Talking SMAC: Superheroes, Movies, Animation & Comics

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
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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
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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
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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! 

164. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Review

Josh & Alex say Justin's name three times so he transports from The Movie Wire to discuss Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and just a bit of Johnny Dangerously
(00:19) Welcome to the show
(03:55) Josh will be on Back 2 the Balcony!
(05:58) No On 15 promo
(07:11) Non-spoilers, plot outline and feelings
(08:15) Who is Justin Theroux?
(09:54) Non-spoiler deeper impressions
(32:20) SMAC-Ratings
(36:12) Spoilers
(37:55) Josh and Alex go off the deep end while Justin try to walk them back
(47:58) In which we try to make sense of the senselessness
(49:05) Mike the Headless Chicken 
(50:22) Josh tries to steer us back on track
(51:48) Musical choices and themes or the lack thereof
(1:06:13) Alex and Justin enjoyed the movie
(1:15:21) Wrap-up
(1:17:46) Justin tempts fate
Please remember to check out the No On 15! All-Cast podcast, join our Discord and check out our merch store! 
You can find Josh's appearance on Back 2 the Balcony

163. 2024 Spooky Season Movie Preview

Alex and Justin of The Movie Wire and Back to the Balcony fame discuss hope for Smile 2, Terrifier 3, Hugh Grant's Heretic, the Nosferatu remake, and aggressive kangaroo's in Rippy.
(00:14) Movies that got moved: Saw, Exorcist, Friday the 13th
(00:54) Justin loved 2024 for horror
(4:28) Timecut and Y2k
(8:12) Smile 2 and the issue with stretching Youtube shorts into full length movies
(17:12) Nosferatu vs Bram Stoker's Dracula and Shadow Of the Vampire
(27:08) Terrifier 3
(34:31) Heretic w/ Hugh Grant
(39:44) Rippy - Evil Kanagroo!
(43:51) Love of bad horror and good horror
Please remember to check out the The Movie Wire podcast, join our Discord and check out our merch store!