Bonus Episode 2: How Much Is Too Much?

"We’ve been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had — a mythology to call their own." Disney's announcement of new Star Wars films, theme parks, TV shows, and other goodies have us wondering — how much is too much? Do we need a new Spider-Man, a Fantastic Four reboot, more Star Trek, and another Avengers film? Where do artistic endeavors end and commercial franchises begin? Why do these stories keep repeating, despite our fatigue, and how do we keep them relevant? Special guest, geeky photographer and host of the On Taking Pictures podcast Bill Wadman.

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Show Notes

• 0:00 - 59:39: How much is too much?

Links

• Star Wars: Rogue One - The Mission Has Begun
• Colin Trevorrow to Direct Star Wars: Episode IX
• Official Poster For Star Wars: The Force Awakens
• The President Of Lucasfilm Eases Our Worries About Han Solo Movie
• Star Wars Themed Lands Coming to Disney Parks
• The Problem with Supersizing Star Wars
• To Boldly Go - The Future of Star Trek
• Ant-Man, Age of Ultron, and The Problem With Marvel
• Enough, already, with the superhero movies
• Hollywood Should Make More, Not Fewer, Superhero Films
• Jurassic World Is A Huge Mega-Hit, And That’s Terrible News For Movies
• The Good, Bad and Meh: Lessons From Mad Max, Terminator, and Jurassic
• Psychology of Comic Con (THE PSYCH SHOW with Dr. Ali Mattu)

Episode 70: Ant-Man, Ant-Man VS. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Top 5 Animal Companions

"This is not some cute tech like the Iron Man suit!" We review the newest edition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe — Ant-Man! After over a decade of development, multiple rewrites, and the departure of Edgar Wright, does Peyton Reed's Ant-Man work? We discuss how awesome Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, and Evangeline Lilly are in their roles, criticize the film's representation of diversity, and debate how much creativity is left at Marvel Studios. In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, what makes better use of the macroscopic perspective — Ant-Man or Honey, I Shrunk the Kids? We share our top 5 animal companions and sidekicks. 

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Show Notes

• 0:00 - 21:06: Ant-Man (non-spoilers)
• 21:07 - 38:45: Ant-Man (spoilers)
• 38:46 - 48:08: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Ant-Man VS. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
• 48:09 - 1:04:28: Top 5 Animal Companions and Sidekicks

Links

• Watch A Viral Video Setting Up Ant-Man and Linking To Civil War
• Ant-Man builds a smaller, lighter Marvel movie
• ‘Ant-Man,’ With Paul Rudd, Adds to a Superhero Infestation
• Ant-Man: A Small Defeat for Marvel
• Ant-Man Is A Perfectly Competent Superhero Movie
• You Won't Believe Where the Ant-Man End Credits Scene Comes From
• How Ant-Man Will Affect Marvel's Movies For Years To Come
• Why There's Still a LOT Of Edgar Wright In Marvel's Ant-Man
• How ‘Ant-Man’ Highlights the Sad State of Marvel’s Female Characters
• An Ode To ANT-MAN’s Most Triumphant Scene
• ‘Ant-Man’ Shows Power and Limits of Marvel Brand
• Boy 'Bewildered' After Lost 'Hobbes' Toy Goes On Epic Adventure

Top 5 Animal Companions and Sidekicks

Conrad: 

1. Direwolves (Game of Thrones)
2. Battle Cat (He-Man)
3. Falcor (The Neverending Story)
4. Hobbes (Calvin and Hobbes)
5. K-9 (Doctor Who)

Ali:

1. Remy (Ratatouille)
2. Yoshi (Mario Bros.)
3. Lockjaw (Ms. Marvel)
4. Falcor (The Neverending Story)
5. Darwin (seaQuest DSV)

Episode 65: Avengers: Age of Ultron, MCU Phase 1 VS. Phase 2, Top 3 Joss Whedon Moments

“There is only one path to peace — your extinction.” We kickoff the summer blockbuster season by reviewing Avengers: Age of Ultron! Does Marvel Studios overcome its villain problem? What's the film saying about teamwork and artificial intelligence? Why is everyone so upset about Black Widow? How does Age of Ultron impact future Marvel films? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER — phase one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe versus phase two. We assemble our top 3 Joss Whedon moments. Special guest Lowen Baumgarten.

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Show Notes

• 0:00 - 16:13: Avengers: Age of Ultron (non-spoilers)
• 16:14 - 52:49: Avengers: Age of Ultron (spoilers)
• 52:50 - 1:01:56: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: MCU Phase 1 VS. MCU Phase 2
• 1:01:56 - 1:21:03: Top 3 Whedon Moments

Links

• Joss Whedon grapples with the franchise obligations of Avengers: Age Of Ultron
• Avengers: Age of Ultron - Marvel Universe Easter Eggs and Comic References Guide
• Corporate drone Joss Whedon fought the pure artistic impulses of Marvel executives
• Black Widow: This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
• ‘SNL’ Gaves Us Scarlett Johansson In The Natasha Romanoff Rom-Com No One Asked For
• The New “Avengers” Is Really About the N.S.A.
• Unofficial Marvel Cinematic Universe Chronology
• The enduring legacy of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer writers' room
• Han Solo and the Psychology of Happiness (THE PSYCH SHOW)

Top 3 Whedon Moments

Lowen: 

1. "Trash" (Firefly)
2. Cabin in the Woods
3. Epitaph One (Dollhouse)

Conrad: 

1. Firefly
2. Cabin in the Woods
3. "The Body" (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Ali:

1. Serenity
2. Dr. Horrible's sing along blog
3. Buffy's writers room

Episode 51: Marvel’s Agent Carter, Agent Carter VS. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Top 5 Agents

“During the war I had a sense of purpose - now I connect the calls but never get to make them.” Join us as we review the series premiere of Marvel’s Agent Carter! How did this miniseries emerge out of Captain America: The First Avenger? Where does it fit within the Marvel Cinematic Universe? In what ways does Agent Carter connect with real history? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, Agent Carter takes on the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D! We share our top 5 agents. Listener feedback for Into the Woods and our 50th episode spectacular.

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Show Notes

• 0:00 - 35:34: Agent Carter
• 35:35 - 51:26: Agent Carter VS. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
• 51:27 - 1:18:17: Top 5 Agents
• 1:18:18 - 1:30:23: Listener Feedback 

Links

• Agent Carter TV - History in COMICS
• Who Is Agent Carter? A Brief History of the Marvel Heroine
• Agent Carter is the hero I've been waiting for
• Here’s How ‘Agent Carter’ Links To ‘Iron Man 2′
• Agent Carter's Toughest Mission is Sexism
• Agent Carter, Super-Riveter
• 5 reasons why ‘Agent Carter’ is better than ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’

Top 5 Agents

Conrad: 

1. Margaretha Geertruida "Margreet" Zelle MacLeod
2. Violette Szabo
3. Josephine Baker
4. Julia Child
5. Diana Prince (Wonder Woman)

Ali:

1. Sydney Bristow (Alias) 
2. MacGyver
3. Garak (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)
4. Agent 99 (Get Smart)
5. Agent Smith (The Matrix)

Episode 29: Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians VS. Firefly, Top 5 Awesome Mix Songs

"I am Groot!" We go on a cosmic voyage with the Guardians of the Galaxy! How did this obscure Marvel comic become one of the most anticipated films of the summer? Does it live up to its hype? How does the film's massive nostalgia explosions and its Awesome Mix Vol. 1 impact audiences? Is this the first Marvel Studios film to have a captivating 3rd act? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, who's a better team - the Guardians of the Galaxy or the crew of Firefly? We share our own top 5 songs to save the galaxy.

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Show Notes

• 0:00 – 33:56: Guardians of the Galaxy.
• 33:57 – 49:57: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Guardians VS. Firefly.
• 49:58 – 01:00:13: Top 5 Awesome Mix Songs.

Links

• San Diego Comic Con 2012 Guardians of the Galaxy Announcement
• 12 Guardians Of the Galaxy Facts The Movie Won't Tell You
• How A 1980s Walkman Changed Guardians of the Galaxy Completely
• What Happens When Indie Directors Take on Big Franchises in Hollywood?
• How a Walkman Makes Guardians of the Galaxy an Awesome Psychological Experience
• 7 Ways Guardians of the Galaxy Reminds Us of the Star Wars Movies
• How Real-Life Science Influenced Guardians of the Galaxy
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol.1
• Music is a Social, Mood Altering, Time Machine
• Director James Gunn on How He Chose the Music in Guardians of the Galaxy
• Watch Vin Diesel Proclaim "I Am Groot" In A Variety Of Languages
• ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Astounds With $160.4 Mil Global Debut
• James Gunn Will Write and Direct a Guardians Sequel for 2017
• Why ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Is This Generation’s ‘The Last Starfighter’
• Here Is What Groot And Rocket Look Like On The Guardians Set Before CG
• Private 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Viewing For Bill Mantlo

Top 5 Awesome Mix Songs

Conrad: 

1. Wave of Mutilation - Pixies 
2. Hold On - Tom Waits
3. A New England - Billy Bragg
4. No Action - Elvis Costello & the Attractions
5. The Passenger - Iggy Pop and Stooges

Ali:

1. Heroes - David Bowie
2. Good Times - Sam Cook
3. Stand By Me - John Lennon
4. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
5. Tonight, Tonight - The Smashing Pumpkins

Honorable Mentions:

Conrad: 

• Queen Bitch - David Bowie
• Career Opportunities - The Clash
• Save Me - Aretha Franklin
• Roadrunner #1 - The Modern Lovers
• Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space - Spiritualized

Ali: 

• With A Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker
• Standing Outside the Fire - Garth Brooks
• Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours - Stevie Wonder
• I Won't Back Down - Johnny Cash
• Take a Picture - Filter