Disney has dived back into the vault to make another live-action villain turned hero retake. This time the star is none other than the dastardly, and stylish, Cruella de Vil, with her coming-of-age story amid London’s fashion scene in the 1970s. While some might question the need for the backstory, others are living for the film's production design, soundtrack, performances, and makeup and costume design. On this deep-dive into ‘Cruella,’ hosts Andy Farnsworth and KellieAnn Halvorsen are joined by Pop Knowledge blogger and their former colleague Natalie Mollinet to break down the film, discuss the design, and of course argue a bit about their opinions. Fan Effect is sponsored by Megaplex Theatres, Utah's premiere movie entertainment company.

After a long year of coronavirus-related delays, the long-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed suspense horror A Quiet Place has now been brought to big-screen theaters, and only big-screen theaters, in a terrifyingly good film experience. A Quiet Place 2 holds a scary amount of symmetry with its predecessor as well as the audience in the grips of silent suspense. We get more of a back story on the threatening monsters, new cast members, and a journey outside the Abbotts’ farm to try to exploit the newly discovered weaknesses of the sound-sensitive creatures. In this episode of Fan Effect, hosts Andy Farnsworth and KellieAnn Halvorsen review, analyze, and argue, about how this film lives up to the monstrous reputation of the first. Listen to the first segment for a spoiler-free experience, and be ready to dive deep into a deeper investigation after. Fan Effect is sponsored by Megaplex Theatres, Utah's premiere movie entertainment company.

In this minisode, host Andy Farnsworth reviews the latest live-action Disney villain turned hero film, this time tackling the wicked fashionista icon herself, “Cruella.” The revisioning of the evil character places a young Estella/Cruella, played by Emma Stone, in England’s 1970s fashion scene where her genius, talent, and patience is tried by her news boss played by Emma Thompson, a leading designer in London known as the Baroness. The Baroness turns out to be the true evil-genius of the film as Estella disguises herself as a mysterious avant-garde designer named, you guessed it, Cruella, and begins a guerilla-type fashion war against the Baroness.  But don’t worry, Cruella has help from friends lovers of the classic “101 Dalmatians” will recognize as well as some new adorable dogs to love. With stunning visuals, spectacular costuming, a killer soundtrack, and both talented Emmas, it’s a movie most Disney lovers will enjoy. Fan Effect is sponsored by Megaplex Theatres, Utah's premiere movie entertainment company.

For many people Halloween is more than just a holiday, It's a way of life! They find ways of celebrating the tricks-and-treats of the spooky season all year round; from Summerween to Halloweek, and even in our current month of May with Halfway to Halloween. Fan Effect host, and avid Halloweener, KellieAnn Halvorsen is joined once more by our Fear Factory friend owner and creator Rob Dunfield, and the Factory’s general manager and newly elected president of the Haunted Attractions Association International Spencer Terry. Together they take a look at why Halloween warms the hearts of so many, the Fear Factory’s Halfway-to-Halloween weekend events, and new spoopy experiences heading to the award-winning Factory this Fall. Fan Effect is sponsored by Megaplex Theatres, Utah's premiere movie entertainment company.

In this minisode, host Andy Farnsworth reviews the new DisneyPlus series, “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.” Disney celebrated Star Wars Day with fanfare, merchandise sales, and a new addition to the Star Wars saga, the ‘Bad Batch’ is an animated series that follows the aftermath of the Clone Wars from the perspective of an elite and experimental team of Clone Troopers that fans have met before. Andy looks at the characters, the story, and the animation style of the series; agreeing with KSL TV’s Dan Spindle, that it is something families and fans would likely enjoy.

Star Wars Day is finally here! And with the coronavirus pandemic finally starting to wane, fans are ready to get back to exploring the worlds they love with the people outside of their household. Today on the Fan Effect Podcast host KellieAnn Halvorsen is joined by local Star Wars fan clubs that can help you get back to action from costuming, saber fighting, and even droid building. For years Utah chapters of The 501st Legion, Mandalorian Mercs, The Rebel Legion, The Saber Guild and more have been using their passion for the Star Wars universe to raise awareness and funds for non-profit organizations like Make-a-Wish and more. As a community these fans are dedicated to “one galaxy, one goal;” using their fandom to help others.   In this episode we are joined by Mike Porter, Ruus’alor (Sergeant at Arms) of the Krayt Clan chapter of the Mandalorian Mercs, Brenda Ahlemann, Commanding Officer of the Alpine Garrison: The 501st Legion, Jakob Tice, former Commanding Officer as well as a founding member of the Rogue Base of the Rebel Legion, and Rocky Mountain Droid Builders Phillip Bareither, builder of all things astromech.

Do you know what we've missed the most since the pandemic started? Going and just seeing a movie in the theater! We may have been to a few, but the full-blown movie experience is a thing hosts Andy Farnsworth and KellieAnn Halvorsen are excited to get back to as the COVID pandemic starts to wane. Today they are joined by a guest who is lucky enough to have never really stopped that experience, Megaplex’s Jeff Whipple, our favorite PR person for our favorite theater chain, and sponsor of our show; Megaplex Theatres. In this first monthly special, Jeff discusses the magic of the movie theater, lessons they have learned during the pandemic, the love of their supportive audiences, and of course all the great movies, anniversary screenings, and more MegaExperiences that the Megaplex has in store for this May.  What MegaExperiences are we talking about? How about Free screenings of all eight of the "Fast and Furious" films leading up to the premiere of F9 for MyMegaRewards members, continued discounted popcorn and pop refills for your 2020 MegaTub and MegaMug through 2021, the Kids Summer Movie Pass 2021, multiple movies that are finally being released after major delays, and special anniversary screenings of classic films like Mission Impossible and Fried Green Tomatoes.  Are you ready to go back to the movies? Because we are!

In this minisode, host Andy Farnsworth reviews two films making their big debuts on streaming platforms this weekend for home audience; “Tom Clancy's Without Remorse” & “The Mitchells vs. the Machines.”  One is bringing some hilarious, family fun to your home screen, while the other is a rated R for violence feature that fans of the action/mystery genre and fans of Tom Clancy’s novels will probably enjoy. In “Without Remorse” from Paramount Pictures and Amazon Studios, we finally meet a character from author Tom Clancy’s action thriller world, Senior Chief John Kelly played by rising action star Michael B. Jordan who happened to be the highlight of the pretty standard action flick. In Netflix's “Mitchells v Machines,” is a uniquely animated family-road trip film that happens to take place amid a robot-apocalypse, originally titled “Connected” before its delayed release, households will be able to connect to one another with the family-friendly comedy of the film. Fan Effect is sponsored by Megaplex Theatres, Utah's premiere movie entertainment company.

In this minisode, host Andy Farnsworth reviews the latest video game turned silver screen movie “Mortal Kombat.” The groundbreaking arcade game has transformed a lot over the past 30 years, and already has had two films based on the franchise, but this R-rated modern version really capitalizes on the violent visuals and a multitude of hidden easter eggs for fans of the game. In this review, Andy breaks down the story, pros-and-cons, and what parents should know before giving their teens permission to see the nearly NC-17 rated film.  Fan Effect is sponsored by Megaplex Theatres, Utah's premiere movie entertainment company.

Have you ever wanted to come face-to-face with a tyrannosaurus rex? From April 23-May 9, 2021, at the USANA Health Sciences Amphitheatre in West Valley City, you will get a chance. Well, Bumper-to-bumper at least. When Jurassic Quest’s Drive-Thru dinosaur safari rolls, or roars, into town! Families, fans, and pint-sized paleontologists alike will enjoy the audio tour featuring more than 70 moving and life-like dinosaurs, as well as a 50-foot long Megalodon. Today, Host KellieAnn Halvorsen is joined by Dino-Wrangler Dino Dustin to talk about Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru! Tickets for Jurassic Quest are just $49 per vehicle (8 people or less) and available only at www.jurassicquest.com.  Fan Effect is sponsored by Megaplex Theatres, Utah's premiere movie entertainment company.