Overview

The Podcast Episode Discussion and Analysis meeting focused on the 15th episode, "Age of Ultron," exploring various facets of the film's narrative and character development. The team reviewed the movie's overall quality, noting improvements in audio and debating its stakes and perceived mediocrity. Key discussions included character arcs, particularly Tony Stark's, Ultron's rapid descent into villainy, and the effectiveness of supporting characters like Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. Ideas for potential story changes were proposed, including enhancing Ultron's backstory and considering character deaths for emotional impact. The analysis also covered action sequences, team dynamics, and the film's role in the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe, culminating in reflections on its strengths and weaknesses. The meeting concluded with action items for listeners to engage with related content and upcoming episodes.

Notes Introducing Age of Ultron (00:06 - 11:07)

Discussion of Age of Ultron as the 15th episode of the podcast Movie described as 'mid' but with good elements Audio quality praised as improved from earlier episodes Debate on stakes and consequences in the film Discussion of Tony Stark's character arc across multiple films

 Character Analysis and Plot Points (11:07 - 19:57)

Critique of Ultron's rapid development and turn to villainy Praise for James Spader's voice acting as Ultron Discussion of Vision's origin and connection to Adam Warlock Debate on the effectiveness of Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch's portrayal

 Proposed Changes and Improvements (19:57 - 27:23)

Suggestion to make Ultron a corrupted version of Jarvis Discussion on potential character deaths for greater impact Proposal to include Hank Pym in the story Debate on the necessity of Quicksilver in the plot

 Ultron's Development and Team Dynamics (27:23 - 36:58)

Analysis of Ultron's character progression and body iterations Discussion on the lack of consequences for the Avengers team Debate on the effectiveness of character departures (Thor, Hulk) Critique of the team's cohesion at the end of the movie

 Action Sequences and Character Moments (36:58 - 46:53)

Praise for the Hulk vs Iron Man fight scene Discussion of Scarlet Witch's horror-like introduction Analysis of Quicksilver's power depiction and vulnerabilities Debate on the balance of humor and gravity in action scenes

️ Movie Structure and Cinematic Universe (46:53 - 54:17)

Critique of the movie's role in setting up future MCU films Discussion on the lack of team-building moments Debate on the necessity of certain plot elements (e.g., Vibranium) Analysis of the movie's place in the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe

 Character Relationships and Development (54:17 - 01:02:13)

Critique of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers' relationship development Discussion on the lack of emotional connection between characters Debate on the necessity of team conflict in this film Analysis of how this film sets up Civil War

 Film Analysis and Retrospective (01:02:13 - 01:12:58)

Reflection on the movie's strengths and weaknesses with hindsight Discussion of memorable scenes and character moments Analysis of the film's place in the MCU viewing order Debate on the effectiveness of certain plot elements and character arcs

 Deeper Analysis and Personal Reflections (01:12:59 - 01:24:36)

Further discussion on character dynamics, especially Tony and Steve Analysis of the movie's attempts to set up future conflicts Critique of the lack of emotional weight in certain scenes Reflection on the movie's role in the larger MCU narrative

 Wrap-up and Future Episodes (01:24:36 - 01:37:26)

Final thoughts on Age of Ultron and its place in the MCU Discussion of upcoming podcast episodes (Star Trek, X-Men) Promotion of other podcast projects and social media presence Closing remarks and thanks to listeners

Action items

Listeners to check out the full Age of Ultron episode if they missed it originally (01:31:16) Listeners to watch Farragut Forward on YouTube before the next main episode (01:32:59) Listeners to follow Case on Blue Sky social media platform (01:34:58) Listeners to check out the YouTube channel for full episodes and additional content (01:35:39)

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is a movie that begs the audience to ask many questions. Why does God need a Starship? Why is Captain Kirk climbing the mountain? How many “Rows” are in “Row Row Row Your Boat”? And more! From Farragut Forward, William Jay joins Case and Sam to attempt to answer a few of these questions.

• Podcast hosts Case Aiken and Sam Alicea introduce the topic: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
• Guest William J. joins to discuss the film
• Mention of Star Trek's 35th anniversary and William Shatner's recent comments

• Discussion of Star Trek V's place in the franchise
• Comparison to previous films directed by Leonard Nimoy
• William Shatner's directorial debut and its challenges
• Budget and production issues highlighted

• Examination of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy's roles
• Discussion of Sybok as the antagonist
• Critique of the film's pacing and structure

• Analysis of the extended Yosemite sequence
• Critique of the Enterprise's technical problems
• Discussion of the film's attempts at humor

• Examination of the Nimbus III setting and inhabitants
• Analysis of the rescue mission sequence
• Critique of Uhura's dance scene and its place in the film

• Discussion of Sybok's psychological abilities
• Analysis of the Enterprise crew's reactions
• Critique of the logic behind Sybok's plan

• Examination of the film's portrayal of a god-like entity
• Discussion of the galactic barrier concept
• Critique of the film's climax and resolution

• Analysis of the film's special effects
• Discussion of budgetary constraints on visuals
• Comparison to effects in other Star Trek films

• Suggestions for improving the film's plot
• Ideas for better character development
• Proposed changes to the film's pacing

• Discussion of potential alternative storylines
• Suggestions for improving Sybok's character
• Ideas for enhancing the film's themes

• Analysis of the film's impact on the Star Trek franchise
• Discussion of its place in Star Trek canon
• Comparison to other odd-numbered Star Trek films

• Overall assessment of the film's strengths and weaknesses
• Recommendations for potential viewers
• Discussion of the film's place in Star Trek history

• Summary of key points discussed
• Mention of upcoming podcast topics
• Information on where to find the hosts and guest online

Case and Sam are joined by Hope Wyatt from Mind Brain Movies (https://www.youtube.com/@Mindbrainmovies) to send off both the cast of Star Trek's Original Series AND the Enterprise-D! Tune in for this discussion of Star Trek: Generations!

• Podcast hosts discuss Star Trek Generations movie
• Critique of uniform inconsistencies in the film
• Debate on character development and plot elements
• Discussion of Data's emotion chip subplot

• Examination of Kirk and Picard's interaction in the Nexus
• Critique of the final fight scene and its relevance
• Suggestions for improving character dynamics and plot connections
• Discussion on integrating Data's emotion subplot better

• Proposals to tie in previous Star Trek episodes (e.g., 'The Inner Light')
• Suggestions to improve the Enterprise destruction scene
• Ideas for better utilizing the Nexus concept
• Pitches for enhancing Kirk and Picard's teamwork

• Recap of main improvement ideas for the movie
• Discussion on balancing action and character development
• Reflections on the movie's place in the Star Trek franchise
• Closing remarks and preview of next episode topic

Case and Sam are joined by Randy Allain from the Media / Lit podcast to ask "Who are your people?" Tune in for this dissection of Solo: A Star Wars Story!

• Podcast hosts Case and Sam introduce the topic: Solo: A Star Wars Story
• Guest Randy from Media Lit podcast joins the discussion
• The movie is described as 'fine' but flawed, given a C grade
• Criticism of the scene explaining Han Solo's name origin

• Discussion of Alden Ehrenreich's performance as Han Solo
• Praise for Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian
• Criticism of limited screen time for Lando and L3
• Analysis of Emilia Clarke's character Kira and her role in the plot

• Examination of Han and Chewbacca's meeting and relationship
• Discussion of Woody Harrelson's character Beckett and his crew
• Criticism of the movie's pacing and overabundance of plot elements

• Praise for the design of droid character L3
• Discussion of the Kessel Run sequence and its importance to the plot
• Criticism of the movie's handling of slavery and oppression themes

• Analysis of Paul Bettany's character Dryden Vos
• Discussion of Darth Maul's cameo and its implications
• Examination of the movie's themes of rebellion and criminal underworld

• Discussion of the change in directors from Lord & Miller to Ron Howard
• Analysis of how the change affected the movie's tone and style
• Speculation on what a Lord & Miller version might have looked like

• Suggestions for improving the movie's pacing and character development
• Discussion of how to better integrate the heist elements of the plot
• Ideas for enhancing the relationships between characters

• Proposal for a more 'Ocean's Eleven' style approach to the heist plot
• Suggestions for restructuring Han's backstory and relationship with Kira
• Ideas for better integrating Lando and other supporting characters

• Further discussion on making Han and Kira's relationship more familial
• Suggestions for improving the portrayal of the criminal underworld
• Ideas for better integrating themes of corruption and rebellion

• Final thoughts on the movie and its place in the Star Wars franchise
• Information about the hosts' and guest's other projects and social media
• Details about upcoming podcast episodes and related content

• Check out Randy's podcast Media Lit and other work (01:36:05)
• Listen to Randy's appearance on the Socially Distanced podcast for their 200th episode Avengers draft (01:36:39)
• Join the Discord for ongoing conversations about the podcast topics (01:38:49)
• Listen to the Reignite podcast for discussions on Bioware games (01:39:08)
• Tune in to the next episode about Highlander 2: The Quickening (01:39:49)

Case and Sam are looking back at the earliest episodes of the show! Check out their thoughts on the thirteenth episode when Case sat down with Ben Milton & Addy Thomas and chatted about Zoolander 2!

Overview

In a review of Episode 14 of the Another Pass podcast, hosts Case Aiken and Sam Alicea engage in a lively discussion about the original Michael Bay Transformers movie, highlighting its entertainment value while pinpointing areas for improvement, such as the underutilization of Transformers characters like Starscream and a disproportionate focus on human characters, particularly Shia LaBeouf. Originally joined by Tom G, they analyze scenes, praise Optimus Prime's portrayal, and suggest ways to modernize the franchise. The conversation also touches on production insights, including audio editing challenges and the regret over cutting original content. The episode concludes with reflections on actors' career transitions and a preview of future discussions, including the upcoming episode on Age of Ultron, alongside housekeeping notes.

Notes

Transformers Movie Discussion (00:01 - 09:28)

• Case Aiken and Sam Al Saya discuss Episode 14 of Another Pass podcast

• Focus on the original Michael Bay Transformers movie

• Case expresses his positive opinion of the first movie

• Sam agrees the movie was fun and good for big screen viewing

Movie Analysis (09:29 - 18:34)

• Tom G joins to discuss how to improve the Transformers movie

• Both enjoyed the movie but noted areas for improvement

• Praise for inventive use of Transformers' abilities (e.g., Starscream's dogfight scene)

• Discussion on updating Transformers for modern technology

• Criticism of too much focus on human characters, especially Shia LaBeouf

Character and Plot Discussion (18:34 - 26:20)

• Debate on the portrayal of Transformers characters, especially Starscream

• Suggestion to introduce Transformers earlier in the movie

• Criticism of underutilized military characters

• Praise for Optimus Prime's character portrayal in fight scenes

️ Podcast Production Insights (26:20 - 36:04)

• Case reflects on the episode's production quality and length

• Discussion on audio editing challenges and improvements over time

• Regret expressed over cutting content from the original recording

Actor Discussion and Franchise Impact (36:04 - 47:22)

• Analysis of Shia LaBeouf's performance and public perception

• Discussion on the challenges faced by Disney child stars transitioning to other roles

• Reflection on how sequels and actor controversies affected perception of the first movie

Final Thoughts and Future Episodes (47:22 - 59:02)

• Agreement that the first Transformers movie was solid despite franchise issues

• Discussion on upcoming podcast episodes, including Age of Ultron

• Housekeeping notes on recent and upcoming podcast content

Case and Sam are joined by Ben Haslar from the Reels of Justice podcast to take a look at a movie that really bears a Grudge!

Case and Sam are looking back at the earliest episodes of the show! Check out their thoughts on the thirteenth episode when Case sat down with Ben Milton & Addy Thomas and chatted about Zoolander 2!

Sometimes, a movie can be derailed by the censors and what happened to the return on this movie was A Dirty Shame! Wes Johnson, who was in the film as Fat F*** Frank, joins Case and Sam to discuss A Dirty Shame.

Case and Sam are looking back at the earliest episodes of the show! Check out their thoughts on the twelfth episode when Case sat down with Geoff Moonen and chatted about Thor The Dark World!

Originally aired NOVEMBER 2, 2017

Review aired AUGUST 25, 2024

Can we pull the sword and reveal a champion who can restore order to the merely mediocre 2004 film about the noble King Arthur? Lo! There is a champion who might join Case and Sam! Lauren Carter joins them to peer through the Avalonian mists and stalwartly engage with King Arthur!