In this episode, Andrew and Morgan discuss Gamer, which stars Gerard Butler as a future video game gladiator whose actions are controlled by another human being in a shoot-'em-up game called Slayers.  Is this latest film from the creators of Crank fragtastic, or does it just get pwned?  Plus, Andrew reviews Extract, the latest movie from Office Space helmer Mike Judge.  Also includes QuickChatter reviews, Listener Feedback and DVD Recommendations.

Click below the break for trailers and detailed show notes.

Download MP3 ♦ Subscribe via iTunes ♦ Subscribe via Email

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

NOTE: You can call Andrew and Morgan with your feedback at 866-830-2525. Be sure to leave your first name and where you're calling from. Alternatively, you can email podcast@randomchatter.com. Tune in next week for our discussion of 9 and more! Thanks for listening!

SHOW NOTES:

Announcements:

• Check out Andrew's interview with Tucker Max here.
• Check out Andrew's interview with Ondi Timoner here.

QuickChatter:

• 3:27 - The Air I Breathe (Morgan)
• 6:34 – The Majestic (Morgan)
• 9:38 – Timecrimes (Andrew)
• 10:45 - 500 Days of Summer (Andrew)
• 11:31 - 1900 (Andrew)

Review – Extract (spoiler-free):

• 14:36 – Intro and clip
• 17:01 – Andrew's general thoughts
• 19:10 - The acting
• 20:36 - One-dimensional characters
• 21:56 - Closing thoughts and rating

Listeners Feedback

• 22:26 - Intro and voicemail
• 23:41 - Responses to the message; The Final Death-tination?

Discussion – Gamer (spoiler-free):

• 26:26 – Intro and clip
• 28:29 – Morgan’s rating and general thoughts
• 30:43 - Andrew's rating and general thoughts

Discussion – Gamer (spoilers):

• 33:51 – Capturing the essence of a video game
• 35:25 - Unclear player/played relationship
• 37:14 - The handling of exposition
• 38:17 - The action sequences and kinetic editing
• 40:50 - The controlled bystanders
• 42:23 - The restricted zones and the most nonsensical scene in the film
• 44:10 - The Ludacris factor; more scenes that don't make sense
• 46:45 - The Crank references and an awesome cameo
• 48:50 - Gamer: The Musical!
• 49:38 - The characterization of Kable
• 55:26 - Closing thoughts

DVD Recommendations:

• 57:07 - Intro
• 57:28 - Andrew's Pick: Crank
• 58:56 – Morgan’s Pick: Crank: High Voltage

TRAILERS: