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© Matthew Osten
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Thumb War is your weekly showdown over movies, streaming series, and pop culture mayhem. Rachel and JD dive into what’s worth watching (and what deserves jail time), dishing out unfiltered recaps, reviews, and cinematic chaos. Smart-ish, savage-ish, and spoiler-heavy.
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We start with a sad goodbye to Cosmo — a very good, very food-motivated boy — and somehow end up talking about frat houses at sunrise, parental panic spirals, and why Quentin Tarantino absolutely deserves to catch a few strays.
Along the way:
Saying goodbye to a beloved dog (and why doing it at home mattered)
Why tracking apps are a gateway to full-blown anxiety
Actors we know are “good” but still don’t like
Dubai chocolate discourse (yes, again)
This is the kind of episode that only works off-feed — looser, longer, more honest, and way more chaotic.
If you’ve ever wondered what Thumb War sounds like before we tighten things up for public consumption… this is it.
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The finale of It: Welcome to Derry is here, and JD and Rachel have… thoughts.
In this Thumb War episode, we recap and react to Episode 8 — a finale stuffed with Pennywise theatrics, confusing lore, magic solutions, timeline gymnastics, and zero interest in explaining itself. We debate what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and why filming this in Canada without Pennywise on skates should be a criminal offense.
If you love horror vibes, messy finales, and yelling “WHY?” at your TV, this one’s for you.
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This week on Thumb War, we revisit Bad Santa (2003) — Terry Zwigoff’s filthy, funny, and surprisingly tender Christmas classic.
Jason & Rachel dig into the Director’s Cut vs the Theatrical version, studio interference, and why Billy Bob Thornton’s Willie T. Soke somehow becomes one of the strangest “found family” characters in holiday movie history.
Along the way, we celebrate:
Bernie Mac & John Ritter’s perfect comic chemistry
Zwigoff’s anti-sentimental worldview
Why this movie still works — and why it probably wouldn’t get made today
A holiday staple in this house. Not safe for work. Definitely not safe for kids.
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This week on Thumb War, we’re deep into Stranger Things Season 5, breaking down Episodes 3 and 4 — The Turnbow Trap and The Sorcerer.
We talk Frank Darabont’s direction, the Upside Down’s increasingly flexible rules, Hopper going full action hero, and whether the show’s massive cast is finally working against itself. Plus: Karen Wheeler MVP discourse, Joyce complaints, Erica chaos, and a few extremely dumb (but fun) theories.
Spoilers throughout. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episode 7 Had Us Yelling at the TV | Welcome to Derry Review
In this episode of Thumb War, we review Welcome to Derry Episode 7 (2025) — an hour of television that somehow delivers peak Pennywise and peak frustration at the same time.
We talk:
Why the Pennywise stage performance works so well
Andy Muschietti’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it organ-grinder cameo
The Black Spot fire, emotional shortcuts, and broken horror logic
When tragedy feels earned… and when it absolutely doesn’t
If you’re wondering whether Welcome to Derry is sticking the landing — or quietly falling apart — Episode 7 gives us plenty to argue about.
Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episode 6 of Welcome to Derry finally feels like the show hitting full stride.
On this episode of Thumb War, we break down the darkest chapter yet — from Pennywise’s unsettling origin story to Ingrid’s role in feeding the horror beneath Derry. Jason and Rachel debate the black-and-white flashbacks, the show’s obsession with daddy issues, and whether this episode recontextualizes everything we’ve seen so far.
If you’ve been waiting for Welcome to Derry to fully deliver on its promise, Episode 6 might be the turning point.
Spoilers ahead for Episode 6.
Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
JD and Rachel return to the Upside Down to recap Stranger Things Season 5, Episodes 1 & 2 — and yes, we’re spoiling everything.
We talk Will’s nightmare opening, the “is that CGI or a PS5 cutscene?” debate, the Dustin/Lucas/Steve dynamics, Robin’s Pretty in Pink broadcast, Jonathan vs. Steve (again), the baffling obstacle course sequence, Holly’s shocking growth spurt, Joyce catching heat, Murray being the delivery man for every important plot point, and the possible real shape of Season 5.
Subscribe for more TV breakdowns, new series reviews, and chaotic movie talk every week on Thumb War.
Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
JD & Rachel fire up the hyperdrive for a deep-dive review of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith — joined by special guest Jeshua Kidd, Jedi Master and all-around Star Wars encyclopedia.
We break down the fall of Anakin Skywalker, the tragedy of Order 66, why Ewan McGregor is acting circles around everyone, and how the film has aged two decades later. Plus: favorite moments, tiny details we never noticed, and which scenes STILL give us goosebumps.
New to Thumb War? We review movies, TV, and all things pop culture — with bad jokes, bold opinions, and occasional dog cameos. Subscribe, rate, review, and check out our Patreon for bonus content!
Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome to Derry Episode 5 finally gives us what everyone’s been begging for:
Pennywise. In the sewer. In full nightmare mode.
In this Thumb War recap, we break down everything from the genuinely awesome parts — Bill Skarsgård’s terrifying Pennywise reveal, the triple-decker teeth, the contortions, the hallucinatory sewer sequences — to the parts that made us feel like we were taking crazy pills.
Including:
• The indigenous prophecy lore dump that explains why everyone in Derry acts insane
• “There’s something in the water — clown shit” (not our words, the episode’s)
• The soldiers making the absolute worst tactical decisions in TV history
• A major character death that makes ZERO spatial sense
• Whether Matty’s emo sewer glow-up actually worked
• Our ongoing fight with the YouTube algorithm thanks to… certain phrases
• Why the acting and production design continue to be the saving grace of this series
This is a spoiler-filled, chaotic, honest recap of Episode 5 — the good, the bad, and the “why is everyone in this show so dumb?”
Full transcript moments include Pennywise illusions, failed plans, secret shards, hallucinations, and multiple “are you serious?” plot beats. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome to our Patreon-only T-Giving episode, where the vibes are loose, the thumbs are down, and the opinions are turgid (yes, we go there). In this clip, we bounce between:
Jason’s birthday Korean BBQ adventure
The Room, Species, Wicked, and other cinematic crimes
Classic P-Hounds-only chaos you won’t see on the main feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Thumb War is back and slightly annoyed for a new Welcome to Derry Episode 4 Review! We’re forced to ask a serious question: Is this the worst episode yet? The Stephen King Universe lore is being dumped like it's an end-of-season yard sale, and frankly, we're tired of them explaining everything. On this episode of Thumb War, Jason, Rachel, and special guest Jeshua Kidd wade through the Derry, Maine mud to discuss the highly questionable writing and deeply confusing plot points. We break down the absolutely cringe-worthy dialogue, the heavy-handed Pennywise connections and whether the excessive Stephen King Easter Eggs are just fan service covering up a weak script.
In this train wreck, we discuss: The truly unbelievable "How do you move a piano?" scene that made us question everything. Is the 'friendly one' from Juniper Hill trustworthy, or just another convenient plot device? Why the show is struggling to move beyond exposition and actually tell a story. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Predator Badlands should’ve been the ninth-installment cash-grab we all politely ignore… but somehow Dan Trachtenberg cooked. In this week’s Thumb War, Rachel and Jason dive into the surprisingly emotional new Predator movie that mixes Klingon-like family drama, Alien-universe corporate stupidity, exploding caterpillars, razor grass, and the most adorable digital murder-gremlin since Grogu.
We get into:
Predator sibling beef
Elle Fanning playing two androids (one sweet, one corporate demon)
Found-family wolf-pack metaphors
The baby callous creature who is basically Hazel in CGI form
Weyland-Yutani being idiots… again
And the controversial PG-13 “Disney-fication” of Predator
This one is shockingly heartfelt, visually bonkers, and absolutely primed for a sequel.
Huge thumbs up. Go see it in a theater.
Full Spoilers.
Subscribe & join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + monthly hangouts! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Spoilers for Welcome to Derry Episode 3!
Thumb War returns to Derry, Maine, where the sewers are wet, the ghost children look like Spirit Halloween interns, and the cemetery scene feels one jump scare away from a discount haunted house behind a Home Depot.
After two strong episodes, Episode 3 might be our first real stumble of the season. We break down:
Did the show blow its horror budget in Episodes 1 & 2?
Are these ghost kid vibes spooky or just… sticky?
Why does the community meeting scene feel like mid-season Canadian public access TV?
