ToB Interlude - Venom Car-Cast

Julian Meush October 9, 2018

Another big comic book movie release, another car-cast giving our immediate impressions right out of the theatre. This week sees Julian having watched Sony’s latest superhero romp, Venom. Julian gives a quick spoiler free review of a film that had nothing but bad buzz heading into it’s opening weekend but was still able to surprise in terms of it’s entertainment value, which might explain it’s, better than expected, box office performance.

Episode 122 - Thurpteen

Julian Meush October 2, 2018

After what feels like at least one week Dan, Julian, and Jeremy are back to break down the latest news in film/television. Including the Bumblebee trailer leaving Julian and Jeremy feeling hopeful and nostalgic, and the X-men: Dark Phoenix trailer leaving everyone thoroughly indifferent, and the second Titans trailer managing to right the ship slightly. The Venom movie falls victim to some major edits, two more Gotham City Sirens find their voice, and Gambit is being pitched as a “Rom-Com”… still don’t know how to react to that last one.

Episode 121 - Captain Marvel, Joker, and Bob Iger

Julian Meush September 24, 2018

Julian, Daniel, and Jeremy sit down to discuss what turned out to be a VERY busy week in nerdy news. It all started with the Captain Marvel teaser and only got more exciting as the news kept rolling in. The Joaquin Phoenix Joker reveal would have been enough but on top of that there was also an interview with Disney CEO, Bob Iger, that had him spilling the beans on the future of the MCU and Star Wars, as well as the James Gunn firing. Oh and did we mention that Emmy awards winners were announced, and that there’s a live action Avatar: The Last Air Bender in the works at Netflix? Yea, that happened too! All that and so much more on this week’s Tower of Babble Podcast!

ToB Interlude - The Predator Car-Cast

Julian Meush September 20, 2018

It’s not often that the ToB Crew get to see movies together, Fortunately today was one of those special days. Julian and Jeremy sit down (in Julian’s car) right after walking out of the theatre to discuss Shane Black’s The Predator. The guys keep it spoiler free as they briefly give their initial impressions of the latest film in the somewhat maligned Predator franchise.

Episode 120 - Bye Bye Hank

Julian Meush September 17, 2018

The whole crew is back together now that Jeremy has returned from across the pond, and it couldn’t have been soon enough because it’s all hands on deck for this bombshell of a rumour coming out of Warner Brothers. Henry Cavill is reportedly done with the role of Superman after some messy contract negotiations. The guys break down every angle of this Super-story, as well as discuss the early reactions from Predator, the continued production troubles of American Gods, and initial impressions from Spider-Man on PS4. All that and so much more in this week’s Tower of Babble Podcast!

ToB Interlude - 2001: A Space Odyssey

Julian Meush September 5, 2018

This week the guys take a brief detour and discuss one of the most highly regarded films of all time. 2001: A Space Odyssey is celebrating it's 50th anniversary and was screened in IMAX for the occasion. Being able to watch Kubrick's masterpiece on the biggest screen with the best sound would be worth the price of admission alone, but imagine if that was your first time ever seeing it? This was the unlikely experience Julian was treated to when he went to the theatre. He sits down with Daniel to discuss everything from the technical wizardry of the 60's, and the merits of an "intermission" in modern cinema, all the way to the deeper meaning of the film, and it's impact on today's movies.

Episode 119 - Outstanding Achievement in Popular BS

Julian Meush August 20, 2018

With Jeremy jetting off to Europe it leaves just Julian and Dan to carry the load. Fortunately (or I suppose, unfortunately, depending on how you look at it) the last week was pretty light on news. The big story being The Academy announcing the addition of a new "popular film" award for The Oscars with almost no info and then dropping the mic and disappearing. Beyond that, the guys also break down a few smaller news bits and indulge in the tangents to pass the time. Plus! Make sure to stay after the credits to enjoy a rare "after dark" segment where Julian and Dan break free from the shackles of nerdome and talk about anything and everything. Enjoy!

Episode 118 - New Star Trek, More Star Wars

Julian Meush August 13, 2018

With Daniel stuck at work it's up to Julian and Jeremy to carry the load and discuss the latest in film and television news. The guys discuss the latest trailer for Tom Hardy's Venom and whatever else Sony has up their sleeve for their non-Spider-Man, Spider-Man universe, catch up on the latest developments in the James Gunn situation and talk Star Wars Episode IX as they begin produ... What's this? Dan has arrived and he's brought with him beer? It's a miracle! The three continue the discussion by talking about Patrick Stewart's surprise Star Trek announcement, the budget for the live-action Star Wars show and review Alex Garland's Annihilation. All this, and so much more, on this week's Tower of Babble Podcast!

Game of Thrones S1E10 "Fire and Blood": ToB Breakdown Rewatch

Julian Meush August 6, 2018

With the first appearance of dragons, season one of Game of Thrones comes to an end. Julian and Dan sit down to discuss all the nitty-gritty details of the show's first season finale as the youngest Stark's have visions, things get even worse for Sansa, Arya becomes Arry, Tyrion gets a new job, Jon tries to desert, the Lannisters retreat, and Danny acquires three new friends.

Game of Thrones S1E9 "Baelor": ToB Breakdown Rewatch

Julian Meush July 31, 2018

A day late but never a dollar short, Julian and Dan break down the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones' inaugural season. The guys discuss how the iconic ending overshadows a stellar episode in which Ned puts family first, Catelyn brokers a deal with Walder Frey, Tyrion meets a new friend, Robb wins a major victory, Jon receives a gift, Drogo falls ill and Danny makes a difficult decision.

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SSSW - Tales of the Underworld

Jun 5, 2025

Lucasfilm Animation has been hard at work on their next major project, 'Maul: Shadow Lord', but they've found the time to deliver another installment in their "Tales of" anthology series. The first ones covering the Jedi and the Empire, they now turn their focus towards the Underworld. However, be warned, this is a bit of a misnomer. Don't expect any crime syndicates or really any large scale criminality here. These 2 mini-arcs instead focus on Asajj Ventress (I know, not the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions the Underworld) as she assists a young Jedi on the run from the Empire, and the origin story of Cad Bane. Which admittedly is closer in line with the criminal underworld concept, but is really more interested in telling a western style revenge story instead. All in all, despite the always great visuals and sound/music design, and few interesting ideas, there's not enough meat on the bone here to satisfy most viewers. But most disappointing is its failure to capitalize on the potential of the Underworld concept.

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SSSW/ToB Film Club - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

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It's hard to believe that 'Rogue One' premiered nearly a decade ago. At the time, it was fairly well received, considered to be a decent first step into the standalone Star Wars movies, if not a bit messy. As the years passed, we learned more about the production. Gareth Edwards, who retained sole directing credit, was assisted by Tony Gilroy to "fix" the project. Tony went so far as to call it a "corpse" when he came aboard for rewrites and reshoots. It was Tony's inclusion that brought us some of the movies most memorable moments, and ultimately led him to leading the charge on 'Andor', a prequel project that flew under the radar as hits like 'The Mandalorian' hogged the spotlight. With 'Andor' now complete, considered by many to be a masterpiece in storytelling, not just in Star Wars but on television in general, now is the most appropriate time to reexamine the movie that spawned the Cassian-centered prequel series with fresh eyes. 'Andor', which leads directly into the events of 'Rogue One' recontextualizes much of the film, creating a unique viewing experience that pays off a multitude of threads that are brilliantly laid over the two seasons of 'Andor'. It takes the movie, which was already pretty good, and makes it great. Now existing as part of a whole that weaves a cohesive narrative from the nascent moments of the Rebellion all the way through to the destruction of the Death Star in 1977 (the seed that begat ALL Star Wars, and what we appropriately align our Star Wars BBY calendars to). It all feels wholistic and considered when viewed from the broader perspective - an accomplishment that should set a shining example of what Star Wars can and should aspire to.

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May 15, 2025

SSSW - Andor S2 Finale

May 15, 2025

After only 4 weeks - the blink of an eye - it's all over. The best Star Wars story since the Original Trilogy has graced our screens and left us in awe. These final three episodes weren't able to reach the emotional highs of last week's arc, but that wasn't the goal. Instead, it provides time to look back at what brought us here, and sets the stage for the climax of the story to take place not in this moment, but within the now recontextualized film that birthed all of this in the first place, 'Rogue One'. And while the show may carry Cassian's name on the title screen, it's been the cast of characters we've met along the way that truly elevated this experience. Not to pick favourites, but in particular, Luthen and Kleya, who get an episode all to themselves this week are the standouts. And what an episode it was, as their story which shepherded much of the series came to an end, as we all expected it would have to. Embracing those feelings of closure, in the final moments of the series, as Cassian flies off into 'Rogue One', we are treated to our last glimpses of our heroes and villains. From Dedra to Vel and even Perrin, we are left to consider their fates as the story marches with inevitability into what begat all of this way back in 1977. Will we ever see Kleya, Vel, Wilmon, or Bix again? One can only hope - and rebellions? Well, they're built on hope.

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SSSW - Andor S2 E7 - 9

May 9, 2025

When dealing in the world of prequels, it’s impossible to escape the inevitable - Anakin will fall, Han will win the Falcon, Cassian will die on Scarif. Somehow, in the midst of some of the most thrilling episodes of television ever put to screen, Tony Gilroy and his team found a way to address that impending doom and weaponize it against the audience to induce some of the most gut wrenching and heart breaking moments we’ve yet to see on ‘Andor’ - “There’s some place he needs to be”. At a larger scale, the show continues to outdo itself on a weekly basis, proving that the Star Wars galaxy provides a colour pallet of some of the richest hues from which to paint bold and personal stories. Proving you can go beyond the larger than life stories of heroics and grandeur to human stories of loss and pain and everything in between. That’s without mentioning the deft touch in pulling in themes that resonates with the contemporary while remaining timeless - a feeling that is a staple of Star Wars. Every detail is considered, every character is deep and interesting. There isn’t much more that can be said about such a powerful piece of art, except that not even the audience can escape the inevitable - only one week remains of this masterpiece.

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