SuperTangent Podcast

The then Fast and Furious movie has been released, following the franchise formats established in 2011's Fast Five and 2013's Fast & Furious 6. With the crew finally reunited with Han and having thwarted Jacob Toretto's previous threats, the crew gets unexpected news from an old enemy that the ghosts of Brazil are coming to haunt them. Jason Momoa's Dante is the son of Fast Five antagonist Reyes, seeking complete revenge for the death of his father. Despite the more stale elements of this action film, Dante exceeding steals every scene that he is in, making his the most memorable character in this franchise, and the best villain in the franchise. 

Phase 5 of the MCU is getting better with its second entry, the long-awaited Guardians of the Galaxy 3, which keeps the humor of the first two films intact while expanding the heart and aggressively drawing out the tears. Star-Lord and Drax maintain the same beats, while Nebula shines as the film's MVP and possibly the MCU's finest example of character development since its inception in 2008, but Gamora goes on a completely different and exciting path as a Ravager, showcasing a family full of old and new tricks that ultimate go on a mission to protect Rocket, who's past we finally get a detailed deep-dive into, from the latest villain, the High Evolutionary.   

Let's talk about Star Wars, their recent 2023 celebration, and what they've got going on for the near future. As the most prolific science fiction franchise in the world, Star Wars has both blessed and disappointed fans in recent years, and sure, you can't please everybody, but Disney certainly tries. Let's take a look at the good stuff.

On April 7th--today--my favorite anime, and one of the greatest dramas in Japanese history, Mobile Suit Gundam (1979). Although most Americans wouldn't get to enjoy and appreciate Gundam until around the time the franchise was celebratring its 20th anniversary as one of the most widely revered, influential, and iconic giant robot animes, largely in part Cartoon Network's March 2000 debut of the mega-hit Gundam Wing (which ironically always premiered in Japan on April 7th, 1995), Gundam is now 44 years old. Let's talk about my favorite anime ever that in part inspired the likes of Macross, Evangelion, Code Geass, Darling in the Franxxx, and more, and still continues to move.  

Video game consoles have been an insanely huge part of my life and childhood, and the evolution of home consoles from generation to generation have presented a plethora of ideas and mechanisms we now consider staples, easily taken for granted. With the emergence of always-on DRM gaming and disc-less home consoles, the future of home consoles will soon be at the mercy of other companies in the same niche, but rather its one true rival: the gaming computer. 

I have found so few film series that have succeeded that way that the John Wick series has succeeded. I would absolutely love to see James Gunn's new DC comics Universe on film succeed in the same way(s)....hear me out!

The MCU's Phase Four has been considered to be stand-alone, interim, weaker material for fans to have to suffer through before Marvel finally fully recovers from the Covid-theater crisis and get die-hands back to the movies. I strongly disagree, and I think I've discovered the true purpose of Phase Four: to redeem the characters that were dirty in the past. I have a hunch that Marvel Studios will continue this trend into Phase Five. 

WELCOME TO SEASON 4 of SUPERTANGENT! The Rocky franchise, starting in 1976, has grown to become one of this most iconic sports dramas in Hollywood history, focusing on the titular underdog boxer Rocky Balboa, and his rival-turned-best friend, Apollo Creed, the heavyweight champion. The series, having its ups and downs within the production and releases of the first five films, rediscovered nearly universal acclaim with the sixth chapter, Rocky Balboa (2006), which also served as a bridge into the spin-off series, Creed (2011), starring Michael B. Jordan as Apollo Creed's now-adult son Adonis following in his father's footsteps. With Creed III (2023) recently being released as the first film in the larger franchise that exlcudes Rocky altogether, the series may finally be ready to let Adonis take the helm.  We also take a look into the fifth phase of the MCU films, beginning with Ant-Man and the Wasp (2023)!   

Today we are getting into the television series Hawkeye on Disney+ as well some personal concerns of next week's Spider-Man No Way Home. It's going to be a multiversal ride, and if we are honoring some villains of the past, why not all of the villains of the past? 

I'm only here to brag today about the most beautiful Emulator for a video game console I've ever used. It's called REDREAM. And it perfectly allows its users to go back to the early 2000's and play all the classics of the sixth generation of home console gaming that current generations owes it's very existence too. Games using cel-shading? Dreamcast. Built-in modem for online gaming? Dreamcast. Internet Browser? Dreamcast. Perfect arcade ports? Dreamcast. Let's take a little dive...

In a spoiler-free review, we get into what makes Ghostbusters Afterlife such a successful and heartfelt entry, observe the history of a Ghostbusters 3, and what it personally meant to me from a variety of perspectives. 

Marvel Studio's Eternals is the center of this episode. A spoil-free review reveals just how bold director Chloe Zhao and her cast go in this latest MCU theatrical film that, after Black Widow and Shang-Chi, truly show that not only is the MCU back in theaters, but they're back for good. We also discuss the latest Spider-Man No Way Home trailer that reveals five-sixths of a possible Sinister Six, and Batman taking the DCEU back to awesome heights. 

So, WandaVision signals the beginning of the long-anticipated Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starring the two beautiful weirdos who encompass the MCU's most endearing love story: Wanda Maximoff, and The Vision. It's complexity, staggering suspense, revelatory content, and comedic homage to generations of television sitcoms easily form the most unique series on Disney+. Now that all nine episodes have been released...hear are my thoughts. 

Investor Day at Disney has been incredible for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars. The success of the Mandalorean is in full effect as the Ashoka spin-off has been announced, as well as official announcements for shows starring Lando Calrissean, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Cassian Andor, and more. On the MCU front, Ant-Man 3, Amor Wars, Secret Invasion, the FANTASTIC FOUR, and more have been officially announced. All the while, WB and HBO are scheming themselves... 

This is a pretty unstructured episode, but being that it's around Thanksgiving, I wanted to talk randomly on the things and people I'm grateful for in my life. I mean...that's really it. 

It's not everything it's cracked up to be, this year. Both good and bad. But I'm definitely getting a feeling that DC is stepping up, or rather about to step up. Fandome was a fun and impressive reveal party of films, games, and series about to wreck the world in the next couple of years. 

Today we have guest Briar Harvey, co-host of Latchkey Movies podcast, that focuses on adults rating, reviewing, and critiquing children's movies. We have a great discussion about so-called kids' films, parental supervision as film lovers who have kids, and touchy topics such as the American ratings system, queer content, representation in media, and why context matters. 

Okay, we are immediately back with an episode 51 for all you dorks out there foaming at the mouth for the #HBOMax release of Zack Snyder's Justice League, the long-rumored, long-awaited "truer" iteration of 2017's failed Avenger's rival. Troy joins me to pick up where we left off and see where the individual heroes, the most iconic, quintessential superheroes of all time, are going from here.

Thank you, true believers, for holding on.  We are rocking episode 50 with a very special guest, California's very own Troy Mangram, the biggest #batman fan I've ever had the pleasure of calling a brother. With deep insight, we are discussing the recent announcement of Zack Snyder's Justice League--why it's quite likely different than #TheSnyderCut--and what the future holds for the DCEU. 

In the second Gundam Month 2020 episode, I'm going to take you on a deep dive into my favorite anime of ALL time...GUNDAM WING. You've heard me rant and rave about it in the past, and now I get to celebrate it's 25th anniversary. Let's dig deep into why I love this epic space opera/sci-fi/war drama/mecha anime. 

The fourth chapter of the Q Collection invigorates a gamer's spirit with a special selection of games that have been helping me get through this COVID lockdown: firstly we discuss Final Fantasy VII Remake, the action-RPG that fans have been having for since the days of PlayStation 2. We compare it to the 1997 original, the differences, and what lies ahead for the futuristic epic. Also included: Gravity Rush, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Devil May Cry 5, and Resident Evil 2 (remake). 

Welcome to part three of the Q Collection! Today I'm reviewing Birds of Prey, which has become available earlier than expected as a result of theaters closing down during the COVID Crisis. Interesting how this shutdown has really forced the entertainment industry to rethink how to provide their services for faithful customers, and DC's early digital release of Birds of Prey is an example of this. The film itself is....well, let's just talk about it.

April 7th, 1979--today, 41 years ago--the greatest anime franchise of all began. They call it the "Star Trek of Japan" now, but back then, it was just one series: Mobile Suit GUNDAM. It's my favorite anime and I believe it is the most impactful. Today is its birthday and, along with the Quarantine Collection, we are going to celebrate this fantastic anime. Suit up.  

FOOD. What is about food that transcends every sociological, psychological, geographical barrier between so many different kinds of people? Even during the COVID-19 Crisis, we have prioritized our personal collecting of junk food: QUARANTINE SNACKS. In the spirit of getting our heart attacks underway I wanted to share my personal relationship with food and it correlation to my video game nerdiness. Do you also have video game snacks?

2020 is slaying.  In the absolute worst way. And now that we are in quarantine...I present a special series of uplifting episodes amidst the chaos in the world. This is the Quarantine Collection.  How is the outbreak affecting my beloved movie industry? Theaters? Streaming services? Let's talk about it...PLUS!! Sonic the Movie was dope, and I'm starting a #MCU movie marathon! Keep up fam. 

Listen, I still don't know why they're making a live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie. Especially after all this time. But hey, I guess if you gotta do something, it might as well be decent, and the studio seems to have put in a lot of much-appreciated patience into this passion project. But, not every video game movie adaptation is a winner. In fact, most of them are most certainly not. So the real question is--especially now--why even make this movie?

*SEASON 3 ALERT* 2019 left a lot to be desired, and a lot to be spoken of for years to come. Events in video gaming, cinema, comic books and more have reached major heights last year. What better way to look toward the future than to begin to glance at, and honor, yesteryear before advancing? Let's talk about last year shortly. The future looks bright, folks. 

It can't be said enough that this year's Joker, directed by The Hangover's Todd Phillips, is a top contender for film of the year. And, considering superhero buffs got their first look at Captain Marvel in her solo debut, their FIFTH look at Tom Holland's Spider-Man in Far From Home, and the ultimate final page to the Infinity Saga of the MCU with Avengers: Engame....all in the same year...THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING.

It can be argued that Star Wars is the most significant global sci-fi phenomenon to ever grace the silver screen. Now that the trailer for Episode 9 is out there, and the film is ready for release in under a month, how to do we even begin to approach this movie? Let's talk about the trailer and how to step to it, especially after the successful but polarizing previous episode, The Last Jedi.

Ghostbusters (1984) has always been, and will always be, the greatest cinematic achievement in my head. Thanks to the theatrical 35th anniversary showing and some burning questions from my mom, maybe I will be able to answer why.

THE FINAL EPISODES (of season 2). With the released of Jessica Jones season 3, Netflix Marvel is officially over. The Defenders' individual adventures, and those of the Punisher, have come to end. What an amazing epoch in Marvel's history. Let's talk about it while my eyes are still dry...and what's in store for the MCU's future. 

Even with the beginnings of the best ComicCon 2019 news, I'm still stuck on three things that seem to get older and older: Jessica Jones, Google Stadia, and The arrival of the anime masterpiece Neon Genesis Evangelion, its compilation film Death(True)², and its controversial finale, The End of Evangelion. It's an all out war against the Angels, and it is time to explain just what in the world this series is, and why I love it so much.

35 Years later, my favorite movie of all time is still being revered, celebrated, and re-released for the ultimate fan! Meanwhile, season 3 of Jessica Jones wraps up an incredible four years of MCU-adjacent, R-rated heroes on the small screen. Lastly, E3 2019 is wrapping up....we talk about what's poppin off there and why.

It's Memorial Day...*salute* Now that I'm potentially winding down from my Endgame high, I gotta go through everything else that has been happening in the world of nerdom, including Terminator Dark Fate! So bear with me.there is a lot to go through! Plus..will we see Black Panther fight the Prowler?

I could not get the job done alone...Avengers: Endgame was too much of an authentic cinematic experience to go through it alone, so I got some help from Toben Shelby of Space Money Octagon, Steven and Jude from The Geeky Juans Podcast, Sharmane "Mixed Girl Mane" from the BlerdComixed Podcast, Chris Osborne from the Play Comics Podcast, Scott Niswander from the NerdSync YouTube channel, Heather Terwilliger from the Primageek Blog, M.P. Duffy from the You, Me, and Duffy podcast, and friends Matt Greenborough, Dave McLoughlin, and Dennis Burke!    

Sure. At this point in time, Disney's acquisition of Fox isnt news anymore. But we still need to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of such a behemoth eating a goliath.

*An older episode from February 2019* I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed with the Captain Marvel solo movie. Similarly to how Black Panther didnt particularly lead directly into Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, set in 1995, doesnt necessarily lead into Avengers: Endgame at all, but it is a fun superhero science-fiction buddy cop joyride that doesn't cheat us on the thrills.

Anime. Hip-hop. Ghostbusters. Home Alone. I couldn't ask for much more than to have my my childhood homeboy, MC, artist and perfectly balanced free-thinker Tyler Alexander for the first-ever Coffee Table podcast episode, where we just.....talk. This is a late episode, but as the man says, better late than never. Download and Share and Rejoice!

Honestly, this is just a rant. But an important rant! GAMERS, hear me: I'm all about the old school. And I highly miss the days when you actually had to play video games in order to unlock the content of that video game, assuming the game had ALL of its content intact upon purchase! Like secret characters. NO after-the-fact DLC, NO gimmicky pre-order false-value presentations, and no spoilery guest character reveals on YouTube. But there's something deep to be brought to the surface here.... Let's not talk....you just listen.

And old friend, podcaster, and guest character Brad Alexander joins the show to matriculate me on all things ALFRED HITCHCOCK. To stories of his past, to his state of mind in the director’s chair, to a personal top-ten essentials list of his work, take a ride with us as we travel to cinema in a simpler time: less special effects, cinematic universe sequels, and hopelessly spoilery trailers—just good, stinking suspense and wholehearted cinema. Let’s talk!

FINALLY. STAR WARS is here. Alongside best bud and science fiction aficionado Anthony Reed, SuperTangent takes a ride into the future of most revered sci-fi franchise in history. We focus on all that has happened after Star Wars Return of the Jedi, the annoyingly overly-sensitive fandom--and how we contribute--and in detail what worked and what didn't work for The Force Awakens, Rogue One, The Last Jedi, and Solo.   Anthony Reed is one of my oldest and closest friends. Connected in high school, but got one another through college. He was the guy who would destroy everybody in Halo deathmatches. The guy the understands the backstory to every character involved with the Old Republic. The guy who’s conversations I’ve shared with have in large part inspired the existence of SuperTangent. The truth is that I have yet to meet somebody who understands Star Wars more than he—as a service of personal memories, a franchise, and a cultural phenomenon. When he’s not playing Final Fantasy XIV, or annihilating with his trombone, he’s shivering in his skivies, haunted by his inevitable destruction in Super Smash Bros. by me—as Kirby. Ask him ANY Star Wars question: he will answer it. And who knows, one day, he may just start his own podcast. Download and Share and Rejoice!

EVERYTHING is making a comeback. Terminator. Robocop. Predator. Alien. Star Wars. Teen Titans. The Walking Dead. Is it a good thing, or should some of these franchises finally give up the ghost and die out with dignity? Let's hear my diatribe about it, yeah? Download and Share and Rejoice!