532 - VAL-halla: Top Gun / Willow (feat. Eric Sipple)

Our second trip to VAL-halla finds Paul, Arlo, and Eric contemplating two very different experiences of Val Kilmer’s ‘80s career: Tony Scott’s 1986 pro-war classic Top Gun and the 1988 Tolkien rip Willow, helmed by–of all people–Ron Howard. The twist is that the mega-popular Top Gun is a terrible, empty film that survives on aesthetics alone and the notorious flop Willow is a fun little high fantasy romp. The gang discusses the insidious nature of Top Gun, Val’s fleeting scenes as Iceman, the superior role of Madmartigan in Willow, and the ominous James Horner horn riff. Plus, The Sandman season 2 arrives on Netflix and Arlo went to see The Fantastic Four: First Steps.   NEXT: everybody goes to see Fantastic Four! BREAKDOWN 00:00:26  -  Intro / Banter 00:17:50  -  Top Gun 00:48:42  -  Willow 01:35:25  -  Outro / Next MUSIC “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins, Top Gun (1986) “Willow’s Last Journey (Madmartigan’s Farewell)” by KIMSUNGHOON, Val Kilmer Forever: A Tribute to a Hollywood Legend (2025)  

For the first time in a long time, Gobbledygeek dips its beak back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They’ve done so for a very special film: Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts*, a return to the MCU’s past glories with a tale of outcasts looking for something to believe in. Yelena Belova, the Winter Soldier, U.S. Agent, Red Guardian, Ghost, and Taskmaster come together to form a new kind of Avengers team; one formed under the auspices of none other than Elaine Benes. Paul, Arlo, and Eric–our own band of lovable misfits–discuss Florence Pugh’s killer performance, the lovable David Harbour, what Thunderbolts* does differently than most recent MCU films, and much, much more.   NEXT: we enter VAL-halla for a second Val Kilmer double feature. This time, it’s 1986’s Tony Scott pro-war classic Top Gun and 1988’s Ron Howard (???) Lord of the Rings rip-off, Willow.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:27  -  Intro / Banter 00:19:43  -  Thunderbolts* 01:59:50  -  Outro / Next   LINKS ‘Thunderbolts*’: Marvel’s Allegory of Recovery From Trauma by Jessica Schrader, Psychology Today The Dark We Dare Not Speak: Thunderbolts* and the Underworld Within by Jason Batt, Joseph Campbell Foundation Thunderbolts and The Lost Souls: On Trauma, Meaning, and The Seduction of Modern Nihilism by Azhar Salleh, Traversing Tradition   MUSIC “Pony” by Ginuwine, Ginuwine…the Bachelor (1996) “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship, No Protection (1987)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

The rich tradition of Southern-fried vampires continues with Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a masterful mash-up of Delta blues, Irish folk, and the horrors of cultural appropriation. Paul, Arlo, and Eric rave about Michael B. Jordan’s dual performance as twin gangsters Smoke and Stack, Ludwig Göransson’s eclectic score, the frankness with which it explores America’s long history of racism, and Coogler’s audacious style. Plus, Paul finally saw the How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake.   NEXT: punches get personal with Thunderbolts*. BREAKDOWN 00:00:37  -  Intro / Banter 00:21:18  -  Sinners 02:12:22  -  Outro / Next LINKS ‘Sinners’ Is More Than Enough To Chew On by Adam Nayman, The Ringer ‘Sinners’ Opens Portals Between Blues, Rap, Heaven and Hell by Sheldon Pearce, NPR By Refusing To Do a ‘Sinners’ Sequel, Ryan Coogler Is Protecting Everything We Love About His Horror Masterpiece by Jessica Toomer, Collider MUSIC “I Lied to You” by Miles Caton, Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2025) “Will Ye Go, Lassie Go?” by Lola Kirke, Peter Dreams, Brian Dunphy, Daren Holden & Jack O’Connell, Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2025)  

Would you like us to tell you the little story of Arlo and Paul? A-R-L-O! It was with this pretentious film buff that a That Was Then episode on Charles Laughton’s sole directorial feature, 1955’s The Night of the Hunter, was chosen. P-A-U-L! Do you think he’s apt to enjoy a cinephile fave? Now listen, and we’ll tell you the story of Gobbledygeek. Those co-hosts, dear hearts, is always a-disagreein’ and a-bickerin’, one agin t’other. Now hear ‘em! Ol’ Paul, he’s a-doubtin’ the perverse noir his buddy won’t shut up about it, and it looks like Arlo’s rec is a goner. But wait a minute! With Robert Mitchum’s towering and ridiculous performance as a murderous preacher, Arlo’s a-winnin’! Yessirree, it’s Arlo’s love of Looney Tunes gothic horror that’s won, and ol’ Paul has found something to admire in one more cinematic classic!   NEXT: it’s gonna be a hot time at the Smokestack twins’ juke in Ryan Coogler’s vampire musical Sinners. BREAKDOWN 00:00:35  -  Intro / The Year That Was… 00:31:23  -  The Night of the Hunter 01:34:48  -  Outro / Next MUSIC “Leaning On the Everlasting Arms” by George Beverly Shea, Our Recollections (1996) “Leaning On the Everlasting Arms (Guitar)” by Pierre Fablet, The Night of the Hunter Project (2008)  

We’re going back…to That Was Then! Paul, Arlo, and Eric return to their series of vintage movie discussions to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Robert Zemeckis’ 1985 sci-fi comedy blockbuster Back to the Future. It’s a classic beloved by many folks of different generations, but we’re here to answer that most pressing question: Why? The gang unravels every last nonsensical thread of BTTF, finding plenty to love despite how fuzzy everything is beneath the film’s surface. There’s admiration for Zemeckis’ ability to power through even the dumbest plot convolutions, praise for the dynamite chemistry between Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, confusion about Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale’s attitudes toward race and sex, and so very much more.   NEXT: Gobbledygeek will return.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:38  -  Intro  00:03:08  -  That Was Then: 1985 00:28:10  -  Back to the Future 01:55:46  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis & The News, Back to the Future: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack (1985) “Back In Time” by Huey Lewis & The News, Back to the Future: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack (1985)  

For this month’s (not that we’re on any kind of schedule anymore, hehe) Four-Color Flashback, Paul, Arlo, and Eric are scurrying over to the first three volumes of David Petersen’s Mouse Guard. Published from 2006-13 by BOOM! Studios, Petersen’s medieval epic takes place in a world devoid of humans, where a civilization of mice attempt to survive harsh weather, even harsher predators, and each other. The gang discusses the many, gloriously illustrated sequences of absolutely brutal animal-on-animal violence; Petersen’s awe-inspiring attention to detail, including a number of songs and poems that enrich the culture of his world; and Paul’s newfound obsession with the series and its many ancillary offshoots.   NEXT: we’re going back…to That Was Then! We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of Robert Zemeckis’ classic blockbuster Back to the Future.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:48  -  Intro / Banter 00:28:13  -  Mouse Guard 01:41:54  -  Outro / Next   LINKS David Petersen’s Mouse Guard “Creator Commentary” videos   MUSIC “One Brown Mouse” by Jethro Tull, Heavy Horses (1978) “…And the Mouse Police Never Sleeps” by Jethro Tull, Heavy Horses (1978)

We lost one of our legendary screen stars earlier this year, so now we’re passing through the gates of VAL-halla to celebrate some of his most notable films. That’s right, this is the first in an occasional series of double features focused on the work of none other than the elusive, enigmatic Val Kilmer. To kick things off, Paul, Arlo, and Eric are going back to the very beginning. Kilmer got his big screen start in a Zucker-Abraham-Zucker laff riot, 1984’s Top Secret!; with the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that Val wasn’t a good fit for the ZAZ machine, and the gang tells us why. Faring much better is Martha Coolidge’s 1985 cult college classic Real Genius, which avoids the pitfalls of the era’s other slobs v. snobs comedies with real heart and–of course–a terrific lead performance from Kilmer. Where are he (and we) going next? Stay tuned! Plus, Eric sings the praises of synthpop artist Lights’ new album A6.   NEXT: Four-Color Flashback gets mice-eval on your heinie with David Petersen’s rodent epic Mouse Guard.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:27  -  Intro / Banter 00:21:06  -  Top Secret! 00:55:36  -  Real Genius 01:55:42  -  Outro / Next   LINKS Eric’s review of A6 by Lights Top Secret!’s ridiculous bookstore scene backwards AND forwards The Behind-the-Scenes Story of Real Genius by Ashley Burns and Chloe Schildhause, Uproxx The Real Real Genius by Phyllis Rostykus, Slate Astrophysicist Michael Siegel discusses The Real Genius of Real Genius   MUSIC “Val Kilmer” by Bowling For Soup, The Great Burrito Extortion Case (2006) “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears, Songs from the Big Chair (1984)  

Dear telefriends! Get ready to transcend this earthly plane, as Paul, Arlo, and Eric encounter a universe of concrete birds, homeo-whores, and techno-techno equipment for the latest Four-Color Flashback. The gang gets high (some of them too high) on Alejandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius’ sci-fantasy The Incal, a far-out trip to a new state of being. What starts as a noir riff quickly becomes a galaxy-spanning, head-spinning epic. Topics of discussion include the Lee/Kirby-esque dynamic between Jodo and Mœbius, each page’s intricate color design, what an asshole Detective John Difool is, whether or not any of this makes any sense (or if it needs to!), and much more.   NEXT: prepare to enter Val-halla. We begin our series of Val Kilmer double features with two of his first films, 1984’s Top Secret! and 1985’s Real Genius.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:45  -  Intro / Banter 00:30:12  -  The Incal 01:20:51  -  [Paul got too high] 01:41:08  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC “Because I Got High” by Afroman, Because I Got High (2000) “Too High” by Stevie Wonder, The Sounds of Stevie Wonder (1973)

Something passed between them: the faintest hint of a common destiny. Does this describe Paul and Arlo’s first meeting, or the first time Farmer Hoggett sets eyes on the piglet known as Babe? What’s the difference? For a new That Was Then, the boys are joined by perennial guest Eric Sipple to discuss Chris Noonan’s 1995 film Babe. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the unlikely Best Picture nominee set a new standard for animal VFX and influenced a generation of vegetarians and vegans. The gang discusses the film’s surprising macabre side, its view of destiny, how it compares to Orwell’s Animal Farm, the contentious relationship between Noonan and co-writer/producer/shadow director (?) George Miller, and much more.   NEXT: drop some acid, find your spiritual center, and join us for a Four-Color Flashback exploring the first three volumes of Alejandro Jodorowsky & Mœbius’ The Incal.     BREAKDOWN 00:01:22  -  Intro / Banter 00:03:38  -  That Was Then: 1995 00:24:20  -  Babe 01:47:28  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC “Pigs on the Wing” by Pink Floyd, Animals (1977) “Piggies” by the Beatles, The Beatles (1968)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, it’s time for another nautical That Was Then. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year is none other than Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, a landmark moment in American film that permanently changed the shape of the industry, for better or for worse. It can be tough to view such a classic as a piece of craft unto its own, but Paul, Arlo, and super-duper special guest Eric Sipple do their best. The gang recounts the film’s storied production, examines a young Spielberg’s filmmaking technique, discusses Jaws’ place in the Spielberg canon (particularly in light of The Fabelmans), and much more.   NEXT: That Was Then…this is sow. Paul, Arlo, and Eric head on down to the farm for a look at Chris Noonan’s 1995 Best Picture nominee Babe.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:43  -  Intro / Banter 00:19:02  -  That Was Then: 1975 00:32:00  -  Jaws 01:55:00  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC “Jaws (Main Title)” by John Williams, Jaws (1975) “Nightswimming” by R.E.M., Automatic For The People (1992)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/