'Backrooms' and 'Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu': The Ascension of A24 Arthouse and the Fall of Franchise Films

'Backrooms' and 'Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu': The Ascension of A24 Arthouse and the Fall of Franchise Films

(Original Recording Date: June 6th, 2026) Indie horror takes the box office by storm while popular IP falters... what's going on? Is this good or bad for the industry? Was Pedro Pascal even present for filming? Is Kane Parsons old enough to drink? Who knows... all we can say for sure is that it's an exciting time for movies. Listen in for our discussion on the groundbreaking month of May at the movies. This episode's schedule: 'Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu' (4:49) 'I Love Boosters' (21:42) 'Passenger' (26:05) 'The Breadwinner' (39:16) 'Pressure' (45:29) 'Backrooms' (52:17) Zach's Pick: 'Step Brothers' (1:07:16) Bets (1:08:23) Artwork by Mackenzie McCarron. Theme Song by Will DiNola. Edited and produced by Aaron Bartuska.

'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Is Still In Fashion, But It Can't Beat Our Newest 'Obsession'

The movies continue to excel with the Devil, God, Hokums, Sheep, Obsessions, and Kombat, Hard and Soft. Tune in as the boys celebrate their one year podcast anniversary, COMPLETELY SOBER. Enjoy while they mispronounce names, go on rants, and talk about some of the coolest releases in May. Can't wait to keep this show going for the next decade! This episode's schedule: 'Animal Farm' (6:28) 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' (19:28) 'Hokum' (31:44) 'Mortal Kombat II' (39:41) 'Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)' (49:58) 'The Sheep Detectives' (54:01) 'Is God Is' (1:03:06) 'Obsession' (1:09:14) Aaron's Pick: 'Faces of Death (1978)' (1:25:11) Zach's Pick: 'Veronica' (1:28:04) Bets (1:39:18) Artwork by Mackenzie McCarron. Theme Song by Will DiNola. Edited and produced by Aaron Bartuska.

Mario and 'Michael' Help Start Q2 Off With A Bang!

It's-A ME! Hee HEE! Mother Mar-Y! Lee Cronin's The Mum-MY! You, Me & Tusca-NY! While we may have gone off the radar, the box office sure didn't! April was a huge month for the movies, ushered in by Project Hail Mary, propelled by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and solidified with Michael. Now, are all the movies that came out this month worth taking the trip to see? Listen in to find out! This episode's schedule: 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' (6:54) 'The Drama' (23:03) 'The Drama' SPOILERS (32:45) 'You, Me & Tuscany' (38:10) Movies We Missed: 'Faces of Death' and 'Hunting Matthew Nichols' (46:29) 'Normal' (50:51) 'Lee Cronin's The Mummy' (55:59) 'Mother Mary' (1:06:09) 'Michael' (1:14:40) 'Over Your Dead Body' (1:30:05) Zach's Pick: 'Heat' (1:40:10) Aaron's Pick: 'These Are My Friends!' (1:43:28) Bets (1:48:53) Artwork by Mackenzie McCarron. Theme Song by Will DiNola. Edited and produced by Aaron Bartuska.

'Project Hail Mary' Propels the Q1 Box Office To Post-Pandemic Glory

The box office is back and better than ever! Zach and Aaron break down the past two weeks of releases, from box office saving grace 'Project Hail Mary' to the dead in the water 'The Pout-Pout Fish.' Did audiences rush to find 'Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,' or leave it in hiding? Did they make sure 'They Will Kill You' lives to see another box office weekend? Could 'Riverdale' and 'TSITP' save 'Forbidden Fruits' from financial failure? Tune in to find out! This episode's schedule: 'The Pout-Pout Fish' (5:48) 'Project Hail Mary' (8:39) 'Ready or Not 2: Here I Come' and 'They Will Kill You' (17:31) 'Forbidden Fruits' (28:38) Bets (37:27) Artwork by Mackenzie McCarron. Theme Song by Will DiNola. Edited and produced by Aaron Bartuska.

'The Bride!' Bombs, Pixar's 'Hoppers' Bounces Back, and 'Reminders of Him' Tests Universal's New Theatrical Release Strategy

A feminist reimagining of 'The Bride of Frankenstein?' Check. An animated reworking of 'Avatar?' Check. A dumbed-down riff on 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre?' Check. Another Colleen Hoover adaptation? Check. A $500,000 indie about podcasters that just made 20x what it cost to produce? Check. Maybe WE should make one of those! We've got all that plus some movie news at the front in this week's episode of Box Office Bets. This episode's schedule: Movie News - 'Dune: Part Three,' 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' a Bradley Cooper 'Ocean's' Prequel, 'A Quiet Place Part III,' and the passing of Chuck Norris (2:33) 'The Bride!' (30:29) 'Hoppers' (43:50) 'Dolly' (56:19) 'Reminders of Him' (1:04:57) 'undertone' (1:21:03) Zach's Pick: 'National Treasure' (1:30:18) Bets (1:33:37) Artwork by Mackenzie McCarron. Theme Song by Will DiNola. Edited and produced by Aaron Bartuska.