This week’s episode of ‘The Bad Batch’ brings us back to the good old days of clones vs clankers… in a way. The squad is given a new mission from Cid, and then heads to Corellia to hunt down a decommissioned Tactical Droid. Plus, a surprise appearance of a pair of characters from ‘Clone Wars’ season 7. Though someone might argue that their inclusion, at all, is somewhat problematic. Julian and Rachel break it all down.
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Bonus Episode - ToB Film Club - Drive (2011)
The 2011 film 'Drive' might be most closely associated with the Kavinsky song 'Nightcall'. It plays over a brilliant opening sequence and has been on my playlists ever since. 'Nightcall', as a song, isn't the most complex, but it has a lyric that goes like "There's something inside you. It's hard to explain". Those 2 sentences are able to sum up how I feel about 'Drive'. The film has something inside it that makes it stand out even after a decade. It's stylish, calm, calculated, even romantic, and to be honest, it's not that hard to explain. The only thing that confounds me about it, is the fact that 10 years have seemingly disappeared before my eyes. But maybe there's a message in that too. 'Drive' features a nameless main character that seems to almost daydream through life. If you too feel like you've been day dreaming through life, then it's time to wake up and do something! And that something is, sit down, watch 'Drive', and then listen to our excellent review. Enjoy!
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SSSW - The Bad Batch S1E5 "Rampage"
We pick up with the Bad Batch as they attempt to gather intel on why Omega has a bounty hunter on her tail. The plan is to meet with an old Jedi informant to try to ID who was chasing them. The plan, unsurprisingly, goes sideways when they are recruited by the informant to do a "rescue" mission in exchange for the information. It's another step into the underworld for our squad, but also the introduction of a fascinating new character in Cid, as well as some fun connections to 'Return of the Jedi'. Listen as Julian and Rachel break it all down!
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Episode 165 - Tectonic Shifts in Streaming
It's been hot minute since the ToB Crew gathered to discuss the latest in film and TV news, but it’s been worth the wait because there are some gigantuan stories that need to be covered, and some of them will have lasting effects for years to come. Firstly, AT&T is done with WarnerMedia, who will be merging with Discovery to become an even bigger player in the streaming wars. Speaking of streaming, Amazon is making their own moves in that space as they look to acquire MGM. On the more creative side of things, news of a new Batman animated series made waves with the announcement that animation legend Bruce Timm would be executive producing. Plus Marvel dropped a sizzle reel and a trailer for Shang Chi. So there's plenty to cover! Join Julian, Jeremy and Dan as they discuss all these stories, plus much more, on this week's Tower of Babble Podcast!
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SSSW - The Bad Batch S1E4 "Cornered"
The picture of what ‘The Bad Batch’ will be like week-to-week is becoming more clear. This week’s episode “Cornered”, brings a fan favorite character to animation for the first time, but more importantly, it established that this show is not interested in slowing down, and in fact seems to be speeding up, despite there still being 12 episodes left. The pacing here is relentless but never feels rushed, even with only a 22 minute runtime, and the they are finding clever ways to blend the truly spectacular action (some of, if not the best, non-lightsaber action in recent memory) with some tender character moments. Plus, the show is apparently not afraid of getting dark as this week episode continues to prove. I’ll say it again, this is top tier Star Wars. Listen as Julian and Rachel recap the full episode right here!
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SSSW - The Bad Batch S1E3 "Replacements"
After a supersized recap of episodes 1 and 2 last week, Julian and Rachel return to discuss the more subdued (but surprisingly dark) third episode of 'The Bad Batch'. With an homage to 'Empire Strikes Back' and undercurrents of political intrigue maintaining the momentum this week's episode might not move the plot forward much but it makes up for it in style. The control chip is still top of mind for all parties but new Imperial players start to lay the groundwork for a new conscripted army, all while the titular Bad Batch work to get themselves out of a jam. Join the SSSW Crew as they break it all down, scene by scene.
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SSSW - The Bad Batch S1E1 "Aftermath" and S1E2 "Cut and Run"
It's been a long 5 months since we last visited Mando and Grogu. But Star Wars Day brought a return to the galaxy far, far away with the premiere of the much anticipated 'The Clone Wars' sequel; 'The Bad Batch'. Julian is once again joined by Rachel to break down every scene from the 90 minute premiere "Aftermath", as well as the second episode of the season that came only two days later, "Cut and Run" (yes, it's a long podcast). Gorgeous animation, moving musical themes, a grittier tone and darker setting are all hallmarks of this new Lucasfilm Animation series, but will it reach the same heights as 'The Clone Wars'? Let's find out!
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ToB Interdude - Mortal Kombat
With more and more video games being adapted into movies or TV shows, it’s about time that we looked to our roots and revived one of the OG video game movies; ‘Mortal Kombat’. The movies from the 90’s hold cult status, and with the game franchise as strong as ever, WB felt like the time was right to bring Sub-Zero and Scorpion back to the big screen (or I guess small screen on HBO MAX). Julian sits down with Dan and Jeremy, both of whom bringing decades of MK history and knowledge with them, to dissect the film. Will this version become a cult hit like it’s forebearers? Will it do well enough to kickoff a whole new series? All these questions and more are tackled in this week’s episode of the Tower of Babble Podcast.
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ToB Interlude - 2021 Oscars Preview Show
With less than a week left before the Oscars, it’s time for the annual ToB Oscars Preview Show! Last year, pre-covid, the festivities were much more formal (with some of the hosts even wearing fancy jackets!), but this year things are a bit more subdued. It’s just Julian and Dan this week (subbing out Jeremy) as they look forward to what should be a memorable Academy Awards celebration. Or so they tell us! With covid impacting every aspect of Hollywood, they discuss what that will mean for the broadcast. With names like Steven Soderbergh taking the reins expect things to be a dit different. According to Soderbergh himself, they want the show to “feel like a movie” (whatever that means), and don’t call the stars on stage “presenters”! No they’re cast members nows. Either way, it’s shaping up to be something interesting. After that, we move into our “main event” as the guys discuss each of the “Best Picture” nominees before moving on to predictions for the winners in the biggest categories (sorry “Costume Design”).
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Episode 164 - Netflix Inking Deals, WB Cancels New Gods, and the Iron Anniversary
Just the two J’s this week as Dan is away. Julian, and Jeremy discuss Rian Johnson’s big money ‘Knives Out’ deal with Netflix, Warner Bros. cancelling ‘The Trench’ and Ava DuVernay’s ‘New Gods’, and the 10th year anniversary of ‘Game of Thrones’ premiere on HBO that they’re calling the “Iron Anniversary”. The guys also touch on some notable release schedule changes around Hollywood, and the cast list for ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’, which had a few pleasant surprises. All that, and so much more, on this week’s Tower of Babble Podcast!
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