Cosmic Circus Podcasts

John & Vin break down the fourth and fifth days of Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. Sebastian Stan double feature (A Different Man and The Apprentice), plus the Heretic! A Different Man Written and directed by Aaron Schimberg Stars Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson The Apprentice Directed by Ali Abbasi Written by Gabriel Sherman Stars Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, with Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, Martin Donovan Heretic Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods Stars Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East. Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 03:35 - A Different Man 13:10 - The Apprentice 26:30 - Heretic 37:25 - Outros For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus For the video version of this podcast visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frb9E6sXdfs  

Vin interviews writer-director Pavlo Ostrikov about his feature film debut U Are The Universe, a spectacular Ukrainian science fiction movie about depression, hope, and love. Tune in for production history, budget challenges, deleted scenes, influences, and more! For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Vin's reaction to seeing U Are The Universe 01:50 - The writer/director's journey to making this film 04:00 - Challenges to making this sci-fi film during the Ukrainian-Russian war. 08:53 - The robot, CGI and sets in the film 13:00 - What movies did he take inspiration from? 16:00 - The love story in U Are The Universe 17:00 - Finding the right actor to lead this film: Volodymyr Kravchuk 22:18 - Favorite behind the scenes moments or bloopers from filming. 26:00 - Film is a strong statement from Ukrainian film 28:48 - What is he working on next? 31:40 - Where to find him on social media, Outro Find the video of this podcast on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiMPIEUg4_0   Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus  

We have another report and reviews from John of films shown at Fantastic Fest this week. Check out his conversation with Vin about it here. More information and time stamps below! Anora Written, directed and edited by Sean Baker Stars Mikey Madison Daniela Forever Written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo Stars Henry Golding and Beatrice Grannò Saturday Night Written and directed by Jason Reitman, co-written by Gil Kenan Stars Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O'Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys, J. K. Simmons The Wild Robot Written and directed by Chris Sanders Based on book series by Peter Brown Stars Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames Will & Harper documentary Directed by Josh Greenbaum Starring Will Ferrell and Harper Steele TIMESTAMPS 00:10 - Intros 01:05 - Anora 06:55 - Daniela Forever 09:33 - Saturday Night 17:04 - The Wild Robot 21:16 - Will & Harper ("One of the best documentaries of this year" - John Dotson) 26:15 - U are the Universe 28:30 - Outros Find John's written review of Anora and Saturday Night here: https://thecosmiccircus.com/fantastic-fest-2024-movie-reviews-anora-and-saturday-night/ For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus  

John & Vin discuss the first day of Fantastic Fest! A special one-week festival in Austin, Texas, that celebrates bold new horror films, from Hollywood and around the world. Fantastic Fest day one: Never Let Go and The Rule of Jenny Pen Never Let Go Directed by Alexandre Aja Starring Halle Berry The Rule of Jenny Pen Directed by James Ashcroft Starring Geoffrey Rush, John Lithgow.   Timestamps 00:10 - Intros 00:30 - What is Fantastic Fest and why is it so "fantastic?" 02:20 - Movies at Fantastic Fest 04:34 - The Rule of Jenny Pen movie review 10:22 - Never Let Go movie review 17:00 - Mac Sabbath experience 20:26 - What's coming up for Fantastic Fest 2024 (Anora and more...) 22:56 - Outros  Find the video episode of this podcast on YouTube at https://youtu.be/pqby2sNh_vs?si=XEbD5OP-w0ON1Ev1   For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus  

John & Vin dive deep into The Substance (2024), giving their thoughts on the filmmaking, themes, and SPOILERS! The Substance Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat Stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid Releases September 20, 2024 Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 00:41 - Expectations for The Substance, trailer talk and initial thoughts (no spoilers) 07:00 - Seeing with an audience, a dynamic experience 07:45 - Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley 09:30 - Walk outs during The Substance 11:30 - Props, set design and look of the film 12:15 - Dennis Quaid 13:10 - Negatives about the film 16:20 - Strong statements being made in The Substance 17:23 - Great soundtrack 17:40 - SPOILER TALK STARTS 34:00 - Outro   For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus  

Vin reviews Transformers One, a new animated prequel in the Transformers franchise. He also gives a short update on other movies he's seen recently, including Speak No Evil and Lee. Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 00:40 - Transformers One cast 03:40 - 80's cartoon and previous live action films vs this new one 05:30 - The world of Cybertron 06:30 - The story becomes a bit like an MCU film at a point. More movies or should it continue as a TV series 09:00 - Soundtrack and final thoughts on Transformers One 11:00 - Speak No Evil movie review 13:06 - Lee movie review 15:50 - Final thoughts and outro   For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus  

Vin gives a quick reaction review of The Substance, a new body horror film by Coralie Fargeat. The film stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid and will release September 20, 2024.   Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 00:25 - Warning to those who don't like gore or body horror films 00:45 - Positives about the film (no spoilers) 02:00 - Somewhat predictable story at first, then it goes wildly off the rails 03:50 - The Substance is one to watch during awards season 05:33 - Outros For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus   For a video of this podcast go to the YouTube channel https://youtu.be/2ExXtjs3V7U?si=fIguUWNHpObZ8YHp  

Vin reviews Eternal (For Evigt), a new science fiction romance movie from Denmark. He also gives a short update on other movies he's seen recently, including Strange Darling, Blink Twice, and Coup! Eternal (For Evigt) Written and Directed by Ulaa Salim Starring Simon Sears & Viktor Hjelmsøe as Elias, and Nanna Øland Fabricius & Anna Søgaard Frandsen as Anita VFX by Copenhagen Visuals Coup! Written and Directed by Joseph Schuman & Austin Stark Starring Peter Sarsgaard and Billy Magnussen Blink Twice Written and Directed by Zoë Kravitz Starring Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, Kyle MacLachlan, Haley Joel Osment, and Geena Davis Strange Darling Written and Directed by JT Mollner Starring Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner Timestamps: 00:10 - Intro 01:45 - Initial thoughts on Eternal (For Evigt) 04:45 - Sci-fi element distracts from the movie, is not done as well as the romantic-drama element 09:49 - Thoughts on Coup movie 11:00 - Thoughts on Blink Twice movie 12:05 - Thoughts on Strange Darling movie 14:30 - Final thoughts on these films/outro For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus   For a video of this podcast go to the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SgKbk0C56k  

Red Rooms from writer-director Pascal Plante is already streaming in its home country of Canada, and will be released theatrically in the United States September 6. The French-language film stars Juliette Gariépy as Kelly-Anne and Laurie Babin as Clementine.  The basic premise is a story about justice and danger in the internet age, with elements of David Fincher (Seven, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Mr. Robot.  You can find a video to this podcast on our YouTube channel @thecosmiccircus Red Rooms movie review timestamps 00:10 - Intros 00:45 - Initial thoughts on the movie. 05.55 - Influences of David Fincher (Seven, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and this film's unusual approach to investigations. 12:30 - Comparisons to Searching, clever use of screens in Red Rooms. 13:45 - Trigger warnings, and violence depicted in the film. 15:00 - Red Rooms is a great film that no one is talking about yet. 16:00 - The soundtrack of the film. 17:45 - The building of pressure in the story, some unresolved feelings or things to think and talk about afterwards with other viewers. 18:55 - Cinematography and it's effect on the narrative of the story 21:00 - SPOILER discussion begins for Red Rooms 27:15 - Clementine as a flawed character and what she represents. 31:55 - The very "meta" opening of the film. 33:20 - Final thoughts on Utopia's Red Rooms 34:40 - Outros For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

The Crow is a new 2024 film adaptation of the 1989 comic by James O'Barr. Directed by Rupert Sanders and written by Zach Baylin & William Schneider, the film stars Bill Skarsgård as The Crow and FKA Twigs as Shelly. This is the first film adaptation of the comic since the 1994 cult classic of the same name, directed by Alex Proyas and written by David J. Schow & John Shirley, which starred Brandon Lee as The Crow. Despite the different creative forces, the basic story of all three versions has remained the same: After Eric Draven and his girlfriend Shelly are unexpectedly murdered, Eric comes back from the dead for revenge! Join John and Vin as they sulk through the history of The Crow and compare the two films. Timestamps 00:10 - Intros 00:45 - Discussing the 1994 cult classic The Crow film, starring Brandon Lee, and Lee's death during filming. 011:00 - The love story in The Crow comparisons to the original 15:45 - Spoiler discussions for the new film start. 28:00 - New The Crow film makes an effort to over explain everything and yet, the story falls flat and still seems to leave important characters feel underdeveloped and difficult to connect to. The script "feels like a first draft." 35:00 - Final/overall thoughts on The Crow (2024) 36:49 - Outros For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com  

Tatami is an Iranian-Israeli production based loosely on the real life story of exiled #judoka Saeid Mollaei. The film stars Arienne Mandi and Zar Amir Ebrahimi, and is directed by Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv. Part sports tournament and part political drama, Tatami is one of the most harrowing and heroic experiences of the year. Find the full video review on YouTube @TheCosmicCircus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS0N2Bg0-N8   For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com  

Here's John and Vin's deep dive into the latest film in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez and written by Álvarez & Rodo Sayagues. It stars Cailee Spaeny as Rain, David Jonsson as Andy, and Isabela Merced as Kay. Find the full video review on YouTube @TheCosmicCircus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPpUhd1RUQ0   John's early reaction to Romulus https://youtu.be/fiqL6Lz55b4?si=O5wqY9lms9EdIAdv John and Vin's retrospective review of the Alien films https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7PtoNooZTA For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com  

John & Vin reminisce over their first encounter with Alien and share their thoughts on the Alien film franchise ahead of the release of Alien: Romulus. For the full video of this review go to YouTube @TheCosmicCircus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7PtoNooZTA   For John's early reaction to Alien: Romulus go to https://youtu.be/fiqL6Lz55b4?si=imb4_CA6z5uaQQ9R For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com  

Vin reviews the 2024 French film The Count of Monte Cristo from directors Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte. Let us know below in the comments if you want to check out this movie when it hits theaters near you! Find the full video review at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC0InqJz1eE   For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

John and Vin talk about the new M. Night Shyamalan film Trap starring Josh Hartnett.  For the full video review go to YouTube @TheCosmicCircus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgz4cRUJndA   For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com  

John and Vin talk about the Twisters movie 4DX experience! Find out if this is a must see or if it's too much of a good thing! Find the video review on YouTube @theCosmicCircus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWMx448WIbk Vin and John's review of Twisters: https://youtu.be/bMvSpoQ8tEU?si=yrPw-NzUpzWzn_z9 Brian's ScreenX experience for Twisters: https://thecosmiccircus.com/review-twisters-screenx-experience/ John's written review of Twisters: https://thecosmiccircus.com/twisters-review-universal/  

John and Vin talk about the newest Marvel Studios film, Deadpool & Wolverine, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. For the full video of this review go to YouTube @thecosmiccircus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZJUMYwucuM Links referred to in this video... Uday's movie review of Deadpool & Wolverine: https://thecosmiccircus.com/deadpool-wolverine-review-marvel-studios/ Vin's Deadpool Comics Guide: https://thecosmiccircus.com/deadpool-reading-guide/ Vin's Wolverine Comics Guide: https://thecosmiccircus.com/wolverine-reading-guide/ The Cosmic Circle Podcast Discussion of Deadpool & Wolverine with Brian Kitson, Anthony Flagg & Alex Perez: https://thecosmiccircus.com/deadpool-wolverine-discussion-cosmic-circle-ep-60/  

San Diego Comic-Con is one of the most significant pop culture events of the year, and this year's celebration was especially hot if you are a Marvel fan! It feels like forever since the last Hall H presentation from the studio back in 2022, so it was electric to have Marvel front and center once again. Marvel's Hall H panel this year focused mainly on three of their upcoming projects: Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and Fantastic Four: First Steps and also had some big reveals for Avengers 5 and 6.  In episode 61 of The Cosmic Circle, podcast host Brian Kitson with fellow writers Anthony Flagg and Alex Perez discuss reveals from the panel.  Insider Alex Perez also shares some of what he knows about the future of the MCU and how the Multiverse Saga will come to a close, so beware of spoilers in this podcast!   Podcast credits and show notes Contributors/Writers Brian Kitson Anthony Flagg Alex Perez Executive Producer/Editor Lizzie Hill Find the companion article to this podcast at https://thecosmiccircus.com

Deadpool and Wolverine has finally arrived, and we're beyond excited about this film. Not only does it have the responsibility of furthering the story of the MCU, but it also serves as a closing chapter of the 20th Century Fox universe of Marvel characters. So naturally, we had to have a podcast about it! (Spoiler warning!) Join host and head writer Brian Kitson and fellow writers Anthony Flagg and Alex Perez as they discuss every exciting detail of this newest Marvel Studios offering. Did they think Deadpool and Wolverine was a good movie? What were some of their favorite parts? And just where do they think we'll see these two mutants again in the MCU? This is definitely not a podcast you want to miss, as Alex Perez shares some juicy details about what's next for our favorite merch with the mouth and his newfound family. Enjoy!   Podcast credits and show notes Contributors/Writers Brian Kitson Anthony Flagg Alex Perez Executive Producer/Editor Lizzie Hill Recorded on 7/28/2024 Find the companion article to this podcast at https://thecosmiccircus.com

Twisters starring Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones and directed by Lee Isaac Chung! Check out Vin and John's thoughts on the sequel film, what worked and what didn't, and comparisons to the original Twister film (1996).  Find the video review on YouTube @theCosmicCircus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMvSpoQ8tEU For John's review of Twisters: https://thecosmiccircus.com/twisters-review-universal/ Brian's review of Twisters and his ScreenX experience: https://thecosmiccircus.com/review-twisters-screenx-experience/ Vin's review of the Twisters 4DX experience https://youtu.be/ZWMx448WIbk?si=hE2nI4THQ1lJ6B_I