Never Happened

A discussion of the 2008 film SPEED RACER and the animated show.

From a far away land comes a new name in adventure...and it has nothing to do with a dog and everything to do with Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. Taking pages from the classic series and translating them to the screen with the latest in digital technology, THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN has been designed as a blockbuster from the first frame. But for who? With American audiences in the dark and foreign markets getting the film two months early, the roll out for TinTin is writing a new chapter in Hollywood's pursuit of foreign coin. Join Andy and John as they track the latest trend in movie making and search for the secret of domestic bliss.

He was brave, loyal and reckless - the future king, but the fate of the gods held a different path for Thor Odinson. Seeking great glory and deep pockets Marvel Studios calls on the Mighty Thor as it's next multi-million dollar big screen hero taping British Shakespearean Veteran Kenneth Branagh to guide the thunder to audiences around the globe. Leading off the Super Summer 2011 - 5 Volume episode, John and Andy reach deep in to Odin's vault seeking to wield another artifact to complete the Avengers puzzle.

Gotham City. Same bat time. Same bat gripe. With each new breaking story from the next chapter in the Dark Knight Saga comes a wave of critical disposition to rival Batman's greatest gallery of villains. The cloud of creation and confusion create a thunderstorm of opinions that now take root in the vast empty spaces of the internet opinion blog-o-sphere. Going where they have gone before, Andy and John return to the Gotham streets and examine the fears, frustrations and fantasies of Bruce Wayne's greatest opponents...his fans.

More than once upon a time in Hollywood, the passion of making a movie and the realities of production have failed to come in sync, leaving behind only the dreams and whispers of a film that Never Happened. Joining this illustrious club of rejects, John and Andy dig into the vault of old and new movies that failed to make it to the starting line...while also debating the merits of many that did. From a lost Kubrick epic to one more adventure with Snake, Harry, Axel and Max, the Saloon kicks open the attic to sneak a glimpse into the great WHAT IF

From deep inside the binary code of inspiration and innovation, Mark Zuckerberg and friends teamed together to expand the idea of social networking on the Internet. A few years and Facebook later, it has over 500 million members and continues to grow. Where did it all begin? Why are there multiple lawsuits? Is Zuckerberg really an asshole? Taking a deep look into the origin story of one the the web's most popular and successful pages, join John and Andy as they hit the "like" button and dive into the details of the latest film from writer Aaron Sorkin and director David Fincher.

From Hollywood's earliest pioneers of creation and collaboration, the pairing of director and editor has helped to push and expand the language of cinema in ways never before possible. The titans of twin thinking have discovered ways to take the unique art of film editing and create a musical language on par with peers in any other collaborative art. With the tragic death of Quentin Tarantino's editor Sally Menke, the quiet and magical relationship between editor and director becomes the subject of a long night of drinking and discussion for John and Andy. Breaking open a bottle of the Saloon's finest, the rich and inspiring work of these great artists are given a proper toast of gratitude.

The Incredible Shrinking Window of movies from theater to on-demand just got a new kick in the pants from news that a proposed 45 day window for theatrical exhibition will now open the door for a premium on-demand service, new movies costing $24.99. Can a premiere weekend "ultra-premium" service be far behind? And what other forms of financial band-aids does Hollywood have up it's sleeve? Taking a page from previous Saloon Shots, Andy and John expand the discussion to better grasp the ever changing needs of the modern movie multiplex vs. home entertainment viewing.

People were sensing it. The SIGNS were clear. What was once an UNBREAKABLE relationship between director and audience was just not HAPPENING anymore. As the expansion of the M. Night Shyamalan brand moves into the next "presents" phase, an unwelcome cry of groans and anger came from potential buyers. Stepping out of THE VILLAGE, Andy and John jump into the M.Night fire and explore who, if anyone, is still WIDE AWAKE for his new movies.

Never have the words "Continuity is a Bitch" been so profound as Marvel Studios continues its drive toward the creation of THE AVENGERS. After setting up individual films for Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and Hulk -- the new regime at Marvel have decided to make some 11th hour changes, finding themselves once again, knee deep in a "Hulk Smash" crises. With Edward Norton out and Bruce Banner #3 in the spotlight, Andy and John dive back into the Marvel swamp, wading through the latest obstacles in Comic Book Cinema.