Cinematic Universe - podcast cover

Cinematic Universe

Cinematic Universewww.cinematicuniverse.com
Cinematic Universe is a podcast all about superhero and comic book movies and TV. Each episode, we look at one movie or show and find out more about the comics behind the screen. Along the way we run through the latest news across the genre, recommend related reading to explore, and pitch our not-always-entirely-serious ideas for future superhero films. From Iron Man to The Dark Knight, from Scott Pilgrim to Spider-Man, from The Incredibles to Howard the Duck, everything across the entire cinematic universe is in our sights.

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Episodes

Bonus Episode: Sandman S1 (Spoiler-free)

James and Rhys check in for a spoiler-free chat about season 1 of Netflix's Sandman adaptation, which has been a surprise (well, not THAT much of a surprise) hit at Netflix. We'll be back in a week or two with a spoiler-filled chat once everyone's had time to watch it, but this one is very light on specifics beyond cast members and the premise so if you're still watching or are just interested to hear some opinions, this is the episode for you. ALSO: if you've got any questions or comments about...

Aug 10, 20221 hr 1 min

Episode 146 - SDCC 2022 News Special

That's right! We're back again this month with a new full episode discussing everything MCU and DCEU (*crickets chirp*) that was announced at SDCC. Includes: Reactions to the She-Hulk, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Shazam: Fury of the Gods and Sandman trailers; theories about upcoming MCU movies, from Ant-Man 3 to Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, and that pair of newly announced Avengers movies. PLUS: Where are Armor Wars, Spider-Man and the X-Men? Email us at [email protected] , you ...

Jul 26, 20222 hr 15 min

Episode 145: July 2022 News

Joe, James and Rhys discuss the last month's comic book movie and TV news, including but not limited to: our thoughts on Ms. Marvel and The Boys Season 3, Zack Snyder's robot army, the release of Samaritan and Secret Headquarters, Marvel's Wonder Man, what's going on with the Emmy's and what might Kevin Feige announce at SDCC? (Note: We'll be back shortly with a special extra news ep following up on any news that does come out of SDCC.) Email us at [email protected] , you can find ou...

Jul 21, 20221 hr 49 min

Episode 144: June 2022 News

Joe, James and Rhys check out the last few weeks of comic book news, including but not limited to: A Joker sequel featuring Harley Quinn, the new Thor: Love and Thunder trailer, the Netflix Sandman trailer, the alleged return of Daredevil to Disney+, the She-Hulk trailer, the Old Guard follow-up, a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen reboot and more! Email us at [email protected] , you can find our comic book movie themed merch designs at Redbubble , and follow us on Twitter @cine_vers...

Jun 16, 20221 hr 26 min

Episode 143: May 2022 News

Joe, James and Rhys check out the months' big comic book movie and TV news. There's chat about Moon Knight, Morbius, the Thor: Love and Thunder trailer, the announcement of El Muerto starring Bad Bunny (note: this is a real news story), Jon Watts coming off Marvel's Fantastic Four, a sequel to The Batman, and much, much (well, slightly) more! NOTE: We discuss cancer during the discussion of Jane Foster's Thor storyline. If you want to skip that, the Thor news segment runs from 11:00 to 37:00. Em...

May 10, 20221 hr 24 min

Episode 142: April 2022 News

Joe, James and Rhys are back for the first of our new monthly news episode in which we take a look at the headlines, see what's going on in the comics, and dig into whatever's on our minds in the world of comic book movies. Expect coverage of that deleted scene from The Batman, quick Moon Knight reactions, a look at what's going on with the DC movies and the occasional Oscar gag. This is the first episode of our new monthly discussion format so feedback is welcome! NOTE: Potential spoilers for T...

Apr 05, 20222 hr 4 min

Episode 141: The Batman (2022)

Cinematic Universe returns to take an extended look at Matt Reeves' The Batman, featuring Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Paul Dano and Trevor from Eastenders (!?). Is 3 hours too long for a Batman movie? What does James think this says about the Snyder and Nolan versions of the character? And would it be vastly improved if the Curb Your Enthusiasm music played over the middle section of the movie? All this and more, including news about the podcast's future! Email us at podcast@c...

