This Seats Taken

Send us Fan Mail

We analyze whether The Accountant 2 improves upon its predecessor as Ben Affleck returns as Christian Wolff, the autistic mathematical genius who serves as both accountant and assassin.

• Ben Affleck delivers a more nuanced performance of autism in the sequel, showing detailed mannerisms and speech patterns
• The movie portrays autism almost as a superpower rather than a limitation
• John Bernthal returns as Christian's brother, with their relationship forming the emotional core of the film
• The plot focuses on solving a Treasury chief's murder and rescuing a kidnapped Mexican family
• The sequel features more hand-to-hand combat versus the shooting-heavy approach of the first film
• The storyline sets up potential for a third installment
• We also discuss Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) as a perfect background comedy with nostalgic 80s references
• Modern comedies struggle to match the unfiltered humor of earlier decades
• Both films receive similar ratings (6-7.5/10) but for very different reasons

Send us Fan Mail

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan's fifth collaboration "Sinners" combines Southern blues, vampire horror, and family drama into a genre-bending masterpiece set in 1930s America. The film follows twin brothers who return to their plantation hometown to open a juke joint, only to encounter an ancient evil that threatens their community.

• Michael B. Jordan delivers a remarkable dual performance as twins Smoke and Stack
• Ryan Coogler wrote and directed his first original screenplay not based on existing IP
• The film intentionally builds character for 80 minutes before introducing vampire elements
• The standout one-take musical sequence transitions through Black musical history
• Traditional vampire mythology is effectively incorporated while maintaining historical context
• The IMAX presentation enhances several key sequences with aspect ratio changes
• Strong supporting performances from Hailee Steinfeld and newcomer Miles Caton as Preacher Boy
• Mid-credits scene provides emotional closure while maintaining the film's stakes
• Themes of family obligation, redemption, and cultural preservation run throughout

See "Sinners" in IMAX for the full experience of Coogler's most ambitious and visually stunning film to date.

Send us Fan Mail

Chris Fritza, kickboxer and real estate agent, shares his journey from childhood martial arts to preparing for his upcoming MMA debut on June 7th. He discusses his fighting philosophy, training regimen, and mental approach while we review fighting movies Roadhouse and The Amateur.

• Real estate agent by day, MMA fighter by night
• Started martial arts in fifth grade, always wanted to fight professionally
• Views fighting as "movement therapy" rather than an outlet for anger
• Follows the philosophy "you don't experience life, you experience what you focus on"
• Advises aspiring fighters to simply "go to the next class" rather than seeking secret techniques
• Trains approximately 6-8 hours weekly at Team Cologne
• Currently has a 1-1 record in kickboxing, making MMA debut on June 7th
• Reviews the Jake Gyllenhaal/Conor McGregor film Roadhouse
• Discusses differences between Hollywood fighting and real MMA
• Provides insights on Rami Malek's thriller The Amateur

Follow Chris on Instagram and look up Premier MMA for information about his upcoming fight at Gary Union Hall on June 7th.

Send us Fan Mail

We recount our disappointing experience at the Podcast Movement convention in Chicago which fell drastically short of our expectations, then discuss exciting movie news from CinemaCon.

• The stark difference between our successful Podfest experience in Orlando and the business-focused, unwelcoming atmosphere at Podcast Movement
• How the Ambies award show became the highlight of an otherwise disappointing convention
• The challenge of networking at a professional event where most attendees remained closed off
• Major movie announcements from CinemaCon including Spider-Man 4, Beyond the Spider-Verse, and multiple John Wick projects
• The rise of daytime "coffee parties" as an alternative to nighttime clubbing that we're bringing to Northwest Indiana

Join us Sunday for our first-ever Coffee Party at Cielito Lindo Cafe in Whiting, Indiana from 11am to 2pm - bringing the daytime coffee club trend to Northwest Indiana!

Send us Fan Mail

Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot star in Disney's controversial live-action remake of their first princess film, but behind the fairytale lies a troubled production and mishandled marketing campaign.

