The Strictly Casual Podcast

Fire Red and Leaf Green releasing on Switch 2 has snowballed out of control into a full on Pokémon obsession. The boys talk about playing through the games for the first time in over a decade and what our love for Pokémon has turned into. We also review Pokémon Pokopia, chat about card collecting in 2026, Champions, GO, and everything else under the pocket monster sun.  But this episode is really...

Is Project Hail Mary a modern Sci-fi classic? The boys are back (for the first time in 4 months…so sorry) with the insatiable desire to talk about all things Rocky and Gosling. We left the theater buzzing. We get into the book vs movie differences, pull apart the themes, dissect how this thing looks, and talk through what makes this one stick. Our Discord community has been so lovely! We’ve been c...

With the Game Awards 2025 right around the corner, we share our predictions for Game of the Year, potential surprises, and which studios might walk away with the biggest wins. Tune in to our LIVE coverage of The Game Awards Thursday Dec. 11.  Also, Valve has announced a new Steam Machine, a powerful PC-console hybrid designed to bring Steam gaming straight to your living room. We discuss specs, fe...

Pacino and De Niro go toe-to-toe in HEAT (1995) as Michael Mann delivers one of the greatest crime thrillers ever. We dig into what the movie is really saying, why it feels like a love letter to Los Angeles, and, of course, the insane shootout that has earned legendary status. Plus, we also chat a bit about One Battle After Another! #Heat #AlPacino #RobertDeNiro #MichaelMann ----------------------...

2025 has been stacked with games, and August was no exception. We’ve been deep in the Battlefield 6 beta, exploring the dark streets of Lies of P, getting lost in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and venturing into Dune: Awakening plus plenty more. We share what’s hitting, what’s missing, and what might be next. #battlefield6 #clairobscurexpedition33 #duneawakening #liesofp #thebazaar ----------------...

Marvel’s first family is here! How does this iteration of the team land on screen? We’re breaking down the characters, the retrofuturistic setting, the surprising themes the film is trying to tackle, and loads of gushing about practical sets over CGI. Special guest and Fantastic Four expert Avery Kilgore (@antihero_komics) joins us for the first time! #FantasticFour #FirstSteps #MCU #DoctorDoom --...

🦸‍♂️ Superman (2025) isn’t just a reboot. It’s the start of something bigger. This week, we’re talking about everything from the cast and the tone to the deeper themes of legacy, hope, and what it actually means to be Superman in 2025. Plus: how this movie sets the stage for what’s next in the DCU and why it might be the most important superhero film in years. ------------------------------------...

Before cinematic universes and multiverse madness, Superman (1978) showed the world how to believe a man could fly. In this episode, we’re going back to where the superhero genre began with Christopher Reeve’s iconic performance, John Williams’ soaring score, and Lex Luthor’s completely unhinged plan to sink California for a real estate flip. We’re talking trunks vs. no trunks and why Superman’s w...

Before 28 Years Later hits theaters, we’re revisiting the film that started it all. This week, we take a closer look at 28 Days Later (2002), directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. From its gritty digital visuals to its haunting sense of isolation and rage, this movie helped reshape horror for a new generation. We break down what makes it so effective, how it holds up today, and why...

The mission ends here. In this episode, we break down Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and unpack how it all wraps up. Does Ethan Hunt stick the landing? Does the franchise go out with a bang or something quieter? We dive into the stunts, the set pieces, the emotional weight of this chapter, and what it says about legacy, sacrifice, and the cost of the mission.  It’s a sendoff years in th...

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: revisit the film that started it all. In this episode, we’re diving into Mission: Impossible (1996). The slick, stylish thriller that kickstarted one of the biggest action franchises in movie history. We break down what made De Palma’s take so bold and different, how it still looks incredible nearly 30 years later, and why it’s so much fun to revisit. ...

Daredevil is back—but not without complications. In this episode, we break down Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 (2025), a show torn between two creative visions after a major showrunner shake-up and mid-production overhaul. We talk through how those competing directions affect the story, tone, and pacing—and whether the series still delivers on its promise. But it’s not all behind-the-scenes drama—...

Fill the HBO-sized hole The Pitt left behind and join us as we break down the first season of one of 2025’s greatest shows (so far). The Pitt isn’t just another prestige drama—it’s a cultural event. In this episode, we take a closer look at the show’s first season, digging into its structure, themes, and the complex characters that drive it forward. __________________________________ Welcome to Th...

Join us as we dive into the reasons we play video games. Where did it all start? Why are they important to us? Welcome to The Strictly Casual Podcast! Whether you have been here for the last few years, or this is your first introduction to Strictly Casual— we are so glad you are here. Our goal is to build a community bound by stories told through Movies, TV, & Games. If you are even remotely i...

Today we're jumping into Bong Joon Ho's latest film Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattison. Welcome to The Strictly Casual Podcast! Whether you have been here for the last few years, or this is your first introduction to Strictly Casual— we are so glad you are here. Our goal is to build a community bound by stories told through Movies, TV, & Games. If you are even remotely interested in any of the...

Welcome to The Strictly Casual Podcast! Whether you have been here for the last few years, or this is your first introduction to Strictly Casual— we are so glad you are here. Our goal is to build a community bound by stories told through Movies, TV, & Games. If you are even remotely interested in any of these topics, you're in the right place. Join our discord: https://discord.gg/6wGv89kvM...