For their 235th episode, two film critics, two dads, and two school teachers who definitely have the power, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, are starting to scratch a sword-and-sandal itch. Semi-included in that subgenre, and just in time for the remake/reboot, is 1987's "Masters of the Universe" from Cannon Films. Starring the beloved and out-of-his element Dolph Lundgren, one of our hosts was absolutely the target audience for this nearly 40 years ago and the other is watching it for the first t...
Jun 06, 2026•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 235
For their 234th episode, two wannabe TV critics, two resident dads, and two interning school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, enjoy the second week and episode pausing from cinema to spread some love to prestige television. Last week, they covered Season 1 of HBO Max's "The Pitt." For this episode, they recap and react to the recently completed second season. This show checks their pulse on whether the buzz and excitement from the first season could be advanced by the second. Enjoy our p...
May 29, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 234
For their 233rd episode, two non-television critics, two emergency room dads, and two surgically precise school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, take a two-week/two-episode pause from the film scene to celebrate a little television. While they may be movie guys, popular water cooler chatter can get them to binge a show now and again. Recently, Will discovered "The Pitt" on HBO Max and was hooked instantly, binging the first season in a day and a half. Don's been there since Day 1, so he ...
May 15, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 233
For their 232nd episode, two well-molded film critics, two non-Aussie dads, and two special effects school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, have secretly found a little sub-niche over the years for their show, where they find an obscure, forgotten film and get the chance to move its Rotten Tomatoes score with their podcast's submitted review. This week, 1986's "F/X" gets the treatment. The caper/thriller celebrating tired cops and practical special effects became Bryan Brown's headlining...
May 15, 2026•56 min•Ep. 232
For their 231st episode, two decadent film critics, two old sport dads, and partying school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, finally have, for what seems like the first time in a while, found a movie they truly feel opposite on to a nearly hate vs. love level, and it might not be from a place you typically expect. The loaded argument in question surrounds Baz Luhrmann's sparkly and loud blockbuster adaptation of "The Great Gatsby." Between these two guys, who've read this book as student...
May 01, 2026•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 231
For their 230th episode, two golden critics, two statuesque dads, and centrist school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, continue their return from a short sabbatical with a special editorial episode. The recent 98th Academy Awards came and went recently. While the two-horse battle between "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners," made for decent Oscar drama, our podcast hosts didn't watch the show and found themselves over what they used to love. They discuss what's wrong with the Oscars ...
Apr 24, 2026•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 230
For their 229th episode, two returning critics, two better-rested dads, and two science-loving teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, return from a brief sabbatical for a love-fest on the leader in the clubhouse for the movie of the year. They're talking about the instant sci-fi classic of "Project Hail Mary," starring Ryan Gosling, who's quietly becoming one our hosts' most dependable and favorite performers. For this big return, the haters stayed home. Come learn more and stay for the mutual...
Apr 17, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 229
For their 228thepisode, two underground revolution critics, two stoner dads, and two small beers teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, drive their podcast over the West Texas hills of the Oscar race to offer their praise and criticism of Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another." The movie is the current front-runner for Best Picture and PTA is more than due after 28 years of previous nominations in several categories. Should this be the one 2025 movie that gets the tallest and shinie...
Feb 13, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 228
For their 227th episode, two third-string critics, two painkiller-addicted dads, and two steamin' teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, arrive at the weekend of the Super Bowl with one more football classic from a generation ago. As the complete opposite to the wholesome "Remember the Titans" from a recent episode, our hosts cover Oliver Stone's 1999 cinematic energy drink "Any Given Sunday." They try to comprehend the amount of cocaine and creativity it took to make every aspect of that wild...
Feb 06, 2026•51 min•Ep. 227
For their 226th episode, two bank-robbing critics, two strutting dads, and two war veteran teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, make their way to a long-time queue hold and blindspot of Will that came from a recommendation of Don. Our guys enter the unique pre-, post-, and during Vietnam War perspectives shared by 1995's cult classic "Dead Presidents," directed by the Hughes Brothers. Hear why Don calls it one of the best Vietnam films of all-time while Will shares his first-time impressions...
Feb 04, 2026•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 226
For their 225th episode, two strong side critics, two weak side dads, and two coaching teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, embraced the excitement of football season still being in the air for a classic type of film Hollywood has stopped making on the regular. We're talking about 2000's "Remember the Titans," starring Denzel Washington. Our hosts sat down on their John Brown hindparts to tell you all about it and it's hight worth. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect tha...
Jan 23, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 225
For their 224th episode, two paddle-slapped critics, two ping ball-chasing dads, and two wildly arrogant teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, put a little effort in the 2025-2026 awards season with an episode on Josh Safdie's latest heart palpatation movie,"Marty Supreme," starring Best Actor frontrunner Timothee Chalamet. Contrary to the overflowing critical praise following this movie, our hosts are actually quite split on this one. Find out who's the lover and who's the hater. Come learn ...
Jan 16, 2026•50 min•Ep. 224
For their 223nd episode, two gun-totting critics, two bath-soaked dads, and two too-old-for-this teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, come out of the Christmas season with a special gift shared from them to all of you. They are in the camp that considers "Lethal Weapon" a Christmas movie. Well, this year, the podcast bestows to you a special episode that covers all four films of the "Lethal Weapon" series. They cover their heroes, villains, explosions, gags, and moments from what has become ...
Jan 11, 2026•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 223
For their 222nd episode, two Catholic-bred critics, two suspicious dads, and two investigative teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, let Netflix tell them what to love and enjoy for one week. Hopping to something current, our hosts watched and compared their examinations for "Wake Up Dean Man," the latest whodunit from Rian Johnson, who has very quickly mastered the murder mystery genre. Get a taste of this comfort food murder mayhem. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect t...
Jan 04, 2026•53 min•Ep. 222
For their 221st episode, two football fan critics, two sobbing dads, and two motivated teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, enjoy a little corner of football while the NFL season is chugging towards the playoffs. The two venture in the realm of a classic TV movie with "Brian's Song," starring James Caan and Billy Dee Williams. Both of our hosts have personal connections to the college it was filmed at, which the Chicago Bears used to call their training camp home for decades. Come learn more...
Dec 19, 2025•47 min•Ep. 221
For their 220th episode, two bare-chested critics, two archeologist dads, and two whip-cracking teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, take an expedition back to the great cinematic and cultural milestone year of 1984 to cover the sequel "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom." Everyone involved, from filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas to the game cast of Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, and Ke Huy Quan. Come eat all the weird palace foods with us and stay for the mutual love and respect ...
Dec 12, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 220
For their 219th episode, two ensign film critics, two battle-tested dads, and two admiral-ranked teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, know damn well that the needs of the many outweigh the need of the few. They put their show through their own Kobayashi Maru because disliking the 1982 classic "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" is a no-win situation to anyone who tries. That means our hosts past with flying colors and put forth a great show of celebration that could regrow and podcast-listenin...
Dec 05, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 219
For their 218th episode, two slashed film critics, two dream-trapped dads, and two meta teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, circle back a little to spooky movie season as Don finally dips his toes into Wes Craven's "Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise. To bring in the first-timer, Will suggested taking a look at Wes Craven's bookends of the 1984 original and his heavily self-aware sequel, 1994's "Wes Craven's New Nightmare." This gave our guys quite the slices of commentary and reaction for ...
Nov 21, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 218
For their 217th episode, two analytical film critics, two saber-rattling dads, and two missile-dropping teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, hop into a little bit of the simmering 2025 awards season with a hotly debated contender from Netflix. The gentlemen share a great divide for the political thriller “A House of Dynamite,” the latest white-knuckle film from “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty” Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow. Podcast bombs are exploding everywhere! Come learn more and s...
Nov 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 217
For their 216th episode, two haughty film critics, two non-painting dads, and two gold-digging teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, roar back from a short October haitus with a movie that doesn't try to shout back whatsoever. Stratching off a mutual Stanley Kubrick blind spot, the boys sat through 1975's wannabe opus "Barry Lyndon" and strive to discuss the thematic pull and shread of a point amid the off-the-charts craftsmanship of the respected cinematic master. There is a clear lover and ...
