Podcast Assemble

The lads take a detour into an animated feature this week! "The Lord Of The Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" pushes Tommy and DL to get their anime reps in with a feature that challenges the conventional fantasy epic by emphasizing a Japanese style to a Western Audience.

Oh... and a secret Gandalf appears!

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Time Codes:

Intro0:24.520

What Have You Been Up To?10:12.192

MAIN TOPIC: War of the Rohirrim (2024)25:53.102

Stupid Plot Summary26:56.109

Cast & Crew29:02.050

Goofy IMDB Pic29:38.163

Plot32:16.454

Did it enhance the LOTR vibes?40:47.736

Animation44:59.851

World-Building48:23.490

Action51:59.953

Tones & Themes54:25.732

3 Best & 3 Worst54:50.049

Critical Reception57:37.953

Better or Worse than Aquaman (2018)?59:18.379

** SPOILERS START HERE **1:00:10.860

** SPOILERS END HERE **1:06:52.114

Trivia True or False1:06:52.394

Wrapping Up1:09:19.919

Main Topic:

LOTR War of the Rohirrim shows us a story from a paragraph in the annals and appendices of Tolkien's original work, but Tommy and DL seem to struggle with the animated nature of the work. With a little-known cast, but knowing Peter Jackson is at the helm, it had enough to get them through the door but whether it was an enjoyable experience or not seems to be a balancing act!

Are you the rare breed of Anime-fan/LOTR Lore Nerd? Did the animated NZ landscape put you off the remainder? And do you have a book recommendation for DL? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected] or hitting us up on socials, and we'll give you a shout-out on the pod!

Website || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube || Email

And while we've got you, we'd love it if you gave us a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and let us know what you think of the show.

#lotr #peterjackson #rohirrim #mirandaotto #helmhammerhand #helmsdeep

Sam enjoys Frodo's faces, Aragorn gets a post-war glow-up, Legolas becomes The Riddler and Sauron gets a blinding - what more could you ask for? How about over an hour of Tommy and DL musing on the many endings of the final chapter in the LOTR trilogy?

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Time Codes:

Intro0:23.842

What have you been up to?7:59.839

MAIN TOPIC: LOTR Return of the King18:47.319

Stupid Plot Summary21:22.394

Cast & Crew22:45.886

Plot24:50.293

Trump-Saruman32:26.248

Cinematography and World-Building36:19.292

Alternate Endings?41:28.192

CGI51:02.719

The Ending51:53.367

Tones & Themes1:00:45.301

3 Best & 3 Worst1:01:37.029

Critical Reception1:08:16.450

Better or Worse than Aquaman (2018)?1:08:49.683

Trivia True or False1:09:13.252

Main Topic:

The Return of the King is the action-packed conclusion of the LOTR film series from the early 2000s, and it doesn't disappoint! Described by Tommy as a seminal conclusion, and better than The Two Towers, the pair go back and forth on the good, the bad and the ugly (looking at you, Frodo!) as they close out one of their many and varied anthologies!

Was the copy-paste CGI of the Rohirrim an issue for you? Who do you think should have earned the most money from the series? And where do you reckon Aragorn found Gondor's hair gel stores? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected] or hitting us up on socials, and we'll give you a shout-out on the pod!

Website || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube || Email

And while we've got you, we'd love it if you gave us a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and let us know what you think of the show.

#ianmckellan #lordoftherings #karlurban #legolas #aragorn #gimli #theodenking #lotr #peterjackson #rohirrim

LOTR The Two Towers is lauded as everyone's favourite movie in the series, but does it hold up 20 years on? This week, Tommy and DL discuss the good, the bad and the wizardly of the classic series from the early 2000s.

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Time Codes:

Intro0:31

What have you been up to?7:08

Red Rising Book 3 *SPOILERS START*11:07

Red Rising Book 3 *SPOILERS END*20:48

MAIN TOPIC: LOTR The Two Towers **FULL SPOILERS**21:03

Stupid Plot Summary23:33

Cast & Crew24:31

Everything just works29:16

CGI34:18

World-Building37:33

Performances38:58

Helm's Deep45:52

Wow, this is really GUD49:34

Tones & Themes53:33

3 Best & 3 Worst55:00

Critical Reception1:00:44

Better or Worse than Aquaman (2018)?1:02:16

Trivia True or False1:03:04

Wrap-Up1:06:50

Main Topic:

The Two Towers has the fellowship broken, following two pairs of hobbits and the man-elf-dwarf dream team on separate journeys to save Middle-Earth.