Are we in Derry or at Canada’s Wonderland Fright Night?
Pennywise lore updates (even though he may be on PTO this week)
We still love the show, but we also reserve the right to yell at it.
If you want ad-free episodes, Discord access, and our monthly Patreon Hangout, join the P-Hounds over on Patreon. Support the show and keep the red balloon floating. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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This week on Thumb War we dive headfirst into “Shame”, the Steve McQueen film that proves even the hottest people alive can be absolutely miserable.
We unpack Michael Fassbender’s Olympic-level libido, Carey Mulligan’s emotional demolition derby performance, the subway eye-sex, the hotel disaster, the threesome-from-hell, and the sibling dynamic that made us both yell “No thank you.”
Jason is weirdly unimpressed. Rachel is weirdly invested. Fassbender is weirdly… relentless.
If you like art-house chaos, trauma bonds, and movies that make you question your entire browser history, this episode is for you.
Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
We’re recapping Episodes 1 & 2 of Welcome To Derry, a show that proves Stephen King will never run out of nightmare fuel.
In this episode, Jason and Rachel break down the pacifier trauma, the demon-baby joyride, the womb-from-hell sequence, the pickle-factory disaster, the theater bloodbath, and the government bros who genuinely think they can team-up with Pennywise like he’s the sixth Avenger.
Thankfully, Hazel drops in to provide the emotional support HBO clearly refuses to.
If you love horror, chaos, or watching Derry do Derry things, this one’s for you.
Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome to the Thumb War Patreon lounge — where the mics are hot, the Eight Ball’s filthy, and no one’s editing out the weird stuff. JD and Rachel dive into the doomed Soderbergh-Driver Star Wars script, questionable grooming updates, deer encounters, thrift-store T-shirt giveaways, and a heartfelt thank-you to the listeners literally keeping the lights on.
If you’re hearing this in the free feed, you’re missing the good parts. Join the Patreon and unlock every unhinged moment: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This week on Thumb War, Jason and Rachel ring up The Black Phone 2 (2025) — a sequel that swaps its creepy basement for a haunted dreamscape — and then revisit An American Werewolf in London (1981), one of the funniest, horniest, and most existential horror movies ever made.
Featuring:
– Dream demons vs real terror
– Rick Baker’s makeup magic & Oscar-winning gore
– Why Landis changed horror forever
– And how skating villains might be the least scary idea ever
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Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes and Discord hangouts: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jason and Rachel are joined by resident Jedi Jeshua Kidd to tackle Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. From Obi-Wan’s noir detective subplot on Kamino to Anakin and Padmé’s galaxy-wide red-flag romance, we break down the highs, lows, and sand-covered cringe of George Lucas’s most ambitious prequel.
Topics include: the infamous “I don’t like sand” scene, Yoda’s lightsaber duel, Ewan McGregor keeping this whole thing afloat, and whether Attack of the Clones deserves its spot near the bottom of most Star Wars rankings.
New to Thumb War? We watch way too much stuff… so you don’t have to.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe & hit the bell for more Thumb War reviews!
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This week on Thumb War, Jason and Rachel (with special guest Dan Dan The Pie Man!) check in to the worst Airbnb in cinematic history: Barbarian (2022). We’re talking Bill Skarsgård’s creep factor, Justin Long’s slimeball turn, the unforgettable “Mother,” and why this film makes you scream “Don’t go in the basement!”
Is Barbarian a horror masterpiece or a divisive mess? We break down the scares, the social commentary, and the sheer chaos of Zach Cregger’s debut. Four thumbs way, way up.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe & hit the bell for more Thumb War reviews!
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It took two decades, but the rage virus is back. Jason and Rachel review 28 Years Later (2025), the shocking sequel from Danny Boyle and Alex Garland — now available on digital. We unpack the performances (Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson, Alfie Williams), the bold genre twists, and whether the film lives up to the 28 Days Later legacy.
From the chilling Rudyard Kipling poem to the Lindisfarne setting, the “Bone Temple” setup, and the controversial train sequence — we cover it all.
Subscribe to Thumb War for more unhinged reviews of movies and TV you probably shouldn’t watch (but we do, so you don’t have to).
Hit us up: ThumbWarPod@gmail.com
Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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