Franchise Detours

The Muppet Movie took Kermit the Frog and company from The Muppet Show all the way to Hollywood. But beyond the "approximate" story of how the Muppets got together, what does everyone's favorite group of frogs, pigs, bears, and whatevers do with their "rich and famous contracts"? The Great Muppet Caper, that's what. Ryan Luis Rodriguez of The Coolness Chronicles and Reels of Justice joins our Muppets mega-series as we break down Jim Henson's feature directorial debut. We'll discuss how it pays tribute to classic Hollywood musicals, why Kermit isn't actually the main character, and whether The Great Muppet Caper is superior to its predecessor. Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Batman was in a characteristically dark place in the early 2000s. After 1997's Batman & Robin, Warner Bros. struggled to figure out what its next move would be for Bruce Wayne's DC Comics alter-ego. Then an up-and-coming filmmaker named Christopher Nolan came in, and the resulting trilogy would leave an impact that still lingers within superhero movies. Film critic Nguyen Le joins us to kick off our mega-series on Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy with an in-depth chat about 2005's Batman Begins. We'll discuss Christian Bale's indelible performance in what is the first live-action Bat-movie about Bruce Wayne, Nolan's grounded approach to Gotham City and the Batman mythos, and how Batman Begins paves the way for what would come next. Are you ready to begin? Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Batman Begins singlehandedly revived the DC superhero's film career. And The Dark Knight, well, it ensured that Batman would never stray far from the silver screen again. In this 2008 sequel, director Christopher Nolan took Christian Bale's Batman down a deeper, more morally complex path by pitting him against his ideological opposite: Heath Ledger's indelible Joker. Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast joins us to talk all about how Nolan and Bale expanded on their version of this iconic character. We'll discuss whether The Dark Knight lives up to its sterling reputation, which cast member gives a wildly underrated performance, and how the film's focus on theme and character set a new template for comic book movies. Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Chucky made some friends. Ash got groovy with Deadites. Now it's time for Freddy Krueger to slash his way into the spotlight, as we kick off Franchise Detours' first horror mega-series since 2021 with an in-depth chat about writer/director Wes Craven's 1984 classic A Nightmare on Elm Street. In keeping with tradition, screenwriter/actor Bri Azmoudeh — who previously joined us for Child's Play and The Evil Dead — returns to welcome another horror franchise to the show. We'll explore the legacy of Freddy Krueger, why he endures, and how Craven's vision still holds up. As A Nightmare on Elm Street celebrates its 40th anniversary, grab your crucifix, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and stay awake with us as we dissect how this groundbreaking film left an indelible mark on the horror genre and how it continues to influence filmmakers four decades later.

In 1999, Muppets fans probably expected Kermit and friends to dive headfirst into a third consecutive literary adaptation. Instead, Jim Henson Company Pictures -- this time under Sony Pictures, not Disney -- decided to boldly go where no Muppet movie had gone before: the realm of science fiction. And so Muppets from Space was born. Sandro Falce from Oldie But a Goodie stops by to discuss the black sheep of the Muppet movie franchise, the one installment that stands alone in the characters' eight-movie run. We'll discuss the decision to build the story around Gonzo, Pepe the Prawn's big break, and crown "the people's Muppet." Also, can someone please direct us to The Muppet House? Thanks! Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram