SSSW - The Mandalorian S1E5 "The Gunslinger"

Julian Meush December 8, 2019

After suffering damage during a dogfight with a rival bounty hunter, The Mandalorian is forced to dock at the notorious backwater planet of tatooine. While grounded, Mando heads to the Mos Eisley Cantina expecting to find a nefarious den of scum and villainy, only to find a post-Empire, less-villainous, droid-operated dive bar. Luckily, Toro Calican; a prospective bounty hunter is onsite and recruits The Mandalorian for a high-risk, high-reward mission to capture a rival mercenary. Under The Mandalorian’s guidance, the rookie bounty hunter come close to success, but the avaricious nature of the profession wins out and Toro seizes an opportunity to make a name for himself.

Also, more baby Yoda memes are generated. Cool.

Episode 145 - DC Check-In

Julian Meush December 7, 2019

The ToB Crew is back with another regular episode of the ToB Podcast. A lot has happened, especially at Warner Brothers, so the guys decide to do a recap of all things DC. Variety is reporting that DC brass don’t know how to make Superman relevant to modern audiences, all while Henry Cavil drops some Superman nuggets, Michael B Jordan is pitching Superman ideas, and Ben Affleck is stoking the flames of #ReleaseTheSynderCut with a tweet. Needless to say there’s a lot to talk about. The guys also touch on the new “Sonic the Hedgehog” trailer, Mark Wahlberg’s casting in the “Uncharted” movie and much more!

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Watchmen S1E7 "An Almost Religious Awe": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush December 3, 2019

Dan and Jeremy are back to breakdown the latest episode of HBO’s Watchmen series; the most appropriately titled episode to date, this week left us all in feeling shock and “An Almost Religious Awe”.

Angela relives some of her own memories as she comes down from the Nostalgia trip; Petey stumbles into the aftermath of Looking Glass’ last stand; Lady Trieu takes advantage of an elephant that never forgets; Laurie overplays her hand; Veidt faces day 365 of his trial; Bian’s true lineage is revealed; Joe Keene explains his master (race) plan; and, with the Doomsday Clock close to midnight, the bell tolls for Cal and Angela’s secret.

SSSW - The Mandalorian S1E4 "Sanctuary"

Julian Meush December 1, 2019

When Mando and Baby Yoda flew off into space at the end of Chapter 3, many people expected the show to take a turn and start driving toward a logical goal or destination. Unfortunately for those people, that wasn’t the in Chapter 4 “Sanctuary”. In many ways a filler episode, Mando makes a stop in a backwater world only to meet a former Rebel Shock Trooper, and a wholesome village before all havoc breaks loose. Filled with some cliched story beats and questionable direction and performances, it’s easily the worst installment of The Mandalorian so far. That doesn’t mean it didn’t still have it’s redeeming elements however, with Baby Yoda steeling the spotlight once again, as well as an exciting set-piece finale, it’s clear the show hasn’t completely lost it’s touch, and there’s still plenty to look forward to. Join Julian, Daniel, and Jeremy as they unpack the full episode and dive into the details.

ToB Film Club - Watchmen (2009)

Julian Meush November 28, 2019

Zack Snyder is a polarizing figure, but regardless of what you think of him or his movies, he certainly knows how to draw a crowd. His movies are often over the top, action packed, and visually stunning. Which also happens to be a great way to describe one of the most polarizing films in his entire oeuvre; Watchmen. Based on the most critically acclaimed graphic novel of all time, one that was considered by many to be “un-adaptable”, Snyder certainly had a lot to live up to. Leaning on what he knew best, and in much the same way he approached 300, Snyder almost slavishly pasted the pages of the book onto the screen. In so doing he created a film that is adored by many for it’s unwavering adherence to the source materiel, and for others, they saw a disjointed tone piece, albeit gorgeous and well acted, but missing a coherent through-line. Something that was lost as it changed formats. Regardless, it’s a movie that can be dissected in million ways and will likely be talked about for decades, and the ToB Crew is here to do exactly that. Julian, Dan, and Jeremy unpack each glorious moment and misstep in this NON-exclusive version of the ToB Film Club. This one is for everyone!

Watchmen S1E6 "This Extraordinary Being": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush November 26, 2019

The full ToB crew is back to recap Watchmen’s 6th episode “This Extraordinary Being”. Juxtaposing a character reveal in the hagiographic “American Hero Story” with a deep dive into the true origin of Hooded Justice.

After ingesting a nearly lethal dose of Nostalgia Angela finds herself stuck in her grandfather’ memories. Both Angela and the audience experience the crippling injustice of 1940’s America, and the first vast and insidious conspiracy is revealed. As Angela struggles to retain her senses, we witness the first masked avenger’s origin, the inception of the Minutemen, and the degradation of Will Reeves. As with so much of the show, and original comic, the truth and public perception are two completely different things.

SSSW - The Mandalorian S1E3 "The Sin"

Julian Meush November 25, 2019

With Chapter 3 of The Mandalorian we get the culmination of the beginning of what we expect to be an epic journey. Even if what journey will entail is still left unknown. As we watch the Razor Crest fly off into the depths of space at the end of this episode, we are left wondering where this adventure will go next. It can only be described as exciting as The Mandalorian leaves off the first, approximate, third of this season on such a mysterious note. Julian and Daniel, are joined by Jeremy Kozier to try to decipher that mystery as well as acknowledge and appreciate the amazing set pieces, and unbearable cuteness of Baby Yoda on this week’s episode of Small Screen Star Wars.

Watchmen S1E5 "Little Fear of Lightning": ToB Breakdown

Julian Meush November 19, 2019

The ToB Crew returns to discuss the first episode of HBO’s Watchmen that actually starts to answer some questions as opposed to just asking them. This episode primarily follows Looking Glass as they lay out his “secret origin” as well as some answers to other pressing questions (like where the hell Veidt has been this whole time!). More importantly however, it’s another amazing hour of television and Daniel, Jeremy, and Julian and here to break it all down.

SSSW - The Mandalorian S1E2 "The Child"

Julian Meush November 17, 2019

The Mandalorian Chapter 2 picked up right after the events of Chapter 1, and even though it’s another relatively short episode, the show is really starting to round into form. Choosing to forgo dialogue for long stretches in favour of scintillating visuals and a score that brings a distinct feel to the Star Wars universe, The Mandalorian shows that it’s not interested in being a traditional television series. This episode provides less to unpack in terms of small details and Star Wars lore, but that doesn’t mean Julian and Dan can’t fill your ears with more in depth discussion about a show that still neck deep in mystery.

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SSSW - The Mandalorian S1E1

Julian Meush November 14, 2019

It's been a long time in the making! Years of planning, blood, sweat, and tears, but it's finally here! I'm talking of course about Small Screen Star Wars - Tower of Babbles latest spin-off show. On this first official episode Julian and Daniel discuss their impressions on the Disney+ streaming service (including the surprise 4k remasters of the all of the Star Wars movies!) as well as look forward to the future of Star Wars, which is looking much more TV heavy than it ever has in the past. Then they review Chapter 1 of The Mandalorian, the ACTUAL long awaited show that finally brings live-action Star Wars to... the small screen!

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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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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

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SSSW - Andor S2 E4 - 6

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