Brad has made his pick for the month, and he's decided to take a trip down south to Alex Garland's Annihilation, where a funny kind of Shimmer has got everyone all confused and refracted and dead. Join us as we discuss at length the phantasmagoric scenes that await our scientific adventurers, the human drama that plagues them both in and out of the zone, and just how how messed up that bear really is.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 172: Annihilation (2018)
(00:00:26) - Intro.
(00:04:06) - Brad's pick is up this week, and he has chosen Annihilation!
(00:08:50) - Talking about the book, Alex Garland, and how he set about adapting this story.
(00:16:48) - On the production, and the trouble it ran into pre-release.
(00:27:02) - The flashback.
(00:38:23) - This is not my beautiful house. This is not my beautiful wife. How did I get here?
(00:42:35) - Break!
(00:42:54) - We're back, and it's time for our first look at the Shimmer.
(00:53:28) - Meeting the squad.
(00:59:34) - Time becomes immediately weird.
(01:03:11) - The mutations start to become apparent.
(01:15:33) - Video logs and environmental storytelling.
(01:24:24) - Another flashback in a flashback, and the bear makes its first appearance.
(01:33:44) - They find Cassie, then they find some tree people.
(01:42:50) - Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear absorbs your consciousness at the moment of grim death.
(01:52:28) - Josie becomes one with the field.
(01:56:59) - That lighthouse is messed up.
(02:07:51) - The titular line.
(02:13:13) - Dancing with...myself?
(02:26:20) - Are you you? Am I me?
(02:30:59) - Final thoughts.
(02:37:57) - Housekeeping for next week's movie: Stop Making Sense!
(02:41:21) - Outro.

With our March schedule being on the shorter side, we've decided to once again each pick a movie we felt like watching, and first up is Vinny with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Join our party as we adventure through this tongue-in-cheek spin on tabletop storytelling, tell our own tales of DnD adventures, and say the name Jarnathan every chance we get.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 171: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
(00:00:13) - Intro, and immediately launching into our personal experiences with tabletop gaming.
(00:13:41) - Initial thoughts about the movie.
(00:19:14) - How this movie (finally) got made.
(00:32:34) - The tonal tightrope this movie walks.
(00:38:53) - Meeting our Bard and Barbarian in a frozen prison.
(00:50:58) - Break!
(00:51:19) - We're back, the gang is out of prison, and it's time to head to Neverwinter.
(01:01:46) - Time to (re)form the party (and a sidebar about hidden effects shots).
(01:14:37) - Scoping out the red wizard's security.
(01:19:24) - The Helm of Solving This Specific Problem.
(01:25:24) - Waking the dead.
(01:29:12) - The most paladin paladin who ever paladin'd.
(01:37:08) - To the Underdark.
(01:49:19) - Attunement is a real pain in the ass.
(01:57:03) - Doing some magical heisting.
(02:04:22) - Surviving the games.
(02:13:33) - A real life party might've made off with the treasure, but that's not a good movie ending.
(02:23:23) - Saving Holga, and keeping the party together.
(02:27:56) - Final thoughts.
(02:34:51) - Housekeeping for the rest of this month's movies.
(02:40:27) - Outro.

Alex's final pick for February is here, and for this week's Watchcast he's taking us to the Spanish coast to peek in on the idyllic life of retired thief Gal Dove in Jonathan Glazer's Sexy Beast, a movie that's got a whole lot of unusual style and flavor going on, even outside of Ben Kingsley's ferociously memorable central performance.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 170: Sexy Beast (2000)
(00:01:20) - Intro.
(00:03:05) - Our final February film for 2026: Sexy Beast!
(00:10:57) - How this movie got made.
(00:20:58) - Our extremely British cast.
(00:26:14) - Sweating, baking, boiling, things of that nature.
(00:35:02) - Break!
(00:35:26) - We're back, and so is Don Logan.
(00:44:10) - The plan.
(00:52:00) - Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes! Yes! Yes!
(01:06:38) - Don leaves, and then doesn't.
(01:14:04) - Onto the heist, but what of Don?
(01:24:54) - These are the true heirs to the Wet Bandits moniker. 
(01:31:03) - Shooting off, are we?"
(01:36:52) - Gal survives to suntan another day.
(01:39:03) - Final thoughts.
(01:44:12) - Housekeeping for next month and next week's movie.
(01:45:48) - Outro.

