Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast

With Jaws now an official film franchise, Universal and its producers still wanted more. But they then did an unforeseen, seemingly desperate move of producing a script done by John Hughes and the rest of the National Lampoon clan called Jaws 3 People Nothing. Original producers Richard Zanuck and Robert Brown were allegedly onboard to do the film. But supposedly, original director Steven Spielberg came in and said that if the script was made, he was going to leave Universal forever. So, Brown and Zanuck sold their rights to Alan Greenspan, who then got author and frequent Twilight Zone scribe Richard Matheson to come in and once again bring terrorizing sharks back to the beaches. But Greenspan got desperate after Matheson turned in a supposed unfilmable script and once again brought in Carl Gottlieb in and spice it up. What was eventually come up with was filmed and brought forth before audiences by longtime Jaws 2nd unit director Joe Alves in the 3D wrought Jaws 3D. How did the film eventually go 3D? How much coke was star Dennis Quaid on during filming? What the hell is recent Oscar winner Lou Gossett Jr doing here? And what did Garrett hold this one up as his favorite Jaws film while growing up? Soooo many questions, as well as what first time viewer Adam thinks of the film, are answered on this week’s Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast! Next week, Jaws The Revenge!!

Against all odds, 1975’s Jaws was released and before long, was labeled a certified hit. So it’s safe to say that not firing a forward thinking young director for going over 100 days over budget paid off, and before the term was even uttered, Universal Studios had a franchise on their hands. But what next? Well, it would only seem fit that they would capitalize on it with a sequel. Of course, the studio approached their young wunderkind Steven Spielberg to see if he would like to direct the follow up. But, after the nightmare that was the first one, plus his at the time complete disdain for anything and everything that was sequel related, Spielberg passed. So after a couple other attempts with a couple other directors, the studio settled on TV director Jeannot Szwarc. And despite the film running into many of the same problems the original did, (as well as a very disgruntled Roy Schneider being so angry about having to do this film he was getting in literal fights with Szwarc) Jaws 2 was released in 1978 and was a certified hit. Despite this success, there was one person who it passed over, and that is our very own Adam Bunch. See, Adam has never seen Jaws 2. Until now. Join the Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast as they review Jaws 2, and find out if their love for the first one carries over onto this one.

50 years ago, history was made as Jaws was released to theaters and took the first of a few steps (George Lucas would do the same thing a couple years later with a little space movie you might have heard of) in changing the way cinema was made and marketed to the masses. An argument can be made -and is made on this podcast- that 26 year old director Steven Spielberg got a lifetime mulligan in his career with completing the 1975 blockbuster to the masses. How else can you explain him being allowed to direct again after the release of 2004’s The Terminal? But boy was it difficult getting there. Listen to this long awaited, near two hour Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast as Garrett, Matt, and Adam go over everything that went into the infamously difficult shooting of Jaws, as well as review scene by scene one of movie history’s most important films. Or is it? And be sure to come back the next few weeks as Adam watches the Jaws sequels for the very first time.

As a special treat to our dedicated Percolated Media listeners, here’s our review of the adaptation of Stephen King’s first finished novel The Long Walk! Listen in as the co-hosts talk about the movie’s long history of start/stops at getting made, as well as some pretty outlandish theatrical experiences. You just might feel sorry for Garrett’s poor fiancé by the end! Come back tomorrow as Garrett will release a special Halloween edition of Percolated Media Presents, where he finally gets to talk about a franchise he’s been wanting to talk about for years with a certified expert on the topic!

As marketing ramped up for Jurassic World Rebirth, there were multiple questions about just what the hell this film was going to be. There was no Colin Trevorrow, no Chris Pratt, and no Bryce Dallas Howard. Instead, we had Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and, much to Adam’s chagrin, director Gareth Edwards (2014’s Godzilla). So, what exactly were we in for? That’s what we’re here to discuss. With theatrical stories to tell, the guys come in and talk about what their expectations for Rebirth were going in, as well as if it lived up to any of them. This Jurassic World series has been a tough set of weeks for us. Can this update of ‘dinos on the chase’ be a nice end to the series? Also, be sure to stay tuned until the end, as we talk about what we’re doing next, and it involves another big creature attacking story. Though this one, might be the one that started it all. What is it? Listen and find out!!

Despite not winning most critics over, Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom STILL cracked the $1 billion mark at the box office. This proved that people were still starved for dinosaurs. So Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow, fresh from his bomb Book of Henry, decided he was the one to close off this Jurassic World trilogy. To do that he decided he was going to give fans a treat. He was going to bring back the OG Jurassic crew Sam Neil, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum, with our Jurassic World alumni Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. And despite once again not getting much criticism approval, 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion once again crossed the $1 billion mark. Join OG Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast crew Garrett, Matt, and Adam, as they dissect the huge hit, and Garrett watches it for the very first time. Will Goudreau once again unleash on a dino hit? Download below to find out!

After Jurassic World came out and was a massive success in 2015, Universal knew that once again dinosaurs were proven commodities. So, they came up with ways to once again bring them back. With World director Colin Trevorrow in the press saying he and his writing partner Derek Connelly had ideas for three total films, there were reasons to be excited. Especially if you were a Jurassic fan. So, they hired director JA Bayona (A Monster Calls) to once again bring emotion to the series. And Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt were signed as well. The result? 2018’s Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom. The film was once again released to $1 billion in box office receipts. But critics weren’t as impressed. Do these critics include our three podcast hosts? Join Matt, Garrett, and Adam as they talk about their very different theatrical experiences and dive right into the Jurassic World film that brought gothic horror through its stone walls, and determine if Fallen Kingdom is worth your time.

Now that John Wick is behind us, time to start a new retrospective. Actually, it’s time to pick up from where an old one left off, as two years ago Garrett, Adam, and Matt reviewed the first three movies in the Jurassic Park film series, with every intention of eventually picking up from where they left off. Well, with Jurassic World Rebirth being released this year, we decided now was as good a time as any. Before we get there, the guys review what started the whole Jurassic World Series, Colin Trevorrow’s 2015 upstart Jurassic World. Garrett gave it a so-so written review, Matt barely had any memory of it, and Adam had a blast in theaters with the Chris Pratt Bryce Dallas Howard starrer. So how do they feel now? Listen in as the co-hosts trade stories on where they were in their lives at the time, as well as if all their opinions hold up today. And so much more on this, the first of a four part series!

And then there was one. Here is our long built up review of Ballerina: From The World of John Wick. Starring Ana DeArmas and directed by Len Wiseman (Live Free or Die Hard) it would seem the franchise was going to be sent to other hands for its first of at least a few planned spinoffs. However, that was not to be. Rumored bad dailies caused producers to get cold feet with their oncoming director and unproven female action star. So, they called in the cavalry. Enter Chad Stahelski, Keanu Reeves, and Angelica Huston. With lots and lots of new footage supposedly shot by Stahelski, we once again had a glued together with popsicle sticks version of a spinoff. But is Ballerina a subject of bad press? Join Garrett, Matt, and Adam as they dissect the film and its many rumored behind the scenes problems, as well as determine if it’s better than it’s at the time of its release bad reputation. Also, stay tuned to find out what the co-hosts are doing next.

Three films in, neither John Wick or its portrayer Keanu Reeves showed any signs of slowing down. Yet, in the lead up to the 2023 release of John Wick Chapter 4, all producers and Reeves could talk about is the fact that this was going to be the last one. But, massive success followed. As did a Peacock prequel, and next week’s film Ballerina. We’ll talk about those in the next week. For now, we’ll dissect the near three hour third sequel, which was once again helmed by Chad Stahelski. Next week, a review of this year’s Ballerina, as well as a preview of what we’re covering next!

By the time 2019 rolled around, John Wick was a full fledged franchise. And despite its star being in his 50s, Keanu Reeves was still showing up, and still kicking ass in two previous movies which were massive hits. But Garrett wasn’t a huge fan of last week’s film. Could John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum win him back? Join him as well as Matt and Adam on the Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast as they let their thoughts on John Wick 3 be known. Does Halle Barry win them over? How about the desert scenes? And could this be the best of the series so far? All these questions, as well as a lead up to the released earlier this year Ballerina: From The World of John Wick, is all set for you to download and listen to below

Fresh off the surprise success of 2014’s John Wick, Summit Entertainment knew they had a hit on their hands. Better yet, they knew they had the beginning of what looked like a fruitful franchise. So they tried gathering the band back together again in hopes of continued financial achievement. But while star Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski, as well as writer Derek Kolstad were quickly onboard for the sequel, co-director David Leitch had other plans. More opportunities arose as the result of John Wick’s success, and Leitch wanted to grab that iron while it was still hot. Movies like Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2 were what he decided to move on to. But where does that leave John Wick Chapter 2, and would Leitch’s absence be a bad omen for the future of the franchise? Join Garrett, Matt, and Adam as they answer those questions, as well as give an in depth (and some would say surprising) review of 2017’s more successful John Wick sequel, John Wick Chapter 2. Next week, John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum.

Much to Matt’s delight, it’s to start diving into the neon colored world of John Wick. A movie that for all intents and purposes, (an unproven set of directors, a star who had done a string of bombs, a ‘wrote’ script) had no business being a hit. But $86 million in box office revenue later, Summit Entertainment had a bona fide hit. And franchise. Join Garrett, Matt, and Adam as they start their dive into the John Wick franchise, as well as give their anticipatory thoughts on Ballerina, the movie this retrospective is going to end on.

To say Garrett was hesitant to watch one of his least favorite directors take on his most favorite comic book character in a feature film would be an understatement. But, that’s exactly what he did, and here is the result of how he felt after he and his co-hosts finally watched the long awaited reboot of the Superman franchise. Matt and Adam come in with a nonchalant attitude towards the character, but love for at least one of James Gunn’s other films. What happens when you mix these two recipes? A two and a half hour podcast that not only reviews the film in detail. But also talks about the podcasters’ theatrical experiences, as well as what they were all expecting coming in. Next week, The Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast begins their look at the John Wick franchise! Note: If you’d like to just get to the review, it starts around the 38 minute mark.

After grossing over $80 million at the box office, you knew it was only a matter of time before the Jason Blum Blumhouse Puctures machine churned out another adventure involving Megan the killer AI doll. In fact, we even said as much on that podcast. Lo and behold, two years later, here we are discussing Megan 2.0! With a terrible marketing campaign and even more terrible release date (in between Jurassic World Rebirth and Superman), it would seem that Megan 2.0 didn’t have a chance of making any sort of impact like her original 2023 venture did. But that doesn’t mean James Wan and company didn’t try to distinguish themselves. Join Garrett, Matt, and Adam as they dissect the 2025 sequel and determine whether it deserves the beating it has taken from both critics and audiences. And be sure to listen to the end as we give a slight preview of what to expect when we review the aforementioned recently released to digital James Gunn directed Superman film.

Here it is, the end of two full months of watching Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt barrel their way through on impossible mission after another. All until they reach number eight, with a battle against The Entity. And Gabriel. This is over two and a half hours of the craziest review we’ve done in a long time. Listen to one of the co-hosts get gradually more disappointed until he gets full on pissed at what he’s sat through. Listen to another give some wild theories on what he believes Mission Impossible Final Reckoning is REALLY about. Finally, listen to the third…half heartedly defend it. Stay tuned until the end, as we rank the movies from best to worst, as well as finally reveal what our next series is. Though, as established last week, the next review posted will actually be Megan 2.0. Then Superman (2025). Then the next full on series.

After the success and apparent finality of 2018’s Mission Impossible Fallout, it would seem that Tom Cruise and company could have moved on to other ventures. But the ‘success’ part will almost always cause filmmakers to come up with another story and keep going. But returning writer/director didn’t just come up with a one movie story. He came up with a two parter. Two near three hour films made to finally say goodbye to one of the most successful franchises of all time. Here, the podcasters review part one of that venture, Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1. Listen in as they talk about the ratio of success regarding movie finales that have a ‘part one’, as well as their anticipation of the release of the first Mission Impossible movie in five years. Was it worth the wait? Also, be sure to check out Garrett’s tribute to Hulk Hogan posted earlier this week, as well as next week’s release of the final Mission Impossible review (for now?), Mission Impossible The Final Reckoning.

All things considered, 2015’s Mission Impossible Rogue Nation was a certified hit. Star Tom Cruise made a ditch effort to get writer/director Christopher McQuarrie back onboard to do another sequel in his tent pole franchise. After some convincing -and the casting of famously mustached Henry Cavill as the not so hidden villain- Mission Impossible Fallout was set to debut in 2018. And, like its predecessor, Fallout went on to be both a critical and financial hit. Listen to Garrett, Matt, and Adam talk about if the Dark Knight comparisons are warranted, as well as if Mission impossible Fallout is to blame -or credit- for the temporary downfall of the DC Cinematic Universe. Come back next week, as the guys look at 2023’s Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1, and we have it out about the justification to call it Part 1.

2015 was a MASSIVE year for franchises. Jurassic Park was about to get a whole reboot in the form of Jurassic World. James Bond was going to finally bring Blofeld and Spectre back in Spectre. Mad Max put the action genre on its head, coming back after 30 years with Mad Max Fury Road. And of course, Star Wars was finally brought back to the big screen in a big way with The Force Awakens. All of these, by the way, have been or will be reviewed by us at The Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast, so we recommend checking those out in our archives. The Mission Impossible franchise had a huge mountain to climb to stick out in a year where there were so many other things to choose from. But director Chris McQuarrie and company proved to be more than up to the task as Mission Impossible Rogue Nation was released and not only amongst the best received of the series. But it also grossed over $700 million worldwide and is still considered amongst the best in the franchise. Yeah, we’d say they stuck out. Join the gang as they look at the fifth Mission Impossible movie Mission Impossible Rogue Nation, and decide for themselves if it deserves all its praise. And come back next week as they look at 2018’s Mission Impossible Fallout, and get closer to closing out the series.

The words Brad Bird and Mission Impossible wouldn’t seem to go together. But in star Tom Cruise’s eyes, they most certainly do, as 2011 saw the release of The Incredibles director helming the fourth Mission Impossible movie, Ghost Protocol. With a cast that includes Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, and, oh yeah, Jeremy Renner, Ghost Protocol would prove to be a favorite amongst fans. Will this podcast panel feel the same? Also, Garrett discusses the release of Zoo, the new novel from his old friend -and podcast partner- David Mayne. Get Dave’s new book here: https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-David-Mayne/dp/B0F8R9SFLX