In order to capitalize on the blockbuster success of Tim Burton's Batman every studio in town dusted off any pulp magazine or comic strip hero they could find. A litany of lush period pieces with beautiful dames, handsome heroes and dastardly villains were produced throughout the 90's- all failing to match the success of Caped Crusader. Films like the Rocketeer, The Shadow, The Phantom & Dick Tracy have often found themselves the butt of jokes, a misguided cycle of movies that misdiagnosed Batman's appeal. Were these films right to be maligned, forgotten or ignored? Tune in to find out!

Support the show

What transformed science fiction from niche fantasy serials into a dominant cultural force? The answer lies in the atomic anxieties of post-World War II America. The mushroom cloud hanging over our collective consciousness created fertile ground for stories about invasion, destruction, and otherworldly threats.

Diving into four quintessential films—The Day the Earth Stood Still, Forbidden Planet, War of the Worlds, and The Blob—we uncover how each reflected different facets of Cold War paranoia while establishing visual language and narrative conventions that would define the genre for decades. From authoritarian space messengers to monsters from the id, these films weren't just entertainment; they were processing cultural trauma through fantastical allegory.

The conversation reveals surprising insights about these classics. Did you know The Day the Earth Stood Still's seemingly progressive message masks a surprisingly fascistic ultimatum? Or that Forbidden Planet's groundbreaking visuals and electronic score directly shaped Star Trek's entire aesthetic universe? We explore how War of the Worlds brought H.G. Wells' Victorian invasion tale into contemporary America with spectacular effect, while The Blob captured teenage alienation by literally making adults the last to understand the threat.

What makes these films endure isn't just nostalgia—it's their perfect crystallization of human fears dressed in alien packaging. Whether reflecting right-wing anxieties about outside invasion or left-wing concerns about internal destruction, they created a template for using science fiction as cultural commentary that continues today.

Ready to rediscover these influential classics or experience them for the first time? Subscribe to our podcast for more deep dives into cinema's most fascinating genres and eras. Leave a review to help other film enthusiasts find our discussions!

Support the show

We saw it

Support the show

What a year 2024 has been for cinema! In this deep-dive episode, we unpack the most compelling, controversial, and conversation-worthy films that defined the year in movies.

We begin with "The Substance," examining how this body horror masterpiece transcends simple commentary on Hollywood's beauty standards to explore the psychology of self-destruction. Demi Moore's fearless performance deserves special recognition for tackling a character struggling with identity and aging in an industry that discards women past their prime.

Robert Eggers' "Nosferatu" sparked heated debate among horror aficionados. We discuss why changing Count Orlok's iconic appearance undermined the film's purpose and how it compares to other vampire classics like Coppola's "Dracula." Despite its visual beauty, did this remake justify its existence?

"A Complete Unknown" offers a refreshing take on music biopics by focusing on a pivotal moment in Bob Dylan's career rather than attempting to chronicle his entire life. Timothée Chalamet's transformation into the folk icon is nothing short of remarkable, capturing the artist's determination to evolve despite fierce resistance from the folk establishment.

Ridley Scott's "Gladiator 2" proves that epic historical spectacle still has tremendous power on the big screen. The Pedro Pascal/Paul Mescal colosseum battle delivers one of the year's most riveting sequences, while Denzel Washington's deliciously villainous performance steals every scene.

Clint Eastwood's "Juror #2" stands as a potential final masterpiece from the legendary director. Nicholas Holt delivers a career-best performance as a juror who realizes he may be responsible for the crime being tried – creating a morally complex thriller that asks profound questions about justice, family, and personal responsibility.

What films defined your 2024 cinematic experience? Which performances will you remember years from now? Listen to our passionate breakdown and then share your own favorites with us online!

Support the show

Ryan and George discuss the legacy of Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece Psycho and its three sequels. Are they any good?

Support the show

Before there was Rotten Tomatoes, before YouTube critics dominated our screens, two rival Chicago newspaper men forever changed how we talk about movies. What began as a local PBS show featuring a pair of bickering film critics evolved into a cultural phenomenon that would span decades and influence generations of film lovers.

The magic of Siskel and Ebert wasn't just in their famous thumbs up/thumbs down verdicts; it was in their genuine passion for cinema and their willingness to make thoughtful criticism accessible to everyday viewers. They weren't interested in impressing audiences with academic jargon or pandering to Hollywood studios. They brought an authenticity to television that felt revolutionary—two real newspaper rivals who genuinely disagreed about films and weren't afraid to challenge each other on screen.

