Pshht Themes

Happy 4th, Void! Yes, we're still on our break. Erin is in New Orleans training to wrestle alligators this week while Brennan, after almost 10 years in Japan, is finally going to learn how to use a fork. While our hosts are busy doing, whatever they're doing, we bring you our recording of Jaws on this auspicious 50th anniversary! Together, let's look at how a small white island town in New England chooses to face off against a man-eating shark. "A whaaaat?" A shark! SHAAAARRKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Fourth of July, Void! It may not be the most fun 4th, but it's still a day! Specifically, it's Ron Kovic's birthday! So, let's talk about disillusioned war vets realizing that patriotism has many forms. We discuss so many things that Brennan refuses to type about in this description. For such a dark movie about wheelchair fights, bonding over dead friends, and yelling inappropriate things just to make mom angry, Erin and Brennan weirdly find things to laugh about. Should we be concerned? Why am I asking you? No idea. Ultimately, it's an important film. Trust us, we're Americans. 

We didn't know what to title this podcast, but war is . . . indeed "wack."

Load and lock, Void! This week we dive into the dense jungles of Hollywood while speakers blast Credence Clearwater, Rolling Stones, and Buffalo Springfield. Is this a Vietnam movie? No, it's a movie about people who tried to make a movie about Vietnam! It's TROPIC THUNDER, starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Brandon T. Jackson, and Tom Cruise. We double down on the ridiculous nature of Hollywood; the insincerity of the industry to promote diverse stories while only casting certain people. But really, we spent the whole movie laughing at the absurdity of this story! Nick Nolte impressions, pandas, TeeVo saving the day, Satan's Alley, and the sheer number of big-name actors they got for this movie.  

Now, let's do the torture scene!

It's here, Void! We're wrapping up the second half of Andor Season 2 and screaming our praises for all the galaxy to hear. Just like Rogue One, this show uses every available moment to tell the best story we've seen in Star Wars, probably since the originals. Syril faces his choices, the birth of K2, Mon Mothma leading the resistance, and Andor getting in trouble for saving people. We are held at finger point to witness the massacres, the growing pains, and the betrayals that give us the Empire and Rebel Alliance of the original movies. This show takes the darkest days of the Empire, when they think they have the most control and shows just how little power they truly have to stop the uprising. 

Rebellions are built on hope. Remember that.

Happy May the 4th, Void! This week we're discussing part one of Andor Season 2 (episodes 1-6), while we will review part two next week (episodes 7-12). Today we're focused on the textile planet of Ghorman and the not-French-yet-very-French-French-Resistance. We enjoy the fabulous disguises of Cassian, the wedding "festivities" of Chandrila, and the toxic relationship of Dedra and Syril (we don't actually want to know what happened in the dark. . . . mother). Ultimately, who can one trust when starting a rebellion? No one knows when it's spy vs. spy. 

Welcome back, Void! You get a monologue, and you get a monologue, AND YOU GET A MONOLOGUE!! Monologues for the ages! We're seriously awe-struck at the quality of the speeches in this half of the season. Andy Serkis leading the prison break, Stellan Skarsgård digging deep into sacrifice, and Fiona Shaw being the first stone thrown (literally). Following the first strike against the Empire at Aldhani, the sparks of rebellion are kindled across the galaxy. For each hero rising up, there is an equal psychopath torturing, stalking, and just being creepy. Mon Mothma is our "character growth" MVP as she chooses to walk the walk and sacrifice everything, even her daughter, to the rebellion. This season is one of the best pieces of Star Wars storytelling, period. 

Hello, Void! We have a special podcast for you this week and a pretty exciting plan for the next month. Matt is with us this week, so of course we're going to be talking about Star Wars but because of Andor season 2 is right around the corner, we're kidnapping Matt for a whole MONTH! Zealots, thieves, and soldiers, oh my! We watch Mon Mothma go from "the poor Bothans" to deadly sleight of hand "look here and you'll miss the knife." Cassian is not in form just yet but is promising enough to intrigue rebel spy master Luthen (Stellan Skarsgård). On the other side we have Syril, the zealot absolutist who might be a good guy but just does everything the wrong way. We are certain that Syril likes some weird stuff. . . listen to our next episode, we'll get into it. 

Helmets on, Void! We're taking cover behind this Sicilian rock while our fearless leader, Patton, takes wisdom from his past lives to plan our invasion of Italy! We're talking about the 1970 film "Patton" which explores the controversial career of one of WWII's most distinguished generals. Trust us, it's more controversial than you think. Between the first slap heard 'round the world (looking at you Will Smith), General Montgomery (Monty) being an aristocratic diva, and Bradley simply trying to hold down the fort we learn that military generals are no better than the pettiest drag queens. Monty, sashay away! Meanwhile the Germans don't think the Americans could wipe their own noses without Patton giving the order and ignore all common sense that goes with it (the greatest decoy of all time). Ultimately, apologizing is the hardest thing Patton has to do, and it wasn't convincing. Happy Birthday, Dad!

Hi, Void. This was a rough one. Have you ever seen a movie so bad it erased itself from your mind? You have?! So, you've seen Fantastic Beasts, the Secrets of Dumbledore too! What secrets? No idea. This is a common theme for the entire podcast. Positive moments: Theseus being hot, Mads Mikkelsen (also hot), and . . . that's about it. Jacob again should've been the hero, not the wet blanket that is Newt Scamander. Subplots overlooked: Nazis on the rise in Europe, wizards being dragged into muggle wars, Jacob learning magic, and Dumbledore's DEAD sister! Instead, we got Creedance giving "Mom, no one understands me!" Ultimately, we call J.K. on her BS and label her a false ally and a TERRIBLE storyteller. We have Avada Cadavra readied for the moment anyone mentions a Fantastic Beasts 4. We will bury you. 

Bless your heart, Void! (insert southern accent for the remainder of the description) We find ourselves in Spectre with no shoes on and we think we may never leave. From naked lady fishes to giants that are just so hungry, all we really wanna do is put a nice gold weddin' ring on Sandra. We encounter everything Tim Burton has to throw at us: Danny DeVitto, Danny DeVitto as a werewolf, and Danny DeVitto making Deep Roy look taller than 4 ft. But when all is said and done, we find ourselves sobbing for the last 15 minutes 'cause it's just so good! Grab a hankey, this has feelings!