The Even More Eyes Podcast

With distant memories of the last-last Indy outing (2008's 'The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' ), what do the two critics think of this first instalment without creator Steven Spielberg at the helm? They dig down into the film's resurrection of 80's Harrison Ford, post-World War 2 Nazism in America, and whether this film excavates some deeper truth in the iconic action hero.

A thrillingly final crack of the whip, or a franchise well past it's prime?

Turn your volume Dial up on this latest episode!

On this Saturday morning (much like an early weekend superhero cartoon special), Imo and James broadcast their SPOILER-FILLED review of the much anticipated '⁠Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse⁠' (2023), directed by Joaquin Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, Kemp Powers, and starring the voices of Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfield, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vélez, Jake Johnson, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Greta Lee, Shea Whigham, Karan Soni and Oscar Isaac.

The two web-shooting critics decide whether this sequel is another scintillating cinematic web filled with enough heart, humour, visual splendour and though-provoking themes to surpass the original's brilliance or is just unravelling Sony's smash-hit with one more nostalgia-loaded, multi-versal mishmash?

Join them for another swing around the ol' Spidey-Verse again!

In this SPOILER-FILLED review, Imo and James face the final flight of the rag-tag team-cum-family in director James Gunn's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' (2023), starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Vin Diesel, Will Poulter, Elizabeth Debicki, Linda Cardellini, Maria Bakalova, Nathan Fillion, and Chukwudi Iwuji.

What do the two 'Guardians'-fans make of Gunn's last shot with this collective of beloved mad-cap misfits? Does it blast off the screen with its obvious heart-string pulling moments, ultra-violent gut-splattering action and deeply affecting, comedic cast? Or, is it yet another MCU flick that crashes and burns? 

Time to hit the play button on your Walkmans people!

Dropping like a twinkling flag down a pole, James and Imo give their level scores on 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' (2023), directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, starring the voices of Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen and Jack Black.

With both critics being children of the Nintendo Age (and living with the trauma of the live-action, box-office bomb 'Super Mario Bros' from 1993), they fire up their memories of Game-Boys and N64s to see how this newest video-game adaptation plays.

Does it soar above similar films in the genre (like 2021's 'Mortal Kombat') or does it need to be sucked down a memory-pipe (like 2021's 'Mortal Kombat')?

Alongside discussing the near 40-year 'lore' of the franchise, the two game-enthusiasts also give their thoughts on how a certain Princess goes from damsel-in-distress to miss-on-a-mission.

Super-fun cinema or a broken cartridge of a movie? Click Start to Play this SPOILER-FILLED review.

Imo and James roll the dice and see if there's anything's winning in this SPOILER-FILLED review of 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves' (2023), directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Regé-Jean Page, Sophie Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Daisy Head, Jason Wong and Hugh Grant.

With only one of our critics a real D&D enthusiast, what do the two critics make of this latest adaptation of the revered table-top game? Does it suffer the fate of previous attempts to bring beloved RPGs to live-action (see 2016's disappointing dud 'Warcraft') or does this fantasy romp conjure up enough movie magic for all comers?

Assemble at our coveted council for ultimate judgement.

In this brief episode of 'Even More Eyes', James and Imo review director Hirokazu Kore-eda's latest feature 'Broker' (2023), starring Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Lee Ji-eun, Lee Joo-young, Im Seung-soo and Bae Doona.

Taking an unusual detour from high octane action and superhero antics, the two critics settle into the Japanese filmmaker's first foray into South Korean society. A young mother's fateful decision to leave her newborn baby at a church depository box has life-changing consequences for her, two opportunistic brokers, a mischevious orphan, and the pursuing police.

For one of our critics it's a return to Kore-eda's thematics of social class and unfamiliar familial bonds (2013's 'Like Father, Like Son', 2017's 'After the Storm' and 2018's 'Shoplifters') , while for another it's their first encounter with the director-writer's quietly powerful work.

Do they think this feature is Kore-eda's finest or spinning the wheel on his usual topics? Click play to find out.

In this SPOILER-FILLED review episode, Imo and James go down into Marvel's first release of the year: 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' (2023), directed by Peyton Reed and starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lily, Kathryn Newton, Jonathan Majors, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Douglas, Katy O'Brian, David Dastmalchian, William Jackson Harper and Bill Murray.

Is this latest addition to the MCU descending into new depths thematically while expanding the exciting scope of the franchise's fifth phase, or can it go no lower in unceasing mediocrity? The two critics discuss some fundamentals in the physics of the Marvel world building, plus offer side-notes on the film's morality, and whether this all fits in with the adjunct series 'Loki' (or, is that necessary viewing now...?)

Does 'Quantumania' conquer expectations or gnaw at the audience's enthusiasm? 

After a brief start-of-year hiatus, James and Imo are back to celebrate the podcast's 2nd anniversary with long-time fan Alan. 

In this special year-in-review round-up on 2022's top films, they discuss the best, the worst and the honourable mentions from the last 12 months. Finally, they discuss their favourite (and least favourite) podcast episodes. 

Films mentioned:

Click on the links above for trailers. 

For full podcast review episodes check out: 'Avatar: The Way of Water', 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever', 'Everything Everywhere All At Once', 'Jurassic World: Dominion', 'Morbius', 'Nope' and 'Thor: Love and Thunder'. 

Thank you once again to all our listeners and supporters! There's much more to come in 2023! See you at the movies! 

Deck the halls with boughs of holly! 'Tis the season to be watching 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' (1992), of course, and the 'Even More Eyes' are no exception. 

Like a certain three ghosts, Imo, James and returning guest (and Muppet fanatic) Josh, will take you through their past remembrances and present revelations on this beloved thirty-year old Christmas classic. 

Is the spirit of Charles Dickens' famous novel still there amid the puppetry? Is this Michael Caine's finest performance? Does it surpass 'Muppet Treasure Island' (1996)? And how might the sentiments, songs and social critique resonate today in Tory Britain? 

The trio will reveal all- and much more- after their recent trip to the Sing-A-Long performance at the Prince Charles Cinema in London's Leceister Square. 

Happy holidays and thanks to all our listeners!! We'll be back in the New Year! 

And as Tiny Tim observed, 'God Bless Us, Everyone' *cough* *splutter* *cue tears* 

In this SPOILER-FILLED review of this festive season's biggest blockbuster, James and Imo dive into the long-awaited sequel to James Cameron's 2009 immersive sci-fi epic- 'Avatar: The Way of Water' (2022), starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Kate Winslet, Jack Champion, CCH Pounder, Britain Dalton, Bailey Bass, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Filip Geljo, and Edie Falco. 

After thirteen years, what do our critics find on the return to Pandora? Do they think the next stepping stone in Cameron's space saga is awash in visually stunning vistas, compelling characterisation and heady themes, or is it simply treading water with derivative ideas and mundane SFX? 

So, take a wade in the water with us...or, if you're a Na'vi, plug your organic USB tail into our hive mind. We don't discriminate.