Character Actors I Want Everyone to Know: Ed Lauter (1938-2013)

An unfortunate event has forced me to move on an idea I’ve been mulling over as a companion to this column. In addition to films that I want everyone to know about, there are actors I think everyone should know as well. I hope to post every few weeks about an unsung hero of the acting world. I want to sing the praises of men and women who have made my movie going special over the years. I could amuse you with my man crush on Gene Hackman, or get you to see how sexy Susan Sarandon is. Maybe I can convince you to go back and revisit Claude Raines or Jean Arthur. All of them will be well known however and while I want to share my enthusiasm, I want to spark a little fire for those who never really get the spotlight. It is with sadness that I launch this series with a few words about the late Ed Lauter.

The Last Stand

Arnold Scwarzenegger rides again.

“He’s back” with a ton of firepower, mowing down bad guys and tossing out a clever quip or two. But just like the majority of his films of the 80s, if you want to enjoy this, you have to be ready to turn the critical functions of your brain off and just enjoy some cheese.

The Expendables 2

Two years ago, Sylvester Stallone parlayed the momentum of his comeback successes of “Rocky Balboa” and “Rambo” into the start of a new franchise, “The Expendables”. Featuring a virtual who’s who of aging action stars, “The Expendables” dealt up a heaping portion of carnage and camaraderie and proved to be surprisingly enjoyable movie. It was also successful enough to warrant a sequel.

For the return engagement, Stallone recruits additional semi-retired movie heroes (Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris), and expands the roles of pals Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. But would it be enough to support an already thin concept?

Fear not, “Expendables” fans, “The Expendables 2” more than delivers on its B-movie promise of bullets, blood, and bromance.

New Episode of The (title pending) Movie Podcast with Tank and Fogs!!

It’s Wednesday, and that means it’s Wednesday!

On today’s episode of (title pending), Tank and I take a trip to Rekall to open the show, then shake our heads clear in order to bring you “Has Tank Seen Apocalypse Now” and the “Box Office Roundup”.

For our featured reviews, we have two movies to cover this week. First up, Mr. Tanski represents with his opinion on “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days”. Then the two of us delve into the recent remake of “Total Recall”. Did it give either of us a schizoid embolism?

Since “Total Recall” is the big release of the week, we thought it only natural to turn our attention the career of the original Doug Quaid, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Tank and I go over our recollections, discuss our feelings about his filmography, and speculate as to whether or not he’s got anything left in the tank.

When you add it all up, it’s another great episode of (title pending), and I hope you all check it out! You can download it directly here, or search for us on iTunes!

For those of you looking to find us on Facebook, we’ve made it easier than ever by updating our page name! Now you can find us at Facebook.com/TankAndFogs! Please stop by and give us a like!

San Diego Comic-Con International 2012: The Expendables 2 Panel

For those of you with interest, here’s the video I took of last night’s “Expendables 2” Panel, featuring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

It really was one of the most fun panels I’ve had the pleasure of attending, both stars were in great spirits, and that sort of thing is completely infectious.

Sorry for the “Cuts”, Comic-Con does not allow footage to be recorded and released, so each time they went to video, I had to pause the recording. I’m sure if you choose to watch, you’ll be able to follow along anways!

Click through for the embed!

San Diego Comic-Con International 2012: Hall H, Thursday

Hello from the hotel… Thursday, day one of Comic-Con, is behind me. But what a memorable day it wound up being.

After getting worn down by the floor in the morning, I decided to check in to the Hall H line earlier than expected, and do a little blogging from the Hall H grass as I waited. Never happened. Unexpectedly, the line rolled right in to the auditorium, and I wound up getting in within 30 minutes or so. Practically no wait at all by Hall H standards.

The good news was, I was there in plenty of time for the Disney panel. The bad news was, for the second time in my three year Con career, I had to sit through a “Twilight” panel. LOL

But it wound up being an amazing day in the Hall. For having little plans or expectations on the day, I wound up seeing directors Tim Burton and Sam Raimi, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and John C Reilly… and then Jackie Chan served as a warm up act for the best panel I’ve ever seen… “The Expendables 2”, which notably featured Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger sharing the same stage!

Click through to read about it, and see the pics of this amazing day in the Hall.

Cheese-tastic Classics: “Commando”

Another edition of “Cheese-tastic Classics”! This is a very special installment, as it marks the series debut of the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger. For his inaugural appearance? There is no better movie than “Commando”, a true masterpiece du fromage.

In this post, I have something extra special for Commando fans! Incontrovertible documentation that finally answers the question “Just how many dudes does Schwarzenegger kill in the infamous assault on the island scene?”

Ohhhh yes I do…

The Great Debates: Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone – THE WINNER IS…

Ok, this is actually the first poll I’ve “Closed” here on the site. But after the fantastic response to this edition of “The Great Debates”, I felt that people needed some closure!

After a week of voting, more than 80 people voted and our discussion ran over 125 comments. The result was EXTREMELY close. This was an even match, a hard-fought battle, a well-earned victory…

For one of them.

Click through to see who won! 

The Great Debates: Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone?

Welcome to another edition of “The Great Debates”!

This time up, it’s a question that’s hounded movie goers for 30 years. Who do you prefer? Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger?

These two men authored a string of movies that helped define the tone of movies in the 1980s. Each has multiple franchises, successful one shots, plenty of cheesy movies, and some horrendous flops.

Click through to read the tale of the tape!

Movies That Everyone Should See: “Terminator 2: Judgement Day”

In July of 1991, the world was treated to an incredible motion picture. “Terminator 2: Judgement Day”. It’s an action movie with science fiction underpinnings, a chase film with the fate of the world as the stakes.

It’s easily one of the greatest “Action Movies” ever made.

But as great a movie as it is, it’s also an important one. “T2” was a milestone movie in the realm of special effects. A groundbreaking pioneer. Audiences stepped into theatres from a world where “CGI” held no meaning for them, and stepped back out after the show into a world where there was no doubt – movies had a powerful new weapon in their arsenal to bring the imagination into reality onscreen.