EP 200 - PARANORMAN (2012)

YOU DESERVE BETTER, SAM. After Endgame and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, many were eager to see what Sam Wilson's first cinematic outing as the Sentinel of Liberty would look like. Several delays and bafflingly extensive reshoots later, what they got seemed more interested in following up a mediocre Hulk movie than it did Sam's own series. Hoo boy, how exactly does it look now? Come join Brian, Alec, Darby, and Trey to find out as they continue Phase 5 of the MCUathon with Marvel's last unfortunate weak point -- CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD!

WHAT IS IT WITH THESE TWO AND WRITER'S STRIKES?After Disney acquired Fox, it seemed obvious that Deadpool would easily make the jump. Eventually, it was revealed that Wade's next ride would be none other than a returning Hugh Jackman donning the claws (and now suit) once more. The film ended up being the smash hit that Marvel needed in a time of uncertainty and misses, but also the subject of a great many debates about where the blockbuster game was heading. So, what do we think? Come join Brian, Alec, Darby, and Trey to find out as they continue Phase 5 of the MCUathon with DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE!

AKA THE ONE WITH DARBY IN IT! After the massive success of Captain Marvel in spite of the ludicrous culture war it spawned, a sequel seemed to be a no-brainer -- especially one helmed by the talented Nia DaCosta. But between an era of Marvel that started losing the audience, Disney+ shows becoming required viewing for movies, and two strikes impacting the promotion of the film, it had a massive uphill battle that it couldn't seem to win. But is it really as bad as everyone seems to think it is? Come join Brian, Alec, Darby, and Trey to find out as they continue Phase 5 of the MCUathon with another casualty of Marvel's messiest era -- THE MARVELS!

"I BET WE WERE FUN." After six long years of firings, hirings, and Suicide Squadings, James Gunn finally made his last stop at Marvel with the final chapter of his Guardians trilogy. This finale has been hailed as the brightest star in the MCU' darkest hour, but how well does it hold up? Come join Brian, Alec, Darby, and Trey to find out as they continue Phase 5 of the MCUathon with James Gunn's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, VOL. 3.

OH, BOY. After directing two relatively lighter affairs, Peyton Reed sought to elevate the next Ant-Man movie to true blockbuster status by making it the launch-point for the Multiverse Saga. Unfortunately, the end result was one of the MCU's most maligned movies of all time. Is there any silver lining, or does the movie truly collapse under its own weight? Come join Brian, Alec, Darby, and Trey to find out as they return to the MCUathon and kick off Phase 5 with a movie so bad that they changed course -- ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA!

"A LITTLE GLASS VIAL? I LITTLE GLASS VIAL!" Ever since she first joined us two years ago, our good friend Darby has requested we watch Repo!: The Genetic Opera for an episode. It's high time we gave her what she wanted. So, come join Brian, Alec, Darby, and Trey as they finish up their Spooktober interlude with a visceral return to musical film with a cult classic -- Darren Lynn Bousman's REPO!: THE GENETIC OPERA!

HAPPY SPOOKTOBER EVERYONE! Our 200th commentary track is here! To celebrate, we'll be doing a couple films in between the MCUathon to ring in the spooky season. With LAIKA's new film Wildwood releasing later this month, the gang thought it was high time to get Alec hooked on their previous output post-Coraline, and they're starting with the tale of one Norman Babcock! So, how does the film hold up? Come join Brian, Alec, Darby, and Trey to find out as they ring in the Halloween season with PARANORMAN!

"SHOW HIM WHO YOU ARE." After the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, Ryan Coogler and the rest of the Black Panther team decided to make the sequel about their shared grief over his loss. While the end result has its fair share of criticisms, it's also remembered as one of the strongest stories to come from the current era of the MCU. So, how does it hold up? Come join Brian, Alec, Darby, and Trey to find out as they wrap up Phase 4 of the MCUathon with Ryan Coogler's BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER!

DID YOU KNOW THE '80S WERE A THING? After Ragnarok seemed to finally make Thor click with audiences and critics, many were excited to see where Waititi's next film with the God of Thunder went. Even more so after the subsequent announcements of Natalie Portman returning as Jane to wield Mjolnir and become the Mighty Thor, as well Christian Bale playing Thor's most popular recent villain -- Gorr the God Butcher. However, what resulted was a garish, tonally confused mess that felt more like a straight-up parody than an adaptation of any of the characters it was adapting. So, how does it land four years later? Come join Brian, Alec, and Darby to find out as they continue Phase 4 of the MCUathon with what they consider to be the worst of the entire franchise -- THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER!

"GO ON RED." After Spider-Man; No Way Home brought back Tobey, Andrew, and most of their villains from the multiverse, Marvel looked to capitalize off it with it's formerly-releasing-first-but-delayed-due-to-COVID Doctor Strange sequel. What was originally supposed to be more of a horror movie from Scott Derrickson became a more pulpy Sam Raimi romp looking to balance scares and laughs in equal amount, and the end result is a bunch of different ideas fighting for supremacy and screentime. So, how does it hold up? Come join Brian, Alec, Darby, and Trey to find out as they continue Phase 4 of the MCUathon with Sam Raimi's DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS!