Two Geeks Episode 93 – I’m Calling You Out
Monday, March 2nd, 2009
In this episode of Two Geeks, Ben and Scott discuss all the best topics in the entertainment world, including the Academy Awards and Battlestar Galactica. With a lot of news since our last episode, this one is quite long, but who does not love the idea of more Ben and Scott? Please keep sending in your responses to our question of “what makes a geek?”. And check back next week for our next episode.
Discussion
2009 Academy Awards
News
Michel Gondry on Green Hornet
Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard’s Cabin in the Woods
Friday The 13th Sequel
Eddie Murphy to Play Richard Pryor
Ed Helms to Write and Star in Civil War Time Travel Comedy
The NeverEnding Story Gets a Remake
Sam Jackson Signs Up For NINE MORE Appearances as Nick Fury
Joss Whedon’s Theory On Why DC Comic Book Movies Usually Suck
Ghostbusters 3 To Begin Shooting Fall 2009?
1978 Battlestar Galactica Big Screen Movie?
Breckin Meyer Writing Superguys: “Ocean’s Eleven Set At Comic-Con”
Vanessa Hudgens Dead @ 17, Mike Dougherty Scripting Her Demise And Resurrection
Black Widow, Blunt out, Dushku wants in, Johansson probably in
Jackie Earl Hayley not Krueger and Lohan not Nancy
Steve Oedekirk to write Stretch-Arm-Strong movie
Diablo Kody producing Breathers: A Zombie’s Lament
Gore Verbinski directing Clue
Trailers
Black Freighter
People vs. George Lucas
I Love you Beth Cooper
Supercapers
Transformers 2
S. Darko
Reviews
Friday the 13th
Coraline 3-D
He’s Just Not That Into You
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Posted By:
66 Comments
Subscribe to Comments FeedLeave a Reply
Book of the Month
Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1-6From writer/artist Bryan Lee O'Malley comes the story of Scott Pilgrim, the 23 year old slacker who's precious little life is turned upside down when he meets the girl of his dreams (literally), Ramona Flowers, and discovers that in order to be with her, he must fight and destroy her seven evil ex boyfriends. Buy all SIX volumes and qualify for free shipping from IST!
You must see “Fanboys” A.S.A.P.! If you loved the original Star Wars films (if you didn’t you’re not a geek) then you will laugh your a*# off. I saw it during NY Comic Con opening night. Nearly dropped my popcorn laughing. Seeing Eddie Murphy as Richard Pryor will be a good film since they were best of friends back then. If any of you are not familiar with Mr. Pryor’s film work I must recommend “The Toy”, “Harlem Knights”, “See no evil hear no evil” and “The Wiz”
Didnt we already have the “what makes you a geek” conversation last episode?
Pryor’s like Dane Cook. A really great comic who never found the right film that complimented his style
Please tell me you’re being sarcastic, comparing Pryor to a hack like Cook?
No, I actually really like Dane Cook’s stand up. I realize its become really hip to hate on the guy and treat him like he’s the antichrist of comedy, but I think he’s a great comedian. To me, he’s just as funny as the comics that get all the hipster love like Patton Oswalt and Zach Galifanakis.
The reason most people dont like Cook, is that he is a proven joke thief.
I like his mannerisms too, I think a lot of what makes him funny to me is his delivery of the joke.
Thank You!
He is.
Super middle finger is his original, hilarious!
(note sarcasm)
And his movies are an abortion.
I’m sorry, Ben. I can’t support your opinion of Clue. I think it is one of the best comedies of all time. Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn are especially funny in the movie, and the movie gets a ton of bonus points for the singing telegram gag.
To be fair, Clue’s an aquired taste. You either love it or just don’t think its funny. Kevin Smith isn’t a fan if I remember correctly
Wait wait wait hold it right there TNN. Dane Cook should be in no way shape or form be compared to Pryor. Pryor was ahead of his time with his jokes. He was and still is the greatest comedian of all times and Dave Chappelle is second. Most of the great comedic actors were inspired by Pryor (George Lopez, Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Denis Leary, Chris Rock, John Stewart, Robin Williams, and Bob Sagat). I don’t mean to sound angry but I really don’t like Dane Cook and he is no where near as good as The Great Richard Pryor. Watch the films I recommend growing up as a kid which I’m still surprised that my parents let me watch excluding “The Wiz” since that was a family film. And also watch the documentary “Richard Pryor: I Ain’t Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!” and you’ll see how great of a comedian he was and Dane Cook doesn’t even come close to him. And also listen or watch his stand up performances
So it’s not okay to compare Dane Cook to Richard Pryor but it okay to compare Dave Chappelle to him?!?
Of course. Chappelle holds the record for longest stand up performance which was 6 hours and seven minutes which Dane Cook failed to try to beat. He has the highest DVD sales for a series. As reported from tv.com “Chappelle’s Show: Season Two became the fastest-selling DVD set in history upon its release, notching one-day sales of 500,000 and first-week sales of 1.2 million. ” and “Chappelle’s Show: Season Two surpassed sales of DVD sets from the shows Seinfeld and The Simpsons. The first season of Chappelle’s Show remains the top-selling DVD set, with 3 million units sold.” Also Pryor’s work spans generations long which I’m sure Chappelle will do the same. So what mark in comedic society has Dane Cook made? Plus Richard Pryor himself has stated that he “passed the torch” of comedic greatness to Chappelle (Do a simple on google of Richard Pryor passing the torch to Chappelle). So yes Chappelle has every right to be compared to Pryor
Titanic is the top grossing movie of all time. Doesn’t mean I’m ready to say it’s the best movie of all time.
Dane Cook makes me luagh. Richard Pryor makes me luagh. Therefore, they should be compared.
I’m sorry; Whedon’s right.
Batman is the only DC property to do well, why? Because he’s the only DC hero without absurd powers and he’s the only DC character with a back story that matters.
I haven’t needed a god-like hero like Superman since I realized the idea of God is a psychological crutch for a species afraid of the universe around it….. that was around age 10.
DC characters as icons are interesting in very limitted ways, and so they get very limitted audiences.
The only Superman movie I would give a shit about seeing is Red Son.
Also, bringing up Marvel’s Hercules and gods, L-o-L. 99% of the earth’s population doesn’t even know that Marvel has a line devoted to the old gods, and it’ll be a decade before there’s a Hercules movie based on Marvel’s take, if ever.
Coraline was excellent.
He’s Just Not That Into You was a pleasant surprise, and I’m very happy it’s the first chick flick my girlfriend dragged me to.
Clue was one of the greatest comedies of the 80’s, so there.
“Red State” will inspire out rage if it happens, and it probably won’t be all that great, really.
“Cabin In The Woods” just probably won’t be all that great, really.
WATCHMEN THIS WEEKEND, WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I humbly disagree, with everything you just said/typed.
Wait, so you didn’t like Coraline, thought He’s Just Not That Into You was unpleasent as expected, hate “Clue,” thinks that Red State will inspire no outrage but will be really great, as will Cabin in the Woods
WATCHMEN THIS WEEKEND BOOOOOO! (?)
I didn’t reply to that message, I replied to the one above it. Learn how the comment section works.
I think Whedon has a point in that many of the DC characters are not easily relatable. That said, I think what the really changes is the kinds of stories that should be written for them.
So even though it’s a terrible movie something like Superman IV (The Quest for Peace) asks an interesting question which is what is Superman’s responsibility in a world with nuclear weapons? (A question that gets some attention in Watchmen with the role of Dr. Manhattan in nuclear talks.)
Scott, Ben; I’m not gonna argue that the gay rights issue was a factor in Milk winning Best Actor and Best Orignal Screenplay, or that (being a strong supporter of gay rights) it was a factor of my deep apriciation of the film. But another- and in my opinion, greater- factor is that Sean Penn gave an absolutely brilliant performance, totally different from anything he’s done in the past decade or so; and that Dustin Lance Black’s script was energetic, smart, exciting, noble, heat-breaking and just damn electric. As bummed out as I was that Rourke didn’t get his comeback story, Penn deserved that Oscar.
I really want you guys to sit down and watch Milk so we can continue this discussion.
I didn’t mean that Sean Penn’s performance didn’t garner critical acclaim, however I think that the gay rights angle did allow him to win despite the fact that Rourke’s performance was the best of the year.
As far as the script goes, our biggest issue was that it was nominated for original screenplay, even though it was based on the life of a real person. The Academy wanted it to win and so they point into a category it had a chance in.
