In this introductory mini-episode, Ben & Matt talk through their mission statement for the podcast as well as their history with the Transformers franchise.
If you’d like to watch and read along with us then you need to watch Transformers (2007) before the next episode, and read More Than Meets the Eye Issues 1-8 before Episode 2.
Continue reading More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye – Episode 0: Introductions
Jerome and Brian begin their month long look at Harrison Ford with the only film he was nominated for an Oscar, Witness.
Find out what makes this an almost underrated movie and why we probably should talk more about Peter Weir. They describe the greatness of both the world building first act and climaxing in the third act.
Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Harrison Ford Month: Witness
Brian and Jerome have wrapped on the Ip Man series, and what better way to end the month than with a special bonus “Easter” episode. We celebrate Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar win by briefly taking a look at two of her sequels, “Royal Warriors” and “Heroic Trio 2: Executioners“. One is really good. One is not. It’s a fun way to end “Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man” month.
Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Wo)Man: Michelle Yeoh Bonus Episode
xXx has taken an unlikely path towards franchisedom. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say that the franchise ended up in a radically different location than planned.
The series started in a downswing period for the James Bond franchise, and it seemed like someone wondered, “What if we made an American James Bond and combined him with the X-Games?” and then boom: new franchise.
They even found the perfect lead: Vin Diesel, fresh off the first Fast and Furious film. The only problem was, much like the sequel to Fast and Furious, Diesel refused to make it over script issues that they would not change on his behalf. Again like the Fast franchise, the studio eventually came back to Diesel when they knew it was better off with him and gave him much power over what happens on screen.
As a result, we have an endlessly uneven but sincerely fascinating in-progress franchise centered around one of the handful of new Hollywood stars from the 21st century.
It’s the last week of Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man Month and suffice to say, Jerome and Brian are feeling a little burned out on Ip Man.
Ip Man is now dealing with a cancer diagnosis while traveling to San Francisco to find a school for his son. He deals with racism and prejudice while kicking ass when he needs to. It’s the last film in the franchise and now Bruce Lee has become involved with the storyline as well. Is there a lot going on? Yes. Do plotlines get left behind once again? Yes. But the one shining light in this film is the performance by Scott Adkins, no fat suit needed.
Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man: Episode 4
It’s Week 3 of Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man Month, and Jerome and Brian are starting to notice diminishing returns in the Ip Man franchise.
It’s the third movie and Sammo Hung is out, but MIKE TYSON is in?! That’s right, a 3-minute fight between Ip Man and Mike Tyson that ultimately means nothing in the long run. Once again, it’s multiple storylines that get abandoned half way through the movie for some other plot line.
Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man: Episode 3
It’s Week 2 of Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man as Jerome and Brian watch Ip Man 2, also known as Rocky IV? A sequel that improves in many areas from the set design, story, and better fight sequences than the first. Sammo Hung plays a major role in this and not just behind the camera doing the fight choreography. Is the jury ‘hung’ on this one?
Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man: Episode 2
Jerome and Brian are bingeing the Ip Man series during the month of May and have officially dubbed it ‘Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man’ month. Neither have seen any of the films until now.
They start at the beginning where Ip Man endures and struggles during Japan’s occupation of China during World War II. Does Donnie Yen pack a punch? Yes, many in a short amount of time, in fact.
Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man: Episode 1
Jerome and Brian end their look at Michelle Yeoh’s first decade by discussing the romantic comedy, Wing Chun. Find out why this was a pretty rough watch despite some more very good action. Also, a good transition to what they’ll be discussing next month.
Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Wo)man: Michelle Yeoh in ‘Wing-Chun’
Over the course of Ben & Matt’s Marvellous Journey your hosts have been curating their list of favourite acting performances aka ‘The All-Marvel List‘.
Now twice as big as last time you probably didn’t read it! Continue reading The Top 40 MCU Performances
The Reel World 