June 2012
1 post
13 tags
Aspect Radio #73: Movie Marketing Duds, Moonrise...
Ben and Corey talk about modern movie marketing for blockbusters like “Prometheus,” “The Dark Knight Rises” and “The Amazing Spider-Man,” as well as some fancy new trailers out in the world from Paul Thomas Anderson, James Bond and Ron Burgundy. Also, is “The Avengers” a box office bully that is hurting Hollywood? Ben’s brother and Bloomberg...
May 2012
1 post
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Aspect Radio #72: The Avengers, Side by Side (from...
Ben and Corey assemble for Joss Whedon’s Marvel casserole “The Avengers,” which just cleared $740 million worldwide, so they feel comfortable going into spoiler territory, so beware. Producer Andrew Richardson chimes in as well, and look, it’s mostly a love fest. There’s little doubt left that Whedon hit a home run, combining Marvel’s major heroes into an...
April 2012
3 posts
8 tags
Aspect Radio #71: Cabin in the Woods &...
Ben and Corey take a trip to “The Cabin in the Woods,” where filmmakers Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon write a love/hate letter to their beloved horror genre. One loves it, while the other likes a lot about it but has issues with the mixed tone and the film’s knack for using the same tired horror conventions it chastises the genre for using in recent years. They also dig into...
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Aspect Radio #70: Top 10 Comedies of the Last 10...
Ben and Corey laugh it up with their Top 10 comedies of the last 10 years, both picking several you might expect. But you know these guys, so watch out for a few surprises. They also review one that didn’t quite make their list, “American Reunion,” the fourth installment of that series where that guy molested that pie. Surprisingly, they disagree, but one is more passionate on...
10 tags
Aspect Radio #69: The Hunger Games, Goon, Kid with...
Ben and Corey catch up on a handful of new film releases, including blockbusters like “The Hunger Games” and foreign independent movies like “The Kid with a Bike.” They both enjoyed the smash hit “Hunger Games,” noting it’s smarter than your average studio action adventure, regardless of its place in the young adult adaptation genre. This ain’t...
March 2012
3 posts
6 tags
Aspect Radio #68: John Carter & its backlash, 21...
Ben and Corey butt heads this week but not on Andrew Stanton’s science fiction adventure “John Carter,” which delivers like a blockbuster should despite falling into the dreaded all-time box office disaster category. The guys don’t get the backlash in the wake of a befuddling marketing campaign that failed to connect with audiences, even when the $250 million-budgeted film...
Aspect Radio & Friends' Final Top 10's of 2011
With a little help from our friends at FilmNerds.com, we take one last look at 2011 and give you our final top 10 lists. BEN 1. Contagion 2. War Horse 3. 50/50 4. Midnight in Paris 5. A Dangerous Method 6. Drive 7. Hugo 8. Martha Marcy May Marlene 9. The Interrupters 10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo COREY 1. The Tree of Life 2. Hugo 3. The Interrupters 4. Drive 5. Take Shelter 6. 50/50 7....
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Aspect Radio #67: Most Anticipated Films of 2012,...
Ben and Corey look ahead to the rest of the 2012 film year and highlight the releases they’re most looking forward to, given the year has the makings of another one for the ages. Some of their picks and omissions may surprise you, but most of the ones you’ve probably heard of by now will wind up on their lists, including works from Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson,...
February 2012
3 posts
8 tags
Aspect Radio #66: Best of 2011, Part 2 -- Top 10...
Ben and Corey, joined by Graham Flanagan, finish wrapping up the 2011 film year with the rest of the top 10 favorite movies along with their top five favorite scenes. The guys run through the top five films that stayed with them throughout a stellar 2011, one of the better film years in recent memory. Films like “Midnight in Paris,” “Tree of Life,” “War Horse,”...
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Aspect Radio #66: Best of 2011 -- Top 10 Films...
Ben and Corey finally close the book on the 2011 film year, naming their favorite films, performances and scenes in a two-part podcast wrap-up. Joined by Ben’s brother and Bloomberg network producer Graham Flanagan, the guys look back at a stellar year that offered a diverse crop of films spanning several formats and languages. In part one, they offer up the first half of their top 10...
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Aspect Radio #65: The Artist, Haywire, Oscar Snubs...
Ben and Corey exercise their voices on the silent sensation “The Artist,” frontrunner to win best picture and other major Oscars. Despite the hype, both find it to be a charming love story and invigorating technical achievement, capped with showstopping performances from nominees Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo. Also on tap is Steven Soderbergh’s latest,...
January 2012
2 posts
9 tags
Aspect Radio #64: Mission Impossible: Ghost...
Corey is joined by FilmNerds.com’s Matt Scalici could tell you what they thought of two recent spy movie releases…but then they’d have to kill you. Not really, of course. With Ben absent this week, the guys took in a pair of new entries into the genre that are sure to titillate the mind, albeit in different ways. “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” succeeds on...
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Aspect Radio #63: War Horse, Adventures of Tintin,...
Ben and Corey give a rising star a chance, as indie newcomer Steven Spielberg released two movies worth taking a look at in 2011. First up is WAR HORSE, the sprawling and episodic WWI tale of bravery and perseverance. One of us is over the moon for it and even files it alongside other Spielberg classics, while the other finds some inconsistencies but digs it immensely. Also on tap is...
December 2011
2 posts
15 tags
Aspect Radio #62: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,...
Ben and Corey take an early look at David Fincher’s gritty adaptation of the Swedish novel “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” and have mixed reactions. One digs it and thinks Fincher picks up right where he left off after 2010’s “The Social Network,” while the other thinks the director all but phones this one in. The guys also happily watch their first...
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Aspect Radio #61: Hugo, The Muppets,...
Ben and Corey are joined by producer Andrew Richardson to wander into Martin Scorsese’s family film “Hugo,” a love letter to film history. Without giving too much away, Scorsese reinforces why you better pay attention and respect during those first few weeks of intro film courses in college. The guys then welcome back “The Muppets,” as writer/star Jason Segel...
November 2011
3 posts
13 tags
Aspect Radio #60: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1,...
Ben and Corey pick a side between Teams Edward and Jacob in the latest in this “Twilight” saga, “Breaking Dawn - Part 1.” Sigh. Bear with us. Surprisingly, the guys find some things to like about Bill Condon’s first half of his finale adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s book. Speaking of young adult literature, the guys take a look at director Gary Ross’ take...
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Aspect Radio #59: J. Edgar, Martha Marcy May...
Ben and Corey investigate Clint Eastwood’s private stash to find his latest film J. EDGAR, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and written by Dustin Lance Black (MILK), to be a muddled biopic with fine performances and distracting makeup. As Eastwood continues to churn out one or two movies per year, the grizzled director seems to miss more than hit these days, with his Hoover film falling somewhere...
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Aspect Radio #58: Costume Dramas, ANONYMOUS,...
Ben has the week off, as Corey is joined by show producer Andrew Richardson and GameFront.com writer Phil Owen to talk about Roland Emmerich’s new film ANONYMOUS, a film that presupposes that William Shakespeare might not have written any of his masterworks. The guys also take on financial meltdown drama MARGIN CALL, starring Kevin Spacey, Zachary Quinto and Demi Moore. Closing it out is a...
October 2011
5 posts
10 tags
Aspect Radio #57: Top 10 Horror Movies of the...
Ben and Corey lurk into some haunted houses, dark alleys and twisted minds just in time for Halloween as they break down their top 10 horror movies of the last decade. Each cheats a bit at the risk of betraying the laws of nomenclature, pilfering a title or two from 2010. But they belonged. Also on tap are Corey’s takes on recent contemporary horror releases “Paranormal Activity...
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Aspect Radio #56: MELANCHOLIA, FOOTLOOSE, AVENGERS...
Ben and Corey aspire to avoid sinking into their own depression but accept the impending reality that is Lars von Trier’s operatic MELANCHOLIA, with Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Kiefer Sutherland. Producer Andrew Richardson and gaming critic Phil Owen join Corey to discuss Craig Brewer’s FOOTLOOSE remake, which all insist is more awesome than you know. The latest AVENGERS...
