Get in line to order a hero sandwich—not so fast, sidekick! We’re here to talk about 2005’s thoroughly delightful Disney movie “Sky High,” featuring superhero action and teen drama that are both full to the brim—but never quite over the top. "Sky High" Jason Snell with Glenn Fleishman, Jean MacDonald, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Dr. Drang Sponsors ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Referenced Works Sky High Show Notes & Links Suppor...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 651
This week, we’re drafting some spies, secret agents, and con artists. Con artists? Why not? They all use similar skills—sometimes, it’s impossible to tell the difference. From fiction to spoof to inspired by real life, we’ve got it all. Also, is that Cate Blanchett or Tilda Swinton? Good luck, Jim. This episode will self destruct in five seconds. Secret Agent Draft David J. Loehr with Tom McGrath, Chris Klimek and Nathan Alderman Show Notes & Links Tom : Archer Charlie Wilson’s War Scarecrow...
Jan 28, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 650
Put on your headset and get ready to jump into a polt, because we’re going to discuss “The Peripheral,” Prime Video’s adaptation of William Gibson’s novel. What makes its approach to certain famous sci-fi tropes unique? How interesting are the accents? Why is there an invisible car? We’ll answer those questions as soon as we flee to another stub. "The Peripheral" (TV series) Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Lisa Schmeiser and Antony Johnston Referenced Works The Peripheral Show Notes &a...
Jan 20, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 649
Store up some mana and watch out for maleficers and maw-mouths! We’re going to discuss Naomi Novik’s Scholomance trilogy , which takes the familiar story of a school for teenage magicians and does some very different things with it! Before the Spoiler Horn, we talk generally about the books and why you should read them. Then we dig into some of the details of how the series changes as it comes to its end. [ Our next Book Club selection is “ Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History ...
Jan 13, 2023•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 648
Our favorites from 2022, plus a few clips. Our 2022 Favorites Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, David J. Loehr, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Monty Ashley, Shelly Brisbin, Glenn Fleishman, Chip Sudderth, Tony Sindelar, Jean MacDonald, Cicero Holmes and Lisa Schmeiser Show Notes & Links Moisés Chiullán Pachinko Star Trek: The Motion Picture: The Director’s Edition 4K Restoration All of Soccer, specifically Austin FC Shouting Down Midnight (2022) David J. Loehr Corrections with Seth Meyers on You...
Jan 08, 2023•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 647
The Knight before Christmas this year is David Lowery’s 2021 film “The Green Knight.” This year’s final Mothership episode is a game inside a gift inside a game, much like the movie. Is every episode featuring Glenn secretly (or not-so-secretly) about Zardoz? What secrets of the exotic West Midlands does Antony have to reveal? Find out as we champion diverging from the path as the most direct route to completing a quest. "The Green Knight" Moisés Chiullán with Antony Johnston and Glenn Fleishman...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 646
Our annual Kilmas tradition leads us to watch the questionable 2000 sci-fi film “Red Planet,” in which Val Kimer is at his best, and several other actors are also present. Also, the main plot points of this film are so similar to “The Martian” that we’re now convinced Andy Weir must have seen this film and vowed to do it better. But if you’ve ever wanted to watch a dumber version of “The Martian,” have we found the movie for you. Rocket Surgery: "Red Planet" Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, Ann...
Dec 16, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 645
Star Wars gets serious with “Andor,” a show that gives us exactly what we needed (but didn’t know we wanted?) from the venerable franchise. We break down the plots, characters, and storytelling choices, live from John Siracusa’s living room! "Andor" Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and John Siracusa Sponsors ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Referenced Works Andor Star Wars (franchise) Show Notes & Links A Complicated Profes...
Dec 09, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 644
At midnight on New Year’s Eve, the S. S. Poseidon, enroute from New York to Athens, met with disaster and was lost. A handful of podcasters follow the challenges faced by a handful of Oscar winners and other assorted stars from the 1970s to celebrate that 50th anniversary of this classic disaster flick. This is their story. "The Poseidon Adventure" Jean MacDonald with Steve Lutz, Shelly Brisbin and John Chidgey Referenced Works The Poseidon Adventure Show Notes & Links Support this show and ...
Dec 02, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 643
Are you calling us funny? Are we like a clown? Do we amuse you? More than thirty years later, “GoodFellas” still stands up. In honor of the late Ray Liotta, we break down Martin Scorsese’s classic film about street-level gangsters. "GoodFellas" Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Philip Michaels and Monty Ashley Referenced Works GoodFellas Show Notes & Links 5by5 at the Movies: GoodFellas Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member . Members get ear...
