Episodes

Episode Summary: Aaron and Brash celebrate Star Wars Day by diving deep into one of the galaxy’s most bizarre and beloved offshoots— The Ewok Adventure: Caravan of Courage and its sequel, The Battle for Endor . From childhood nostalgia and surprise massacres to Emmy-winning effects and the brutal realities of teddy bear warfare, this episode explores the emotional impact, cinematic legacy, and surprisingly dark themes of these TV movies. Along the way, the duo discusses how Ewoks shap...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron sat down with veteran screenwriter Jeremy Drysdale—whose credits span the cult film Grand Theft Parsons, the video game Battlefield 2, and the real‑time thriller In the Line of Duty. Jeremy shares his unconventional journey from ad copywriter to Hollywood, his blueprint for crafting unputdownable scripts, and why he’s pushing the boundaries of traditional screenwriting. Topics: Unconventional Entry: How a pact and some ing...

Episode Summary: Aaron and Brash dive into the 2008 classic Iron Man, exploring how Robert Downey Jr.’s personal comeback paralleled Tony Stark’s transformation, and how Marvel Studios’ bold gamble on a troubled actor reshaped modern cinema. From the film’s ground-breaking HUD design to its real-world military collaboration, we unpack the lessons Iron Man taught us about reinvention, risk, and fandom. Topics: Origin story of the MCU and Marvel’s $525 million collateral risk Casting Robert Down...

Episode Summary: We dive deep into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, exploring how this emotional conclusion to James Gunn's trilogy reveals that Rocket's journey was the heart of the series all along. Beneath the spectacle and space-faring action beats a profound story about healing, found family, and the transformative power of empathy. Topics: The secret of this trilogy has always been hiding in plain sight: it was Rocket's story all along. Vol. 3 peels back the layers of this wounded characte...

Aaron and Brash explore how Josh Boone's horror-inspired X-Men film New Mutants stands as a fascinating anomaly in superhero cinema. A psychological horror film disguised as an X-Men movie that dares to explore the trauma and isolation inherent in discovering you're different. Unlike most superhero fare, this final entry in Fox's X-Men franchise eschews world-ending stakes for something far more intimate and chilling. Topics: Director Josh Boone, a passionate fan of the source material, crafts ...

Episode Summary: The Fantastic Four (2005) film shows how gaining superpowers forces its characters to confront deep personal struggles with identity, acceptance, and responsibility. Cosmic radiation transformed four astronauts physically, but their greatest challenge wasn't Doctor Doom – it was accepting who they'd become. Topics: When we dive into the 2005 Fantastic Four film in our Marvel Month celebration, we're really exploring how these four characters navigate profound identity shifts af...

Episode Summary: Aaron and Brash dive into the 2005 Fantastic Four film, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and lasting impact on superhero cinema. They explore how the film targeted teenage audiences through its soundtrack, casting choices, and lighter tone while debating Julian McMahon's controversial portrayal of Doctor Doom. The Fantastic Four's 2005 cinematic debut offers a fascinating time capsule of early superhero filmmaking. Topics: Our deep dive reveals surprising behind-the-sc...

Episode Overview: What makes a person gravitate toward Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, or Michelangelo? According to Aaron, a classroom teacher by day and podcast host by night, your favourite Ninja Turtle reveals more about your personality than you might think. We unpack this fascinating psychology while diving deep into the groundbreaking 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. Raphael's Emotional Journey and Donatello's Lack of Development: The film's attempt to balance the darker comic book ...

Episode Summary: In this bodacious episode of The Fandom Portals Podcast, hosts Aaron and Brash shell out their thoughts on the classic 1990 film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They reminisce about their first encounters with the turtles, from the animated series to the iconic movie. The hosts also dive into some totally tubular trivia, behind-the-scenes secrets about the Jim Henson Creature Shop suits, and compare the 90s film to Michael Bay's 2010s take. It's a nostalgic trip filled with pizz...

Episode Summary: We explore the character arcs of Gabriel, Sammael/Michael, and the fallen angels. We analyze Gabriel's journey from righteous archangel to grappling with humanity, his relationships, and pivotal moments. Aaron and Brash dissect Samuel's transformation as Michael, leader of the fallen, and his redemption. “You threw me far from grace and now I fall onto it.” - Gabriel Join us as we unravel themes of innocence, corruption, sacrifice, and the battle between light/darkness in Pur...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron and Brash take a deep dive into Gabriel (2007), an Australian indie film that took a bold step into the fantasy action genre with a budget of just $200,000 AUD. They explore the film’s gritty aesthetic, digital effects, and ambitious storytelling. Aaron and Brash also go head-to-head in the Fandom Fact Face-Off, where they quiz each other on Gabriel’s behind-the-scenes secrets, including how the film was nearly canceled just d...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron and Brash continue their deep dive into Dragonheart (1996), exploring Einon and Bowen’s character arcs, the Spoiled King vs. Hero’s Journey tropes, and how the film’s acting performances impacted its legacy. The Reel Deal segment dissects Dragonheart’s plot structure, score, and how nostalgia affects the modern viewing experience. Plus, Aaron and Brash discuss fan mail from a listener in Virginia and take a moment to reflect ...

(PART 1) Episode Summary: In this episode of The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron and Brash take a deep dive into Dragonheart (1996), the fantasy adventure that revolutionized CGI with its pioneering work on Draco, voiced by Sean Connery. They explore how motion capture technology was first used, the film’s box office success, and how Sean Connery landed the role of Draco. Plus, they share community reactions from Threads, Instagram, and Reddit, where nostalgic fans discuss why Dragonheart remains...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron and Brash are joined by Megan from Vigilante Vibes Podcast to break down Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). They explore whether the film’s many cameos were true storytelling elements or just nostalgia bait, unpack Andrew Garfield’s redemption arc, and discuss the MCU’s future for Spider-Man. Topics: - Gratitude & Growth: The importance of slowing down & new podcast projects - First Takes: How We First Encountered Spider-Man - ...

Episode Summary: This week on The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron is joined by Ben Wright from Hot Takes Film Club to discuss 500 Days of Summer (2009). They break down the film’s nonlinear storytelling, the realism of Tom and Summer’s relationship, and whether the movie paints Summer as a villain or simply an honest partner. Aaron and Ben analyze romanticized ideals vs. reality, explore how Tom’s perspective skews the story, and debate whether the expectations vs. reality scene is one of the mos...

Episode Summary: In this Portaleers Pick episode of The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron and Brash dive into the deeper themes of The Crow (1994). They explore character arcs, emotional depth, and what makes this film a lasting cult classic. They discuss standout moments, analyse its storytelling and cinematography, and debate whether The Crow deserves its legendary status on the Fandom Portals Honour Board. Aaron and Brash also share fan reactions from Threads, Instagram, and Reddit, breaking dow...

Episode Summary: In this Portaleers Pick episode of The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron and Brash explore The Crow (1994), the gothic cult classic directed by Alex Proyas and starring Brandon Lee. They discuss their first experiences with the film, its lasting cultural impact, and the tragic on-set accident that changed Hollywood’s safety standards forever. They also go head-to-head in the Fandom Fact Face-Off, testing their knowledge of The Crow’s behind-the-scenes secrets. Plus, they share fan ...

Episode Summary: This week on The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron and Brash explore Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), the final chapter in Harrison Ford’s legendary run as cinema’s greatest adventurer. They break down the film’s divisive use of CGI de-aging, the nostalgia-packed John Williams score, and whether the story gives Indy the sendoff he deserves. From fan reactions on Threads and Reddit to a deep dive into character chemistry, plot structure, and the controversial ending, th...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron welcomes Thomas from The Joy Shtick Podcast, Challenge Accepted Podcast, and his newest project, The Sick Burn Podcast. Together, they dive into Big Fish (2003), a film that blends fantasy and reality while exploring deep themes of love, loss, and legacy. Aaron and Thomas discuss how Big Fish changed their perspectives on storytelling, father-son relationships, and the power of memory. They reflect on the way stories shape ou...

Episode Summary: In this special episode of Fandom Portals, Aaron is joined by Frank from Geek Freaks Network to dive into Star Trek! Whether you’re a seasoned Trekkie or a newcomer, this episode is your guide to Star Trek’s vast fandom, its impact on diversity, and the hopeful future it envisions. They discuss the franchise’s origins, ethical dilemmas like the Prime Directive, and where to start watching. Frank shares expert recommendations, breaks down iconic characters like Spock, Kirk, and ...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Fandom Portals, Aaron and Brash dive into Sonic the Hedgehog 3! They explore Sonic’s leadership growth, Carl Jung’s shadow self concept as seen in Sonic vs. Shadow, and the role of trust throughout the film. They also break down Keanu Reeves' performance as Shadow, Jim Carrey’s return as Robotnik, and the expanding Sonic universe. Plus, don’t miss the February giveaway winner announcement! ⏳ Timestamps & Topics: 0:00 – Welcome & episode overview 1:44 – Grati...

What makes a villain truly unforgettable, and how can a hero's courage inspire our daily lives? Join me as we celebrate the winners of the 2024 Fandom Favourites Awards on the Fandom Portals podcast, where I have the honour of unveiling the community's top picks for Best Movie, Best Hero, and Best Villain. With over 112 devoted fans casting their votes, it's clear that these winners have struck a chord. • Celebration of community involvement in voting • Best Villain award • Best Hero award • Be...

This week, we explore the complex themes of love, obsession, and beauty in The Phantom of the Opera. As we discuss the film’s emotional impact, production design, and character motivations, we highlight the importance of kindness and self-awareness in relationships. • Exploring the characters' motivations and their flaws • Reflecting on the relationship dynamics between Christine, Raoul, and the Phantom • Examining the production aspects and their storytelling importance • Key takeaways focusin...

In this episode, we explore "The Nice Guys," a cleverly crafted film that intertwines humor with unexpected twists, making it a rewatchable masterpiece. We tackle the intriguing concept of eucatastrophe within "The Nice Guys," revealing how unexpected twists and comedic flair illuminate Shane Black's mastery of the genre. We break down the film's seamless integration of 1970s aesthetics and themes, reflecting on the gritty yet glamorous world it creates. The dynamic duo of Gosling and Crowe is p...