Percolated Media

Just in time for Avatar Fire and Ash’s digital release, it’s time for a little blue house cleaning. This week, the Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast finally review the third Avatar film. Why did it take so long? Well we get into that in the podcast. Needless to say, all of us experienced it in theaters, and all of us have stories. But, most importantly, after three years away from the blue world of Pandora, how does James Cameron handle a story that up until this point, many have called derivative? And do we all still stand by our original opinions of the previous films? All this and more is answered in the below podcast. And be sure to come back next week, as we get back to Marvel territory by looking at movies starring that green (not blue) creature The Incredible Hulk

Here we go. The end of the Scream retrospective is finally upon us. After all the buildup and behind the scenes drama, Scream VII was released to massive box office success. But the reviews have not been kind. So the question is will Garrett, Matt, and Adam feel the same? Check out this bulk sized review, and be sure to stay tuned until the end as we reveal what we are going to covering next, as well as give some acknowledgments. As an aside, we’d like to give a big thank you to all who listen and give us feedback every single week. We greatly appreciate it.

In the tradition of Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street, producers said t wait long to green light a sequel once 2022’s Scream was a certified hit. Sure enough, a script was churned out that put a whole new spin on the Friday the 13th Part VIII Jason Takes Manhattan. Let’s just call it, Scream Takes Manhattan. But, as with all Scream productions, there were problems. Not the least of which was Scream mainstay Neve Campbell did not like the offer that was put on her table to come back. When producers did not budge, Campbell put out a statement that she would not be coming back and she wished the franchise well. Put a pin in that for next week. In the meantime, Courtney Cox’s Gail Weathers was coming back, along with all survivors from next week, along with Hayden Panattiere’s Kirby, for an adventure/horror story that takes obsession with serial killers to a whole new level. Join the Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast as they get into the logistics of 2023’s Scream 6, and Garrett and Adam once again watch an entry in this series for the very first time. Listen to Garrett get giddy over the return of Kirby and Adam obsesses over Samara Weaving. And of course there’s the controversy and review. Come back next week as The Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast closes out the Scream series by reviewing Scream 7, as well as reveal what series they’re starting next!

In 2011, it was not good luck to wait 11 years to bring the band back together and do another Scream film. Scream 4 lost money, and plans to continue that trilogy went by the wayside. Flash forward another 11 years. 2022 brought back key players like David Arquette and Neve Campbell, while ushering in a new batch of kids. But without Kevin Williamson writing the script, and new series scribes/directors Radio Silence taking the helm, how does 2022’s Scream entry add up?? Join Garrett and Adam (both watching Scream 2022 for the very first time) as well as Matt as they review the certified hit and decide whether it should be built upon. And keep coming back as the guys are leading to a review of the new sequel Scream 7!

Eleven years after the release of Scream 3, producers were ready to try again. Though the difference is this time, they didn’t have too many schedules to work around. Everyone from Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette, not to mention director Wes Craven, had nothing else going on and were ready to play in the Scream sandbox again. Though Craven did have some some standards. If he was coming back, Kevin Williamson had to return to write it and the script had to be as good as the first film. So Williamson waited until a break in The Vampire Diaries TV show to churn out a script full of things Scream fans come to see. Yet, the fans didn’t show up. Once Scream 4 was finally released in April of 2011, even with the inclusion of Heroes’ Hayden Panetierre and the returning cast, the film landed with a thud. Is it warranted? Join Garrett, Matt, and Adam as they review the last film of the series that Garrett has seen. Be sure to return next week as they review Scream (2022), a film of which only Matt has seen. Remember, all this is a lead up to a review of the just released Scream 7!

