Now Playing -- The Movie Review Podcast

After Ghost Rider set theaters ablaze in 2007 a sequel seemed assured, but it took five years to get here. But now Nicholas Cage returns in the quasi-rebooted Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Johnny Blaze can have his curse lifted but first he must stop the devil from transferring his soul into the body of a young boy. From the directors of the cult hit Crank films, does this Ghost Rider spark with Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart? Listen to find out!

With a flaming skull, a leather jacket, and a bad bike, Ghost Rider embraced the biker comics counterculture in the 70's and had a resurgance as a dark hero in the 90's. The first Ghost Rider film broke box office records, and now Nicholas Cage reprises his role as the devil's bounty hunter. And continuing their look back at all movies based on Marvel Comics heroes, and in anticipation of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Jakob, Stuart, and Arnie will be watching and reviewing both Ghost Rider films. In the first movie, Johnny Blaze tried to woo childhood sweetheart Roxanne while eating jelly beans and listening to The Carpenters, but Mephisto has other plans for the stunt biker. Do Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart go along for this ride? Listen to find out!

In 1978, before the Captain America films, CBS was still trying to replicate the successes of their Wonder Woman and Incredible Hulk TV series, but their next attempt to launch a superhero show drew inspiration from the Strange-st of places. The Dr. Strange TV film, based on the Marvel Comics magician, introduces prime-time television to Dr. Stephen Strange, a swinging psychiatrist with a destiny. This was not destined to be picked up as a series, but should it have? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob's review to find out, or be left cold and barren! {Marvel Series} {Avengers Series} {Comic Book Movies Series} {Dr Strange Series}

In the early 1990s the country was hungry for more superhero films. Batman had come out and shown us that comic book characters could be done without camp, and studios rushed to get more superhero projects in development. Yet despite Batman 's success, and 1991 being Captain America's 50th Anniversary, 21st Century Film Corporation's production of Captain America could not get distributed. Finally scuttled direct-to-VHS in 1992, this film has been a staple of the convention DVD bootleg circuit. Finally receiving not one but two official releases in 2011 to tie into Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger, does this 1990s version deserve another look? Listen to Jakob, Stuart, and Arnie's review to find out!   {Marvel Series} {Avengers Series} {Captain America Series}

In 1979 Captain America had not one but two TV movies! The first was a pilot for a possible series. The second was Captain America 2 - Death Too Soon! Reb Brown returned as Steve Rogers, the ex-Marine who really just wants to paint. But terrorist General Miguel, played by Christopher Lee, has poisoned Portland and only Captain America can stop him! With attack dogs, a hang-gliding motorcycle, and old ladies on Venice Beach, does this Captain America film do our country proud? Listen to Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart's review to find out!   {Marvel Series} {Avengers Series}{Captain America Series}

In the 1940's Captain America was born with a punch to Hitler's jaw. In the 60's he was thawed out again to help lead Marvel's super-team The Avengers. And in the 70's, when superhero shows Wonder Woman and The Incredible Hulk ruled the airwaves, Captain America was updated once again for a new generation. Here Steve Rodgers is a former Marine who wants nothing more than to drive up the California coast and draw, but a diabolical plot from evil oil tycoon Lou Brackett puts Steve's life in danger. With a clear shield, a boss motocross bike, and a groovy outfit Captain America is called to action. Is this a Captain that kids of the 70's could get behind? Listen to Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie to find out!   {Marvel Series} {Avengers Series}{Captain America Series}

During the Cold War, only one man could protect America from the evil terrorist forces of HYDRA - Nick Fury, director of ! But the Berlin Wall fell, HYDRA'S leader Baron Wolfgang von Strucker was captured, and Fury was put out to pasture. Now, however, HYDRA is back and S.H.I.E.L.D. needs Fury, played by Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, to save the day. Made for TV in the 90s, Nick Fury's first live-action depiction is now forgotten in the wake of Samuel L. Jackson. But can Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob handle The Hoff? Listen to Now Playing's review to find out!

In 14 years Sylvester Stallone had made five Rocky films, and for a long time it was easy to assume Rocky V was the last film. A financial failure and derided by critics and fans alike, it seems Rocky had finally retired once and for all. But 30 years after the original Rocky, Stallone put the gloves back on and returned to the role that made him famous. Now Rocky Balboa is a widower, a restaurateur, and has a beast inside him that needs to be released in the ring. Does this latest Rocky film knock out our reviewers Arnie, Jakob, and Brock? Listen to our final Rocky review to find out!

After Rocky defeated Drago, and Communism, in Rocky 4, The Italian Stallion returned to his roots for Rocky 5. The director of the original Rocky film, John G. Avildsen, is back in the diretor's chair, and Rocky is back in Philly, broke once more. Due to brain damage Rocky cannot fight his way out of this situation, but with the family's only remaining possession, Micky's gym, Rocky finds himself training a new up-and-comer Tommy Gunn. This film takes a beating from fans and critics alike, but which way did the Now Playing judges rule? Listen to Arnie, Jakob, and Brock to find out!

Rocky went the distance with Apollo Creed, found the Eye of the Tiger and beat Clubber Lang, but four his next fight he's taking on the biggest enemy of all--communism! When Russian Olympic Gold Medalist Drago kills Apollo in an exhibition match, Rocky must fight to avenge his friend and defend his country's honor. Rocky 4 was the highest grossing of all Rocky films, but is it the best of the best? Listen to Brock, Jakob, and Arnie's review to find out!

