The Incomparable Mothership

Get in line to order a hero sandwich—not so fast, sidekick! We’re here to talk about 2005’s thoroughly delightful Disney movie “Sky High,” featuring superhero action and teen drama that are both full to the brim—but never quite over the top. "Sky High" Jason Snell with Glenn Fleishman, Jean MacDonald, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Dr. Drang Referenced Works Sky High Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

This week, we’re drafting some spies, secret agents, and con artists. Con artists? Why not? They all use similar skills—sometimes, it’s impossible to tell the difference. From fiction to spoof to inspired by real life, we’ve got it all. Also, is that Cate Blanchett or Tilda Swinton? Good luck, Jim. This episode will self destruct in five seconds. Secret Agent Draft David J. Loehr with Tom McGrath, Chris Klimek and Nathan Alderman Show Notes & Links Tom: Archer Charlie Wilson’s War Scarecrow and Mrs King Spy Psych Chris: The Avengers Hudson Hawk Tenspeed and Brownshoe The Nice Guys American Flagg Nathan: Sandbaggers Hanna Alias The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015 film) Leverage David: Mission: Impossible (TV) Ocean’s Eleven (2001) Lupin Maverick (TV and film) Parker novels / Dortmunder novels by Donald Westlake Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Put on your headset and get ready to jump into a polt, because we’re going to discuss “The Peripheral,” Prime Video’s adaptation of William Gibson’s novel. What makes its approach to certain famous sci-fi tropes unique? How interesting are the accents? Why is there an invisible car? We’ll answer those questions as soon as we flee to another stub. "The Peripheral" (TV series) Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Lisa Schmeiser and Antony Johnston Referenced Works The Peripheral Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Store up some mana and watch out for maleficers and maw-mouths! We’re going to discuss Naomi Novik’s Scholomance trilogy, which takes the familiar story of a school for teenage magicians and does some very different things with it! Before the Spoiler Horn, we talk generally about the books and why you should read them. Then we dig into some of the details of how the series changes as it comes to its end. [Our next Book Club selection is “Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution” by R.F. Kuang.] Naomi Novik's "Scholomance" trilogy Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign and Glenn Fleishman Referenced Works A Deadly Education [Amazon] [Apple] The Last Graduate [Amazon] [Apple] The Golden Enclaves [Amazon] [Apple] Scholomance series Show Notes & Links What are we reading? Aleen: “Signal Moon” by Kate Quinn “The Rose Code” by Kate Quinn World of the White Rat series by T. Kingfisher “Swordheart” by T. Kingfisher “Nettle and Bone” by T Kingfisher “The Nova Incident” by Dan Moren Glenn: “Housebreaking” by Colleen Hubbard “Piranesi” by Susanna Clarke “Fairy Tale” by Stephen King Erika: “Dead Spots” by Melissa F. Olson “The Necessity of Trans Joy” by Izzy Wasserstein Dan: “Blitz” - Daniel O’Malley “Nightwatch over Windscar” by K. Eason “Locklands” by Robert Jackson Bennett “Jeeves and the King of Clubs by Ben Schott Jason: “Blitz” - Daniel O’Malley “Fairy Tale” by Stephen King “A Gathering of Shadows” by V.E. Schwab Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Our favorites from 2022, plus a few clips. Our 2022 Favorites Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, David J. Loehr, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Monty Ashley, Shelly Brisbin, Glenn Fleishman, Chip Sudderth, Tony Sindelar, Jean MacDonald, Cicero Holmes and Lisa Schmeiser Show Notes & Links Moisés Chiullán Pachinko Star Trek: The Motion Picture: The Director’s Edition 4K Restoration All of Soccer, specifically Austin FC Shouting Down Midnight (2022) David J. Loehr Corrections with Seth Meyers on YouTube Confess, Fletch (2022) Daniel Pemberton scores, including Enola Holmes 2, Slow Horses, Ocean’s 8 Dan Moren The Ipcress File (2022) miniseries Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings score Spotify Apple Amazon Marvel’s Spider-Man for PS5/) Erika Ensign The Power of the Doctor Ghosts US and Ghosts UK Jann (2019) Monty Ashley Reservation Dogs (2021) Season 1 & 2 Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) Nightflight Shelly Brisbin Kevin Morby “This is a Photograph” INDICATOR Film Noir Limited Edition Collections Rachel Maddow Presents: ULTRA Glenn Fleishman The Legend of Vox Machina Season 1 The Grief of Stones by Katherine Addison Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022) Chip Sudderth 2022 MCU on Disney+: Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk: Attorney-At-Law, Moon Knight, Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Werewolf by Night Meta Quest 2 The Sandman Season 1 Tony Sindelar Andor (2022) Season 1 Turning Red (2022) Return to Monkey Island Jean MacDonald Dalgliesh (2021) Series 1 Licorice Pizza (2021) Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) Cicero Holmes Apt. 505 by Coast Contra Spotify Deep-diving on everything on Apple TV+, in particular Acapulco (2021) Season 1 & 2 High On Life Lisa Schmeiser The Sandman Season 1 The Peripheral (2022) Season 1 Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel Jason Snell Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1 The Tragedy of MacBeth (2021), even though Cicero picked all of TV+, because it’s not a draft Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

The Knight before Christmas this year is David Lowery’s 2021 film “The Green Knight.” This year’s final Mothership episode is a game inside a gift inside a game, much like the movie. Is every episode featuring Glenn secretly (or not-so-secretly) about Zardoz? What secrets of the exotic West Midlands does Antony have to reveal? Find out as we champion diverging from the path as the most direct route to completing a quest. "The Green Knight" Moisés Chiullán with Antony Johnston and Glenn Fleishman Referenced Works The Green Knight Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Our annual Kilmas tradition leads us to watch the questionable 2000 sci-fi film “Red Planet,” in which Val Kimer is at his best, and several other actors are also present. Also, the main plot points of this film are so similar to “The Martian” that we’re now convinced Andy Weir must have seen this film and vowed to do it better. But if you’ve ever wanted to watch a dumber version of “The Martian,” have we found the movie for you. Rocket Surgery: "Red Planet" Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, Annette Wierstra, Erika Ensign and David J. Loehr Referenced Works Red Planet Val Kilmer Show Notes & Links About Kilmas by GPT3 Kilmas is a holiday devoted to the celebration of actor Val Kilmer. It originated in the early 1990s, soon after Kilmer rose to fame for his role in the blockbuster film “Top Gun.” Fans of the actor quickly began to gather on December 24th, the day before Christmas, to pay tribute to his career and accomplishments. Over time, Kilmas has grown into a full-fledged holiday, with fans gathering in public spaces and online to exchange gifts and messages, watch Kilmer’s films, and share their admiration for the actor. In recent years, Kilmas has gained popularity among a wider audience, with people from all walks of life joining in the celebrations. Today, Kilmas is celebrated around the world, with fans coming together to pay tribute to Val Kilmer and his enduring legacy in the world of entertainment. Despite its somewhat humble beginnings, Kilmas has become a beloved holiday for many, and continues to be celebrated with enthusiasm and joy. Kilmas Carol by GPT3 Oh Val Kilmer, oh Val Kilmer Your acting skills are a wonder In films like “Top Gun” and “Batman” You’ve brought joy to fans and haters alike With your handsome face and charming smile You’ve captured hearts for quite a while In “Tombstone” you played Doc Holliday A role that will never fade away So on this festive KILMAS night We raise a glass and toast to you Here’s to Val Kilmer, a true delight Merry KILMAS and a happy new year too! Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Star Wars gets serious with “Andor,” a show that gives us exactly what we needed (but didn’t know we wanted?) from the venerable franchise. We break down the plots, characters, and storytelling choices, live from John Siracusa’s living room! "Andor" Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and John Siracusa Referenced Works Andor Star Wars (franchise) Show Notes & Links A Complicated Profession - An Incomparable Star Wars podcast Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

At midnight on New Year’s Eve, the S. S. Poseidon, enroute from New York to Athens, met with disaster and was lost. A handful of podcasters follow the challenges faced by a handful of Oscar winners and other assorted stars from the 1970s to celebrate that 50th anniversary of this classic disaster flick. This is their story. "The Poseidon Adventure" Jean MacDonald with Steve Lutz, Shelly Brisbin and John Chidgey Referenced Works The Poseidon Adventure Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Are you calling us funny? Are we like a clown? Do we amuse you? More than thirty years later, “GoodFellas” still stands up. In honor of the late Ray Liotta, we break down Martin Scorsese’s classic film about street-level gangsters. "GoodFellas" Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Philip Michaels and Monty Ashley Referenced Works GoodFellas Show Notes & Links 5by5 at the Movies: GoodFellas Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.