It's Fargo week on the Watchcast, and Alex is just gosh darned excited as all get out to talk about his favorite Coens classic. Join us as he takes Brad and Vinny through the frozen wasteland of the Northern Midwest to discuss the supposedly (but not actually) "true events" of the film, the darkness that runs under the surface of Minnesota Nice, and the spectacular array of accents on display.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 169: Fargo (1996)
(00:00:15) - Intro.
(00:01:18) - What the boys knew about Fargo going in, and how Alex first saw it.
(00:10:03) - Some broader Coens talk.
(00:17:20) - Cast chat.
(00:30:18) - Launching down a snowy highway into the movie proper.
(00:46:52) - Wade and Jerry are not exactly aligned.
(00:51:07) - Break!
(00:51:27) - We're back, and it's time for a kidnapping.
(01:06:37) - The plan is in motion, but it's about to hit its first homicidal snag.
(01:11:48) - Marge is on the case.
(01:19:24) - This is Jerry's deal.
(01:25:32) - Marge meets some ladies.
(01:27:00) - The Yanagita Affair, and a few other assorted scenes.
(01:32:22) - Jerry's getting cut out of his own kidnapping, and Carl endures many indignities.
(01:44:11) - The drop goes bad.
(01:50:47) - Here are some guys talking, and Carl buries the money.
(01:59:32) - Jerry flees the interview, Jean is dispatched, and Carl gets Gaear'd.
(02:09:33) - Chipper Cop Finds Man in Wood Chipper.
(02:15:46) - Jerry's undignified end, and one last moment with Marge and Norm.
(02:23:27) - Final thoughts.
(02:27:31) - Housekeeping for our final film of the month: Sexy Beast!
(02:30:12) - Outro.

For this week's Watchcast Alex is returning to his previous profession as a Mannhunter, as he takes the crew through one of his favorite Michael Mann flicks, 1981's Thief. Join us as we pick apart the taxonomy of crooks and goofs populating Chicago's early '80s underworld, and marvel at all the exquisite detail that went into this movie's look and vibe.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 168: Thief (1981)
(00:00:27) - Intro.
(00:04:09) - On Mann, his early days, and how this movie got made.
(00:12:48) - Before we start talking about the movie, gotta talk about the soundtrack.
(00:17:18) - The opening heist.
(00:23:12) - What is this movie if not a showcase for profoundly Chicago-type guys?
(00:31:46) - Break!
(00:32:07) - We're back, and Frank wants his damn money
(00:38:13) - Okla and Leo, from one father figure to an aspiring one.
(00:51:36) - On the subject of these corrupt dirtbag cops.
(00:55:20) - The original Michael Mann Diner Scene.
(01:09:37) - The California job, and getting comfy in the suburbs.
(01:13:29) - How many fingers am I holding up?
(01:17:48) - Chaos in the adoption agency.
(01:21:34) - Refusing to grease the wheels.
(01:29:10) - Okla, we hardly knew ya, but now we have a baby, so it all evens out.
(01:32:07) - Ditching those goofy cops.
(01:40:01) - Finally, the big job.
(01:52:05) - My money is in your pocket.
(02:00:24) - Bye bye, Belush. Bye bye, old life.
(02:09:41) - Going tactical in the Chicago suburbs.
(02:15:39) - Final thoughts.
(02:21:02) - Housekeeping for next week.
(02:22:55) - Outro.

It's a new month and a new theme for the Watchcast, and this month Alex is foisting some of his all-time favorites on the rest of the cast, starting with Francis Ford Coppola's profoundly paranoid thriller, The Conversation! Join us as we uncover this deadly plot, marvel at Gene Hackman's performance, and swoon at just about the youngest Harrison Ford we ever did see.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 167: The Conversation (1974)
(00:00:40) - Intro.
(00:01:56) - Beginning our conversation about The Conversation.
(00:20:04) - Cast chat.
(00:27:59) - The terrific and bewildering opening recording sequence.
(00:42:09) - Break!
(00:42:32) - We're back, and it's time to peek into Harry's home life.
(00:54:10) - Harry gets his recording.
(00:59:08) - A brief interlude with Teri Garr.
(01:03:44) - Lookit baby Harrison Ford!
(01:08:48) - Alienating Stan, and the last piece of the audio puzzle.
(01:13:48) - Spycon '74.
(01:23:22) - Never party with surveillance guys, for several reasons.
(01:36:23) - Chastity is the only security you can rely on.
(01:46:06) - Meeting the Director.
(01:50:37) - Bugging the hotel.
(01:55:21) - You ain't gonna win this one, Harry.
(02:04:35) - Final thoughts.
(02:11:59) - Next week's movie: Michael Mann's Thief!
(02:15:14) - Outro.

The final film in our slate of toy commercials turned cinema is arguably the roughest watch yet. Specifically, we all argue that maybe Masters of the Universe with Dolph Lundgren and a rubber Skeletor COULD have maybe been something watchable, if only every single creative choice were different, and better. Then you might have something!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 166: Masters of the Universe (1987)
(00:00:16) - Intro.
(00:02:51) - Where did we land on He-Man as kids?
(00:14:10) - On the toys themselves, and the delightful weirdos who made them. And a bit on Filmation.
(00:21:14) - How in the world did this movie happen?
(00:43:37) - Somehow, there was almost a direct sequel to this.
(00:48:55) - Break!
(00:49:18) - We're back, and this is way too grand an entrance for what we're about to see.
(00:59:52) - This man, this is not my kind of He-Man.
(01:04:11) - Skeletor has won, but thankfully there's exactly one man who can save us: a weird little inventor guy.
(01:13:30) - We can go anywhere in the universe, we end up in 1980s Southern California.
(01:22:54) - These things just happen, you know?
(01:30:59) - Skeletor breaks it down, and things start getting real dumb on Earth.
(01:45:35) - Courteney's leg gets zapped, He-Man's a slave, and that cop is still running around.
(01:47:31) - Warping to Eternia for one last battle.
(01:58:26) - Saying a long goodbye.
(02:01:50) - Who cares about timeline integrity when you can wish your parents back to life?
(02:06:18) - Final thoughts. You can probably guess what they are.
(02:15:03) - Housekeeping for next month's movies.
(02:20:03) - Outro.

The process of tearing apart our consumerist childhoods is far from over, as the Watchcast crew digs this week into G.I. Joe: The Movie, another toy commercial in disguise that comes up with some of the most bonkers stuff this franchise ever saw, both for better and for worse.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 165: G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987)
(00:00:18) - Intro.
(00:08:47) - A brief history of Government Issue Joe, and our personal fandoms.
(00:26:37) - More on the tone of the show, and how that filtered into the movie.
(00:30:56) - How this movie came to be, and why it never made it to theaters.
(00:39:19) - Talking about our cast (and porno cartoons).
(00:51:31) - Are the new grunts as good as the old timers?
(00:56:51) - Break!
(00:57:40) - We're back and we're already humming this musical number.
(01:02:46) - People have had it with Cobra Commander.
(01:12:15) - The B.E.T.--no, not that B.E.T.
(01:17:16) - Stumbling into Cobra-la.
(01:23:46) - Our cavalcade of new stars (toys).
(01:40:30) - There's no way Cobra could break in here! And the lore dump to end all lore dumps.
(01:57:05) - Falcon gets airdropped into unincorporated Slaughter territory.
(02:02:35) - Roadblock and Cobra I Was Once a Commaaaaaannnder escape.
(02:09:52) - A sneaking mission to Cobra Island, and it's time to send in the sandworms.
(02:16:48) - He's gone into a coma!
(02:24:34) - A big dumb battle to end this movie.
(02:35:52) - Duke's okay! Somehow!
(02:37:57) - Final thoughts.
(02:46:46) - Housekeeping for next week's movie: Masters of the Universe!
(02:51:31) - Outro.

