Episode 218 - BLADE

Just as poorly-received pulp serials and campy eye candy threatened to drain the superhero genre of its box office life force, new blood appeared in the form of a human-vampire hybrid with a serious vendetta against so-called "suckheads." Based on a character from Marvel's 1970s horror titles, Blade not only reimagined its titular antihero, but also set a stylish new standard for comic book action movies in the next decade and beyond.

We're thrilled to welcome new guest Ryan Davis, who helps us debate the origins of pureblood vampires, explain the methodology behind a good GameFAQs walkthrough, and ponder why some MFers are always trying to ice skate uphill.

Blade (1998)
Directed by Stephen Norrington
Written by David S. Goyer
Based on characters created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan
Starring Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, N’Bushe Wright, Donal Logue, Udo Kier, Sanaa Lathan, and Kris Kristofferson

Episode 217 - THE PHANTOM

The Summer of Serials comes to a rousing conclusion with The Phantom, in which a bemused beefcake is surrounded by campy and/or deadpan scene partners gobbling up the exotic scenery. This underrated swashbuckling adventure capped the '90s revival of pulp heroes, and also sowed the seeds of the truly global big-budget superhero productions that were yet to come.

Jake Beal helps us Slam Evil!™ as we unravel the mysteries of the Ghost Who Walks. Hang on to your skintight purple bodysuits, listeners, because this one is un-be-liev-ableeeeee!

The Phantom (1996)
Directed by Simon Wincer
Written by Jeffrey Boam
Based on characters created by Lee Falk
Starring Billy Zane, Treat Williams, Kristy Swanson, James Remar, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, and Patrick McGoohan

Episode 216 - THE SHADOW

The Summer of Serials continues with The Shadow, a flashy showcase for perhaps the granddaddy of urban crime-fighting vigilantes (including a certain nocturnal crusader in a cape). Combining Art Deco decadence with the angsty theatrics of the MTV generation, The Shadow revives the lurid spirit of prewar crime fiction with a delectable garnish of camp.

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? John Parton knows! And he's the perfect guide for this morally gray journey, as we fire off opinions faster than a terrified hoodlum empties a tommy gun at an invisible adversary.

The Shadow (1994)
Directed by Russell Mulcahy
Written by David Koepp
Based on the character created by Walter B. Gibson
Starring Alec Baldwin, John Lone, Penelope Ann Miller, Peter Boyle, Ian McKellan, Tim Curry, Sab Shimono, and Jonathan Winters

Episode 215 - DICK TRACY

The podcast gets pulp-y as we launch the Summer of Serials - a celebration of Hollywood's infatuation with the heroic icons of pre-WWII comic strips, radio dramas, and matinee serials. First up is Dick Tracy, as Warren Beatty dons the canary yellow overcoat and fedora to battle goons and gangsters blessed with easily distinguishable physical features.

We call up Alex Rodriguez on our trusty two-way wrist radio to celebrate the film's embrace of the comic aesthetic and marvel at Detective Tracy's staying power in pop culture for nearly a century.

Dick Tracy (1990)
Directed by Warren Beatty
Written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.
Based on the characters created by Chester Gould
Starring Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Glenne Headly, Charlie Korsmo, William Forsythe, Ed O’Ross, Dustin Hoffman, Mandy Patinkin, Dick Van Dyke, and Madonna

Episode 214 - JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS

Underneath its bubbly pop-punk tunes and girl power trappings, Josie and the Pussycats is a sly satire of conformity and commercialism that zips along with fun, campy energy. It also marks an inflection point in pop culture: a crowning burst of late '90s/Y2K frivolity with winking humor and a kickass soundtrack.

DuJour means friendship on this totally jerkin' episode, as we rock out retro-style with Kristal Bailey and celebrate an endearingly clever and creative adaptation.

Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
Written and Directed by Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan
Based on the comic and the TV series Josie and the Pussycats created by Dan DeCarlo
Starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson, Tara Reid, Alan Cumming, Parker Posey, Gabriel Mann, Missy Pyle, Paulo Costanzo, and Carson Daly

Episode 213 - WATERWORLD

Massive in scale, ego, and budget, Waterworld has been synonymous with grand cinematic boondoggles for nearly three decades. But dive beneath its surface, and you'll find a plethora of more interesting stories - and inspired examples of practical filmmaking - than the dominant narrative about the overreach of a supposed turkey.

So is the movie actually seaworthy, or are attempts at revisionism all wet? Daniel Borders-Ashe climbs aboard for an expansive discussion as we marin(er)ate in the one-of-a-kind worldbuilding and prescient climate warnings of Waterworld.

Waterworld (1995)
Directed by Kevin Reynolds
Written by Peter Rader and David Twohy
Starring Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tina Majorino, Michael Jeter, Gerard Murphy, R.D. McCall, Kim Coates, and Jack Black

Episode 212 - STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURES

Our March bracket tradition continues with Memory Alpha Madness, as we boldly go into the world of Star Trek movies. And it's our biggest bracket yet - a field of the first ten Trek films, which encompass many highlights (and a few lowlights) of the franchise's headiest, silliest, and most thrilling storytelling.

We've beamed up a bona fide Trekspert, Charles Benimoff, for a three-way mind-meld to determine which movie is ultimately the most...fascinating. Memory Alpha Madness, engage!   

Movies featured in Memory Alpha Madness:
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek: Generations (1994)
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)

Episode 211 - The 9th Annual Dubbie Awards!

The glitz! The glamour! The Dubbies! It's our annual celebration of excellence in entertainment and nostalgia, as we take a look back at what we were watching in 2022. Just remember, please be kind...and keep Will Smith's wife's name out your mouth!

This year's program of awards:

• Most Watchable Performances
• Worthiest Watches
• Best Comeback
• Most Unnecessary Throwback
• Future WWWW Candidate
• Most Nostalgic Moment
• Best New Oldie
• Best Performance by a Guest
• Best Performance by a Co-host
• Best WWWW Episode of 2022

Episode 210 - THE PRINCESS DIARIES

Tabloids schmabloids, we're obsessed with the most wholesome royal drama ever in The Princess Diaries, a heartwarming coming-of-age tale about hidden pasts and found identity. It's a movie that wears its earnest heart on its sleeve while giving younger millennials their own enlightened update of the classic ugly duckling tale.

Her majesty Jenny Rudloff joins us for lots of G-rated family fun (and surprise charcuterie) as we transform into our best selves for Anne Hathaway's coming-out party. 

The Princess Diaries (2001)
Directed by Garry Marshall
Written by Gina Wendkos
Based on the book by Meg Cabot
Starring Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Heather Matarazzo, Héctor Elizondo, Robert Schwartzman, Erik von Detten, Caroline Goodall, Sandra Oh, Larry Miller, and Mandy Moore

Episode 209 - THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY

The world has changed. It's been two decades since The Lord of the Rings trilogy redefined everything about epic cinema, and we're kicking off a new year of podcasting with an episode to match the scale and ambition of Peter Jackson's classic imagining of the seminal fantasy saga. 

Because though some of what was has been lost, there are still many who remember, including our own fellowship of Alyssa Renzi, Barm, and Sean Davis, who each join us to pontificate on their personal favorite entry of the trilogy. It's a LOTR lovefest that's nothing short of...precious.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Two Towers (2002)
The Return of the King (2003)
Directed by Peter Jackson
Written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Peter Jackson
Based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien
Starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Viggo Mortenson, Sean Astin, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Sean Bean, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Bernard Hill, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, Karl Urban, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, John Noble, Ian Holm, and Andy Serkis