest to find a movie theater with power? Yes they can! This week the guys get tipsy with Johnny Depp, and the Rum Diary. Can Johnny follow up 1998's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas with another drug fueled classic? Next up, Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried star in In Time. Will JT thrive as a leading man, or should he stick to occasional SNL cameos? Also we play a little game called what are the chances. So fire up the generator, and stoke the fire, it's time for The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 90

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-09:43: Intro/The Rum Diary

09:43-19:43: Blu-Ray/DVD Picks

19:43-31:06: In Time

31:06-51:47: What Are The Odds?

51:47-56:28: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 89: Paranormal Activity 3, Amarcord, Inventory Of Faux Documentaries

This week on the big show Dave and I find out if it really is a good idea to set up a camera in our bedrooms via some field research thanks to 'Paranormal Activity 3'.  Does the Found Footage genre have another exciting entry, or is it time to put this to bed?  After that our Criterion Collection marathon continues with Fellini's 'Amacord'.  It's a coming of age tale in 1930's fascist Italy.  Then it's the big releases on Blu-Ray and DVD for November 1st, wrapped up all nice and pretty with our inventory of fake documentaries.  So grab the kids, and let's head down to the local tobacconist.  We're The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 89

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-13:50: Intro/Paranormal Activity 3

13:51-23:42: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

23:43-36:25: Amarcord

36:26-50:43: Inventory Of Faux Documentaries

50:44-53:16: Wrap Up/Outtake

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 88: The Thing, The Lady Vanishes, Who Dat?

The Thing? What Thing? John Carpenter's Thing? NO! This week, on the first run we watch the new prequel to John Carpenter's 'The Thing', cleverly named, wait for it, 'The Thing'. Can the prequel add to the glory of the original, or is it a horrible abomination hidden within a swede? Next, the third release from the Criterion Collection 'The Lady Vanishes', in which, a lady… vanishes... on a train. Chris will tell us all about the upcoming Blu-Ray and DVD releases, and finally the guys play their favorite game, Who Dat (™). Who Dat (™) you ask? It's The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 88

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-13:05: Intro/The Thing

13:05-25:10: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

25:10-36:27: The Lady Vanishes

36:27-51:28: Who Dat?

51:28-55:01: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 87: The Ides Of March, Seven Samurai, Inventory Of Political Films

Et tu, Ryan Gosling?  We may as well start calling this show The First Run: Featuring Ryan Gosling. He's back again, this time with his all star buddies, George Clooney, P.S. Hoffman, and Bart Giamatti in 'Ides of March'.  Is this political thriller a white house intern could be proud of?  Or is it just another congressional hearing to decide the official state sandwich of Connecticut?  After that, our Criterion Collection marathon continues with Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece (well, one of them anyway) 'Seven Samurai'.  Can Dave look past his 2 hour film maximum and embrace the classic film?  We'll review the big releases on Blu-Ray & DVD, then wrap it up an Inventory of our Favorite Political Films.  Vote early, and vote often.  We're The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 87

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-13:25: Intro/The Ides Of March

13:26-23:59: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

24:00-39:53: Seven Samurai

39:54-58:13: Inventory Of Political Films

58:14-1:03:11: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 86: 50/50, Buried, TFR Libs

This week on the big show, your valiant hosts are questioning their own mortality with a discussion of the cancer dra-medy starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen in '50/50'.  Can you really make a comedy out of such serious subject matter?  We'll also spend some time in cramped quarters with Ryan Reynolds in 'Buried'.  Maybe finding yourself alone, in a wooden coffin, buried alive in the desert, in Iraq, isn't as fun as it sounds.  We'll review the big releases on blu-ray & dvd, then dig our way out of the show with the return of TFR Libs.  So shave your head, and double down on your anxiety medicine, it's another edition of the First Run. 

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 86

Or Stream the show now by clicking "Play" below:

00:00-11:53: Intro/50/50

11:53-24:17: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

24:17-32:27: Buried

32:27-57:33: TFR Libs

57:33-1:01:25: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 85: Moneyball, Red State, Inventory Of Sports Movies

And 'BOOM' goes the dynamite.  This week on the 'biggun', how exactly do you compete with the combined $357,112,106 million payroll of the Yankees and Red Sox?  Well, Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill are going to tell us, in 'Moneyball'.  Obvious baseball metaphor coming through…. Is it a homerun?  Or a week dribbler to the pitcher?  After that, it's time for a little pepper.  Kevn Smith does a 180 and gives us the horror film, 'Red State'.  Does the new direction work?  Or does he desperately need to go back to dick and fart jokes?  We'll review the big releases on blu-ray and dvd for October 4th, then wrap it up with an Inventory of Our Favorite Sports Movies.  So let's grab the bat and take a few cuts.  We're The First Run. 

