Don't Encourage Us

We gave an AI every transcript we had and asked it to figure out what the show actually is. It found moments worth discussing: - Why MCU box office is determined by sequencing, not quality — and what that means beyond Marvel - The structural difference between a high concept and a gimmick, and why Apple TV keeps getting it wrong - A prompt engineering framework that is the most professionally usef...

Is The Adam Project a kid's movie wearing a Ryan Reynolds costume? We dig in.  In this episode:  How Ryan Reynolds' casting rewrote the original script and broke the story  Why the kid (Walker Scobell) starts as the hero and gets sidelined by his own movie  The DNA-locked spaceship that can't tell the difference between a 10-year-old and an adult  Time travel logic: why this movie waves its hand a...

In this episode, the hosts don their vibranium wingsuits and dive headfirst into the ever-evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe. With special guests Matt Baughman and Steve Custer, they tackle the big questions: Can "Captain America 4" bring back the glory days of the MCU? Is Sam Wilson ready to fill Steve Rogers' boots? Expect deep (but not too deep) analysis, wild speculation, and more than a few h...

And they're back! What happens when our world heritage is in danger? There's only one man who can save it! Enter the UN's secret weapon: a bitter hero who loves humanity so much he'd kill us all to save it. But first, why does Russian sci-fi embrace dirt and suffering and what's the problem with the 3 Body Problem? Other than the astrophysics problem in the title, obviously. I'm realizing that's a...

In this episode of *Don’t Encourage Us Plus*, our fearless hosts briefly touch on Deadpool vs. Wolverine and then dive into the philosophical depths of Russian sci-fi classic *Roadside Picnic* and its haunting adaptation, *Stalker*. The duo explores the novel’s themes of alien artifacts, human resilience, and ambiguous redemption, while reflecting on its cinematic influence. Shifting gears, they b...

In an uncharacteristically focused episode, our host dives headfirst into Deadpool & Wolverine and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Joined by frequent guest and friend of the show, Matt Baughman, and new guest, Variant Steve, the gang dissects Deadpool 3, starring the ever-sarcastic Ryan Reynolds, and what it all means for the future of Marvel's cinematic landscape. Don't panic – the first 30 mi...

They're back and in an unprecedented episode, our hosts go full ramble, bouncing from topic to topic, free of the hefty bonds of logic or theme. They kick off with a critical drive-by of " The Tourist ," exploring its use of flashback and dream sequence to hold an audience. Next, they delve into the emerging skill of crafting effective prompts for AI , offering valuable insights for lazy tech enth...

You can stream "Godzilla Minus One" on several platforms. Here are the options available: Netflix Amazon Prime Video Other Platforms: Additionally, you can buy or rent it on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, and Spectrum On Demand   Reach the pod at DontEncourage@gmail.com Stop by and discourage us on Instagram, X , TikTok , Discord , YouTube , and Threads https://linkt...

In this in-depth episode, the hosts dive into a trio of intriguing series and films. First up is the critically acclaimed Danish series The Killing (2011), where they delve into its gripping storytelling, political intrigue, and the rules of remakes in Hollywood. Next, they turn their attention to Netflix's Rebel Moon (2023), Zack Snyder's epic space opera. They dissect the film's ambitious scope,...

Watch Roadhouse 1989 Watch Roadhouse 2024 Reach the pod at DontEncourage@gmail.com Stop by and discourage us on Instagram, X , TikTok , Discord , YouTube , and Threads https://linktr.ee/dontencourageus Listen to all the music we've discussed in every episode so far on our Encouraged Grooves playlist on YouTube and Spotify and find your next favorite song.

Join us for a raw, unpolished episode of Don't Encourage Us as we dive into the vault of never-before-heard clips! This week, we're bringing you a mixed bag of outtakes, idiocy, and embarrassing moments that are too good to stay buried. First, get ready to cringe and laugh at us as we revisit our chaotic review of the 2008 M. Night Shyamalan Scifi/Thriller, The Happening. These unaired gems featur...

Gather around for another Story Break, everyone! This week the hosts cooked up a terrifying concept: helpless residents of an apartment building caught in a war between two horrific entities. Will they band together to uncover their tormentors before the building becomes their tomb? Knowing our hosts, probably not. But first, J.K. Rowling's detective series, Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis, Edg...

Watch I Saw The Devil  Read At Home by Bill Bryson Watch Old Boy Reach the pod at DontEncourage@gmail.com Stop by and discourage us on Instagram, X , TikTok , Discord , YouTube , and Threads https://linktr.ee/dontencourageus Listen to all the music we've discussed in every episode so far on our Encouraged Grooves playlist on YouTube and Spotify and find your next favorite song.

Brace yourselves as the hosts of Don't Encourage Us get pulled into the conspiracies, complex calculations, and chaotic brilliance of Cixin Liu's sci-fi masterpiece, The Three-Body Problem (2008), and its Netflix adaptation, 3 Body Problem (2024). Was it a faithful adaptation or did the wild world of Trisolaris get lost in translation? Get ready for a deep dive into fiction writing, AI, the nature...

Bad news, your jury summons has arrived. Fulfill your civic duty and sit in judgment of 2003’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen , starring Sean Connery. Is it a masterpiece or a piece of sh%t? Our humble podcast awaits your verdict. But first, has anyone ever told you that you look like Megan Fox? Quick, snag your seat for Landless Theatre Company's production of GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! befor...

Buckle up your space helmets and adjust your dials as we embark on a thrilling journey to the 1950s radio phenomenon – Dimension X! Today's mission: to boldly explore the origins of modern sci-fi and the anxieties of the Atomic Age. But first, shake your fist at Amazon Prime Video and pass judgment on Kang the Cancelled in this thrilling adventure of Don't Encourage Us - brought to you by Swanson...

Back for part 2, the crew of Don't Encourage Us and guest star Matt Baughman dissect 9 of the whopping 10 Academy Awards nominees for Best Picture of 2024 - so you don't have to. Join in as they discuss the cultural impact and cinematic execution of Barbie, the Oscars' relevance, the politics of Oscar campaigning, the stellar performances of Oppenheimer, and the ups and downs of 90% of the top dar...

In this dynamic episode of Don't Encourage Us, our always delightful hosts chat with theater star Matt Baughman about his latest performance in The Play That Goes Wrong, streaming shows Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Beef, restaurant entrepreneurship, the Paramount sale, and the Apple Vision Pro. The trio debates the potential societal impact of having computers on our faces, recalling the fate of Googl...

Journey into suspense with our hosts as they delve into the shadowy corners of Alfred Hitchcock's espionage thriller "Notorious." ( watch it free on YouTube here ). With their characteristic blend of wit and deep analysis, they unpack the film's complex interplay of romance and deceit, set against the backdrop of post-World War II tensions. Through their lively discussion, the duo brings to light...

Indiana Jones is back! Join Indy, Helena, Jurgen, and the hosts of Don't Encourage Us as they travel the globe for clues to the location of the missing half of the Dial of Destiny ! Is this the last we'll ever see of Harrison Ford's Dr. Jones? Will Phoebe Waller-Bridge pick up the torch? Is Mutt trapped in a tiger cage in Vietnam?  For the answers to none of these questions and more, check out thi...

In this episode of "Don't Encourage Us," the hosts dive into the whimsical world of the fictional Wes Anderson film, "Asteroid City." Taking inspiration from the distinctive style of Anderson's cinematic universe, the hosts explore the intricacies of the film's quirky characters, meticulous set designs, and emotionally resonant storytelling. With their signature blend of humor and insightful comme...

In another engaging episode of Don't Encourage Us, our bold hosts, traverse a landscape of real-world oddities and their fictional possibilities. They explore the ecological anomaly of Pablo Escobar's hippos in Colombia, the ethical quandaries of CRISPR gene-editing, and the implications of genetically modified mosquitoes in disease control. The discussion also covers delivery truck heists and the...

In a stimulating odyssey through cinematic and ethical dimensions, our fearless hosts dissect 'Paradise', the German film filled with rich moral quandaries. Delving into the film's portrayal of life as a tradable commodity, they contrast it with 'Ballerina', a Korean action thriller, exploring societal and psychological undercurrents. This episode offers deep, thoughtful analysis and engaging disc...

Dive into the riveting world of cinematic evolution in this episode of Don't Encourage Us. Join your fearless hosts with their characteristic wit and insight, and explore the technological milestones that transformed cinema over 130 years. From the introduction of sound and color to the rise of CGI and AR, they unravel how each innovation reshaped storytelling. This episode is a treasure trove for...

In this captivating episode of Don't Encourage Us, join our always hilarious and humble hosts and guest Matt Baughman, a renowned actor, as they embark on a creative odyssey, transforming a quirky romantic comedy into a poignant Pixar-style film. Witness the dynamic evolution of ideas, where a dog's perspective on its owners' divorce takes center stage, offering a blend of humor and heartfelt them...