Talking SMAC: Superheroes, Movies, Animation & Comics

172. Agatha All Along Review

Get ready to close out spooky season with the surprising Wandavision spinoff Agatha All Along series on Disney+. 
Josh gets a scam call (0:25)
The tangents begin: Inside Man, an underrated heist movie (3:44)
Introductions to the episode finally happen (4:48)
Movie Wire promo (5:42)
Agatha All Along; the show we didn't know we wanted (5:59)
Skaar Wars (15:02)
Kristen Anderson & Robert Lopez filmography and achievements (17:14)
*SPOILERS* How does Agatha All Along fit into the MCU?  (21:11)
Please remember to check out the Movie Wire podcast, join our Discord and check out our merch store! 

171. Venom: The Last Dance Review

Josh & Matt break down Venom: The Last Dance, the last(?) chapter in the Sony's lone successful non-Spider-Man Spider-Man franchise.
The guys discuss the the franchise as a whole, the impact of Knull in the movie and the fan service moments that stood out most. Is Venom 3 a must-see or pass? Hit that play button and find out! 
Intro (0:00)
I Hate It. Let's Watch It promo (3:58)
Matt likes Riverdale and Josh's most useless fact (4:27)
Thoughts and opinions on Venom as a character (6:24)
What the Venom franchise means to Talking SMAC (11:29)
Venom: The Last Dance Non-Spoiler Review (14:22)
Spoiler Review (16:35)
Eddie's Bare Foot Subplot (22:13)
Juno Temple's in this movie! (25:24)
How the Studios Interfere with the Storytelling of the Venom Movies (32:03)
Venom 3 is Loaded with Borrowed/Stolen Ideas (33:37)
Josh's Theory About Where Sony's Non-Spider-Man Movies are Going (40:11)
Josh gets his mind blown by the weekend box office (48:58)
There are how many symbiotes in this movie!? (51:57)
We finally talk about the hippy family (57:34)
That time Venom said "Fu*k it. I gotta dance!" (1:02:15)
 The plot is weightless (1:05:26)
The finale of Venom 3 (1:07:44)
Was Venom: The Last Dance fun? (1:09:46)
The SMAC rating: Must-See or Pass? (1:15:31)
Let's Get Outta Here! (1:17:01)
Please remember to check out the I Hate It. Let's Watch It podcast, join our Discord and check out our merch store! 

170. 2014 Was 10 Years Ago?!

Josh & Alex turn the dial back to the year 2014, a year packed with cinematic gems! From indie classics like Whiplash and Birdman to blockbuster hits like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The LEGO Movie, Guardians of the Galaxy and How to Train Your Dragon 2, we’ll dive into the films that defined the year and explore why 2014 remains a standout in modern cinema.
You can find the YouTube version of this episode here
Please remember to join our Discord and check out our merch store! 

169. Hollywood Learned the Wrong Lessons from John Wick

Alex & Justin discuss their views on how Hollywood may have learned the wrong lessons from the success of the John Wick franchise.
We explore how studios have focused on replicating the stylized violence and action, while overlooking the importance of world-building, character depth, and storytelling that made the John Wick movies stand out. 
(0:01) 3-year return of TalkingSmac!
(1:38) Cultworthy promo
(1:58) Hollywood's history of copycat success: The Matrix, buddy comedies, rom-coms, superheroes, Jason Bourne
(4:04) Marvel didn't copy the action, but Extraction, Nobody, Violent Night, and others did.
(10:14) Needing emotional connections; Jackie Chan's method of building a fight scene
(14:08) Relatability of heroes and losing that connection: Die Hard, etc
(21:49) John McTiernan, Shane Black: letting writers have passion for a project
(26:00) We need heroes that fail: suffer injuries, lose battles, have problems, and feel vulnerable
(33:56) Hopes for Ballerina: Ana De Armas and future movies
Please remember to join our Discord and check out our merch store! 

168. 10 Years of John Wick

Continuing their retrospective on the stacked year in movies that was 2014, Josh & Alex discuss the 10-year anniversary of John Wick, the 2014 action thriller that reinvigorated Keanu Reeves' career.
We break down the film's intense choreography, its world-building, and the legacy it created in action cinema. Tune in as we revisit the birth of an iconic franchise
(0:01) John Wick returns to theaters, because of Josh
(1:49) Casting Views promo
(2:22) First impressions of John Wick and Keanu's career between Matrix and John Wick, including Key & Peele's 2016 'Keanu'
(8:17) Wick's impressive cast: Michael Nyqvist, Lance Reddick, Willem Dafoe, John Leguizamo, Adrianne Palicki, Alfie Allen, Bridget Moynahan, Dean winters
(13:17) In which we agree with John Wick, how dare you harm a puppy
(20:12) Dean Winter's Mayhem, Flo from Progressive & the Geico Cavemen
(23:44) Action sequences galore & world building
(33:30) Keanu's speech and 'Something's Got to Give' acting praise
(44:00) Does the High Table offer retirement plans?
(47:19) Wrap up
Please remember to check out the Game Club Pod podcast, join our Discord and check out our merch store! 

167. The Wild Robot Review

Josh & Alex review The Wild Robot. The adaptation of the beloved children's book by Peter Brown.
We explore its stunning animation, story of a robot's journey to survive in the wild, and the emotional themes of nature, technology, and self-discovery. Is it a must-see or pass? Let's find out! 
(0:01) Terrible impressions and compound words
(3:22) 2 Blokes from Blighty promo discussion
(5:39) The Wild Robot impressions and family friendliness in movies + Josh can't count to 4
(13:53) Praise for Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry & the rest of the voice cast (that includes you, Mark Hamill)
(18:46) Where's The Wild Robot merch, Dreamworks? We need Brightbill plushies
(22:12) Obligatory 'A Goofy Movie' and 'The Three Amigos' references
(27:49) Buy physical media, please. SMAC-rating
(30:24) Spoilers - while mild, there are spoilers. Love, death, grief in children's movies
(36:52) If the Oscars were today.... and Josh hates Shrek
(44:45) Alex's gallows humor wish
(47:09) Wrap up + what is Tumblr?
Please remember to check out the 2 Blokes from Blighty on the Game Club Podcast feed, join our Discord and check out our merch store! 

166. Transformers One Review

Josh is joined by two special guests; 7Ceez & Justin, to review Transformers One, the first fully animated Transformers feature film since the 1986 classic; Transformers: The Movie.
We break down the film’s take on the rise of the Cybertron War, the voice performances, and visuals. Tune in for our thoughts on how it stacks up against previous Transformers movies and where it leaves the series moving forward.
(2:19) Super Familiar with the Wilsons podcast promo
(2:46) Our history with the Transformers
(11:01) Positive thoughts on the movie
(16:11) Further thoughts
(21:17) Justin's four-minute rant - no edits 
(26:36) Spoiler-filled thoughts
(46:21) What do the fans want for sequels?
(49:52) Praise for voicework and other things
(55:35) SMAC-ratings revealed & a cute story
(1:00:03) wrap up
Please remember to check out the Super Familiar with the Wilsons podcast, join our Discord and check out our merch store! 

165. Edge of Tomorrow/Live Die Repeat 10 Years Later

On this episode, we discuss the 10-year anniversary of 'Edge of Tomorrow', the 2014 sci-fi classic starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. Or is it actually 'Live. Die. Repeat.'?
We dive into its innovative action sequences, time-loop concept, and how the fanbase of the film has grown over the decade. Plus, we discuss the manga that influenced the movie and the possibility of a sequel.
(1:36) Emily Blunt love and celebrities that suddenly 'pop' for you
(5:05) Sugar Coated Murders podcast promo
(5:42) Is it 'Edge of Tomorrow' or 'Live. Die. Repeat.'?
(7:19) Somehow 'Skyfall' and Adele emerge
(13:46) The movies it was up against: Godzilla, X-Men: Day of Future Past, Maleficent, The Fault in our Stars
(18:18) Does it need a sequel and story speculation
(20:13) Tom Cruise acting against type works best
(22:23) Groundhog Day differences and how to learn skills in a time loop
(24:24) Josh's one issue with the movie
(30:58) Powerful scenes and strong female agency
(40:02) Constantine 2 is coming!?
(44:53) How do 'resets' work?
(47:00) The mimic design. What is it?
(52:26) Could a Live.Die.Repeat aka Edge of Tomorrow video game work?
Please remember to check out the Sugar Coated Murder podcast, join our Discord and check out our merch store!