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Shall we begin like David Copperfield? "I am born…I grew up?" Or shall we begin about 120 years after Anne Rice's novel Interview with the Vampire took place, with AMC's brilliant TV adaptation shifting the story from Louis de Pointe du Lac as a wealthy white plantation owner in the 1790s to one where Louis is a Black man in the 1910s working the red light district to keep his family fed? That's one of the many brilliant changes Rolin Jones and his writers have made to Rice's beloved book, and Paul, Arlo, and Eric couldn't be happier. The gang discusses why these changes fit so well in a series driven by its characters' perceptions of reality; the beautiful work by a cast including Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Eric Bogosian, Bailey Bass, Delainey Hayles, and Assad Zaman; and why, yes, this Interview is just better than the book.   NEXT: it's been a while since we've had a Four-Color Flashback, eh? Let's take back the night with J. Michael Straczynski and Gary Frank's Midnight Nation. BREAKDOWN 00:00:26  -  Intro / Banter 00:07:55  -  Interview with the Vampire 02:15:00  -  Outro / Next LINKS "The Writers Who Invented Modern Television" by Eric Sipple, A Beautiful Rain of Frogs Exploring the Complexity of Interview with the Vampire - A Video Essay by Seriesable The Radical Rebirth of Interview with the Vampire - A Video Essay by Seriesable MUSIC "Devil Inside" by INXS, Kick (1987) "Need You Tonight" by INXS, Kick (1987)

It is time once more to enter the gates of VAL-halla, our retrospective series on the late Hollywood icon Val Kilmer. Paul, Arlo, and Eric set their sights on what are possibly Kilmer's two best performances. First, in Oliver Stone's psychedelic biopic The Doors, Val embodies the Lizard King himself, Mr. Mojo Rising, Jim Morrison; and then, in George P.  Cosmatos'--or is that Kurt Russell's?--glossy Western Tombstone, Kilmer brings new life to Doc Holliday. The gang discusses Val's generational run in the '90s; why The Doors works when most rock biopics don't; and debate the merits of '90s Westerns. Plus, a brief sojourn into the world of Alien: Earth.   NEXT: because journalism matters, we're doing an episode all about AMC's Interview with the Vampire. Molloy hive rise up.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:39  -  Intro 00:21:00  -  The Doors 01:11:27  -  Tombstone 02:00:16  -  Outro / Next     LINKS Val Kilmer was electric as Jim Morrison in heroically ridiculous biopic The Doors by Luke Goodsell, The Guardian The Death of Val Kilmer and the Power of Doc Holliday by Owen Strachan, To Reenchant the World Choose Your Weapons (2025) Wisely by Eric Sipple, A Beautiful Rain of Frogs     MUSIC "The Movie" by Jim Morrison & The Doors, An American Prayer (1978) "A Feast of Friends" by Jim Morrison & The Doors, An American Prayer (1978)

Look up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's James Gunn's Superman, here to launch the writer-director-studio-head's brand new (?) DC Universe. It moves faster than a speeding bullet despite having more plot than the last five Marvel movies put together–and some of those plot points hold up better to the green-K gaze of our hosts than others. Paul, Arlo, and Eric break down everything about this new big screen Man of Steel, including a perfect cast, major deviations from Superman's origin, Gunn's unabashedly political script, fuckboi Jimmy Olsen, and so much more. Maybe the film doesn't leap tall expectations in a single bound, but a movie like this has much more up (up and away) its Super-sleeve than any billionaire skinhead would expect. Plus, the gang dives deep into the sewers for a read-through of IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles saga.   NEXT: it's time once again to enter the gates of VAL-halla, as the gang discusses two of Val Kilmer's most iconic performances, namely as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's 1991 psych-biopic The Doors and Doc Holliday in 1994's neo-Western Tombstone. BREAKDOWN 00:00:28  -  Intro / Banter 00:13:15  -  Superman 02:19:35  -  Outro / Next MUSIC "Superman" by R.E.M., Lifes Rich Pageant (1986) "Punkrocker" by Teddybears feat. Iggy Pop, Superman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2025)

Well they can't all be winners, folks. I'm not talking about the movie. The Fantastic Four: First Steps was actually pretty great. It's the second MCU film in a row that we here at Gobbledygeek HQ agree on almost entirely, and you'll hear us say lots of nice things about it. No, the non-winner I'm referring to is this episode, because you'll actually only hear SOME nice things about it. We were plagued by audio and editing issues like they were a troupe of almost-entirely-cut-from-the-final-film Super Apes stealing every third word any of us said.   Anyway, enjoy I guess.   NEXT: a speeding bullet to the box office, or another derailed cinematic locomotive? We'll find out in James Gunn's Superman.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:00  -  Disclaimer 00:02:58  -  Intro 00:18:13  -  The Fantastic Four: First Steps 02:34:34  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC "The Fantastic Four: First Steps Main Theme" by Michael Giacchino, The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2025) "Let Us Be Devoured (Studio Version)" by Andrea Datzman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2025)

Our second trip to VAL-halla finds Paul, Arlo, and Eric contemplating two very different experiences of Val Kilmer's '80s career: Tony Scott's 1986 pro-war classic Top Gun and the 1988 Tolkien rip Willow, helmed by–of all people–Ron Howard. The twist is that the mega-popular Top Gun is a terrible, empty film that survives on aesthetics alone and the notorious flop Willow is a fun little high fantasy romp. The gang discusses the insidious nature of Top Gun, Val's fleeting scenes as Iceman, the superior role of Madmartigan in Willow, and the ominous James Horner horn riff. Plus, The Sandman season 2 arrives on Netflix and Arlo went to see The Fantastic Four: First Steps.   NEXT: everybody goes to see Fantastic Four! BREAKDOWN 00:00:26  -  Intro / Banter 00:17:50  -  Top Gun 00:48:42  -  Willow 01:35:25  -  Outro / Next MUSIC "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins, Top Gun (1986) "Willow's Last Journey (Madmartigan's Farewell)" by KIMSUNGHOON, Val Kilmer Forever: A Tribute to a Hollywood Legend (2025)

For the first time in a long time, Gobbledygeek dips its beak back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They've done so for a very special film: Jake Schreier's Thunderbolts*, a return to the MCU's past glories with a tale of outcasts looking for something to believe in. Yelena Belova, the Winter Soldier, U.S. Agent, Red Guardian, Ghost, and Taskmaster come together to form a new kind of Avengers team; one formed under the auspices of none other than Elaine Benes. Paul, Arlo, and Eric–our own band of lovable misfits–discuss Florence Pugh's killer performance, the lovable David Harbour, what Thunderbolts* does differently than most recent MCU films, and much, much more.   NEXT: we enter VAL-halla for a second Val Kilmer double feature. This time, it's 1986's Tony Scott pro-war classic Top Gun and 1988's Ron Howard (???) Lord of the Rings rip-off, Willow.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:27  -  Intro / Banter 00:19:43  -  Thunderbolts* 01:59:50  -  Outro / Next   LINKS 'Thunderbolts*': Marvel's Allegory of Recovery From Trauma by Jessica Schrader, Psychology Today The Dark We Dare Not Speak: Thunderbolts* and the Underworld Within by Jason Batt, Joseph Campbell Foundation Thunderbolts and The Lost Souls: On Trauma, Meaning, and The Seduction of Modern Nihilism by Azhar Salleh, Traversing Tradition   MUSIC "Pony" by Ginuwine, Ginuwine…the Bachelor (1996) "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship, No Protection (1987)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

The rich tradition of Southern-fried vampires continues with Ryan Coogler's Sinners, a masterful mash-up of Delta blues, Irish folk, and the horrors of cultural appropriation. Paul, Arlo, and Eric rave about Michael B. Jordan's dual performance as twin gangsters Smoke and Stack, Ludwig Göransson's eclectic score, the frankness with which it explores America's long history of racism, and Coogler's audacious style. Plus, Paul finally saw the How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake.   NEXT: punches get personal with Thunderbolts*. BREAKDOWN 00:00:37  -  Intro / Banter 00:21:18  -  Sinners 02:12:22  -  Outro / Next LINKS 'Sinners' Is More Than Enough To Chew On by Adam Nayman, The Ringer 'Sinners' Opens Portals Between Blues, Rap, Heaven and Hell by Sheldon Pearce, NPR By Refusing To Do a 'Sinners' Sequel, Ryan Coogler Is Protecting Everything We Love About His Horror Masterpiece by Jessica Toomer, Collider MUSIC "I Lied to You" by Miles Caton, Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2025) "Will Ye Go, Lassie Go?" by Lola Kirke, Peter Dreams, Brian Dunphy, Daren Holden & Jack O'Connell, Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2025)

