Subject: The Dark Knight (2008)

Observers: John Pavlich, Tysto

Record Date: February 18, 2012, 02:57 PM

Plot Summary: Batman has established himself in Gotham as a force to be reckoned with against organized crime. Unfortunately, something completely chaotic and disorganized arrives out of nowhere to set the city on fire, sometimes literally: An elusive, destructive psychotic known only as The Joker.

Note: Recorded mere hours ago from this posting, Tysto and I continue our examinations into the dark and compelling world of Christopher Nolan's take on Batman. We discuss order versus chaos, translating a comic book fantasy into a harsh, gritty reality, transcending your genre and the late, great Heath Ledger's masterful performance. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD.

Subject: Supernatural - Home (1x09)

Observers: John Pavlich, Wendy Hembrock

Record Date: January 25, 2012, 09:18 PM

Plot Summary: The Winchester Brothers must return to their childhood home and confront their haunted past, when a poltergeist threatens the new residents.

Note: Another member of Tuning Into Sci-Fi TV visits the podcast. This time, it's Supernatural fangirl, Wendy and she's back to discuss episode nine from the first season, "Home". We talk about childhood fears, juice addictions and this well-worn trope from film and television. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Subject: Dollhouse - Epitaph One (1x13)

Observers: John Pavlich, Kevin Bachelder

Record Date: January 25, 2012, 07:24 PM

Plot Summary: Jumping ahead ten years after the events of "Omega", a small group of anti-tech rebels enter the derelict Dollhouse to discover the truth behind the dystopian world they live in, and how much of the population became imprinted killers or mind-wiped vessels.

Note: Kevin Bachelder, co-host of Tuning Into Sci-fi TV, as well as Active Architecture, a Dollhouse retrospective (also check out my appearances on Kevin's podcast, Saturday B-Movie Reel here and here), returns to the podcast, this time to examine the thirteenth episode from Dollhouse's first season. We discuss the more unique elements of this polarizing episode, including the video format and editing, the colorful dialogue and the new cast of characters. Also of note, I mention in this episode, the similarities between fonts used in body art for different characters. Upon closer inspection after this recording, I realize now there is more of a difference in styles than I first thought. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Subject: Three O'Clock High (1987)

Observers: John Pavlich, William Bibbiani

Record Date: December 10, 2011, 09:50 PM

Plot Summary: A sheepish young man is suddenly very popular with his peers, when he is forced into a fight after school with a new student, who happens to be a stone cold psychopath.

Note: Finishing the last of the banked episodes from 2011, "Bibbs" (the managing editor for Crave Online's Film section) joins me to discuss this film's astounding cinematography and editing, school violence and the more underrated offerings of teen films from the 1980s'. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD. Also of note, I mentioned in this episode, a podcast featuring interviews with a few actors from the film, and here it is!

Subject: Gattaca (1997)

Observers: John Pavlich, Josh Bradley, Tysto

Record Date: December 02, 2011, 11:41 PM

Plot Summary: A genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.

Note: In addition to this being one of the last of the banked episodes, it's also the penultimate recording from 2011. Josh, Tysto and I take an in depth look at this unique and throught-provoking science fiction-noir film. We discuss and reconfigure the story structure and plot points, examine the themes and ideas within and reflect on the critical and audience reaction, as well as the film's success and relevance to today. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD.

Subject: Batman Begins (2005)

Observers: John Pavlich, Tysto

Record Date: November 20, 2011, 08:38 PM

Plot Summary: Driven by the death of his parents and the rise of criminal activity within the city, a man uses his inherited wealth to transform himself into a masked vigilante known as the Batman.

Note: After taking a break for the holidays, the podcast returns. Tysto and I take a look at the first installment of Christoher Nolan's Batman Trilogy. We discuss comic book adaptation to film, past incarnations of the characters, narrative structure and the repitition of specific themes within the Director's body of work. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD.

Subject: Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

Observers: John Pavlich, Tysto

Record Date: November 13, 2011, 08:54 PM

Plot Summary: An All-American trucker gets dragged into a centuries-old, mystical battle in Chinatown.

Note: John Carpenter's cult favorite, underappreciated at the time (as if there was one) gets the Sofa Dogs treatment (whatever that's worth). Tysto and I discuss the East-meets-West sensibility of the screenplay, the subversion of the "protagonist" and the dynamic duo of Carpenter and Kurt Russell.

Subject: Resident Evil (2002)

Observers: John Pavlich, Tysto

Record Date: September 09, 2011, 05:04 PM

Plot Summary: Inspired by the Survival Horror video game series, an amnesiac (Milla Jovovich), a cop (Eric Mabius) and a Special Ops team (featuring Michelle Rodriguez) investigate a viral outbreak in an underground research facility, located beneath a mansion in Raccoon City.

Note: Recorded back in September, this commentary would have been included in the batch of Horror films for October, but there was no room for it. In this episode, Tysto joins me to discuss zombie films, references to the games and Alice in Wonderland and the Director's resume. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD.

Subject: The Mist (2007)

Observers: John Pavlich, Tysto

Record Date: August 26, 2011, 09:17 PM

Plot Summary: An ominous mist, filled with otherworldly creatures blankets a small town, trapping many of the residents in the local supermarket.

Note: Frank Darabont directs a Stephen King story! It's been proven in the past to be a winning combination, and yet... Tysto and I come at the film from different angles. He doesn't care for it, but I really like it, up until a crucial point. We discuss character motivations, the book versus the film, the stellar Thomas Jane and the polarizing ending. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD.

Subject: Bring It On (2000)

Observers: John Pavlich, Josh Bradley, Mike Schindler

Record Date: November 13, 2011, 01:54 AM

Plot Summary: An ambitious, high school Cheerleader (Kirsten Dunst) becomes the new captain of her squad, but is shocked to discover the previous captain has been stealing their award-winning moves and routines from an under-privileged, rival school.

Note: Another fun, commentary crossover, co-hosts from Soulless Minions and Commentary Track Stars join me for one of the more surprising comedies from 2000. We discuss the ensemble cast, relive our past, high school experiences, the importance of romantic chemistry and try to understand why this gem has yet to be released on Blu-ray. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD.