A.Ron and Cecily have seen this egregious episode of American Horror Story: Cult, “Drink the Kool-Aid”, and have a lot to talk about. A.Ron says this is the scariest episode he’s seen in a long time because cults are scary, and the real life ones depicted here hit uncomfortably close to home. All this, plus feedback for this spooky Halloween episode of AHS!
Jim and A.Ron have seen Thor: Ragnarok and let us be the millionth person to tell you that it is fun and colorful. There isn’t much else there, but, you know, but director Taika Waititi ensured that it’s really fun and really colorful. It asks some big questions about Thor, and Odin, and even the Hulk, but isn’t really interested in the answers. It’s not a bad thing, because it is really, really fun. Cate Blanchett is clearly enjoying being a vampy big bad with a flair for irony and the dramatic, Jeff Goldblum is a delight as an eccentric gladiatorial slave owner. The premise and resolution are quite clever. We just are a little puzzled at some of the over the top early buzz hailing it as the new benchmark for comic book movies.
Premium
This is a podcast where Jim and I, using tools created for the purpose, randomly generate a title for a fictional TV show. We then pitch ideas to each other based on what that show would be like if it were real. We like to call it, “Quit Yer Pitchin’!”
Jim and A.Ron decry the debacle that was the latest episode of The Walking Dead, “The Damned”. If you liked the episode, I’m happy for you. But this is us explaining why we didn’t. There was a lot of action, but it had not context, and even if it did, a surprising amount was staged and executed so poorly you couldn’t tell if the good guys were winning or losing, even if you knew the objective. Worse, the rampant Morgalizing of seasons past has returned in a big way. This time, they’re hand wringing about what kind of people they’re going to be in the middle of heated gun fights to make it even more annoying. Ya’ll, we’re desperately hunkered down behind an armored car here, taking fire, waiting for a genuinely good episode to shamble over this season. Maybe next week?
Premium
Watch us record the podcast, including all the sound checks, flubs, and riveting research breaks that you’ve always wished you could see… Hey, at least you can hear the podcast before anyone else.
A.Ron and Cecily went to do a make up review of the Coen Brothers written, George Clooney directed film Suburbicon, and it’s not great, Bob. Cecily saw some interesting things with the social commentary and A.Ron is in agreement that the movie was good looking and well acted, but ultimately the movie is pointless, depressing, and disappointing. We also discuss trailers like we do, but if you want to hear the full spoilers review of the film, you’ll have to be a Club Member. Why not join today?
Jim and A.Ron’s rewatch of HBO’s Game of Thrones continues with “The Prince of Winterfell”. We’re really feeling the tension as the countdown to the invasion of Stannis approaches zero. Also, Robb commits political suicide, the Halfhand recruits Jon for a dangerous mission, and Arya tries to escape Harrenhal before it’s too late. All this plus feedback, and at the end of the podcast our SpoiLore section where we delve deeper into the history and lore of Westeros. Need to catch up? Here’s a Tinfoil SpoiLore archive of previous podcasts by topic. Each link has a time code listed so you can jump right to the tinfoil topic of the week for your convenience and listening pleasure.
Premium
Come watch the episode with us. If it’s bad, we’ll make fun of it. If it’s good… well, we’ll still make fun of it, just a little less seriously.
We conclude our epic Stranger Things marathon — which really has been a month long obsession — with the spectacular, extremely fulfilling, finale of season two, “The Gate”. Maybe you can say the climax is a rehash of last year. But everything else works in just the way you’d hope and hits all the right emotional and character notes and feels so satisfying that it feels mean spirited to harp on a quibble here or there. We feel that this was the perfect follow up the the original Stranger Things, and in the Duffer Bros. we trust. Thanks for coming along on this ride with us. Can’t wait until next time!
Ladies and gentlemen, Bob the Brain. Founder of the AV Club. Hero to all. Shining star that burns so bright. This is your episode, Bob. We’ve got one more episode of season two of Stranger Things left before our marathon is over. Let’s get to it!