Cosmic Circus Podcasts

’Superman & Lois’ Season 4 Premiere Discussion| The Cosmic Circle Podcast

Superman & Lois returned to The CW this past week with a 2-hour premiere, signaling the beginning of the end of the Arrowverse's reign on the cable network. In this episode of The Cosmic Circle, host Brian Kitson and fellow The Cosmic Circus writers Wiktor Reinfuss and Vin break down all the exciting bits from the two-hour premiere. Was there anything shocking in the episodes they didn't see coming? Where do they think the season will go? And why does Lex Luthor have such a bad wig!?! And what are their hopes for the rest of the final season. All this and more lay ahead in the Superman & Lois final season premiere podcast!
 
 
Ep. 63 Timestamps: Superman & Lois final season premiere podcast
[Warning: Spoilers discussed for the premiere episodes of season 4 within this podcast]
00:00 - Intro
01:20 - General thoughts on the first episodes of Superman & Lois season 4 
06:00 - Another strong emotional season for this beloved series
10:45 - Did you see this Superman storyline coming at the end of the last season?
15:00 - The Super Sons, Jordan and John . Who is ready to step up and be a hero like their dad?
18:00 - Could Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) return to mentor the boys?
21:00 - Lois' grief this season and her seemingly checking out on the boys.
23:00 - Where did Doomsday go?
25:40 - A more "human" approach to superheroes in this series than other shows/films
30:49 - Lex Luthor (Michael Cudlitz), comparing this iteration to the previous, including Michael Rosenbaum in Smallville
42:26 - Is there another HUGE fight coming for this show?
43:20 - Milton Fine
46:45 - Are they saving the budget for something big at the end of the season?
54:07 - What are your hopes for the rest of Superman & Lois season 4?
01:03:07 - Outros

’The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2, and Future Seasons | The Cosmic Circle Podcast

Season 2 of the epic series Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has recently wrapped up, and writers Drew Reed and Uday Kataria have thoughts to share! Listen in to their in-depth discussion about the second season, what they expect to see in Rings of Power season 3 and possibly 4, and take a deep dive into some of the J.R.R. Tolkien lore behind the Prime Video show.
 
Timestamps
00:00 - Intros
00:28 - Season 2 vs Season 1 thoughts (SPOILER WARNING for both seasons!)
09:00 - Galadriel and Elrond's story this season
11:00 - The challenges of having so many characters stories and working with Tolkien's narrative framework from the novels. The Silmarillion discussion.
15:00 - Learning more about what the orcs are and their lives
17:30 - Annatar
19:00 - Remaking the films vs coming up with new ideas.
22:00 - More depth to Sauron, and comparing his depiction in ROP vs the books vs the Peter Jackson films. Charlie Vickers performance.
30:00 - Is everything too rushed with a compressed timeline?
33:10 - Issues with season 2
40:30 - Tom Bombadil
45:00 - The Harfoots and Gandalf's story, the Blue Wizards. 
50:00 - What are we likely to see in The Rings of Power season 3 and 4?
57:00 - Outros
 
Podcast credits and show notes
Contributors/Writers
Uday Kataria
Drew Reed
Executive Producer/Editor
Lizzie Hill
Recorded on 10/10/2024

Joker: Folie à Deux Movie Review with Vin & John! | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin dive deep into the Joker duology. Are they worth awards buzz or angry backlash? How does the new film compare to the original?
Joker (2019) Directed by Todd Phillips Written by Todd Phillips and Scott Silver Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, and Zazie Beetz
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) Directed by Todd Phillips Written by Todd Phillips and Scott Silver Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, and Brendan Gleeson
 
Timestamps 00:00 - Intros 00:45 - Joker 2019 discussion 06:45 - Joker: Folie à Deux 17:45 - Joaquin Phoenix performances in both films 18:10 - SPOILER WARNING after this point for Joker: Folie à Deux 21:28 - Does the sequel make the first film better? 22:43 - Will there be a Joker 3? If not why set up all those Easter eggs? 25:00 - The message of the films (Ending of the sequel discussion) 27:00 - Will you like the sequel if you liked the first Joker? 32:15 - Outros
 
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin discuss Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and the career of Tim Burton. Starring Michael Keaton, Wynona Ryder, and Jenna Ortega, and Catherine O'Hara Originally recorded September 7, 2024
Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 01:45 - history with the original Beetlejuice film starring Michael Keaton, Wynona Rider, Gena Davis and Alec Baldwin 10:10 - Discussing Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 16:38 - Spoiler warning for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 26:10 - special effects in the films 28:15 - would you want a third film? More misc thoughts on the sequel 34:30 - Outros
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

Terminator Zero Netflix Animated Series Review | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin review Terminator Zero! The hit 8-episode Netflix anime series covers the rise of Skynet, leading into the full Terminator movie saga. Written and developed by showrunner Mattson Tomlin Directed by Masashi Kudō Starring (English dub) André Holland, Rosario Dawson, and Timothy Olyphant Originally recorded September 3, 2024
Timestamps 00:10 - intro, our intro to the Terminator franchise and previous Terminator films 09:45 - Terminator Zero is The Matrix Reloaded of Terminator sequels 12:40 - existential questions in the Terminator franchise 17:49 - positives about Terminator Zero 26:00 - negatives about the animated series and comparisons to the previous films 33:08 - connecting Terminator to our current world 34:45 - overall thoughts and ranking for Terminator Zero 36:55 - Recommendations for more movies or shows with robots or time travel 38:55 - Spoiler warning discussion for Terminator Zero 43:30 - Outros
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

Joker: Folie à Deux (Joker 2) John’s Out of Theater Movie Review | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John shares his early reaction to Joker: Folie à Deux starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga and directed by Todd Phillips. The film releases Friday October 4, 2024
Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 02:20 - Joker 2 is not interested in playing by the rules or being conventional 03:00 - Fantasy vs reality of Arthur Fleck aka The Joker 05:00 - What #2 does better than the first film 07:08 - Is Joker: Folie à Deux a better film than the first one? 07:45 - Outro
 
Find the full video review on our YouTube channel @TheCosmicCircus
 For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

’U are the Universe’, ’Dead Talents Society’, ’Else’, and ’Ghost Killer’ - Fantastic Fest 2024 Wrap-Up | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin close out their Fantastic Fest coverage with four great international movies. John also thanks the FF team for their care and support, and reflects on the festival overall.
U ARE THE UNIVERSE Written and directed by PAVLO OSTRIKOV Starring Volodymyr Kravchuk
GHOST KILLER Directed by Kensuke Sonomura Written by Yugo Sakamoto Starring Akari Takaishi, Mario Kuroba, Masanori Mimoto
ELSE Written and directed by Thibault Emin Co-Written with Alice Butaud, Emma Sandona Starring Lika Minamoto, Edith Proust, Matthieu Sampeur
DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY Written and Directed by John Hsu Co-Written with Kun-Lin Tsai Starring Bo-lin Chen, Sandrine Pinna, Gingle Wang
Timestamps 00:00 - Intros 02:40 - U Are the Universe 10:00 - Ghost Killer 14:05 - Else 19:15 - Dead Talents Society 23:45 - John on working as press at Fantastic Fest 2024 26:55 - Thank you to those co-ordinating and working at Fantastic Fest 2024 29:14 - Outros
 Find the video to this podcast on our YouTube channel @TheCosmicCircus
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

A Different Man, The Apprentice, Heretic -Fantastic Fest 2024 Days 4-5 | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin break down the fourth and fifth days of Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. Sebastian Stan double feature (A Different Man and The Apprentice), plus the Heretic!
A Different Man Written and directed by Aaron Schimberg Stars Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson
The Apprentice Directed by Ali Abbasi Written by Gabriel Sherman Stars Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, with Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, Martin Donovan
Heretic Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods Stars Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East.
Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 03:35 - A Different Man 13:10 - The Apprentice 26:30 - Heretic 37:25 - Outros
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
For the video version of this podcast visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frb9E6sXdfs
 

U Are The Universe Interview with Writer-Director Pavlo Ostrikov | Fantastic Fest 2024 | Exclusive Interview

Vin interviews writer-director Pavlo Ostrikov about his feature film debut U Are The Universe, a spectacular Ukrainian science fiction movie about depression, hope, and love. Tune in for production history, budget challenges, deleted scenes, influences, and more!
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Vin's reaction to seeing U Are The Universe 01:50 - The writer/director's journey to making this film 04:00 - Challenges to making this sci-fi film during the Ukrainian-Russian war. 08:53 - The robot, CGI and sets in the film 13:00 - What movies did he take inspiration from? 16:00 - The love story in U Are The Universe 17:00 - Finding the right actor to lead this film: Volodymyr Kravchuk 22:18 - Favorite behind the scenes moments or bloopers from filming. 26:00 - Film is a strong statement from Ukrainian film 28:48 - What is he working on next? 31:40 - Where to find him on social media, Outro
Find the video of this podcast on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiMPIEUg4_0
 
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

Will & Harper, The Wild Robot, Anora and more from Fantastic Fest 2024! | Cosmic Circus Reviews