With Scream 2 in the foreground after certifying the series as a franchise, it would seem that everyone associated with the horror films had better things to do than come back for its (at the time) swan song. Specifically, star Neve Campbell and director Wes Craven. Campbell was working on Party of Five and a film called Drowning Mona. And Craven wanted to wade his way through the horror ghetto to do the Meryl Streep starring Music of the Heart. Writer Kevin Williamson submitted outlines, but he was also busy not only directing his first feature Teaching Mrs Tingle, but he was also doing a failed TV show called Wasteland. Enter writer Ehren Kruger, who the Weinsteins hired to flesh out Williamson’s concepts. Though Kruger allegedly threw out these concepts and did a script that Craven was rewriting each day on the set. So once again we have a movie built on chaos. Does it rise above like before? Join Garrett, Matt, and Adam as they review Courtney Cox’s hai…I mean, inclusion in this film, as well as a killer reveal Adam has no idea how to feel about. Does that warrant a good review?? Come back in the ensuing weeks as we lead up to a review of this year’s Scream 7!

As much as the first Scream lovingly poked the bear that was the 80s slasher genre, they played right into the same sensibilities those franchises did, as a sequel came out less than a year after the original was released to surprise success. It took a couple weeks to catch on. But once 1996’s Scream gathered the best word of mouth since Pulp Fiction from a couple years before, it sure didn’t take long for a sequel to get greenlit. Original writer Kevin Williamson, now the new hot writer on the block, was able to churn out a script, with original director Wes Craven back in the director’s chair. But, in a story that will oft get repeated through this entire film series, problems started taking hold of the production. Not the least of which was something called the internet getting a hold of the shooting script and leaking who the original killers were supposed to be. With rapid rewrites and ever changing schedules, were Craven and company able to release a film amongst a crowded end of 1997 (which included a little film called Titanic) that proved to be at least watchable? Join Garrett, Matt, and Adam as they dissect Scream 2 and try to answer that question. As well as a whole host of others, including the question of whether Adam had actually seen this damn movie or not before this viewing.

After a break from the genre, The Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast has finally returned to horror! With a new Scream film hitting theaters this month, the co-hosts embark on reviewing the entire groundbreaking film series. Every franchise has to begin somewhere, and some believe that the 1996 original is the best of the entire series. But is it? Join Garrett, Matt, and Adam as they begin their quest of answering that question. Listen to Adam and Garrett discuss how they initially saw the film that redefined the horror genre. They also talk about how Wes Craven essentially took the job that would help him change horror with Ghost Face in the 90s the same way Freddy did the same in the 80s. Finally, how do they all feel about the film today? Start screaming podcast listeners, and prepare for your ears to take in the Scream Retrospective series!

Nooo, we didn’t forget. around this time last year, we reviewed 1987’s Arnold Schwarzenegger starring film The Running Man. We knew there was a remake coming down the block, but we put it off for reasons we get into on the podcast. When director Edgar Wright was asked a question on Twitter about what movie he wanted to remake, he did not hesitate in answering The Running Man. Producer Simon Kinberg (the X-Men franchise) saw the tweet and got this production going. Wright, with original author Stephen King’s approval, wrote up a script with his longtime collaborator Michael Bacall, and cast actor of the moment Glen Powell (Top Gun Maverick) in the Ah-nold role. Was the wait worth it? Join Garrett, Matt, and Adam as they review their very first Edgar Wright film. Did he do the book justice? Is this up to Edgar Wright’s standards? Is King’s presence felt? They answer all these, and so much more, in this special release! Come back next week when the boys start up their look at the Scream franchise.

With two Punisher movies that yielded zero profit, it might be baffling to read that Lionsgate wasn’t done trying to make more films featuring the character. Perhaps even more baffling is the idea that star of 2004’s effort Thomas Jane was poised to come back to the skull shirted character. But, with delays galore, as well as creative indifference to the direction Lionsgate wanted to take, both Jane and original director Jonathan Hensleigh walked off the project. Enter Ray Stephenson and recent Oscar nominated director -and former kickboxing champion- Lexi Alexander. Speaking of fights, this podcast gets more confrontational than expected as Matt, Adam, and Garrett close out their Punisher series with this review of director Alexander’s resulting feature, 2008’s Punisher: Warzone. One loves it, one is seeing it for the very first time, and one is baffled at its cult status. No matter who says what, we at Percolated Media want Ms Alexander to know they meant nothing by it.

