Episode 10: Steel Yourself

Published: June 21, 2013, 2 p.m.

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Comic book superhero summer blockbuster number two is upon us! Believe it or not, this excites some of the Screeners (read: Chad) more than others, but say what you will; Man of Steel is not light on discussion points. Before we get to them, though, there\\u2019s that little business of the lightning round.

Microsoft Folds; Is Hollywood Next?

First, injustice rears its ugly head as Josh is forced to respond to Chad and Chris\\u2019s 45-minute bonus episode within 60 seconds\\u2014which, as we all know, is hardly enough for him to pronounce two five-syllable words and include a dramatic pause to let a bad joke sink in. In fact, he only gets the chance to respond at all because after that episode was recorded, Microsoft caved to cries of foul play from (Luddite) console gamers. There\\u2019s more to say about this than will fit in to a normal Jump Cut, so...yeah; you can guess what happens here.

It\\u2019s interrupted by some mention of Apple\\u2019s recent WWDC proceedings, where they unveiled the new iRecycle workstation and the iOS 7...let\\u2019s call it a \\u201cprototype\\u201d, but the real meat of this episode\\u2019s Jump Cuts is spread across the two remaining questions. First, there was the recent panel discussion at USC where Steven Spielberg predicted an implosion of the current theater business model in the not-so-distant future and speculated about what the future might look like after it happens. Will we see $50, $100 ticket prices and consider a trip to the theater the same kind of social affair as a sporting event or a night at the symphony?

Then, as if in response, Paramount announced the \\u201cMega Ticket\\u201d, a $50 chance to see World War Z early (because the lines will be sooo long on release day...) and go home with some movie-related swag. Are we witnessing the nascent future before our very eyes, or is this a terrible idea debuting with a worse movie, both of which are doomed to last all of two weeks in theaters?

The British Invasion (of Krypton)

Man of Steel they promised, and Man of Steel they will deliver. The Screeners have a lot to say about the latest installment in this beloved series, and they can\\u2019t help but start by comparing it to Bryan Singer\\u2019s Superman Returns from 2006 and their expectations for that movie.

We\\u2019ve seen a few franchise reboots recently, but we\\u2019re willing to tolerate one more for a good cause. Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan (yes, there were other producers, but do they matter?) show us many of the same familiar set pieces, but from an angle only they can. Strap on a cape, or a suit of space armor, or at least draw an S (sorry, \\u201chope symbol\\u201d) on your forehead while the Screeners talk everything from camera work to character development and throw in a bit of comic book geekery as icing on the cake.

Oh, and Chad seems to have tired of editing out inside jokes, so if you weren\\u2019t at Chris\\u2019s bachelor party, um...sorry?

Breaking Through the Noise

This episode\\u2019s Cutting Room Floor is a bit of a departure from the norm. This time around, the Screeners watch between the lines of their favorite TV shows to take a look at the ads filling in the cracks between the plot twists.

Since the birth of television broadcasting, commercials have been a necessary evil. Insipid, craven pablum, they lead us onward in an interminable hypnotic march toward a shining beacon of materialistic satiety we forever approach but will never, can never, reach. Other than that, they\\u2019re great.

Every once in awhile, though, there\\u2019s an ad that stands out from the rest as especially funny, or impactful\\u2014touching, even. Often, these are the most insidious, as creating an emotional attachment to a product is the holy grail of the capitalist enterprise, but we\\u2019ve dealt with enough tough truths in this section already. On to the ads.

To keep things brief here, we\\u2019re just going to list each host and some of the ads they mention, but when you\\u2019re done watching, head over to our Facebook page. We\\u2019ll have them linked there, and we want to hear from you\\u2014either vote for your favorite out of the ones the Screeners have picked, or remind them of a great ad they left out.

Josh:

Audi, \\u201cThe Challenge\\u201d

Old Spice, \\u201cThe Man Your Man Could Smell Like\\u201d

Chris:

Lost, Hanso Foundation

Disney, \\u201cI Am A Princess\\u201d

Chad:

Sussex Safer Roads, \\u201cEmbrace Life\\u201d

Procter & Gamble, \\u201cBest Job\\u201d

Melody:

Geico, \\u201cHappier Than a Body Builder Directing Traffic\\u201d

Geico, \\u201cHappier Than Dikembe Mutombo Blocking a Shot\\u201d

 

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