We have another report and reviews from John of films shown at Fantastic Fest this week. Check out his conversation with Vin about it here. More information and time stamps below!
Anora Written, directed and edited by Sean Baker Stars Mikey Madison
Daniela Forever Written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo Stars Henry Golding and Beatrice Grannò
Saturday Night Written and directed by Jason Reitman, co-written by Gil Kenan Stars Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O'Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys, J. K. Simmons
The Wild Robot Written and directed by Chris Sanders Based on book series by Peter Brown Stars Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames
Will & Harper documentary Directed by Josh Greenbaum Starring Will Ferrell and Harper Steele
TIMESTAMPS 00:10 - Intros 01:05 - Anora 06:55 - Daniela Forever 09:33 - Saturday Night 17:04 - The Wild Robot 21:16 - Will & Harper ("One of the best documentaries of this year" - John Dotson) 26:15 - U are the Universe 28:30 - Outros
Find John's written review of Anora and Saturday Night here: https://thecosmiccircus.com/fantastic-fest-2024-movie-reviews-anora-and-saturday-night/
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

The Rule of Jenny Pen and Never Let Go Movie Reviews From Fantastic Fest 2024! | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin discuss the first day of Fantastic Fest! A special one-week festival in Austin, Texas, that celebrates bold new horror films, from Hollywood and around the world. Fantastic Fest day one: Never Let Go and The Rule of Jenny Pen Never Let Go Directed by Alexandre Aja Starring Halle Berry The Rule of Jenny Pen Directed by James Ashcroft Starring Geoffrey Rush, John Lithgow.
 
Timestamps 00:10 - Intros 00:30 - What is Fantastic Fest and why is it so "fantastic?" 02:20 - Movies at Fantastic Fest 04:34 - The Rule of Jenny Pen movie review 10:22 - Never Let Go movie review 17:00 - Mac Sabbath experience 20:26 - What's coming up for Fantastic Fest 2024 (Anora and more...) 22:56 - Outros
 Find the video episode of this podcast on YouTube at https://youtu.be/pqby2sNh_vs?si=XEbD5OP-w0ON1Ev1
 
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

The Substance Movie Review with John & Vin! (SPOILERS) | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin dive deep into The Substance (2024), giving their thoughts on the filmmaking, themes, and SPOILERS! The Substance Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat Stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid Releases September 20, 2024
Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 00:41 - Expectations for The Substance, trailer talk and initial thoughts (no spoilers) 07:00 - Seeing with an audience, a dynamic experience 07:45 - Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley 09:30 - Walk outs during The Substance 11:30 - Props, set design and look of the film 12:15 - Dennis Quaid 13:10 - Negatives about the film 16:20 - Strong statements being made in The Substance 17:23 - Great soundtrack 17:40 - SPOILER TALK STARTS 34:00 - Outro
 
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

Transformers One Movie Review + Speak No Evil and Lee | Cosmic Circus Reviews

Vin reviews Transformers One, a new animated prequel in the Transformers franchise. He also gives a short update on other movies he's seen recently, including Speak No Evil and Lee.
Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 00:40 - Transformers One cast 03:40 - 80's cartoon and previous live action films vs this new one 05:30 - The world of Cybertron 06:30 - The story becomes a bit like an MCU film at a point. More movies or should it continue as a TV series 09:00 - Soundtrack and final thoughts on Transformers One 11:00 - Speak No Evil movie review 13:06 - Lee movie review 15:50 - Final thoughts and outro
 
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

The Substance Movie First Reaction Review | Cosmic Circus Reviews

Vin gives a quick reaction review of The Substance, a new body horror film by Coralie Fargeat. The film stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid and will release September 20, 2024.
 
Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 00:25 - Warning to those who don't like gore or body horror films 00:45 - Positives about the film (no spoilers) 02:00 - Somewhat predictable story at first, then it goes wildly off the rails 03:50 - The Substance is one to watch during awards season 05:33 - Outros
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 
For a video of this podcast go to the YouTube channel https://youtu.be/2ExXtjs3V7U?si=fIguUWNHpObZ8YHp
 

Eternal (For Evigt) Movie Review + Strange Darling, Blink Twice, and Coup! | Cosmic Circus Reviews

Vin reviews Eternal (For Evigt), a new science fiction romance movie from Denmark. He also gives a short update on other movies he's seen recently, including Strange Darling, Blink Twice, and Coup!
Eternal (For Evigt) Written and Directed by Ulaa Salim Starring Simon Sears & Viktor Hjelmsøe as Elias, and Nanna Øland Fabricius & Anna Søgaard Frandsen as Anita VFX by Copenhagen Visuals
Coup! Written and Directed by Joseph Schuman & Austin Stark Starring Peter Sarsgaard and Billy Magnussen
Blink Twice Written and Directed by Zoë Kravitz Starring Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, Kyle MacLachlan, Haley Joel Osment, and Geena Davis
Strange Darling Written and Directed by JT Mollner Starring Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner
Timestamps: 00:10 - Intro 01:45 - Initial thoughts on Eternal (For Evigt) 04:45 - Sci-fi element distracts from the movie, is not done as well as the romantic-drama element 09:49 - Thoughts on Coup movie 11:00 - Thoughts on Blink Twice movie 12:05 - Thoughts on Strange Darling movie 14:30 - Final thoughts on these films/outro
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 
For a video of this podcast go to the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SgKbk0C56k