Nov 07, 2025•49 min•Ep. 216
For their 217th episode, two principled film critics, two non-veteran dads, and two warrior teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, return from a short October haitus for the first of two episodes celebrating their Best Member Podcast nomination from the first annual Astra Awards. The film of choice is Alex Garland's electric 2025 military thriller "Warfare," something Will---a loyal Garland stan---is surprised and maybe even a little ashamed he didn't see on the big screen. He and Don focus th...
Oct 31, 2025•49 min•Ep. 215
Keeping us in the spirit of the season - take a spin in the Yester-Year Mobile and meta out with the boys and this dissection of the modern classic... or is it? ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Oct 17, 2025•55 min
In the spirit of the season, check out this classic episode from your favorite Cinephile due Don and Will Speakpipe - send us a voicemail https://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2 https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetwork https://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/ https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/ www.RuminationsRadioNetwork.com www.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetwork Production by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and Sound Episode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and So...
Oct 11, 2025•57 min
For their 214th episode, two bumbling film critics, two clueless dads, and two coffee-passing teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, had very few movies circled on their calendar for the summer of 2025. Beyond the comic blockbusters, and even in front of them in some cases, "The Naked Gun" was one of them. Both hosts took to a film series rewatch this summer before indulging in the work of Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson to convince us this style of comedy wasn't lost or dead. Come learn more ...
Oct 03, 2025•53 min•Ep. 214
For their 213th episode, two AI-fearing film critics, two hominid dads, and two bored teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, venture into the prophetic and distant science fiction of 24 years ago by way of 57 years ago. Those that can do the math can deduce they’re talking about Stanley Kubrick’s cornerstone epic “2001: A Space Odyssey.” This was an egregious blindspot for Will and a contrarian hate spot for Don, who’s tried many times to embrace it. Come learn more and stay for the mutual lov...
Sep 26, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 213
For their 212th episode, two mangled film critics, two serial killer dads, and two sautéed teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, venture to another Ridley Scott blind spot for one of our hosts. Until this summer, Will had never seen Scott’s gaudy Hannibal Lecter thriller “Hannibal,” while the slightly older Don was first in line for the intestines-spilling feats in 2001 and has the shocked and appalled reactions seared into memory. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that...
Sep 19, 2025•50 min•Ep. 212
For their 211th episode, two mask-pulling film critics, two special agent dads, and two stuntman teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, finish their four-episode retrospective covering the “Mission: Impossible” franchise. With exhaustion and indifference to AI, our guys put a bow on “Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One,” “Mission: Impossible- Final Reckoning,” and the dominant Ethan Hunt chapter of Tom Cruise’s career. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun ...
Sep 12, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 211
For their 210th episode, two non-mustached film critics, two un-soldierly dads, and two bell-ringing teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, hitch another wave from the Ridley Scott blind spot beach. Once again, Will brings us to something he missed with the Demi Moore vehicle "G.I. Jane." Don was there in 1997 to enjoy the Demi Moore hype of this one and brings it back to the present day, especially post-"Substance." Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies enca...
Aug 29, 2025•54 min•Ep. 210
For their 209th episode, two mask-pulling film critics, two special agent dads, and two stuntman teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, continue their retrospective race through the "Mission: Impossible" series. For this show, the gents cover the Christopher McQuarrie takeover of "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" and "Mission: Impossible - Fallout." These two movies have equal shares of quality and presposterousness fitting this franchise. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and re...
Aug 22, 2025•39 min•Ep. 209
For their 208th episode, two "Council of Elrond" film critics, two space cadet dads, and two non-botany teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, take a trip to the next planet in the solar system to cover a Ridley Scott blindspot. Don has long loved and celebrated "The Martian" in its ten years of existence, but Will had never seen it until prepping for this show. Enjoy getting space-y with these guys. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy ou...
Aug 15, 2025•57 min•Ep. 208