Nov 24, 2022•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 642
Put on a magic bangle and pick up your briefcase, because it’s time for us to discuss two Marvel Disney+ series that push the universe in some new and interesting directions, “Ms. Marvel” and “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.” "She-Hulk" and "Ms. Marvel" Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Cicero Holmes, Moisés Chiullán and Chip Sudderth Referenced Works Ms. Marvel She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member . M...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 641
“Weird” is the direct-to-Roku movie that accurately chronicles every aspect of Al Yankovic’s life. This podcast accurately chronicles every aspect of the movie. "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" Lex Friedman with Quinn Rose, Kelly Guimont and Brian Hamilton Referenced Works Weird: The Al Yankovic Story Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member . Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more....
Nov 11, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 640
We watched “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” and “House of the Dragon” and have thoughts. "The Rings of Power" and "House of the Dragon" Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, John Siracusa, Joe Rosensteel and Erika Ensign Referenced Works Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power House of the Dragon Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member . Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more....
Nov 06, 2022•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 639
Put on a jacket and charge up your flamethrower, because it’s almost halloween, and that means it’s time for Old Spooky Club to discuss 1982’s “The Thing.” It’s foul and drippy and gooey—the Thing, that is, and not the movie. The movie’s not foul. It’s the other two, though. "The Thing" (1982) Jason Snell with Steve Lutz, Philip Michaels and Erika Ensign Sponsors ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Referenced Works The Thing Show Notes &am...
Oct 28, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 638
Our Old Movie Club sits down with a nice plate of fish and a large glass of water to watch 1972’s “Chinatown.” We discuss the merits of Jack Nicholson, the horror of John Huston’s character, and perhaps the perfect noir screenplay. "Chinatown" Jason Snell with David J. Loehr, Shelly Brisbin, Dr. Drang, Steve Lutz and Philip Michaels Referenced Works Chinatown Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member . Members get early acce...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 637
Mystery and mayhem are on the menu as we draft favorite TV detectives. Thomas Magnum is off the board, but everyone else is fair game. Who will our panelists choose to figure out whodunit? Will it be the usual suspects? Surely Jim Rockford will be on the list, unless he didn’t get his voicemail… TV Detective Draft David J. Loehr with Shelly Brisbin, Nathan Alderman, Tom McGrath, Katie Siegel and Chris Klimek Show Notes & Links Katie: Phryne Fisher (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries) Tom: Jessic...
Oct 14, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 636
It’s time to reconvene our Book Club, not to talk about an awards shortlist but to recommend books from arbitrarily selected categories. So many books! And not many rocks, we promise. Antony's book list Antony Johnston with Erika Ensign, James Thomson and Jason Snell Show Notes & Links Our picks for each category: An SFF book you’d recommend to a non-SFF Fan: Erika: Lock In by John Scalzi James: Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree Jason: A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, Cloud C...
Oct 09, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 635
Grab your helm, pouch, and ruby and watch out for dream vortexes! The classic Vertigo comic “The Sandman” has been adapted to a new Netflix show. What do we love about this modern retelling of the story—and what are we unsure about? Netflix's "The Sandman" Tony Sindelar with Dan Moren, Glenn Fleishman, Sarah Hendrica Bickerton, Chip Sudderth and Shannon Sudderth Referenced Works The Sandman Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a...
Sep 30, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 634
Russell Crowe! Christian Bale! Natalie Portman! Are they starring in a prestige film that we’re sure to hear about when Oscar time comes around? No, it’s “Thor: Love and Thunder!” But while this movie might not be able to live up to “Thor: Ragnarok,” there are a lot of things we appreciated about it. And also some things we didn’t. It’s all about tone. "Thor: Love & Thunder" Jason Snell with Kathy Campbell, Tony Sindelar and Chip Sudderth Referenced Works Thor: Love and Thunder Show Notes &a...
Sep 24, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 633
Mum, Dad, it’s evil, don’t touch it! The Summer of Time Travel reaches its end—or is it the beginning?—with 1981’s “Time Bandits,” a children’s fantasy written and directed and even featuring some Monty Pythons. Does it work for adults? Does the tone still work? We fall through a time hole and give our verdict. "Time Bandits" Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, David J. Loehr, Monty Ashley and Shelly Brisbin Referenced Works Time Bandits Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows li...
Sep 16, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 632
What if H.G. Wells used a time machine to chase Jack the Ripper into the present day (of 1979)? It would look an awful lot like 1979’s “Time After Time,” we’re guessing. David Warner and Malcolm McDowell match wits! Mary Steenburgen is a modern lady looking for an old-fashioned man! Also Jason observes the film’s (pretty good) depiction of San Francisco geography and Jean confronts her young moviegoing trauma. "Time After Time" Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Moisés Chiullán, Monty Ashley and D...
Sep 09, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 631
The Summer of Time Travel meets Rocket Surgery as we watch the very 90s, good-bad film “Timecop,” the movie that answers the question, “What would happen if you tried to kick time itself?” "Timecop" Jason Snell with Joe Rosensteel, Annette Wierstra and Monty Ashley Referenced Works Timecop Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member . Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more....
Sep 02, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 630
We take a sideways break from the Summer of Time Travel by verse-jumping across realities to Everything Everywhere All At Once, the multiverse movie directed by The Daniels and starring Michelle Yeoh. Is empathy the superpower Doctor Strange needed all along? Too bad, because he isn’t in this movie! "Everything Everywhere All At Once" Moisés Chiullán with Brian Hamilton, Jean MacDonald and Sandra Wong Referenced Works Everything Everywhere All At Once Show Notes & Links Become an Incomparabl...
Aug 26, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 629
The Summer of Time Travel begins/ends/continues (pick one) with 1989’s “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” in which two dumb guys collect some of history’s greatest figures and take them to the mall. Party on, dudes! "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" Jason Snell with Steve Lutz, Lisa Schmeiser, Kelly Guimont and Moisés Chiullán Referenced Works Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a me...
Aug 19, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 628
The days of appointment television are long gone, but what if you could create a streaming service broadcasting the best that TV had to offer in the 21st century? What shows would be on your marquee? We’ve got you covered, with our very first Peak TV draft (patent pending)! Will your favorite shows get drafted? Tune in to find out! 21st Century TV Draft Cicero Holmes with David J. Loehr, Jean MacDonald, Monty Ashley, Shareef Jackson and Moisés Chiullán Show Notes & Links David - “David” Park...
Aug 12, 2022•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 627
The release of the super-meta “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” with John Mulaney and Andy Samberg on Disney+ put us in mind of a movie from which it borrowed a hunk of its DNA: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”. We first toon, er, tune our dial to that classic, groundbreaking 1988 Robert Zemeckis-directed film, then look at its 2022 chip off the old block. Forget it, Dale, it’s Toontown. "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" Glenn Fleishman with David J. Loehr, Shelly Brisbin and Moi...
Aug 05, 2022•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 626
Thirty-three episodes of new live-action “Star Trek” have now concluded, and we’re going to talk about all of it. We bring some tough love for “Discovery” and “Picard”, which disappointed us. But all is not lost—there’s a lot of unabashed love for “Strange New Worlds.” Star Trek three-series season wrap Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Joe Rosensteel, Tony Sindelar and David J. Loehr Referenced Works Star Trek (franchise) Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Star Trek: Picard Star Trek: Discovery Show ...
Jul 29, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 625
On the occasion of the publication of “The Nova Incident,” Jason asks Dan a bunch of questions from readers (and listeners) about his writing career, techniques, tools, and more. Dan Moren and "The Nova Incident" Jason Snell with Dan Moren Referenced Works The Nova Incident [ Amazon ] [ Apple ] Author Interviews Galactic Cold War Show Notes & Links The Nova Incident on Dan's website Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member . Members get early...
Jul 22, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 624
Hello there! We discuss “Obi-Wan Kenobi” on Disney+, including Ewan MacGregor’s delight in the role, the return of Hayden Christensen, and balancing the needs of superfans with movies-only fans. "Obi-Wan Kenobi" Dan Moren with Kathy Campbell, Chip Sudderth, Tony Sindelar and James Thomson Referenced Works Obi-Wan Kenobi Star Wars (franchise) Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member . Members get early access to podcasts, bo...
Jul 15, 2022•59 min•Ep. 623
Put on your flying cloak and load up on pizza balls, because we’re here to talk about “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” This is an interesting one, because most of us agree that the movie is fun and inventive in a lot of enjoyable ways—but also entirely mishandles its villain. Can you love a movie that also make you angry? We try! Some of us fail. "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" Jason Snell with Sarah Hendrica Bickerton, Erika Ensign, Lisa Schmeiser, Monty Ashley and G...
Jul 08, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 622