15 years after Dolph Lundgren proclaimed that he would be waiting in the sewers for those who need to be punished, it was time for Thomas Jane to take the mantle. Directed by action screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh (Die Hard With A Vengeance, Armageddon), 2004’s The Punisher was released to dwindling reviews and disappointing box office receipts. Yet, there is a love for it from some Punisher fans. So the question is, does anyone from The Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast think so? Join Matt, Adam, and Garrett as they continue punishing themselves by going through Marvel and get 2/3 into their Punisher retrospective. Next week, 2008’s Punisher War Zone gets its moment to shine!

New year, new time to be punished. Like last year, we are kicking off 2026 with another dent in the long running Marvel series. This time, we are going to watch three different movies with three different actors playing the character. First, it’s Dolph Lundgren in 1989’s The Punisher. By 1989, Lundgren’s time in the sun was looking dim. Master of the Universe (which we MIGHT cover) was released with him playing the title character, and it ended up being a huge reason why Cannon Studios crumbled. Here, he’s actually in good hands, as noted action director Mark Goldblatt (Terminator 2) and Karate Kid screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen, were two of the people with action cred which tried to take The Punisher to the promised land. Does he? You’ll have to listen to find out. Next week, the boys take on 2004’s Thomas Jane starring The Punisher! Also, be sure to check out Matt and Garrett this Sunday as they go at it in horror trivia when they guest on the A Bloody Good Time Podcast!

Here it is, the 2025 wrap up show! Listen in as Matt, Adam, and Garrett go deep into their favorite retrospectives of the year, give their top five favorite films of the year (definitely purely some surprises here), answer YOUR questions, and give a little preview as to what to expect in the coming year. We are so pleased to go into our fifth year at this, and it’s because of people like you that we do it! Thanks so much for listening, and we’re looking forward to another year of talking about movies…and arguing.

The co-hosts close out their look at Predator with a review of Dan Trachtenberg’s film from last year Predator Badlands. With Adam really liking last week’s entry, will he enjoy seeing Trachtenberg integrate Predator with Alien, while also casting Elle Fanning in the role of the android? Next week, the Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast close out the year with their epic over 3.5 hour year end show. And then they jump right back into the retrospectives by looking at another leg of Marvel, The Punisher!

To the surprise of everyone despite Prey doing well critically and among audiences, we have two new installments of the Predator franchise in 2025. The first hit Hulu earlier this year. Under the help of Prey's Dan Trachtenberg, he chose to tell the next chapter as "chapters" in animation. In addition, it's an anthology that actually reconnects together all the stories both new and old. How do we feel about this radical new direction and what is our excitement about Predator: Badlands? Tune in next week to hear our thoughts, rankings on the series and our first retro of 2026! Disclaimer: We did review Prey upon it's release in 2022. It was part of our AVP retro that led into it as a new release. To listen to those reviews, please visit our archives!

Eight years after producer Robert Rodriguez had Adrien Brody went and fought the Predator -and Predator dogs, and bigger Predators, and Lawrence Fishburne- original Predator co-star Shane Black decided to take the reigns and see if he could make something a little more universally successful. The result, 2018’s The Predator. Yet, once again, 20th Century Fox stepped in and decided to make life a living hell for all involved. Scenes were switched, a friend of Black’s had a small scene cut due to Olivia Munn finding out the other man in the scene -who was also a friend of Black’s- had a checkered past. And the ending ended up getting completely reworked. So what do Garrett, Matt, and Adam have to say? This, was the podcast Matt and Garrett had been looking forward to since they started this series due to Adam once again having reservations to watching a movie in a franchise again due to an utter hatred for the film. It happened with Alien Covenant. Yet, unlike that 2017 film, Adam hadn’t finished watching The Predator until this viewing. Did he warm up to it? Well, let’s just say this is one of those podcasts where Garrett and Matt just kind of stand back and let Adam go. The result, is one of the most one sided hatred ladened shows the guys have done since 2017’s The Last Jedi. Listen in to see how the others feel!

After a set of Alien vs Predator films that failed to ignite any sort of passion from a hugely passionate set of fan bases, the pressure was on producer Robert Rodriguez to make a film that at least satisfy the Predator fan base. So after finally getting the green light to produce a script he’d started back in the mid 90s, Rodriguez found himself doing what he’d been wanting to do his entire career, which was make a Predator film. But by the late 2000s, Rodriguez was also a very busy producer. He had had just made the flop Grindhouse with his buddy Quentin Tarantino, and was directing a spinoff from said flop called Machette. So he cast recent Oscar winner Adrien Brody in the lead and put Nimrod Antal (Frequency) in the director’s chair for the passion project of all passion projects. The result was a 2010 film that was once again heaped with mixed reviews upon release, with some calling it a return to Predator glory and others calling it a mediocre misfire. Where do the co-hosts stand? With longtime Predator fan Adam Bunch finally getting to tell people what he thinks about Predators, gear up as the Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast reviews the film scene by scene. And if you’d like to hear the guys review the two previous Alien vs Predator films, be sure to check out the Percolated Media archives. Next week, another review Adam has been waiting to do for quite some time, a review of 2018’s The Predator!

After the obviousness that was all our positive reviews of 1987’s original Predator film, we knew that starting this week there would be some chinks in the title character’s armor. Predator 2 was released around Thanksgiving in 1990 and even with Jim and John Thomas returning to pen the script, to say it wasn’t received nearly as well would be an understatement. This may have to do with changing the director from well renowned action director John McTiernan to Aussie Stephen Hopkins (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5 The Dream Child). But the big change, of course, was changing out muscle bound full of machismo Ah-nold Schwarzenegger to Lethal Weapon’s ‘I’m too old for this shit’ Danny Glover. Listen to the latest Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast to hear Adam and Garrett recount their theatrical experiences of seeing the film (as Matt laughs at the fact it came out three years before he was born), and of course give their expectations and overall thoughts as they revisit Predator 2 for this long form review. Also, keep in mind that the co-hosts already reviewed the Alien Vs Predator films in the lead up to 2022’s Prey (check for those reviews in the archives), so next week’s review will be 2010’s Predators!

After going through a month of movies involving stories about man eating sharks, The Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast crew decided it would take on a series involving a different kind of predator. In fact, it’s about THE predator, which had another entry in the franchise come out a couple months ago. But before they get there, as always, the guys have to start from where it all began. When 1987’s Predator was first greenlit, it is widely believed the reason was because it was piggybacking off the back of 20th Century Fox’s successes with two other space oriented franchises, Star Wars and Alien. What came of it was a new franchise that carried on with sequels and (the already covered) tie-ins that make Predator’s title creature amongst one of cinema’s most popular characters. Especially with Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast’s very own Adam. Join Adam, Matt, and Garrett as they dive into director John McTiernan’s 1987 testosterone fueled Arnold Schwarzenegger original film,and lead up to a review of this year’s aforementioned film Predator Badlands!

How’s this for a post Thanksgiving feast? We treat Adam to a viewing of 1987’s Jaws The Revenge, a movie that is almost universally regarded as one of the worst movies ever made. So how did the movie that started a franchise in 1975, come to this? Join the Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast as Matt and Garrett enjoy treading through thoughts of what Adam was thinking as Felt Shark brushed past the screen for the very first time, as well as what he thought when he learned Lance ‘The Last Starfighter’ Guest was playing Mike Brody. All this, as well as discussions on how horny is Carla Brody, and what the guys are reviewing next, and so much more, on this Thanksgiving weekend episode of The Three Men and a Retrospective Podcast!