Back To The Blockbuster

This week, we’re diving headfirst into a tidal wave of fresh trailers and blockbuster announcements. First up, we break down the long-awaited second trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day—what does it mean for Peter Parker’s future, and what will this street level Spider-Man film bring? Then, we unpack the haunting first look at The Social Reckoning, a film that promises to hold the digital age accountable. From the deep blue sea to the darkest desires, we also explore the trailers for Whalefall (think survival horror meets oceanic chills after being swallowed by a sperm whale) and I Want Your Sex (the provocative new comedic erotic thriller everyone’s talking about out of Sundance). Plus, Heart of the Beast brings the action plus Brad Pitt with a dog , and we’ve got the details on that explosive new trailer. But that’s not all. In a move that has comedy fans buzzing, we confirm that 24 Jump Street is officially in the works—yes, Schmidt and Jenko will  be back! Plus, we discuss Sean Penn’s ambitious new project: a movie centered on the Capitol Riots and other industry news! Joining us for this discussion is Dustin Rybka, soon to be co-host on our spin-off, The Cinema Vault, and JC of @mercwiththemovies! We’ve got theories, hot takes, and a full breakdown of everything you need to know. Grab your popcorn and hit play—this episode is stacked!

In this episode, Gaius and Jackson are breaking down the phenomenon in the making known as Obsession, written and directed by Curry Barker. Starring Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, & Megan Lawless, we're diving into every aspect of a film that has taken the horror genre and industry by storm. From its narrative themes, to the all-timer performances from its leads, particularly Inde Navarrette’s all timer turn, to its unprecedented box office run, we're discussing why we're obsessed with Obsession and why you should be too. 

Join hosts Gaius and Jackson on 'Back To The Blockbuster' as they delve into the world of Hokum, a supernatural horror film written and directed by Damian McCarthy and starring Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, and David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh and Michael Patric, Will O'Connell and Brendan Conroy. This episode sees the co-hosts diving into the mysteries and hauntings of The Bilberry Woods Hotel as Adam Scott’s Ohm Bauman travels to Ireland to lay the ashes of his parents to rest and finds himself learning about a local witch name the Cailleach, a local witch who kidnaps children and leads them in chains on a tour through the underworld, where they are clawed by the souls of who live there. How is this connected to a bartender at the hotel that goes missing? Is the hotel haunted? And, what will Ohm discover that his past traumas will collide with the horror that’s on display at The Bilberry Woods Hotel. It’s a mystery worthy of exploring, much like this episode which looks into what is one of the best horror films of the year.

In this episode, we dive into the week’s biggest movie news. Obsession’s unprecedented box office run is turning heads, and we break down why this film is breaking the mold and what it could mean for future releases. We also explore a film in development from the Radio Silence directing duo—an adaptation based on the Choose Your Own Adventure book series—and discuss how interactive storytelling might reshape the theatrical experience. Plus, we’ll break down Dacre Montgomery’s casting alongside Donnie Yen in the John Wick spinoff Caine, and Kyle Gallner joining Brie Larson in JT Mollner’s Skeletons. We’ll also glance at the latest box office results for The Mandalorian and Grogu, and cap things off with our take on the trailer for Her Private Hell.

We break down the full cast list for The Batman: Part II, analyzing how the new actors fit into the story, what their presence signals for the tone and direction of the sequel, and what fans can expect next. Also on deck, we give a front-row look at the new Planet of the Apes project in development under director Matt Shakman. We discuss what era or angle the film might explore, how it could fit into the franchise, and what unique vision Shakman could bring. Next up, David Koepp is crafting a Westworld feature for the big screen. We explore potential narratives, how the movie could reboot the 1973 original or translate the TV world to cinema, and what this means for the franchise’s future. Ready to laugh? Netflix is developing Grown Ups 3. We chat about what a third installment could look like, how streaming might influence its humor and ensemble dynamics, and what this means for Netflix’s comedy slate. In other Netflix news,  Brad Pitt’s The Adventures of Cliff Booth is getting a two-week IMAX release. We dive into why an immersive, premium-format run matters, what it could mean for the film’s box office, and the broader theatrical strategy.What’s Matt Damon’s next move? Rumors swirl as Matt Damon enters talks for a mysterious new movie from The Daniels at Universal. We speculate on possible genres and plots, the potential collaboration dynamics, and what this could mean for both talents’ schedules. Lastly, Focus Features’ horror film Obsession is making waves at the box office. We unpack the buzz, audience reception, release strategy, and what this blockbuster tells us about today’s horror landscape.Joining in once again is Dustin Rybka, co-host on the soon to be released Back to the Blockbuster spin-off, The Cinema Vault! Strap in! We have you covered on all the latest Hollywood news.

This episode celebrates the 30th anniversary of Fear, a psychological thriller that turned Mark Wahlberg from rapper/Calvin Klein model to the boyfriend parents hoped to keep their daughters away from. We revisit the film’s premise, its release climate in the mid-90s, and why Fear remains a touchstone in psychological thrillers. We set the stage by outlining the stakes, the suburban setting that doubles as a trap, and what fans new and old still find shocking. In addition, we highlight the ensemble that makes Fear work on every level. We analyze Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon’s chemistry and character arc, and spotlight Alyssa Milano, Amy Brenneman, and William Petersen’s performances and how their characters amplify the thriller’s dynamics. We also take a look at the film’s themes, which unpack obsession, power dynamics, gaslighting, and the unpredictable push-pull of attraction and danger. This episode connects the on-screen psychology to broader thriller tropes and what makes Fear creep under the skin.Joining in for this discussion is Mark J. Parker of the Release Date Rewind podcast who is more than ready to take a look back at this late ‘90s classic. 

Links for Guests: Release Date Rewind

Where To Watch Fear

In this episode, we kick things off with the latest trailers shaking up the industry, including Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and a slate of teasers from Zach Cregger’s take on Resident Evil, DC Studios’ Clayface, A24’s Tony, which looks into the early life of the late Anthony Bourdain, Evil Dead Burn, One Night Only, Verity, and Netflix’s Office Romance starring Jennifer Lopez. We shift into bigger headlines—casting news for Miami Vice 85 with Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler joining the Joseph Kosinski take on an ‘80s classic, a Django/Zorro crossover at Sony, Greta Gerwig’s Narnia headed for a full theatrical release via Netflix, and Blake Lively settling the It Ends With Us lawsuit with Justin Baldoni. We close with a box office spotlight on the biopic Michael and The Devil Wears Prada 2. Joining in for this heavy news chat is Dustin Rybka, the co-host of the soon to be released Back To The Blockbuster spinoff, The Cinema Vault! Tune in for quick takes, insider angles, and what these moves could mean for the year ahead.

Celebrating Scream 4’s 15th anniversary, this episode dives into Wes Craven’s return to Woodsboro and Kevin Williamson’s razor-sharp screenplay. We revisit the film’s killer mix of nostalgia and new shocks, spotlighting the standout performances of Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, along with Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, and an all-star supporting cast—Anthony Anderson, Alison Brie, Adam Brody, Rory Culkin, Erik Knudsen, Marielle Jaffe, Nico Tortorella, Marley Shelton, and Mary McDonnell. Listen in for behind-the-scenes stories, a breakdown of the film’s twists and meta-horror sensibilities, and reflections on its lasting impact on the franchise as an entry that was way ahead of its time. Joining in for this discussion is Alex and Dean of the Return Revenge Resurrection podcast to throw in their expertise as to why Scream 4 has emerged as the fan favorite of the franchise all these years later.

Link For Guests: Return Revenge Resurrection

Where To Watch Scream 4

We dive into the biggest movie headlines from Cinemacon, spotlighting announcements and strategy from Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, and Universal Pictures. From new projects to release windows, we break down what these studios are betting on and what it could mean for the year ahead. Quick takes on standout trailers and what they hint at for upcoming franchises. We then dissect the trailers! Focusing on the visuals, pacing, and tone of Insidious: Out of the Further, the eerie vibe of Passenger, and the horror-comedy twist in Focker-In-Law. Learn what each trailer signals about audience targets, franchise potential, and how these films might stand out in a crowded market. Joining in for this discussion is Dustin Rybka, one of the co-hosts for our soon to be released spin-off, The Cinema Vault! Listen in, enjoy and digest all things Hollywood!

In this episode, we dissect the surprising pairing of Kirsten Dunst with Sydney Sweeney in The Housemaid’s Secret. We break down what their dynamic could bring to the thriller vibe, tease potential plot twists, and look at what this means for the project’s momentum and release plans. We then explore Netflix’s take on 13 Going on 30 with Logan Lerman and Emily Bader.

We discuss how updates could land in today’s streaming era, casting chemistry, and how the update might honor or depart from the original’s charm. In other news, Jamie Lee Curtis is steering a Murder, She Wrote movie with a holiday 2027 release window. In this segment, we outline what to expect from the tone and mystery DNA, potential cast moves, and how a big-screen adaptation could pay homage to the beloved series while carving its own path.

The writers for Aunt Gladys Weapons’ prequel are also revealed, and we break down what this backstory could reveal about the world and its characters. We discuss possible eras, tonal directions, and the implications for the character moving forward. Rumors and confirmations also swirl as Ryan Gosling briefly joins—and then exits—a secret Universal Pictures collaboration from The Daniels.

We unpack what this tells us about the project’s scope, casting realities, and how such changes affect production timelines. What’s your favorite scary movie? Scream 8 is officially in the early stages, with the Zuckerman Sisters scripting the next chapter.

We speculate on where the franchise could go, how meta-horror evolves with new voices, and which returning elements fans might expect to see. In more surprising news, A Troop Beverly Hills sequel is moving forward with Cameron Diaz leading the pack and Clea DuVall writing and directing. We talk about the tonal shift from the original, potential updated themes, and how Diaz’s return could shape a fresh, funny adventure. Action fans rejoice! Extraction 3 is officially happening, with Chris Hemsworth back in action. In this episode, we map out what a third installation could look like, the stakes for the character, and how the franchise might elevate its signature action pacing.

Lastly, it’s a movie trailer round up with looks at The End of Oak Street, Supergirl, A24's Backrooms, Masters of the Universe, and A24's The Invite. Helping out with news this week is our boy JC of @mercwiththemovies so please give him a follow for even more fun movie related content!

Links For Guests: @mercwiththemovies