Episode 48: The Desolation of a Podcast

It's here!  This episode officially marks SzG's one year BatandHammer-versary.  Around this same time last year Bat and I were sitting down to start our podcast with our very first movie review, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.  It only seems right that we mark the occasion with our review of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. We bring you both a spoiler free as well as a spoiler-ific review in this podcast.  Along the way we talk about Paul Rudd's casting as Antman, a second villain joining in Avengers 2, Saints Row rumors, Hyrule Warriors and we bring you another Trailer Recap for the week.  As always we bring you Bat and Hammers weekly watching and playing progress. Don't forget to answer this weeks question of the week so we can talk about it next podcast.

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Here's the answers we received via Facebook, as well as our own  from last weeks Question of the Week with "What are your top 5 Holiday movies?"    

• 
  
• Christian

  
  
• 1. Christmas Vacation (Shitter was full!)
  2. Elf
  3. Scrooged 
  4. A Christmas Story
  5. Love Actually
• Josh

  
  
•  1 Muppets Christmas carol 
• 2 the original rudolf the red nose reindeer 
• 3 star wars (it's a tradition) 
• 4 A christmas story 
• 5 a charlie brown christmas (Yes it counts!!)

• Josh

  
  
• 1. Die Hard
  2. Scrooged
  3. Christmas Vacation
  4. A Christmas Story
  5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Doug 

  
  
• 1. Scrooged
  2. Elf
  3. Christmas Vacation
  4. Christmas Story
  5. Go

Hammer
1. Die Hard
2.The Santa Clause
3. Scrooged
4. White Christmas

Bat chose         
1. Christmas Story
2. Grinch who stole Christmas (original cartoon movie)
3. Die Hard
4. Bad Santa



Next weeks SzG Question of the Week (we need a better name for that) is "What book, that has never before been adapted, would you like to see made into a movie?" We will be on a week hiatus but get your answers in before January 3rd.

And  with all of that out of the way its now onto our Trailer Review.  

For this weeks edition we have 5 for your consideration

First out of the gate we have the new Christopher Nolan movie, Interstellar.  Because its Nolan we are both there but Bat was unimpressed with this trailer while I loved it. 


Second on the list is a Johnny Depp movie called Transcendence.  The trailer shows a brilliant Artificial Intelligence scientist get killed while his brain gets preserved by what looks like his own technology.  Looks interesting but its not in my top contenders for my theater dollar while Bat is ready and willing.


Third on the list is a little number called 22 Jump Street.  This trailer didn't really impress either of us honestly but as we stated in the podcast the first one didn't either and it ended up being one of the funniest movies either of us saw that year.  We're both there when it hits theaters but this trailer didn't really show us anything too good.


the fourth trailer we have had the Wonder Woman texting me the moment that it released with squee's a-plenty.  How to Train Your Dragon 2's trailer is good but not great, if anything the excitement of seeing Toothless and the gang in action is what got me going.  We're both there when it hits theaters and both enjoyed the trailer.


The last trailer we have this week is another sequel, but it had us both ready to pay for our tickets.  We still hate the title for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (man that's even a mouth full to write) but the trailer, really a teaser, showed just enough to keep us both excited for whats to come. Also that last shot of Caesar is absolutely stunning. 

That is all for this weeks podcast.  But both Bat and I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a fun and safe New Year. Catch us next year for more of your SzG goodness, same Bat channel same Hammer time.

-Hammer

Episode 47: Learning French for a Spanish Word

This week the semi dynamic duo meet up do discuss another week in geek. Hammer once again went to the movies stag, this time conquering the film that is OldBoy, Bat speaks from the heart about the VGX. We go over the 3 big trailers that dropped this week: The Edge of Tomorrow, Jupiters Ascending and the real behemoth of them,  Godzilla.  Also we cover Battlefield 4's bug report, YouTube dropping the Banhammer, NSA playing WoW and XB Live, Borderlands getting the TaleTell treatment, Fallout 4, stupid people on ebay, a fun way to brick your Xbone and the 'reveal' of a Sinister Six and Venom movie.  We also give the surprising landslide results of last weeks topic of the week.

Here is a link incase you want to read Hammer's OldBoy Review.

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Here's the answers we received via Facebook, as well as our own  from last weeks Question of the Week with "Matrix vs Inception and why?"   I'd also like to thank everyone who took the time to write in via Facebook and any other method(that's you Josh, Tristan and Charles).  It was a blast, as well as a surprise, to hear everyones responses.  