The Watchcast is back for another year, and we're kicking off 2026 by laying waste to our plastic filled childhoods! The first entry in our trio of toy commercials disguised as films is one very near and dear to our youthful hearts in Transformers: The Movie, a film that simultaneously enthralled and traumatized an entire generation of budding robot enthusiasts, and tested the limits of how many popular characters you can kill off in the name of commerce.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 164: Transformers: The Movie (1986
(00:00:25) - Intro.
(00:05:57) - Let's talk about our own histories with Transformers fandom.
(00:14:45) - On the trauma of Transformer murder.
(00:20:49) - How did Transformers (generally) come into existence? And some other miscellaneous bits.
(00:31:55) - Onto the movie, and who is responsible for all this.
(00:38:14) - Killing off the old toy line.
(00:44:54) - What a (bizarre) cast! And soundtrack!
(01:00:19) - Break!
(01:00:50) - We're back, and real quick, let's chat about the version we watched.
(01:03:22) - Kicking off your kids movie with an entire planet being devoured.
(01:10:46) - Leaping into the year 2005, and everybody's got moonbases now.
(01:15:59) - Say goodbye to several Autobots.
(01:19:48) - Hot Rod, Kup, Arcee, and the rest!
(01:29:00) - Optimus is here to save the--oh no.
(01:35:47) - The scene that middle-aged nerds still describe to their therapists.
(01:40:18) - Unicron, Galvatron, and various Cyclonuses.
(01:51:43) - Eat it, Starscream.
(01:54:09) - On Arcee, and how the party gets split.
(02:00:12) - Are the Quintessons interesting? A debate.
(02:08:33) - Are the Junkions interesting? No.
(02:13:02) - Unicron goes ham, and Rodimus is born.
(02:29:14) - Final thoughts.
(02:40:31) - Teeing up for next week's movie: G.I. Joe: The Movie!
(02:43:46) - Outro.

We've got one more Watchcast for you in 2025, and we're closing out a cursed year the only way we know how: with Gremlins. Join us as we take a trip back to a simpler time when zonked out suburbanites could shrug off the enormous implications of a lifeform like a mogwai in favor of taking cute photos and dumping water all over it.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 163: Gremlins (1984)
(00:00:15) - Intro.
(00:05:23) - How we all experienced Gremlins back in the day.
(00:09:20) - Some Gremlins 2 comparison chat, and the wild list of names involved in making this movie happen.
(00:20:08) - Some production stories and voice cast chat.
(00:28:54) - Our remaining cast.
(00:42:04) - Break!
(00:42:29) - We're back, and it's time to do some shopping in Chinatown.
(00:49:54) - Welcome to backlot America.
(00:58:12) - Bringing home a Mogwai.
(01:02:26) - We told you not to get them wet! It's only been like five minutes!
(01:07:28) - You can't even trust a science teacher in this day and age.
(01:14:25) - Gross pods, and a number of check-ins with dad.
(01:23:02) - We should all be so lucky to have a mother who can dual wield.
(01:29:27) - Let's kill off all our minor townspeople right quick.
(01:37:37) - Phoebe Cates, everyone. Let's give her a round of applause.
(01:40:53) - Burning down the theater.
(01:43:06) - Not an amazing finale, but definitely an amazing melting puppet skeleton.
(01:46:45) - Once again, suburbanites cannot be trusted to handle unusual wildlife.
(01:49:35) - Final thoughts.
(01:54:59) - A teaser (not full schedule) for next month's movies.

We do a lot of goofy movies on this Watchcast, but now, at the behest of our own Vinny Caravella, it's time for us to tackle some Important Cinema! Vinny has chosen the one and only Citizen Kane for his movie this month, and it's time to put our film school pants on to decide once and for all if it's an over-hyped disappointment, or really as great as everyone says.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 162: Citizen Kane (1941)
(00:00:14) - Intro.
(00:05:09) - Picking apart some of what makes Citizen Kane so dang important.
(00:13:27) - The myriad parodies and loving tributes to Kane peppered throughout our childhood media.
(00:15:45) - On Welles, and how the film came to be.
(00:23:23) - Welles' various collaborators.
(00:33:04) - The Hearst campaign to derail the movie.
(00:42:06) - Break!
(00:44:20) - We're back, and it's time to head on down to Xanadu.
(00:52:26) - Love a good newsreel.
(00:56:58) - A brief meeting with Kane's second wife, and then we dig into Kane's childhood.
(01:05:57) - Yung Kane.
(01:12:19) - Bernstein, and the salad days.
(01:17:49) - Old Jed, and a marriage in a single breakfast table.
(01:22:52) - Susan enters the picture.
(01:25:52) - Will Kane's aspirations ever be knocked down? Yes!
(01:37:54) - Kane Weds 'Singer', Kane Cans Critic!
(01:43:05) - Susan spills the beans.
(01:49:54) - A very bad picnic, and Kane turns his wife's room into a rage room.
(01:57:11) - What's a Rosebud? Who cares! Take everything!
(02:03:07) - Final thoughts.
(02:10:05) - Housekeeping for next week's movie: Gremlins!
(02:11:38) - Outro.