Snoochie Boochies!

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 85

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-14:25: Intro/Moneyball

14:26-22:07: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

22:08-33:37: Red State

33:38-46:37: Inventory of Sports Movies

46:38-48:43: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 84: Drive, Straw Dogs, Fall Preview Inventory

Sigh... That Ryan Gosling sure is dreamy.  But did you know that he's a bad ass too?  This week we check out the latest from Mr. Gosling, and the director of Bronson and Valhalla Rising, Nicolas Winding Refn, 'Drive'.  Is the film as good as the buzz it's been getting, or should we just drive on by?  After that, we will not stand for violence against this podcast.  It's James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, and Alexander Skarsgard in the remake of Sam Peckinpah's 'Straw Dogs'.  Is this remake another tired retread, or do we have a fresh take on a classic, unsettling film?  We'll review the big releases on Blu-ray & DVD.  Then bring it home with our Fall Preview Inventory.  So for the next 58 minutes, we're all yours. No matter what happens.  After that, you're on your own.  Oh, and be careful of that bear trap.  We're the First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 84

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-17:28: Intro/Drive

17:29-25:33: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

25:34-37:41: Straw Dogs (2011)

37:42-55:17: Fall Preview

55:18-57:29: Wrap Up/Outtake

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 83: Contagion, Julia's Eyes, Inventory Of Bodily Horror Films

This week on the big show it's the Ocean's 11 of communicable disease movies with Steven Soderberg and his star studded cast in Contagion. Does this all star band deliver an all star movie? Or should we just stick with Dustin Hoffman and Outbreak. After that, we crack open the old Rosetta Stone discs and hang with some friends at Real Art Ways in Hartford with the Spanish thriller, Julia's Eyes. Does this film deliver on the moniker 'produced by Guillermo Del Toro'? We'll review the big releases on blu-ray and dvd for 9/20, and wrap it up with an Inventory of our favorite bodily horror films. Thanks, Cronenberg! So don't freak out, rest your weary eyes, and for gods sake, stop touching yourself, and other people. We're the First Run.

Download the Show from iTunes here: Episode 83

Or stream the show live by clicking "play" below:

00:00-14:40: Intro/Contagion

14:40-21:35: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

21:35-36:30: Julia's Eyes

36:30-51:20: Inventory Of Bodily Horror Movies

51:20-53:46: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 82: The Debt, Grand Illusion, Call It!

This week on the big show, Chris & Dave try and catch the rising star that is Jessica Chastain, along with Helen Mirren (she's always good) in the spy thriller 'The Debt'.  With the summer blockbuster season now over, are we blessed with a taught, adult thriller?  After that it's the beginning of our Criterion Collection marathon, with the Jean Renior classic, 'Grand Illusion'.  Is Criterion spine #1 the masterpiece it's said to be?  Is that one of the most ridiculous rhetorical questions I've ever typed?  We'll review the big releases on Blu-Ray and DVD (And they don't get much bigger than this weeks).  Then we wrap it up with a gut wrenching segment of Call It!  So get circumcised and prepare for the last gentlemen's war that is The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 82

Or stream the show live by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-12:20: Intro/The Debt

12:21-25:31: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

25:32-37:32: Grand Illusion

37:33-50:17: Call It!

50:18-52:33: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey 

TFR Ep. 81: Our Idiot Brother, Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark, Inventory Of Lovable Losers

On this weeks episode of The First Run: The guys review Our Idiot Brother. Can a Paul Rudd's stoner in Crocks steal your heart, or will he just steal your money? Also reviewed is the Guillermo del Toro produced Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. What can be more scary than Pope approved Tooth Fairies? Finally the men behind the microphones give us their top five lovable losers, a subject they surely are qualified to speak on. So spin up your Kenny Rodgers records, and turn off the lights. It's time for Episode 81 of The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 81

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00.00-09.59: Intro/Our Idiot Brother

10.00-18.23: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

18.24-30.57: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

30.58-43.52: Top Five Lovable Losers

43.53-48.03: Wrap Up

Theme Music provided by Jamal Malachai Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 80: Fright Night, Conan The Barbarian, Inventory Of Our Favorite Remakes

Remake & Remodel.  This week on the big show it's a twin bill of remakes.  First up, it's Colin Farrell and Anton Yelchin in Fright Night.  Finally a tale of some non emo, metro-sexual vampires.  You know, actual monsters.  After that it's the all new, all daring Conan The Barbarian.  Will we be able to say 'Arnold who'?  And is a middling franchise now reborn?  We'll review the big releases on Blu-Ray & DVD, then wrap it all up with an Inventory Of Our Favorite Remakes.  So grab some wood stakes and and pull up your fur drawers, we're The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 80

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-14:09: Intro/Fright Night

14:10-22:37: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

22:38-31:58: Conan The Barbarian

31:59-48:18: Inventory Of Our Favorite Remakes

48:19-52:05: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 79: 30 Minutes Or Less, The Killing, What Are The Odds?

