We’ve gotten a release date for World of Warcraft’s latest expansion (September 25th) and we’ve gotten a date for the pre-expansion release (August 28th), but for many people today was the day they were looking forward to. Today, Blizzard released the lead-in cinematic for Mists of Pandaria, the upcoming expansion, and it is awesome. As we expected, the Mists cinematic focuses on introducing... 

For the first time in all of my years of doing this, I’m not incredibly thrilled with my end of the year list. As usual, there are movies appearing on other people’s lists that I haven’t gotten to see, and unfortunate timing means I won’t be seeing them for another couple of weeks at the best. Rather than hold out on my “Best of” list for 2011 until the point that... 

The topic of the week is sequels: how do you do follow up a popular movie with a sequel that keeps fans interested without pissing them off. With Kung Fu Panda 2 and The Hangover Part II in theaters, we have some good examples of what (and what not) to do. We also finish up our Artist of the Month with Jarhead and Restrepo and mourn the passing of Jeff Conaway. We’ll be taking the next two weeks... 

Kung Fu Panda 2 3D is everything needed from the sequel to the hit animated original from 2008. It’s fasted-paced, delightful, action-packed and full of heart. Jack Black is back as Po and he brings his best voice acting effort yet with a well-rounded, fully developed, emotional characterization that surpasses the first film – more confident, but yet just as insecure. Gary Oldman steps in to... 

I find it interesting that Kung Fu Panda 2 has been released the same weekend as The Hangover Part II. Between the two films, there is an incredibly different approach to creating a sequel. The Hangover Part II takes the stance of recreating what worked well in the first place, nearly note for note. Kung Fu Panda 2, on the other hand, figures out where the story would go next and gives the audience... 

It’s Father’s Day 2009, and the first celebration of the holiday by Rafe. As usual, Father’s Day means an appearance by The Podcast Dad. We discuss romantic comedies, the disappointment of Year One, and Sometimes Tim’s dream of something that might resemble more than meets the eye. Also, a discussion of Michael Moore’s latest “trailer” and how it ties into... 

It’s rare that I see a movie that influences my interest or desire to see another movie. Year One is one of those rare examples. Written and directed by Harold Ramis (and featuring a cameo from the director), one would expect the “original road trip” movie to be on par with his other work – Groundhog Day, Analyze This, or even Bedazzled. Instead, it makes me wonder if Ramis has any idea...