The Extra Credits
Kelsi and Trey
The Extra Credits is hosted by two teachers searching for meaning in your favorite movies and shows. We cover new releases with movie drafts, ranking games, interviews, and more!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 29, 2025 • 5min
Akira Kurosawa's 'The Hidden Fortress' (1958) | Patreon #65
Kelsi and Trey explore Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress on Patreon. This is just a free sample. In the full episode, we kick off our Kurosawa journey by unpacking the film’s influence on Star Wars and diving into its narrative structure, tone, and characters. It’s part of our ongoing series pairing classic Kurosawa films with deeper Star Wars deep dives!The Extra Credits YouTube ChannelBecome a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon hereLetterboxd: The Extra CreditsTikTok: The Extra CreditsReddit: r/TheExtraCreditsInstagram: @theextracreditsTwitter: @theextracreditsSend requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com
Jul 26, 2025 • 2h 20min
'Superman' vs. 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' – Can the DCU and MCU Save Superheroes?
Kelsi and Trey are back to discuss superheroes: we break down James Gunn’s Superman and Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps, two attempts to reboot tired franchises with sincerity and with varying results. First, we dive into Gunn’s earnest, squirrel-saving cutie Superman, Corenswet’s surprising star turn, and the film’s big ideas about media and occupation. Then we get into Fantastic Four's gorgeous retro-futurist world, Julia Garner’s ethereal Silver Surfer, and a script that feels like it was written by four sitcom dads. Plus: summer movie shout-outs (Sorry Baby, Friendship, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Jurassic World: Rebirth), our superhero fatigue, and our hopes for a live-action Miles Morales and Batman Beyond. Patreon link below! Free episodes unlocked—including our 4-hour The Batman deep dive.Superman (15:00)Fantastic Four (01:13:15)2025 Summer of Movies (02:02:40)The Extra Credits YouTube ChannelBecome a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon hereLetterboxd: The Extra CreditsTikTok: The Extra CreditsReddit: r/TheExtraCreditsInstagram: @theextracreditsTwitter: @theextracreditsSend requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com
Jul 24, 2025 • 15min
George Lucas' 'Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones' (2002) | Patreon #64
Our Star Wars deep dive continues on Patreon with Attack of the Clones—arguably the wildest entry in the prequels. We tackle Anakin’s emotional spiral, the politics of Star Wars fans, Jedi agents, and...sand. We also talk about the silly-emotional tragiromance of it all! This is a free 15 minute Patreon preview, but you can join us on Patreon to unlock the full four-part series (Episodes 1, 2, 4, and 5).The Extra Credits YouTube ChannelBecome a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon hereLetterboxd: The Extra CreditsTikTok: The Extra CreditsReddit: r/TheExtraCreditsInstagram: @theextracreditsTwitter: @theextracreditsSend requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com
Jul 16, 2025 • 58min
Ari Aster's 'Eddington': The Cult of America
Kelsi and Trey dive deep into Ari Aster’s bold and chaotic new film Eddington—a post-pandemic western satire that takes aim at America’s digital echo chambers. We break down the film’s story, its genre-blending style, standout performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Austin Butler (but an underused Emma Stone), and debate whether Aster’s ambition outweighs the film’s messiness. Go below to sign up for Patreon to hear exclusive episodes for free members!The Extra Credits YouTube ChannelBecome a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon hereLetterboxd: The Extra CreditsTikTok: The Extra CreditsReddit: r/TheExtraCreditsInstagram: @theextracreditsTwitter: @theextracreditsSend requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com
Jul 15, 2025 • 5min
David Lean's 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962) | Patreon #63
This is a free sample from our conversation on David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia (1962), the sweeping desert epic that looms large over George Lucas’s vision for his Star Wars saga as a whole. We dig into the film’s imperial critique, Peter O’Toole’s mesmerizing performance, and how Lean turns scale into a tool of psychological storytelling. For the full episode head to our Patreon at the link below.The Extra Credits YouTube ChannelBecome a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon hereLetterboxd: The Extra CreditsTikTok: The Extra CreditsReddit: r/TheExtraCreditsInstagram: @theextracreditsTwitter: @theextracreditsSend requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com
Jul 5, 2025 • 15min
George Lucas' 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace' (1999) | Patreon #62
Our four-part Star Wars deep dive series is now live on Patreon—starting with a free 15-minute preview of our epic Star Wars -Phantom Menace breakdown. From podraces, to tariffs, to Darth Maul's double-bladed duel of the fates chaos, we unpack the Star Wars mythology, this era of Lucas, this massive indie production, and our relationship to the divisive prequels. Join us on Patreon to unlock the full four episode series (Ep's 1, 2, 4, and 5).The Extra Credits YouTube ChannelBecome a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon hereHow to link Patreon to Spotify and AppleLetterboxd: The Extra CreditsTikTok: The Extra CreditsReddit: r/TheExtraCreditsInstagram: @theextracreditsTwitter: @theextracreditsSend requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com
Jun 20, 2025 • 1h 25min
'28 Years Later' is One of the Great Horror Movies of the Decade
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland return to the franchise they helped define with 28 Years Later . A bold, emotional, and politically charged vision of our past, present, and future. We break down the film’s story, style, themes of myth-making, isolationism, nationalism, and standout performances from Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and breakout star Alfie Williams. We also look ahead to where this trilogy could go next. Our full 28 Days Later deep dive is now available for free on Patreon, you can sign up below to listen!The Extra Credits YouTube ChannelBecome a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon hereLetterboxd: The Extra CreditsTikTok: The Extra CreditsReddit: r/TheExtraCreditsInstagram: @theextracreditsTwitter: @theextracreditsSend requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com
Jun 18, 2025 • 5min
Can '28 Years Later' Live Up to '28 Days Later' (2002)? | Patreon #61
This full episode is free for a limited time on our Patreon!Sign up as a free member using the link in the episode description below.In this Patreon episode, we dive deep into the 28 Days Later franchise—breaking down its lo-fi horror legacy, Danny Boyle’s kinetic filmmaking, the breakout performances from Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris, and Alex Garland’s sharp political commentary. We also talk about the early buzz for 28 Years Later and why this film remains one of Trey’s all-time favorites.The Extra Credits YouTube ChannelBecome a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon hereHow to link Patreon to Spotify and AppleLetterboxd: The Extra CreditsTikTok: The Extra CreditsReddit: r/TheExtraCreditsInstagram: @theextracreditsTwitter: @theextracreditsSend requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com
Jun 17, 2025 • 5min
William Wyler's 'Ben-Hur' (1959) | Patreon #60
This is a free sample from our conversation on William Wyler's Ben-Hur (1959), the epic that helped shape George Lucas’s cinematic imagination and paved the way for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. We talk about Ben-Hur's blend of myth, spectacle, and spirituality, how its structure mirrors the Skywalker saga, and why Judah Ben-Hur walks so Anakin Skywalker can...get his legs cut off. For the full episode, including our complete deep dive on Ben-Hur and how it spiritually (and structurally) leads into The Phantom Menace, head to our Patreon in the link below.The Extra Credits YouTube ChannelBecome a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon hereHow to link Patreon to Spotify and AppleLetterboxd: The Extra CreditsTikTok: The Extra CreditsReddit: r/TheExtraCreditsInstagram: @theextracreditsTwitter: @theextracreditsSend requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com
Jun 16, 2025 • 15min
Brian De Palma & Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible' (1996) | Patreon #59
FULL FREE EPISODE ON PATREON – In this special sample episode, we dive into Mission: Impossible (1996), the film that launched Tom Cruise’s iconic run as Ethan Hunt. We break down Brian De Palma’s stylish direction, that legendary langley heist, and the beginning of one of cinema’s greatest action franchises. This is a full deep dive into the spy thriller that changed the genre forever. Listen to the full episode now (free for all members) only on Patreon!The Extra Credits YouTube ChannelBecome a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon hereHow to link Patreon to Spotify and AppleLetterboxd: The Extra CreditsTikTok: The Extra CreditsReddit: r/TheExtraCreditsInstagram: @theextracreditsTwitter: @theextracreditsSend requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com
