Movie Postmortem

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we revisit  Thor. We discuss Chris Hemsworth's effortlessly charismatic performance, Tom Hiddleston's turn as Loki, and why the father-son conflict between Thor and Odin remains the emotional centerpiece of the film. We also break down Kenneth Branagh's Shakespearean approach to this comic book film, the movie's infamous love of Dutch angles,...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we fire up the grill and celebrate  Independence Day , the blockbuster that dominated the box office during the summer of 1996! With monument-destroying aliens and one of the greatest presidential speeches in movie history, this film delivers spectacle on an epic scale. We discuss how this film helped cement Will Smith's movie-star status, why some of the...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , Reggie and Isaiah revisit  Jurassic Park , the blockbuster that inspired Reggie to become a scientist. We discuss how Spielberg's masterful direction, groundbreaking visual effects, and John Williams' iconic score made this film something that holds up even after more than 30 years. Join us as we examine the Causes of Celebration of this film! Follow...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we are joined by the hosts of the  Vaguely Nerdy Podcast  to discuss  Disclosure Day , the alien-contact film that had all of us excited long before it ever reached theaters. We debate the film's biggest strengths and weaknesses, rank our favorite Spielberg alien movies, and even discuss if we've experienced a real-life alien encounter ourselves. We a...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we revisit Bumblebee, the  Transformers  movie that brought a smaller, more character driven story to the screen. Set in the 1980s, the film follows Charlie and Bumblebee as they form a friendship that feels like a mashup of  E.T.  and  The Iron Giant . We discuss why the smaller scale works so well, how Hailee Steinfeld carries the emotional core of the stor...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we revisit  Hook  (1991), Steven Spielberg’s sequel to the Peter Pan story that asks a surprisingly grown-up question: what happens when Peter Pan grows up? We discuss Robin Williams’ journey from work-obsessed father back to the Pan we all know, Dustin Hoffman’s delightfully theatrical Captain Hook, and why the film hits very differently as an adult than it...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we review Princess Mononoke, Hayao Miyazaki’s epic fantasy about humanity, nature, and the impossibly difficult task of trying to do the right thing when others yearn for fighting. We discuss the breathtaking animation, the morally complex characters in Iron Town and the forest, and why Ashitaka may be one of the most genuinely noble protagonists we’ve ever c...

In this episode, we review Akira, the groundbreaking cyberpunk anime that changed animation forever. We break down the film’s jaw-dropping animation, why the iconic bike slide still gets copied decades later, and how  Akira helped shape everything from  The Matrix  to modern sci-fi anime. We also discuss the friendship and rivalry between Kaneda and Tetsuo, the film’s themes of power and corruptio...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we revisit Aladdin (1992), the Disney classic powered by unforgettable music, fun characters, and one of the greatest voice performances in film history. We spend a lot of time celebrating Robin Williams’ Genie, whose improvisational energy completely transformed animated movies and elevated  Aladdin  into something magical. Plus, we have an important discuss...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we review  The Transformers: The Movie  (1986), the animated classic that traumatized an entire generation of kids in order to sell them new toys. We break down Hot Rod’s rise from reckless young Autobot to future leader, why the animation looked so good compared to other cartoons, and the pure power of the hit ballad “The Touch” by Stan Bush. Is  The Transfo...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we review  Mortal Kombat  (2021), the reboot that tried to deliver brutal fights and iconic fatalities from the popular fighting game it was based on, but was knocked out by poor decision making behind the scenes. We discuss the film’s biggest missteps, from the introduction of Cole Young as a bland audience surrogate to the baffling decision to skip the actu...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we review  Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), the fantasy adventure that didn't do well at the box office, but captured the chaotic energy of a fun D&D campaign. We discuss why the humor works, the surprisingly heartfelt character moments, and what part reminded us of our real life family dynamic. We also offer our Script Stitch-Up to...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we review Wreck-It Ralph  (2012), the animated adventure that asks: what if the bad guy just… didn’t want to be the bad guy anymore? We share some memories from our time in arcades growing up, then dive into a fun discussion of the film. We talk about the nostalgia of seeing classic video game characters share the screen, the clever rules that govern how arca...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we review  Resident Evil  (2002), the video game adaptation starring Milla Jovovich that kicked off a franchise that has lasted for almost 25 years and grossed over a billion dollars! We discuss the film’s early-2000s style, how the movie plot works in video game logic, and why we think Michelle Rodriguez's character (Rain) is the real star of the film. T...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we review  Lara Croft: Tomb Raider  (2001), the first video game adaptation of the popular video game franchise. We discuss the misguided efforts to make Angelina Jolie match the physical dimensions of the game version of the character, the early CGI, and whether the movie captures what gamers actually enjoyed about  Tomb Raider . Is this film a Cause for Cel...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , Reggie and Isaiah are joined by Erin and Kevin from  The Podcast That Wouldn’t Die  to review  Gravity  (2013), Alfonso Cuarón’s intense survival film that won seven Oscars! We talk about Sandra Bullock's instantly likeable astronaut, the challenging process of making the film, and why this might be one of the most best theater experiences of the 2010s. W...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we review  The Martian  (2015), the sci-fi film where survival comes down to science, problem-solving, and a whole lot of potatoes. Stranded alone on Mars, Mark Watney (Matt Damon) must rely on botany, engineering, and relentless optimism to stay alive long enough for NASA to bring him home. We break down why the film’s step-by-step problem-solving is so sati...

In this episode, we review  Armageddon (1998) , the ultimate example of peak Michael Bay mayhem. We break down the film’s chaotic energy, the ensemble cast, and why Bay’s attempt to mimic Titanic's love story falls flat. We also talk about why NASA’s plan to train oil drillers instead of astronauts is such an absurd movie premise! Is  Armageddon  a disaster movie masterpiece or just a fun bad...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we are joined by the hosts of the Based on a Book Podcast  to discuss Arrival. Together, we review Denis Villeneuve’s cerebral sci-fi film where alien contact is less about invasion action and more about learning about language. We break down Amy Adams’ performance, the amazing cinematography, and the haunting soundtrack. Our guests help us compare the film t...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we review Major Payne , Damon Wayans’ military-school comedy that features a drill-sergeant taking charge of a troop of young cadets in need of discipline. We discuss Wayans’ over-the-top performance, the surprisingly positive message, and how the film walks the line between comedy and heart-warming family film. We also talk about whether the humor still land...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , we review Rush Hour  (1998), the action-comedy that launched one of the most popular franchises of the late ’90s. We discuss Jackie Chan’s physical brilliance as Inspector Lee, Chris Tucker’s motor-mouth energy as Detective Carter, and how their cultural clash somehow turns into perfect comedic chemistry. Somehow, we even manage to connect this to K-pop, trac...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , I give a spoiler-free review of  Crime 101 , the sleek crime thriller that clearly wants to be Heat, but never quite matches the intensity. With stylish highway cinematography and moody Los Angeles nightscapes, the film often looks the part. Unfortunately, atmosphere can only carry you so far. I cover the best performances and talk about whether this a respec...

In this episode, we are joined by the hosts of  Final Girls Podcast to review  10 Cloverfield Lane , the bottle thriller about paranoia and control. Together, we discuss Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s quietly brilliant protagonist, and how the movie utilizes uncertainty to keep both its characters and the audience guessing about what will come next! We also debate the controversial third act, the Clove...

In this episode of  Movie Postmortem , I review  Mercy  (2026), a screen-life thriller that can’t quite decide what kind of movie it wants to be. Marketed as a cautionary AI tale, the film promises high-stakes techno-paranoia but morphs into a far more conventional action film. I talk about why the screen-life format and AI angle feel unnecessary, how the story would function almost identically wi...

In this episode, we review  Megamind . Released in a year packed with animation heavy-hitters, this clever superhero satire was largely forgotten despite great voice acting and a surprisingly thoughtful take on villains, heroes, and purpose. We break down why  Megamind  works and why its release date may have doomed it commercially. Follow us on BlueSky Our episode on How To Train Your Dragon Vide...