Everyone Is Wrong

Beat the Champ by The Mountain Goats

With The Mountain Goats releasing its 19th album last week (Dark in Here), it felt like a good time to get some cheap heat by making the heart take case that the 2015 pro wrestling-themed album Beat the Champ is actually the band's best record. Alyson McManus rejoins the fracas to talk about the effectiveness of wrestling metaphors, John Darnielle's violent comedic glee, the subtle brilliance of Matt Douglas's woodwinds, dumb WCW booking decisions, and more!

Jaws 3-D (with Amanda Waltz)

Dip your toe in, Jaws 3-D's water is fine! Amanda Waltz cannonballs into the deep end to defend one of the worst regarded sequels of all-time. We dive into SeaWorld's tanks with a frantic Dennis Quaid, SeaWorld king Lou Gossett Jr., and SO MANY WATER SKIERS. We also delve into slumber parties, a fondness for outdated 3-D, superhero dolphins, and the greatest/worst freeze-frame ending ever.

Marriage Story

Get ready to punch a hole in your apartment wall in a fit of meme-able rage, as this week we're doing our first host's topic episode on Noah Baumbach's Oscar-winning film Marriage Story. Nathan Weinbender returns to act as couples counselor, as Seth vents about his distaste for the imbalance between legal satire and family drama, the icky real-life parallels of the script, and even dares to question if Laura Dern's universally lauded performance is actually good (*shocked emoji*).

Baron Corbin (with Alyson McManus)

Bust out your finest crowns and tacky vests, because it's time to talk about WWE's Baron Corbin. Alyson McManus comes off the top rope to defend the Lone Wolf/Constable/King from the legions of pro wrestling fans who loathe him. We go deep into analyzing the merits of unlikeability in the indie-fied era of cool heels, Corbin's deceptively excellent move set, and his underrated NXT run. For all the people who mistakenly thought EiW was exclusively a film podcast... uhhh... sorry???

The Incredible Hulk [2008] (with James Battaglia)

James angry... but you might like James when he's angry! On this week's episode, James Battaglia smashes the erasure of 2008's Edward Norton-led Hulk from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We dive into how this version of Bruce Banner and Hulk can stand on their own, have compelling relationships, and NEVER get trapped by boulders. We also discuss Planet Hulk, consider if Ty Burrell is the chillest boyfriend ever, and breakdown how long it takes to walk from Guatemala to Virginia.

Evil Dead [2013] > The Evil Dead [1981] (with Kevin Parker)

We already have Sam Raimi's 1981 low-budget horror classic The Evil Dead (and its two beloved comedic sequels), why do we need Evil Dead, the remake/reimaging of the original by Fede Álvarez? So said horror fanatics in 2013. In response, Kevin Parker takes a page out of one of the newer film's most devastatingly gory weapons and says, "Because it totally nails it!" Your mileage may vary, but why not spend a night in a secluded cabin listening to our breakdown of the whole bloody mess?

The Neon Demon (with Jason Baxter)

Jason Baxter returns to the pod to take a beauty bath in the blood of those who loathe The Neon Demon, Nicolas Winding Refn's controversial and ultra-stylized psychological horror film about a teenage star in the L.A. modeling world. Is it a sleek and darkly humorous female-driven film about beauty or a sexist, male-gazy piece of pretentious schlock that goes way overboard in its bonkers final act? Or both? ... Also, we somehow talk about Taylor Swift.

Jupiter Ascending (with Spike Friedman)

Much like one of Stefon's hottest club picks, the Wachowskis' Jupiter Ascending has it all: Toliet queens, dog men on intergalactic rollerblades, Russian slobs, extinction events, and Eddie Redmayne screaming his silly little heart out! This week, Spike Friedman ventures from the streets of Chicago to the refinery inside Jupiter's Great Red Spot to save not only this space opera's reputation, but perhaps... humanity itself?!?

Mr. Brooks (with Ian Riggins)

Serial killers! Box magnates! Millionaire detectives! William Hurt as Kevin Costner's id! Good Dane Cook?!? This week Ian Riggins overcomes the murderous voice in his head and argues that the 2007 psychological thriller Mr. Brooks actually overcomes its overstuffed ideas and succeeds as a bloodthirsty romp.

Mank (with Nathan Weinbender)

It's Oscars week! So we decided to go with a timely (negative!) episode. The Inlander's film critic (and noted Citizen Kane stan) Nathan Weinbender drops by to cast David Fincher's Mank - the film which racked up the most 2021 Academy Award nominations - into the proverbial fire like it's some curmudgeonly tycoon's beloved childhood sled.