As heavyweight champion Rocky traded his passion for glory. Now he worries more about his product endorsements and his new, plastic surgery enhanced face than his boxing matches. Fortunately Rocky's manager Mickey is shielding the champ, only letting Rocky fight punks who don't stand a chance. But when tough, hungry, up-and-comer Clubber Lang refuses to take "no" for an answer Rocky has to get the eye of the tiger...with the help of an old enemy. In theaters Rocky III was a hit that outgrossed even the original film, but with Mr. T in the spotlight can this film still go the distance or is it past its prime and ready for retirement? Listen as Arnie, Jakob, and Brock once more step into the ring for this Rocky review!

Despite losing the boxing match by decision, Rocky was the undisputed box office champion of 1976. So three years later, the Italian Stallion was back on the big screen and this time he was there to "Win, Rocky, Win!" With Sylvester Stallone now behind the camera as well as in front, and the entire cast of the original film returning, does Rocky II pack a punch? Listen as Arnie, Jakob, and Brock step back in the ring and find out!

It's sometimes hard to believe Sylvester Stallone is an Oscar nominated actor and writer. After all, Demolition Man and The Expendables aren't usually the films that get Academy notice. But in his career-making role as washed-up fighter Rocky Balboa Stallone captured accolades and audience dollars. Now, for Rocky's 35th anniversary, Now Playing hosts Arnie, Brock, and Jakob are watching and reviewing all six Rocky films, starting with this 1976 original. Can this film still go the distance with modern audience? Listen to find out!

The Punisher's attempts at a franchise continue to be shot down. While 2004's Punisher film failed to blow up the box office, strong DVD sales convinced Lionsgate to move ahead on a sequel--only to have director Jonathan Hensleigh and star Thomas Jane drop out. But the project moved on, now a second reboot for the Marvel Knight. Ray Stevenson strapped on the skull-logo flack jacket to fight classic comic book villian Jigsaw in this ultra-violent comic adaptation. Does this third Punisher film finally hit the target, or is it yet another misfire? Listen to Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart's final installment in the Punisher Retrospective Series to find out!

With Blade a cinematic success Artisan Entertainment brought another R-rated Marvel property to the big screen--The Punisher. Starring Thomas Jane in the title role and John Travolta as bad guy gangster Howard Saint, this adaptation remained closer to the character's comic book portrayal, putting him in his signature skull outfit and with a story based on Garth Ennis' acclaimed Welcome Back Frank story. But this film was punished by most critics, only to find its audience on DVD. Is this film justice for our hero, or punishment for the viewer? Listen as Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart are here to live once more, or die once more, or review once more and find out!

In 1989 the second Marvel Comics hero got his shot at big screen glory -- The Punisher, a murderous vigilante who dispenses the ultimate punishment to criminals. To comic book fans, Dolph Lundgren's portrayal of the character barely resembled the original material. Gone was the giant skull on the Punisher's shirt, and instead of a Viet Nam war hero Frank Castle was now a police officer waging a one-man war against the mob. But is the true punishment that inflicted upon viewers of this film? On this week's Now Playing, Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob continue their Marvel Movie retrospective with this first Punisher film, so listen to find out!

After Red Dragon's success more Lecter films were guaranteed, and to keep with author Thomas Harris' original vision this time the movie was not just based on one of his novels--the Hannibal Rising screenplay was written by Harris in conjunction with the new novel telling of Hannibal the Cannibal's early years. Can this film provide a future for the series without Anthony Hopkins, and does Gaspard Ulliel's Hannibal rise to the occasion? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob's final review in the Hannibal Lecter series to find out!

Quickly after Hannibal hit theaters production began on yet another installment of the Hannibal Lecter franchise, and this time instead of looking forward to Harris writing another Hannibal story they looked backwards to Red Dragon, Harris' first novel featuring the caged cannibal. Already made into a film in the 80's, Manhunter, now the story is retold in an adaptation more faithful to the original novel and with Hopkins again reprising the role that he is best known for. With an all-star cast and director Brett Ratner at the helm, was this film a needed update or a desperate cash-grab? Listen to Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart's review to find out!

Warning: This podcast deals with subject matter that will be objectionable to the vast majority of listeners. No one under the age of 18 should listen, and those over the age of 18 should listen with caution. Last year the world was fascinated by The Human Centipede. What started as an underground, unknown movie only shown at midnight in select theaters ended up a global phenomenon. Word of the sequel spread fast, and the buzz increased when the film was banned in the UK. Now the sequel is here and the full sequence twelve-person Human Centipede is ready to be revealed. Do four-times the people equate to four-times the entertainment? Listen as Stuart, Marjorie, and Arnie line up to review this sequel and find out!

When Silence of the Lambs was received with critical acclaim and box office success, audiences waited with baited breath for the reunion of the cannibal and the agent -- Hannibal and Clarice. But despite audience anticipation, author Thomas Harris did not complete the sequel novel Hannibal until 1999, and upon its release many of the talent associated with the original film declined to return. But with new director Ridley Scott, fresh off his Oscar for Gladiator, behind the camera and Hopkins returning to chew up the scenery and his victims, could this film live up to the last or is it too much for audiences to swallow? Listen to find out!