Josh Said " Matrix! Insheeption was dumb! Couldn't even finish it!"

Chris said  "I can't choose. They've both given us so many great memes. And music! After The Matrix every action movie afterwards had to include some techno. Then, Inception happened. Now every sci-fi movie has to include those giant tubas. *Bwwaaaah*"

G said  "Matrix hands down inception comes nowhere near the mind boggling of the matrix"

Hammer chose    "Inception"

Bat chose            "Matrix"

Hammer's favorite Inception Meme

Next weeks SzG Question of the Week (we need a better name for that) is "What are your top (5 or less) Holiday movies?"  We were aiming for this Holiday season but really we left it open so list whatever you would like to list.

And  with all of that out of the way its now onto our Trailer Review.  
For this weeks edition we have 3 for your consideration

First off we have Edge of Tomorrow which has been aptly described. at least in my opinion, as Groundhog Day meets Halo.  Both Bat and I will be there for this one.

Next we have Jupiter Ascending's trailer, by the Wachowski Siblings, which really leaves both of us with very little idea of whats going on here.  That may be a good thing as it sure has a lot of glitz and glam packed into 2 mins of footage.  Bats all in and I'm in with trepidation.

The last trailer for this weeks review is Godzilla.  Even without seeing the trailer and knowing that it was from the creative team behind Pacific Rim I could tell you I was already in on this.  Bat seems like he is as well.  This trailer makes for a much more gritty version of Gojira than we have seen before and heres to hoping that it pays off.

Don't forget to catch us next week same Bat channel same Hammer time.

-Hammer

Episode 46: The Underwhelming Spider-man!

We welcome ourselves back from Thanksgiving to a whole mess of geeky goodness to feast on.  Hammer gives his spoiler free review of Frozen.  There are tons of tasty tidbits for our movie news ranging from Bill and Ted 3 to Jurasic Park.  Hammer shares more than a  few serious stories for the video game news regarding PS4 playroom mishaps, broken xbone bluray drives and one dedicated gamer making the most out of Skirim.  The real meat and potatoes of the podcast comes from our reactions to the Spider Man 2 trailer and Gal Gadot’s casting as Dianna Prince (Wonder Woman).  We also have another edition of Free Shit, Good Shit as well another Question of the week. Seriously I kind of scared Bat with the sheer amount of stories that were on memo pad… then again it could have just been my writing.

Here is a link incase you want to read Hammer's Frozen Review.

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Here's the answers we received, as well as our own  from last weeks Question of the Week with "what game that you love do you want to see a sequel be made and why?" 

Josh Said " Starfox!"

Brian said  "For PC, I'd have to go with Freelancer"

Hammer chose    "Xenosaga"

Bat chose            "Legend of Dragoon"


Next weeks SzG Question of the Week (we need a better name for that) is "Matrix vs. Inception: which one do you choose and why?"


Don't forget to catch us next week same Bat channel same Hammer time.

-Hammer

SzG Reviews: Frozen

 Welcome and thanks for reading  our first foray into the world of written reviews,   I’m going to be borrowing the format found in our Sprecken ze Geek podcast for reviewing movies where we ditch any kind of numeric score for the simplistic "Should you see it in theaters, wait till rental or avoid it entirely".  

Hammer Says: See this in theaters!

Spoiler Free Review:   To be honest the trailer to Frozen never really set my world on fire. The Trailer just kind of seemed there and nothing stood out.

It always felt like it was much too akin to Tangled in art style and because of that I worried that the story itself would be a retread as well.

  I’m happy to announce that I was wrong, well Sven the Moose feels pretty darn like Maximus the Horse but I’m okay with that.

                            Sven                                                                     Maximus 

You quickly realize that you are in for a truly musical Disney adventure that I feel we haven’t had since Princess and the Frog.  The music is fun, catchy and keeps the story flowing.  The animation is crisp and clean and what more of what you’ve come to expect from the studio that brought you Tangled and Wreck it Ralph.   The Snow and Ice effects are particularly beautiful and it blows my mind how hard these people worked to make it look so effortless.



In Short this one gets the Hammer Seal of Approval.  I took the Wonder Woman to go see a Disney Princess movie for our date night and Frozen did not disappoint.

Click here to read a the Spoilerific Bits

There isn’t too much to spoil really on this one accept that Hans is a douche (which funny enough I didn’t see coming), Sven is adorable (I want one) and Josh Gad as Olaf is funny but don’t let the media over hype his performance for you.  On a sappy side note I really was rooting for Hans and Anna to work out so that Kristoff and Elsa could be an item.  It was that whole comment about “Ice is my life!” that really started that hope a going.  It was quickly dashed after Anna  got iced an Kristoff became her Nordic Knight in Shining armor.   Am I the only who wanted to see both sisters happy?  I’m just a sap I guess.

Don't Forget to check out the Sprecken ze Geek Podcast every Monday morning for all your geeky needs.

-Hammer

Episode 45: Free Sh*t Good Sh*t

Good Week dear listeners, please forgive the self censored title... or don't.  Either way we will continue to rant on in good oll SzG fashion.  This week we worry over the confirmed How I met your dad spin off, talk up more Batman vs Superman news, look at the possibilities for Spiderman 4 and his amazing friends, the possibility of 50 shades going NC-17. discuss the puzzling date for FFX HD's release.  This episode also sees the debut of a new segment for which this episode is named, Free Shit Good Shit, where we offer up was new and good in gaming deals.  As always we bring you what we're watching, playing and reading.

Also don't forget to send your answers to this weeks question of "what game that you love do you want to see a sequel be made and why?"

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

As promised I remembered to include the videos mentioned in the podcast

And Here We Go!

First up is the Trailer for Studio Gibili's new film "The Wind Rises."  While I don't feel that the trailer really sells it to the hardcore anime audience I can tell you my ass will be in the theater for this one.  The lauded praise really feels ultra bullshit though. 

Here we have the other side of the conversation from Gravity.  You finally get to see who Juli....Sandra Bullock is talking to and with subtitles!  Be prepared for some epic spoilers and crazy M. Night like twists in this one!  Okay, I lied... so its just a guy in the snow talking to Bullock about how he likes his Doggie.  But at least we now know that.

The last thing mentioned was this infamous included test audio with WinAmp.  Am I the only one that remembers this?  Bat sure as hell doesn't but he did laugh at it.  Anyways here is your bit O nostalgia.

On a side note, I dont remember the "in every direction" part being there though.

Well that is all for today and for the next week after as we all bask in the wonders of Turkey day, gluttony and Black Friday stories. But make sure to check out or next podcast on Monday December 9th were we will surely have plenty more to talk about.

-Hammer

Episode 44: Next Gen impressions, Current Gen Memories

As we started this week off earlier than normal we also seemed to hit a slump in terms of news as it seems Thor 2 is still doing its business and the video gamers of the world hold their breath for first launch of the next generation of gaming platforms (no WiiU you go sit in the corner).  So we take this week to discuss our thoughts on the Xbone and PS4's user interfaces and talk about what we are excited to see in the new consoles. While we're at it, we also decide to take a stroll down memory lane as we delve into our current generation favorites int terms of developers, games, memories as well as our biggest complaints from both systems. We also talk about what we're watching, playing and reading. 

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

http://www.ign.com/videos/2013/11/13/ps4-vs-xbox-one-console-experience

And that's all folks, catch us next week same Bat channel same Hammer time.

-Hammer

Episode 43: Stop... Hammer Time!

Boo yah bitches we went and saw a movie this week.  But that's no ordinary movie kiddos It's Thor 2: The Dark World!  And the semi dynamic-duo are out in full force bringing you both spoiler free and spoiler-ific reviews.  Along the way we talk about more Marvel news in terms of the 4 series deal with Netflix that will end in Defenders miniseries starting Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Daredevil and Iron Fist.  Supertroopers two, star wars release date, block buster closing.  We finish with what we're watching playing and reading.

**Spoiler-ific review starts at 52mins

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

And that's all folks, catch us next week same Bat channel same Hammer time.

-Hammer

Episode 42: Geeks Guide to the Galaxy... this week

Sorry for the delay, I fell asleep at the keyboard and forgot to click post.  But on with this weeks podcast! We delve into the wondrous world of geeky trailers with Cap 2, Xmen Days of Future Past, 47 Ronin, Heavenly Sword and more.  We also bring you a wondrous helping of geeky nuggets o' news along with what we have been watching, playing and reading.

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

I Owe you all a few trailers which I will post later on today.  Thanks for your assumed patience

And for our first Official Trailer Review we have 4 for your considderation
And Here We Go!

First off is 47 Ronin with Keanu Reeves.  Looks pretty fun with a helping of fantasy and action.
Count us in

Number 2 on the list is Xmen: Days of Future Past.  Seriously who isn't in this movie? It looks the be a hell of a cast mash-up of Past and Present (meant to be read as a bad pun).  Though Bat is confused by the lack of Sentinels I am all for this streamlined and story driven trailer.  Count us in again


3rd on the list is the Cap 2 trailer.  Both Bat and I have expressed how unimpressed we were with this trailer.  Which is sad honestly, because it had been one of my most anticipated Phase 2 movies.  I don't think the movie is doomed, haha and the Marvel Puns keep rolling, but I think they can definitly take a few notes from the Xmen DoFP trailer and give us a more streamlined trailer.  Tell us what/who Cap is fighting, yes i know Winter Soldier but I don't think they sold it enough.  Count us out for the trailer


Last in this weeks Trailer Round-up is the Heavenly Sword Movie.  To be honest I feel really underwhelmed with this trailer for a game that was put out in 2007.  The trailer itself looks dated enough.  But beyond that, why put out a movie instead of another game?  Maybe this is their way of trying to get interest revved up?  I count my self out for this one.



So that is our first edition of the Official Trailer Round-up  (OTR has a nice ring to it).  Hopefully you enjoyed because I think we will be doing it a bit more often.

And that's all folks, catch us next week same Bat channel same Hammer time.

-Hammer

Episode 41: Marvel-ous News Everyone!

Keeping it short and sweet this week dear listeners.  Marvel drops a load of news/reviews in our laps along with some news from the wonderful world of gaming. As always we bring you what we're watching, playing and reading.

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Also don't forget to watch as Hammer and The Wonder Woman unbox October's Lootcrate & Nerdblock.  Don't know what those are or why you should care?  Well let us explain it to you in marvelous detail!

We are going to start putting up more videos on a semi regular basis and we would love your opinions.  Do you like what you see?  Do you have suggestions about what we could do better?  Do you have an idea you would like us to try?  Well let us know in the comments below or as always email us at BatandHammer@gmail.com and we will get right to it.

And that's all folks, catch us next week same Bat channel same Hammer time.

-Hammer

Episode 40: Julia Roberts in Space

Or was it Sandra Bullock?  Listen in on Hammer's confusion as we talk about this weeks movie, Gravity!  Many are saying that this is the next Avatar in terms of 3D movie experiences, do the everyday heroes agree?  that is a good question, so listen in.  This week we also talk about Squeenix's Council of Elrond, next gen DRM woes and game delays,  laugh at people who put consoles in confined spaces and chat about big movie filming wrap ups. 

**Spoilerific Review starts at 57:45

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

This is the kind of game commercial I can get behind :

And that's all folks, catch us next week same Bat channel same Hammer time.

-Hammer

Episode 39: Period Drama

We're back! A new nerd is born story.  Now if you didn't get the 90's cartoon movie reference don't feel bad, I'm sure you aren't the only one.  After taking a week break the somewhat dynamic duo is ready to deliver you some nerdy news(Hammer had 4 pages... sorry)  along with Bat's story of his daughters birth. We wrap up by catching up on what we're watching and playing.

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Now for our very own funnies of the internet:

First up is the wonderfully misplaced Alice in Wonderland promo that gives Snow White a whole new set of powers.

The second video up is for all of those who love some good targeted marketing... and Carrie.  Watch and laugh at this pretty awesome set up

And that's all folks, catch us next week same Bat channel same Hammer time.

-Hammer

Episode 38: Bat and Hammer Does Don Jon

Guess what dear listeners we got out and saw a movie! It feels like forever but your somewhat dynamic-duo are happy to bring you both Spoiler-free and Spoiler-ific reviews of Don Jon.  Before you ask, yes Scarlet is attractive... and no you don't see any naked bits.  Funny enough those were the top two most talked about parts of the movie.  But if you want to know if we enjoyed the Don and his Jon listen in.  We also bring a heaping helping of nerd news regarding a temp price drop for the 360, the Xbone game truck, Steambox OS, new crop of DC TV series as well as China lifting its 13 year ban on foreign consoles and stream services.

**Spoiler-Rific Review starts at 58:05**

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

We are starting our weekly Polls located to the right of your screen and we would love to get your input.  If you have suggestions for future polls we would also be interested.  This weeks polls ends the night of 10/4/13 so be sure to get your answers in before then

For those of us that are wanting to try and get our hands on some Xbone goodness, be sure to check out the Xbox One Truck schedule and see when its coming to a location near you.

I also mentioned the SteamBox Beta entry site which you can find right HERE. So check to see if you are eligible and if you happen to get one give us a heads up so we can poke and prod you with questions.

And that's all folks, catch us next week same Bat channel same Hammer time.

-Hammer