Tim Burton’s Big Fish & The Power of Storytelling, Fatherhood and Legacy ft. Thomas from The Joy Schtick Show

02/18/25 • 64 min

Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron welcomes Thomas from The Joy Shtick Podcast, Challenge Accepted Podcast, and his newest project, The Sick Burn Podcast. Together, they dive into Big Fish (2003), a film that blends fantasy and reality while exploring deep themes of love, loss, and legacy.

Aaron and Thomas discuss how Big Fish changed their perspectives on storytelling, father-son relationships, and the power of memory. They reflect on the way stories shape our understanding of the past, why Tim Burton’s approach to this film stands out, and how Ewan McGregor’s performance brings Edward Bloom’s world to life.

If Big Fish has ever made you reflect on your own relationships or the way stories shape your life, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧✨

⏳ Timestamps & Topics:

00:00 - Welcome & Episode Overview
01:50 - Guest Introduction – Thomas talks about his podcasts and upcoming projects
06:26 - Gratitude & Growths – Reflecting on challenges and appreciation
09:04 - First Takes – Our first encounters with Big Fish and why it stuck with us
15:45 - Reel Deal – Tim Burton’s storytelling style and Ewan McGregor’s role
20:55 - Symbolism of Color – How fantasy and reality are visually separated
27:32 - The Power of Perspective – Seeing our parents differently as we grow
42:44 - Most Valuable Takeaways (MVTs) – What this film teaches us
50:13 - Devil’s Avocado – Was Edward Bloom truly unfaithful?
57:48 - Sign-Off & Final Thoughts

🌟 Key Takeaways:

Big Fish is about more than fantasy—it’s about understanding life through stories.
The film shows how perspectives on our parents shift as we age.
Tim Burton’s direction creates a perfect blend of whimsy and emotional depth.
Edward Bloom’s storytelling is a way of coping, teaching, and preserving his legacy.
The film’s emotional ending is a masterclass in how to say goodbye.

🗣️ Memorable Quotes:

🎭 "A man tells his story so many times, he becomes the stories. And in that way, he is immortal." – Aaron quoting Big Fish
🎬 "This movie doesn't use a lot of CGI—there are so many practical effects, and they make it feel more real." – Thomas

🔗 Links & Resources:

🌍 Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com for all fandom news!
🎙️ Follow Thomas’ podcasts: Joy Shtick, Challenge Accepted, & Sick Burn Podcast.

Instagram: instagram.com/fandomportals/?locale=en
Threads: threads.net/@fandomportals
Email: [email protected]
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/fandomportals

If Big Fish has ever made you reflect on your own relationships or the way stories shape your life, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧✨

⏳ Timestamps & Topics:

🌟 Key Takeaways:

Big Fish is about more than fantasy—it’s about understanding life through stories.
The film shows how perspectives on our parents shift as we age.
Tim Burton’s direction creates a perfect blend of whimsy and emotional depth.
Edward Bloom’s storytelling is a way of coping, teaching, and preserving his legacy.
The film’s emotional ending is a masterclass in how to say goodbye.

🗣️ Memorable Quotes:

🔗 Links & Resources:

🌍 Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com for all fandom news!
🎙️ Follow Thomas’ podcasts: Joy Shtick, Challenge Accepted, & Sick Burn Podcast.

Instagram: instagram.com/fandomportals/?locale=en
Threads: threads.net/@fandomportals
Email: [email protected]
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/fandomportals

Previous Episode

Exploring Star Trek: Diversity, Fandom & The Future of Humanity ft. Frank from The Geek Freaks Podcast

Episode Summary:
In this special episode of Fandom Portals, Aaron is joined by Frank from Geek Freaks Network to dive into Star Trek! Whether you’re a seasoned Trekkie or a newcomer, this episode is your guide to Star Trek’s vast fandom, its impact on diversity, and the hopeful future it envisions. They discuss the franchise’s origins, ethical dilemmas like the Prime Directive, and where to start watching.

Frank shares expert recommendations, breaks down iconic characters like Spock, Kirk, and Picard, and explains why Star Trek is one of the most influential sci-fi franchises of all time.

⏳ Timestamps & Topics:

0:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview
1:06 – Guest: Frank from Geek Freaks Podcast
2:58 – Gratitude & Growth: Personal reflections
5:02 – How we discovered Star Trek
8:38 – Where should newcomers start?
11:14 – The Prime Directive: Why is it always broken?
13:56 – Star Trek’s ground-breaking diversity
16:37 – The evolution of Klingons & other species
19:00 – Starfleet: The peak of human values
20:59 – No Money in the Future? The Federation’s economy
28:31 – The Discovery of Warp & its impact
31:05 – The Borg: Star Trek’s most terrifying villains
41:54 – Q: The trickster god of Star Trek
46:02 – Most Valuable Takeaway: What Star Trek teaches us
50:36 – Final thoughts

🎯 Key Takeaways:

✅ Star Trek envisions a future where humanity unites for progress
✅ The show pioneered diversity on TV, breaking racial barriers
✅ The Prime Directive raises thought-provoking ethical questions
✅ Strange New Worlds is a great starting point for new fans
✅ The Borg remains one of the most haunting villains in sci-fi
✅ Star Trek encourages us to strive for a better future

🎙️ Memorable Quotes:

🖖 "What if we figured it all out? What if humanity actually got it right?" – Frank
🖖 "Resistance is futile." – The Borg
🖖 "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." – Star Trek’s core philosophy

🚀 Call to Action:

💙 Love the episode? Subscribe on your favorite podcast app!
⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
📲 Share this episode using #FandomPortalsPodcast!

Apple Podcast Tags: Star Trek, Strange New Worlds, Star Trek fandom, science fiction TV, Starfleet, Prime Directive, Star Trek movies, Star Trek captains, sci-fi discussions, Fandom Porta

Instagram: instagram.com/fandomportals/?locale=en
Threads: threads.net/@fandomportals
Email: [email protected]
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/fandomportals

Next Episode

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny: A Final Adventure or a Misstep? The Legacy of Harrison Ford

Episode Summary:
This week on The Fandom Portals Podcast, Aaron and Brash explore Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), the final chapter in Harrison Ford’s legendary run as cinema’s greatest adventurer. They break down the film’s divisive use of CGI de-aging, the nostalgia-packed John Williams score, and whether the story gives Indy the sendoff he deserves.

From fan reactions on Threads and Reddit to a deep dive into character chemistry, plot structure, and the controversial ending, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and maybe even a Fandom Fact Face-Off victory. Did Indy’s last ride live up to its legacy, or should he have just stayed in the past?

⏳ Timestamps & Topics:

00:00 - Welcome & Community Shoutouts
01:51 - Gratitude & Growths: Celebrating Free Time & Movie Nights
04:03 - First Takes: Early Memories of Indiana Jones & Dial of Destiny Reactions
13:01 - Fandom Fact Face-Off: Indiana Jones Trivia Showdown
28:07 - Reel Deal: Did the Story Structure Work, or Was It Too Bloated?
36:15 - CGI & De-Aging Tech: Impressive or Distracting?
41:34 - Character Chemistry: Did Indy & Helena’s Dynamic Work?
47:41 - Soundtrack & Score: John Williams’ Final Indy Adventure
52:23 - Most Valuable Takeaways: Lessons on Aging, Purpose & Legacy
01:07:27 - Devils Avocado: Should Indiana Jones be Recast?

🌟 Key Takeaways:

Dial of Destiny struggles to balance nostalgia with fresh storytelling, leading to mixed fan reactions.
De-aging technology creates a visually striking young Indy, but his movements and voice betray the effect.
Helena’s role is polarizing—does she elevate the film or undermine Indy’s final journey?
John Williams’ score remains a highlight but is used sparingly to reflect Indy’s aging.
The film explores themes of legacy and purpose but struggles with pacing and emotional depth.

🗣️ Memorable Quotes:

🏺 "Indiana Jones has a lot of friends that he can call on for favors, but he doesn’t have a lot of friends that he can call on in moments of solitude and for company to keep." – Aaron
🕵️‍♂️ "They should have done Dial of Destiny a few years ago'" - Brash

🎧 Call to Action:

🎙️ Love this episode? Make sure to:
✅ Subscribe to The Fandom Portals Podcast!
✅ Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
✅ Share this episode using #FandomPortalsPodcast.

📢 Apple Podcast tags: Indiana Jones, Dial of Destiny, Harrison Ford, action-adventure, movie analysis, film podcast, nostalgia, CGI, de-aging technology, John Williams, pop cul

Instagram: instagram.com/fandomportals/?locale=en
Threads: threads.net/@fandomportals
Email: [email protected]
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/fandomportals

The Fandom Portals Podcast - Tim Burton’s Big Fish & The Power of Storytelling, Fatherhood and Legacy ft. Thomas from The Joy Schtick Show

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:02.024

Hello everybody and welcome to the Fandom Portals podcast . This is the podcast where we explore the fandoms that help us learn and grow . Today I am joined by a very special guest . His name is Thomas and he is from the Joy Shtick podcast . He is also a frequent member of the Challenge Accepted podcast and he's just started a new podcast called the Sick Burn podcast . He's a r