The guys sit down to discuss the Star Wars Episode VII trailer, which of course dropped the day after our last recording. There's a lot of optimism mixed in with some skepticism but overall we're all pretty excited for more Star Wars. We also breakdown the Terminator: Genisys trailer with our resident Terminator expert, Jeremy, who seems to be a bit worried about the direction the series is taking. But it wasn't all trailers to talk about, there was also some big casting news that was revealed over the last two weeks which included Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Will Smith as Deadshot, Jared Leto as the Joker as well as the rest of the Suicide Squad. We basically have a hard time finding anything wrong with any of those choices. Finally, the PlayStation Experience (PSX) took place in Las Vegas and we give our take on all the news coming out of that event and so much more in this weeks Tower of Babble Podcast.

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November 5, 2026

Bonus Episode - ToB Film Club - Almost Famous (2000)

I learned after seeing this movie that Cameron Crow, the writer/director, describes this movie as semi-biographical, and to be honest it sort of reframes the whole picture. Because, one might ask themselves, not knowing any better, why this movie stars a 15-year old rock reporter, as opposed to, you know, an adult? But given that Mr. Crowe was writing this about himself, well... I guess congrats? You've lived a pretty cool life. That all being said, I did enjoy 'Almost Famous' quite a bit. It has a lot to say; commentary on cultural/artistic criticism, uniqueness of sub-cultures, the power of music, what defines a genuine connection, etc. Largely it feels like a hang-out movie, meaning none of those concepts are explored in great depth, but it shows you enough of everything to feel like a complete idea. Aiding in this are the the well drawn characters (again, probably because they're based on real people) portrayed by a big-name cast all performing at or near the top of their game. I mean, it's hard to be upset with a movie with Philip Seymour Hoffman playing a jaded music journalist with a penchant for 'The Who' (Winnipeg represent!). It drags a bit near the end, but the pseudo-epilogue, which puts a finer point on the story, is worth the wait.

October 8, 2026

Bonus Episode - ToB Film Club - Office Space (1999)

Every so often a piece of media comes around that speaks to the truth of our modern society in such an astute way that it just simply cannot be denied. Mike Judge's 'Office Space' might be THE exemplar of this. Despite being almost 30 years old, it still captures the reality of office work in such painful clarity that it still resonates as powerfully today, if not even more powerfully (god knows, Corporations have only seemingly gotten worse since Y2k). Amazingly, despite the low-hanging, cringe humour, fruit that was perfectly captured by 'The Office' just 6 years later (2005), this movie plays it much more like a straight comedy, and yet it's manages to capture the soul-deadening nature of office work the endures for many to this day. While not perfect, there are moments so enduring that this movie will continue to resonate as long as people continue to work in an office. No notes. Eat the rich - Burn it all down!

August 21, 2026

ToB Interlude - The Odyssey

Despite being over 3000 years old, Homer's 'The Odyssey' has remained an enduring work of fiction. It's hard to conceive how many times this story has been told and retold. For this reason it's all the more compelling to have one of our generations greatest visual storytellers reinterpret this foundational work for modern audiences. In fact, you could argue this may be the richest interpretations, while understanding the limitations of the filmic medium, given the wonders of modern technology (imagine what the ancient Greeks would think of this!). That's without even mentioning that this film was shot entirely on 70 mm IMAX film (a first of it's kind), and while it may very well be a dying medium, it remains one of the grandest forms of visual storytelling available still today. A beautiful marriage of subject and medium. That is all to say that Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' is a remarkable film. The job of pulling an ancient text into the modern world in way that still captures the imagination is no easy task, but I can safely say accomplished with style by Nolan. While certainly not perfect, the film's ability to leverage the story of Odysseus to deliver a message profoundly relevant to our current time speaks both to the timeless nature of the story but also to Nolan's craftsmanship to shape his telling in such a way as to be pointed in the parable. Which may end up being the film's enduring legacy.

July 30, 2026

Bonus Episode - ToB Film Club - The Warriors (1979)

Another cult classic, 'The Warriors' brings a distinctly unique sense of style and grittiness that feels right at home on the grimy streets of 1970's New York City. The gang-centered heightened reality of the film feels almost Shakespearian in nature, as if you're watching an mythological journey fraught with peril of all kinds - violence, temptation, and the law. This movie was selected as a double-feature of sorts with Nolan's recently released 'The Odyssey' and the comparisons between these stories feels apt. At the end of the day it's just people trying to get home and doing their best to overcome the challenges the world throws at them. The stakes are clear, and while the nature of good guys vs bad guys is more than a bit muddied here (Ajax... dude, wtf?) the thrilling chases, bombastic action sequences and the long awaited final confrontation are all working at a high level (despite some pretty flat performances and lackluster dialogue). While there are certain elements of the movie that DO NOT age well (looking at you gender politics), the core of the film remains strong and executed well. Plus, as an added bonus, the soundtrack for this movie absolutely slaps! This is a fun ride and it's easy to see why it's endured over these many years.

Episode 45 - Star Wars, Suicide Squad and PSX

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