For our final episode of Patrick MAYze, we're covering perhaps his most eternal film. Ghost is comedic, inventive, suspenseful, and most of all, a moving story of love transcending death, a long lonely time. We're joined by guests Ami Lief and Ryan Merlo to sing Unchained Melody and the praises of Swayze, Demi Moore, and Academy Award winner Whoopi…

Marvel's Most Wanted are here to deliver some Justice like Lightning! Case and Jmike reflect on the latest MCU entry, Thunderbolts*, with friend of the show, Joe Mastropiero. Overview In the latest episode of the podcast, hosts Case Aiken and Jmike Folson, along with guest Joe Mastropiero, delve into Marvel's Thunderbolts movie, connecting its them…

Our month of Patrick Swayze movies continues with 1989's Road House. The Double Deuce is in double trouble and only one man with beautiful hair and Buddhist philosophy can clean it up. Guest comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) gives a full-throated endorsement to this ripping good time of a movie. If you have feedback, find us on the socials h…

It's the end of the world as we know it, and we feel fine. Donnie Darko's convoluted sci-fi narrative is beside the point, as it's the emotional core of Richard Kelly's film about how our lives interweave and that we are not truly as alone as we may suspect that makes this an enduring classic. Guest podcaster and possible imaginary rabbit Case Aike…

Case and Jmike are joined by Logan Crowley to discuss one of the few times where Superman is the underdog in the story, when he crossed over with the Silver Surfer! Overview In the latest episode of the podcast, hosts Case Aiken and Jmike Folson welcome guest Logan Crowley to discuss the recently published DC versus Marvel omnibus, centering on the…

For Cinco de Mayo it's "vaya con Dios" as we revisit surfing and bank robbing classic "Point Break". We start our Patrick MAYze month by hanging ten with Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) and Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) for a radical ride that never lets up. We're joined by superfan Tania Newton to give this tubular movie two guns fired in the air, way up. If …

It's time to be kind and rewind back to the days when home media rental was a pillar of daily life. Whether it was Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, or your local mom-and-pop shop, renting movies and games was a ritual of living in the 80s an 90s that is now lost to the dominance of streaming. We're joined by Chris Coplien of the Retro Hangover podcast…

Case and Jmike are joined by Ed Gross to talk about his books on Superman! Voices From Krypton Superman: The Definitive History Overview In this engaging podcast interview, hosts Case Aiken and Jmike welcome Ed Gross, a prolific author known for his in-depth oral histories, particularly focusing on Superman. The conversation begins with an explorat…

The midpoint of the 1990s found grunge transitioning to more pop-friendly versions of rock, hip hop finding its groove, and extraordinarily heartfelt hits dominating the charts. Guests Ami Lief, musician Kyle Lieberman, and comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) join us to roundtable our top ten songs of this unforgettable year of music. If you h…

In space, no one can hear you scream, or roll into a little ball. Super Metroid is yet another jewel in Nintendo's crown, and one whose labyrinthine corridors of sci-fi horror forever cemented a genre of gameplay that has cast a shadow for over three decades. Matt Storm aka Matt Stormageddon of the "Fun" and Games, and Reignite podcasts joins us to…

Case and Jmike are joined by Doug Lief (from the Nostalgium Arcanum podcast) to talk about a family that's pretty super, The Incredibles! Overview In Podcast episode 142 of Men of Steel, hosts Case Aiken and Jmike Folson, alongside guest Doug Lief, delve into a comprehensive analysis of Disney's The Incredibles through the lens of Superman fandom. …

It's the perfect cast... podcast! Today is the 30th anniversary of A Goofy Movie. While Goofy is, well, goofy, Disney's story of father/son bonding has for more depth than its dippy dog characters would suggest. We're seeing I 2 I on this film's excellence with a full Goof Troop with comedian Eileen Mayse (@i_lean) and podcaster Case Aiken (Another…

Case and Jmike are joined by Micah McCaw to assess the Symbolism Supreme in Alan Moore's Supreme Story of the Year. Overview In episode 141 of the Men of Steel podcast, hosts Case Aiken and Jmike Folson, alongside guest Micah McCaw, delve into Alan Moore's influential 12-issue run on Supreme, titled "Supreme: The Story of the Year." They highlight …

We're celebrating the 50th anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail as some podcasting nerds should, by quoting it to death. Guest comedians Rich Baker and Ned Record (of the Lost & Confounded podcast and www.nedrecord.com) join us to discuss the unyielding hilarity and exceptional longevity of a film that just won't take "Ni" for an answer. …

Screaming "Roxanne" into the night, The Police's compact but impactful career featured incredible melodies, driving rock, keening vocals, and sophisticated musicianship. The trio fused punk with reggae, and later burgeoning synth with ease, and made it seem like every little thing they did was magic. We're once again joined by musical experts Dylan…

For St. Patrick's day, we have a treat. A horror film that's pretty neat. We're revisiting Leprechaun In The Hood, and a Lep in the 'hood, come to do no good. Guest Jala Prendes (host of Jala-Chan' Place, Monster, Dear Monster, and Duckfeed.tv's The Level) and her husband, Dave (co-host of Monster, Dear Monster) have a direct-to-video sequel to pra…

Years ago, Case wrote a radio script that crossed over Superman with The Shadow. Now, he's gathered a host of actors to read it with full orchestration and foley! Overview In the Creative Collaboration and Script Reading meeting titled "The Shadow Meets Superman in The Searing Silhouette," hosted by Case Aiken and Jmike Folson, participants includi…

Here we are now. Entertain us! 1991 ushered in a musical sea change as hair metal, new wave, and other genres were swept aside by grunge, alternative, and more. Guest musician Kyle Lieberman and comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) bust out their flannel and join us to rank our top ten songs of this unforgettable year of music. If you have feed…

Get your ass to Mars! We're having total recall over Total Recall, one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's best films. Guest filmmaker Alex Sosin ("The Canyon") joins us to revisit Paul Verhoeven's take on Philip K. Dick that is relentlessly entertaining, funny, exciting, and over the top from the first frame to the last. Come do your best Arnold "nnyyaaarr…

A high-stakes heist with an all-star cast, 1992's Sneakers is one of the most entertaining capers ever put on screen. Returning guest filmmaker Tarik Davis (@tarikrdavis) joins us to decrypt a film with too many secrets. Our voices are your passport. You can find Tarik on NBC's The Amber Ruffin Show, and on his essential podcast, Brothers From Anot…

1985 through 1989 was the best period of filmmaking, period. Each of these years produced dozens of groundbreaking, blockbusting, genre defining, and unforgettable movies, making listing our top tens nearly impossible. Our review crew of Ami Lief, Ryan Merlo, and Tania Newton join us to close out our survey course of the best, of the best, of the b…

Case and Jmike are joined by Jesse Galdston to excavate the deepest secrets of the Wildstorm Universe in the landmark series, Planetary. Overview In this episode of the podcast, the hosts delve into "Planetary," a groundbreaking comic series from the late 90s to early 2000s, paying tribute to its co-creator John Cassaday, who recently passed away. …

The films from 1980 to 1984, buoyed by genre hits like Star Wars, took flight with bold imaginative storytelling and state-of-the-art special effects, establishing many franchises that continue to this day. We're joined by guests Tania Newton and Ryan Merlo to rank our top ten movies from this incredible period. If you have feedback, send it via th…

The theme songs from the James Bond franchise are an intrinsic part of this storied series. This episode we're joined by Josh Covel of the Still Loading and Still Bonding podcasts to rank our favorites and celebrate the music of the longest running franchise in film history. If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.f…

Few questions inspire as much debate as "Who is faster, the Flash or Superman?" Case and Jmike are joined by Austin Funk, from the Rolling with Difficulty podcast (https://rollingwithdifficultypod.transistor.fm/) , to take a closer look at the photo finish that is the various races between Superman and the Flash. Overview The Discussion/Analysis me…

In 1990 music was at a crossroads, quickly approaching the sea change that would occur in 1991. The songs of this era reflect that transition, ranging from hair metal, to hip hop, new wave, genres that would all undergo profound transformation the following year. We're joined by Ami Lief, Kyle Lieberman, and comedian Rich Baker to roundtable the be…

We're bringing you a supersized episode about a microscopic topic. Innerspace is a gigantic adventure, a zany comedy, and a sci-fi spectacle as Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid) is shrunk and accidentally injected into Jack Putter (Martin Short). Guests Dan Oster (MadTV, A Podcast, But Evil) and Alex Sosin (writer/director of "The Canyon") help as go d…

For those who love video games with an emotionally resonant story, Final Fantasy IX is a place to call home. We're joined by Rick Firestone of the Pixel Project Radio podcast to celebrate this compelling entry in the long-running series, its memorable characters, impactful story, and all-time great soundtrack. Kupo! If you have feedback, send it vi…

They may look like Buddy Holly and Mary Tyler Moore, but for three decades Weezer has infused infectious pop earworms and garage band musical mathematics to create indelible songs that are equal parts fist-pumping and feels-inducing. We're joined by friends and bandmates Kyle Lieberman and Damien Jordan to list our favorite songs from Rivers Cuomo …

For our final Christmas episode of the season we give Tim Burton's haunting answer to the question "Where does snow come from?" This soulful personal tale of loneliness and longing is arguably Burton's finest, and our guest filmmaker Alex Sosin ("The Canyon") is here to discuss why Edward Scissorhands still makes the cut. Check out the teaser for T…

There's nothing more important to developing creativity than play, so let's look at the toys that featured the Man of Steel. In particular, back in thew 80s, DC put out a line that distilled the raw power of their characters into figures that punched and kicked without the need for buttons or levers! That's right, Case and Jmike are joined by guest…

'Tis the season, so we're taking a look at the Christmas classics that make us fa la la la la la la la la. Guests Ami Lief and Tania Newton join us to roundtable our favorite holiday songs, from traditional carols, to broadway musicals, pop, rock, and all the tunes that fill our homes and speakers in December. If you have feedback, find us on the s…

Yippie-Kay-Yay and Ho... ho... ho... It isn't Christmas until Hans Gruber takes a dive off of Nakitomi Plaza. On this episode we're joined by comedian Rich Baker (@ricbakercoaching) and Tarik Davis (@tarikrdavis) to celebrate the greatest Christmas story since 0 A.D. Come on out to the coast with us and have a few laughs. You can find Tarik on NBC'…

Tim Allen has to improve his home in an altogether different toy story as he kills Santa Claus and, by unbreakable North Pole contract law, must assume the awesome mantle of worldwide joy distribution. Guests Randy Allain and Kris Ingersoll of the Media/Lit podcast assure their places on the Nice list as we talk Santa murder, body horror, and the m…

We open our first Christmas podcast of the season as guest Sarah Heath (the RevCovery podcast) invites us over to the Griswolds' house for some egg nog with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. We're the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse. If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grou…

John Hughes' classic Thanksgiving story about Neal Page (Steve Martin) and Del Griffith (John Candy) questing home against geography and Murphy's Law combines stellar comedic performances and a heartbreaking (and ultimately heartwarming) twist to deliver an all-time holiday classic. Guest Dan Oster (MadTV, A Podcast, But Evil) tags along with us to…

Can the Man of Steel weather a Crisis in Time? Grant Richter from the Truth, Justice, and Hope podcast joins Case and Jmike to look at Superman's tie ins with Zero Hour! Overview In episode 136 of the podcast, titled "Superman in Zero Hour," hosts engage in a comprehensive discussion with guest Grant Richter about the influential 1994 DC Comics eve…

The music that dominated our radios and walkmen (walkmans?) in 1989 has stood the test of time, and has held up to endless replay. On this podcast we revisit that year with guests Ami Lief, Kyle Lieberman, and Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com) to see which songs from this banner year still strike the right chord. If you have feedback, find us on th…

Hey Vern! We're joined by writer/comedian/filmmaker Tarik Davis (@tarikrdavis) to head off to Camp Kikakee with one Ernest P. Worrell. Despite its humble trappings this is, we maintain, a cinematic masterpiece. By the end of this podcast you'll know what we mean, knowwhatImean? You can find Tarik on NBC's The Amber Ruffin Show, and on his essential…

Christmas comes early this year as we revisit The World Is Not Enough, a James Bond film that leaves us shaken, not stirred. Guest Josh Covel of the Still Loading and Still Bonding podcasts goes on this mission with us to face down memorable villains with Elektra complexes. If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.fa…

There are few pairings that can rival the acclaim of Batman and Superman, but the teaming of Mark Waid with Dan Mora may be a solid challenger! Jim Fetters is back to chat with Case and Jmike about the first arc in DC's Batman / Superman: World's Finest. Overview: ● In episode 134 of the Podcast Discussion meeting, hosts Casey Aiken and Jmike Folso…

Happy Halloween to you villains and knaves! This be a family affair, says I. We be joined by devils, black sheep, and really bad eggs Ami, Celeste (age 8), and Benjamin (age 5) Lief to follow a map to the classic Disney attraction Pirates of the Caribbean and discuss why it's still a pirate's life for me for nearly sixty years since the ride first …

This is Halloween! This is Halloween! For our final mainline October episode guest Matt Storm aka Stormageddon of the "Fun" and Games, and Reignite podcasts tricks and treats with us to revisit this masterclass in stop-motion animation that lets us celebrate two holidays for the price of one. If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Faceb…

It's a bonus episode on top of a bonus episode! We're doing another Halloween reading, this time we're commemorating the Phantom of the Opera's favorite costume by revisiting Edgar Allen Poe's immortal classic, The Masque of the Red Death. The short story features Poe's gloomy mysterious prose, and strikes at our shared anxieties about pestilence a…

For 40 years Freddy Krueger has stopped us from getting 40 winks. Arguably the king of the 80s slasher villains, Freddy's first outing remains as fresh as a liquified Johnny Depp. This week guests (and huge fans) Ami Lief and Betsy Allen join us to grab their crucifixes, stay up late, and never sleep again. If you have feedback, find us on the soci…

We can't stay silent about the classic 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera. From Lon Chaney's iconically inhuman make-up to his all-too-human performance, the film still thrills and chills nearly 100 years later. We're joined once again by writer/director of The Canyon, Alex Sosin, to venture into the depths below the Paris opera house and rev…

It’s time to look at what just might be technically the current origin of Superman, Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Secret Origin miniseries! Alex McConnell joins Case and Jmike to look at this retro reboot of the Man of Tomorrow’s earliest adventures! Find Alex: ADMcConnell.com Overview In the latest episode of the podcast, the hosts delve into the i…

Somewhere over the rainbow skies aren't blue, and the nightmares you dare to dream really do come true. Return to Oz ramps up the horror elements in L. Frank Baum's second and third Oz books to child-traumatizing extremes in this 1985 hidden gem about hidden gems. Writer/director of horror short "The Canyon" Alex Sosin joins us as we lose our heads…

Send in the Klowns, from light years away. Killer Klowns From Outer Space remains a kampy konfection of 1980s klassic horror that still thrills and chills with big top bombast. We're joined by comedians Rich Baker and Merry Mary Hynes to praise this film's tightrope-walking silliness that's as tasty as cotton candy and only slightly less deadly. If…

What is this? A podcast or an operating table? Duke is back to join Case and Jmike into the legendary book, The Dark Knight Returns… from the perspective of Superman fans. Meeting summary: ● In the recent Podcast Recording meeting titled "The Dark Knight Returns," the hosts engaged in a comprehensive discussion about the iconic comic "The Dark Knig…