Scottscope Talk Radio 4/26/2014: Enter The Matrix!

On this week’s edition of Scottscope Talk Radio, we’ll be celebrating the 15th anniversary of The Matrix!  Has it stood the test of time?  Can it truly be considered a watershed film on par with the original Star Wars?  Is it truly the Wachowskis single best film?  Is it nothing more than a polished amalgamation of wuxia films, heroic bloodshed, cyberpunk, anime, and manga?  Did the Wachowskis basically steal their ideas from Sophia Stewart?   Did they simply plagiarize writer Grant Morrison’s comic series The Invisibles?  Has the film’s influence truly been a lasting one?  Can The Matrix be considered a loving tribute to Hong Kong Action cinema, or just a cheap imitation of it?  Can the Wachowski’s ever return to their former glory?  Should the saga of Neo continue?

Scottscope Talk Radio 4/19/2014: Time is Illmatic!

This week on Scottscope Talk Radio, the roundtable reviews The Raid 2: Berandal!  Is it a worthy follow-up to the original?  Is it actually better than the original?  Is it too ambitious for its own good?  Can it be considered bloated and pretentious?  Could it possibly be the most violent action film ever made?  Does it deserve comparison to classic “Heroic Bloodshed’ films like Hard Boiled and City on Fire?  Might it even deserve comparison to the likes of The Godfather Part 2?  Does it raise the bar for action cinema?  Are fans overhyping it?  Is it merely an ultraviolent yet disposable cult film from a familiar genre? 

Movie Review: The Raid 2: Berandal

Though weary from battle, Officer Rama (Iko Uwais) is afforded no rest.  Mere hours after emerging from the bloodied hallways of a Jakarta apartment block, he’s thrown to the wolves once again.  This time, he goes undercover to infiltrate the powerful Bangun crime family.  He eventually becomes bodyguard and confidant to its heir apparent, the impetuous Uco (Arifin Putra).  As a result, he becomes privy to family business and gangland politics.  However, when an unsanctioned hit triggers an all-out gang war, Rama finds himself on the front lines.  Will he be able to fight his way out of the slaughterhouse once more?   

Scottscope Talk Radio 4/5/2014: The Rise Of The Winter Soldier!

On this week’s edition of Scottscope Talk Radio, the roundtable reviews Captain America: The Winter Soldier! Just who is this mysterious character known as the “Winter Soldier”? What significance does he have to not only our hero, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe as whole? Will filmmaker’s Anthony and Joe Russo continue in the tradition established by Joe Johnston, or will they stake out new territory for Cap to conquer? Will the MCU ever manage to truly diversify its brand? Are all MCU films, and by extension, all superhero films exactly the same? Is it time for a change? Is Tony Stark/Iron Man still the most interesting and charismatic Avenger? Does Captain America: The Winter Soldier set a new watermark for the MCU? Is the hype justified? Join us as we ponder these and other mysteries of the MCU!

Movie Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) walks a lonely road.  Since awakening from his arctic slumber, he wanders through life in a perpetual state of bemusement.  His once beloved country has evolved into a high-tech police state.  It also happens to be the preeminent world power.  Now, with the help of Stark Industries technology, S.H.I.E.L.D hopes to make that power absolute.  Alas, a cancerous growth has been gestating deep within the bowels of the organization since its very inception.  That once hidden threat now seeks complete dominion over its host, and by extension, the world at large.  As this evolution takes place, key S.H.I.E.L.D operatives become strategic targets.  Now, more than ever before, Captain America is the lone ambassador of an outmoded ideal.  With the help of Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and The Falcon (Anthony Mackie), he hopes to restore freedom to world on the brink of losing it forever.