Thumb War

Rogue One is tragic, brutal, and maybe the best Star Wars movie outside the original trilogy. Jason, Rachel, and Jeshua revisit Rogue One in timeline order and unpack why it still hits so hard — from its war-movie structure and unforgettable ending to how Andor completely reframes Cassian’s story. We also get into K-2SO love, digital Tarkin debates, and why this movie feels so different from modern Star Wars. Spoilers throughout. Spoilers for Rogue One Like & Subscribe Leave a 5-star review if you’re enjoying Thumb War Email us: ThumbWarPod@gmail.com Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 3 is where A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms starts to feel truly special. Jason and Rachel break down the episode’s biggest moments, focusing on Dunk and Egg’s evolving friendship, the subtle reveals hiding in plain sight, and how George R.R. Martin quietly turns a simple tournament story into something far bigger. Spoilers for Episode 3 Like & Subscribe Leave a 5-star review if you’re enjoying Thumb War Email us: ThumbWarPod@gmail.com Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Star Trek meets Hogwarts — and not in a good way. Jason and Rachel review the first three episodes of Starfleet Academy (2026), unpacking what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and why the show feels more like a CW teen drama than classic Star Trek. We dig into tone, character choices, legacy lore, and whether this series understands what made Star Trek special in the first place. Spoilers ahead. Strong opinions guaranteed. Like & Subscribe Leave a 5-star review if you’re enjoying Thumb War Subscribe for weekly movie & TV deep dives. Also available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Email us: ThumbWarPod@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Review | Body Horror, Cult Logic & Chaos 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple doesn’t expand the world — it traps you inside it. On this episode of Thumb War, we dive into the franchise’s most disturbing chapter yet, breaking down Ray Fiennes’ fearless performance, the cult dynamics around the Bone Temple, and why this film feels closer to torture-adjacent body horror than traditional zombie cinema. It’s brutal. It’s intimate. And it might be the boldest swing the series has taken. Subscribe for weekly movie & TV deep dives. Also available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts & Spotify Email us: ThumbWarPod@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 2 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms proves this isn’t just another Westeros spin-off — it’s something smaller, sweeter, and way more effective. On this episode of Thumb War, we dig into why Dunk & Egg’s chemistry is the secret sauce of the series, how seeing Westeros from ground level changes everything, and why this show works even if you don’t know every sigil, house, or rebellion. It’s funny, heartfelt, efficient storytelling — and it might be HBO’s most quietly confident fantasy series in years. Subscribe for weekly movie & TV deep dives. Also available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts & Spotify Email us: ThumbWarPod@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The final season of Stranger Things is over — but the chaos behind it might be even more fascinating. In this episode of Thumb War, we break down “One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5”, the Netflix documentary that pulls back the curtain on the most ambitious (and stressful) production of the series. From starting Season 5 without a finished script, to massive practical sets, exhausted showrunners, crew members holding the entire production together, and the internet losing its mind over ChatGPT in the writers’ room, this doc raises as many questions as it answers. Is the behind-the-scenes story more compelling than the finale itself? Did the Duffer Brothers try to please everyone — and end up pleasing no one? And why does the Upside Down feel less like a place and more like a logistical nightmare? We dig into what worked, what didn’t, and why One Last Adventure might be the most honest look at Stranger Things yet. Also available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Oscar nominations dropped — unfortunately, so did everything else. We talk awards season reactions, missing movies, flu recovery, a late-night ER visit, and why sometimes real life completely derails movie discourse. It’s not polished. It’s not organized. It’s extremely honest. Full Patreon chaos on Thumb War. Like, subscribe, and let us know what you think. Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re heading back to Westeros. On this episode of Thumb War, we review the premiere of HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the latest Game of Thrones prequel based on George R. R. Martin’s Dunk & Egg stories. We talk first impressions, performances, tone, and whether this stripped-down take on Westeros is a smart pivot—or a missed opportunity. Is this the Thrones comeback fans have been waiting for? Or just another spinoff riding on legacy? Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

James Cameron doubles down with Avatar: Fire and Ash, delivering jaw-dropping visuals, new Na’vi factions, and a full-on 3D assault on the senses. On Thumb War, JD and Rachel debate whether Fire and Ash is the strongest Avatar yet, or proof that the franchise might finally be testing its limits. From villainous tribes and uneasy alliances to spiritual world-building and technological obsession, we break down what works, what doesn’t, and why you absolutely need to see this one in theaters. Spoilers ahead. Eyeballs may need a recovery day. Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Housemaid (2025) Is Trashy, Twisty, and Kind of a Blast This week on Thumb War, JD and Rachel review The Housemaid (2025), the glossy erotic thriller starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. Directed by Paul Feig and based on the novel by Frieda McFadden, it’s packed with twists, bad decisions, and big “turn your brain off” energy. Is it smart? Not really. Is it entertaining? Absolutely. We spoil everything, debate the logic (or lack thereof), compare it to classic 90s thrillers, and agree on one thing: this movie knows exactly what it is. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Josh Safdie turns ping pong into pure anxiety cinema with Marty Supreme (2025) — a fictionalized sports biopic packed with unlikable characters, outrageous casting, and relentless momentum. On this episode of Thumb War, Jason and Rachel unpack why Marty Supreme works so well: from Kevin O’Leary’s scene-stealing villain turn to Timothée Chalamet’s desperate, pride-driven performance, the film’s Oscar-worthy casting, needle drops, and one hell of a final match. If you like Safdie chaos, uncomfortable sports movies, or films where everyone is kind of terrible, this one’s for you. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Upside Down closes for good — and it gets weird on the way out. On this episode of Thumb War, Jason and Rachel review Stranger Things Episodes 5–8, aka the series finale. We dig into what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and why a finale that’s often frustrating still manages to land emotionally. From baffling monster choices and zero-stakes action to genuinely touching character farewells, this is a deep dive into an ending that’s messy, modern, nostalgic, and oddly effective. Spoilers throughout. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Thumb War, we take on Christy (2025), the true-story boxing biopic chronicling the rise — and near-destruction — of trailblazing fighter Christy Martin. Sydney Sweeney delivers a ferocious performance in a film that doesn’t flinch from the realities of domestic abuse, control, and isolation, while still honouring Christy’s resilience and legacy. A tough watch. A necessary one. Big thumbs up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we finally get around to tackling Bugonia (2025), Yorgos Lanthimos’ strange, funny, disturbing sci-fi thriller about conspiracy thinking, corporate power, and what happens when the paranoia might actually be right. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons deliver two of the best performances of the year in a movie that demands to be seen before it’s discussed. Go in blind. Then come back and argue with us. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re revisiting Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) — the Star Wars movie everyone shrugged at… and maybe shouldn’t have. JD, Rachel and Jeshua break down why Ron Howard’s takeover actually works, why Alden Ehrenreich nails a younger Han Solo, and why Donald Glover’s Lando deserves his own cinematic future. From pure fan service to sharp dialogue and surprisingly great casting, Solo feels better now than it did on release. Was this movie a victim of Star Wars fatigue? Or did audiences just miss the point? Spoiler alert: we’re firmly on Team Solo. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We start with a sad goodbye to Cosmo — a very good, very food-motivated boy — and somehow end up talking about frat houses at sunrise, parental panic spirals, and why Quentin Tarantino absolutely deserves to catch a few strays. Along the way: This is the kind of episode that only works off-feed — looser, longer, more honest, and way more chaotic. If you’ve ever wondered what Thumb War sounds like before we tighten things up for public consumption… this is it. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The finale of It: Welcome to Derry is here, and JD and Rachel have… thoughts. In this Thumb War episode, we recap and react to Episode 8 — a finale stuffed with Pennywise theatrics, confusing lore, magic solutions, timeline gymnastics, and zero interest in explaining itself. We debate what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and why filming this in Canada without Pennywise on skates should be a criminal offense. If you love horror vibes, messy finales, and yelling “WHY?” at your TV, this one’s for you. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Thumb War, we revisit Bad Santa (2003) — Terry Zwigoff’s filthy, funny, and surprisingly tender Christmas classic. Jason & Rachel dig into the Director’s Cut vs the Theatrical version, studio interference, and why Billy Bob Thornton’s Willie T. Soke somehow becomes one of the strangest “found family” characters in holiday movie history. Along the way, we celebrate: A holiday staple in this house. Not safe for work. Definitely not safe for kids. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Thumb War, we’re deep into Stranger Things Season 5, breaking down Episodes 3 and 4 — The Turnbow Trap and The Sorcerer. We talk Frank Darabont’s direction, the Upside Down’s increasingly flexible rules, Hopper going full action hero, and whether the show’s massive cast is finally working against itself. Plus: Karen Wheeler MVP discourse, Joyce complaints, Erica chaos, and a few extremely dumb (but fun) theories. Spoilers throughout. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 7 Had Us Yelling at the TV | Welcome to Derry Review In this episode of Thumb War, we review Welcome to Derry Episode 7 (2025) — an hour of television that somehow delivers peak Pennywise and peak frustration at the same time. We talk: If you’re wondering whether Welcome to Derry is sticking the landing — or quietly falling apart — Episode 7 gives us plenty to argue about. Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.