620: Clayface, Exit 8 & Michael Movie
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The Weekly Planet Episode 620 opens with a vibrant mix of humor and sharp cultural critique, as hosts James and Nick Mason navigate a whirlwind of film and TV news. They open with playful banter and a viral cat story before diving into major releases: the body-horror-rich *Clayface* trailer, celebrated for its practical effects and moral complexity; the triumphant resurrection of *Coyote v Acme* from a tax write-off, lauded for its meta-commentary on studio failures; and the visually striking *Spider-Man Noir* trailer, praised for its noir aesthetic. The hosts express deep skepticism toward the Michael Jackson biopic *Michael*, condemning it as a sanitized, emotionally hollow tribute that sidesteps serious allegations and the 90s era, relying instead on music montages and forced sentimentality. Despite strong performances and accurate recreations of iconic moments, James calls it a 'nothing movie' that glorifies without confronting. In contrast, *Exit 8* is hailed as a psychological masterpiece—a haunting, puzzle-driven thriller about a man trapped in a subway loop—praised for its liminal atmosphere, existential themes, and layered storytelling. The episode also explores the cancellation of *Gen V*, the controversial pull of the *Lanterns* trailer due to licensing issues, and the physical and mental toll of cinema marathons, with Gotham City dismissed as a disastrous location due to its chaos and crime. A lighthearted segment on crafts and vampire lore adds whimsy, while the final stretch celebrates listener engagement, moderators, and subscription support, ending on a warm, community-focused note with a tease for next week’s episode on *The Devil Wears Prada*.
The Michael Jackson biopic *Michael* is widely criticized for sanitizing his controversial legacy, avoiding serious allegations, and relying on emotional manipulation and music montages, resulting in a shallow and ethically questionable portrayal.
*Exit 8* is a standout indie film that masterfully uses a simple loop mechanic to explore profound themes of guilt, redemption, and existential dread, establishing itself as a modern psychological horror classic.
The *Clayface* trailer signals a bold, practical-effects-driven direction for the DCU, emphasizing body horror and moral ambiguity, while *Coyote v Acme*’s resurrection is celebrated as a fan-driven triumph over studio failure.
Studio politics and licensing issues continue to destabilize the DCU rollout, as seen with the sudden pull of the *Lanterns* trailer, highlighting the fragility of corporate decisions in franchise building.
Cinema marathons, while exciting, can lead to mental fatigue and physical strain, with Gotham City deemed an unsuitable location due to its dangerous and chaotic environment.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Funeral Tributes & Cat Anecdotes
James and Nick open with a humorous riff on funeral tributes, imagining a podcast funeral where only the clip show draws real emotion. They segue into a personal story about a tearful military listener who thanked Nick for the show, followed by a chaotic tale of accidentally breaking a glass pane in the studio.
DCU & Video Game News: Clayface, Coyote v Acme, Spider-Man Noir
“It's a long time. Also, the thought I had was like, and this guy also has the thought, he's just like, I'll take a photograph of everything. Yes. And then, of course, he looks at his phone moments later and all the photos. His phone has betrayed him. Phones betrayed him. They do, don't they?”
Gen V Cancellation & The Legend of Aang Leak
“You can do a long boring story over multiple tweets and it never goes anywhere. Oh, really? You can vague post so everybody goes, what are you talking about? You get the engagement. You get 50 bucks a month. This sounds really good.”
Deep Dive: Exit 8 & Michael Biopic
“It's not a good movie. And I mean that from the sense of like – Yeah, if you want to go in and see like a minute of Thriller or watch his nephew perform bad and it's a pretty good rendition of bad. Yeah, you're going to get that. How ironic.”
The Michael Jackson Biopic: A Tragic Lie by Omission
“It's not going to address that specifically, because it wouldn't. It'll frame it as like... It was a tragic thing. There'll be a lot of him going to court and then afterwards he'll be standing at a balcony going, oh, I wish I didn't have to go to court.”
“It's not going to address that specifically, because it wouldn't. It'll frame it as like... It was a tragic thing. There'll be a lot of him going to court and then afterwards he'll be standing at a balcony going, oh, I wish I didn't have to go to court.”
“A couple of straight divas reviewing Devil Wears Prada. Don't mind if we do.”
“It's not a good movie. And I mean that from the sense of like – Yeah, if you want to go in and see like a minute of Thriller or watch his nephew perform bad and it's a pretty good rendition of bad. Yeah, you're going to get that. How ironic.”
Hosts
James
person
Michael Jackson
person
Mason
person
Nick Mason
person
Exit 8
media
Clayface
other
Coyote v Acme
media
Gen V
other
The Devil Wears Prada
media
The Legend of Aang
media
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