The Brothers Bloom Rian Johnson Interview

Eric Melin interviews writer/director Rian Johnson ("Brick") about his newest con man comedy The Brothers Bloom, starring Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, and Rachel Weisz. This is an in-depth look at some of the secrets behind "The Brothers Bloom," and since Johnson's commentary was so interesting and thought-provoking, we decided to present the whole interview, which clocks in at over 10 minutes. If you are a true film fan, this is fascinating stuff. Eric and Rian discuss the challenge inherent in con artist movies, why storytelling is important to our lives, the challenge of a lack of dialogue, The Brothers Bloom's heightened stylistioc reality, and Johnson's new project, a sci-fi movie called "Looper." Check out this Rian Johnson interview about The Brothers Bloom.

Eric Melin and guest host Trevan McGee (inkkc.com) review Terminator Salvation, the fourth movie in the Terminator franchise that started way back in 1984 with James Cameron's The Terminator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Terminator Salvation stars Christian Bale as John Connor, the leader of the resistance who is fighting for humanity's survival in the future. Terminator Salvation was directed by McG (Charlie's Angels, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle) and is a bleak action movie set after Judgement Day, the nuclear holocaust. Even though Terminator Salvation is a dark and metallic-hued movie, Eric is hellbent on celebrating the summer blockbuster season--even though Terminator Salvation is not the first of the summer movies to come out in 2009. Is the Terminator saga still relevant or is it running on fumes?

Star Trek 2009 Movie Review

Eric Melin and guest host Billy Brimblecom review the new 2009 Star Trek movie, a reboot of the original Gene Roddenberry-created Star Trek series by new director J.J. Abrams, featuring original Star Trek characters like Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, etc. Leonard Nimoy and Simon Pegg also star. This new 2009 Star Trek features Eric Bana as a Romulan hell bent on revenge against the starship Enterprise. New Star Trek 2009 movie review, spoiler-free. Are Star Trek catch phrases too much? Is too much Star Trek never enough? Star Trek hits theaters Thurs. May 7 at 7pm, and some Star Trek showings are in IMAX.

Eric Melin from Scene-Stealers and guest host Aaron Weber from Transbuddha lock claws over the X-Men prequel starring Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Does the movie live up to the hype? How does it stack up against the other X-Men movies (especially since X2: X-Men United is one of the best comic book adaptations of all time)? Find out in this bestial review, featuring clips from the movie, and filmed directly following a press screening at the Screenland Theater in Kansas City, MO.

Best Worst Movie interview SXSW 2009

Best Worst Movie is the documentary about the phenomenon of Troll 2, widely regarded as the worst movie ever made. Eric Melin caught up with director Michael Paul Stephenson, star George Hardy, and Zack Carlson from Austin, Texas Alamo Drafthouse at the world premiere of Best Worst Movie at SXSW 2009. This in-depth interview was recorded directly after the premiere, just as George Hardy and Zack Carlson had seen the film for the first time. Best Worst Movie is currently making the rounds at film festivals across the country, and there are plenty of clips from both Best Worst Movie and the cult classic that spawned it, Troll 2, in this video. Learn more about Troll 2 director Claudio Fragasso and his feelings about how Troll 2 has been received and hear about a trip to mysterious Troll 2 star Margo Preys house in this interview as well. Nilbog fanatics unite! Best Worst Movie is currently playing at film festivals everywhere.

Eric Melin interviews Seth Rogen the morning after the red carpet premiere of Rogen's new movie "Observe and Report" in Austin Texas. At SXSW, Eric picks Rogen's brain about Observe and Report, Freaks and Geeks, Scorsese, and lots more. We also have exlusive interview footage with some fun details on Rogen's new project "The Green Hornet." With Michel Gondry behind the lens, it will be exciting to see how this unfolds. The observe and report cast includes Seth Rogen, Ray Liotta, Michael Peña, Anna Faris, and Danny McBride.

The Whitest Kids U' Know Miss March Interview

On the first day of SXSW 2009 at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX, Eric Melin interviews Trevor Moore and Zach Cregger from The Whitest Kids U’ Know on a live sketch comedy tour to promote the Fox Searchlight comedy “Miss March.” Is there a Whitest Kids U’ Know movie on the horizon? Will IFC renew the absurdist comedy troupe for a fourth season? Trevor and Zach answer these questions and talk about writing and directing “Miss March,” getting bottles thrown at them on The Whitest Kids U’ Know tour, and how cool it is that kids have to sneak into theaters to see their rated-R teen sex comedy.

I Love You, Man Movie Review

Eric Melin from Scene-Stealers and guest host Whitney Mathews (www.whitneymathews.com) review the new bromance comedy "I Love You, Man," starring Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Jon Favreau, Jamie Pressly, Rashida Jones, J.K. Simmons, and Andy Samberg. "I Love You, Man" gives Paul Rudd a chance to flex his leading man chops, but does it give him a good character or script to work with? Find out in this on-camera movie review of "I Love You, Man" from Scene-Stealers.com.

Watchmen Movie Review

Eric Melin from Scene-Stealers and guest host Aaron Weber from Transbuddha review the new Zack Snyder movie “Watchmen,” an adaptation of the graphic novel masterpiece by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. They aren’t afraid to tackle such heady topics as fetishized violence and superhuman strength from costumed adventurers who are supposed to be portrayed as having no superpowers (save Dr. Manhattan of course!), a gross simplification of the comic’s complicated themes, a shocking lack of subtlety, whether the heavily stylized look was the right choice for the material, whether one viewing is enough to balance the spectacle vs. the storytelling, and Eric’s failed strategy of trying really hard to resist reading the book again right before seeing the movie. This is an emotional, honest look at a film that both reviewers had been anticipating for years and years, and one still refuses to give up on, even when all his instincts tell him he should do just that.

2009 Oscar Picks Episode 4

The Oscar Fix, Episode 4 of 4: Back by popular demand! Eric and JD, two unorthodox film critics at Scene-Stealers.com discuss Oscar picks and snubs for the upcoming 2009 Academy Awards. In this last episode, Eric and JD predict the winners in Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture.

2009 Oscar Picks Episode 3

The Oscar Fix, Episode 3 of 4: Back by popular demand! Eric and JD, two unorthodox film critics at Scene-Stealers.com discuss Oscar picks and snubs for the upcoming 2009 Academy Awards. In this third episode, Eric and JD predict the winners in Best Actor and Best Actress.

2009 Oscar Picks Episode 2

The Oscar Fix, Episode 2 of 4: Back by popular demand! Eric and JD, two unorthodox film critics at Scene-Stealers.com discuss Oscar picks and snubs for the upcoming 2009 Academy Awards. In this second episode, Eric and JD predict the winners in Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Original Screenplay.

2009 Oscar Picks Episode 1

The Oscar Fix, Episode 1 of 4: Back by popular demand! Eric and JD, two unorthodox film critics at Scene-Stealers.com discuss Oscar picks and snubs for the upcoming 2009 Academy Awards. In this first episode, Eric and JD predict the winners in Best Animated Film, Best Documentary Feature, and Best Foreign Language Film.

Coraline Movie Review

Eric Melin from Scene-Stealers.com and guest host Billy Brimblecom, drummer extraordinaire, review the new 3D stop-motion animation film "Coraline" and talk about its relation to Tim Burton and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." All the ads seem to suggest Tim Burton without actually saying his name, so that is addressed-- along with the spookiness of a kids' fantasy written by Neil Gaiman (of "Sandamn" comics fame) and the idea of 3D accentuating the movie without being too gimmicky. Also, don't forget to enter our Oscar Pick 'em Contest for 2009. Enjoy this on-camera review from Scene-Stealers.com!

Revolutionary Road Movie Review

Eric Melin and J.D. Warnock from Scene-Stealers are reunited in a moment so big it could only be eclipsed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet's first pairing since the record-breaking run of "Titanic" all those years ago. "Revolutionary Road" was directed by Winslet's husband Sam Mendes ("American Beauty") and adapted from the novel by Richard Yates. A depressing study of an unhappy married couple who feel trapped in the suburbs, it's about as far away from "Titanic" as you can get. See what Eric and J.D. thought of "Revolutionary Road" in this on-camera video review.

Curious Case of Benjamin Button Movie Review

Eric Melin from Scene-Stealers.com and guest critic Trevan McGee from inkkc.com battle it out over "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," a big Oscar prestige film starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, adapted from the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story, and directed by David Fincher. Will it be the big contender for Best Picture at the Academy Awards that everyone predicts it will be or is it an overly long snorefest? One of our critics definitely has the latter opinion. Check out the instant on-camera review for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

The Wrestler Movie Review

Scene-Stealers.com critic Eric Melin and guest co-host Whitney Mathews review Mickey Rourke’s comeback role in Darren Aronofsky’s new movie “The Wrestler.” Co-starring Marisa Tomei as the stripper who wins his heart and Evan Rachel Wood as his estranged daughter, “The Wrsetler” is a gripping, realistic walk through some important moments in the life of fictional 1980s professional wrestling icon Randy “The Ram” Robinson. It may not be the WWE (WWF) or ECW, but Aronofsky’s movie is about as hardcore as it gets.

Twilight Movie Review

Stephanie Meyer's teen vampire romance book "Twilight" makes it to the big screen this weekend starring Robert pattinson as Edward and Kristen Stewart as Bella. There's no doubt that "Twilight" will make tons of cash, but will it satisfy fans an non-fans of the book alike? Eric Melin of www.scene-stealers.com and guest co-host Whitney Mathews (www.whitneymathews.com) review "Twilight" from the perspective of someone who has and someone who hasn't read the book. Is the Catherine Hardwicke-directed vampire romance fantasy just for teenagers? Find out in this on-camera movie review of "Twilight."

Quantum of Solace Movie Review

Eric Melin and guest co-host and drummer extraordinaire Billy Brimblecom tackle the newest installment of the James Bond franchise. “Quantum of Solace” stars Daniel Craig as a less-talk, more-rock version of the mighty British 007 spy. This movie is already out in the U.K., but we here in the U.S. get our first crack at it this weekend in theaters. How does “Quantum of Solace” add up the the last Craig-Bond movie, “Casino Royale.” Find out in this on-camera review!

Zack and Miri Make a Porno Movie Review

Eric Melin goes it alone in this, the first-ever, one-man review in the history of Scene-Stealers. Kevin Smith's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks is reviewed by Eric, who has come under fire lately for not having enough of a female perspective. This review features Elizabeth Banks, Katie Morgan, and Traci Lords. The movie also stars Jason Mewes, Jeff Anderson, and Craig Robinson. Find out what all the fuss is about Kevin Smith's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno." Was it really too explicit for some theaters? Is the movie as dirty as its banned movie posters? Did Eric even notice that there was porno-style sex in the movie? Find out in this Scene-Stealers On-Camera Review of "Zack and Miri Make a Porno."