The holiday season might be over, but we're not done celebrating one of the greatest times of the year! That's right; there's nothing like a Doctor Who Christmas special to make our spirits bright! With the return of Steven Moffat as the writer of Doctor Who: Joy to the World, we have much to be thankful for and much to discuss!

In this episode of The Cosmic Circle, host Brian Kitson and writers Wiktor Reinfuss and Cameron Brook break down all the excitement from this special. What about this special worked for them? Was there anything they wished was different? Also listen to their thoughts about the upcoming season!

John & Vin discuss their favorite movies of 2024. Each critic lists their top 10, along with honorable mentions and a special section about missing films they wish they had seen. In a year that featured everything from Nosferatu to Emilia Perez, Anora to We Live in Time, Alien: Romulus and Deadpool & Wolverine, what did the guys choose as their year-end best? Tune in to find out! Find the full video reviews of some of the movies mentioned linked below!

Anora, The Wild Robot, Will & Harper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkDSUVEW44I&t=999s

Red Rooms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtR4lmSWH1E&t=326s

Smile 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLlkwM1rn9M&t=1048s

Tatami https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS0N2Bg0-N8&t=14s

The Count of Monte Cristo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC0InqJz1eE&t=327s

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89yVpiqayCA&t=1631s

The Substance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7bJzNyEl0w&t=1003s

U Are the Universe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG9PN4B6zOY&t=361s

U Are the Universe interview with the writer/director Pavlo Ostrikov https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiMPIEUg4_0&t=13s

For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus

John and Vin got together immediately following the release of the trailer for the upcoming Superman film to share their first reaction to the trailer.

Find the video version of this review on YouTube https://youtu.be/QYgqKaqey18?si=sC_EQcR4sR5uI6Sh

Superman is directed by James Gunn and stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult. The film's expected release is July 11, 2025 

For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus

Get ready for James Gunn's latest project with Creature Commandos! Join us as we explore the world of this new DC animated series and see what it has in store for us! John & Vin discuss their general thoughts on and reaction to Creature Commandos season 1 after watching screeners for the full season. (SPOILER-FREE).

Find the video of this podcast on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Rgtre9nusGE?si=e20wJGGbKU9faamN

CREATURE COMMANDOS (2024) Showrunner: Dean Lorey Written by: James Gunn Starring:

For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus

With the finale of Superman & Lois titled "It Went By So Fast" now available online, Vic and Vin discuss the legacy of the four-season television series. From the breathtaking opening sequence of season 1 to the emotional epilogue of season 4, this DC series is a triumphant achievement in the canon of Superman.

Superman & Lois stars Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch as Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane, with Alex Garfin and Michael Bishop as their "Super Sons" Jordan and Jonathan Kent. Superman and his family take on the notorious villain Lex Luthor this final season, played by Michael Cudlitz. The show is streaming on the CW, Max and other providers.

For more articles, reviews, news and interviews, visit https://thecosmiccircus.com

Join Vin as he shares his instant reaction to the brand-new DC animated series, Creature Commandos! nd the Frankenstein universe.

Find the video version of this review on YouTube https://youtu.be/fmoXynCKkt0?si=u4jAA8j3isLQmfZT

For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus

Vic and Vin discuss one of the most legendary Spider-Man storylines, Kraven's Last Hunt. They also look back at Sony's Spider-Man Universe and the potential for the upcoming Kraven The Hunter movie starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson!

KRAVEN'S LAST HUNT (1987) Written by J. M. DeMatteis Pencilled by Mike Zeck Inked by Bob McLeod Lettered by Rick Parker Colored by Bob Sharen, Janet Jackson, Mike Zeck

For the video of this review, visit our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/i52HRGscDqg

For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus

John & Vin dive deep into Jon M. Chu's Wicked. Does the newest Wizard of Oz installment live up to expectations? How does it build on the legacy of the books, movies, and musicals that have come before?  

Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning and Oscar®-nominated powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda. The two forge an unlikely but profound friendship, until their lives take very different paths. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Find the full video of this review on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vwqrO9kVoPk?si=1dX0V1VWwOdpS0Lh

For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus

John & Vin continue their discussion of Gladiator II with a spoiler-filled deep dive into the twists and turns of Ridley Scott's new sequel. This next chapter is produced by Scott Free Productions and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The script was written by David Scarpa, based on a story idea by Peter Craig.

Set years after the original 2000 Oscar-winning film, the sequel features Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus. Returning cast members include Connie Nielsen as Lucilla and Derek Jacobi as Gracchus. New additions to the cast are Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Denzel Washington. Here is the full synopsis: Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Find the video version of this review at https://youtu.be/NMM5X9ahBPU

For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus

John and Vin review the long-awaited sequel, Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott. This next chapter is produced by Scott Free Productions and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The script was written by David Scarpa, based on a story idea by Peter Craig. Set years after the original 2000 Oscar-winning film, the sequel features Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus. Returning cast members include Connie Nielsen as Lucilla and Derek Jacobi as Gracchus. New additions to the cast are Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Denzel Washington. 

Find the full video review on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/-zvZG7a53s8?si=OwhgkKwY_cGAUnSP

For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus (now on Bluesky @TheCosmicCircus.com) or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus