FIRST 26:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict

This week's See It or Skip It has us diving into the highly anticipated sequel Gladiator II (2024), now playing in theaters. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal, this follow-up to the 2000 epic seeks to recapture the grandeur and intensity of its predecessor.

Join Ian and Megan as we journey back to ancient Rome to see if Gladiator II stands victorious in the Colosseum of cinematic sequels or if it falls beneath the weight of high expectations. Does it honor the legacy of the original while carving out its own identity, or does it merely retread old ground without fresh ambition?

We’ll examine the film’s bold storytelling choices—Does it justify its existence nearly 25 years after the original? How does Paul Mescal fare as the new lead, and does he bring the same gravitas Russell Crowe once did? And how do Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal elevate (or overshadow) the narrative?

We’ll also explore the visual spectacle and action sequences—Does Ridley Scott still reign as the master of historical epics? Are the battle sequences and cinematography breathtaking enough to rival the Academy Award-winning original? Did the filmmakers choose the wrong character to center the film around? And does the film’s score, now helmed by a new composer, evoke the same emotional resonance as Hans Zimmer’s legendary Gladiator soundtrack?

Finally, we’ll debate whether Gladiator II benefits from its legendary namesake or if it struggles under the pressure of following such an iconic film. Does the weight of expectation help or hinder its storytelling? And, of course, we’ll discuss the one scene that Megan just can’t forgive—will you feel the same way?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

FIRST 39:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict

AFTER 39:00: Full Spoiler Review

Join us in the magical land of Oz as we explore whether Wicked (2024) soars on its broomstick or crashes under the weight of its lofty ambitions. Does it deliver a spellbinding tale of friendship, morality, and societal expectations, or does it struggle to transition its stage-bound magic to the big screen?

We’ll delve into the controversy surrounding the viral fan-made poster—Was it intentionally hurtful, did it mislead audiences and did itovershadow the film’s official marketing? And how does our deep familiarity with the iconic musical affect our ability to judge it as a film rather than a successful stage adaptation?

Does Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba anchor the film with the emotional gravitas the story demands? Can Ariana Grande’s Glinda strike the perfect balance between charm and depth? Were these casting choices legitimate or mere stunt casting designed to draw headlines?

Finally, we’ll debate The Guardian's scathing critique of the film as “self-indulgent.” Does Wicked lean too heavily on nostalgia and grandeur at the expense of narrative cohesion? And does the film fulfill the promises it sets up in its breathtaking opening sequences, or does it falter as it nears the final curtain?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

Now you have another reason to get into the summer spirit as we close out 2024! Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, and B-Tech Kev (we got separated from Liam and Megs at the club) – as we're heading to Washington Heights to pay a champagne debt in the Lin Manuel-Miranda musical theatre adaptation In The Heights. With music in the air and dreams on the line, we're joined by BFF of the BFE, Juleen as we dive into the vibrant 2021 musical. We're belting out tunes and dancing no matter how hot it gets through our 259th episode as we discuss:

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

FIRST 32:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict

AFTER 38:20: Full Spoiler Review

This week's See It or Skip It has us diving into the newly released papal thriller Conclave, now playing in theaters. Directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, the film takes us deep into the secretive and politically charged world of Vatican intrigue, where cardinals convene to elect the next pope under extraordinary circumstances.

Ian is prepared to be the dean of the discussion when a strange new Cardinal, Ryan turns up to direct the proceedings in a different directon.  Join us in our sequestering, as we explore whether Conclave delivers a gripping tale of power, morality, and faith, or if it struggles to engage its audience with its intense but dialogue-heavy storytelling. Does Ralph Fiennes' portrayal of the conflicted Cardinal Lomeli carry the emotional weight of the film? How do the performances of Tucci and Lithgow heighten the stakes? And does the movie strike the right balance between theological reflection and political tension?  

We’ll tackle all these questions – including whether Conclave fufills the promises it makes in the first two acts as the film approaches its climax. – as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should  should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

Now you have another reason to love Christmas. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew fun-filled Christmas with the TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Megan, and B-Tech Kev (Georgia is off at an inventor's convention) as we review the Patreon pick for this year's Christmas review, Gremlins.  Also on tap is the BFE Christmas Party as we exchange a few gifts, open a few Christmas Cards, and meet some carolers whether they be Gremlin or not.  We're hankering for some Burger King in our 258th episode as we discuss:

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

FIRST 38:20 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 38:20 it's a full spoiler review

Ian is joined by his head of security, Liam, as we unpack whether Red One delivers enough thrills and holiday cheer to captivate audiences or if it leaves viewers wondering who this film is really meant to please. Is it a family-friendly romp, an edgy action-comedy, or something awkwardly caught in between? Does Dwayne Johnson’s larger-than-life charisma mix well with Chris Evans’ charm, or do they feel mismatched? And how does the film’s tone juggle Santa Claus lore, epic battles, and heartwarming moments without losing the plot?

We’ll tackle all these questions – including whether Red One truly understands its audience – as we dissect the movie and decide if you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

FIRST 34:00 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 34:00 it's a full spoiler review

This week's See It Or Skip It has us diving into the brand-new Netflix thriller Carry-On, a film that sees Taron Egerton stepping into the high-stakes world of airport paranoia and suspense. Join us as we break down this intense, edge-of-your-seat story of a TSA agent blackmailed into smuggling something dangerous onto a Christmas Eve flight.

Ian is joined by Bootleg Kev as we discuss whether Carry-On delivers enough tension to keep us gripped, how Taron Egerton holds up in this darker role, how this film may have borrowed a particular action sequence aesthetic from another Taron Edgerton film, and if the plot stays airborne or crashes under the weight of its premise. Plus, Ian keeps drawing parallels to a pair of 90s action thriller classics – but which ones?

We’ll answer all these questions and more as we dissect Carry-On and then tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

(Deep Dive begins at 1:06:50)

Grab your thermian communicator and a Coca-Cola and get ready for a role that's out of this world. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, and Liam, (Megs is lost in the Omega 13, Kev's hosting a session at ComicCon and Georgia’s negotiating with Sarris) as we're heading to the stars to protect our fandom in Galaxy Quest with our favourite Thermian, Norfolk Domus. We're warping through space with a dash of courage, a lot of laughs and somebody's hammer in our 257th episode as we discuss:

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

(Deep Dive begins at 45:00)

You take one bite out of this episode and you're in big trouble! Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam and Kev (Megs is waiting in a coffee shop and Georgia is being parented by Margaret) as we're heading to New York City to fight over the custody of Liam in Kramer vs. Kramer. We're falling off of jungle gym equipment in our 256th episode as we discuss:

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

FIRST 29:00 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 29:00 it's a full spoiler review

This week's See It Or Skip has us talking about the sequel to one of Disney's most beloved films of the computer animated era. Join us as we look at Moana 2 as Moana is on a quest to unite all the people of the ocean with the help of Maui, Hey Hey, Pua, but not Ron Clements, John Musker or Lin-Manuel Miranda.  Ian is joined by BFF of the BFE: Juleen as we discuss whether the original film needed a sequel, do the new songs hold up with the old ones, if they're creating a Moana Cinematic Universe and Ian keeps comparing Moana to a high-concept film of a much different genre - but which one? We'll answer all these questions on Moana 2 and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

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