In honor of Avengers: Infinity War coming out next month, we talk about a hero has risen from the B-list to the foundation Marvel Cinematic Universe and one of the most recognizable heroes of our time: Iron Man. Matt brings us through his comic book history, appearances in video games and television and tops it off with how Robert Downey Jr. brought not just the hero, but Tony Stark to life on the big screen.
We saw Tomb Raider, the adaptation of the 2013 reboot franchise focused around a new and different Lara Croft. Directed by Roar Uthaug and staring Alicia Vikander as our adventurer and tomb raider, Lara Croft. We a synopsis, our thoughts, and talk about this movie, and game, differ from the classic Lara that Angelina Jolie portrayed and how it stands apart as it's own film. Spoilers inbound.
This week's episode was supposed to be about the Kaiju genre, but through our research one thing was clear: Godzilla is the one that matters. the longest running film franchise ever and over 60 years old, this giant nuclear mutated sea monster is pop culture heavy weight.
This week, Adrian wanted to get on the lighter side of things so we talked about Shrek and how it kicked off Dreamworks animation. It may seem like a small kids movie, but the numbers and spin-offs solidly put Shrek as a memorable pop culture moment...but why tho?
In honor of Jessica Jones season 2 premiering on Netflix this week, we talked about Jessica Jones and why a hero who has only been around since 2001 has such an impact on her readers. Beyond that, we talk about the power of her show and the women behind it, as well as how people cope with trauma. *trigger warning: we do discuss the events in Jessica's life which do involve abuse and sexual assault*
This week, Matt leads us through a franchise that began in 1994 and hasn't pumped the breaks. Initially put out by Bethesda, the D&D based franchise easily became one of the best Western RPGs in existence. We go through some lore, game mechanics, and how it has built a name that sticks out among the crowd. Music used from -- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Each month we record a review episode chosen by our $10 patrons. Here is a clip what you can find if you subscribe to the $3 tier.
We watched the 18th installment in the MCU, Black Panther. Directed by Ryan Coogler, it proved that super-hero fatigue means nothing and good movies break records and builds out a new world we have never seen. It marks a change in the MCU and leaves fans wanting more. We brought back Ritz from our Black Panther Episode and we talk about our likes, our nitpicks, and where we place in the pantheon of hero movies. We spoil this movie, DO NOT listen if you haven't watched it yet, this is a movie you...
This week we welcome back Swara Salih from the Beltway Banthas podcast to talk about one of his and Adrian's favorite cartoons, Avatar: The Last Airbender. However, we can't talk Airbender without talking The Legend of Korra. The American TV show aired on Nickelodeon and quickly grew to become a favorite with kids and adults. As an American cartoon inspired by East Asian animation and culture we talk about how a kid's cartoon deals with real world issues all while bending a mythos of their own. ...
This week we sat down with Elvis from Stack Up to talk about what has changed since we last spoke in Episode 19. As Program Director of the Stack Up Overwatch Program (StOP), he explained how the charity had grown in the last year and how the organization is using StOP to bring awareness to suicide prevention and promote positive mental health. We hear about how they help, the power of using Discord for crisis intervention, and where they'll be next. *trigger warning, this episode we discuss sui...
600+ episodes, 29 years, The Simpsons have not only parodied pop culture, but created it too. This week, we welcome back Alex from What We Talk About When We Talk About, Frightday.com, and Game Boys podcast. We talk about the cultural impact, the math, and how the show has become a fortune teller for the internet. Follow Alex: @mostalwaysalex, @WWTAcast, and @GameBoysCoop Music belongs to the Fox Broadcasting Company, from The Simpsons
For over 50 years, the Black Panther has inspired people from the pages of Marvel, in a week, he will take his rightful place on the big screen, but why tho? Why do we still care about Black Panther, Wakanda and the man under the mask: T'Challa. With special guest Sceritz aka Ritz, host of @WakandaIVLyfe (a Black Panther podcast), we dive into the history of the character and talk representation, diaspora, authorship and how the new movie is already breaking records. Follow Ritz on twitter @IVWa...
We reviewed Coraline, the 2009 dark fantasy, just for Nikko! It definitely gave Matt nightmares of button eyes. Although this episode is open to all listeners, every Patreon Review episode will be available to Patrons at the $3 level. If you want to hear us review a movie you ask us to watch, head on over patreon.com/ButWhyThoPC and subscribe at the $10 level! We'll produce just like this one! Thanks for all the support! *all music used is from Coraline the motion picture*...
Kate and Matt headed out to see the third and final installment of the Maze Runner trilogy on opening night and walked away feeling things. Seemingly closing the chapter on Young Adult fiction adaptations for awhile, what did you think about the much delayed movie? Hints for the episode: They waited 3 years to see these stories end and it sure does end. *Music used is from the Maze Runner: The Death Cure trailer*
This week we celebrate our 50th episode by answering your questions!! In this episode you'll learn a lot about us and who we are outside the podcast and what parts of pop culture get us going. Look out tomorrow for the prize drawing!
