Episodes

  • 176: Materialists (2025)
    Sep 30 2025

    Materialists: A Deep Dive into Celine Song's New Film

    In this episode of the Transatlantic Rebels Podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard discuss Celine Song's second film, 'Materialists.'

    They explore how the movie defies the traditional rom-com label, presenting a romantic drama laden with complex themes of materialism, relationships, and societal expectations.

    The hosts compare it to Song's previous work, 'Past Lives,' and delve into the performances of main actors Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans.

    They also touch upon Celine Song's background and directorial style, offering a critical analysis of the film's narrative, themes, and reception.

    The episode ends with reflections on broader industry trends and the importance of directors like Song in modern cinema.

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
    00:08 Discussing the Genre of the Film
    00:43 Introduction to 'Materialists'
    01:26 Comparing 'Materialists' to 'Past Lives'
    02:08 Box Office Success and Personal Ratings
    03:23 Audience Reactions and Online Backlash
    05:10 Themes and Realism in 'Materialists'
    09:35 Character Analysis and Performances
    12:38 Height and Social Dynamics
    14:41 The Leg Surgery Dilemma
    15:11 Chris Evans' Character Analysis
    15:34 Dakota Johnson's Performance
    15:44 Millennial and Gen Z Traits
    16:32 Rom-Com Expectations vs. Reality
    16:55 Audience Reception and Box Office
    19:05 Materialism and Relationships
    19:14 Intimacy and Personal Desires
    24:00 Director's Creative Integrity
    25:32 Future Projects and Industry Insights
    29:10 Podcast Reflections and Anniversary

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    31 mins
  • 175: The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
    Sep 30 2025

    The Transatlantic Rebels Podcast: Deep Dive into The Fantastic Four!

    In this episode of the Transatlantic Rebels Podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard dive into the recent Marvel film 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps.' They discuss the movie's self-contained nature, strong performances, and consistent tone.

    The conversation covers its box office success, the film's rehabilitation of the 'Fantastic Four' franchise in the mainstream, and detailed opinions on cast members such as Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby.

    They also touch upon related Marvel movies like 'Thunderbolts,' the upcoming 'Spider-Man' film, and future projects such as 'Vision Quest,' emphasizing the franchise's dynamic approach within its familiar structure.

    The hosts appreciate the film's focus on family dynamics and the human connection, while also teasing what's next for Marvel.

    00:00 Introduction and Overview
    00:30 Initial Impressions and Box Office Performance
    01:20 Rehabilitating the Fantastic Four
    03:38 Cast Performances and Character Analysis
    07:49 Direction and Editing Choices
    10:14 Marvel's Dynamic Formula
    14:36 Future Marvel Projects
    17:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    19 mins
  • 174: Superman (2025)
    Sep 30 2025

    Superman 2025: Trans-Atlantic Rebels Podcast Review

    In this episode of the Trans-Atlantic Rebels Podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard discuss the latest reboot of the DC Universe, Superman 2025, directed and written by James Gunn.

    Released a few months ago, the film receives a mixed critique from the hosts, who appreciate its strong points, such as the casting of David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

    They delve into the film's densely packed narrative, its many characters, and the overall direction and tone, comparing it to previous Superman films and contrasting it with the original Iron Man for successful franchise reboots.

    They also touch on the commercial performance of the movie and its potential impact on future DCU projects. Additionally, the discussion veers into wider trends in the industry, including the success of Netflix's K-pop Demon Hunters and its implications for streaming and theatrical releases.

    00:00 Welcome to the Trans-Atlantic Rebels Podcast
    00:27 Initial Impressions of Superman 2025
    01:06 Diving into the Plot and Characters
    02:22 Casting Choices and Performances
    04:37 Critiques and Controversies
    13:06 Mr. Terrific and Other Characters
    18:11 Final Thoughts and Miscellaneous Topics
    21:26 Critique of the Film's Immersion
    21:29 Comparing Directorial Approaches
    22:07 Overpacking the Film
    24:15 Editing and Storytelling Issues
    24:35 Comparing James Gunn's Works
    25:07 Pressure on James Gunn
    25:50 Lessons from Marvel's Iron Man
    26:44 Focus on Superman's Ideology
    27:44 Final Thoughts on the Film
    31:58 Commercial Performance and Box Office Trends
    33:47 Impact of Streaming on Cinema
    39:40 Potential of Superhero Musicals
    41:21 Conclusion and Sign-off

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    42 mins
  • 173: Music in 2025
    Jul 10 2025

    Deep Dive into Little Simz, Hip-Hop Culture, and Glastonbury Politics!

    In this Transatlantic Rebels Podcast episode, we explore various dimensions of contemporary music and culture.

    The discussion starts with the reception of Little Simz's album and the reactions to her satirical single.

    We also delve into the controversies surrounding the Glastonbury Festival, addressing political stances and their impact on artists.

    The conversation transitions into an analysis of the current state of hip-hop, touching on the influence of artists like Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and the cyclical nature of music trends.

    Other topics include the varying ticket prices for artists like Dua Lipa, Beyonce, as well as the political and societal undercurrents in their fanbase reactions.

    The episode wraps up with a very brief look at upcoming movie releases, hinting at a promising year for cinema.

    00:00 Introduction and Little Simz Album Reaction
    00:14 Humor in Hip Hop and Artist Reactions
    01:29 Concert Experiences and Ticket Prices
    03:02 Glastonbury Festival and Political Controversies
    04:33 Palestinian Support and Media Bias
    07:09 Little Simz and Hip Hop Industry Discussion
    10:15 Future of Hip Hop and Music Trends
    16:21 Upcoming Movies and Final Thoughts

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    19 mins
  • 172: Marvel 2025 - Captain America 4, Thunderbolts, Ironheart...
    Jul 9 2025

    2025: Marvel Films & TV Shows, Sinners Movie Analysis, and the State of Cinema!

    In this Transatlantic Rebels Podcast episode, we dive into a comprehensive review of the MCU Films & TV shows watched this year, including 'Spider-Man: Neighborhood,' 'Daredevil,' 'Iron Heart,' and others.

    There's an in-depth discussion about mixed reactions to 'Ironheart' and critical commentary on 'Captain America: Brave New World' and 'Thunderbolts.'

    We also explore Ryan Coogler's film 'Sinners,' its genre fusion, critical acclaim, and box office performance.

    Additionally, the episode delves into the current state of the movie industry, post-COVID theater experiences, and suggestions for improving the cinematic experience.

    Don't miss this insightful conversation on the past year's entertainment landscape!

    00:00 Introduction and TV Shows Recap
    00:31 Marvel Series: Hits and Misses
    01:58 Captain America: A Critical Review
    07:51 Thunderbolts: Emotional Impact
    18:12 Marvel's Phase Five and Six: Future Outlook
    22:05 Marvel Movies' Box Office Struggles
    22:20 Audience Behavior Post-COVID
    24:58 Impact of Streaming on the Movie Industry
    27:28 The Future of AI in Movies
    28:58 Theater Experience and Pricing Issues
    36:43 Discussion on 'Sinners' Movie

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    42 mins
  • 171: Andor (Season 2 - 2025)
    Jul 8 2025

    In-Depth Discussion on 'Andor' and Star Wars Universe

    Join the Transatlantic Rebels Podcast as we delve into an extensive discussion about the 'Andor' series and its place within the Star Wars universe.

    We compare its seasons, examine its narrative structure, common themes, and the significance of Tony Gilroy and Diego Luna's involvement.

    We also touch upon general Star Wars lore, its impact, and speculate its reception among non-Star Wars fans.

    Additionally, we discuss other Star Wars series like 'The Mandalorian', 'The Acolyte', and 'Skeleton Crew', highlighting their successes and missed opportunities.

    00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts on Andor
    00:25 Deep Dive into Andor Seasons and Rogue One
    01:30 Tony Gilroy's Vision and Execution
    03:27 Audience Reception and Critique
    06:17 Comparisons with Other Star Wars Content
    16:18 Discussion on The Acolyte and Skeleton Crew

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    20 mins
  • 170: Films & TV Shows Half Year Catch Up
    Jul 7 2025

    In this episode of the Transatlantic Rebels Podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard reconnect after a long hiatus to discuss various TV shows and films they've experienced over the past year.

    They delve into personal updates, the benefits of a media blackout, and reviews on streaming services like MUBI.

    Key discussions include recent movies such as 'Karate Kid Legends,' 'The Substance,' and '28 Years Later,' as well as TV series like 'Cobra Kai' and 'Halt and Catch Fire.'

    They also touch on the different impacts of these films and shows, providing candid opinions and reflections on their narratives, acting, and personal reactions.

    00:00 Welcome Back to the Transatlantic Rebels Podcast
    00:49 Media Blackout and Cinema Experiences
    01:52 Discussing 'The Substance' and Other Films
    02:52 Diving into '28 Days Later' and Its Sequels
    05:19 Year in Review: Favorite Films and TV Shows
    11:00 Discovering Lee Pace and Mackenzie Davis
    11:24 Karate Kid Legends: Audience Reactions
    12:02 Cobra Kai Expectations and Comparisons
    12:57 Jaden Smith's Karate Kid: A Fresh Perspective
    16:56 Cobra Kai's Final Season: A Reflective Journey
    20:53 Final Thoughts on Cobra Kai and Karate Kid

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    23 mins
  • Money Talks Ep.6 - Cryptocurrency with Premz
    Nov 30 2024

    Welcome back to another Bonus Episode of Money Talks (Episode 6) with our very good friend to the show, Premz (@PremzOnline) - recorded on 18/11/24.

    The hosts, Jesal and Premz, stir up an engaging discussion on the dynamics of the cryptocurrency market throughout the new bull market.

    The discussion explores the current crypto market, focusing on Bitcoin, altcoins, and meme coins. The speakers highlight the volatility, regulatory challenges, and potential of different cryptocurrencies like Solana, Ethereum, and SUI. They share their experiences, discuss trading strategies, profit-taking methods, and the AI and gaming coin narratives. The conversation also delves into NFTs, the importance of staying updated, and the cyclical nature of the crypto market. 00:00 Catching Up and Desktop Clutter00:34 Crypto Headlines and Market Sentiments01:29 Reflecting on Past Predictions02:36 Discussion on Bitcoin and Altcoins05:11 Exit Strategies and Market Cycles14:10 ETFs and Institutional Involvement20:34 Coinbase and Market Regulation23:15 Ethereum and Solana Insights27:47 Solana's Pump and Dump Frenzy29:24 SUI: The Next Big Thing?31:10 Hedera (HBAR) Insights33:38 Pepe and Other Meme Coins37:27 AI Coins and Their Potential43:56 Profit-Taking Strategies47:48 Broader Crypto Predictions
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    1 hr