Tower of Babble

Don’t let it be said that The Tower of Babble Podcast is not generous. Julian and Jeremy are in the giving spirit for the festive season, and in that spirit, they sat down on a wintery weekend morning to discuss in detail a Christmas movie that doesn't get enough attention, the Nicolas Cage vehicle, ‘The Family Man’. Both enjoyed this movie, mostly carried by the great performances, which seems to present a pretty clean moral message. But if you look a layer deeper (which the guys were happy to oblige) it reveals a pretty odd and mixed perspective on what it actually means to have an "ideal life". Luckily that tonal weirdness matches Cage's energy quite well, and ultimately creates a very enjoyable movie. But the ToB gifts don't stop there as your hosts shift gears to provide a bonus conversation around James Gunn's new ‘Superman’ teaser. Happy holidays everyone!

If you enjoy the show please subscribe and leave a nice review on Apple Podcasts, and check out Patreon.com/TowerBabbleCast to become one of our latest patrons.

ToB Film Club/Christmas Special - The Family Man (2000) + Superman Trailer

Julian Meush and Jeremy Kozier

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After a fairly odd WWII/French resistance inspired episode last week, we turn the page to something almost as weird - a luxury spa built on top of a pirate haven. Starting smartly with some needed character work and lore building, the episode then turns into a fairly wacky romp that draws similarities to the Canto Bight side quest from 'The Last Jedi', complete with alien species and visual easter-eggs aplenty. But what really works here is the humour. They seemed to have nailed a tone that allows for effortless comedy, while when needed, are able to ratchet up the tension effectively. Speaking of which, while we thought last week's heel turn from 33 was good, it doesn't hold a candle to this week's finish, surpassing it in every way. We couldn't be more excited to see what happens next!

If you enjoy the show please subscribe and leave a nice review on Apple Podcasts, and check out Patreon.com/TowerBabbleCast to become one of our latest patrons.

SSSW - Skeleton Crew S1E5 "You Have a Lot to Learn About Pirates"

Julian Meush and Rachel Wilkinson

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Halfway through the season and 'Skeleton Crew' maintains its strong momentum, even if this fourth episode isn't necessarily a home run. The kids find themselves on a dark mirror-like version of At Attin that has been ravaged by generations of war. Unfortunately, this solid story idea is undercut by being executed slightly too simplistically, even for a kids show. That being said, there are some great moments here. The world-building, was interesting and a we get a few satisfying twists in the larger adventure, including a terrifying final moment. Of course we can't forget about Neel, who finally gets the attention he deserves, sieving upon the opportunity and becoming the internets new favourite adorable Star Wars character (at least until Grogu shows up again).

If you enjoy the show please subscribe and leave a nice review on Apple Podcasts, and check out Patreon.com/TowerBabbleCast to become one of our latest patrons.

SSSW - Skeleton Crew S1E4 "Can't Say I Remember No At Attin"

Julian Meush and Rachel Wilkinson

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With the two-episode premiere out of the way, 'Skeleton Crew' can start finding its groove, and while this episode is enjoyable, the show might need to keep searching for what exactly that groove is for at least another week. Despite getting to spend a full, though somewhat short, episode with Jude Law, it's the kids (and especially Nick Frost's SM 33) that continue to steal the show. It's probably just a matter of time, but Jod (Jude Law) has yet to fully land as a character. A handful of charming scenes gets him going in the right direction though. Overall, this is a relatively safe step along the path for a show that has yet to get into the meaty parts of the adventure. Our prediction? Things really pick up in earnest next week. Stay tuned!

If you enjoy the show please subscribe and leave a nice review on Apple Podcasts, and check out Patreon.com/TowerBabbleCast to become one of our latest patrons.

SSSW - Skeleton Crew S1E3 "Very Interesting, As An Astrogration problem"

Julian Meush and Rachel Wilkinson

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Ahoy me mateys! Star Wars is back on TV and this time it's pirate themed baby! Julian and Rachel return to recap and review this two-part series premiere, and are happy to report that the show is off to a great start. Star Wars has been in a difficult place as of late. Something that has been discussed a lot as of late. Each new piece of content announced or released is under a microscope, and probably rightfully so, considering the mixed levels of quality we've been getting from Lucasfilm of late. Amongst all that angst, 'Skeleton Crew' was not at the top of a lot of fans wish-lists, but sometimes low expectations can do wonders. Despite a somewhat slow first episode, the series seems to quickly figure out what it wants to be (Treasure Island in space basically) and hits it's stride through it's second episode. The child cast is charming with great chemistry, but it's Nick Frost's droid character that really steals the spotlight so far. Be warned shipmates, thar be full spoilers ahead!

If you enjoy the show please subscribe and leave a nice review on Apple Podcasts, and check out Patreon.com/TowerBabbleCast to become one of our latest patrons.

SSSW - Skeleton Crew - Series Premiere

Julian Meush and Rachel Wilkinson

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For the most part, genre entertainment news has been relatively light. Yes we’ve had a round of castings for DC projects, and Kevin Fiege is slowly opening the kimono for X-Men info, but on the whole nothing earth shattering (who knows, we might see a planet shatter whenever the ‘Superman’ trailer finally comes). This makes for a perfect time to defer the 200th episode of the show and take a look at the state of things over at DC and Marvel. They are both looking to emerge from a slump, despite taking very different approaches (though I’m sure DC would have loved a $1B hit that allowed them to have their cake and eat it too). The guys unpack the similarities and differences and sprinkle in a few different news bits along the way. All that and so much more on this week’s Tower of Babble Podcast!

