Rowls and Wally discuss the trend of creating blockbuster movies with an unfinished screenplay? Make it make sense.

Episode Notes:

Article we referenced on this episode: James Gunn Says the “Movie Industry Is Dying” Due to Films Being Made With Unfinished Scripts

VIdeo of Unfinished Screenplays: https://youtu.be/_0MPuu5k_oc?si=cLpnXxIjUozd3HPd

Rowls and Wally recall their favorite — and a few least favorite — movies and TV shows from 2025.

Rowls and guest Hattori Hanzo discuss Stranger Things season five — its cultural impact, why it endures, and how it’s shaped pop culture and fan communities.

Synopsis:

In 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries.

Stranger Things 5 Trailer:

https://youtu.be/PssKpzB0Ah0?si=o8EBHseqV0pT3k8b

Joined by special guest Hattori Hanzo, Wally and Rowls discuss the deep themes and writing of Vince Gilligan in his latest offering streaming now on Apple TV - PLUR1BUS.

Synopsis:

In a world overtaken by a mysterious wave of forced happiness, Carol Sturka, one of the immune few, must uncover what's really going on - and save humanity from its artificial bliss.

PLUR1BUS Trailer:
https://youtu.be/gpnizY19kEM?si=V-Ikn1KRLloqVubT

The Old Guard joins Bucky’s Basement podcast to review 2007’s Ghost Rider.

You can find all things Bucky’s Basement here at buckysbasement.com/

Wally and Rowls discuss the fresh energy and new direction in the Predator series now that Dan Trachtenberg is at the helm. In this episode, they provide a brief review of Predator: Killer of Killers, followed by an in-depth, full review of Predator: Badlands, exploring the themes and impact of the latest installment.

Synopsis:

Cast out from its clan, an alien hunter and an unlikely ally embark on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.

Predator: Badlands Trailer:

https://youtu.be/43R9l7EkJwE?si=L97ceevZ0lU4DlVB

Prey Trailer:

https://youtu.be/wZ7LytagKlc?si=dd4_D0ZxPs5y9r06

Predator: Killer of Killers Trailer:

https://youtu.be/fbddYji1F8s?si=ygk0X3UeG6D6ezB9

Predator: Killer of Killers Complete Ending:

https://youtu.be/7zLZ-3sA37k?si=nGZKrs9taNqLMLhB

Wally and Rowls have a candid conversation about the push from executives to require writers to develop simple, less complex scripts to keep a distracted audience engaged. 

Notes:

Jameela Jamil on The Romesh Ranganathan Show discussing second screen viewing:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQJIBowiCv6/?igsh=M2ZnZTl3bGlucHF5

PC Magazine article on second screen viewing:

Netflix Is Telling Writers to Dumb Down Shows Since Viewers Are on Their Phones

Rowls is joined by special guest Hattori Hanzo to review the third installment of the Tron series, Tron: Ares.

Synopsis:

Tron: Ares follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.

The soundtrack: 

https://open.spotify.com/album/47pjW3XDPW99NShtkeewxl?si=mmnY8n6-Tb-MSiemOCCkaA

Trailer:

https://youtu.be/yMVNJzdvLi4?si=hyhe8N_nO6OILNg1

Rowls and Wally review season 2 of Peacemaker and the trajectory of DC Studios.

Synopsis:

Chris `Peacemaker' Smith is a mercenary who believes he is pursuing freedom and peace when he is really just killing people. What makes him who he is? How was his life? Who are his friends?

Trailer:

https://youtu.be/Co-f2F4P_UE?si=y6yWkzlIluhTN3VR

Rowls and special guest Van Everette, host of The Scenario Radio Show, do a “Watcher” level deep dive on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.