This month we're deep in our Best Writing series at the Oscars, and Do the Right Thing is Exhibit A that the Academy has always gotten some of this wrong. We dig into why the film's lack of a traditional protagonist might be exactly what got it snubbed, what Spike Lee has actually said about why Mookie threw the trash can (and who keeps asking the wrong questions), and how Radio Raheem's love-and-hate monologue does more thematic work than most screenplays manage in two hours. The conversation talked all three of us from four-and-a-half stars up to five. First unanimous five-star episode of the year.If you've seen Do the Right Thing, we want to know where you landed — and if you haven't, this is the episode to listen to first. Find us at somanysequels.com, subscribe on Spotify or wherever you get podcasts, and follow us on Instagram at @somanysequelspod. Let us know what you think.

Josh, Garrett, and David sit down to digest the massive wins for Sinners and One Battle After Another. They unpack Ryan Coogler's masterful genre-blending, the jaw-dropping musical sequences in Sinners, and why waiting for the vampires to actually show up is the smartest thing the movie did. Then, they shift gears to PTA's chaotic, cross-country epic starring a buffoonish Leonardo DiCaprio, debating the film's wild pacing, stacked cast, and underlying themes. From glowing red eyes to hilarious critiques of "revolutionary" stoners, we're covering all the highs and lows.

What was your favorite movie of the year? Let us know! Be sure to follow the show, leave us a review, and connect with the guys on Instagram at @somanysequelspod or visit us at somanysequels.com.

In this episode of So Many Sequels, we react to the 2026 Academy Awards and everything that made the night feel just a little off. From the Sinners vs. One Battle After Another showdown to major wins like Michael B. Jordan, we unpack the biggest moments, snubs, and surprises. We also dive into Conan O’Brien’s hosting, pacing issues, and what the overall vibe says about the future of movies, streaming, and the Oscars themselves.

In 12 Angry Men, the entire story unfolds in a single jury room—but somehow it becomes one of the most gripping films ever written. This week, the So Many Sequels crew dives into Sidney Lumet’s 1957 courtroom classic and asks why this film continues to top “greatest movies ever” lists.

Josh, Garrett, and David break down the brilliance of its minimalist storytelling, from Henry Fonda’s calm but stubborn Juror #8 to the film’s exploration of bias, prejudice, and mob mentality. They also discuss the movie’s unusual production history, its Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, and how a 90-minute conversation between twelve jurors manages to feel as tense as any blockbuster thriller. Plus: jury duty stories, the 1997 remake with Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott, and why this film still resonates decades later.

Follow So Many Sequels for more movie discussions, leave us a review if you enjoy the show, and join the conversation with us on social media.

How did two unknown actors from Boston write one of the most beloved screenplays in Hollywood history?

This week on So Many Sequels, Josh, Garrett, and David kick off their Best Screenplay Oscar Month with Good Will Hunting (1997)—the film that launched Matt Damon and Ben Affleck from aspiring writers to Academy Award winners. The guys break down the screenplay that shocked Hollywood, the legendary performances from Matt Damon and Robin Williams, and the moments that turned this indie drama into a cultural phenomenon. Along the way they debate whether the script truly deserves its reputation, which characters work best, and how the film balances raw dialogue with emotional storytelling.

Follow the show for more episodes this month as we explore Oscar-winning and nominated screenplays. If you enjoy the show, leave a review and connect with us online at SoManySequels.com.

Two beloved franchises drop new trailers — but does the magic still hold, or is nostalgia running on fumes?

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Why does Rob Reiner's Stand By Me still hit so hard after all these years? We break down the 1986 Stephen King adaptation that redefined coming-of-age movies.Josh, Garrett, and David wrap up Rob Reiner month by journeying down the train tracks to discuss Stand By Me. From River Phoenix’s undeniable star power and Corey Feldman's explosive timing to the brutal realities of growing apart from your childhood best friends, we're unpacking why this film is a total gut punch. We also dive into Reiner's ultimate superpowers as a director and play the Letterboxd rating game to see if the community loves this movie as much as we do (spoiler: they really do).Chapters:00:00 - Intro & Rob Reiner Month 03:43 - Box Office Breakdown & Great Movies of 1986 06:41 - First Impressions & Childhood Trauma10:33 - The Real Meaning Behind Finding the Body 14:00 - Boyhood Vulnerability & Father Issues 22:20 - River Phoenix & Corey Feldman's Incredible Performances 28:30 - Poor Vern & His Lost Pennies 30:40 - Rob Reiner's Superpowers as a Director 36:09 - Final Ratings & Reviews38:42 - The Letterboxd Gamesomanysequels.com

Are Netflix's script notes ruining modern movies? We review The Rip, Sam Raimi's Send Help, The Moment, and Peacock's The 'Burbs! We are catching up on what we've been watching this week! Josh, Garrett, and David break down why Send Help brings back the classic Sam Raimi gore , and why Charli XCX's The Moment takes a fascinating meta-approach to the A24 music documentary. We also get heated over the pacing of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's The Rip, debate Peacock's new adaptation of The 'Burbs , and react to the time-traveling trailer for Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie. Finally, David runs down the Valentine's Day box office top 5!somanysequels.com

Did This is Spinal Tap invent the mockumentary as we know it, or just perfect it on the first try?

This week on So Many Sequels, we're continuing Rob Reiner Month by traveling back to 1984 to follow England's loudest band. Josh, Garrett, and David break down how Reiner's directorial debut abandoned a traditional script for genius-level world-building and cast improvisation. We talk iconic cameos (like Fran Drescher and Paul Shaffer) , the truth behind "turning it up to 11," and why this film felt like a painfully real documentary to actual rock stars. Plus, find out how it stacked up against the massive box office hits of 1984.

Don't let your podcast app spontaneously combust—hit that subscribe button! Connect with us on social media and join our Discord at SoManySequels.com to chat with fellow movie fans.

Is "You can't handle the truth!" the most iconic line of the 1990s, or is it just the most parodied?. This week, the squad dives into the high-stakes courtroom of Rob Reiner’s 1992 classic, A Few Good Men, to find out if the movie holds up as well as Jack Nicholson’s terrifying performance.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro & Rob Reiner Month Update
• 01:43 - What Is A Few Good Men About?
• 02:23 - Box Office Breakdown: $243M Worldwide
• 05:04 - First Watch for the Whole Squad
• 05:43 - "You Can't Handle the Truth" Cultural Impact
• 08:27 - Tom Cruise as Cocky Military Lawyer
• 26:30 - Final Ratings & Reviews (4.5 Stars Across the Board)
• 27:46 - The Ending Twist: Guilty Despite Everything
• 29:57 - Jack Nicholson's Underrated Skull-Pissing Threat
• 30:40 - The Letterboxd Game: David's Direct Hit
• 32:00 - What's Next: This Is Spinal Tap & Stand By Me

Welcome to Season Nine of So Many Sequels! We are kicking off the new year—and "Rob Reiner Month"—with a look at one of the most beloved films of all time: The Princess Bride (1987).

In this episode, we admit where we were wrong ("I was dumb") and break down why this movie’s initial box office struggle didn't stop it from becoming a cult phenomenon. Join us as we analyze Rob Reiner’s authentic direction, the "perfect" sword fight between Westley and Inigo Montoya, and how the film’s framing device changes the entire narrative.

In this episode:

• Why the box office numbers lied about this movie's quality.

• The genius of casting Andre the Giant and Wallace Shawn.

• How the "fairy tale" genre was reinvented with humor.

• Our final ratings on the "Timeless" scale.