232. 2026 SMACademy Awards

Nostalgiathon 2026 continues with Stephen, from the Nerd Ranks podcast, returning. This time to discuss the 40th anniversary of the Jim Henson classic; The Labyrinth Intro/Josh has started reading Fellowship of the Ring thanks to Stephen (0:00) Josh and Stephen are on the same page with segues (4:06) Jim Henson's legacy (5:21) Labyrinth 40th anniversary discussion (27:28) Jim Henson's lasting legacy on our lives (1:00:03) Social media plugs and goodbyes (1:04:52) Don't forget to join our Discord and join in on the SMAC talk. 

Josh & Alex kick off Nostalgiathon 2026 by celebrating 40 years of the comedy classic; Three Amigos! How do they celebrate, you ask? By talking over the movie so you can watch along with them whenever you like, of course! It's Talking Commentaries! Please remember to check out the 2 Blokes from Blighty podcast, join our Discord

Josh and Alex go over the big releases coming in 2026 for TV/Streaming, video games and movies. Intro/Josh doesn't know how to carry a conversation/Alex has technical difficulties/Extra slash, because you're not reading this (0:00) Super Familiar with the Wilsons promo (3:58) TV/Streaming shows (6:00) Quick correction from the SMACademy Awards (12:09) Back to TV/streaming (12:51) Video games (18:08) Movies (45:41) Social media plugs and goodbyes (1:17:54) Please remember to check out the Super Familiar with the Wilsons podcast, and join our Discord!

Josh and Alex breakdown the year 2025 in pop culture with our favorite movies, comics, games, and more! Intro (0:00) Sugar Coated Murder promo (4:11) Best Movie (5:21) Best Animated Feature (12:33) Best TV/Streaming Show (14:42) Best Video Game (23:37) Favorite Comic (31:05) Favorite Live-Action Movie Character (35:04) Favorite Video Game Character (41:11) Favorite Live-Action TV Character (45:02) Favorite Documentary (49:28) That was This Year?! (1:01:52) Biggest Disappointment (1:03:52) Favorite Episode of Talking SMAC (1:10:39) Goodbyes and social media plugs (1:18:10) Have a happy new year, SMAC heads! Please remember to check out the Sugar Coated Murder podcast, and don't forget to join our Discord

Josh & Alex return to Pandora and review the latest installment in James Cameron's sci-fi epic and first trilogy. Intro (0:00) No On 15! Allcast promo (1:53) Non-spoiler Avatar Fire & Ash review (3:16) Spoilers for Avatar Fire & Ash (23:04) Avengers: Doomsday teaser trailer campaign (1:00:05) Goodbyes & social media plugs (1:04:39) Please remember to check out the No On 15! Allcast, join our Discord

Josh and Alex break out their magnifying glasses to try and deduce the latest Benoit Blanc mystery in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Intro (0:00) Why no Star Wars sequel trilogy conversation? (1:07) Why Josh doesn't like the Packers all-white uniforms (6:23) Movie Wire Promo (10:00) Our Instagram is gone! (10:15) Wake Up Dead Man review (13:00) Josh hates 4k and high frame rates (46:58) Goodbyes and social media plugs (53:07) Please remember to check out the Movie Wire podcast, and join our Discord!

Josh went and saw Zootopia 2, while Alex saw the brand new Five Nights at Freddy's 2. Intro (0:00) Five Nights at Freddy's 2 w/Slade providing context (1:29) I Have Some Notes promo (23:13) Zootopia 2 (24:29) WB/Netflix merger, Goodbyes and social media plugs (59:49) Please remember to check out I Have Some Notes, join our Discord! 

Josh and Alex take a moment to talk with Stephen from the Nerd Ranks podcast about everything under the sun, including their podcast, and what makes their nerd heart sing.  Intro (0:00) The shared love for Zombies Ate My Neighbors (4:48) Stephen, what'cha doin'? (7:27) What inspired the creation of Nerd Ranks? (8:36) Where is Stephen's happy nerd place? (10:03) Alex confuses Christopher Lee with Vincent Price (27:54) Horror movies, Rob Zombie and horror tropes (31:41) What kind of horror movies does Josh like? (37:13) We share our love of Jim Varney (39:01) Does Stephen have any upcoming Nerd Ranks episodes he's excited for? (40:38) Alex forgets Sam Niell's name (44:44) The Last of Us video game conversation leads to obligatory Expedition 33 mention (46:12) Physical media and Super Princess Peach on DS (49:28) Favorite Mario Game? (50:59) Crash Bandicoot & Assassin's Creed franchises (57:21) Games with companion apps (1:01:09) Exceptions to the rules for game genres we don't like (1:04:07) Stephen's music (1:12:08) Donkey Kong Country music history lesson (1:16:21) Goodbyes and social media plugs (1:18:27) Don't forget to join our Discord and join in on the SMAC talk. 

Josh and Alex reunite with Justin from the Movie Wire to review Wicked For Good Intro (0:00) gaming Views promo (2:59) Wicked For Good review (3:37) Goodbyes and social media plugs (57:22) Please remember to check out Gaming Views, join our Discord and check out our merch store! 

Josh flies solo this week to discuss the biggest news and trailers announced in the last few weeks.  Intro (0:00) Game Club Pod promo (0:55) Disney planning to introduce generative ai into the Disney+ platform (2:48) Alien: Earth got a renewal?! (6:44) Gremlins 3 announced (9:48) Avengers: Doomsday trailer confirmed to play in front of Avatar: Fire & Ash (11:51) The Super Mario Galaxy trailer (14:27) The Devil Wears Prada 2 trailer (18:01) Five Nights at Freddy's 2 trailer (19:29) Toy Story 5 trailer (21:17) Moana (2026) trailer (26:11) Goodbyes and social media plugs (28:28) Please remember to check out the Game Club Pod podcast, join our Discord and check out our merch store!