Missing Frames: Catching up with Cinema

Become legend, young podcasters.After years of false starts, Shawn has finally finished Neon Genesis Evangelion. TC Padgett returns to Missing Frames to introduce Shawn to Hideaki Anno's legendary and deeply disturbing conclusion to one of anime's most celebrated series. From giant robots, biblical imagery, and apocalyptic body horror to the Hedgehog's Dilemma, Human Instrumentality, and the existential terror of simply being alive, Shawn and TC explore how The End of Evangelion transforms the series' ideas into something overwhelming, emotionally devastating, and uniquely cinematic. They also consider the relationship between Hideaki Anno and his creation, whether the film replaces or complements the television ending, and why sometimes understanding a movie isn't nearly as important as feeling it.Congratulations!HOSTSShawn EastridgeTC Padgett

For nearly his entire life, Guillermo del Toro dreamed of bringing Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the screen. In 2025, that dream finally became a reality. In this special episode of Missing Frames, Shawn Eastridge is joined once again by acclaimed comic book writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Infernal Hulk, Batman and Robin, Superman: The Warworld Saga) for an in-depth exploration of Guillermo del Toro's latest effort. Together, they discuss how del Toro’s Frankenstein reflects the themes that have defined his entire career and why Mary Shelley's 200-year-old novel continues to inspire artists across generations. Along the way, they dive into the responsibilities of adapting beloved stories, the relationship between creators and their creations, and what separates great storytellers from great craftsmen. Phillip also offers fascinating insights into his own creative process, discussing writer's block and artistic inspiration. He even teases ideas and themes from his highly anticipated Midnight Spider-Man series.

It's time to celebrate another milestone! For the 160th episode of Missing Frames, Shawn welcomes back longtime friend Brad Gullickson for another installment of their ongoing "anniversary series," a tradition that began nearly a decade ago with Episode 30: Dirty Harry. This time, Brad introduces Shawn to one of the most influential crime films of the 1960s: John Boorman's Point Blank, starring the incomparable Lee Marvin. On paper, Point Blank is a simple revenge story. A criminal is betrayed, left for dead, and sets out to collect the money he's owed and murder the ones who wronged him. But under Boorman's direction, what begins as a hard-boiled thriller evolves into something dreamlike, hypnotic, and unlike almost anything Hollywood was producing in 1967.Along the way, Shawn and Brad discuss the film's unforgettable supporting cast, which includes the likes of Angie Dickinson and John Vernon, and ponder how the film ultimately becomes a meditation on identity, obsession, and emotional emptiness.HOSTSShawn EastridgeBrad Gullickson

Following her announcement at Superman Celebration that she will reprise her role as Martha "Ma" Kent in James Gunn's Man of Tomorrow, Neva Howell joins Shawn Eastridge for her first interview discussing the highly anticipated sequel and the future of the DC Universe. Neva reflects on returning to the role of Ma Kent, reuniting with Pruitt Taylor Vince (Pa Kent), and stepping back into the warm, family-like environment fostered by writer-director James Gunn. While she can't reveal specific plot details, she does offer a tantalizing tease for fans eager to see where Superman's story goes next: "Whatever you were thinking, it's probably not that." Shawn and Neva also discuss the growing DCU, their excitement for Supergirl and Lanterns, the importance of balancing heart and humor in superhero storytelling, and why she believes fans who loved Superman (2025) are going to "flip over" Man of Tomorrow.

Go APES with The Franchyze Boiz!Shawn, Brad, and Aaron take a deep dive into one of the strangest, smartest, and most influential franchises in science fiction history: Planet of the Apes. In Part One of their epic discussion, they revisit all five films from the original series, from the groundbreaking 1968 classic starring Charlton Heston to the increasingly bizarre sequels that somehow become darker, stranger, and more politically charged with each installment.Along the way, they explore the franchise's unforgettable characters, groundbreaking makeup effects, civil rights allusions, nuclear anxieties, and the surprising emotional depth hiding beneath all that ape makeup.This franchise has it all: mutant cultists, ape revolutions, time travel, political allegory, and the literal end of the world. What's not to love?It's a madhouse! A MADHOUSE!!HOSTSShawn EastridgeBrad GullicksonAaron Prescott