Digest

This podcast episode covers a wide range of topics within the entertainment industry. It begins with the hosts discussing their recording preferences and Mark Maron's retirement from podcasting. A significant portion focuses on upcoming movies, including box office predictions for *Fantastic Four*, trailers for *Alien Earth*, *Wicked*, and *007 First Lights*, and a detailed review of *Ballerina*. The discussion also delves into the potential departure of Kathleen Kennedy from Lucasfilm and speculation about her replacement, along with a debate about a new Black Panther comic featuring a white protagonist. The hosts analyze the trailers for several films, speculating on plot points and character arcs. They also discuss the reveal of Resident Evil 9 and the upcoming James Bond game. A substantial part of the episode is dedicated to listener emails, covering topics such as recipe disasters, favorite costume designers (Lindy Heming and Kym Barrett), best-dressed actors (George Clooney and Daniel Craig), and the cost of gorilla trekking. The episode concludes with a recap, promotion of the podcast, and a discussion of the history of the Hollywood sign.

Outlines

00:00:00

Podcast Intro and Studio Preferences

The episode begins with introductions, and the hosts discuss their strong preference for a solo recording environment, rejecting the idea of a producer or assistant in the room. They jokingly brainstorm solutions involving partitions and holograms.

00:01:14

Mark Maron's Podcast Retirement and Superman's Runtime

The hosts discuss Mark Maron ending his podcast after 16 years. They then move on to discuss the runtime of the new Superman movie, correcting a previous misreporting and revealing the actual runtime and break-even point.

00:03:22

Upcoming Movie News and Box Office Predictions

Discussion of Fantastic Four's box office projections, trailers for Alien Earth, Wicked, and 007 First Lights. The hosts also touch upon the news of Kathleen Kennedy's potential departure from Lucasfilm.

00:03:33

Kathleen Kennedy's Departure and Black Panther Comic News

Speculation on Kathleen Kennedy's replacement at Lucasfilm, followed by a discussion of a new Black Panther comic series featuring a white Black Panther, sparking debate about the creative choices.

00:36:59

Potential Lucasfilm Replacements and Trailer Deep Dive

The hosts discuss potential replacements for Kathleen Kennedy, including Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck. A detailed analysis of the trailers for Alien Earth, Wicked, and 007 First Lights follows, including speculation on plot points and character arcs.

00:22:59

Resident Evil 9 Reveal and James Bond Game Discussion

The hosts discuss the reveal of Resident Evil 9, set in Raccoon City after the bombing. They then move on to discuss the upcoming James Bond game, 007 First Lights, its title, and the potential casting of Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

00:37:13

Star Wars Future and Filoni's Role

Discussion about Dave Filoni potentially taking over Star Wars and concerns regarding his lack of film experience and potential over-reliance on dense mythology. The hosts also discuss Carrie Beck's role at Lucasfilm.

00:41:36

Ballerina Movie Review

A detailed review of the *John Wick* spin-off *Ballerina*, focusing on the plot, action sequences, and performances. The discussion includes speculation about the director's involvement and the film's overall quality.

01:03:45

What We're Watching and Reading

The hosts discuss movies and TV shows they've recently watched or plan to watch, including *Department Q*, *Predator: The Prey*, *The Force Awakens*, and *Tires*. They also answer listener emails.

01:12:58

Listener Mailbag: Recipe Disasters and Movie Musings

The episode kicks off with the hosts addressing listener emails. One listener recounts the disastrous results of trying James's flourless pancake recipe, leading to a humorous discussion about culinary mishaps. Another email prompts a conversation about favorite costume designers and best-dressed actors in film.

01:15:54

Costume Design and Best Dressed Actors

The hosts delve into their favorite costume designers, highlighting Lindy Heming (Bond films) and Kym Barrett (The Matrix). The discussion transitions to their picks for best-dressed actors, with George Clooney and Daniel Craig emerging as top contenders.

01:19:15

Movie Franchises and Unmade Projects

A listener asks about movie franchises they'd rewatch despite flaws. The hosts share their preferences (Alien, Ocean's, Jurassic Park), and discuss future podcast projects, including revisiting classic films and creating video content.

01:20:27

Gorilla Trekking and Financial Status

An email details the cost of a gorilla trekking experience. The hosts discuss the expense and whether it was worth it, touching upon their current financial situations with humorous self-deprecation.

01:22:05

Show Recap and Upcoming Episodes

The hosts recap the episode's content, including listener emails, jokes, and discussions. They tease upcoming episodes and discuss potential topics, while also addressing listener feedback and promoting the podcast.

01:23:29

Call to Action and Podcast Promotion

The hosts conclude the episode with a call to action, encouraging listeners to leave five-star reviews, subscribe, and engage with the podcast's social media channels. They also promote their Patreon and other content platforms.

01:26:39

The Hollywood Sign's History

The hosts discuss the history of the Hollywood sign, including its original "Hollywoodland" iteration and the reasons for its alteration.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the actual runtime of the new Superman movie, and what does it need to earn to break even?

  The runtime is two hours and nine minutes. It needs to gross over $500 million worldwide to turn a profit.

• Who are some of the potential replacements for Kathleen Kennedy at Lucasfilm?

  Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck are among the names being discussed.

• What is the premise of the new Black Panther comic series?

  The series features a future where T'Challa dies and is replaced by a white character named Kitama.

• What is notable about the trailer for Alien Earth?

  It features a little girl whose consciousness is transferred into a synthetic being.

• What is the main plot point of the new James Bond game, 007 First Lights?

  The game follows a young James Bond's journey from Navy air crewman to MI6 agent.

• What are the main concerns surrounding Dave Filoni's potential leadership role in future Star Wars projects?

  Concerns include his lack of experience in feature film production and potential over-reliance on dense mythology.

• What is the overall consensus on the *Ballerina* movie?

  While the action sequences are generally praised, some critics find the plot to be generic and directionless.

• What are some of the challenges associated with making flourless pancakes?

  Flourless pancakes can be tricky to make, often resulting in a dense or dry texture.

• Who are some of the most influential costume designers in film history?

  Lindy Heming and Kym Barrett are among the most influential.

• Why is George Clooney often cited as one of the best-dressed men in Hollywood?

  Clooney's style is consistently praised for its timeless elegance and understated sophistication.

Show Notes