I don’t think that’s a fair criticism Ben. That’s not how they’ve dividied up the categories in the past. Milk played by the same rules as everyone else. It’s not based on a pre-existing script or book, therefore it’s “original”.
I havent’ even seen the film (because I’m deeply prejudiced against biopics) but I have noticed how quick everyone is to play the gay card, and I think it’s premature. It was only a few years ago that everyone was saying the gay card cost Brokeback the Oscar. Now all of a sudden gay = oscar.
I wouldn’t be so quick to toss the plain old “people just liked the movie” card.
As we said in the episode there were a lot of things that happened last year that attributed to the gay thing being a bigger deal this year. Hollywood isn’t the same as it was a few years ago.
But where is this gay memo coming from? Last year gays are out, this year they’re gold!
Why have you ruled out people just liking the movie?
I’m just proud that I amde you lol fo’ realz.
I’m just proud that I made you lol fo’ realz.
Cook even tried to beat chappelle’s record for longest time on stage telling jokes which was over 6hrs but when chappelle heard he broke his own record. Cook isn’t in the same league with the good comics
Yes he is. Chris Rock once said that stand up comedy is the only part of show buisness where there’s justice. If you’re funny and different, you will devolp a fanbase. Cook has a huge fanbase becuase he’s funny and people respond to his humor. I think that means he’s funny.
But hey ypu keep on keeping on. I bet it’s fun being a comedy snob
I knew the comedy snob accusation would come, and it’s somewhat legit (I am a bit of a comedy snob I guess).
I don’t think, however, that history will be as kind ot Cook’s comedy career as it will be to Zach and Patton.
And just because something is really popular doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s good (see: Tyler Perry).
I have no problem saying that he is funny, he delivers with energy and excitment, and I cant REALLY fault his acting… he’ll never win an award, but he does a pretty decent job.
It does bother me greatly that he steals jokes though… I dont think thats too snobby to think that a guy who rips other people off doesnt deserve to be rewarded for it.
It means that speaks to a certain audience in all the right ways. Look, I’ll never get Tyler Perry, but its not made for me. That doesn’t mean its bad. The only time something like a movie or comedian fails is when the audience it wanted doesn’t like it. Like Street Fighter; horrible movie that couldn’t get its target audience. Here’s another example; I really didn’t like the new “Friday the 13th,” but that’s because I’m not a slasher movie fan. But Will, Scott and Ben all love slasher movies and they thought Friday the 13th was fantastic. So the movie worked, but just for the folks who are into that sort of thing. Same with Dane Cook
Those are all really good points, I don’t see how anyone can argue with that.
I could, but I won’t.
I’m a slasher fan and I thought Friday the 13th was a steaming pile of poo… am I the exception that proves the rule or just odd and British as usual?
No I’m a giant horror/thriller movie fan and hated the remake also.
yay, i got a personal appology on the show! Eat that Rusty James!
Ben quoted me.
I withdraw my comment
I think someone from G4 reads this forum. They argued about Dane Cook vs. Richard Pryor on Attack of the Show (3-4-09) it starts at 01:00 and ends at 02:13 of the clip
http://g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/videos/37052/Hammer-Mishaps-and-the-Modern-Man.html
Ha, it’s probablly just a coincidence
or IS IT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
It is.
Oh……….. ok then
I love that just because Dane Cook has energy the fact that he takes other people’s material is ignored. So I have to ask the creators of this this podcast, or whatever creative people out here that like Cook. If someone stole your material and just gave it more energy and therefore found a huge audience with YOUR material and gave you no credit, would you still be so god damn ho hum about it?
You guys pretty much love a very enthusiastic cover artist. And someone who’s been reported into storming off stage like a drama queen and cutting into other comics time (which is stand up is a big no-no, along with stealing). If you’re wondering why no one makes a big stink about it, just look at what happened to Joe Rogen after the Carlos Mencia incident. Whither you think Rogen is funny or not, when he did that, his agent dropped him, a bunch of clubs wouldn’t hire him and his tour got slashed left and right. In comedy if you go after someone who’s famous, even if your right or wrong, you’ll pay. So if you’re a Cook or Mencia fan, and don’t care about the fact they steal, then thank you, you’re part of the problem.
I understand that in comedy, material theft is a big problem, however there are a couple of things that I as an outsider don’t understand. They always say that in comedy its all about timing and delivery. So if someone writes a joke, but someone tells it better, then who has the right to tell the joke. I mean obviously the one that wrote the joke has a claim to the rights, but as a fan I’m all for the funniest jokes ever. So if you have energy and you can tell jokes better, than I really don’t care where the jokes come from. If that makes me part of the problem then so be it.
I see where thats comming from, and if he gave the other people credit for the jokes and paid them for it, id be completely fine with it.
You know Elvis Presley didn’t write Hound Dog, right?
Maby but if you look in the credits you’ll see he didnt STEAL it.
Thats just a bad example. Elvis bought songs, songwriters get credit and compensation for songs. Bands must pay if they make money off of a cover. why should it be different for comedians?
I have no problem with Dane Cook though because I feel that a lot of the flak he takes is due to jealousy over his fame. I mean many comedians steal material and he is the only one hated for it. I can listen to Dennis Leary and pick out numerous jokes he lifted from Bill Hick after his death, hell he stole Bill Hick’s personality. but who did Cook rip off that pisses everyone off?
I think most people just hate Dane Cook becuase he’s popular, but not with the cool kids. It’s the same logic behind people hating bands like Fall Out Boy or My Chemical Romance. They could actually be making pretty worthwhile product, but its more hip to diss them than it is to admire them.
It’s lame to defend your tastes by claiming everyone else has some agenda. I don’t know who Dan Cook is but I really doubt anyone is just pretending not to like him in some pathetic attempt to impress the coolest kid in the cafeteria.
Just tell people they’re wrong and do a good job articulating why.
I don’t like Dane Cook because I don’t think he’s very funny nor do I think he has a great stage presence, but that’s just me. I doubt that it is popular to diss Dane Cook otherwise he would not be as popular as he is, but I gotta say, a real great comedian would be able to get famous outside of his home land, seeing as only a handful of peeps know who Dane is over here, yet a lot of people over here know about Sarah Silverman, Dennis Leary and Tracey Morgan, but not Dane, this proves to me that he has not done that.
And that’s great. If you don’t like Dane Cook becuase he doesn’t make you luagh, that’s fine.
It kinda makes sense that Cook doesn’t have a lot of popularity oversees. All of the movies he starred in are horrible. Are his albums available over there?
Not as far as I know, but comedy albums are a rare comodity over here, it’s all about the live DVD, of which I believe he has none of over here.
and hey, he was in Waiting, that wasn’t that bad
I liked Waiting, but b/c of Justin Long and John Francis Daley, not Dane
yeah, the movies where he’s second banna (Wating, Dan in Real Life) turn out well, the guy just can’t get the right starring vehicle.
I don’t know if I would call comedy albums all that popular over here either, like sales-wise.
Scott? Changeling? Really? The one written by he-who-shall-not-be-named?
hmm…
oh I’m well aware. I think JMS just needs stay away from the Sci-fi and Fantasy genres in order for me to like it, because this was really good.
Or maybe it was just a fluke. Who knows?
I still hate B5 and his Spider-Man run.
I’m really surprised you didn’t like B5 more. I thought it would be right up your alley. I’m the first to admit there are some aspect of it that are… uh spotty. But there are things he does better than anyone else out there.
I’m not gonna pester you about it, because I know you gave it a decent shot (I haven’t even watched all of season 1) but I would’ve recommend you started with the movie: In The Beginning and also the 3 season spanning B4 trilogy.
And what I read of his Spider-man run was like a crime. The aunt may centric issue. The very special post 911 issue. It was brutal.
I have no doubt that Scott is able to sort his opinions out and would probably have disliked the show either way. But there is still something to be said for going into a show thinking that you won’t like it.
I’m a JMS fan. I love his characters. I loved B5, loved Rising Stars, loved a lot of the cartoons he worked on,loved Jeremiah. I don’t think he’s perfect. But there are rarely people that deserve to be discussed as near perfect, much less those that actually succeed in being near perfect with their projects.
My big problem with Changeling was that even though it was pretty good, it had too many endings, it kept seeming like it was about to end, it faded to black and then “4 months later”. It was good, but not great, I thought Jolie was sub par in it.
I liked Changeling. In my top 10, it would be 12 or 13
Top 10 for 2008? or “Top 10!”?
oh, 2008