This weekend (Jan 12-14) Matt and Kate to PAX South, a gaming convention in San Antonio Texas. Check out their highlights and experience in this episode! Head over to our website for all of the organizations, games, and people mentioned in this episode. *Correction - Kate says that Doctor B is the clinical psychologist but his correct title is clinical director of Take This.
After 25 years in the industry, Mexican director, Guillermo del Toro, has earned a spot among the cinematic greats. His striking visual style and color pallets have made a name for him, and his dark fairy tale style has left a mark on the genre of horror. In this episode Kate brings us through GDT's influences, passion, and ultimately how his films have affected the landscape around them. Music Used: Pan's Labyrinth Lullaby by Javier Navarrete and Fox Searchlight's The Shape of Water theatrical ...
This week we recapped everything that happened in 2017. With the podcast, with our lives, and in popular culture. Find out our favorites, our worst, our underwhelming, and where we're taking the pod in 2018. We also want to say a special thanks to all of the guests we had this year! You'll hear from them throughout the episode.
By you know that we all have advanced degrees. In that process we met some interesting friends doing interesting work. In this Crossover, Matt talks with Brice, a Latin American Religions PhD student, talk about uncontacted tribes. Asking how they still maintain this isolation in 2018, interactions they have had with the world, and how they could enrich both anthropological and scientific research.
Everyone has a Holiday Special! Now we do too! We talk about the most wonderful time of the year, our favorite holiday movies, tv specials and eggnog.
Like Frank Castle's vengeance, this episode has been a long time coming. After dissecting the character in Episode 42, we look at the newest Marvel on Netflix series: The Punisher. We have a lot to say about one of the most iconic and complicated characters from Marvel. Music used is not our own. Intro Music: Main Title Theme, Tyler Bates -- Outro Music: Hell Broke Luce, Tom Waits
Why is Star Wars still smashing the box office and outselling other franchises after 40 years? This week we tell you why George Lucas’ Star Wars turned from science fiction blockbuster to the backbone of American mythology. From the height of being nerdy to becoming pop culture references that every in our pop culture galaxy know and love. The Original Trilogy Matters…But Why Tho? All music in this episode belongs to the Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm Ltd. and was composed by John Williams....
We're closing out the year with a movie everyone has been waiting for: The Last Jedi. The second part of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi has had fans hearts and minds whirling, debating, and running back to the theater for their second, third, fourth, and even fifth viewings. In this episode, hear what we have to say with guest Sceritz from the Wakanda IV Lyfe podcast. We talk the highs, the lows, and where we rank this movie among the others in the franchise. All musi...
In this crossover, Matt sits down with Jason Flatt, host of the Holy Star Wars podcast to discuss the religion and mythology of Assassin's Creed. But you won't get an explanation of historical parallels to the Templars and the Assassin's like everywhere else. Instead, they dive deep into the myth of the Isu, the gods of the games, the first people, ancient aliens, and how free-will comes into play in religion and beyond. Music used: Assassin's Creed: Origins Cinematic trailer music, Fly Like an ...
For Episode II of our Star Wars special leading up to The Last Jedi, we're talking about the 40 years of video games that allowed fans to enter the Star Wars universe, create their own stories, and even dance as Han Solo. Yes. We talk about that game. Spanning game-type, character focuses, and even building out the now apocryphal Extended Universe, these video games matter...but why tho? Music Used: Star Wars Opening Crawl theme by John Williams, All rights belong to Lucasfilm and the Walt Disne...
Nothing turns into a debate quicker than the Prequel Trilogy. Love them, hate them, want more from them, or appreciate them, the Prequel Trilogy is a point of contention and argument in the Star Wars fandom. This week we cover the bad, the good, and it's impact on the Star Wars universe. We focus on the But Why Thos from start to finish and it's definitely a ride. All music used belongs to Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company, composed by John Williams
We all love popular culture, but few of us use it to do good in the world. In this Missions that Matters episode, we got to sit down with a member of the Red Sands Patrol, the El Paso, TX squad of the global organization: The 501st Legion. Dressed as Stormtroopers, Tie Pilots, Vader, and more, the 501st Legion uses their love of Star Wars to give back to their communities and bring the community together through their love of the franchise. Yes, they even work with rebel scum. This interview is ...
In honor of The Last Jedi and because the Star wars universe is so wide and vast, we've decided to do a lot a special series where we look at different pieces of the franchise and ask, but why tho? This week Adrian brings us through the world of Star Wars books, both pre and post Disney.
This week we talk about the highest grossing media franchise ever, one of the longest running series, and a franchise that has been a card game, a manga, an anime, a video game, and a gateway to otaku status for kids in the US: Pokémon. Adrian brings us through one of his first fandoms and explains how it has been able to unite families and generations of fans, how it became a phenomena, and why it beats out Star Wars when it comes to money. Pokémon matters, but why tho?
Did Justice League save the DCEU? Can you really not save the world alone? Find out on our spoiler-filled review of Warner Brothers' Justice League. We take you through the movie with our thoughts on what appears to be a very divisive movie among comic book fans and movie-goers. Music Used: Come Together by Gary Clark Jr.; Icky Thump by The White Stripes
