You did it, you blew it all up! And now it’s… the Summer of the Planet of the Apes! Our own troop of hairless apes tackles the well-regarded modern “Apes” trilogy this month, beginning with 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” James Franco is a scientist? Brian Cox runs a sketchy ape facility? Tom Felton thinks his dates want to see caged primates? Just when you think this movie has it all backward, that’s when you realize: we’re actually all rooting for the apes. Jason Snell with Annette Wi...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 723•Transcript available on Metacast Boot up the Time Window and prepare your memory palace! A full season of the new, Disneyfied version of “Doctor Who” has gone by, and we’ve convened a panel of time experts to discuss the highs and lows, and where the series goes next. Jason Snell with Steven Schapansky, Erika Ensign, Chip Sudderth and Annette Wierstra.
Jun 28, 2024•2 hr 38 min•Ep 722•Transcript available on Metacast “Star Trek: Discovery” opened a new era in Star Trek TV, but now the series has reached its end. How did the new, slimmed-down season 5 storyline work? Were we happy with the series-ending payoff? How were the show’s many interesting characters served in their final go-round? We break it all down. Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Jean MacDonald, Joe Rosensteel and Erika Ensign.
Jun 21, 2024•2 hr 36 min•Ep 721•Transcript available on Metacast With “Furiosa: A Mad Max Story” in theaters, we thought we would dip back to the original (aka, the fourth) Mad Max movie, “Mad Max: Fury Road” from 2015. It’s a big car chase followed by a race, it’s two hours long, and it’s considered one of the greatest films of all time. Witness us! Steven Schapansky with Erika Ensign, Merlin Mann, Brian Warren and Kelly Guimont.
Jun 14, 2024•2 hr 30 min•Ep 720•Transcript available on Metacast Our 2024 book club shortlist read continues with “Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon”, “The Terraformers,” and “Some Desperate Glory.” We enjoyed them all, to varying degrees! Plus: What else are we reading? Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign and Heather Berberet.
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep 719•Transcript available on Metacast It’s been 40 years since the release of 1984’s “The Last Starfighter,” so we finally give this visually groundbreaking film its due. Did we find the early CGI effects as charming as the plot of a small town kid becoming a galactic hero in the distant reaches of space? Steven Schapansky with Joe Rosensteel, Cicero Holmes, David J. Loehr and Erika Ensign.
May 31, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 718•Transcript available on Metacast You just can’t kill us, unless we’re wearing something on our necks that means you can. We’re back to cover 2018’s “Deadpool 2,” which bring you… more Deadpool. Not necessarily a bad thing, but should it have tried to elevate its game? Does its ending completely invalidate the story? And what’s the serious plot element at the center of the ridiculous meta superhero action? Jason Snell with Kelly Guimont, Cicero Holmes and Dan Moren.
May 24, 2024•56 min•Ep 717•Transcript available on Metacast With a third movie on the way, it’s time for us to tackle an R-rated “X-Men” spinoff, everyone’s favorite glutton for punishment, 2016’s “Deadpool.” Did it pass the test of skeptical first-time viewers? Does its balance of humor and ultraviolence work? And why did we find this deeply unserious movie strangely affecting? Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont and Dan Moren.
May 17, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep 716•Transcript available on Metacast We begin our walk through the 2024 nominees for Best Novel from the Hugo and Nebula Awards. First up: “Starter Villain” by John Scalzi, “Translation State” by Ann Leckie, and “Witch King” by Martha Wells. Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms, Scott McNulty and Heather Berberet.
May 10, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep 715•Transcript available on Metacast Put on your mouse ears and step into the TARDIS! We’re discussing the return (rebirth? regeneration?) of “Doctor Who” in 2024, this time on Disney+ (and the BBC). It’s a new era with an old showrunner. How did the 2023 specials hit us, where should curious viewers start watching, and what are our hopes for the coming season? Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Annette Wierstra and Kelly Guimont.