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Aspect Radio #55: THE IDES OF MARCH, RED STATE,...
Ben and Corey beware George Clooney’s latest directorial effort THE IDES OF MARCH, starring the director, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti and Evan Rachel Wood. They also share some thoughts on Kevin Smith’s RED STATE, a violent horror flick blended with a little political conspiracy theory. Corey and show producer Andrew Richardson then discuss which...
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Aspect Radio #54: 50/50, New Trailers, Top 5...
Ben is on vacation in NYC, so “Aspect Radio” producer Andrew Richardson fills in as he and Corey discuss Jonathan Levine’s “50/50,” new movie trailers and their Top 5 “You’ll Laugh, You’ll Cry” movies. Bring your tissues, folks. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN/DOWNLOAD!!! We are now on iTunes! Be sure to search for us and subscribe. Tell your friends!...
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September 2011
2 posts
9 tags
Aspect Radio #53: DRIVE, MONEYBALL, TIFF 2011...
Ben and Corey strap in for director Nicolas Winding Refn’s superb, violent character study “Drive,” starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan. Both agree “Drive” is one of the best films of 2011 so far, and if it’s any indicator of how the rest of the fall season will shape up, we’ve got plenty of good things to anticipate. With FilmNerds.com editor...
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Aspect Radio #52: CONTAGION, WARRIOR, Top 5 Steven...
After a two-week hiatus thanks to the Sidewalk Film Festival and Labor Day, Ben and Corey catch Steven Soderbergh’s CONTAGION, starring an A-list cast taking on a deadly worldwide virus in what Ben calls one of the year’s best so far. The guys also step into the octagon for Gavin O’Connor’s mixed martial arts family drama WARRIOR, with Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton. Joining...
August 2011
3 posts
8 tags
Aspect Radio #51: TREE OF LIFE, SENNA, When to Let...
Director Terrence Malick rarely wastes a frame with whatever puts on the screen, especially in his latest feature film “The Tree of Life.” Ben and Corey, joined by Ben’s dad Steve Flanagan, dissect Malick’s exploration of childhood, memory, loss of innocence and existence. Deep stuff, we know. The film brought home 2011’s Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or and...
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Aspect Radio #49: RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES,...
Ben and Corey are just as pleasantly surprised as the rest of American audiences who thought “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” looked downright stupid. The concept may still be, but the result is a gripping science fiction story that may be the best of the overloaded series, with respect to the great Charlton Heston, and one of the best films of 2011 so far. It at least helps us...
7 tags
Aspect Radio #48: COWBOYS & ALIENS, Trailer Talk,...
Corey and guest host Phil Owen take on the latest in cowboys fighting aliens movies, ahem, “Cowboys & Aliens,” director Jon Favreau’s big budget adaptation of the lesser known graphic novel. While the film looks great and is packed with star power and special effects, it just doesn’t seem to deliver on its promising concept of mixing the two beloved genres of...
July 2011
2 posts
7 tags
Aspect Radio #47: CAPTAIN AMERICA, PROJECT NIM,...
Ben and Corey get all patriotic and stuff for Marvel’s latest origin story (and franchise starter) “Captain America: The First Avenger,” starring a more than capable Chris Evans. The guys liked the movie overall, as well as the little nugget that comes after the credits…[spoiler-ish]…a teaser trailer for “The Avengers.” So stick around. Also on tap is...
5 tags
Podcast: HARRY POTTER/TRANSFORMERS reviews, BILL...
Ben and Corey visit Hogwarts one more time for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” the final chapter in the top grossing film franchise of all time. The guys dig the last hurrah so much, they put it up there with the best of director Richard Yates’ superb contributions along with the series’ other best efforts. They also discuss Michael Bay’s...
June 2011
1 post
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Read Ben's 2011 Summer Movie Preview!
