All Things Star Trek
Film Soundtracks and Scores
Man of Steel Review
Superman Returns Review
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace Review
Supergirl (1984) Review
Superman III Review
Superman II: Lester Cut vs. Donner Cut
Superman: The Movie Review
The MWIRE crew celebrates episode 100 and the podcast's 4-year anniversary with an expansive deep dive into Star Trek across films, TV series, music, gaming, toys, books, and comics. Steve, DFTO, and Mike discuss their personal entry points into the franchise—from TNG and the original series to the Abrams reboot—and share their experiences with Star Trek merchandise, expanded universe content, and how the franchise has evolved. They also announce an upcoming 12-week Star Trek film review series.
TFG1Mike, MovieRevolt Dan, and Mike the Birdman Dodd explore the difference between film soundtracks and scores, discussing how they're composed, their role in cinema, and memorable examples from across decades of filmmaking. The hosts share their personal listening habits and break down why certain soundtracks work while others fall flat, then close with their individual top-five picks for both soundtracks and scores.
The MWIRE crew wraps up their DC Spotlight Volume 2 Superman films series with an in-depth discussion of Zack Snyder's 2013 Man of Steel. Hosts TFJoneMike and Movie Role Dan are joined by Optimus Solo as they explore the film's non-linear storytelling, Henry Cavill's portrayal of the titular hero, Michael Shannon's take on General Zod, and the controversial final act. They examine how the film balances origin story with action spectacle, debate Clark Kent's emotional connection to humanity, and discuss what works and what doesn't in this reimagining of the Superman mythos.
The crew revisits Bryan Singer's 2006 Superman Returns—a film that remains divisive among fans and hosts alike. One host calls it a "softcore porno" homage to Richard Donner's originals, while another defends Singer's vision and Kevin Spacey's Lex Luthor performance. They discuss the film's strengths (the plane rescue sequence, character work), its weaknesses (derivative plot, weak final act, Kate Bosworth as Lois), and what Singer could have done differently with the material.
Mike and Dan dive into Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, discussing Christopher Reeve's final Superman outing and its notorious reputation as one of the worst comic book movies ever made. The episode covers the film's bloated plot involving Superman's quest to eliminate nuclear weapons, Lex Luthor's creation of Nuclear Man, and the bizarre subplots that derail the story. They explore why Gene Hackman returned for the role, the film's production troubles, and why Dan—watching it for the first time as an adult—found it far more painful than Superman III, while Mike defends it as a guilty pleasure from his childhood.
Dan and JT dive into the 1984 Supergirl film from the Salkinds' Superman movie era. They explore the plot of Kara Zor-El's journey from Argo City to Earth, the film's campy tone and logic-defying moments, and its divergence from the source material. The discussion covers the cast—including Helen Slater, Faye Dunaway, Peter O'Toole, and Peter Cook—and how this film compares to the broader Superman movie series, with one host still enjoying it while the other finds it more laugh-worthy in retrospect.
Mike and Dan revisit Superman III, the 1983 film directed by Richard Lester that shifts tone dramatically from the first two Superman movies. They discuss how the film's reliance on slapstick comedy, Richard Pryor's dominance over the plot, and lazy special effects undermine what could have been interesting story elements—including Clark's return to Smallville, the hunt for kryptonite, and an evil Superman subplot. The hosts compare it unfavorably to its predecessors and explore how the film's tonal inconsistencies and bloated plot make it feel more like an Adam West Batman film than a Superman movie.
Mike and Dan dive into Superman II, comparing the theatrical Lester cut with Richard Donner's 2006 director's cut. They explore how the two versions differ in their approach to Superman's sacrifice, the climactic battle with General Zod, and the controversial time-travel plot device. Both hosts rate the film and discuss why the sequel's tighter story and stronger villain make it a worthy follow-up to the original.
TFG1Mike and Dan dive into Richard Donner's 1978 Superman, examining Christopher Reeve's iconic performance as the Man of Steel, Gene Hackman's unforgettable Lex Luthor, and John Williams' legendary score. They discuss what holds up and what doesn't across decades, Lex's land-development scheme, the controversial time-reversal ending, and the film's massive influence on superhero cinema. They also cover the numerous cuts, theatrical releases, and TV versions that have emerged over the years.
The hosts discuss Marvel's Phase 2 opener, examining how Iron Man 3 compares to the first two films and exploring Shane Black's approach to the trilogy's conclusion. They dig into the controversial Mandarin twist, the abundance of armor designs, Tony Stark's post-Avengers psychological state, and whether the film's plot holes and pacing issues detract from its action and performances. After two viewings, the consensus is that Iron Man 3 is a strong entry that takes creative risks with the source material.