Their impact extended far beyond reviews. They battled for proper presentation formats like letterboxing when pan-and-scan was standard practice. They championed forgotten films like "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" and "My Dinner with Andre," giving them second lives. They highlighted important cultural conversations, from the disappearance of Black-led films in the 1980s to the rise of slasher movies they found morally objectionable. Whether you agreed with their takes or not, their integrity was never in question.

The tragedy of their stories adds poignant dimension to their legacy. Both men would eventually lose their ability to speak—the very gift that had made them famous. Gene Siskel kept his brain cancer diagnosis largely private before passing away in 1999 at just 53. Roger Ebert's battle with thyroid cancer was more public, robbing him of his voice but never silencing his passion for film criticism, which continued through his writing until his death in 2013.

Want to experience the magic of these pioneering critics firsthand? Seek out their clips on YouTube, where their chemistry and passion still feel as vibrant and engaging today as when they first sat in those theater seats. The balcony may be closed, but their influence on how we discuss, debate, and celebrate cinema continues to thrive.

Support the show

Alien: Romulus has ignited passionate debate among franchise devotees and casual viewers alike—is it a brilliant return to form or merely retreading familiar territory? We dive deep into what makes this latest entry work so effectively as both homage and evolution.

The production design immediately transports us back to the world of the original film—analog interfaces, practical effects, and a lived-in aesthetic that stands in stark contrast to the sleek, holographic futures depicted in many contemporary sci-fi films. This tangible quality extends to the xenomorphs themselves, primarily portrayed by suit actors rather than CGI, creating a visceral horror experience that feels increasingly rare in modern blockbusters.

What's particularly fascinating is how director Fede Alvarez uses familiar frameworks to explore themes relevant to today's audiences. Wayland-Yutani's motivations have evolved from weaponizing aliens to creating more efficient workers—a shift that reflects our changing anxieties from Cold War militarism to corporate exploitation by tech giants and pharmaceutical companies. The corporation doesn't just want to profit from its workers; it wants to fundamentally transform them into more productive tools.

The zero-gravity acid blood sequence stands as a perfect example of how the film builds upon established lore to create something fresh and terrifying. Similarly, the relationship between Rain and her android brother Andy adds emotional complexity while exploring the film's themes of artificial intelligence and exploitation.

Whether you're revisiting the franchise or experiencing it for the first time, Alien: Romulus delivers the perfect balance of nostalgia and innovation. In an era of franchise revivals that often miss what made the originals special, this film understands exactly what beats to hit while still charting its own course for the future.

What was your favorite scene from Alien: Romulus? Did you appreciate the practical effects approach, or would you have preferred more digital innovation? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!

Support the show

Summer blockbuster season arrives with its usual mix of spectacle, star power, and occasional surprises, giving us plenty to dissect in this episode. We jump headfirst into Alex Garland's "Civil War," a visually striking but politically ambiguous journey through a fractured America that sparks passionate disagreement between us. While one sees a pointless exercise in nihilism, the other finds an exhilarating window into how quickly society could crumble.

The conversation heats up with "Challengers," Luca Guadagnino's sexually-charged tennis drama that has us both firmly in its court. Zendaya's magnetic performance as a tennis prodigy turned coach manipulating two competitive players showcases her range, while the film's non-linear structure and innovative visual approach to tennis sequences elevate it beyond typical sports dramas. We analyze how the film portrays complex relationships without moral judgment, allowing viewers to interpret character motivations from multiple angles.

"The Fall Guy" proves more divisive, with Ryan Gosling's charm carrying much of this meta-commentary on Hollywood stuntwork. While some action sequences impress (particularly the garbage truck chase), debate ensues over whether the film successfully balances its action, comedy, and romance elements or simply overstays its welcome.

We close with a tribute to the recently departed Roger Corman through analysis of Peter Bogdanovich's "Targets" (1968). This fascinating time capsule pairs Boris Karloff essentially playing himself with a storyline about a mass shooter, creating a profound commentary on how horror evolved from Gothic monsters to the mundane terror of modern violence. Corman's legacy of launching filmmakers' careers with creative freedom, despite minimal budgets, reminds us what's possible when artists are given room to experiment.

What films are you most excited about this summer? Share your thoughts and join the conversation about these uniquely different cinematic experiences.

Support the show