The finale of Loki is the launching point for the next phase of the MCU and this episode is chock full of great characters, clever storytelling and amazing acting. We are conquered by Jonathan Majors as our a new villain. This episode has wonderful visuals, solid action, and real emotional depth. We loved it. Watch it and then join our discussions because THERE ARE SPOILERS HERE at the end of time! We'll likely be going live on Stereo at some point throughout the run of this series, so follow us...
Jul 16, 2021•53 min•Season 3Ep. 27
So many LOKIs and so little time.... Things get mutiversed at the end of time with LOKI, Silvie and the whole variant gang in the best episode of the season full of references to Peter Pan, the Wizard of Oz and classic Marvel comics. A penultimate episode with charming humor and rich character development. We'll likely be going live on Stereo at some point throughout the run of this series, so follow us there at the links below. https://stereo.com/josiahblizzard https://stereo.com/johncdoyleiii ...
Jul 16, 2021•44 min•Season 3Ep. 25
John + Josiah are back in the theaters after nearly two years to watch a Marvel film. It's been a longtime coming and in the meantime there has been some great television and limited series arrive from Marvel on Disney Plus, but they are very excited to be back and watching Black Widow on the big screen. They discuss everything from the pacing, to the plot, to what they found as disjointed with regards to what might be editing and directing. Essentially, they take a big ol' dump on the film for ...
Jul 13, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 26
John + Josiah viewed Krasinski's follow up to A Quiet Place with a solid sequel that delivers on every level. They'll talk about everything from sound design, to character's decision, costume and production design, and everything in between. It's a rich film filled with complex levels of tension and suspense that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. We'll likely be going live on Stereo at some point to chat about a few films. https://stereo.com/josiahblizzard https://stereo.com/johncdoy...
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Josiah and John have caught up with Loki just as the TVA does and now they join Loki and Silvie as they go "off to see the wizard".... well the Timekeepers. Today's episode was recorded in a SUV on the way to a Phillies game in a massive storm so there is some charming ambience of rain pounding the car along with comments from everyone's favorite third member of the pod, Steph. Today's episode dives deep into the confusion and the storytelling of marvel's Asgardian miniseries.... enjoy. We'll li...
Jul 02, 2021•45 min•Season 3Ep. 23
This week John and Josiah entered the Fast and Furious-verse with the latest installment of the franchise, F9. We are back in a real theater again with an audience who cared more about their own jokes than the movie, but still enjoyed the over the top, meta madness of the extended space faring Toretto family. The only question now is what is the most unbelievable moment in the movie and how often will the guys laugh while discussing it. What did you think of the film? What madness made it to you...
Jul 01, 2021•52 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Episode 3 of Loki is as much Dr Who as Marvel when Loki and his female variant-self run and run and run to escape the impending apocalypse on the appropriately named moon Lamentis. Trickery, a long Asgardian folk song, some personal revelations and no significant explanation of the physics of time litter this stand alone buddy film on a Kree moon. John and Josiah have serious questions about how this one fits into the storytelling structure of the series. We'll likely be going live on Stereo at ...
Jun 30, 2021•44 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Back to work for John and Josiah after a break full of personal and professional transitions..... This week we catch up with LOKI on the Sacred Timeline for the first two episodes of the Disney+ series. We are in a super stylized world that feels like the foundation for the full blow marvel multiverse. Join us in this discussion of the series each week... We'll likely be going live on Stereo at some point throughout the run of this series, so follow us there at the links below. https://stereo.co...
Jun 23, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Wrapping up our series of Falcon & The Winter Soldier is episode 6 titled "One World, One People." Spoilers ahead. We watch our two heroes come into their own, especially Sam, who is paving the way as the new Cap. The episode is a jumping off point for Marvel to take these characters into new places in the MCU and we are very excited wondering where we'll see Walker, Zemo, and Sharon pop up next. We'll likely be going live on Stereo at some point throughout the run of this series, so follow ...
Apr 28, 2021•55 min•Season 3Ep. 19
This week we are watching Promising Young Woman, a masterwork of inverted expectation and genre bending narrative full of extraordinary cinematography and marvelous acting. This film, which is still to be released on steaming services, is the stuff of great conversation and serious self reflection. How did you experience Promising Young Woman? Send in a voice message or question here: https://anchor.fm/racking-focus-podcast/message Connect with us on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/josiahbliz...
