In this week's Movie Date Podcast, Kristen and Rafer discuss the latest "Planet of the Apes" movie, and why it's far from your daddy's Charlton Heston flick. They also talk about motion capture animation, and how the technology can offer cinema magic or a bit of an empty feeling. As far as whether the film was a good or bad date, you'll have to listen to find out! 

"Beware the beast Man, for he is the Devil’s pawn." That’s a quote from the 1968 classic science fiction film, "Planet of the Apes." The movie starred Charlton Heston, and imagined a post-nuclear world ruled by powerful apes. The film spawned a media franchise of sequels, and television series. But "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," which debuts this weekend, contemplates how the primates might take power today.

Every Friday, Movie Date podcast co-hosts Kristen Meinzer and Rafer Guzman talk about the weekend's new releases. The biggest debut this weekend is a remake of a film that comes from a long line of remakes: "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" opens today. (The movie’s director and unconventional star, Andy Serkis will appear later this morning on the program.) Also opening this weekend is "The Change-Up" a new bro-mance starring Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds, and "Magic Trip," a documentary about Ken Kesey and the Merry Prankster’s drug-filled road trip in 1964.

This week, Movie Date is going out West by way of outer space. Kristen and Rafer take on the genre mash-up "Cowboys & Aliens," starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. While audiences may have laughed at the movie's trailer, Kristen and Rafer say "Cowboys & Aliens" is no joke. (That's right, they're in agreement on this one — again.) Rafer says "Cowboys & Aliens" falls in the tradition of sci-fi classics like "Predator," and Kristen thinks it's "just a great Western."

Child sex slavery and human trafficking are crimes often associated with international criminals. But what if the people behind these heinous activities were actually our friends and co-workers? A new film called "The Whistleblower" tells a real story in which this is the case.

Every Friday, The Takeaway looks at the week's new film releases. Hitting the multiplexes this weekend is "Crazy Stupid Love" is a romantic comedy starring Steve Carell as a recent divorcé navigating the dating world, and Ryan Gosling as source of romantic advice. Also out is "The Smurfs," a combination live-action and animated movie, based on the '80s cartoon about tiny blue creatures. And "Cowboys and Aliens" is a western meets alien invasion flick, starring Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde.

Ladies and gentleman, Kristen and Rafer stand united! Can you believe it? And on, of all movies...a superhero movie! It's true. Our oft-at odds Movie Date duo have rated "Captain America" a good date. Rafer calls it Norman Rockwellian. Kristen supports the "nobody" superhero theme. 

The world knows Jenna Fischer best as the funny, quirky Pam Beesly on NBC’s "The Office." But today, movie-goers will see her acting range span beyond office flirtation and suburban boredom, and take a turn for the dark. In her new movie, "A Little Help," which opens today, Fischer plays a young wife and mother, whose unhappy marriage comes to sudden end when her husband unexpectedly dies.

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. 

In 1977, the British tabloid press was captivated by the story of Joyce McKinney, a former Miss Wyoming who seemingly kidnapped a Mormon Missionary named Kirk Anderson, and then raped him for three days straight. But, in a new documentary by Errol Morris, McKinney remembers things differently.

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.

Tonight at midnight, Harry Potter fans across America will be saying goodbye to their favorite bespeckled wizard, as "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," the final Harry Potter film, opens in theatres. What will the end of Harry Potter mean to the franchise’s loyal fans? Why has Harry Potter been so monumentally popular? And — from an academic point of view — why has Harry Potter been culturally important?

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. 

All this week, we’ve been talking with influential Americans about what patriotism and America means to them. We’re calling the series "My America." We’re wrapping up the series today, with actor, writer, and director John Turturro. Famous for his roles in movies like “Do the Right Thing,” “Barton Fink,” “The Big Labowski,” and the “Transformers” trilogy, Turturro's newest film is called "Passione."

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. 

"Terri"—which opens today—is the story of an introverted adolescent who likes watching hawks eat mice and prefers to wear pajamas to school. When his high school vice-principal, Mr. Fitzgerald, takes him under his wing, we learn more about both Terri’s vulnerabilities and Mr. Fitzgerald’s.

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?