Practical Magic (1998) | Missing Frames #163

Spooky season is upon us, and Shawn's wife Sarah is taking advantage of the opportunity to introduce him to the 1998 cult favorite Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Sarah has fond memories of the film and loves its autumnal atmosphere, perfect soundtrack, and celebration of sisterhood. She's also convinced Shawn won't like it.Together, the two of them explore the film's tonal inconsistencies, its "kitchen sink" approach to storytelling, and whether its undeniable 90s charms and the power of nostalgia help it overcome these shortcomings.HOSTSShawn EastridgeSarah Eastridge

Become legend, young podcasters.After years of false starts, Shawn has finally finished Neon Genesis Evangelion. TC Padgett returns to Missing Frames to introduce Shawn to Hideaki Anno's legendary and deeply disturbing conclusion to one of anime's most celebrated series. From giant robots, biblical imagery, and apocalyptic body horror to the Hedgehog's Dilemma, Human Instrumentality, and the existential terror of simply being alive, Shawn and TC explore how The End of Evangelion transforms the series' ideas into something overwhelming, emotionally devastating, and uniquely cinematic. They also consider the relationship between Hideaki Anno and his creation, whether the film replaces or complements the television ending, and why sometimes understanding a movie isn't nearly as important as feeling it.Congratulations!HOSTSShawn EastridgeTC Padgett

For nearly his entire life, Guillermo del Toro dreamed of bringing Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the screen. In 2025, that dream finally became a reality. In this special episode of Missing Frames, Shawn Eastridge is joined once again by acclaimed comic book writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Infernal Hulk, Batman and Robin, Superman: The Warworld Saga) for an in-depth exploration of Guillermo del Toro's latest effort. Together, they discuss how del Toro’s Frankenstein reflects the themes that have defined his entire career and why Mary Shelley's 200-year-old novel continues to inspire artists across generations. Along the way, they dive into the responsibilities of adapting beloved stories, the relationship between creators and their creations, and what separates great storytellers from great craftsmen. Phillip also offers fascinating insights into his own creative process, discussing writer's block and artistic inspiration. He even teases ideas and themes from his highly anticipated Midnight Spider-Man series.

It's time to celebrate another milestone! For the 160th episode of Missing Frames, Shawn welcomes back longtime friend Brad Gullickson for another installment of their ongoing "anniversary series," a tradition that began nearly a decade ago with Episode 30: Dirty Harry. This time, Brad introduces Shawn to one of the most influential crime films of the 1960s: John Boorman's Point Blank, starring the incomparable Lee Marvin. On paper, Point Blank is a simple revenge story. A criminal is betrayed, left for dead, and sets out to collect the money he's owed and murder the ones who wronged him. But under Boorman's direction, what begins as a hard-boiled thriller evolves into something dreamlike, hypnotic, and unlike almost anything Hollywood was producing in 1967.Along the way, Shawn and Brad discuss the film's unforgettable supporting cast, which includes the likes of Angie Dickinson and John Vernon, and ponder how the film ultimately becomes a meditation on identity, obsession, and emotional emptiness.HOSTSShawn EastridgeBrad Gullickson

Following her announcement at Superman Celebration that she will reprise her role as Martha "Ma" Kent in James Gunn's Man of Tomorrow, Neva Howell joins Shawn Eastridge for her first interview discussing the highly anticipated sequel and the future of the DC Universe. Neva reflects on returning to the role of Ma Kent, reuniting with Pruitt Taylor Vince (Pa Kent), and stepping back into the warm, family-like environment fostered by writer-director James Gunn. While she can't reveal specific plot details, she does offer a tantalizing tease for fans eager to see where Superman's story goes next: "Whatever you were thinking, it's probably not that." Shawn and Neva also discuss the growing DCU, their excitement for Supergirl and Lanterns, the importance of balancing heart and humor in superhero storytelling, and why she believes fans who loved Superman (2025) are going to "flip over" Man of Tomorrow.

Go APES with The Franchyze Boiz!Shawn, Brad, and Aaron take a deep dive into one of the strangest, smartest, and most influential franchises in science fiction history: Planet of the Apes. In Part One of their epic discussion, they revisit all five films from the original series, from the groundbreaking 1968 classic starring Charlton Heston to the increasingly bizarre sequels that somehow become darker, stranger, and more politically charged with each installment.Along the way, they explore the franchise's unforgettable characters, groundbreaking makeup effects, civil rights allusions, nuclear anxieties, and the surprising emotional depth hiding beneath all that ape makeup.This franchise has it all: mutant cultists, ape revolutions, time travel, political allegory, and the literal end of the world. What's not to love?It's a madhouse! A MADHOUSE!!HOSTSShawn EastridgeBrad GullicksonAaron Prescott

In this episode of Missing Frames, Shawn and returning guest John Mills tackle one of the most gloriously baffling cult films of the 1980s: Masters of the Universe.Technically speaking? It’s not a good movie.Emotionally speaking? They kind of love it anyway.Together, Shawn and John dive deep into the strange, earnest, deeply endearing world of Cannon Films’ live-action adaptation of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and a gloriously committed Frank Langella as Skeletor. Along the way, they unpack the film’s bizarre production history, its unmistakable “Cannon Films energy,” and why the movie’s sincerity and lack of cynicism make it weirdly lovable. They also discuss that odd moment when a "bad" movie ends up being far more endearing and memorable than a competent one.By the Power of Grayskull, this one has the power. 🎧HOSTSShawn EastridgeJohn Mills

It’s been nearly a year since the release of Superman, so what better time to catch up with Ma Kent herself, Neva Howell?In this special Between Takes episode of Missing Frames, Neva returns to the show to reflect on the whirlwind year following Superman’s release, including the heartfelt reactions from fans who embraced her warm, grounded portrayal of Martha Kent. She shares stories about meeting Superman fans from across the country, discusses some of the comics and Superman stories she’s been exploring lately, and opens up about what it’s been like becoming part of one of pop culture’s most beloved mythologies.Shawn and Neva also revisit some of the film’s most emotional moments, including her and Pruitt Taylor Vince's (Pa Kent) reactions to the film's powerful final scene and why the Kent family dynamic resonated so deeply with audiences. They also discuss Neva’s recent appearances on 9-1-1: Nashville, her upcoming film projects, and her excitement about attending this year’s Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois. Naturally, Shawn and Neva also look ahead to the future of the DCU, including their excitement for projects like Supergirl and Lanterns. (As for Clayface… Neva may be sitting that one out.)And yes, Shawn does his best “Lois Lane investigative journalist” impression while trying to uncover whether Ma and Pa Kent might return for James Gunn’s upcoming Superman sequel, Superman: Man of Tomorrow.Neva’s official response?“Fingers crossed.”

In this Missing Frames episode, Shawn and Sarah conclude their journey to Oz with Wicked: For Good. They were huge fans of Part One, but this time around? They're not quite Defying Gravity. While the performances are still strong, what should have been a powerful payoff feels more like a drawn-out third act, one that struggles to justify the filmmakers' decision to split the story into two films. During their discussion, Shawn and Sarah break down:The challenges of adapting a stage musical into two standalone filmsWhy the emotional core of the story doesn’t quite landHow separating Elphaba and Glinda for most of the runtime undermines the film’s emotional coreIn the end, Wicked: For Good serves as a reminder that not every story benefits from being split into two.HOSTSShawn EastridgeSarah Eastridge

“You can’t handle the truth!” But can you handle finally watching A Few Good Men? In this episode of Missing Frames, Shawn introduces returning guest Richie Pepio to Rob Reiner's iconic courtroom drama A Few Good Men. Together, they unpack what makes the movie work, from Aaron Sorkin’s signature dialogue (and early “Sorkinisms”) to Reiner’s direction and the film’s stacked cast, including Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore.Along the way, Shawn and Richie reflect on Sorkin’s evolution as a writer, the film’s origins as a stage play, and why A Few Good Men remains such a defining showcase for powerhouse acting and a reminder that Rob Reiner was truly one of the all-time great filmmakers.HOSTSShawn EastridgeRichie Pepio