First Look, Final Word

Pete and Trevor get swept up in one of the most talked-about films of the year: Weapons, the new ensemble horror-drama from Zach Cregger (Barbarian), starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, and Benedict Wong.

We’re also continuing Project Conjuring, our journey through every film in the Conjuring universe. This week we tackle The Conjuring 2 (2016), with James Wan reuniting Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as the Warrens in one of the franchise’s most chilling cases, and Annabelle: Creation (2017), David F. Sandberg’s prequel that gives the infamous doll her dark origin story.

Intro and our history with Zach Cregger (0:00)

Review of The Conjuring 2 (2016) (12:15)

Review of Annabelle: Creation (2017) (25:45)

Spoiler-free review of Weapons (40:18)

Spoiler talk (58:05)

Pete and Trevor fire up the ol’ Fantasticar and blast off to see The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Will this one launch Phase 6 into greatness—or should it have stayed in the Negative Zone? Unfortunately, a dose of cosmic rays knocked Trevor out of commission, so Pete is joined by a surprise guest for the review section instead.

Meanwhile, the Conjuring project lurches forward with Annabelle. Did Pete make it through the spooky doll chaos, or did he nope out before the third jump scare?

Intro and our history with The Fantastic Four (0:00)

Review of Annabelle (2014) (26:00)

Spoiler-free review of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (52:34)

Spoiler talk (1:03:00)

Pete and Trevor drove straight into some political controversy with Ari Aster’s new Covid-era black comedy western Eddington, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal and Emma Stone. Note: one of us did not like this at all and another one loved it.

This episode also marks the start of Project Conjuring, where we review every movie in the expanded conjuring universe. This week we talk James Wan’s megahit The Conjuring, starring Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, and that loveable scamp Annabelle.

Intro and our history with Ari Aster (0:00)

Review of The Conjuring (2013) (8:45)

Spoiler-free review of Eddington (35:14)

Spoiler talk (53:50)

Superman is here. And we’re not going to be coy, WE LOVED THIS MOVIE. As the conclusion of our project to watch every live action Superman film, we were given the movie we have been waiting for.

Listen for our immediate spoiler-free reactions after leaving the theatre, before giving lots of warning before heading into spoiler-talk.

This episode we welcome Wil and Katelyn from the Marvelous Marathon podcast. Check out their episode on Superman (2025): https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wIuvNp4ASvSmAtdkBuviF?si=DeAufa5qRTmolyGOMYCIRg

JULY 14 IS THE FINAL DAY OF OUR LETTERBOXD PATRON GIVEAWAY. CLICK HERE TO LEVEL UP TO PATRON: https://boxd.it/Gbt3O

Intro, summary of Project Superman, All-Star Superman and some of our favourite comics, James Gunn’s vision for DCU (0:00)

Spoiler-free reactions to Superman (2025) (43:00)

Spoiler-talk (1:05:10)

Segment with guests Wil and Katelyn (1:27:35)

Goodbye, Superman (2:05:27)

About Superman (2025):

The man known as Clark Kent, Superman, and Kal-El grapples with who he is.

Clark Kent / Superman / Karl-El: David Corenswet

Lois Lane: Rachel Brosnahan

Lex Luthor: Nicholas Hoult

Jimmy Olsen: Skyler Gisondo

Perry White: Wendell Pierce

The Engineer: María Gabriela de Faría

Guy Gardner / Green Lantern: Nathan Fillion

Metamorpho: Anthony Carrigan

Hawkgirl: Isabela Merced

Mister Terrific: Edi Gathegi

Director: James Gunn

Writer: James Gunn

Executive Producer: Peter Safran

Cinematographer: Henry Braham

Composer: John Murphy and David Fleming

Editor: Craig Alpert and William Hoy

Hold onto your butts, Pete and Trevor spared no expense in seeing Jurassic World Rebirth. Can this ScarJo vehicle fill in the holes to complete the code and reboot this long-in-the-tooth franchise? Listen to our immediate reactions after leaving the theatre to find out.

This also makes the 10th (10th!) episode of Project Superman, wherein we review every single live action Superman film. This week we talk Justice League, primarily the Zack Synder version, with Pete pointing out the prime differences between the cuts. Next week is the conclusion of the project, with James Gunn’s Superman, and the official reset of the DC universe.

Don’t forget to enter our ongoing contest to win a subscription to Letterboxd Patron: https://boxd.it/Gbt3O

Intro and our history with Jurassic Park (0:00)

Review of Zack Synder’s Justice League (13:18)

Spoiler-free review of Jurassic World (40:50)

Spoiler-talk (1:02:05)

About Jurassic World Rebirth:

Scarlett Johansson stars as Zora Bennett, a covert-ops expert sent to retrieve rare dinosaur DNA from a remote island. When her mission collides with a shipwrecked family and a dangerous hidden agenda, survival becomes more than just escaping the island.

Scarlett Johansson as Zora Bennett

Jonathan Bailey as Dr. Levi Calder

Mahershala Ali as Commander Rourke

Luna Blaise as Camila Reyes

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Diego Navarro

Rupert Friend as Felix Maddox

David Iacono as Eric Voss

Directed by Gareth Edwards

Written by David Koepp

Produced by Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley

Executive Producers Steven Spielberg, Alexandra Derbyshire

Music by Alexandre Desplat

Cinematography by John Mathieson

About Justice League:

Batman and Wonder Woman assemble a team of metahumans—Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash—to face a looming threat following Superman’s death. As an ancient force seeks to plunge the world into darkness, the newly formed Justice League must overcome their differences to stand as Earth’s last line of defense.

Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne / Batman

Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman

Henry Cavill as Clark Kent / Superman

Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman

Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash

Ray Fisher as Victor Stone / Cyborg

Amy Adams as Lois Lane

Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth

Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf

Directed by Zack Snyder (original vision and Synder Cut), Joss Whedon (2017 theatrical reshoots and completion)

Written by Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon (theatrical), Chris Terrio (Snyder Cut)

Story by Zack Snyder and Chris Terrio

Produced by Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder

Music by Danny Elfman (2017), Tom Holkenborg aka Junkie XL (Snyder Cut)

Cinematography by Fabian Wagner

Edited by David Brenner, Richard Pearson, and Martin Walsh (2017); David Brenner (Snyder Cut)

Pete and Trevor opted for an overcut strategy to take an early pole position in their trip to see F1. Will Joseph Kosinski strike gold again and give us another Top Gun: Maverick? Not quite, but it was pretty close! Listen to our immediate reactions to F1 after leaving the theatre.

This is also the ninth week for our ongoing Project Superman, wherein we watch every single live-action theatrical Superman movie. Today we are discussing Batman v Superman: The Dawn of Justice. Tune in next week for Zack Synder’s Justice League.

Don’t forget to enter our ongoing contest to win a subscription to Letterboxd Patron: https://boxd.it/Gbt3O

Intro, expectations for F1 in 4DX (0:00)

Review of Batman v Superman (15:53)

Spoiler free review of F1 (43:00)

Spoiler-talk (56:31)

Anthony’s corner (1:16:06)

About FI:

A former Formula 1 driver is pulled out of retirement to help a struggling team make a comeback on the world stage. As he mentors a rising rookie and faces unfinished business from his past, the race becomes more than just about speed—it’s a shot at redemption.

Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes

Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce

Javier Bardem as Ricky Carrera

Kerry Condon as Ruth

Tobias Menzies as Garland

Directed by Joseph Kosinski

Written by Ehren Kruger

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Lewis Hamilton

Cinematography by Claudio Miranda

Music by Lorne Balfe

Edited by Eddie Hamilton

Production companies include Apple Studios, Plan B Entertainment, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, with Warner Bros. Pictures handling distribution

About Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice:

Haunted by the destruction of Metropolis during Superman’s battle with Zod, Bruce Wayne sees the Kryptonian as a dangerous god and prepares to take him down. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor manipulates both heroes into conflict while unleashing a monstrous force that threatens to destroy them both.

Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne / Batman

Henry Cavill as Clark Kent / Superman

Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman

Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor

Amy Adams as Lois Lane

Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth

Diane Lane as Martha Kent

Laurence Fishburne as Perry White

Holly Hunter as Senator Finch

Scoot McNairy as Wallace Keefe

Callan Mulvey as Anatoli Knyazev

Tao Okamoto as Mercy Graves

Directed by Zack Snyder

Written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer

Produced by Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder

Cinematography by Larry Fong

Music by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL

Edited by David Brenner

Production companies: Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Entertainment, Atlas Entertainment, Cruel and Unusual Films

Pete and Trevor went to see 28 Years Later, approximately 26 years later than when Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later first debuted in 2002. Can Britain’s rage infected screaming running people still be angry all these so very many years later? Listen to our immediate reactions after leaving the theatre to find out.

