I'm Your Buddy

This week, we watch M. Night Shyamalan's fourteenth feature film, Old (2021), and discuss seeking value and purpose, over-explaining with exposition, and feeling empty after the movie.

This week, we are joined by special guest, Dave Jordan, and watch M. Night Shyamalan's thirteenth feature film, Glass (2019)! We discuss M. Night as an "actor's director", ideas to improve the story, and spending more time watching things you enjoy.

This week, we watch M.. Night Shyamalan's twelfth feature film, Split (2016), and discuss McAvoy's stellar performance,  the film's dicey messaging around trauma, and nerd etiquette. 

This week, we watch M. Night Shyamalan's eleventh feature film, The Visit (2015), and discuss Found Footage Horror films, M. Night's consistently alien dialogue, and white kids rapping.

This week, Nick and William watch M. Night Shyamalan’s tenth feature film, After Earth (2013), and discuss Will Smith as the film’s creative driving force, overly complicated world-building, and whether or not the film has any connection to Scientology.

This week, Nick and William watch M. Night Shyamalan’s ninth feature film, The Last Airbender (2010), and discuss what they’re looking forward to in 2024, being disappointed in M. Night, and why the movie should be studied in film classes.

This week, Nick and William are joined by special guest, Alex Akmajian, and watch M. Night Shyamalan’s eighth feature film, The Happening (2008)! They discuss their favorite movies of 2023, the film’s recent re-evaulation as a B-movie, and M. Night as Tommy Wiseau.

This week, Nick and William watch M. Night Shyamalan’s seventh feature film, Lady in the Water (2006), and discuss The Dark Knight Trilogy hot takes and the Michael Bamberger book behind the making of the film, The Man Who Heard Voices: Or, How M. Night Shyamalan Risked His Career on a Fairy Tale.

This week, Nick and William watch M. Night Shyamalan’s sixth feature film, The Village (2004), and discuss M. Night’s contradicatory nature, why its love story is so effective, and why everything falls apart in its second half.

This week, Nick and William watch M. Night Shyamalan’s fifth feature film, Signs (2002), and discuss alien doorknobs, M. Night as Kanye West, and cleverness hindering character.

This week, Nick and William watch M. Night Shyamalan’s fourth feature film, Unbreakable (2000), and discuss how the movie was marketed, its highly effective cinematography, and how M. Night’s take on a comic book story feels in today’s comic book adaptation dominated world.

This week, Nick and William watch M. Night Shyamalan’s third feature film, The Sixth Sense (1999), and discuss having something to say versus having a great concept, the mechanics that make the film so scary, and how truly powerful storytelling can be.

This week, Nick and William watch M. Night Shyamalan’s second feature film, Wide Awake (1998), and discuss the film’s rocky road to release, finding meaning in coincidences, and the first glimpse of Shyamalan’s signature twist-endings.

It’s the start of Season 4, as Nick and William dive into the filmography of M. Night Shyamalan!!! They start with his first feature film, Praying With Anger (1992), and discuss why they chose M. Night for the season, the first glimpses of his developing talent and tendencies, and common pitfalls of feature debuts.

This week, Nick and William are back for a Transformers: Rise of the Beasts bonus episode and are joined by friend of the pod and resident Transformers expert, Kyle, to discuss Optimus Prime’s continued bloodlust, Transformers as characters versus caricatures, and what they would do to reinvigorate the franchise.

This week, Nick and William host the 1st Annual State of the Friendship pod and discuss stories from the early years, who they are now, and personal goals for the next year.

This week, Nick and William close out Season Three of the podcast by watching Steven Universe Future, Episodes 16-20, and discussing the end of Steven’s story, wanting “the answer,” and which director’s filmography will be the subject of I’m Your Buddy Season Four! S1E16 "Fragments"  S1E17 "Homeworld Bound" S1E18 "Everything's Fine" S1E19 "I Am My Monster&qu...

This week, Nick and William watch Steven Universe Future, Episodes 11-15, and discuss asking for help, Steven’s PTSD reveal, and finally addressing Greg’s well-meaning but limited parenting skills.  S1E11 "In Dreams" S1E12 "Bismuth Casual" S1E13 "Together Forever" S1E14 "Growing Pains" S1E15 "Mr. Universe"

This week, Nick and William watch Steven Universe Future, Episodes 6-10, and discuss The White Stripes, tracking who Steven is as the end approaches, and negative self-talk. S1E6 "A Very Special Episode" S1E7 "Snow Day" S1E8 "Why So Blue?" S1E9 "Little Graduation" S1E10 "Prickly Pair"

This week, Nick and William start Steven Universe Future with Episodes 1-5 and discuss how music affects their lives, sequels evolving rather than maintaining the status quo, and the difficulties of change. S1E1 "Little Homeschool" S1E2 "Guidance" S1E3 "Rose Buds" S1E4 "Volleyball" S1E5 "Bluebird"

This week, Nick and William watch Steven Universe: The Movie and discuss the movie as an entry point, its many songs, and Steven’s ongoing series arc.

This week in a super-sized episode, Nick and William close out Steven Universe Season 5 with Season 5, Episode 28 and discuss ending expectations, the importantce of diverse points of view in art, and the show’s multifacted message. S5E28 “Change Your Mind”

This week, Nick and William watch Steven Universe Season 5, Episodes 24-27 and discuss Zack Synder as the physical emodiment of AI “art,” creating a legacy, and playing with Diamond expectations. S5E24 "Legs from Here to Homeworld" S5E25 "Familiar" S5E26 "Together Alone" S5E27 "Escapism"

This week, Nick and William watch Steven Universe Season 5, Episodes 21-23 and discuss musical pandering, the Crystal Gems’ Avengers moment, and religion as comforting storytelling. S5E21 “The Question” S5E22 “Made of Honor” S5E23 “Reunited”

This week, Nick and William watch Steven Universe Season 5, Episodes 16-20 and discuss all things pink: Barbie, Rose Quartz, and Pink Diamond. S5E16 "Letters to Lars" S5E17 "Can't Go Back" S5E18 "A Single Pale Rose" S5E19 "Now We're Only Falling Apart" S5E20 "What's Your Problem"