Constantine (2005) | Episode 124-This Podcast Takes Tokens(Vigilantes & VHS Summer 4 of 10)

Constantine (2005) | Episode 124-This Podcast Takes Tokens(Vigilantes & VHS Summer 4 of 10)

After the Hellboy episode, we grabbed the Spear of Destiny and took a trip to LA to discuss Keanu Reeves in Constantine. Even though critics weren't huge fans (landing a 46% on the Tomatometer), audiences disagreed with a huge 72%, and honestly, we're right there with the fans. We break down how this movie handles Christian mythology to build a surprisingly rich, lived-in world. Sure, it deviates entirely from the Hellblazer comics—swapping a blonde British guy for a dark-haired Keanu in LA—but the Matrix-style aesthetic and buttery cinematography completely won us over. We do have to dock some points for the mid-2000s CGI that looks a bit like it was drawn with crayons, especially those rubbery demons, but the practical elements make up for it. From Tilda Swinton's brilliant turn as the grifting angel Gabriel to Peter Stormare chewing the scenery as Satan himself, the character casting is top-tier. Plus, Shia LaBeouf’s brief but memorable run as Chaz, we explore Nic Cage's canceled stint as the lead, and look ahead to the confirmed sequel Love quoting old movies? Join the conversation LIVE every Thursday on YouTube! Stay tuned after the show for Retro Ramble & Gum Under The Seat. 👇 Support the Show & Get Swag 👇 🎧 Podcast: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2N5V4jBFzMxq0xgzGupLAW?si=FzrMm9AARjycAEUlDQ9isQ⁠⁠ 💖 Patreon: patreon.com/ThisPodcastTakesTokens⁠ 👕 Shop: ⁠⁠https://pecantreedesign.etsy.com/listing/1850510998/this-podcast-takes-tokens 📧 Email: ThisPodcastTakesTokens@gmail.com #ThisPodcastTakesTokens #Podcast #Nostalgia #Constantine #Hellblazer

Hellboy(2004) | Episode 123-This Podcast Takes Tokens(Vigilantes & VHS Summer 3 of 10)

We are continuing our "Vigilantes and VHS" summer series(3 of 10) with a deep dive into Guillermo del Toro's 2004 Hellboy. We had to go back and figure out why everyone slept on this one so hard at the box office, despite Ron Perlman delivering a practically perfect performance as the big red, cigar-chompin' demon. We talk about the wild alternate casting choices the studio pushed for (yes, they seriously wanted Vin Diesel) and how del Toro held his ground. We also tackle the uncanny valley of 2004-era CGI that we are mostly forgiving , while praising del Toro's absolute masterclass in practical effects and color palettes. We start with some box office state you are not going to believe. Love quoting old movies? Join the conversation LIVE every Thursday on YouTube! Stay tuned after the show for Retro Ramble & Gum Under The Seat. 👇 Support the Show & Get Swag 👇 🎧 Podcast: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2N5V4jBFzMxq0xgzGupLAW?si=FzrMm9AARjycAEUlDQ9isQ⁠⁠ 💖 Patreon: patreon.com/ThisPodcastTakesTokens⁠ 👕 Shop: ⁠⁠https://pecantreedesign.etsy.com/listing/1850510998/this-podcast-takes-tokens 📧 Email: ThisPodcastTakesTokens@gmail.com #ThisPodcastTakesTokens #Podcast #Nostalgia #Hellboy #GuillermodelToro

Spider-Man(2002) | Episode 122-This Podcast Takes Tokens(Vigilantes & VHS Summer 2 of 10)

We are revisiting the heavy hitter that basically proved superhero movies could be billion-dollar behemoths, Sam Raimi's 2002 Spider-Man. We dig into the sheer cultural impact of this massive blockbuster, the brilliant mix of a practical Spidey suit with some wonderfully rubbery early-2000s CGI, and how J.K. Simmons delivered an absolute masterclass as J. Jonah Jameson, or was it the other way around? We also tear into some of the movie's rougher edges, from the plastic Power Ranger like Green Goblin armor, to Tobey Maguire’s complete inability to cry convincingly on camera. Plus, we hash out the great organic versus mechanical web-shooter debate.  Love quoting old movies? Join the conversation LIVE every Thursday on YouTube!  Stay tuned after the show for Retro Ramble & Gum Under The Seat. 👇 Support the Show & Get Swag 👇  🎧 Podcast: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2N5V4jBFzMxq0xgzGupLAW?si=FzrMm9AARjycAEUlDQ9isQ⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/2N5V4jBFzMxq0xgzGupLAW?si=FzrMm9AARjycAEUlDQ9isQ%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]  💖 Patreon: patreon.com/ThisPodcastTakesTokens⁠ [http://patreon.com/ThisPodcastTakesTokens%E2%81%A0]   👕 Shop: ⁠⁠https://pecantreedesign.etsy.com/listing/1850510998/this-podcast-takes-tokens [https://pecantreedesign.etsy.com/listing/1850510998/this-podcast-takes-tokens]   📧 Email: ThisPodcastTakesTokens@gmail.com #ThisPodcastTakesTokens #RetroRamble #StalePopcorn #GumUnderTheSeat #Podcast #Nostalgia

Batman Begins(2005) | Episode 121-This Podcast Takes Tokens (Vigilantes & VHS Summer 1 of 10)

We're kicking off our Vigilantes and VHS summer by heading straight to Gotham to revisit the film that arguably launched the modern superhero era: Batman Begins. You know, the one where Christian Bale adopts the gravel voice and drives a tank over a fragile wood-framed roof. We break down Bruce Wayne’s unnecessarily complicated method of kicking party guests out of his house, debate whether the famously stiff cape is actually functional, and marvel at Michael Caine delivering the perfect Alfred. Ryan has a few bones to pick with Bruce's decision-making regarding Rachel's safety and vocal tone, while we both agree that giving Gary Oldman the campy lines was certainly a choice. From “holy property damage Batman” to the undeniable blueprint this film laid out for Iron Man and the MCU as a whole, we're putting Christopher Nolan's origin story under the microscope to see if it still holds up. So grab your $300,000 tactical suit and let's go spelunking.   Love quoting old movies? Join the conversation LIVE every Thursday on YouTube!  Stay tuned after the show for Retro Ramble & Gum Under The Seat. 👇 Support the Show & Get Swag 👇  🎧 Podcast: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2N5V4jBFzMxq0xgzGupLAW?si=FzrMm9AARjycAEUlDQ9isQ⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/2N5V4jBFzMxq0xgzGupLAW?si=FzrMm9AARjycAEUlDQ9isQ%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]  💖 Patreon: patreon.com/ThisPodcastTakesTokens⁠ [http://patreon.com/ThisPodcastTakesTokens%E2%81%A0]   👕 Shop: ⁠⁠https://pecantreedesign.etsy.com/listing/1850510998/this-podcast-takes-tokens [https://pecantreedesign.etsy.com/listing/1850510998/this-podcast-takes-tokens]   📧 Email: ThisPodcastTakesTokens@gmail.com #ThisPodcastTakesTokens #RetroRamble #Batman #ComicbookMovies #Podcast #Nostalgia

Unbreakable (2000) | Episode 120-This Podcast Takes Tokens

We're running a prequel to our upcoming superhero summer series with a deep dive into M. Night Shyamalan's 2000 superhero origin story, Unbreakable. A massive thank you to Wilford81 for the recommendation, mostly because it gave us an excuse to argue about whether water is actually a believable kryptonite for a superhero on a planet covered in it. Ryan came into this rewatch with his comic book reader glasses fully on, absolutely loving the patient, panel-by-panel visual storytelling and grounded realism. Meanwhile, Deric couldn't help but feel the pacing drags just a hair when compared to the rapid-fire cinema we're so used to today. We break down the sheer, suffocating tension of that kitchen scene, praise Bruce Willis and Sam Jackson for carrying the emotional weight of the film, and, naturally, complain about Shyamalan insisting on awkwardly casting himself in his own movies. It’s a dark, slow-burn look at what it takes to be a hero—even if keeping all your incriminating supervillain evidence neatly organized inside a comic book art gallery seems like a bold logistical choice. Love quoting old movies? Join the conversation LIVE every Thursday on YouTube! Stay tuned after the show for Retro Ramble & Gum Under The Seat. 👇 Support the Show & Get Swag 👇 🎧 Podcast: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2N5V4jBFzMxq0xgzGupLAW?si=FzrMm9AARjycAEUlDQ9isQ⁠⁠ 💖 Patreon: patreon.com/ThisPodcastTakesTokens⁠ 👕 Shop: ⁠⁠https://pecantreedesign.etsy.com/listing/1850510998/this-podcast-takes-tokens 📧 Email: ThisPodcastTakesTokens@gmail.com #ThisPodcastTakesTokens #Unbreakable #ComicBookMovies #Podcast #Nostalgia