Would you like us to tell you the little story of Arlo and Paul? A-R-L-O! It was with this pretentious film buff that a That Was Then episode on Charles Laughton's sole directorial feature, 1955's The Night of the Hunter, was chosen. P-A-U-L! Do you think he's apt to enjoy a cinephile fave? Now listen, and we'll tell you the story of Gobbledygeek. Those co-hosts, dear hearts, is always a-disagreein' and a-bickerin', one agin t'other. Now hear 'em! Ol' Paul, he's a-doubtin' the perverse noir his buddy won't shut up about it, and it looks like Arlo's rec is a goner. But wait a minute! With Robert Mitchum's towering and ridiculous performance as a murderous preacher, Arlo's a-winnin'! Yessirree, it's Arlo's love of Looney Tunes gothic horror that's won, and ol' Paul has found something to admire in one more cinematic classic!   NEXT: it's gonna be a hot time at the Smokestack twins' juke in Ryan Coogler's vampire musical Sinners. BREAKDOWN 00:00:35  -  Intro / The Year That Was… 00:31:23  -  The Night of the Hunter 01:34:48  -  Outro / Next MUSIC "Leaning On the Everlasting Arms" by George Beverly Shea, Our Recollections (1996) "Leaning On the Everlasting Arms (Guitar)" by Pierre Fablet, The Night of the Hunter Project (2008)

We're going back…to That Was Then! Paul, Arlo, and Eric return to their series of vintage movie discussions to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Robert Zemeckis' 1985 sci-fi comedy blockbuster Back to the Future. It's a classic beloved by many folks of different generations, but we're here to answer that most pressing question: Why? The gang unravels every last nonsensical thread of BTTF, finding plenty to love despite how fuzzy everything is beneath the film's surface. There's admiration for Zemeckis' ability to power through even the dumbest plot convolutions, praise for the dynamite chemistry between Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, confusion about Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale's attitudes toward race and sex, and so very much more.   NEXT: Gobbledygeek will return.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:38  -  Intro  00:03:08  -  That Was Then: 1985 00:28:10  -  Back to the Future 01:55:46  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis & The News, Back to the Future: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack (1985) "Back In Time" by Huey Lewis & The News, Back to the Future: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack (1985)

For this month's (not that we're on any kind of schedule anymore, hehe) Four-Color Flashback, Paul, Arlo, and Eric are scurrying over to the first three volumes of David Petersen's Mouse Guard. Published from 2006-13 by BOOM! Studios, Petersen's medieval epic takes place in a world devoid of humans, where a civilization of mice attempt to survive harsh weather, even harsher predators, and each other. The gang discusses the many, gloriously illustrated sequences of absolutely brutal animal-on-animal violence; Petersen's awe-inspiring attention to detail, including a number of songs and poems that enrich the culture of his world; and Paul's newfound obsession with the series and its many ancillary offshoots.   NEXT: we're going back…to That Was Then! We're celebrating the 40th anniversary of Robert Zemeckis' classic blockbuster Back to the Future.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:48  -  Intro / Banter 00:28:13  -  Mouse Guard 01:41:54  -  Outro / Next   LINKS David Petersen's Mouse Guard "Creator Commentary" videos   MUSIC "One Brown Mouse" by Jethro Tull, Heavy Horses (1978) "…And the Mouse Police Never Sleeps" by Jethro Tull, Heavy Horses (1978)

We lost one of our legendary screen stars earlier this year, so now we're passing through the gates of VAL-halla to celebrate some of his most notable films. That's right, this is the first in an occasional series of double features focused on the work of none other than the elusive, enigmatic Val Kilmer. To kick things off, Paul, Arlo, and Eric are going back to the very beginning. Kilmer got his big screen start in a Zucker-Abraham-Zucker laff riot, 1984's Top Secret!; with the benefit of hindsight, it's clear that Val wasn't a good fit for the ZAZ machine, and the gang tells us why. Faring much better is Martha Coolidge's 1985 cult college classic Real Genius, which avoids the pitfalls of the era's other slobs v. snobs comedies with real heart and–of course–a terrific lead performance from Kilmer. Where are he (and we) going next? Stay tuned! Plus, Eric sings the praises of synthpop artist Lights' new album A6.   NEXT: Four-Color Flashback gets mice-eval on your heinie with David Petersen's rodent epic Mouse Guard.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:27  -  Intro / Banter 00:21:06  -  Top Secret! 00:55:36  -  Real Genius 01:55:42  -  Outro / Next   LINKS Eric's review of A6 by Lights Top Secret!'s ridiculous bookstore scene backwards AND forwards The Behind-the-Scenes Story of Real Genius by Ashley Burns and Chloe Schildhause, Uproxx The Real Real Genius by Phyllis Rostykus, Slate Astrophysicist Michael Siegel discusses The Real Genius of Real Genius   MUSIC "Val Kilmer" by Bowling For Soup, The Great Burrito Extortion Case (2006) "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears, Songs from the Big Chair (1984)