This week on The First Run: Can the guys review 30 Minutes Or Less in ten minutes or less? Will Stanley Kubrick's reputation remain unsullied after a viewing of the killing? Can Chris justify his love for G.I. Joe? Will Dave stop laughing at his own jokes? The answers to all of these questions and more including the big releases on blu-ray and dvd, and the return of What Are The Odds, on Episode 79 of The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 79

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-09:17: 30 Minutes Or Less

09:26-17:52: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

17:52-31:11: The Killing

31:11-50:19: What Are The Ddds?

50:19-52.25: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 78: Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, The Change Up, Inventory Of Animal Attack Films

This ain't the Banana Splits.  These monkeys mean business.  I know we all love the idea of chimps in suits.  But have you thought about it?  I mean really sat down and thought it through.  Terrifying, right?  This week we check out the the return of a film franchise nobody was asking for with 'Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes'.  Could we have been wrong all this time?  After that it's yet another body switch comedy, 'The Change Up'.  But this one's with TFR favorites Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds.  And it's a hard 'R'.  A really hard 'R'.  Can this tired cinema trope bring us some new laughs?  We'll run down the big releases on Blu-Ray & DVD.  Then wrap it up with a not so fuzzy and cute Inventory Of Animal Attack Films (Not Named Jaws).  Remember to spay and neuter your pets.  We're The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 78

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-12:20: Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes

12:21-23:01: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

23:02-33:59: The Change Up

34:00-56:36: Inventory Of Animals Attack Films

56:37-1:03:55: Wrap Up/Outtake

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 77: Cowboys and Aliens, Skyline, Who Dat?

Indiana Jones AND James Bond?!?! In the same movie together? You'd think 'Can't Miss!', wouldn't you? Well, we'll fill you in on the details as Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford fend off an alien attack in the old west with 'Cowboys & Aliens'. By the way, Daniel Craig is the second James Bond ever, behind Sean Connery. Deal with it! The alien invasion continues, but this time we fast forward to present day as Dr. Chris Turk and his buddy Eric Balfour struggle to survive in a decimated Los Angeles in 'Skyline'. It's heartbreak and drama, ScyFy Channel style. We'll discuss the big releases on Blu-Ray & DVD, and wrap it up with the return of everyone's 8th favorite role playing game, 'Who Dat?'. Sp mount up your horse, grab your six gun and look out for that L.A. traffic, we're The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 77

Stream the show now by clicking play now below.

00:00-15:42: Intro/Cowboys & Aliens

15:43-23:29: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

23:30-34:01: Skyline

34:02-48:52: Who Dat?

48:53-52:47: Wrap Up

Theme music provided Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 76: Captain America: The First Avenger, TFR Recommends, TFR Libs

God bless the USA and the summer blockbuster season.  This week brings us the final super-hero film of the summer with 'Captain America: The First Avenger'.  Does Marvel continue to deliver an adequate package of entertainment and build up for it's 2012 tent pole film, 'The Avengers'?  Or is it time to give in and start watching the chick flicks with Espo?  We also bring some recommendations your way regarding some films (and tv shows) you may have missed.  We'll bring the heat on the big releases on blu-ray and dvd.  Then wrap it up with the return of TFR Libs.  So start slinging your shield (that's not a masturbation euphemism, though it'd be a good one) and download the latest episode of The First Run.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 76

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below:

00:00-15:47: Intro/Captain America: The First Avenger

15:48-26:52: Captain America (& Amazing Spider-Man trailer) Spoilers

26:53-33:05: Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

33:06-1:09:33: TFR Recommends

1:09:34-1:12:33: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 75: Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2, I Saw The Devil, Call It!

This week we'll be discussing the cinematic event of the year, The Dark Knight Rises Teaser Trailer was released.  As a bonus, we got to see a screening of some final Harry Potter film.  We also check out the latest from director Jee-woon Kim, of A Tale of Two Sister & The Good The Bad & The Weird, I Saw The Devil.  We'll cover the big releases on blu-ray & dvd, and make some tough decisions with the return of Call It.  And yes geeks, we do break down The Dark Knight Rises teaser trailer.  So polish your wand and settle in for another episode of the podcast that can't be named.

Download the show from iTunes here: Episode 75

Or stream the show now by clicking 'Play' below.

00:00-15:46: Intro/Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Pt. 2

15:47-23:05: Dark Night Rises Teaser Trailer (no, really)

23:06-28:49:  Blu-Ray & DVD Picks

28:50-42:56: I Saw The Devil

42:57-1:02:46: Call It!

1:02:47-1:04:59: Wrap Up

Theme music provided by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey