TJ and Joseph before and after episode seven of The MovieByte Podcast. They adjust Skype settings, talk about hearing yourself while recording, Joseph’s EQ, cell phone holsters, The Otter Box iPhone case, matte vs. glossy screens, Skype notifications, making room for new podcast listening, finding a topic for next week, TJ’s desire to review ‘The Matrix’, judging movies by their covers, musical tastes, bad video quality of ‘Flywheel’, Joseph’s past with the Kendricks, the length of the show, audio file transfers, recording show live, podcast pacing and editing ourselves, and probably more.

“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.” Tune in for a discussion about ‘The Hunger Games’ film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ novel. TJ and Joseph discuss their likes, dislikes, the themes in this film, who should see it and why, whether it is appropriate for young children and young adults, they evaluate the practical effects, special effects, CGI, editing, directing, shooting style and much more. They also discuss shooting video on your smartphone in portrait mode, ‘Taken 2’, the ‘Jack Ryan’ reboot, and the upcoming TV show ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ which will involve Joss Whedon.

Clint Eastwood made a surprise appearance at the Republican National Convention Thursday night, calling unemployment in America “a national disgrace” before interviewing an empty chair he addressed as “President Obama.”

“I got Mr. Obama sitting here and I was gonna ask him a couple questions,” Eastwood drawled, turning his head toward the bare stool.

Boy he sure stammers a lot these days. What’s worse is he isn’t making me feel any better about ‘conservatives’ in Hollywood. Interviewing an invisible Obama is just about the lamest thing I have ever seen an actor do. Much as I don’t…

Now I’m starting up a TV show, which is something I really wanted to do, but I thought it wasn’t going to be a part of my life for the next several years. It’s like a tapas menus of projects that excite me, in addition to the Avengers sequel, which I’m excited for because I’m incredibly excited about the next story that I’m going to tell. For me, it’s a huge win.

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The important thing to me is that we know what the show is. We love what it is. It came together very organically, so when we went in to pitch [to Marvel], it wasn’t like, We’re trying to find this because you want a TV…

So with a weak set of films opening wide this weekend, Disney has decided to re-release Joss Whedon‘s superhero epic for one week only, August 31 through September 6. The goal? Fill the weekend’s distinct lack of wide releases skewed to young men, and maybe make a run at James Cameron’s number two box-office record.

I’m sorely tempted to go see it again.

Yep, another Steven Spielberg movie means another John Williams score, and the upcoming Oscar contender “Lincoln” will mark their 26th collaboration (“Duel” and “The Color Purple” being the only films in Spielberg’s oeuvre the composer hasn’t scored). And with the marketing campaign beginning to build up since the first official look at Daniel Day-Lewis in the lead role earlier this month, with a poster yesterday, now comes the full tracklist to the movie, which may serve as some kind of mild spoiler about just what moments in the president’s life the movie will cover.

Based on the…

People with smart phones capable of doing so will shoot video. Some shoot a lot of video. Some of them have Vertical Video Syndrome (VVS). That is, they hold the phone vertically while recording. It is a blight upon the face of the earth (or YouTube anyway) and you should not do it. Ever.

VVS is real, and it’s a danger. Just think if George Lucas had the opportunity to re-release Star Wars: The Skinny Edition. I shudder at the possibility. I’d hate to give him the ability to ruin more childhoods.

Just watch the video, it’s funny.

The actor and active Democratic fundraiser is in discussions to star as the actor-turned-Republican President Ronald Reagan in the indie Reykjavik. Brit helmer Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) is in talks to direct the film that once was being eyed by Ridley Scott as a directing vehicle.

Okay, so aside from possibly hiring a director who is obviously an idiot (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the worst of the Harry Potter movies, and not because Goblet was a bad book), does anyone else find it really stupid that they want to get someone known for his left-wing…

Fringe is the best show on TV right now. And yes, I’m still sad this is the last season.

I am really cautiously excited to see how they end it though. I’ve been disappointed too many times by the ending of great television (*cough* Battlestar Galactica *cough*).

Here are the promos.