Lunchbox Reaction

Time for another monthly podcast. On this episode, Evan talks about the Netflix series The Residence, Liam discusses the book Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, and Brian gives a quick overview of the book trilogy Remembrance of Earth's Past by Liu Cixin.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This month on the show Liam talks about the anime The Apothecary Diaries, Evan talks about the new Minecraft movie, and Brian talks about the first two books in the Rivers of London series.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Whew! Just made it in the nick of time for our March episode. This month, Liam finally watches the movie The Wild Robot, all three talk about the movie The Iron Giant, and Evan talks about the computer game One Shot.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What's this? A show released on a Friday? Inconceivable! On this episode, Brian talks about the 1987 movie The Princess Bride, Liam talks about the animated Netflix show Pantheon, and Evan talks about making music with his Arturia MiniFreak Synthesizer.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This month Evan talks about the game Lethal Company, Liam talks about watching the first season of Lost, and Brian reviews the newest film from Aardman Animations, Wallace & Gomit: Vengeance Most Fowl.Thanks as always for your support! We're on Bluesky too: @lunchboxreaction.bsky.socialAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This month we delve into the Netflix Christmas special Hot Frosty, the animated series The Dragon Prince, and the Lockwood & Co. book series.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pass the turkey and grab some pecan pie! It's almost Thanksgiving here at Lunchbox Reaction HQ, and this month we review some old pop-culture news to see how it fared, and offer our thoughts on some current pop-culture news (live action How to Train Your Dragon anyone?).Our main topics this month include the card game Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, the less-than-stellar Christmas movie Christmas on Mistletoe Farm, and a review of the new 10-episode Hulu series Interior Chinatown.Thanks for your continued support!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this month's show, Evan and Brian discuss the Dreamworks animated movie The Wild Robot.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome back to the monthly edition of Lunchbox Reaction. On this episode the three of us:Discuss some current pop-culture newsReview our pop-culture news from episode 90 to see how it has faredHave a side discussion about binge watching shows vs. taking your timeBrian reviews the anime Sword Art OnlineEvan reviews the Super Mario Bros. movieLiam reviews the first 130 odd episodes of the anime One PieceThanks for continuing to listen to our show, even though we've scaled back. Remember you can always write us at lunchboxreaction at gmail dot com. We'd love to hear from you!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to the first episode of Season 2. We've switched to a monthly schedule due to busy schedules, and send out a special thanks to everyone for sticking with us! This month, we go over some pop-culture news, revisit some old pop-culture news to see how it fared, and end the show with our usual fortune cookies.The main part of this month's show is split into 3 parts. Liam talks about the movie Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Evan talks about the video game Stardew Valley, and Brian reviews the book Watership Down.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We've reached episode 200! Hard to believe we've been producing this show for almost 4 years. We take a look back, talk about some favorite memories, and have a special announcement at the end of the episode.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Take a look! It's in a book! Actually, it's in a documentary about the PBS show Reading Rainbow, which aired from 1983 to 2006.This movie provides a wonderful overview of the show and highlights the impact it had on kids across the country. The documentary features interviews with the creators and producers of the Emmy-winning show, and features show host LeVar Burton sharing his heart-warming memories of the iconic series.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, a Lunchbox Reaction first! A group of Evan's friends join him on the show for a lively discussion about the game Minecraft.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Frogger The Board Game is a reimagining of the classic arcade game for 2 to 4 players ages 8 and up. In the game, you are a frog, trying to cross a road or a river filled with obstacles, and beat your opponents to the finish line. While the tactile part of the game was fun, we felt the game itself was mostly average, and that the instructions needed a bit of work for clarity.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Summer movie season is upon us, and what better way to mark the occasion than watching Pixar's latest animated feature Inside Out 2.Riley is 13 now, and a few new emotions have shown up to give Joy, Anger, Sadness, Disgust, and Fear a run for their money. Can they help Riley navigate the trials of friendships and high-school?We discuss our thoughts on the movie, plus our usual pop-culture reference and fortune cookies!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you drive about 30 minutes south of the Twin Cities, you'll pass the town of Jordan, which is home to Minnesota's Largest Candy Store! It's a veritable one stop shop for all things sugar, and this week, we talk about our recent visit.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jim Henson: Idea Man is a documentary film by Ron Howard, and explores the life and legacy of the creative genius behind the Muppets. Join us as we discuss the visionary mind that brought beloved characters like Kermit the Frog to life, and transformed the world of storytelling.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Step onto the diamond with us this week as we delve into the magical world of Field of Dreams. The movie, dubbed a sports fantasy drama, premiered in 1989, and starred Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, and Burt Lancaster. Join our conversation as we discuss friendly ghosts, a few unforgettable performances, some iconic scenes, and the idea of coming to terms with the past.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In a continuation of last weeks episode, we're staying on the topic of Pixar movies, and discussing the "Pixar Theory," which posits that every Pixar movie is somehow connected and exists in the same universe.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we dive into the world of Monsters, Inc., the 2001 animated film from Pixar.Professional scarer James P. "Sulley" Sullivan and his sidekick Mike Wazowski work at an industrial plant that collects the screams of children to use as power. Unfortunately for them, a young child, nicknamed Boo, slips into the monster world, and it is up the the two of them to get her home. Along the way, they discover that human children aren't as toxic as they thought, and that laughter is much more powerful than screams.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

NASA scientists said that the evening of Friday, May 10th would be a spectacular night to head outdoors and view the Northern Lights. We did just that, and discuss our adventure on the show this week.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we return to the animated kids series Bluey, and specifically talk about the extended episode called The Sign. There has been a lot of buzz on the internet about this episode, so we wanted to see what all the fuss was about.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Teen Lit Con is a celebration of YA books and graphic novels held each year in Minnesota. This year, the convention's headline authors were Nick Brooks (Promise Boys), Jarrett Krosoczka (Sunshine), Marie Lu (Stars and Smoke) and Krystal Marquis (The Davenports). Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Your Name is a 2016 anime movie by writer/director Makoto Shinkai. The story follows the lives of Mitsuha, a high-school student from rural Japan, and Taki, a student from Tokyo. Their lives become entangled when they mysteriously keep switching places with one another, but have trouble remembering what actually happens during the switches because when they wake up, it all feels like a dream.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mantis is a card game for 2-6 people ages 7 and up. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Holes is a 2003 film that tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, a teen accused of stealing a pair of shoes and sent to a juvenile detention camp in the middle of the desert. As the movie progresses, many disparate storylines from past and present collide and resolve in this fun movie.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we discuss the third and final season of the Netflix animated series Hilda. Unlike the previous seasons which were mostly episodic, the final 8 episodes tell more of a continuing story that revolve around the mysterious past of Hilda's family.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Netflix live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender is divided into 8 episodes. Two weeks ago we discussed episodes 1 through 4, and now we're ready to talk about episodes 5 through 8.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we try out a family puzzle game called Uzzle. It is a pattern matching game for 1-4 players ages 4 and up.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Netflix live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender premiered on February 22, 2024, and is based on the popular Nickelodeon animated series of the same name.The story follows Aang, the last surviving Air Nomad and the Avatar, a being with the power to bend all four elements. Awakened from a hundred-year slumber, Aang must master all the elements to bring balance to a world ravaged by war. Alongside him are the resourceful Waterbender Katara and her brother Sokka.This week we talk about the first half of season 1, plus our usual pop-culture news and fortune cookies.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Lego Movie is an animated comedy film produced by Warner Bros., and was a critical success when it premiered in 2014. It tells the story of average people-pleasing construction worker Emmet, who stumbles on the fabled Piece of Resistance, an item that has been foretold to save the world from evil Lord Business and his mysterious item, the Kragle. Brimming with both humor and heart, The Lego Movie is a great film for the entire family.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

18-year old Jess wants to play soccer, but her Indian family would rather she stay home and focus more on her culture. She meets Jules, a member of a local women's soccer team, and joins the team behind her parent's backs. This is the basic plot of the 2002 dramedy Bend It Like Beckham, which was a surprise hit, and launched the career of Keira Knightley.This week we give our thoughts about this movie, plus our usual pop-culture news and fortune cookies!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we cover the ads that aired during the second half of the Superbowl. We also add our usual pop-culture references, fortunes, and announce that we've signed up for Bluesky!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we try something totally new. We ditch our usual format, and instead do a running commentary on the ads that aired during the Super Bowl.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we check in with Linnea and Evan about current events in middle- and high-school, and talk about things like dances, class projects, and the like.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dixit is a fun game that comes with 84 beautifully illustrated cards depicting dreamlike scenes. Each round, one person, called the story-teller, chooses one card from their hand, describes a word or phrase about that card, and places it on the table face down. The remaining players also get to choose a card from their hand that they think would match the word or phrase, and also place the card face down on the table. The cards are shuffled, revealed, and each is assigned a number. Players then secretly vote on which card they think the storyteller played. Points are awarded to those whose cards get votes, but watch out! If too many people vote for your card, you will get no points, which is why the storyteller wants to give only vague or subtle hints about their card rather than outright revealing it.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is a 2023 stop-motion animated film by Aardman Animations, and serves as a sequel to the hit movie Chicken Run from 2000 (Not 2002, like Brian guessed on the show!) The film features the voices for Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, and Bella Ramsey, and follows the story of our main chickens, Ginger and Rocky, as they try to save their daughter Molly from a high security poultry processing plant/prison.The movie is currently available on Netflix.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The four episode Netflix series Pokémon Concierge is a gentle and relaxing stop-motion animated show for families with young kids. It's cute, a bit silly, and makes us all want to visit a tropical island.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Linnea and Brian discuss the 2-player board game called Patchwork.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy New Year! This week, we talk about new year's resolutions.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We publish our show every Monday morning, and this year (2023) that happens to fall on Christmas Day. Our show this week features a few of our personal favorite memories, foods, and songs about the holiday.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Boy and the Heron is a 2023 animated feature from the legendary writer and director Hayao Miyazaki, and produced by Studio Ghibli. The movies tells the story of 12-year-old Mahito who, after moving to the country to escape Tokyo during the war, enters a mysterious tower at the behest of a strange talking heron.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Author Frederick Forsyth's novella The Shepherd was published in 1975, and has been read nearly every Christmas Eve by radio host Alan Maitland on the CBC radio show As It Happens since 1979.The Shepherd tells the story of an R.A.F. fighter pilot who encounters trouble while flying over the North Sea on Christmas Eve in the 1950s. As promised on the show, you can listen to the story on the CBC website.The story was recently adapted for live action, and can be found on the Disney+ streaming service.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The music streaming service Spotify is out with their yearly summary of each user's musical tastes and highlights. The feature, called Wrapped, is very popular, and is the talk of the lunch table on the show this week.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we review a brand new word building game called Alphabet Stoop by game designer Charlie McCarron and Pops & Bejou Games. The game is for 2-5 players ages 6+.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Marvels is a superhero film that combines the forces of Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, and Ms. Marvel. When the powers of the three heroes become entangled, they need to learn to work as a team to defeat the villainous Dar-Benn and her Kree army.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Bananagrams is a word game that feels like a cross between Boggle and Scrabble. In the game, each player takes a number of letter tiles from a central group of 144, then arranges those tiles to form any number of connected words in a crossword-like shape. Once a player uses all their starting letters, they call "peel" and each player takes an additional letter to add to their growing maze of words. This process continues until all the tiles in the center are used. Race against your opponents to use all your letters first and win the game!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is a 16 episode animated series that premiered on the Disney Channel in February 2023, and was subsequently released on Disney+.The show follows the day-to-day adventures of 13 year old Lunella Lafayette, a whip-smart girl living in New York, who discovers a mysterious portal generator under her apartment. When she activates it, a giant red tyrannosaurus steps through, and becomes her trusty pal. With the help of Lunella's friend Casey, the two become the super-hero team Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Taskmaster is a British comedy television show where a group of 5 comedians compete in a series of odd and silly tasks. Points are awarded by the host, and the winner of each episode gets to bring home some valuable and not-so-valuable prizes.The show premiered in 2015, and has had 16 series since that time. For our episode this week, we watched the first series of 6 episodes, and found ourselves quite delighted by the contestants.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Wrong Trousers is a 1993 stop-motion animated short by Aardman Animations. The 29 minute film features the characters of Wallace and Gromit, who first appeared in the 1989 short A Grand Day Out.This film finds the duo short on money, and with bills to pay, Wallace decides to rent a room to a chicken. Unbeknownst to him, the chicken is none other than a criminal penguin in disguise, who plans on using a pair of techno-trousers to steal a large diamond from a museum.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

One Piece is an 8 episode fantasy pirate adventure series that premiered on Netflix in August of 2023. The series was adapted from the manga and anime of the same name by author Eiichiro Oda. The show tells the story of a young boy named Monkey D. Luffy who dreams of becoming the king of the pirates, and assembles a crew to sail the seas in a quest to recover the famous treasure known as the One Piece.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy