The Incomparable Mothership

Olo! It’s time to discuss an underappreciated superhero movie that’s only become more relevant after a decade full of superhero movies. It’s 2010’s “Megamind,” which transcends being an extrusion from the Dreamworks animation factory (well, except for its pop-music soundtrack) to become something greater. With an all-star cast led by Will Ferrell and Tina Fey, this is a great riff on the Superman mythos and the true meaning of destiny and heroism. Code: It’s great. "Megamind" Jason Snell with Chip Sudderth, Annette Wierstra, David J. Loehr and Moisés Chiullán Referenced Works Megamind [Amazon] 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 Book Club returns with a new way to approach this year’s SF novel shortlist: we’re reading all the Hugo and Nebula novels in three batches. First up: “Black Sun,” “The City We Became,” and “Piranesi.” Plus: What are we reading? Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Scott McNulty and Aleen Simms Referenced Works The City We Became [Amazon] [Apple] Piranesi [Amazon] [Apple] Black Sun [Amazon] [Apple] Show Notes & Links What we’re reading: Scott: The Liar’s Dictionary (Apple, Amazon) Erika: “Unseelie Brothers, Ltd.” by Fran Wilde Aleen: Stephens & Mefisto and Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths; Dragon Blood Series by Lindsay Buroker Jason: A Desolation Called Peace (Apple, Amazon) by Arkady Martine, Empress of Forever (Apple, Amazon) by Max Gladstone 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.

Don your winged jetpack and strap on your cybernetic arm, because it’s time to fight over a shield. Marvel’s second Disney+ series, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” picks up the story of two of Captain America’s pals as they confront serious societal issues, the representation of America in the modern age, and a gaggle of super-powered foes. It’s a show that takes some big swings, even if it does get a bit muddled, and we discuss its ambitions, what it gets right, and where it misses the mark. "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" Dan Moren with Kelly Guimont, Lisa Schmeiser, James Thomson and Nathan Alderman Sponsors ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Referenced Works The Falcon and the Winter Soldier 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.

Drop the camcorder and whatever you do, don’t run toward the bridge! 2008’s “Cloverfield” mixes giant monsters, post-9/11 reactions to urban destruction, rom-com tropes, “Jaws” style monster hiding, and found footage shaky-cam into an incredibly intense movie experience. Does it matter that the main characters are generic, or does it actually help? Is this a slasher film or more of a smasher film? Why did it kick off a nonsensical franchise of unrelated movies? And if it was made today, how would it be different? (Hint: Less shaky-cam!) Find a quiet place to hide somewhere and join us! "Cloverfield" Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Moisés Chiullán, Jean MacDonald and James Thomson Referenced Works Cloverfield [Amazon] 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.

We have reached the end (for now) of Miyazaki Club. So we gather back together to consider why we’re drawn to Hayao Miyazaki’s work, how we define the differences between films as different as “Ponyo” and “Spirited Away,” a list of the director’s favorite things, subs versus dubs, the music of Joe Hisaishi, and which of Miyazaki’s movies we all prefer. Miyazaki Club graduation Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Aleen Simms and Steve Lutz Sponsors Gabi: Get a better insurance. It’s totally free to check and there’s no obligation. Click this link to get started. Referenced Works Hayao Miyazaki Studio Ghibli 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.

After years of Monty telling us we should watch it, we’ve given in. It’s time to discuss 1981 South African karate movie “Kill and Kill Again,” a film featuring many middle-aged men kicking people, as well as a James Bond-style plot about a madman who wants to take over the world via an unusual application of potatoes. We cover strange ties to “CSI: Miami” and “The A-Team,” introduce you to the wonders of Hot Dog and his bag of tricks, weigh the movie’s knowing sexism against its unflinching racism, and contemplate Villanous Operations and how they are named. Also, Jason has a tight five about t-shirts. "Kill and Kill Again" Jason Snell with Monty Ashley, Steve Lutz, Annette Wierstra, Moisés Chiullán and Tony Sindelar Sponsors Inside the Breakthrough: How science comes to life. Listen now. Referenced Works Kill and Kill Again 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.

In space, all warriors are cold warriors! An ecological disaster leads to the breakup of an enemy empire, but in “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country” it’s the Klingon moon Praxis subbing in for the Soviet power station Chernobyl. Kirk and company struggle with their animosity toward the Klingons, but we are more concerned with what graduate school Gorkon’s daughter went to, the Klingon guard who carries a box, the one Klingon who laughed at McCoy’s joke, the importance of gaseous anomalies to Federation politics, and the lack of respect given to the Enterprise court reporter. Discussing this movie must’ve been our lifelong ambition. "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, David J. Loehr, Dan Moren and John Moltz Sponsors Technology Untangled: Join Michael Bird as he untangles innovation through a series of interviews, stories, and analyses with some of the industry’s brightest brains. ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Referenced Works Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Star Trek (franchise) 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.

Six episodes ago, Jason made Phil mad by suggesting that “Chariots of Fire” and “Amadeus” might not be worthy of their Academy Awards for Best Picture. This episode is Phil’s revenge, as we watch two acclaimed early-80s films and see how well they hold up. They’re both period pieces, but one is set to the electronic sounds of Vangelis and the other to the classical masterpieces of Mozart. Running in slow motion has never looked better, and there’s never been more braying laughter in a film! "Chariots of Fire" and "Amadeus" Jason Snell with Monty Ashley, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr Sponsors Fortnite, from Epic Games: Embrace your wild side in Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 6: Primal. Referenced Works Chariots of Fire Amadeus 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.

Shakespeare Club returns! “The Taming of the Shrew” is a Shakespeare play that’s crying out to be adapted for modern audiences, which is why it keeps being adapted—with varying degrees of success. We discuss the play, the unpleasant Franco Zeffirelli 1967 film starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, the film and TV versions of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate,” the teen rom-com “10 Things I Hate About You,” and even the 1980s TV adaptation on “Moonlighting,” which might be the best of the bunch? What we’re saying, Shakespeare, is that we’ve got some notes. Shakespeare Club: "Taming of the Shrew" Jason Snell with Philip Michaels, Shelly Brisbin, Moisés Chiullán and David J. Loehr Sponsors Fortnite, from Epic Games: Embrace your wild side in Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 6: Primal. Referenced Works Shakespeare Taming of the Shrew Kiss Me Kate 10 Things I Hate About You [Amazon] Show Notes & Links Moonlighting: "Atomic Shakespeare" "Kiss Me Kate" (Hallmark Hall of Fame) 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.

It’s a classic sitcom! It’s a Marvel movie! It’s both! It’s the first Disney+ MCU show, “WandaVision.” And it managed to be a walk through television history while simultaneously being an exploration of the stages of grief. Plus, an android in a turtleneck! We break it all down, from where Wanda and Vision go from here to what Monica Rambeau, Darcy Lewis, and Jimmy Woo should be doing next. Tune in, won’t you? "WandaVision" season wrap-up Jason Snell with Kelly Guimont, Dan Moren, Chip Sudderth and Nathan Alderman Sponsors Inside the Breakthrough: How science comes to life. Listen now. Referenced Works WandaVision 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.