Once a year Chicago’s McCormick Place is transformed into a sea of Tie Fighter Pilots, Storm Troopers, Superheroes and the fans thereof at C2E2.

The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo – also known as C2E2 – is a convention spanning the latest and greatest from the worlds of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games. Bringing the best of popular culture to Downtown Chicago, C2E2’s show floor is packed with hundreds of exhibitors, panels and autograph sessions giving fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators and screening rooms featuring sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit either the big or small screen! C2E2 just celebrated it’s fourth year this April, and it nearly doubled in size from years past.

In what has become an annual tradition CinemaJaw cozied up at our very own table in “Podcast Alley” to spread the word and land some cool interviews. Boy, did we ever! Over the course of the weekend we talked to Tron himself , Mr. Bruce Boxleitner. Along with two of his collaborators Bruce walked us through his new steam-punk television show in development, Lantern City. We also sat down with comic book super star J. Scott Campbell to discuss his upcoming projects, summer movies, and have a little CinemaWAR. Last, but not least, we were fortunate to get a few minutes of time from Lance Fenserman the guy who RUNS C2E2! Lance also happens to be a fabulously interesting dude, and also gets his chance at a trivia rematch against Matt K.

Matt and Ry take a breather at C2E2. For the rest of our C2E2 photos, check out our Facebook album!

So sit back, relax and adjust you blaster holsters and lightsabers. Get your geek on with CinemaJaw’s C2E2 special!

Reviewed this episode: With Great Power, Mud
CinemaWAR: Which Comic Book Director is Better, Sam Rami or Christopher Nolan?
I for an I: The Great Gatsby
Trivia: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey McGuire Movie Trivia

(There were so many great interviews that we got at C2E2 that we couldn’t fit them all into one episode. Rest assured that they will come out! Follow us on Twitter for constant updates)

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Big Ben.

Ben Affleck has had a tumultuous career to say the least. Battles with girlfriends, alcohol, and poor acting choices. On the other hand, he burst onto the scene with a Best Original Screenplay Oscar and has been in some of the most successful movies of all time. With Ben, it truly is a mixed bag. At this point, fresh of a Best Picture Oscar win for Argo, his Directing talent can not be denied. That is why this week on CinemaJaw Matt K. and Ry The Movie Guy go In Depth on this Hollywood legend in the making. By taking a look at his Best, Worst and Most Underrated films we hope to get a clearer picture of Where Ben’s taking us.

Aside from Ben Affleck, we have some awesome segments: I for an I, CinemaWAR and the brand new MovieWed Game, and a whole lot more! Its Oscar Worthy!

Reviewed This Episode: Seven Psychopaths, Magic Mike, The Invisible War
I for an I: Oz the Great And Powerful
Jaw 101: James Franco

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Adventure? Heh. Excitement? Huf. a Jedi craves not these things…

Bust out your treasure maps and be on the look out for booby traps because this week on CinemaJaw we undertake an epic quest for adventure! Adventure Movies that is. Now Matt and Ry know how to buckle some swash, but these intrepid movie adventurers need to meet their proverbial Yoda.

Enter Matt Kelly and Joe Dejulius of hit web series Hank Frisco: Galaxy Defender. These Frisco boys certainly know a thing or two about adventure, having crafted a hilarious high quality DIY space adventure episodic that would give the Ice Pirates ship envy. With thier help, CinemaJaw deturmines the difference between Action and Adventure, and names thier top 5 of the genre.

Also ever present are the adventurous segments: I for an I, CinemaWAR and many many more.

Keep your whip and six-gun handy. Fortune and glory are near.

Reviewed This Episode: After Porn Ends, How to Survive a Plague, Paranorman
I for an I: Stoker
CinemaWAR: Is James Franco a quality actor, or a lucky pothead?
Trivia: Nicole Kidman Movie Trivia

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Subculture. sub·cul·ture noun \?s?b-?k?l-ch?r\1 a : a culture (as of bacteria) derived from another culture, b : an act or instance of producing a subculture, 2: an ethnic, regional, economic, or social group exhibiting characteristic patterns of behavior sufficient to distinguish it from others within an embracing culture or society
Put on your scuba because this week on the Jaw we delve deep into those uncharted waters of subculture. Many films have shined a light on many, many subcultures. These heretofore little known subjects are always effected by the attention. Whether a positive or a negative, few (if any) emerge from the spotlights of Hollywood unchanged. Just as the quantum particle, the simple act of observation changes the nature of each subculture, and Hollywood’s and Indiewood’s attention to these walks of life are one of the most fascinating (sub)genre in film!  Many of us were exposed to our very favorite things and passions from films that expose a subculture. From Skateboarding and punk rock to video games and crossword puzzles, there is really only the limit of the human imagination here.

With so many choices, there is bound to be some noise, so CinemaJaw enlists the help of Chicago Filmmakers (in the midst of creating their own subculture film Vannin’) Nick Nummerdor and Andrew Morgan of Little Cabin Films. The Little Cabin guys tell us all about their upcoming projects, and offer up their own top 5 subculture movies list as well. Not only that, but they were kind enough to join us on all of our usual segments and a few unusual ones as well.

Certainly Podcast Listeners and Movie Buffs are their own subcultures, and we thank you for being a part of our little corner of them. VIVA LA JAW!

I for an I: Hansel & Gretel
Reviewed This Episode: Zero Dark Thirty, Total Recall
CinemaWAR: Which third installment will be better Iron Man 3 or Hangover 3?
Trivia: Fairy tale Movie Trivia

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Rot…

With the phenomenal movie year 2012 behind us we take a look forward at all the great movies coming out in 2013, boy are there some interesting ones! Yes, we will have a slew of remakes, reboots and sequels, but we will also be treated to some great fresh ideas from A-list directors and actors and we could not be more excited about it!

We are also excited to be joined in studio by none other than Dorian and Brant, the team behind the upcoming indie thriller Chicago Rot. The Rotters tell us all about their upcoming film, and what went into making it the love letter to the darker side of Chicago that it is. The Rot guys also brought their list of films of 2013 that get their blood pumps going and we all go round robin.

All that plus JawBox, Trivia, CinemaWAR, Reviews and a while lot more. So goodbye 2012… Hello 2013!

Happy New Year!

I for an I: A Haunted House
Reviewed This Episode: Les Miserables, Rust and Bone, Arbitrage, Premium Rush, Craigslist Joe
CinemaWAR: Who had the bigger break out year, Joseph Gordon-Levitt or Jennifer Lawrence?
Trivia: 2012 Movie Trivia

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This week CinemaJaw goes live, on location to bring you coverage of an amazing art opening that happens to be tied into an upcoming documentary film. We know… That sounds complicated, bear with us here, because this is a great episode!

Prof. John Otterbacher (who you may remember from his other appearances on CinemaJaw) is currently in the process of making a new documentary called “Officially Limited” that takes a look at licensed and unlicensed movie posters, the artist that make and print them, their process, the fans, and the whole industry that has sprung up around this phenomenon. Recently Professor O. had an event at Gallerie F here in Chicago to raise some money and awareness for not only the film  but this whole movie poster movement in pop art. He was kind enough to ask CinemaJaw to join him. In this episode, we interview the Galerie F owner, discuss Wreck-it Ralph with Jaw heads outside of The New 400 Theaters, and talk about our favorite movie vampires. All in less than an hour… Hang this episode on your wall, because THAT is an ART!

Also – This is Red Box Reno’s last episode as the official Producer of CinemaJaw. Reno is the best in the biz, and we have been so happy to have him for the past 3 years! Stay tuned for a  proper goodbye and news on who the next Engineer will be! (Yes we already have one!)

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I’m gonna git you sucka!

This week on CinemaJaw we pull on our ski masks and suit up to take the movie law into our own hands as we cover Vigilante Movies! Closely related to (but ultimately separate from) the Revenge genre, Vigilante films are about a character or group of characters who decide to dish out their own brand of justice and it seems to be a dish best served with a knuckle sandwich on the side, this is some great violent stuff!

Have no fear, CinemaJaw is not one to be a Lone Ranger in these matters. We brought along some Southern vigilantism from Matt and Francesca Scalici of the hit Birmingham blog and popular podcast  series, FilmNerds.com! Not only are Matt and Francesca amazing film critics in their own right as individuals, they also throw down family style with the highly interesting “ride home from the theater” film couples podcast: Cinematrimony. In fact they have a great podcast and reviews blog network going on, and we highly encourage you to check it out. Or else we will be looking for you.

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Clooney!

This week on CinemaJaw we go In-Depth on Mr. Batnipples himself, George Clooney. To be serious, this guys has become a Hollywood powerhouse as an actor, director, and producer. Matt and Ry take a close look at his Best, Worst and Most Underrated films, and discuss his career in general.

Later in the episode the Flaming Dames, who were practicing for the big 100th Episode Extravaganza join us to has out a CinemaWAR and take on Matt K in trivia! All that plus, Hollywood headlines, I for an I, and a whole lot more.

Batnipples. I just like saying it.

I for an I: The Woman in Black
Reviewed This Episode: The Iron Lady, 50/50, Fat Sick and Nearly Dead, Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop
Sponsor: Want to see unlimited movies at the theaters for one low price? You need MoviePass! Make sure to use promo code “CinemaJaw”  for $15 off!

Come and meet Matt K. and Ry the Movie Guy at the CinemaJaw 100th Episode Extravaganza!Jan 31st, 8pm at the Original Mothers!

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Fee Fi Fo Fum…

There is a shadow that lurks in the corners of your mind. It lingers just beyond cracked open doors waiting to strike. It is the deep and primal fear of being devoured by MONSTERS! We all learn to deal with these feelings at an early age, yet somehow they never fully go away. Some people deal with it by writing stories, about the boogie men, the towering beasts, the drooling creatures. Some deal with it by watching these stories play out on the silver screen!

The tradition of monster movies goes way back to the birth of Hollywood. King Kong, Godzilla, Dinosaurs, etc. and into it’s Golden Age with the Universal Monsters: Fank, Drac, Mum, etc. This tradition continues to this very day with some fantastic modern entries into the genre. Matt and Ry knew that if they were traverse these fish-man infested waters they would need help…
Enter Todd Milano and Jason Deeble Programmer and Artist (respectively) of daily monster themed web comic Monster-Haiku.com. With the help of Jason and Todd this monster squad will tackle the Best Monster Movies of All Time! Just in time for Halloween! Yay!

Reviewed This Episode: Trollhunter, Drive, Nowhere Boy
I for an I: Paranormal Activity 3, Marcy Martha May Marlene
CinemaWAR: Will the Avengers be a blockbuster or a bust?

Sponsor: Please visit Evil Squirrel Comics in Chicago, or online, for the best deals on comic books around!

CinemaJaw is planning something very special for it’s upcoming 100th Episode!

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No that’s not a typo. That is how he spells his name.

Summer is ending, and that got the folks at CinemaJaw thinking about all the great times we have had at the beach this season. Not to mention all the great beach movies there are out there. So we waxed up our surfboards for one last wave this season, the Best Beach Movies. Our intrepid hosts do, after all, need some people to spot them, so they invited John Otterbacher and Justen Naughton to join the panel and act as lifeguards on this expedition.

John and Justen are the Producer and Writer/Director (respectively) of a great new film about to hit DVD, that our own Matt K has called “the Clerks of Lifeguard Movies.” RIFFRAFF is a coming-of-age comedy about lifeguards on Chicago’s North Avenue Beach over the course of a summer. The film stars Robert Belushi and Ben Wells, and is the debut feature of writer/director Justen Naughton. Chryssie Whitehead and Katie O’Hagan co-star, and the film was produced by John Otterbacher and David J. Miller. So who better to chime in on Best Beach Movies than this pair? Plus you will get Justen and John on I for an I, CinemaWAR, Guest v. Host Trivia and a whole lot of laughs!

It should also be noted that Matt K and Ry the Movie Guy will be hosting the DVD release party of RIFFRAFF at the Original Mothers (26 W Division, Chicago) on Sept 8th at 7pm. So mark your calendars and bring your autograph books… because that Belushi kid just might be there. It is FREE to get into this event for anyone 21 and older. Please join us!

So slather on that coco butter, and double knot those bikini tops, because just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water: CinemaJaws hit the beach!
Sponsor: Please visit Evil Squirrel Comics in Chicago, or online, for the best deals on comic books around!

Reviewed This Episode: Dont be Afraid of the Dark, Win Win, The Beaver
I for an I: Contagion
CinemaWAR!: Should Hollywood keep making American versions of foreign films?

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