Some of these already came out, but take a look at Ben’s 10-movie summer preview on al.com! Bridesmaids Midnight in Paris The Hangover Part II Super 8 Bad Teacher X-Men: First Class Captain America: The First Avenger Cowboys & Aliens 30 Minutes or Less Horrible Bosses
May 2011
1 post
6 tags
A brief return w/ what we've seen in 2011, plus...
Aspect Radio’s absence may be abhorrent, but it doesn’t mean we don’t want to be here. We do! And we will return in the capacity and format in which we once existed. We only ask that you please be patient. In the meantime, we give you what we’ve seen and would have discussed had we been doing shows in 2011. Below are the films we’ve seen this year in the theater...
February 2011
2 posts
11 tags
Podcast: 127 HOURS review, Oscar predictions
Ben and Corey endure and enjoy Danny Boyle’s latest best picture nominee “127 Hours,” the gripping tale of adventurer Aron Ralston’s unbelievable survival after getting his hand caught in a boulder in the canyons of Utah in 2003. Best actor nominee James Franco delivers arguably his best performance to date as Ralston, an adrenaline junkie and amateur wilderness guide...
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Podcast: Sidewalk Salon panel discussion on Best...
The Aspect Radio and FilmNerds.com teams were invited to participate in a panel discussion on the films of 2010 and the upcoming Academy Awards hosted by Birmingham’s own Alabama Moving Image Association for its Sidewalk Salon Tuesday night at Rojo (Mexican restaurant.
We recorded the panel discussion which featured FilmNerds contributors Matt Scalici, Ben Flanagan and Corey Craft along with...
January 2011
3 posts
10 tags
Podcast: Best Films, Performances and Scenes of...
Buckle up. Ben and Corey are joined by Graham Flanagan and Matt Scalici to break down their favorite films, performances and scenes from 2010 in a near-two-hour episode of “Aspect Radio.” Epic? Yeah. Also giving their 2010 picks are Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips, Filmspotting co-host Adam Kempenaar and friend to the show Craig Hamilton. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN/DOWNLOAD!!! ...
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Podcast: KING'S SPEECH review, GREEN HORNET...
Ben and Corey review “The King’s Speech,” starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. Corey reviews Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry’s adaptation of “The Green Hornet.” Recorded prior to Sunday night’s ceremony, the guys also offer up their Golden Globes predictions. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN/DOWNLOAD!!! You can follow the show on Twitter, or...
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Podcast: BLACK SWAN/SOMEWHERE reviews, The Dancing...
Ben and Corey welcome back Ben’s brother Graham to break down Darren Aronofsky’s controversial ballet thriller “Black Swan,” starring surefire best actress Oscar nominee Natalie Portman. Keeping it a family affair, Ben’s sister and former ballet dancer Suzanne Flanagan also joins the show to discuss the technical side of the film’s dancing. Suzanne works...
December 2010
3 posts
9 tags
Podcast: TRUE GRIT/THE FIGHTER/TRON: LEGACY/ HOW...
Ben and Corey are joined by friend Phil Owen to talk about a bevy of holiday releases, including a sneak peak at Joel and Ethan Coen’s western adaptation “True Grit,” starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld. They also review David O. Russell’s latest drama “The Fighter,” starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. Also on tap are...
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Podcast: THE TOURIST/ALL GOOD THINGS reviews,...
Ben and Corey grab a map and fanny pack to check out the latest globetrotting thriller/comedy and Golden Globe best picture nominee “The Tourist,” starring Hollywood superstars Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.
Critics nationwide are actively obliterating the movie, citing weak chemistry between Depp and Jolie and a muddled plot. But it really isn’t all that bad, frankly.
...
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Podcast: LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS review, Oscar Bait...
Ben and Corey talk about talk about director Edward Zwick’s latest romantic comedy “Love and Other Drugs,” starring Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal.
They also talk about how the film managed to muster early Oscar buzz when no one had even seen it, as well as other “Oscar bait” movies that fail to live up to the hype.
Also discussed at the National Board...
November 2010
5 posts
10 tags
Podcast: Thanksgiving Panel, Harry Potter, Holiday...
Happy Late Thanksgiving (and early Christmas)! Ben and Corey are joined by fellow Film Nerds Matt Scalici, Ben Stark and Graham Flanagan to talk Harry Potter, holiday movies, remaining anticipated 2010 releases and Adam Sandler turkeys. It’s always great to get all of these guys on the same airwaves at once, so thanks to all who participated. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN/DOWNLOAD!!! You can follow...
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Podcast: Nathan Rabin interview
Ben and Corey talk to AV Club head writer an author of “My Year of Flops” Nathan Rabin about his attraction to failure, some flops of 2010 and his concept of the “manic pixie dream girl.” CLICK HERE TO LISTEN/DOWNLOAD!!! You can follow the show on Twitter, or email any feedback to 90.7movies@gmail.com. Please “Like” us on Facebook! “Aspect Radio” airs live on 90.7-FM The...
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Podcast: UNSTOPPABLE review, FAIR GAME recap, Top...
Ben and Corey review “Unstoppable,” Tony Scott’s latest thriller starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine.
Plus, Ben’s brother Graham joins them via phone for the show’s newest segment, “In Limited Release,” in which a New York City or Los Angeles correspondent fills us in on Doug Liman’s political procedural “Fair Game,” with Naomi...
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Podcast: DUE DATE review, Early Oscar picks
Ben and Corey review “Due Date,” the latest comedy from director Todd Phillips (“The Hangover”) that stars Robert Downey Jr. and Zack Galifianakis. They also give what they believe to be surefire Oscar nominees and winners at this point, which may or may not include performances and other aspects of “The Social Network,” “Inception,”...
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Podcast: CATFISH/NEVER LET ME GO reviews, Final...
Ben and Corey invite FilmNerds.com creator Matt Scalici to review “Catfish,” the controversial and disturbing documentary about a Facebook relationship that takes a bizarre left turn. The film is currently playing at the Rave Motion Pictures Lee Branch theater in Birmingham. CAUTION: This is a SPOILER review. We apologize, but we felt it necessary to have a substantial discussion...
October 2010
5 posts
8 tags
Podcast: YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER, Top 5...
Ben and Corey invite Ben’s brother Graham on to review Woody Allen’s latest romantic dramedy, “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger,” as well as count down their top five favorite Allen characters throughout his 40-plus film career. The guys also talk about director Peter Jackson’s battle to make “The Hobbit,” author J.R.R. Tolkein’s prequel to his...
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"Aspect Radio" featured in The Crimson White!
Check out the following Crimson White article written by reporter Ashley Chaffin about our show! People say the connections students make in college last a lifetime. Ben Flanagan and Corey Craft met while working in student media at the University of Alabama.
Through this connection, Flanagan and Craft realized their shared love for film and turned it into “Aspect Radio,” a talk radio show...
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Podcast: A.V. Club critic Scott Tobias talks 2010,...
This week, Ben and Corey talk to A.V. Club (the arts and entertainment section of The Onion) film editor and critic Scott Tobias about his trip to last month’s Toronto International Film Festival, the best films and performances of 2010 so far and his horror movie picks for the Halloween season. NOTE: Due to some technical difficulties, we lost the first couple of minutes of the show, but...
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Podcast: Chicago Tribune film critic Michael...
Ben and Corey talk to Chicago Tribune film critic and former co-host of “At the Movies” Michael Phillips about the Toronto International Film Festival, his stint hosting the famed film criticism show, his favorite 2010 films so far and his college football allegiances. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN/DOWNLOAD!!! You can follow the show on Twitter, or email any feedback to...
12 tags
Podcast: THE SOCIAL NETWORK/LET ME IN reviews,...
Ben and Corey are joined this week by Steve Prokopy (aka Capone) from Ain’t It Cool News to discuss David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin’s Facebook thriller “The Social Network,” which chronicles the creation of the website and the subsequent lawsuits among its founders and other parties that followed. They also review “Let Me In,” Matt Reeves’ remake of the...