• Rachel Zegler faced backlash from the moment she was cast as Snow White due to her ethnicity
• Gal Gadot's performance as the Evil Queen lacks dimension, continuing a pattern of similar performances across her films
• The movie suffered from minimal marketing, no premiere event, and Disney seemingly giving up on the project
• Most sets appear small-scale and artificial, with CGI dwarfs that many viewers found creepy rather than endearing
• Despite its flaws, children still enjoyed the film, highlighting the divide between the target audience and critical reception
• The production faced significant reshoots and sat on the shelf for approximately two years before release
• Rachel Zegler has regrettably become the target of criticism, potentially impacting her career momentum

Send us Fan Mail

Jack Quaid delivers standout performances in both Novocaine and Companion, showcasing his range as an actor and his ability to play very different characters with conviction and nuance.

• Novocaine follows a man with congenital insensitivity to pain who must use his condition to rescue a woman he cares about after a bank robbery
• The film brilliantly portrays how dangerous not feeling pain can be – from setting timers for bathroom breaks to avoiding solid foods
• Both movies feature excellent soundtracks that enhance the viewing experience, with Companion's music particularly standing out
• Jack Quaid plays completely opposite characters – a cautious introvert in Novocaine and a manipulative villain in Companion
• Despite modest box office performance, Novocaine offers a fresh, original concept in the action genre with clever fight sequences
• Companion delivers shocking twists about artificial intelligence and human-robot relationships that keep viewers guessing
• Both films maintain excellent pacing, with neither wasting screen time on unnecessary plot points
• Jacob Batalon steals his scenes in Novocaine, bringing welcome comic relief as Roscoe

Check out our upcoming episodes covering The Sinners and Snow White, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes content and updates.

Send us Fan Mail

Karla Serrato joins us to discuss her multifaceted career as an audiobook narrator, actress, and podcast host while sharing candid insights about the entertainment industry and creative life. She opens up about finding her voice through various mediums, from Second City improv to her taboo-breaking podcast adventures.

• Co-host of PottyMouth Poopcast, tackling taboo topics with scientific depth and humor
• Audiobook narration career that started during the pandemic after years of curiosity about the craft
• Second City improv experience since 2017, including performing in equity stage productions
• Finding creative community through comedy and performing arts in Chicago
• The Fifth Element ranks as her all-time favorite film for its storytelling, romance, and sci-fi elements
• Thoughts on representation in media and what drew her to certain actors like Sandra Bullock
• Realistic perspective on pursuing SNL and other high-profile entertainment opportunities
• Practical advice for aspiring actors: get an agent through SAG-AFTRA affiliated channels
• The challenges and rewards of creating authentic content in today's digital landscape

Send us Fan Mail

Robert Pattinson showcases his remarkable acting range in two wildly different sci-fi films that explore identity, time, and what it means to be human.

• Mickey 17 tells the story of an "expendable" human clone who goes on dangerous missions knowing his memories will be transferred if he dies
• Bong Joon-ho's direction balances sci-fi concepts with emotional storytelling
• Robert Pattinson's character voice and mannerisms create a distinct, somewhat dorky protagonist
• The film explores ethical questions about cloning technology and treating copies as less than human
• Mark Ruffalo's character appears to satirize certain political figures
• Christopher Nolan's Tenant presents a complex narrative about time inversion that challenges viewers
• Tenant features impressive action sequences with objects and people moving both forward and backward in time
• Pattinson delivers a charismatic performance alongside John David Washington
• Both films demonstrate Pattinson's versatility and commitment to challenging roles
• The conversation includes discussion of upcoming films and excitement for future releases

Send us Fan Mail

Our podcast dives deep into pop culture, movie reviews, and the joy of friendship with an engaging conversation between friends. The episode features a mix of lighthearted banter, humor, and personal insights while tackling celebrity controversies and movie anticipation. 

• Movie recommendations and reviews 
• Captain America costume story and TikTok fame 
• Kendrick vs. Drake Super Bowl discussion 
• Diddy’s cultural impact and controversies 
• Nostalgia-driven high school stories 
• Upcoming movies and TV show recommendations 
• Engaging listener interactions and call to action 

Send us Fan Mail

We dive into the clumsy intersection of horror and romance in "Heart Eyes," a Valentine's Day slasher that misses the mark. The film's lack of character development, poor dialogue, and jarring tonal shifts dilute the horror experience and transform what should be a tense narrative into an unintentional comedy.

• Introduction of the film and its premise 
• Dissection of character development issues 
• Examination of humor failed attempts in the horror context 
• Breakdown of cinematic choices and their consequences 
• Critical comparisons with the "Final Destination" franchise 
• Closing thoughts on the film's overall impact 

Thank you for listening! Join us next week for more movie discussions where we always save you a seat.