The Incomparable Mothership

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717: Swept up in the Deadpool of It All May 24, 2024

Show notes

You just can’t kill us, unless we’re wearing something on our necks that means you can. We’re back to cover 2018’s “Deadpool 2,” which bring you… more Deadpool. Not necessarily a bad thing, but should it have tried to elevate its game? Does its ending completely invalidate the story? And what’s the serious plot element at the center of the ridiculous meta superhero action?

"Deadpool 2"

Host Jason Snell with Kelly Guimont, Cicero Holmes, and Dan Moren.

Referenced Works

Deadpool 2

Show Notes & Links

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716: The Real Villain is Trauma May 17, 2024

Show notes

With a third movie on the way, it’s time for us to tackle an R-rated “X-Men” spinoff, everyone’s favorite glutton for punishment, 2016’s “Deadpool.” Did it pass the test of skeptical first-time viewers? Does its balance of humor and ultraviolence work? And why did we find this deeply unserious movie strangely affecting?

"Deadpool" (2016)

Host Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont, and Dan Moren.

Referenced Works

Deadpool

Show Notes & Links

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715: Don't Let Books Make You Cry May 10, 2024

Show notes

We begin our walk through the 2024 nominees for Best Novel from the Hugo and Nebula Awards. First up: “Starter Villain” by John Scalzi, “Translation State” by Ann Leckie, and “Witch King” by Martha Wells.

2024 Awards Book Club part 1

Host Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms, Scott McNulty, and Heather Berberet.

Referenced Works

Translation State

[Amazon] [Apple]

Witch King

[Amazon] [Apple]

Starter Villain

[Amazon] [Apple]

Show Notes & Links

Our next books, as the shortlist reading rolls on!

Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh
The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz
Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi

What are we reading?

Aleen: Belladonna and Regency Faerie Tales
Erika: Ruin and Rising and System Collapse
Scott: Mal Goes to War
Jason: Paladin of Souls

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714: You Can't Protect People From "Doctor Who" May 03, 2024

Show notes

Put on your mouse ears and step into the TARDIS! We’re discussing the return (rebirth? regeneration?) of “Doctor Who” in 2024, this time on Disney+ (and the BBC). It’s a new era with an old showrunner. How did the 2023 specials hit us, where should curious viewers start watching, and what are our hopes for the coming season?

"Doctor Who" anticipation

Host Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Annette Wierstra, and Kelly Guimont.

Referenced Works

Doctor Who

[Amazon]

Show Notes & Links

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713: Weird Guy in the Meat Locker Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

Why does discussing the overlooked 1991 classic “Dead Again” feel like we’re living a past life? Maybe it’s the shock of seeing young Sir Kenneth Branagh (attempting a weird American accent) and Dame Emma Thompson. Maybe it’s Sir Derek Jacobi making us wonder if that stutter is an “I, Claudius” reference. Maybe it’s the whole romantic fantasy thing, with a Hitchcockian past intruding on a 1990s present.

"Dead Again"

Host Jason Snell with Glenn Fleishman, Erika Ensign, Annette Wierstra, Dr. Drang, and Shannon Sudderth.

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712: Arguably the Saddest Record Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

It’s time to celebrate the music of the first decade of this century via our 2000s album draft! From opera to show tunes, we’ve got several musical styles covered—and those are just Andy’s picks! Why do James’s picks leave us cold? What is Erika’s favorite Beat Saber band? Why does Kelly use karaoke as therapy? How does Shelly tactically use remixes? And why did Brian insist on editing this episode?

2000s Album Draft

Host Jason Snell with Brian Hamilton, James Thomson, Shelly Brisbin, Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont, and Andy Ihnatko.

Show Notes & Links

Brian - Give Up - Postal Service (2003)
James - The Understanding - Röyksopp (2005)
Shelly - Verve Remixed - Various Artists (2002-2008)
Erika - A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out - Panic! At the Disco (2005)
Kelly - The Fame Monster - Lady Gaga (2009)
Andy - Back to Black - Amy Winehouse (2006)
Jason - Frou Frou - Details (2002)
Brian - Minutes to Midnight - Linkin Park (2007)
James - Set Yourself on Fire - Stars (2004)
Shelly - Satellite Rides - Old ’97s (2001)
Erika - Why Should the Fire Die - Nickel Creek (2005)
Kelly - Bleed American - Jimmy Eat World (2001)
Andy - The Producers (Original Broadway Cast Album) (2001)
Jason - Mike Doughty - Haughty Melodic (2005)
Brian - Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero (2007)
James - They Live - Evil Nine (2009)
Shelly - Children Running Through - Patty Griffin (2007)
Erika - Commit This To Memory - Motion City Soundtrack (2005)
Kelly - LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem (2005)
Andy - La Traviata (Violetta) - Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón (2005)
Jason - Glen Phillips - Abulum (2000)

“Bring Out Your Beats” round

Brian

Enter Shikari: Common Dreads
My Chemical Romance: The Black Parade
The White Stripes: Icky Thump
Fall Out Boy: Take This To Your Grave
Death Cab for Cutie: Plans
Gorillaz: Demon Days
The Shins: Wincing the Night Away
As I Lay Dying: An Ocean Between Us
Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Spring Awakening: Original Broadway Cast Recording

James

Annie - Anniemal (2004)
Bitter Ruin - Bitter Ruin (2007)
Digitalism - Idealism (2007)
DJ Format - If You Can’t Join ‘Em… Beat Em (2005)
Lemon Jelly - ‘64-‘95 (2005)
Metric - Old World Underground (2003)
The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die (2009)
The Chemical Brothers - Push the Button (2005)

Shelly

Live from Austin, TX / Neko Case
1000 Kisses / Patty Griffin
The Miracle of Five / Elena Mandell
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood / Neko Case
Somewhere Near Patterson / Richard Shindell
Raising Sand / Robert Plant and Allison Krauss
Hard-Hearted Woman: A Celebration of Wanda Jackson / Various Artists
Bring on the Beats / The Ugly Beats
No Previous Record / Cheryl Wheeler (Fan list bootlag double album produced by Shelly)

Erika

Rainy Day Music (2003) - The Jayhawks
Warm Strangers (2004) - Vienna Teng
American Idiot (2004) - Green Day
40 Days (2004) and Firecracker (2006) by the Wailin Jennys
The Invisible Band (2001) - Travis
The Guest (2002) and Raise the Dead (2008) - Phantom Planet
Taking the Long Way (2006) The Chicks
Keep it Together (2003) - Guster
Traffic and Weather (2007) - Fountains of Wayne

Kelly

Matthew Good - Hospital Music 2007
Jay Z the blueprint 3 - 2009 (almost black album 2003?)
Placebo - Meds 2006
Killers - Sam’s Town 2006
New Order - Get ready 2001
BYOD: White Label Extended Version
Pet Shop Boys/Fundamental 2006

Jason

Matt Nathanson - Some Mad Hope
Guster - Keep It Together
Explosions in the Sky - The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
Easy Star All Stars - Radiodread
Neil Finn - One All
Bob Mould - Body of Song / District Line / Life and Times
Say Anything - In Defense of the Genre
Paramore - Brand New Eyes
Cartel - Chroma

Longlists

James

The Avalanches - Since I Left You (2001)
Calvin Harris - I Created Disco (2007)
Cut Copy - Bright Like Neon Love (2005)
Chromeo - Fancy Footwork (2007)
Clor - Clor (2005)
Daft Punk - Discovery (2001)
The Dead 60s - The Dead 60s (2005)
Death In Vegas - Scorpio Rising (2002)
DJ Shadow - The Private Press (2002)
Fatboy Slim - Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars (2000)
Goldfrapp - Black Cherry (2003)
Justice - † (2007)
Kinobe - Soundphiles (2000)
Mylo - Destroy Rock & Roll (2006)
Pendulum - In Silico (2008)
The Presets - Apocalypso (2008)
Quantic - Apricot Morning (2002)
RJD2 - Deadringer (2002)
Shiny Toy Guns - We Are Pilots (2005)
Simian Mobile Disco - Attack Decay Sustain Release (2007)
Vitalic - OK Cowboy (2005)

Shelly

Defying Gravity / Ol 97s
Thrill / Eleni Mandell
(self-titled) / Buddy and Julie Miller
Elephant / The White Stripes
Sister Holler / Narissa and Katrina Nields

