Podcast: Talking SMAC

Mat Groom returns to talk about Inferno Girl Red Book 2 (and spoilers,) as well as his other works, including Immortal Legend Batman, his history in the industry and more!  Intro (0:00) Mat Groom, what’cha doin’? (1:55) Mat’s transition from podcaster to comic writer (5:49) How’d they get Christina Vee to be the voice of… Continue reading 241. Mat Groom Returns!

Josh, Alex & the returning Justin (from the Movie Wire) review the results of their 2025 draft class and reload for the 2026 blockbuster season.  Intro (0:00) 2025 results & winner (9:49) 2026 draft order and rules (13:35) Round 1 (14:08) Round 2 (25:33) Round 3 (38:42) Round 4 (53:09) *Alex’s supplemental pick (1:13:24) Draft… Continue reading 240. 2026 Blockbuster Fantasy Draft

Josh, Alex & the returning Justin (from the Movie Wire) review the results of their 2025 draft class and reload for the 2026 blockbuster season.  Intro (0:00) 2025 results & winner (9:49) 2026 draft order and rules (13:35) Round 1 (14:08) Round 2 (25:33) Round 3 (38:42) Round 4 (53:09) *Alex’s supplemental pick (1:13:24) Draft… Continue reading 240. 2026 Blockbuster Fantasy Draft

Josh and Alex discuss their favorite and not-so-favorite things about Fallout season 2 Intro/weather/Olympic discussion (0:00) I Have Some Notes promo (5:01) Don’t trust the USPS with your poutine delivery (5:33) Fallout season 2 discussion (7:49) Josh gripes for a looooooong time (11:40) Alex disagrees (16:52) Who the hell is Justin Theroux: the sequel (34:10)… Continue reading 239. Fallout Season 2

Josh and Alex discuss their favorite and not-so-favorite things about Fallout season 2 Intro/weather/Olympic discussion (0:00) I Have Some Notes promo (5:01) Don’t trust the USPS with your poutine delivery (5:33) Fallout season 2 discussion (7:49) Josh gripes for a looooooong time (11:40) Alex disagrees (16:52) Who the hell is Justin Theroux: the sequel (34:10)… Continue reading 239. Fallout Season 2

The Big Game has come and gone. A new champ has been crowned. But we don’t care about that. What trailers were shown during the commercial breaks.  Intro (0:01): AI, gambling, and baldness Game Club Pod promo (3:11) NFL hates kickers/special teams rant (3:47) Jurassic Park’s Xfinity horror (11:47) Good Will Dunkin (14:39) Will Shat… Continue reading 238. Superb Owl Trailers

The Big Game has come and gone. A new champ has been crowned. But we don’t care about that. What trailers were shown during the commercial breaks.  Intro (0:01): AI, gambling, and baldness Game Club Pod promo (3:11) NFL hates kickers/special teams rant (3:47) Jurassic Park’s Xfinity horror (11:47) Good Will Dunkin (14:39) Will Shat… Continue reading 238. Superb Owl Trailers

We told you what movies to skip last week. This week, we’ll let you know which movies to promote this Valentine’s Day. Intro/opening conversation on regional accents (0:00) Game Club Pod promo (8:10) Romantic movies we love (9:09) Baz Luhrmann’s William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet (10:48) Moulin Rouge (17:48) Romancing the Stone (29:13) Unconventional Recs… Continue reading 237. Romantic Movies We Love

We told you what movies to skip last week. This week, we’ll let you know which movies to promote this Valentine’s Day. Intro/opening conversation on regional accents (0:00) Game Club Pod promo (8:10) Romantic movies we love (9:09) Baz Luhrmann’s William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet (10:48) Moulin Rouge (17:48) Romancing the Stone (29:13) Unconventional Recs… Continue reading 237. Romantic Movies We Love

The romantic season is coming. Let’s help you prep by listing some of our least favorite romantic movies.  Intro/shenanigans and a rebrand..? (0:00) Cultworthy promo (4:22) Romantic movies we don’t recommend (4:40) Sweet November (5:04) Tangent: (500) Days of Summer (16:24) Tangent: Scott Pilgrim vs the World (17:15) Love Actually (19:44) Me Before You (32:49) … Continue reading 236. Romantic Movies to Skip This Valentine’s Day

The romantic season is coming. Let’s help you prep by listing some of our least favorite romantic movies.  Intro/shenanigans and a rebrand..? (0:00) Cultworthy promo (4:22) Romantic movies we don’t recommend (4:40) Sweet November (5:04) Tangent: (500) Days of Summer (16:24) Tangent: Scott Pilgrim vs the World (17:15) Love Actually (19:44) Me Before You (32:49) … Continue reading 236. Romantic Movies to Skip This Valentine’s Day

Nostalgiathon 2026 continues with Stephen, from the Nerd Ranks podcast, returning. This time to discuss the 40th anniversary of the Jim Henson classic; The Labyrinth Intro/Josh has started reading Fellowship of the Ring thanks to Stephen (0:00) Josh and Stephen are on the same page with segues (4:06) Jim Henson’s legacy (5:21) Labyrinth 40th anniversary… Continue reading 235. Labyrinth 40th Anniversary w/Nerd Ranks

Nostalgiathon 2026 continues with Stephen, from the Nerd Ranks podcast, returning. This time to discuss the 40th anniversary of the Jim Henson classic; The Labyrinth Intro/Josh has started reading Fellowship of the Ring thanks to Stephen (0:00) Josh and Stephen are on the same page with segues (4:06) Jim Henson’s legacy (5:21) Labyrinth 40th anniversary… Continue reading 235. Labyrinth 40th Anniversary w/Nerd Ranks

Josh & Alex kick off Nostalgiathon 2026 by celebrating 40 years of the comedy classic; Three Amigos! How do they celebrate, you ask? By talking over the movie so you can watch along with them whenever you like, of course! It’s Talking Commentaries! Please remember to check out the 2 Blokes from Blighty podcast, join… Continue reading 234. Talking Commentaries: Three Amigos!

Josh & Alex kick off Nostalgiathon 2026 by celebrating 40 years of the comedy classic; Three Amigos! How do they celebrate, you ask? By talking over the movie so you can watch along with them whenever you like, of course! It’s Talking Commentaries! Please remember to check out the 2 Blokes from Blighty podcast, join… Continue reading 234. Talking Commentaries: Three Amigos!

Josh and Alex go over the big releases coming in 2026 for TV/Streaming, video games and movies. Intro/Josh doesn’t know how to carry a conversation/Alex has technical difficulties/Extra slash, because you’re not reading this (0:00) Super Familiar with the Wilsons promo (3:58) TV/Streaming shows (6:00) Quick correction from the SMACademy Awards (12:09) Back to TV/streaming… Continue reading 233. 2026 Preview

Josh and Alex go over the big releases coming in 2026 for TV/Streaming, video games and movies. Intro/Josh doesn’t know how to carry a conversation/Alex has technical difficulties/Extra slash, because you’re not reading this (0:00) Super Familiar with the Wilsons promo (3:58) TV/Streaming shows (6:00) Quick correction from the SMACademy Awards (12:09) Back to TV/streaming… Continue reading 233. 2026 Preview

Josh and Alex breakdown the year 2025 in pop culture with our favorite movies, comics, games, and more! Intro (0:00) Sugar Coated Murder promo (4:11) Best Movie (5:21) Best Animated Feature (12:33) Best TV/Streaming Show (14:42) Best Video Game (23:37) Favorite Comic (31:05) Favorite Live-Action Movie Character (35:04) Favorite Video Game Character (41:11) Favorite Live-Action… Continue reading 232. 2026 SMACademy Awards

Josh and Alex breakdown the year 2025 in pop culture with our favorite movies, comics, games, and more! Intro (0:00) Sugar Coated Murder promo (4:11) Best Movie (5:21) Best Animated Feature (12:33) Best TV/Streaming Show (14:42) Best Video Game (23:37) Favorite Comic (31:05) Favorite Live-Action Movie Character (35:04) Favorite Video Game Character (41:11) Favorite Live-Action… Continue reading 232. 2026 SMACademy Awards

Josh & Alex return to Pandora and review the latest installment in James Cameron’s sci-fi epic and first trilogy. Intro (0:00) No On 15! Allcast promo (1:53) Non-spoiler Avatar Fire & Ash review (3:16) Spoilers for Avatar Fire & Ash (23:04) Avengers: Doomsday teaser trailer campaign (1:00:05) Goodbyes & social media plugs (1:04:39) Please remember… Continue reading 231. Avatar: Fire & Ash Review

Josh & Alex return to Pandora and review the latest installment in James Cameron’s sci-fi epic and first trilogy. Intro (0:00) No On 15! Allcast promo (1:53) Non-spoiler Avatar Fire & Ash review (3:16) Spoilers for Avatar Fire & Ash (23:04) Avengers: Doomsday teaser trailer campaign (1:00:05) Goodbyes & social media plugs (1:04:39) Please remember… Continue reading 231. Avatar: Fire & Ash Review

Josh and Alex break out their magnifying glasses to try and deduce the latest Benoit Blanc mystery in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Intro (0:00) Why no Star Wars sequel trilogy conversation? (1:07) Why Josh doesn’t like the Packers all-white uniforms (6:23) Movie Wire Promo (10:00) Our Instagram is gone! (10:15) Wake… Continue reading 230. Wake Up Dead Man review

Josh and Alex break out their magnifying glasses to try and deduce the latest Benoit Blanc mystery in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Intro (0:00) Why no Star Wars sequel trilogy conversation? (1:07) Why Josh doesn’t like the Packers all-white uniforms (6:23) Movie Wire Promo (10:00) Our Instagram is gone! (10:15) Wake… Continue reading 230. Wake Up Dead Man review

Josh went and saw Zootopia 2, while Alex saw the brand new Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. Intro (0:00) Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 w/Slade providing context (1:29) I Have Some Notes promo (23:13) Zootopia 2 (24:29) WB/Netflix merger, Goodbyes and social media plugs (59:49) Please remember to check out I Have Some Notes, join… Continue reading 229. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 & Zootopia 2

Josh went and saw Zootopia 2, while Alex saw the brand new Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. Intro (0:00) Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 w/Slade providing context (1:29) I Have Some Notes promo (23:13) Zootopia 2 (24:29) WB/Netflix merger, Goodbyes and social media plugs (59:49) Please remember to check out I Have Some Notes, join… Continue reading 229. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 & Zootopia 2

Josh and Alex take a moment to talk with Stephen from the Nerd Ranks podcast about everything under the sun, including their podcast, and what makes their nerd heart sing.  Intro (0:00) The shared love for Zombies Ate My Neighbors (4:48) Stephen, what’cha doin’? (7:27) What inspired the creation of Nerd Ranks? (8:36) Where is… Continue reading 228. Friends of the Pod: Nerd Ranks w/Stephen

Josh and Alex take a moment to talk with Stephen from the Nerd Ranks podcast about everything under the sun, including their podcast, and what makes their nerd heart sing.  Intro (0:00) The shared love for Zombies Ate My Neighbors (4:48) Stephen, what’cha doin’? (7:27) What inspired the creation of Nerd Ranks? (8:36) Where is… Continue reading 228. Friends of the Pod: Nerd Ranks w/Stephen

Josh and Alex reunite with Justin from the Movie Wire to review Wicked For Good Intro (0:00) gaming Views promo (2:59) Wicked For Good review (3:37) Goodbyes and social media plugs (57:22) Please remember to check out Gaming Views, join our Discord and check out our merch store! 

Josh and Alex reunite with Justin from the Movie Wire to review Wicked For Good Intro (0:00) gaming Views promo (2:59) Wicked For Good review (3:37) Goodbyes and social media plugs (57:22) Please remember to check out Gaming Views, join our Discord and check out our merch store! 

Josh flies solo this week to discuss the biggest news and trailers announced in the last few weeks.  Intro (0:00) Game Club Pod promo (0:55) Disney planning to introduce generative ai into the Disney+ platform (2:48) Alien: Earth got a renewal?! (6:44) Gremlins 3 announced (9:48) Avengers: Doomsday trailer confirmed to play in front of… Continue reading 226. The News w/Josh

Josh flies solo this week to discuss the biggest news and trailers announced in the last few weeks.  Intro (0:00) Game Club Pod promo (0:55) Disney planning to introduce generative ai into the Disney+ platform (2:48) Alien: Earth got a renewal?! (6:44) Gremlins 3 announced (9:48) Avengers: Doomsday trailer confirmed to play in front of… Continue reading 226. The News w/Josh

It’s a special all-guest episode of Talking SMAC! Antonio (the Josh for this week) and Justin (the Alex for this week) from Back 2 the Balcony fill in to give a full-SPOILER review Predator Badlands! Don’t forget to support Antonio and Justin’s respective solo podcasts, as well. Click here to check out the Cultworthy and… Continue reading 225. Predator Badlands

It’s a special all-guest episode of Talking SMAC! Antonio (the Josh for this week) and Justin (the Alex for this week) from Back 2 the Balcony fill in to give a full-SPOILER review Predator Badlands! Don’t forget to support Antonio and Justin’s respective solo podcasts, as well. Click here to check out the Cultworthy and… Continue reading 225. Predator Badlands

Josh, Alex & Matt come together to answer our favorite question: What’cha Doin’?  Intro (0:00) Cultworthy promo (3:06) Matt: Star Trek Strange New Worlds season 3 (4:50) Alex: Blair Witch franchise deep dive (22:26) Josh: Nobody Wants This (35:56) Alex: Chad Powers (41:27) Matt: Pokémon Legends Z-A (54:16) Alex goes nuclear (1:01:39) Josh: Alien: Earth… Continue reading 224. What’cha Doin’? XII

Josh, Alex & Matt come together to answer our favorite question: What’cha Doin’?  Intro (0:00) Cultworthy promo (3:06) Matt: Star Trek Strange New Worlds season 3 (4:50) Alex: Blair Witch franchise deep dive (22:26) Josh: Nobody Wants This (35:56) Alex: Chad Powers (41:27) Matt: Pokémon Legends Z-A (54:16) Alex goes nuclear (1:01:39) Josh: Alien: Earth… Continue reading 224. What’cha Doin’? XII

Josh is joined by Slade from Driveway Beers Studios (and eventually Luis, too,) to discuss the newly released Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. The next chapter in the Chainsaw Man anime, as previously discussed on the pod. Disclaimer – Harsh editing (0:00) Intro/Welcome back, Slade (1:04) Previously on Talking SMAC… (4:59) Chainsaw Man… Continue reading 223. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Driveway Beers Arc

Josh is joined by Slade from Driveway Beers Studios (and eventually Luis, too,) to discuss the newly released Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. The next chapter in the Chainsaw Man anime, as previously discussed on the pod. Disclaimer – Harsh editing (0:00) Intro/Welcome back, Slade (1:04) Previously on Talking SMAC… (4:59) Chainsaw Man… Continue reading 223. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Driveway Beers Arc

Josh and Alex are joined by Elliot and Lewis from the That’s Not How It Went Down podcast.  Intro (0:00) What is “That’s Not How It Went Down” about? (5:29) Alex and Josh pitch future TNHIWD episode topics (18:26) Alex disallows a couple movies, Josh disagrees (23:23) How do they come up with movies for… Continue reading 222. ‘That’s Not How It Went Down’ Interview

Josh and Alex are joined by Elliot and Lewis from the That’s Not How It Went Down podcast.  Intro (0:00) What is “That’s Not How It Went Down” about? (5:29) Alex and Josh pitch future TNHIWD episode topics (18:26) Alex disallows a couple movies, Josh disagrees (23:23) How do they come up with movies for… Continue reading 222. ‘That’s Not How It Went Down’ Interview

Return to the grid and escape the grid! Alex & Justin take on the Programs and review Tron Ares Daft Punk vs NIN! They also touch on John Candy documentary: I like me, and 2025 legasequel-boots Final Destination: Bloodlines, M3gan 2.0, and The Naked Gun Please remember to check out the Casting Views podcast, join our… Continue reading 221. Tron Ares & 2025 Legasequels