Another pandemic year has come and gone, which means there was a lot of time for movie and TV watching (for better or for worse). But most importantly, it means that it's time for the Tower of Babble Podcast co-hosts to come together to discuss their favorite films and shows from the last year. This year's prestigious Tobie Awards, a now 5-year running tradition, sees a seat change for the first time in its history. To discuss the best of best from 2021, Julian is joined as always, by founding co-host Jeremy Kozier, and for the first time, Rachel Wilkinson takes her place at the podium. Three co-hosts deliver their top three in both a film and television category, then move on to discuss what they are looking forward to in 2022. Let the ceremony begin!
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Episode 170 - Lightyear, Book of Boba Fett, and Uncharted
It's been some time since we've had a chance to do a full news episode, and what with all the exciting trailers dropping these days, it felt like the right time to jump back into the news stream. Starting with Pixar's space-epic, 'Lightyear', a movie that seems to confound people more than excite them. At least it looks very pretty! Moving onto 'The Book of Boba Fett', which has had Star Wars fans waiting with bated breath. It was nice to finally get a glimpse into what looks like an exploration of the Star Wars underworld as Fett and his team vie for power in the wake of Jabba. Next is 'Uncharted', a movie that has been a loooong time in the making, and despite our very serious concerns, it's at least nice to see that it's actually coming out. Finally, 'Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City', which has Jeremy VERY excited, as this movie seems to finally explore the intricate story that the games originally laid out decades ago. Plus some news on 'Dune 2', 'John Wick' spinoffs and much more on this week's Tower of Babble Podcast!
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ToB Interlude - The Suicide Squad
In these COVID times, it's rare that we get to review a big-time blockbuster, but with the release of James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad' we do just that this week, and boy does it feel good. The movie out-performs almost all expectations, despite carrying the baggage of Gunn's firing, and subsequent re-hiring by Disney, the critical flop that was the 2016 film (and its miraculously massive box-office haul), and the R rating. It's focused, not concerning itself with tying into a larger world (though that larger world does exist in the periphery). The dialogue is sharp and the performances are top tier, giving additional credence to the power of Gunn's writer/director talents. It's amazing what can happen when you give a talented filmmaker the ability to make the movie they want and not just a piece of a poorly designed puzzle. Overall, the movie is an absolute blast and a hell of a ride. If you have the chance to see this in theatres safely, do yourself a favour and indulge yourself in the weird and wacky world of James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'.
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ToB Interlude - Now on Wednesdays
With Dan out of town, Julian and Jeremy sit down for a casual news catch-up that takes the guys through a myriad of different topics, including: Disney+ moving their original content premiers to Wednesdays, ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ announcement , Jensen Ackles Batman voice, James Cameron’s Avatar, the value of physical media and the role of “special features” in 2021, and much, much more!
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Episode 163 - The Suicide Squad, Game of Thrones, and Black Widow
Julian, Dan, and Jeremy discuss the latest ‘The Suicide Squad’ trailer, as well attempt to decipher an interview from Variety with a WB executive. Spoilers; according to them, there’s no more Snyderverse and David Ayer’s cut of the original ‘Suicide Squad’ will not be produced, plus everything else happening in the wake of ‘Zack Snyder's Justice League’. The guys then muse about the plethora of Game of Thrones spinoffs in the works. Of course it’s not an episode of the Tower of Babble Podcast unless there’s at least one Marvel story, so they also discuss ‘Black Widow’ and it’s move to Disney+, and look forward at the rest of the Marvel slate. Plus much more!
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Episode 160 - Cap Coming Back?
With 2020 now firmly in the rearview mirror, ToB can now return to it's regularly scheduled programming. Or at least as close to it as we can get! It's been a few weeks since a full news show, so there's a lot to discuss. Julian, Dan, and Jeremy break down the biggest stories in the world of film and television, not the least of which being that Warner Bros is apparently doubling down on 'Harry Potter'. They've installed a new VP to oversee the franchise and a live-action series is in early development at HBO Max. On top of that, rumours are swirling about the possible return of Chris Evans' Captain America to the MCU. Plus, Snyder confirms that his Justice League will not be a 4-part series afterall, and instead will be a 4 hour film. Oh did we mention that Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' series got an official synopsis? Well the guys are covering that too! All that and so much more on this week's Tower of Babble Podcast.
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Episode 158 - Fincher Unleashed
As the pandemic rages on, and we adjust to the new normal, so does Hollywood. With news that Wonder Woman 1984 will be coming to HBO Max on Christmas, the future of the theatre going experience becomes even more clouded. Meanwhile, David Fincher is in the press, promoting his latest streaming endeavor ‘Mank’, (and dropping some spicy takes!) fresh off signing a 4-year exclusive deal with Netflix of his own. We watch as the Hollywood landscape is remapped on the fly. But it’s not all doom and gloom! I mean, there’s a ‘Wedding Crashers’ sequel in the works, and a new Predator film coming from Dan Trachtenberg. So there’s SOME hope is all I’m saying. Julian, Dan, and Jeremy also touch on the latest from the Snyder Cut, and weigh in on the pressing subject of whether streaming services should let credits play uninterrupted (you know, the important stuff). All that, and so much more, on this week’s Tower of Babble Podcast.
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