If you enjoy the show please subscribe and leave a nice review on Apple Podcasts, and check out Patreon.com/TowerBabbleCast to become one of our latest patrons.

Bonus Episode - Nov 24, 2024

Julian Meush and Jeremy Kozier

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Show NotesMovies

• Kevin Fiege is entering his X-Men era as he starts opening up about plans for the mutants as part of ‘Secret Wars’. Are we ready?

• Channing Tatum’s ‘Gambit’ project might finally see the light of day as Marvel loved the reception to the characters recent appearance in live action.

• Will DC’s casting choices and new direction pay off as James Gunn continues to stir the pot online.

TV

• ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ is on the horizon. More details continue to come out.

• ‘Lanterns’ has cast most of it’s titular space cops. We continue to be excited.

Agree of Disagree 

• Elizabeth Olson believes Marvel movies help theatres “pay the rent” and that for small movies, streaming is the “only option”, while not being interested in being part of straight to streaming projects.

What We’ve Been Watching

• The Terminator (4K release)

• Extraction (2020)

• Godzilla: Minus One
  

It’s been two months since we did our “State of Star Wars” episode where we essentially eviscerated the current situation in regards to the decision making process at Lucasfilm and their seeming inability to get a movie into production, among other things. Well in that time, we’ve had a smattering of news stories of all stripes, which Julian and Rachel cover in this episode, but what really prompted another Bonus Episode was the latest piece, again from The Hollywood Reporter, exploring the situation in further depth on the movie side of the business at Lucasfilm. Your hosts deep dive on all of it, and then cap things off with something much more lighthearted. Next up, ‘Skeleton Crew’ in December, where we’ll be breaking down every episode. Stay tuned!

If you enjoy the show please subscribe and leave a nice review on Apple Podcasts, and check out Patreon.com/TowerBabbleCast to become one of our latest patrons.

SSSW - Bonus Episode - Star Wars Check-In - November 2024

Julian Meush and Rachel Wilkinson

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Show NotesStar Wars Catchup

• ‘Empire Strikes Back’ in Concert

• ‘Andor’ season 2, now with “A Star Wars Story” subtitle, now has an official release date of April 22, 2025

  • K2SO and Orson Krennic to return (Alan Tudyk + Ben Mendelson)

  ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ is set for release in 2026.

  • Might be a trilogy - hinted at by Giancarlo Esposito.

  • Apparently S4 of the show was reworked into the movie due to the “negative reception of season 3”:

  • THR - Is Disney Bad at Star Wars? An Analysis

• Disney reportedly made $1B+ from Star Wars merch in 2023.

• ‘Skeleton Crew’ set to release next month.

• Ewan McGregor says they’re “exploring ideas for ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ season 2” apparently he wants to wear the clone wars armor and do more flashbacks with Hayden Christensen.

• THR - Simon Kinberg to write and produce Star Wars trilogy 

The Main Story

• THR - ‘Star Wars’ Movies’ Race for Rey, and the Future of the Franchise on the Big Screen

Wild Finish

• Variety - https://au.variety.com/2024/film/news/george-lucas-cut-obi-wan-death-twist-star-wars-phantom-menance-18423/

When it comes to vampires, California seems to be synonymous. At least for a certain generation that grew up with ‘Buffy’. Which is part of the reason ‘The Lost Boys’ seems to slide right into the vampire genre like a sharp fang through a soft fleshy neck, despite coming out nearly a decade prior. Well that and all the vampire tropes this movie expertly plays with. Join Julian, as he walks through this cult classic not-so-horror flick that continues to resonate all these years later. Plus, monologues on the wide world of home projector setups, why horror movies aren’t for everyone, and much more on this very special bonus ToB Film Club episode!

Next Month: We return to the 21st century (barely) as we travel through time with the Gregory Hoblit film, ‘Frequency’ from 2000.

If you enjoy the show please subscribe and leave a nice review on Apple Podcasts, and check out Patreon.com/TowerBabbleCast to become one of our latest patrons.

Halloween Bonus Episode - ToB Film Club - The Lost Boys (1987)

Julian Meush

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Julian and Jeremy sit down to discuss the surprisingly good Menendez Brothers series on Netflix, and try to better understand the draw of true crime content. Later they get into the HBO hit 'The Penguin', as well as the state of the 'Terminator' franchise. The guys also get into it about what exactly is going on with Tom Holland and his mixed messaging around 'Spider-Man 4' and the situation with the 'Blade' movie. All that and so much more on this episode of the Tower of Babble Podcast!

If you enjoy the show please subscribe and leave a nice review on Apple Podcasts, and check out Patreon.com/TowerBabbleCast to become one of our latest patrons.

Episode 199 - That Tom Holland is Full of Shit!

Julian Meush and Jeremy Kozier

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Between the chaos surrounding 'Joker 2', the hate pouring out of fandoms like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, and the commercial failures of critical darlings like 'Transformers: One', and 'Furiosa', it's easy to understand why it's so hard to predict success in these wildly uncertain times in Hollywood. Todd Phillips 'Joker' made over one billion dollars in 2019, and took home the Best Actor Oscar for it's trouble, but the sequel, which adds the massively popular Lady Gaga to the mix is set to be a massive box office bomb. Why? Julian and Jeremy examine that question, and try to put things in context with the recent Variety article about Hollywood executives cow-towing to angry fans. All this and more on this episode of The Tower of Babble Podcast!

If you enjoy the show please subscribe and leave a nice review on Apple Podcasts, and check out Patreon.com/TowerBabbleCast to become one of our latest patrons.

Episode 198 - Art by Committee

Julian Meush and Jeremy Kozier

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