Dear telefriends! Get ready to transcend this earthly plane, as Paul, Arlo, and Eric encounter a universe of concrete birds, homeo-whores, and techno-techno equipment for the latest Four-Color Flashback. The gang gets high (some of them too high) on Alejandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius' sci-fantasy The Incal, a far-out trip to a new state of being. What starts as a noir riff quickly becomes a galaxy-spanning, head-spinning epic. Topics of discussion include the Lee/Kirby-esque dynamic between Jodo and Mœbius, each page's intricate color design, what an a*****e Detective John Difool is, whether or not any of this makes any sense (or if it needs to!), and much more.   NEXT: prepare to enter Val-halla. We begin our series of Val Kilmer double features with two of his first films, 1984's Top Secret! and 1985's Real Genius.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:45  -  Intro / Banter 00:30:12  -  The Incal 01:20:51  -  [Paul got too high] 01:41:08  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC "Because I Got High" by Afroman, Because I Got High (2000) "Too High" by Stevie Wonder, The Sounds of Stevie Wonder (1973)

Something passed between them: the faintest hint of a common destiny. Does this describe Paul and Arlo's first meeting, or the first time Farmer Hoggett sets eyes on the piglet known as Babe? What's the difference? For a new That Was Then, the boys are joined by perennial guest Eric Sipple to discuss Chris Noonan's 1995 film Babe. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the unlikely Best Picture nominee set a new standard for animal VFX and influenced a generation of vegetarians and vegans. The gang discusses the film's surprising macabre side, its view of destiny, how it compares to Orwell's Animal Farm, the contentious relationship between Noonan and co-writer/producer/shadow director (?) George Miller, and much more.   NEXT: drop some acid, find your spiritual center, and join us for a Four-Color Flashback exploring the first three volumes of Alejandro Jodorowsky & Mœbius' The Incal.     BREAKDOWN 00:01:22  -  Intro / Banter 00:03:38  -  That Was Then: 1995 00:24:20  -  Babe 01:47:28  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC "Pigs on the Wing" by Pink Floyd, Animals (1977) "Piggies" by the Beatles, The Beatles (1968)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, it's time for another nautical That Was Then. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year is none other than Steven Spielberg's Jaws, a landmark moment in American film that permanently changed the shape of the industry, for better or for worse. It can be tough to view such a classic as a piece of craft unto its own, but Paul, Arlo, and super-duper special guest Eric Sipple do their best. The gang recounts the film's storied production, examines a young Spielberg's filmmaking technique, discusses Jaws' place in the Spielberg canon (particularly in light of The Fabelmans), and much more.   NEXT: That Was Then…this is sow. Paul, Arlo, and Eric head on down to the farm for a look at Chris Noonan's 1995 Best Picture nominee Babe.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:43  -  Intro / Banter 00:19:02  -  That Was Then: 1975 00:32:00  -  Jaws 01:55:00  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC "Jaws (Main Title)" by John Williams, Jaws (1975) "Nightswimming" by R.E.M., Automatic For The People (1992)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

Pop open a can of spinach and set sail for the far-off year of 1980, when noted auteur Robert Altman had his crew build an entire functioning town so they could shoot a Popeye movie. This unassuming comic strip adaptation represents the collision of the New Hollywood movement and the old studio system, both in their waning days; neither would survive "Stalag Altman," as star Robin Williams coined it. Paul and Arlo are delighted by the end result, an improvisational-seeming ensemble picture in the Altman vein that also features cartoon gags, characters bursting into songs penned by Harry Nilsson, and a giant octopus. The boys discuss why the movie is so much better than its reputation suggests, Robin Williams' and Shelly Duvall's underappreciated performances, the surprisingly moving throughline of fatherhood, and so much more. Plus, a whole bunch of trailers for Marvel's Thunderbolts*, the new season of animated sci-fi anthology Love Death + Robots, the animated Predator movie Killer of Killers, and Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme; Paul stuns Arlo by singing the praises of the new Amazing Spider-Man #1; and Arlo is still reading old school Fantastic Four.   NEXT: just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, it's another That Was Then, as Paul, Arlo, and Eric Sipple take a bite out of Steven Spielberg's Jaws on the eve of its 50th anniversary.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:46  -  Intro / Even MORE Banter! 00:48:43  -  Popeye 01:59:28  -  Outro / Next   LINKS Thunderbolts* Love Death + Robots, Volume 4 Predator: Killer of Killers The Phoenician Scheme Popeye Is the Best Movie Robin Williams Ever Made by Eric Spitznagel, Vanity Fair   MUSIC "I Yam What I Yam" by Robin Williams, Popeye (1980) "I'm Popeye the Sailor Man" by Robin Williams, Popeye (1980) GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/