After three long years off the air, True Detective makes a season three comeback on the backs of Mahershala Ali and Stephen Dorff. We talk about the show’s premise and leads, our feelings about the franchise in general, thoughts on the promotional material and interviews we’ve read so far, reasons to hope that season three is a return to form after an arguable stumble in season two, and where things might go wrong. See you back here next Tuesday!
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All 8 days of Paul Giamatti’s One-Man Manger. Merry Christmas, everyone!
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We’re back with a super-sized wrap up episode for our coverage of our new book, Gods of Thrones, as well as putting George’s Fire & Blood to bed as we consider the final third of the book, starting with “The Dying of the Dragons: Rhaenyra Triumphant”. Anthony and I get things kicked off with a discussion of Lord Cregan Stark and his “Hour of the Wolf”. Then I welcome our old pal Kim Renfro (follow her on Twitter!) back to discuss women in Westeros, our theories on Game of Thrones and GRRM himself. Finally, I interview illustrator Chase Stone, who did the cover and interior art for Gods of Thrones, about life as a professional artist, his work on Magic: The Gathering and The World of Ice and Fire, as well as his influences and techniques.
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We continue our Very Giamatti Christmas with a deep dive into Fred Claus. A movie that wants to be Elf but falls off the high wire act that is the commercially successful family film. Their loss is our comedy gain, as we struggle to understand the bizarre rules of Sainthood in this strange alternate reality, ponder what Santa needs with a smoking hot little helper who is the only full sized elf at the Pole, and marvel at a 3 foot tall Ludacris DJing an all Santa, all the time radio station at the big man’s workshop. Merry Christmas!
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Ho ho ho! Jim and A.Ron here to Live Watch a Christmas… Classic? Well, it’s Paul Giamatti as Santa Claus, which fair enough, and Vince Vaughn as his immortal older brother who is a low stakes hustler in Chicago. We’ve never seen this movie before, but it’s a pretty good time with a high enough BAC. Merry Giamatti Christmas! Enjoy!
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Anthony jones me once again as we discuss the second third of GRRM’s new Fire & Blood, as we consider from “Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Their Triumphs and Tragedies” to “The Dying of the Dragons: Rhaenyra Triumphant”. Firewyrms! Mysteries of the wall! Dragon eggs beneath Winterfell! And many other interesting twists and tidbits we found in this fake history book detailing the first 150 years of Targaryen reign over Westeros.
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Paul Rudd and Paul Giamatti star in “All is Bright”, a very good Christmas film about ex-cons trying to go legit by hauling Christmas trees from Canada and selling them to the fine folks of New York City. It’s funny, but way darker than you’re probably expecting, and threads a bitter sweet needle of poignancy that really nails the feeling of those Christmas seasons where things might not be as merry and bright as you might wish. All the more reason to hang our lights up high.