The Nextlander Watchcast

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23: Michael Clayton (2007) Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

Brad's deep and abiding love has led us to Tony Gilroy's first directorial effort, the twisty and biting legal thriller Michael Clayton. Join us as Brad and Vinny experience this terrific film for the first time, and discover just how many murders it takes to effectively cover up gross corporate malfeasance.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:14) - Intro.
(00:05:16) - A quick overview on the set-up for our movie this week: Michael Clayton.
(00:14:06) - Some thoughts on the film's non-linear presentation of the story.
(00:17:40) - A little bit of background info on the development and production of Michael Clayton.
(00:22:42) - Karen Crowder: not a great person!
(00:27:58) - Arthur's imperfect moment of clarity.
(00:34:52) - One night in Milwaukee.
(00:39:49) - Arthur on the lam.
(00:42:32) - Michael's various other issues, and some chat about Sydney Pollack's Marty.
(00:51:01) - Mmm, bread.
(00:53:45) - Break!
(00:54:07) - We're back, and it's time for some more Arthur yelling. Oh, and murder!
(01:03:45) - Well, Arthur's dead. Guess that about wraps everything up, right?
(01:08:24) - Michael Clayton is on the hunt, so it's time for yet another murder.
(01:15:33) - Looping back around to where the movie started.
(01:21:24) - An all-timer of a closing scene.
(01:32:44) - Final thoughts on Michael Clayton.
(01:41:31) - Outro.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22: Star Trek: Tomorrow Is Yesterday and Court Martial Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

We're closing out Star Trek month on the Nextlander Watchcast in grand fashion with a big old time travel goof-up in Tomorrow Is Yesterday, and the twisty legal drama of Court Martial.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:39) - Intro.
(00:01:53) - Kicking things off with Tomorrow Is Yesterday.
(00:07:42) - Some production notes on the episode.
(00:13:01) - Uh oh! We've got a past guy on our future ship.
(00:19:47) - This man has seen too much future. Now what do we do with him?
(00:24:45) - Remember Sulu, this is a sneaking mission.
(00:29:42) - It's a fracas! A donnybrook! An all-out brawl!
(00:36:46) - It's time to travel back to our time (forward) but first we have to travel back in time (backward).
(00:44:02) - Returning to our own century with INCREDIBLE precision. And our final thoughts on the episode.
(00:47:03) - Break!
(00:47:26) - Time to take on one of Brad's favorite kinds of Star Trek episodes: a courtroom drama in Court Martial!
(00:51:58) - Some production background on Court Martial.
(00:58:17) - Computers can't be wrong, but they can be sexy. Also, of COURSE his prosecutor is an old flame.
(01:03:22) - Samuel Cogley Esquire: Space Lawyer Extraordinaire.
(01:05:41) - The trial begins.
(01:12:39) - A SHOCKING VIDEO EVIDENCE REVEAL.
(01:15:38) - I'm looking for a heartbeat. One extremely specific heartbeat, to be clear.
(01:20:13) - Oh wow Finney's not dead! Oh no Finney's not dead.
(01:26:02) - Final thoughts on the episode.
(01:28:45) - Outro, with some December Watchcast scheduling.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21: Star Trek: The Squire of Gothos and Arena Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

This week's Watchcast is packed to the gills with omnipotent beings, sudden disappearances, and man-on-man (and man-on-lizard) combat as we take on the Star Trek episodes The Squire of Gothos, and Arena!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:14) - Intro, and some Twin Peaks talk.
(00:04:53) - Onto Star Trek and our first episode, The Squire of Gothos!
(00:06:45) - Our man Trelane, and his similarities to Q.
(00:09:09) - Some additional production notes about the episode.
(00:10:05) - Trelane! Stop this crazy planet!
(00:14:46) - Trelane sucks at math, and so do the writers.
(00:17:38) - Our first galactic cosplayer.
(00:20:11) - A racist British person? Will wonders never cease.
(00:23:27) - A good old fashioned duel, followed by a starship getting chased around by a planet.
(00:26:58) - A good old fashioned hunting of a man for sport.
(00:31:37) - This ending is so ridiculous. The good kind of ridiculous.
(00:37:24) - A couple of remaining questions.
(00:42:47) - Wrapping up on The Squire of Gothos.
(00:45:09) - Break!
(00:45:38) - We're back, and it's time to enter the Arena!
(00:49:48) - Some production notes on Arena, and the hearing damage given to the principal cast.
(00:57:20) - Kirk's on a mission of bloodlust.
(01:04:03) - Time to do MORTAL KOMBAT.
(01:09:18) - If only Kirk could remember 9th grade science class!
(01:13:38) - James Kirk is the original MacGyver.
(01:16:29) - And here comes the Metron!
(01:20:01) - Talking a little about the prevalence of God beings in Star Trek, and the state of the space frontier.
(01:22:37) - Final thoughts on Arena and the Gorn.
(01:26:52) - Outro.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20: Star Trek: Shore Leave and The Galileo Seven Nov 21, 2022

Show notes

Wacky vacation worlds and big hairy men with spears are on the menu for this week's Watchcast, as we beam down to the bizarre pleasure planet of Shore Leave, and crash a shuttle craft into The Galileo Seven!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:15) - Intro.
(00:02:38) - Our first ridiculous episode of the week: Shore Leave!
(00:03:38) - What exactly is a Yeoman's job? Also, talk about a casual workplace.
(00:06:40) - This is one kooky planet.
(00:07:41) - The production history of the episode, and Gene Roddenberry's post-vacation headache.
(00:13:58) - Irishmen and tigers and handguns, oh my!
(00:16:41) - It's high time we got to the bottom of what Gene's beef with the Irish is all about.
(00:21:41) - It's Bones' turn for some inappropriate workplace romance.
(00:25:04) - If it hasn't been said previously, let us state emphatically for the record: this is all very stupid.
(00:30:04) - People are dying, and weird goopy mannequins are doing the killing.
(00:31:47) - The weird power drains, and the eventual reveal.
(00:39:15) - Final thoughts on Shore Leave.
(00:41:35) - Break!
(00:41:56) - We're back, and it's time to get some people killed in The Galileo Seven!
(00:47:41) - Continuing to educate Vinny on the many quirks of Star Trek tech and transporters.
(00:50:18) - It's time for Spock to take command!
(00:54:35) - Oh right, production notes!
(00:57:09) - Big spears! Big shields! Big hairy men! I love it!
(00:59:31) - Turns out logic may not be enough to get through this.
(01:06:15) - Boma really needs to lay off this obsession with burying the dead.
(01:08:15) - Captain Kirk has no use for bureaucrats and their schedules.
(01:10:28) - There are some VERY funny shots in this episode.
(01:13:09) - Sometimes the most logical move is to abandon logic.
(01:16:50) - Two men are dead! Hah!
(01:21:16) - Outro.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19: Star Trek: The Conscience of the King and Balance of Terror Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

For the month of November the Nextlander crew will be chewing through nothing but Star Trek, and we're kicking the month off with a Shakespearean murder mystery and a straight up submarine combat episode in The Conscience of the King, and Balance of Terror!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:01:17) - Intro.
(00:03:22) - Our first episode of the week is one none of us had ever seen: The Conscience of the King!
(00:06:13) - Kodos? And the production history of the episode.
(00:13:12) - Launching into the plot.
(00:14:42) - Some musings on Roddenberry's vision of the future and Kirk's role.
(00:19:56) - Bye bye pillowcase face guy.
(00:21:34) - Kirk's kind of a dick in this one.
(00:23:12) - Somebody's bumping off witnesses, time to use the Irish guy as bait.
(00:28:36) - Time fo the captain to woo this 19-year-old. Meanwhile, Spock has figured it out.
(00:31:34) - Showdown between Kirk and Kodos (also the one and only double red alert).
(00:36:52) - Time to unmask our mass murderer in appropriately theatrical fashion.
(00:45:49) - Closing thoughts on Conscience of the King.
(00:49:55) - Break!
(00:50:20) - We're back and it's time for Balance of Terror! Here come the Romulans!
(00:53:58) - Some history of this banger episode.
(00:59:51) - Lt. Stiles, and a brief history of space racism.
(01:03:57) - The set-up for this latest Romulan conflict.
(01:08:55) - Thank god, a survivor! Surely we'll be able to rescue this poor soul in ti--oh, oh no.
(01:11:58) - As strong as this Romulan ship is, it's got some pretty serious weaknesses.
(01:14:23) - Seeing a Romulan for the very first time.
(01:20:14) - Meanwhile, on the opposing ship.
(01:25:24) - The cat-and-mouse game between Kirk and the commander.
(01:31:22) - The Final Showdown.
(01:36:39) - Well at least there was only one fatality. Let's quickly check to see wh--oh, oh no.
(01:39:15) - Final thoughts on the episode, and the mission of the Enterprise.
(01:43:04) - Outro.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18: Halloween (1978) Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

Happy Halloween, watchcasters! To round out our month-long tribute to The Horror Master himself, John Carpenter, we're closing things out with the most holiday appropriate film we could think of in 1978's classic slasher, Halloween!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:19) - Intro.
(00:01:01) - Happy Halloween! It's, uh, Halloween (1978)!
(00:06:22) - What is the morality of killing horny teens?
(00:09:33) - Neither Vinny nor Brad had (likely) ever seen Halloween before. Also, trying to define what a "slasher" is.
(00:12:04) - The surprisingly deep history of Halloween (and that Shatner mask).
(00:15:51) - A divergence on the many haunted houses of the American suburbs, including our own.
(00:18:52) - Back to the production history, including some alternate casting stuff.
(00:31:38) - Launching into the film proper, and the amazing theme music.
(00:34:58) - A Very Normal dark and stormy night, in which nothing bad can possibly happen.
(00:39:55) - The evil has gone! And it has a station wagon!
(00:50:01) - Break!
(00:50:20) - We're back, and it's time to murder! A dog!
(00:52:15) - It's babysittin' time, and a short note on Carpenter's beta collection.
(00:56:32) - Bye Annie.
(01:00:15) - The boogyeman is about to murk these teens that are just here to boogie down.
(01:08:55) - *Street Fighter II announcer voice* FINAL! GIRL!
(01:16:37) - Surely this is the true end of Michael Myers, right? Right?!?
(01:19:05) - Talking about the ludicrous number of sequels and reboots that followed.
(01:26:48) - Final thoughts and rankings.
(01:32:23) - Outro.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17: They Live (1988) Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

OBEY! MARRY AND REPRODUCE! LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEXTLANDER WATCHCAST! And be extra sure to listen to this week's episode, wherein Alex and Vinny introduce Brad to the capitalist nightmare world of They Live!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:01:11) - Intro.
(00:01:51) - Brad is VERY anxious to talk about this week's movie: They Live!
(00:05:39) - Time to get into some of the history of They Live, and the short story it's based on.
(00:08:57) - On the subject of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.
(00:15:26) - Some last production and casting notes.
(00:17:32) - The movie's long wind-up (and terrific intro music).
(00:23:42) - Something funny is going on in this church.
(00:26:59) - And here come the pigs!
(00:29:08) - The discovery of the glasses.
(00:37:03) - Time for Nada to do the only sensible thing: just start gunning aliens down in broad daylight.
(00:40:07) - Break!
(00:40:25) - We're back! Meet Holly. She's weird.
(00:48:04) - The mother of all fight scenes.
(00:56:02) - Viva la revolución!
(01:00:04) - Hogan's Alley-ass gunfight.
(01:02:42) - Guards with PKE meters, and the Human! Power! Elite!
(01:09:04) - Time for the big TV studio showdown.
(01:15:55) - "Gloria, you look like @%$&!"
(01:17:47) - Thoughts on the alien designs.
(01:18:53) - Final thoughts and feelings on the majesty of They Live, and the possibility of remaking it.
(01:26:13) - Outro.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16: In the Mouth of Madness (1994) Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

Do you read Sutter Cane? Do you watch John Carpenter? Do you listen to the Nextlander Watchcast? If you answered yes to all three, then you're in luck! It's time to take a journey into the pie hole of delirium as we tackle Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:13) - Intro.
(00:01:14) - This week's movie: In the Maw of Loopiness!
(00:04:16) - Getting into a bit of the film's history.
(00:09:42) - Time to climb inside that yap of wackiness.
(00:11:26) - Just who is John Trent and why has he gone off the deep end?
(00:18:09) - The Sutter Cane disappearance.
(00:21:05) - Julie Carmen, licensed psychotherapist.
(00:21:57) - Trent doesn't truck with this horror crap.
(00:26:04) - No scarier puzzle to put together than a map of New Hampshire.
(00:28:04) - Get in losers, we're going to Hobb's End.
(00:30:06) - Uncovering the dark mystery of Sam Neill's nationality (and a little about his delightful Twitter presence).
(00:32:22) - Back to the car ride from hell.
(00:35:19) - Weird town is weird.
(00:39:07) - Weirder church is weirder.
(00:41:05) - A brief aside on Vigo the Carpathian, and Vinny suddenly realizing Jurgen Prochnow is Cane.
(00:45:22) - Break!
(00:45:42) - We're back! Bad dogs! Bad old ladies!
(00:49:38) - It's mommy's day down at the church.
(00:55:49) - Getting at some of the Lovecraftian stuff (minus the race science, thankfully).
(00:58:38) - John Trent wants out!
(01:02:05) - Spider-walking upside-down neck lady is an all-timer. Calling it here.
(01:03:41) - OK Trent, you can leave, but you've got an errand to run once you do.
(01:09:11) - You can't escape, Trent. FedEx will always find you.
(01:13:28) - Time for the world you knew to go bye-bye.
(01:18:36) - Final thoughts, and a surprise Hayden Christensen reveal!
(01:25:51) - Outro.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15: Prince of Darkness (1987) Oct 17, 2022

Show notes

On this week's Watchcast we take on the John Carpenter film voted on by our patrons, the second film in the director's loose Apocalypse Trilogy, Prince of Darkness. Join us as we watch a bunch of ill-equipped graduate students fall victim to the incredible powers of a liquefied Satan!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:33) - Intro.
(00:02:06) - Our Carpenter for this week: Prince of Darkness!
(00:10:20) - The history of how Prince of Darkness came into the world.
(00:17:00) - Scientists! Assemble!
(00:21:55) - Jesus, the misunderstood space traveler.
(00:26:21) - That sick-ass VHS dream.
(00:30:43) - The first guy goes down, and it's to Alice Cooper's impaling device. Plus all the bug stuff.
(00:33:33) - Liquid Satan, straight in your damn mouth.
(00:40:09) - Nothing scarier in this mortal plane than someone typing weird.
(00:42:58) - Break!
(00:43:16) - We're back, and people keep disappearing! Wonder why that is.
(00:45:45) - This movie might have a few pacing issues.
(00:47:42) - Shout out to Calder for at least trying to avoid possession. Unfortunately, death is no impediment.
(00:50:45) - Sorry Kelly, you're The One.
(00:55:04) - Let's talk about all this mirror stuff.
(00:58:29) - Whoa-oh! Somebody's coming (through the mirror).
(01:02:19) - Things wrap up pretty quickly here.
(01:04:16) - We finally get the full dream vision and--oh, oh no.
(01:09:37) - Our final verdicts, and some talk about Carpenter's music.
(01:16:19) - Outro.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14: The Thing (1982) Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

Who goes there?!? Why, it's nobody but the cast of the Nextlander Watchcast, of course! We're just here to enjoy a genuine horror classic in John Carpenter's The Thing, and certainly not planning to absorb you, dear listener. We would never do that! Now sit back, relax, and enjoy a quality podcast about a quality film and don't mind that slithering sound you hear behind you. Nothing to be concerned about.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:58) - Intro.
(00:07:14) - Sorry Brad, this month's theme isn't Dracula related. It's John Carpenter! And we're leading off with The Thing.
(00:10:44) - Launching into one of the greatest movie intros ever (according to Alex).
(00:15:36) - Touching on the Norwegians' story, which is told in the 2011 prequel.
(00:18:37) - The Thing's chilly critical reception.
(00:20:44) - Talking about the incredible practical effects, and how well they hold up today.
(00:25:03) - What a cast! And some additional history of the production.
(00:32:13) - Time to see what the hell the Norwegians were getting up to.
(00:36:22) - Jed the dog is a very good dog playing a very bad dog.
(00:38:06) - The mechanics of becoming the thing, and the big question: would you know you're the thing?
(00:44:17) - Break!
(00:44:38) - We're back, and it's time for the EXTREMELY UPSETTING dog monster!
(00:51:50) - Wilford Brimley is figuring some stuff out.
(00:55:44) - Whoops, we almost skipped over the Bennings death.
(00:58:51) - A leadership vacuum has opened up. Garry has gone bye-bye.
(01:00:34) - Is Blair still Blair at this point?
(01:02:20) - This is where shit goes fully sideways.
(01:06:33) - Nobody trusts anybody now.
(01:09:25) - Alas, poor Norris.
(01:12:30) - Finally, the blood test.
(01:18:32) - And then there were four (and Blair).
(01:25:19) - Some final debate about the nature of self-awareness as the thing, and goodbye to Garry and Nauls.
(01:30:18) - A brief scotch digression.
(01:30:55) - Anyway, now for the REAL debate of the ages: Is there a thing still living at the end?
(01:40:06) - We're calling it: The Thing still whips ass 40 years later.
(01:44:36) - Outro (Prince of Darkness won the poll, so it's up next).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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