Rafer Guzman

This weekend two potentially big blockbusters are opening in theaters: "Captain America: The First Avenger," an action-packed comic book movie, and "Friends with Benefits," starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis as two friends who try to have a casual physical relationship.

Apparently there's a big movie out this weekend, though Rafer and Kristen can barely remember what it is. Kidding! They both saw the new Harry Potter movie, as did The Takeaway's former Digital Editor Jim Colgan — a self-described fan who loves the books and movies equally. The three of them discuss the final big screen installment, ten years later, of J.K. Rowling's cultural phenomenon. 

It's been 10 years since the first Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," first debuted in cinemas, and 14 years since the novel first hit bookshelves. This weekend, the final installment of Harry Potter films, "Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows: Part 2," opens in theatres and — as is inevitable with a fanbase this immense and dedicated — anticipation for the film is high. It's already managed to sell out 2,000 screenings across the country.

Kristen and Rafer are having the debate of debates: Which kind of horrible boss could you stomach? That's the topic of one of this weekend's big expected box office earners, "Horrible Bosses." In yet another surprise for the Movie Date podcast, Kristen and Rafer agree! Again! Must be a full moon. Listen to find out whether our intrepid film watchers actually liked the film or not. 

This weekend's film releases include the comedy "Horrible Bosses," starring Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis, and the family-friendly "Zookeeper," starring Kevin James. For animal lovers, there's also the documentary "Project Nim," the sad tale of a chimpanzee who was raised as a human child. 

It's a big blockbuster summer weekend. But do Kristen and Rafer like this weekend's big blockbusters? Well there's one thing we can say: they agree on something! If you wanted to know whether that's missing Megan Fox in "Transformers" or being sort of unimpressed with Tom Hanks in "Larry Crowne," you'll just have to listen. 

It’s Friday, which means we'll be talking about new movies here at The Takeaway. This week’s big openers are the 3D action spectacular "Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon," the Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks–led romantic comedy "Larry Crowne," "Monte Carlo," a teen chick flick centering around a case of mistaken identity.

This week, Rafer and Kristen couldn't disagree more about Cameron Diaz comedy "Bad Teacher." Rafer thinks it's unfunny hogwash, Kristen says that if it was a guy playing Diaz's raunchy, gold-digging character, it would be a different story for moviegoers. What do you think? 

It’s Friday and, as usual, that means we talk about movies here at the Takeaway. This week’s big openers are the animated Pixar sequel “Cars 2” and “Bad Teacher,” starring Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake.

This weekend, movie goers have a wide range of options to choose from. For mainstream audiences, there’s “The Green Lantern,” which stars Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Peter Sarsgaard. For families and kids, there’s “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” starring Jim Carey and Angela Lansbury. And for the indie crowd, “The Tree of Life,” directed by Terrence Malick and starring Brad Pitt, goes into wide release. If you could only see one, which would it be?

For months, JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg have been keeping audiences guessing about their new film, “Super 8.”

Here’s what we know about: It centers on a group of pre-teens in the late 1970s who witness a train crash while making their own low-budget film. After the crash, the kids begin to notice strange things happening in their town.

In this week's Movie Date: Rafer Admits something that's never happened before and may never happen again. Kristen Rejoices. Both agree that "X-Men: First Class" is the kind of superhero film that succeeds in being relatable to the real world, and maybe the first great superhero movie of the summer (sorry, "Thor"). Take a listen.  

There’s only one new film being released widely this weekend, and it’s a big one: "X-Men: First Class," a prequel to the X-Men films that were so popular between 2000 and 2006. Rafer Guzman, film critic for Newsday co-hosts the Movie Date podcast with Takeaway producer Kristen Meinzer. They talk about the mutant powers they'd each like.

If the marketing and the first film's popularity is any indication, "The Hangover Part II" will pull in tons of money this weekend. Kristen and Rafer share their opinions on the sequel, and as per usual, there's plenty to debate. Can a sequel with a mission of giving viewers "something familiar" also be original? And is this movie offensive to Asians, women, and really all humans?

Kristen and Rafer share their opinions on the new Woody Allen film, "Midnight in Paris." It's the latest in Allen's slew of "new Woody" movies. But is the "old Woody" better? And where does the old become the new? 

This weekend’s anticipated top opener "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." This is the third sequel in the "Pirates" franchise. But "Pirates of the Caribbean" isn’t the only sequel machine out there. This year, the movie industry will be breaking records, releasing a total of 27 sequels (including "The Hangover 2," "Kung Fu Panda 2," "Cars 2," "Twilight" – Part 1 of Part 3, and "Harry Potter" – Part 2 of Part 7). Why does the moviegoing public put up with all the repeats?

This week, Rafer tells Kristen why he thinks "Bridesmaids" is the most feminist film to come along in years. Kristen, in turn, tells Rafer that he might not know a darn thing about what feminism is.

WARNING: A clip from the movie contains some of the gross-out actions described and may be disturbing to some listeners!

This weekend, movie goers are talking about one movie: "Bridesmaids." A new raunchy ensemble comedy, it features a cast that's almost entirely female. "Bridesmaids" stars Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, of "Saturday Night Live" fame, as well as Ellie Kemper from "The Office" and Wendi McLendon-Covey from "Reno 911." Crass to the point of being shocking, some cultural critics are arguing that this could be a watershed moment for women in film and comedy. 

Mel Gibson is trying to jump start his career with a movie about a depressed man who takes solace in a handheld beaver puppet. Rafer and Kristen debate whether the movie is a work of genius or an utter train wreck.

It’s Friday, and Rafer Guzman reviews this weekend's releases: "Thor," "The Beaver," and "Something Borrowed." Film critic for Newsday, Rafer Guzman also co-hosts the Takeaway’s Movie Date podcast. Below: The trailer for "Something Borrowed." Unfortunately, says Guzman, this movie is "neither a comeback nor a self-immolation for Mel Gibson."