Erika

Rainy Day Music (2003) - The Jayhawks
Warm Strangers (2004) - Vienna Teng
American Idiot (2004) - Green Day
40 Days (2004) and Firecracker (2006) by the Wailin Jennys
The Invisible Band (2001) - Travis
The Guest (2002) and Raise the Dead (2008) - Phantom Planet
Taking the Long Way (2006) The Chicks
Keep it Together (2003) - Guster
Traffic and Weather (2007) - Fountains of Wayne
Cynical (2005) - Sunspot

Jason

BT - Movement in Still Life
Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
Imogen Heap - Ellipse
Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself
John Mayer - Room for Squares
Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway
Peter Gabriel - Up
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Say Anything - Say Anything
U2 - All That You Can’t Leave Behind

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711: Creepy Bone Owl Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

Our book club reconvenes to discuss the “Shades of Magic” series by V.E. Schwab, as well as the start of a second trilogy, “The Fragile Threads of Power.” Before the spoilers begin, we’ll explain the parallel fantasy world structure and explain why it’s such a great series. Then we’ll discuss the newest book in the series.

Plus: What are we reading?

"The Fragile Threads of Power"

Host Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms, and Heather Berberet.

Referenced Works

The Fragile Threads of Power

[Amazon] [Apple]

Show Notes & Links

Listener’s Note: Our annual shortlist tour begins in our next episode with “Translation State” by Ann Leckie, “Witch King” by Martha Wells, and “Starter Villain” by John Scalzi.

What are we reading?

Scott:

The Corax Trilogy
Trust by Hernan Diaz

Aleen:

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

Heather:

The Red Scholar’s Wake by Aliette de Bodard
Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage by Rachel E. Gross
How I Won a Nobel Prize by Julius Taranto

Erika:

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

Jason:

Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway
The Expert System’s Brother by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Shades of Magic series

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710: Average Night at the Sicilian Opera Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

Just when we thought we were out, they pulled us back in! Long after we recorded our first episodes about “The Godfather,” our panelists get back together to talk about the late-sequel “The Godfather Part III,” or is it “The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone” now? Only Francis knows for sure.

"The Godfather III/Coda"

Host Jason Snell with John Siracusa, John Gruber, Chip Sudderth, and Moisés Chiullán.

Referenced Works

The Godfather Part III (Coda)

Show Notes & Links

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709: Worms All the Way Down Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

Get on your sandworm and head south! It’s time to discuss “Dune Part 2,” a sequel with more sand, more Fremen, and more time spent at the super weird planet of the villainous Harkonnen family. Is Paul the hero, or… something else? Dust off the family atomics and join us, won’t you?

"Dune Part 2"

Host Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Kelly Guimont, Guy English, and Brian Warren.

Referenced Works

Dune: Part Two

Show Notes & Links

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708: Wet Hot Mutagenic Summer Mar 22, 2024

Show notes

It’s the first-ever Reboot a Bad Movie draft! In which our stalwart panelists grab an intellectual-property loser off the shelf, dust it off, and re-envision it in a new way that could maybe, possibly be a hit with modern audiences.

Host Moisés Chiullán with Lisa Schmeiser, David J. Loehr, Cicero Holmes, and Monty Ashley.

Show Notes & Links

Cicero: Madame Web! A New Jukebox Musical
Monty: On Stranger Tides Minus Pirates of the Caribbean
David: Doc Savage: Man of Bronze
Lisa: The Eternals 11
Moisés: Howard: The Duck: The Series
Monty: Cutthroat Island
David: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Lisa: The New Mutants Go To Camp aka New Mutantballs aka Wet Hot Mutagenic Summer
Cicero: Batman vs. Superman: Death of the Family
Moisés: Masters of the Universe: Infinity Crisis Quest

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Referenced Works

Deadpool 2

Show Notes & Links

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Deadpool

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Translation State

Witch King

Starter Villain

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Doctor Who

Show Notes & Links

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

The Fragile Threads of Power

Show Notes & Links

Shades of Magic series

Referenced Works

The Godfather Part III (Coda)

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Dune: Part Two

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Show Notes & Links

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