May 03, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep 714•Transcript available on Metacast Why does discussing the overlooked 1991 classic “Dead Again” feel like we’re living a past life? Maybe it’s the shock of seeing young Sir Kenneth Branagh (attempting a weird American accent) and Dame Emma Thompson. Maybe it’s Sir Derek Jacobi making us wonder if that stutter is an “I, Claudius” reference. Maybe it’s the whole romantic fantasy thing, with a Hitchcockian past intruding on a 1990s present. Jason Snell with Glenn Fleishman, Erika Ensign, Annette Wierstra, Dr. Drang and Shannon Sudde...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep 713•Transcript available on Metacast It’s time to celebrate the music of the first decade of this century via our 2000s album draft! From opera to show tunes, we’ve got several musical styles covered—and those are just Andy’s picks! Why do James’s picks leave us cold? What is Erika’s favorite Beat Saber band? Why does Kelly use karaoke as therapy? How does Shelly tactically use remixes? And why did Brian insist on editing this episode? Jason Snell with Brian Hamilton, James Thomson, Shelly Brisbin, Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont and A...
Apr 19, 2024•2 hr 53 min•Ep 712•Transcript available on Metacast Our book club reconvenes to discuss the “Shades of Magic” series by V.E. Schwab, as well as the start of a second trilogy, “The Fragile Threads of Power.” Before the spoilers begin, we’ll explain the parallel fantasy world structure and explain why it’s such a great series. Then we’ll discuss the newest book in the series. Plus: What are we reading? Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet.
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep 711•Transcript available on Metacast Just when we thought we were out, they pulled us back in! Long after we recorded our first episodes about “The Godfather,” our panelists get back together to talk about the late-sequel “The Godfather Part III,” or is it “The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone” now? Only Francis knows for sure. Jason Snell with John Siracusa, John Gruber, Chip Sudderth and Moisés Chiullán.
Apr 05, 2024•2 hr 59 min•Ep 710•Transcript available on Metacast Get on your sandworm and head south! It’s time to discuss “Dune Part 2,” a sequel with more sand, more Fremen, and more time spent at the super weird planet of the villainous Harkonnen family. Is Paul the hero, or… something else? Dust off the family atomics and join us, won’t you? Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Kelly Guimont, Guy English and Brian Warren.
Mar 29, 2024•2 hr 33 min•Ep 709•Transcript available on Metacast It’s the first-ever Reboot a Bad Movie draft! In which our stalwart panelists grab an intellectual-property loser off the shelf, dust it off, and re-envision it in a new way that could maybe, possibly be a hit with modern audiences. Moisés Chiullán with Lisa Schmeiser, David J. Loehr, Cicero Holmes and Monty Ashley.
Mar 22, 2024•2 hr 33 min•Ep 708•Transcript available on Metacast Nobody is more surprised than Antony Johnston to find he’s now a cozy crime author. Dan Moren sniffs out the secrets of his “Dog Sitter Detective” series. Dan Moren with Antony Johnston.
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 707•Transcript available on Metacast We conclude our movie-by-movie review of the “Back to the Future” series with the western-themed third installment, which features less time travel shenanigans and more old-west shenanigans. Jason Snell with Lex Friedman, John Siracusa, Brian Warren, Monty Ashley and Moisés Chiullán.
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep 706•Transcript available on Metacast It’s time again. Time! To go forward in time, then backward—or is it sideways?—in time, then further back in time, and then maybe even further back in time. It’s time for the bland future of 2015, the apocalyptic alt-present of 1985, and a familiar 1955. But most of all, it’s time for a Crisis on Infinite Biffs. It’s “Back to the Future Part II.” Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Dan Moren, Brian Warren and Shelly Brisbin.
Mar 01, 2024•2 hr 36 min•Ep 705•Transcript available on Metacast Great Scott! No time to be a slacker, McFly, because we’ve gotta go back in time to 1985 so we can go back to 1955 so we can perfectly time a lightning strike. That’s right, it’s time to talk about “Back to the Future.” Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, John Siracusa, Shelly Brisbin, Chip Sudderth and Lex Friedman.
Feb 23, 2024•2 hr 47 min•Ep 704•Transcript available on Metacast Jason’s favorite movie of 2023 was the gray flipside to “Barbie,” Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” And while none of us would exactly call ourselves Nolan fans, this one manages to grapple with a deep subject with great care. It’s got some spectacular scenes that will blow your mind—and a whole lot more scene of men in suits and hats standing around talking. Jason Snell with Shelly Brisbin, Kathy Campbell and Cicero Holmes.