Mar 21, 20222 hr 24 min

Episode 140: Punisher War Zone (2008) & The Punisher (1989)

Joe, James & Rhys take a look at the remaining Punisher movies and ask: just what is it about this guy that makes him one of the most-adapted superhero characters out there? PLUS: In the absence of news, James gives you a quick spoiler-free take on Matt Reeves' The Batman, which we'll be covering next episode. Skip 17:00-25:30 if you want to save yourself. Email us at [email protected] , you can find our comic book movie themed merch designs at Redbubble , and follow us on Twitte...

Feb 28, 20221 hr 51 min

Episode 139: Barbarella (1968) & Barb Wire (1996)

Joe, James & Rhys compare and contrast Barbarella and Barb Wire, two comic book adaptations released almost three decades apart but with some unique things in common. Starring the sex symbols of their era and aimed squarely at male audiences, how do these movies succeed, how do they fail, and what do we think about Marvel's comic book blockbusters being completely stripped of all their horniness? Email us at [email protected] , you can find our comic book movie themed merch desig...

Feb 18, 20222 hr 38 min

Awards Special: The Cuppies 2021

It's the Cuppies! Our annual awards show where we pit everything we covered on the podcast last year, old and new, against each other for the famous Cuppies silverware (please note - awards not physical). Is Halle Berry's performance in Catwoman better than Margot Robbie's in The Suicide Squad? What has better costumes, Eternals or Batman 66? How many awards is Wandavision really going to win? Lets find out - arbitrary nonsense that lets us celebrate this genre we love so! If you enjoy the show,...

Feb 01, 20222 hr 34 min

Episode 138: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Having successfully avoided catching Omicron over Christmas, Joe, James and Rhys have all seen Spider-Man: No Way Home (aka Spider-Man 8) and are back together to examine every detail of the movie. Apparently it's open-season on spoilers so if you haven't seen the movie we recommend you hold off on this one until you have - we promise it'll be worth the wait. Email us at [email protected] , you can find our comic book movie themed merch designs at Redbubble , and follow us on Twitter...

Jan 11, 20222 hr 42 min

Episode 137: Hawkeye S1 (2021)

It's Hawkeye time as Joe, James and Rhys look at the latest of Disney+'s Marvel shows: Hawkeye! How did we feel about the big finale guest star? Is Marvel doing TV right? And where will we see the characters next? All that and more covered here. Email us at [email protected] , you can find our comic book movie themed merch designs at Redbubble , and follow us on Twitter @cine_verse , @JoeCunningham14 , @JamesHunt and @Rhys . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

Jan 04, 20221 hr 52 min

Episode 136: Spider-Man PS4 (2018)

This week Joe, James and Rhys are joined by Josh Barton, host of the Til Death Do Us Press Start podcast (@TDDUPS ) and self-professed Professor Videogames to discuss, well, video games! We're talking about Insomniac’s 2018 & 2020 video games Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, including all the various gubbins associated with both titles. We cover the swinging, the costumes (it really is mostly costumes chat tbh) and the idiosyncrasies of this separate Spider-Man story universe. They ...

Dec 09, 20212 hr 31 min

Episode 135: Eternals

This week, Joe, James and Rhys are joined by frequent guest Caroline Siede ( @CarolineSiede ) and first-time guest Ned Baker ( @NedNedNedNed ), both of the glorious Role Calling Podcast ( @rolecalling ) to discuss the DIVISIVE Chloe Zhao's 2021 film Eternals. But how did this particular group divide? Did they feel more devious or eternal? More Kingo or Druig? More celestial or earthbound? Spoiler-free review starts at 41:00 and spoiler-filled at 1:05:00. They also discuss the latest comic book m...

Nov 13, 20213 hr 21 min

Episode 134: Venom: Let There Be Carnage

This week Joe & James (Rhys just couldn't handle all the carnage) discuss the second instalment of the oddest & funniest superhero franchise around (sorry Deadpool) - Andy Serkis' Venom: Let There Be Carnage. They cover all the movie's big lolz, Woody's Harrelson's somehow not-big-enough performance as Cletus/Carnage and try to define just what is the relationship between Eddie and that lovable goopy alien that lives inside him. They also cover the latest comic book movie news, although ...

Oct 28, 20212 hr 18 min

October 2021 news roundup

While Joe is on holiday, James and Rhys look at the latest comicbook movie news, including everything interesting out of the latest DC Fandome! Email us at [email protected]. You can also find our comic book movie themed merch designs at Redbubble, and follow us on Twitter @cine_verse, @JoeCunningham14, @JamesHunt and @Rhys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 26, 202140 min

Episode 133: Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance + What If? (S1)

This week Joe, James and Rhys are discussing a non-MCU Marvel movie sequel starring an edgy character that was big in the 90s played by an actor really going for it in the lead as both the human host and the twisted antihero he transforms in to - no no, not Venom 2, but Neveldine/Taylor's 2011 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance! They also cover the just-wrapped What If? season 1, the latest comic book movie news, and Joe and James battle it out over the pitch. If you enjoy the show, consider backi...

Oct 12, 20211 hr 49 min

Episode 132: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

This week, Joe, James and Rhys (belatedly) discuss the MCU's newest hero, and his debut film: Shang Chi! They discuss Tony Leung and his sexiness, Shang Chi and his fightiness, and the Ten Rings and their...ringness?? And loads of other stuff (dragons!). They also discuss the latest comic book movie news, including the Spidey trailer! And the Hawkeye trailer! And the Wolverine video game (admittedly, less exciting)! Too many exclamation marks in this description, I know, but c'mon I'm excited. I...

Sep 26, 20212 hr 41 min

Episode 131: The Suicide Squad (2021)

This week, Joe, James and Rhys go to the dark side to talk James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, the sequelboot sidequel to 2016's heinous Suicide Squad. They discuss the film's nauuuughty tone, it's cheeeeeky characters and the Continued Adventures Of One Harley Quinn (they talk about loads of other stuff tbh, this is a 3+ hour episode). They also discuss the latest comic book movie news, including the Substack Gold Rush and the Pandemic's continued effects on our beloved genre. If you enjoy the show...

Aug 25, 20213 hr 3 min

Episode 130: Loki S1 (2021)

This week, Joe, James and Rhys are joined by frequent guest Caroline Siede ( @CarolineSiede ) to discuss the just-wrapped first season (spoilers) of the Disney+ series Loki. They go almost 3 hours, discussing every nook and cranny of the divisive series. They also cover the latest comic book movie news, and Joe, James and Caroline battle it out over the pitch. If you enjoy the show, consider backing us on Patreon! Among other perks, backers get access to an exclusive bonus episode every week; at...

Aug 03, 20212 hr 57 min

Episode 129: Black Widow (2021)

For the first time in over 2 (!) years, we have ourselves a brand new Marvel movie out - Black Widow, directed by Cate Shortland. Joe, James & Rhys get straight into it on the movie, although the first chunk is spoiler-free for those that haven't seen it yet. They talk about whether the time is right for a Black Widow movie, the new supporting characters & what their MCU future might be, and the success of the emotional arc for Natasha itself. If you enjoy the show, consider backing us o...

Jul 28, 20212 hr 34 min

Episode 128: Catwoman (2004) & Elektra (2005)

This week, in anticipation of Black Widow's imminent release, Joe, James and Rhys discuss two mid-noughties female superhero solo movies that time has forgotten: 2004's Catwoman, starring Halle Berry, & 2005's Elektra, starring Jennifer Garner. They talk about the interesting similarities between the two films, how they do and don't relate to Batman & Daredevil (respectively) and what they might have done to their stars' careers & the genre itself. They also cover the latest comic bo...

Jul 01, 20212 hr 25 min

Episode 127: The Old Guard (2020)

This week Joe, James and Rhys discuss a very recent comic-book adaption that they didn't cover at the time - 2020's The Old Guard, starring Charlize Theron and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. They talk about what changes were made from the source material, whether the action scenes succeed viscerally and emotionally, and if you buy the characters as having lived for hundreds (thousands?) of years. They also cover the latest comic book movie news, James recommends some comics, and Joe and Jame...

Jun 17, 20212 hr 19 min

PATREON TASTER: Loki Weekly - 1x01

A peek behind the paywall! We're releasing the first episode of the just-started Loki recap show from behind the Patreon paywall to give non-patrons a taste; new episodes drop every week. If you like what you hear, you can subscribe for just $3 a month at https://www.patreon.com/cinematicuniverse A new Disney+ show means Joe and James are once again burdened with glorious purpose, by which we mean back on the weekly post-episode round-ups! Here we discuss our reactions to the first episode of Lo...

Jun 15, 20211 hr

Episode 126: 300 (2007)

Joe, James & Rhys are joined this week by freelance film critic Stephen Carty ( @TheNakedPun ) to discuss Zack Snyder's career-defining fantasy epic 300. They discuss the movie's politics, it's visuals, the Frank Miller of it all, and of course good ol' Gerry Butler. They also cover the latest comic book movie news, James recommends some comics, and Joe, James & Stephen battle it out over the pitch. If you enjoy the show, consider backing us on Patreon! Among other perks, backers get acc...

May 26, 20212 hr 40 min

Episode 125: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

Joe and James are joined this week by Empire Magazine Contributing Editor Amon Warmann ( @AmonWarmann ) and freelance film journalist Limara Salt ( @yourturnheather ) to discuss the recently wrapped The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series in its entirety. They discuss the show’s themes, how it fits into the MCU canon as a whole, and where it leaves it’s characters. They also cover the latest comic book movie news, James recommends some comics, and producer Rhys chimes in with the pitch for this...

May 09, 20212 hr 24 min

Episode 124: Wanted (2008) & The Adaptations Of Mark Millar

This week Joe, James and Rhys tackle one of the most adapted, influential and divisive comic creators of the last 20 years - Mark Millar. Taking 2008's Wanted as a starting point, the group discuss Millar's other adapted work, what attracted Hollywood to his voice in the first place, and what his future might be as the industry shifts. They also cover the latest comic book movie news, James recommends some comics, and Joe and James battle it out over the pitch. Please be aware that this episode ...

Apr 25, 20212 hr 24 min

Episode 123: Batman (1966)

Joe, James and Rhys slide down the pod-pole into the pod-cave this week to discuss one of the earliest superhero films ever - 1966's Batman: The Movie. They discuss the cultural impact of the TV series that birthed it, how it affected Batman's later adaptations, and how the film plays watching it today. They also cover the latest comic book movie news, James recommends some comics, and Joe and James battle it out over the pitch. If you enjoy the show, consider backing us on Patreon! Among other ...

Apr 09, 20212 hr 13 min

Episode 122: Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Joe and James are joined by Sam Clements ( @sam_clements ), host of the 90 Minutes Or Less Film Fest Podcast ( @90minfilmfest ) to, ironically, cover one of the longest films to come out in years - Zack Snyder's Justice League. They cover the history of how this film came to exist, make comparisons to the 2017 theatrical cut, whilst also trying to evaluate this new version in its own right. They also cover the latest comic book movie news, James recommends some comics, and producer Rhys chimes i...

Mar 26, 20212 hr 40 min

PATREON TASTER: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Weekly - 1x01

Joe & James are doing a new weekly bonus episode for those backing the $3 tier on Patreon ( https://www.patreon.com/cinematicuniverse ) and we've decided to release the first episode of their The Falcon and The Winter Soldier recaps on the main feed to give non-patrons a taste. In this episode, we ask the burning questions: IS this a good WandaVision follow-up, HOW political might this show be and SHOULD Bucky take his leather gloves off during a date (yes). You can find our comic book movie...

Mar 25, 20211 hr 1 min
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