Psyber-Conversations

In Part 2 of our Iron Man deep dive, we keep the MCU nostalgia flowing. This episode picks up right where we left off, digging into everything from villain problems to the early studio politics that shaped the franchise. We get into why Obadiah Stane works… and why he also kind of doesn’t. We talk about Jon Favreau’s influence, the magic of the 2008 CGI that somehow still holds up, and the studio decisions that changed the MCU long before anyone knew what Phase One even meant. We get into casting swaps, from Terrence Howard to Don Cheadle, and why those changes still spark debate. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts gets some airtime too, along with Samuel L. Jackson’s surprise debut that launched a decade of Nick Fury swagger. The team also takes a fun detour into everything from Wonder Woman 1984 to Jurassic Park to why Tony’s “Back in Black” entrance is still one of the coolest openings in superhero movies. If you love the MCU, movie talk, or hearing three people passionately defend (or roast) their favorites, you’re in the right place. Stick around as we wrap up Iron Man and get ready for next week’s episode on The Incredible Hulk. And as always, hit like, leave a comment, and subscribe if you haven’t already.

The MCU had to start somewhere and it all began with a billionaire in a cave. In this episode, we fire up the arc reactor and revisit Iron Man (2008), the film that launched one of the biggest cinematic universes in history. Bob, Josh, and special guest Matthew dig into Robert Downey Jr.’s perfect casting, the movie’s “humble beginning” as a B-tier superhero story, and how Kevin Feige’s risky vision changed Hollywood. From Jeff Bridges’ Obadiah Stane to that iconic “I am Iron Man” moment, we explore what made this origin story feel fresh, what hasn’t aged so well, and why the MCU still owes everything to Tony Stark’s first flight.

This week on Psyber Conversations, Josh gathers the crew, Bob, Matthew, Rachel, and Vern, for a Halloween roundtable packed with nostalgia, jump scares, and guilty-pleasure horror picks. From Tremors to Scream, The Thing to The Nightmare Before Christmas, the group dives into the movies that defined their spooky seasons. They debate slashers versus supernatural horror, childhood trauma from Return to Oz, the psychology of fear, and why some films get scarier with age. It’s part movie therapy session, part generational showdown, and entirely Halloween. Featuring: Josh Ash, Robert (Bob) Cerrone, Matthew Cerrone, Rachel Ash, and Vern Hestand Topics: Classic horror, Halloween traditions, the evolution of fear, and the eternal debate, is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or Christmas movie?

In this episode of Psyber Conversations, Josh and Bob dive deep into Aquaman (2018), the billion-dollar DC hit that brought Atlantis to life in all its colorful, chaotic glory. From Jason Momoa’s laid-back kingly charm to Patrick Wilson’s smarmy villain energy, they break down the film’s standout performances, over-the-top visuals, and James Wan’s signature directing style. Along the way, they debate continuity flaws between Justice League cuts, laugh over the octopus drummer, and argue about the laws of physics in that cargo plane scene. It’s an honest, hilarious, and surprisingly thoughtful look at one of the DCEU’s splashiest films.

In this episode of Psyber Conversations, we wrap up our deep dive into Zack Snyder’s Justice League, exploring how the Snyder Cut reshaped character arcs and delivered a more cohesive, emotional story. We break down Cyborg’s redemption, The Flash’s evolution, and Steppenwolf’s unexpected depth, plus how the Snyder version gave Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and even Darkseid far richer moments than the theatrical cut. From the black-suit Superman to the controversial return of Jared Leto’s Joker, we unpack what worked, what didn’t, and how Snyder’s vision might have changed the DCEU forever.

In this episode of Psyber Conversations, Josh and Bob dive deep into the two vastly different versions of Justice League, Joss Whedon’s theatrical cut and Zack Snyder’s long-awaited vision. From behind-the-scenes turmoil and creative clashes to tone, character depth, and world-building, they unpack what went wrong, what was redeemed, and how Snyder’s four-hour epic reshaped DC fandom. Along the way, they debate the evolution of superhero storytelling, discuss the “cash grab” trend of multi-part finales, and explore whether the DCEU could have survived if Snyder’s cut had come first.

In this episode of Psyber Conversations, the hosts dive deep into Wonder Woman (2017). From debates over Gal Gadot’s performance and Chris Pine’s “handsome but bland” charm to Robin Wright’s standout role and comparisons with Captain America: The First Avenger, no topic is off-limits. They explore what worked, what fell flat, and whether Wonder Woman really stood as a turning point for the DCU or just another pale shadow of Marvel’s golden age. Along the way, expect tangents on acting range, soundtrack highlights, and even a spirited defense of John Lithgow. It’s a lively mix of critique, humor, and film geekery, leading into next week’s focus on Justice League.

In this episode of Psyber Conversations, we dive into the chaos of Suicide Squad (2016). From David Ayer’s troubled vision and Warner Brothers’ meddling to the stacked cast of Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, and more, we unpack what worked, what didn’t, and why this film remains one of the most divisive entries in the DCEU. We discuss Margot Robbie’s breakout as Harley Quinn, Jared Leto’s controversial Joker, El Diablo’s surprising depth, and whether the movie ever had a chance to succeed. Was it a failed attempt at a Guardians of the Galaxy style team up, or does it deserve more credit than critics gave it? Tune in as we debate, critique, and maybe even defend parts of this infamous blockbuster.

In Part 2 of our Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice discussion, we dig deeper into the film’s darker tone, the choices that reshaped Superman and Batman into unrecognizable versions of themselves, and the philosophy Zack Snyder injected into the story. We cover everything from Doomsday’s controversial introduction to Jesse Eisenberg’s polarizing Lex Luthor, the infamous “Martha” moment, and why the animated DC stories often succeed where the live-action ones struggle. Along the way, we share what worked, what didn’t, and why fans remain so divided on this chapter of the DCEU.

In this episode of Psyber Conversations, we dive into Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and unpack why this 2016 film remains one of the most polarizing entries in the DCEU. From the gritty tone and Superman’s controversial characterization to Ben Affleck’s older, jaded Batman, we explore what worked, what missed the mark, and how it all compares to the comics and past Superman films. We also debate casting choices, from Amy Adams’ Lois Lane to Jesse Eisenberg’s divisive Lex Luthor, and look at how the movie set the stage for the rest of the Snyderverse.

In Part 2 of our Man of Steel discussion, we continue exploring the film’s grounded tone, Superman’s morality, and the lasting debate around the Metropolis battle. We also look at how the darker tone of the Snyderverse took shape and dive into Hans Zimmer’s unforgettable score that redefined Superman’s sound for a new generation.

In this episode, we unpack Man of Steel as we look at its darker, more grounded tone compared to earlier Superman films. We dive into the massive Metropolis battle that split audiences, explore Superman’s reimagined morality, and discuss his struggle with identity and heroism. We also look at Zack Snyder’s distinctive visual style and how it shaped the film’s bold, mythic feel. Whether you loved it or left questioning it, this conversation explores why Man of Steel remains one of the most debated superhero films of its era.

Welcome to Psyber-Conversations, where it's okay to agree to disagree. Today, Josh and Vern begin their discussion of The Force Awakens, the first movie in the sequel trilogy. They discuss some of their thoughts on what Disney and J.J. Abrams were trying to do and if there was a plan in place when they started. They also discuss the use of the new characters introduced, including Poe Dameron, Rey, Finn, and BB-8. We hope you enjoy the show!

Today, Josh and Vern continue their discussion of Attack of the Clones. Please like and subscribe. And feel free to leave us a comment; we would love to hear from you. Thanks everyone!

Today, we're continuing our discussion of Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. I did some research for some of the questions we had in this discussion. First of all, I found a plethora of articles about some of the scripts Carrie Fisher worked on, and there are a lot of them. I am attaching one article, but this is just one of many about her career as a script doctor: https://screenrant.com/carrie-fisher-script-doctor-movies/. Also, we mentioned what a missed opportunity it was that George Lucas did not bring Carrie Fisher in on doctoring the scripts for the prequels, but as it turns out, he did! So the real missed opportunity was in not making a bigger deal out of it. I would have had her name on everything, but that's just me. RIP Carrie Fisher Second, Vern had thought that the kid who played the Jedi youngling who figures out that the planet Kamino was erased from the archives was one of George Lucas's children (not Jett). Vern thought that George Lucas had two sons, but as it turns out, he only has one son. Also, the child who says Kamino was erased was named J. K. Burtola, and he was played by Alex Knoll. Anyway, we hope you enjoy the show!

Today, we begin our discussion of Attack of the Clones, breaking down what we liked and disliked about the movie. We also discuss some of what may be breaking the fandom apart. Enjoy the show and please like and subscribe!

Welcome to Psyber-Conversations! Josh and Vern finish their discussion of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.  Because we mentioned it in the show, I want to post the link to Auralnauts: https://www.youtube.com/@Auralnauts

Josh and Vern continue their discussion about The Phantom Menace. Please click like and subscribe! Enjoy the show!

This is a special episode about what makes a movie a "Christmas movie". Josh and special guest Bob discuss their thoughts on various movies and whether they are actual Christmas movies or not. Vern was unable to record today, as his son has been having some medical problems. Please keep Vern and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Assuming everything is okay, we will resume our discussion of Star Wars next week.

Today, Josh and Vern's discussion of The Phantom Menace continues. I have also been working on my editing skills, and hopefully, I've been able to keep both of us sounding clear. Please feel free to comment and/or like our show. We hope you enjoy it!