This is also the eighth week for our ongoing Project Superman, wherein we watch every single live-action theatrical Superman movie. Today we are entering the Synderverse with 2013’s Man of Steel. Next week is Batman v Superman: The Dawn of Justice.

Don’t forget to enter our ongoing contest to win a subscription to Letterboxd Patron: https://boxd.it/Gbt3O

Intro and history with 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later and Danny Boyle (0:00)

Review of Man of Steel (20:17)

Spoiled-free reactions to 28 Years Later (46:01)

Spoiler-talk (1:03:45)

About 28 Years Later:

28 Years Later (2025) is set nearly three decades after the initial Rage Virus outbreak. It follows young Spike and his father Jamie, residents of a fortified island community, on a perilous journey to the infected mainland.

Jodie Comer as Isla, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie, Alfie Williams as Spike, Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson, Jack O’Connell as Sir Jimmy Crystal, Erin Kellyman as Jimmy Ink, Edvin Ryding as Erik Sundqvist

Directed by Danny Boyle, written by Alex Garland, produced by Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, and Bernie Bellew, cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle, editing by Jon Harris, music by Young Fathers

About Man of Steel:

Man of Steel (2013) follows Kal-El, a Kryptonian sent to Earth as a baby, who grows up as Clark Kent and struggles to find his place in the world while hiding his incredible powers. When General Zod arrives threatening Earth’s survival, Clark must embrace his destiny as Superman to save humanity.

Henry Cavill as Clark Kent / Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Michael Shannon as General Zod, Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, Antje Traue as Faora-Ul, Ayelet Zurer as Lara Lor-Van, Christopher Meloni as Colonel Nathan Hardy, Harry Lennix as General Swanwick, Richard Schiff as Dr. Emil Hamilton

Directed by Zack Snyder, written by David S. Goyer, story by David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan, produced by Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, and Deborah Snyder, cinematography by Amir Mokri, editing by David Brenner, music by Hans Zimmer

Pete and Trevor want to take this opportunity to thank Charles Krantz for 39 great years! Thanks Chuck! And thanks for Mike Flanagan for making this little miracle of a movie that we were lucky enough to see in theatres. Listen to hear our immediate reactions (while giving you plenty of warning before heading into spoilers).

This is also the seventh week for our ongoing Project Superman, wherein we watch every single live-action theatrical Superman movie. Today we talk Superman Returns, the forgotten early 2000s entry into reviving the Superman franchise.

Don’t forget to enter our ongoing contest to win a subscription to Letterboxd Patron: https://boxd.it/Gbt3O

Intro and history with Stephen King and Mike Flanagan (0:00)

Review of Superman Returns (9:28)

Spoiler-free review of The Life of Chuck (39:40)

Spoiler-talk (53:30)

About The Life of Chuck:

The Life of Chuck is a 2024 film inspired by Stephen King’s novella from his collection If It Bleeds. The story unfolds in three parts, told in reverse, tracing the seemingly ordinary life of Charles “Chuck” Krantz against a backdrop of strange cosmic events.

Charles “Chuck” Krantz – Tom Hiddleston

Young Chuck – Jacob Tremblay

Marty Anderson – Chiwetel Ejiofor

Felicia Gordon – Karen Gillan

Sarah Krantz – Mia Sara

Albie Krantz – Mark Hamill

Also starring – Carl Lumbly, David Dastmalchian, Matthew Lillard, Q’orianka Kilcher, Annalise Basso, Rahul Kohli, Violet McGraw, Kate Siegel, Benjamin Pajak, Cody Flanagan, Heather Langenkamp

Mike Flanagan – Director / Screenwriter / Editor / Producer

Trevor Macy – Producer

Stephen King – Story (original novella)

Eben Bolter – Cinematographer

The Newton Brothers – Composer

About Superman Returns:

Superman returns to Earth after a five-year absence to find that the world has moved on without him

Brandon Routh – Clark Kent / Superman

Kate Bosworth – Lois Lane

Kevin Spacey – Lex Luthor

James Marsden – Richard White

Frank Langella – Perry White

Sam Huntington – Jimmy Olsen

Eva Marie Saint – Martha Kent

Parker Posey – Kitty Kowalski

Kal Penn – Stanford

Tristan Lake Leabu – Jason White

Marlon Brando – Jor-El (archive footage and CGI)

Bryan Singer – Director / Story / Producer

Michael Dougherty – Screenwriter / Story

Dan Harris – Screenwriter / Story

Jon Peters – Producer

Gilbert Adler – Producer

Newton Thomas Sigel – Cinematographer

John Ottman – Editor / Composer

Elliot Goldenthal – Additional Music

For those of you who are excommunicado, exiled from The Continental, and out of favour with The High Table, this is the podcast for you.

Pete and Trevor saw Ballerina, the latest entry in the John Wick universe. Listen for our immediate reactions to the movie after immediately leaving the theatre.

This is also the sixth week for our ongoing Project Superman, wherein we watch every single live-action theatrical Superman movie. Today we talk Superman IV: The Quest for peace, closing out the Christopher Reeve era. Next week we discuss Superman Returns.

Don’t forget to enter our ongoing contest to win a subscription to Letterboxd Patron: https://boxd.it/Gbt3O

Intro and our history with John Wick (0:00)

Review of Superman IV (16:10)

Spoiler-free review of Ballerina (39:00)

Spoiler-talk (55:06)

About Ballerina:

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

Eve Macarro once dreamed of becoming a ballerina. Instead, her father’s brutal murder draws her into the shadows of the Ruska Roma assassin network. Trained in a deadly ballet of knives, guns, and improvised weapons, Eve becomes a force to be reckoned with.

Ana de Armas as Eve, Keanu Reeves as John Wick, Ian McShane as Winston, Anjelica Huston as The Director, Gabriel Byrne as The Chancellor, Norman Reedus as some guy, Lance Reddick as Charon

Directed by Len Wiseman, written by Shay Hatten, produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski, and Len Wiseman, cinematography by Nigel Bluck, music by Marco Beltrami, edited by Brett M. Reed.

About Superman IV:

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) finds the Man of Steel facing his most ideological challenge yet. Disturbed by the escalating threat of nuclear war, Superman (Christopher Reeve) takes it upon himself to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent / Superman, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield, Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, Jim Broadbent as Jean Pierre Dubois, Sam Wanamaker as David Warfield

Directed by Sidney J. Furie, story by Christopher Reeve and Lawrence Konner & Mark Rosenthal, screenplay by Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal, produced by Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan, cinematography by Ernest Day, music by John Williams (themes) and Alexander Courage, edited by John Shirley, production design by John Graysmark.

Turn car on, turn car off. Pete and Trevor took a trip to see the Karate Kid: Legends, another legacy sequel (but one that Pete loves). Will this live up to the high-expectations out of Cobra Kai? How will the Will Smith/Jackie Chan remake fit into this? Listen for our immediate reactions after leaving the theatre.

This is also the fourth week for our ongoing Project Superman, wherein we watch every single live-action theatrical Superman movie. This week we discuss Supergirl, which although does not contain an appearance by the man of steel himself, it still serves as an important part of the Christopher Reeve franchise (in that they tried to create an expanded universe and fell flat).

Don’t forget to enter our ongoing contest to win a subscription to Letterboxd Patron: https://boxd.it/Gbt3O

Intro and Pete’s history with Karate Kid (0:00)

Review of Supergirl (19:00)

Spoiler-free review of Karate Kid: Legends (35:50)

Spoiler-talk (51:40)

Karate Kid: Legends

Ben Wang (Li Fong), Jackie Chan (Mr. Han), Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso), Sadie Stanley (Mia), Joshua Jackson (Victor Lipani), Ming-Na Wen (Dr. Fong), Aramis Knight (Conor), Wyatt Oleff (Alan), Shaunette Renée Wilson (Ms. Morgan), Tim Rozon (O’Shea), Marco Zhang (Young Li Fong), William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence – cameo), Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi – archival footage)

Director: Jonathan Entwistle

Writer: Rob Lieber

Producer: Karen Rosenfelt

Executive Producers: Ralph Macchio, Jenny Hinkey

Cinematographer: Justin Brown

Editor: Dana E. Glauberman

Music: Dominic Lewis

Casting Director: John Papsidera

Production Designer: Maya Sigel

Supergirl:

Cast: Helen Slater (Kara Zor-El / Supergirl), Faye Dunaway (Selena), Peter O’Toole (Zaltar), Mia Farrow (Alura), Brenda Vaccaro (Bianca), Hart Bochner (Ethan), Peter Cook (Nigel), Maureen Teefy (Lucy Lane), Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen), Simon Ward (Zor-El)

Director: Jeannot Szwarc

Writer: David Odell

Producers: Timothy Burrill, Ilya Salkind

Music: Jerry Goldsmith

Cinematography: Alan Hume

Editor: Malcolm Cooke

Production Designer: Richard Macdonald