Apr 21, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Marvel is giving us one of the best conversations about race and America wrapped up in a slam bang action adventure that has ever graced our screens. The mixture of actions sequence and rich dialogue makes "TRUTH" the best episode from the marvel streaming catalogue. Previous narrative weaknesses which challenged the impact of the show are stripped away by beautifully crafted scenes and iconic visual imagery. Everything is in place for a dynamic final episode but before that finale, we dig deep ...
Apr 20, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 3Ep. 17
We're discussing Sound of Metal this week. Spoilers ahead since it's difficult to even talk about this film from a spoiler free perspective. We can't recommend this film enough. It's powerful, moving, emotional, beautiful, hopeful, and heartbreaking all within two hours. Films like these are important because it gives the majority of people an inside look into those who are different from them. This film allow us to see what life is like for those in the deaf community and that their deafness is...
Apr 13, 2021•46 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Smashed Flag Smashers, Super Soldier Serum on the loose, death, betrayal, the Dora Milaje in action and one of the best scenes in Marvel history..... Episode Four of Falcon and the Winter Soldier continues the conversation about race, policing, power and privilege. John and Josiah dig deeply into the wealth of character revelations and plot twists in this episode. Spoilers ahead. We'll likely be going live on Stereo at some point throughout the run of this series, so follow us there at the links...
Apr 12, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 3Ep. 15
The battle to end all battles. A God vs. a King. Who will win? Listen to one of the most fun conversations we've ever had on this podcast. John + Josiah (and Steph) cover everything about this film, from all it's crappiness to all the of the wonderfully amazing things. It's a ridiculously enjoyable ride and we highly recommend catching it on the big screen if you feel comfortable, or at least on HBOMax until the end of April 2021. What did you think of Godzilla vs. Kong? Send in a voice message ...
Apr 06, 2021•59 min•Season 3Ep. 14
BARON Zemo dances. Agent 13 kicks butt. Sam gets a phone call, and Bucky arranges the most bizarre prison break in cinema history all under the watchful eye of the Power Broker in episode 3 of the Disney+ limited series Falcon and the Winter Solider. Things are heating up, not just because we are on the balmy island of Madripoor. John and Josiah dig deeply into this action packed episode. Their conversation about America, race, power and the disenfranchised mingles with speculation and easter eg...
Apr 05, 2021•46 min•Season 3Ep. 13
John & Josiah discuss all that episode 2 of The Falcon & The Winter Soldier has to offer. This episode is titled The Star-Spangled Man, a call back to Captain America: The First Avenger released 10 years ago. They discuss everything from how racism is very real in the MCU, to personal character moments, to the action set pieces, and some predictions on what might happen and what needs to happen in order for our protagonists to reach their desired character arcs. We'll likely be going liv...
Mar 29, 2021•55 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Part Lord of the Rings , part Avengers , part generic brand commercial, the musically enigmatic splash page of a move, Justice League The Snyder Cut blasted onto HBO almost derailing the streaming service. John and Josiah watched the 4 plus hour film and shared their insight into the massive film in a mighty contained aspect ration. Their epic journey through a time of heroes, and another time of heroes and perhaps a post credit time (I mean epilogue) of heroes, was fruitful and exhausting. What...
Mar 23, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 11
John and Josiah take flight with episode 1 of The Falcon & The Winter Soldier titled New World Order. They discuss everything from personal character moments, to the action set pieces, and some predictions on what might happen and what needs to happen in order for our protagonists to reach their desired character arcs. We'll likely be going live on Stereo at some point throughout the run of this series, so follow us there at the links below. https://stereo.com/josiahblizzard https://stereo.c...
Mar 20, 2021•40 min•Season 3Ep. 10
John and Josiah go on the road to explore the 2020 Golden Globe Winner Nomadland directed by Chloé Zhao and featuring Frances McDormand and David Strathairn. The story of a woman living amongst displaced people crossing the west in America finding home and community rolls along the screen with an almost documentary like feel. Beautifully shot and acted, even with the amateur actors used throughout, Nomadland is worth of recognition and conversation. Join John and Josiah in theirs. Connect with u...
Mar 17, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 9
John & Josiah discuss a new Netflix original film, The Dig, which is based on the story of the Sutton Hoo excavation. They talk about everything from cinematography, to the wonderful performances, and why this film is definitely worth at least one viewing if you have Netflix. Connect with us on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/josiahblizzard/ https://letterboxd.com/johndoyle/ Send in a voice message, question, or request here: https://anchor.fm/racking-focus-podcast/message Remember to wri...
Mar 09, 2021•37 min•Season 3Ep. 8
SPOILERS AHEAD! John & Josiah talk about the highly anticipated series WandaVision that just wrapped up. They dive into what they thought of the overall concept, the genre and filmmaking behind the show, and how this show is going to connect to the greater MCU going forward and how it supports weaker films from early on in the MCU. Connect with us on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/josiahblizzard/ https://letterboxd.com/johndoyle/ Send in a voice message, question, or request here: https:...
Mar 08, 2021•43 min•Season 3Ep. 7
John and Josiah get their A24 fix this week with a screening of the Sundance winner, Minari by Lee Isaac Chung. Overwhelmed by the beautifully realized, character driven story full of richly textured themes and metaphor, Josiah and John present both a spoiler-filled and spoiler-free review in this episode. Minari provided a spectacular opportunity for conversation about the power and transformative power of film that embraces culture and examines humanity. Connect with us on Letterboxd: https://...
Mar 02, 2021•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 6
John and Josiah consider the new film Malcolm & Marie and discuss everything from the cinematography, to the music, to the acting, of course. They start by discussing the film in a spoiler free manor before diving deeper and talking about the theme, specific moments, and how this film was heavily influenced by the films that came before it. They even talk about how many critics missed the point of this review and how they differ from those critics. Connect with us on Letterboxd: https://lett...
Feb 23, 2021•44 min•Season 3Ep. 5
John is joined by Philadelphia playwright, actor and theatre producer Richard Bradford, author and star of To My Unborn Child: a Love Letter from Fred Hampton , a one man play about the life and philosophy of Fred Hampton. Rich and John discuss Judas and the Black Messiah and place it in the context of historic Hampton and the Black Panthers. They discuss the importance of Hampton's message, how that manifests in the film and their thoughts on the successes and struggles of the storytelling in t...
Feb 17, 2021•44 min•Season 3Ep. 4
John and Josiah consider the new film about one of history's most important black arctivitivist and revolutionaries, Fred Hampton as they discuss Judas and the Black Messiah . This well-crafted film brings into sharp focus the life, philosophy and tragedy of Hampton while placing him in the historic context of the Chicago Black Panthers and Hoover's FBI. Hampton's vision is juxtaposed against the behaviors of his betrayer, Bill O'Neal. John and Josiah consider the implications of the film, dig d...
Feb 16, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Want to watch a perfectly mediocre movie? Well, The Little Things is the perfect movie for you. John and Josiah break down some of the aspects that make this film somewhat forgettable and ultimately pretty mediocre, but they also mention some highlights and things the film did well. Check this out, watch the movie and enjoy the show. Connect with us on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/josiahblizzard/ https://letterboxd.com/johndoyle/ Link to Richard Bradford's One Man show about Fred Hampton h...
Feb 16, 2021•57 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Want to watch a perfectly mediocre movie? Well, The Little Things is the perfect movie for you. John and Josiah break down some of the aspects that make this film somewhat forgettable and ultimately pretty mediocre, but they also mention some highlights and things the film did well. Check this out, watch the movie and then listen to the full show with all of the gritty details. Connect with us on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/josiahblizzard/ https://letterboxd.com/johndoyle/ Send in a voice...
Feb 05, 2021•13 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Josiah, who has watched few of the DCEU, gets a backfired movie wish as he endures WW84 with John by his side. Watching the streaming release on HBO Max to what is arguably one of the strongest entries in the DC movie cannon, could have been a holiday miracle but instead took as much as it gave! Solid acting in an over-the-top exploration of Wonder Woman's past could not heal the deep pain Josiah feels from the DC films. Get all of the dirt and some rich analysis of the film in this SPOILER FILL...
Jan 12, 2021•51 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Was Wonder Woman wonderful? Did the DCEU redeem movie after tragic movie? John. and Josiah talk WW84 in this brief SPOILER FREE reviews which serves as an intro to our full VERY thoughtful SPOILER filler review. Check this out, watch the movie and then listen to the full show with all of the gritty details. Connect with us on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/josiahblizzard/ https://letterboxd.com/johndoyle/ Send in a voice message, question, or request here: https://anchor.fm/racking-focus-pod...
Jan 12, 2021•7 min•Season 3Ep. 1
John and Josiah learn the value of friendship and milk while watching the A24 feature First Cow. In this spoiler filled review, they discuss thing things that work in this beautiful and simple richly designed film about ownership and class set in the American West. Connect with us on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/josiahblizzard/ https://letterboxd.com/johndoyle/ Send in a voice message, question, or request here: https://anchor.fm/racking-focus-podcast/message Remember to write us a review ...
Nov 05, 2020•45 min•Season 2Ep. 18