The cast couldn't be stronger, and the effects more seamless than in this classic. We could write paragraphs here, but we'd prefer Tommy and DL do their thing to give this epic film justice!

Did the action with the Balrog fight throw you off? Were you distracted by Aragorn's wet dream on a long walk? And did you know they were taking the hobbits to Isengard? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected] or hitting us up on socials, and we'll give you a shout-out on the pod!

Website || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube || Email

And while we've got you, we'd love it if you gave us a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and let us know what you think of the show.

#ianmckellan #lordoftherings #karlurban #legolas #aragorn #gimli #eomer #eowyn #theodenking #twotowers

This week we have Tommy, DL AND Regs to chat about the unanticipated (and perhaps unwanted) sequel to Ridley Scott's classic Gladiator film, Gladiator II! Find out how enamoured, uncaring and disbelieving they are while mispronouncing Paul Mescal's name for the entire episode! You can find Regs at: The Film Addicts Podcast and The Stitch Up.

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Time Codes:

Intro0:21.235

Englishisms6:22.096

What have you been up to?11:41.009

MAIN TOPIC: Gladiator II (2024) *NON SPOILERS*24:07.838

Stupid Plot Summary27:12.172

Cast & Crew30:10.099

Plot31:47.193

The Main Players40:09.369

Costumes and Sets51:25.383

Tones and Themes54:38.437

3 Best & 3 Worst55:20.872

Critical Reception1:01:54.757

Better or Worse than Aquaman (2018)?1:03:22.156

** SPOILERS START **1:05:12.217

** SPOILERS END **1:12:54.067

Trivia True or False1:12:56.331

Wrapping Up1:16:35.188

Main Topic:

Gladiator II sets itself up to be a better-than-before version of the original classic starring Russel Crowe, but instead the lads find themselves trying desperately to convince themselves that its worth the time and the money to come to the big screen. Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and a star-studded cast feature in Ridley Scott's next big project, and carry the Roman caravan to the end of the empire.

Listen as the pronunciation of names, the justification fo entirely CGI animals and the duplicity of Denzel Washington is discussed by Tommy, DL and Regan as they try to figure out what it was all for.

Did you figure out how these two films are related? Was the hero's journey worth the effort in this repeat of a classic? And did you enjoy Denzel strutting his way through Gladiator II? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected] or hitting us up on socials, and we'll give you a shout-out on the pod!

Website || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube || Email

And while we've got you, we'd love it if you gave us a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and let us know what you think of the show.

#gladiator #paulmescal #denzelwashington #russelcrowe #ridleyscott

This third installment of Chris Nolan's "Dark Knight" series wraps up Christian Bale's Batman, but this week Tommy and Regs (Film Addicts podcast) draw genitals and offensive jokes all over that wrapping to show their love for each other, and this amazing film that ranks highly in the Nolan Anthology. You can find Regs at: The Film Addicts Podcast and The Stitch Up.

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Time Codes:

Intro0:24

What have you been up to?8:52

MAIN TOPIC: The Dark Knight Rises20:26

Stupid Plot Summary22:12

Cast & Crew23:29

Goofy IMDB Picture25:04

Plot27:46

A bit about Bane34:15

Wow, this is really GUD40:49

Setting58:44

The Ending1:04:09

Rankings of Nolan Films1:09:15

Tones & Themes1:12:25

3 Worst & 3 Best1:13:15

Criticval Reception1:21:54

Better or Worse than Aquaman (2018)?1:22:57

Trivia True or False?1:24:19

Wrapping up1:28:08

Main Topic:

This week, Regan is back with Tommy while DL is away on assignment, and they're talking about one of their favorites: "The Dark Knight Rises" as the third film in Nolan's Batman trilogy. Tom Hardy beefs up as Bane, Michael Caine is back as Alfred (aka Batman's conscience) alongside Morgan Freeman, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Gary Oldman and a host of other elite actors.

They discuss the true terror of Bane as a character, and the cinematic splendor of a brilliant close-out of an excellent franchise that went out at its peak.

Would you revisit Dark Knight Rises? How about 50 more times? And can you understand Bane when he talks? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected] or hitting us up on socials, and we'll give you a shout-out on the pod!

Website || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube || Email

And while we've got you, we'd love it if you gave us a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and let us know what you think of the show.

#batman #christianbale #filmaddicts #michaelcaine #morganfreeman #garyoldman #jgl

Gladiator 2 is coming to cinemas.. and not the proposed Nick Cave version, (some would say fortunately). Join co-hosts Tommy and DL as we journey back to the year 2000 yo talk about how we got here.

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Time Codes:

• Intro - 0:25
• How are you doing? - 4:42
• What have you been up to? - 11:07
• MAIN TOPIC: Gladiator (2000) - 21:29
• Stupid Plot Summary - 23:48
• Cast & Crew - 24:42
• Djimon Honsou Cinematic Universe - 28:27
• Plot - 29:47
• Red Rising Bk3 Spoilers - 35:05
• History and Accuracy - 43:49
• Action - 46:51
• World-Building - 48:37
• Performances - 52:04
• Original Script - 54:06
• Tones & Themes - 57:36
• 3 Best & 3 Worst - 57:50
• Critical Reception - 1:01:49
• Better or Worse than Aquaman (2018)? - 1:02:53
• Trivia True or False - 1:04:02

Main Topic:

This week we're discussing Ridley Scott's 'swords and sandals' epic, starring Russel Crowe and a Hanz Zimmer score as epic as the acting. But we really want to talk about, is David Hemmings’s eyebrows! This one is an absolute favourite.

Make sure you rewatch it before the sequel hits screens!

Are you excited for Gladiator 2? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected] or hitting us up on socials, and we'll give you a shout-out on the pod!

Website || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube || Email

And while we've got you, we'd love it if you gave us a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and let us know what you think of the show.

#Gladiator #Gladiator2 #RidleyScott #RusselCrowe #JoaquinPhoenix

The Sony Movie Universe of Spider-Man characters SOMEHOW is still going, as we jump into the latest in the franchise. Co-hosts Tommy and DL across the pond simply have to ask the question, why does this exist?

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Time Codes:

• Todays “sponsor”: 0:00
• Intro: 0:23
• **Red Rising Spoilers** (Morning Star): 2:53
• WHYBUT: 5:59
• Main Topic - NON SPOILERS: 15:49
• Stupid Plot Summaries: 17:05
• The characters: 17:43
• Does this trick a casual audience?: 29:50
• Action: 32:17
• Tones & Themes: 36:50
• 3 Best & 3 Worst: 37:49
• Critical Reception: 41:33
• Better or Worse than Aquaman 2018 42:30
• SPOILERS 43:10
• Trivia True of False: 48:13
• Wrapping Up: 50:55

Main Topic:

With Venom, the first Venom movie, making almost a billion dollars, it was inevitable the sequel's would come. And boy are the writers running low on ideas. Venom: The Last Dance (2024) caps off Tom Hardy's trilogy of movies as the Lethal Protector - thankfully..

We went through the hard yards, so you don't have to!

Did you see Venom: The Last Dance? Do you think it needs to exist? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected] or hitting us up on socials, and we'll give you a shout-out on the pod!

Website || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube || Email

And while we've got you, we'd love it if you gave us a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and let us know what you think of the show.

#Venom #TheLastDance #TomHardy #Sony #Marvel #Spiderman

Keep those spooky vibes rolling with the special Halloween Episode of Podcast Assemble where the lads talk about... well... Halloween! John Carpenter's classic 1978 thriller occupies most of their chat, as DL was embroiled in podcasts, and Tommy just played video games all weekend. *ahem*.... yep.

TIMESTAMPS:

Intro0:25.035

What have you been up to?6:21.638

MAIN TOPIC: Halloween (1978)18:05.323

Stupid Plot Summary19:08.383

Cast & Crew21:55.597

Goofy IMDB Pic22:27.751

Plot24:13.951

Music28:55.374

Pacing29:41.759

Cinematography & World-Building33:29.686

Action40:08.583

Tones & Themes44:48.114

3 Best & 3 Worst45:15.350

Critical Reception49:44.281

Better or Worse than Aquaman (2018)?51:24.071

Trivia True or False51:49.058

Wrapping Up54:21.051

Main Topic:

Halloween is seen as a classic that set up 25 (?) more films to follow, and set a new foundation for horror films from that point onwards! The prestige of this film is sometimes overcome by the "hokeyness" of the scenes, and some plot devices not quite working as we expect. Surely home owners in middle America would open their door to a screaming teenager... right?

Nevertheless, Tommy and DL had a great time with the first appearance of the "Michael Myers" character, and how this film generated ridiculous sums of money on a low budget while also setting up the rest of the industry for decades to follow.

Could you walk past Jamie Lee Curtis as a teenager? How was your "fear-o-meter" tuned for this film? How many children have terrified you enough to inspire a film? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected] or hitting us up on socials, and we'll give you a shout-out on the pod!

Website || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube || Email

And while we've got you, we'd love it if you gave us a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and let us know what you think of the show.

#halloween #michaelmyers #jamieleecurtis #lexfridman #joerogan #shoreditch #sohohouse

Back in their regular, warm, comfy movie seats on either side of the planet, Tommy & DL jump back into the latest streaming film in "Wolfs" with Brad Pitt and George Clooney. They also chat more about Red Rising as Tommy jumps into Book 3, how Agatha All Along suprised everyone and how Tommy will record an entire album of him singing DL's favourite songs to remind him of home.

TIMESTAMPS:

Intro0:28.627

What have you been up to? 7:42

** RED RISING SPOILERS START ** 11:54

** RED RISING SPOILERS ENDS ** 12:53

MAIN TOPIC: Wolfs (2024) **NON-SPOILERS 16:37

Stupid Plot Summary 17:41

Cast & Crew 18:21

Plot 20:51

Acting 27:19

Music 32:23

Tones & Themes 33:56

3 Best & 3 Wrost 35:12

Critical Receptionn 37:43

Better or Worse than Aquaman (208)? 39:39

** FULL SPOILERS START ** 40:08

** FULL SPOILERS END ** 46:39

Trivia True or False 46:39

Wrapping Up 51:06

Main Topic:

In tribute to Tarantino and Bonnie & Clyde, "Wolfs" includes Brad Pitt and George Clooney as competing Fixers in New York City, brought together through less than likely circumstances and them grumbling all the way. Tommy and DL weren't grumbling! In fact, they could out a podcast or two for saying this movie is terrible...

It turned out great, as a delightful straight-to-streaming romp with some big names, and they try as hard as they can not to mentioned the *ahem*.... Brad Pitt thing!

Did Wolfs tickle your pickle, or where you left with an empty bag? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected] or hitting us up on socials, and we'll give you a shout-out on the pod!

Website || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube || Email

And while we've got you, we'd love it if you gave us a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and let us know what you think of the show.

#wolfs #bradpitt #georgeclooney #tarantino #pulpfiction #redrising #agathaallalong

Finally, DL is back on the mic and this week Tommy and his favourite LOTR Nerd (now across the pond) discuss the big move, Rings of Power, Sugar, KAOS and share their thoughts on the second installment of Todd Phillips' Joker franchise!

TIMESTAMPS:

Intro0:21.361

What have you been up to?6:32

MAIN TOPIC: Joker Folie a Deux (2024)33:44

Stupid Plot Summary36:03

Cast & Crew36:48

Comparing the Joker40:09

Pacing48:29

How was Gaga Quinn?54:41

Tones & Themes55:53

3 Best & 3 Worst56:51

Critical Reception59:50

Better or Worse than Aquaman (2018)?1:00:40

** SPOILERS START HERE**1:01:35

** SPOILERS END HERE **1:10:07

Trivia True or False1:10:07

Wrapping Up1:13:10

Main Topic:

Joker: Folie à Deux - the anticipated follow-up to Jaoquin Phoenix's Joker from 2019 seems to have fallen flat, and the lads think so too! Their interest was piqued by the idea of building on the character into a broader Batman/Gotham universe, but discovered a musical with an on-brand Gaga as Harley Quinn.

While Tommy and DL seemed to enjoy the watching experience, I think they now understand why the collective opinion seems to be that it's a waste of time and money...

Have you caught Joker 2 yet? Were you impressed by Jaoquin's skinny legs and white underpants? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected] or hitting us up on socials, and we'll give you a shout-out on the pod!

Website || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube || Email

And while we've got you, we'd love it if you gave us a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and let us know what you think of the show.

#Joker2 #JokeFolieaDeux #jaoquinphoenix #ladygaga #harveydent #chrisnolan #batman