Percolated Media

The Black Phone 2 (2025)

You know how sometimes while reviewing Joe Hill’s father and his adaptations we say we wonder when he will run out of inanimate things that are evil? For example, a linen folding machine shows there is no limit to how vast Stephen King’s imagination can take him. However, we’ll get back to him soon. Now, we are reviewing a movie that was spawned much the same way King came up with The Mangler. Hill phoned Scott Derrickson and asked him, ‘what would happen if The Grabber called Finn from hell?’ The rest, as they say, is history. Join the Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast as we finally get to the sequel to the first surprise hit from Blumhouse Pictures. Is this really a new Nightmare on Elm Street 3 Dream Warriors? Can Ethan Hawker be our new Freddy? What about Black Phone 2’s new settings and characters??? All is answered in the below podcast. Next week, a review of dad Steve’s Dark Tower and its adaptation starring Matthew McConaughey. What can possibly go wrong with that one???

Hulk (2003)

This week the guys finally get to a theatrical release as they review director Ang Lee’s long awaited 2003 film, Hulk! After Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon became an unexpected commercial and critical darling, Lee had a slew of big budgeted opportunities flood his inbox. The two biggest ones being a follow up to James Cameron’s Terminator 2 Judgment Day, as well as the long in development by Cameron’s ex Gale Anne Hurd Hulk film. Yet, he turned down Terminator 3 in order to take the big green monster on. And after years of rejected scripts and start stops, the green light was finally given, with Eric Baja being Lee’s choice for the Banner/Hulk role. But upon release, Hulk was met with derision from both critics and audiences, with some saying there wasn’t enough action and others putting down the long built up finale between the two Banners. Will The Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast join the fray of people who reassess Hulk in a positive light?? Listen in to find out! Also, we reveal what the next retrospective series will be.

The Death of The Incredible Hulk (1990)

With a successful television show and a string of TV movies The Incredible Hulk proved to be a hugely rewarding experience for Bill Bixby. So it’s understandable that he was apprehensive about finally putting the character to bed. In fact, all reports are that he didn’t want to fully put it to bed. We get into that on this podcast. But before that happens, David Banner finds himself mixed up with spies, with nary a Jack McGee sighting. That, my friends, is the plot of The Death of the Incredible Hulk. A movie even Hulk can Garrett wasn’t looking forward to revisiting. Yet, our duty is our duty, so enjoy Percolated Media listeners! Next week, the guys finally get to a theatrically released film starring the big green angry guy. Next week, we review Ang Lee’s huge summer of 2003 film Hulk! And boy, do we have opinions on that one! But for now, enjoy our review of Bixby’s swan song as the Hulk, 1990’s The Death of the Incredible Hulk!!

The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)

After The Incredible Hulk Returns was a ratings success, actor/director Bill Bixby seemed justified in wanting to bring the big green monster back. But he wanted more. Enter The Trial of the Incredible Hulk. This time, Bixby had Daredevil and a John Rhys Davies played Kingpin in tow. Though now, a big black bat played by Michael Keaton was fixing to come to the big screen a month after this film was broadcast. Could Bixby and company beat them to the punch and come out a ratings success? Rejoin Matt, Adam, and Garrett as they continue going through each TV movie associated with this iteration of The Incredible Hulk, capped off with a review of Ang Lee’s 2003 big screen adaptation!

The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)

Five years after The Incredible Hulk TV show was canceled by CBS, Bill Bixby wanted more. But original creator Kenneth Johnson had moved on to direct Short Circuit 2, so Bixby was left to guide the project by himself. But a move to NBC, as well as a changeover to Roger Corman’s production company New World, meant that Bixby could be do things his way. And in 1988, The Incredible Hulk did indeed return in the aptly titled The Incredible Hulk Returns. But this time, he had superhero company. Join Matt, Adam, and Garrett as they once again dissect a part of The Incredible Hulk’s story that amazingly included Norse god Thor. How did Garrett respond to this movie when he originally saw it? Will the guys get some laughs out of Thor’s one liners. Here’s a hint. One of them does. Be sure to return next week as The Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast continues through the Hulk part of Marvel by reviewing 1989’s The Trial of the Incredible Hulk!!