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep 703•Transcript available on Metacast Two nations, two sitcoms, one premise: What if one of us could see ghosts? Infusing genre complications into the world of TV situation comedies, “Ghosts” has become a hit in both the UK and the U.S.! We recommend both, compare the different versions, and try to explain why the whole idea works so well. Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Heather Berberet, Cicero Holmes and Erika Ensign.
Feb 09, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep 702•Transcript available on Metacast KNEW THIS WAS ONE WAY TICKET BUT YOU KNOW I HAD TO COME At long last, it’s the episode Jason has waited 13 years to schedule. Up from the depths of the ocean comes a long-awaited 4K transfer! It’s time for all of you to join us in watching one of the great (and underrated) adventure films of all time, and perhaps James Cameron’s best film: “The Abyss.” We watched the Special Edition of the film, and discuss the ways in which it’s superior to the original cut, and the ways it isn’t. Jason Snell w...
Feb 02, 2024•2 hr 58 min•Ep 701•Transcript available on Metacast We reconvene Miyazaki Club to discuss the master animator’s latest final movie, “The Boy and the Heron.” We went in wondering, will this be lyrical and nostalgic magical realism, or will it be a barrage of super-weird fantastical imagery? The voluminous bird poop and the suit of frogs point the way. Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Steve Lutz and Moisés Chiullán.
Jan 26, 2024•2 hr 50 min•Ep 700•Transcript available on Metacast In 2023’s “Godzilla Minus One,” the classic monster doesn’t just represent nuclear disaster, but crushing guilt on personal and societal levels. What if someone built a deeply emotional human drama that was also a movie where Godzilla destroys a whole lot of stuff? We’ve got the answer! Jason Snell with Monty Ashley and Moisés Chiullán.
Jan 19, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 699•Transcript available on Metacast Crack open your psychohistory textbooks and ready a new batch of imperial clones, because it’s time to discuss the Apple TV+ series “Foundation,” extremely loosely based on the classic works of Isaac Asimov. Before the spoiler horn, we talk about why this is a show worth catching up on—and also debate the merits of psychohistory. Then we discuss the first two seasons, which we really enjoyed. Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Glenn Fleishman, Heather Berberet and John Siracusa.
Jan 12, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep 698•Transcript available on Metacast Happy new year! Some of our most prolific panelists pick some of their favorite media of the year gone by, and a few listeners send in some favorite clips from The Incomparable in this past year. Onward to 2024! Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, Chip Sudderth, Monty Ashley, Dan Moren, Shelly Brisbin, Annette Wierstra and David J. Loehr.
Dec 29, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep 697•Transcript available on Metacast It’s Kilmas 2023, in which we continue our annual celebration of the films of Val Kilmer. This year’s selection is “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” written and directed by Shane Black. It’s a film noir-ish story that wants to have everything both ways. Val Kilmer’s the best thing in it, of course. The rest of the film feels unstuck in time. Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Tiff Arment and Dan Moren.
Dec 22, 2023•1 hr•Ep 696•Transcript available on Metacast In the spirit of coming downstairs and finding presents waiting under the tree, we offer the Incomparable Toy Draft. It’s not just a story about our favorite childhood toys—it’s also a story about the toys we desperately wanted and never got. Jason Snell with Shelly Brisbin, Lisa Schmeiser, Kelly Guimont, Moisés Chiullán, David J. Loehr, Chip Sudderth, Monty Ashley, Philip Michaels and Annette Wierstra.
Dec 15, 2023•2 hr 42 min•Ep 695•Transcript available on Metacast 50 years later, “Soylent Green” is still made of people—and its futuristic setting of 2022 is shockingly relevant! But having given this film a full viewing, we think it’s also a pretty good example of ’70s eco sci-fi with a little noir detective flavoring. (Not that kind of flavoring.) Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Monty Ashley, Annette Wierstra, Dr. Drang and Philip Michaels.
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep 694•Transcript available on Metacast 
