“Wax on, wax off.” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, and the triumphant return of Megs (Kev’s still away… last seen jogging up a hill in a grey tracksuit muttering “No mercy”) – as we crane kick our way into our 287th episode, tackling the inspirational, emotional, and occasionally questionable The Karate Kid (1984). We’re trading crystal fortresses for dojo face-offs and dusty training montages as we discuss:
Does Daniel LaRusso bring most of his problems onto himself? We break down whether he’s the underdog—or the instigator.
What is the difference between a cute girl and a hot girl? And where does Elizabeth Shue’s Alli fall on the spectrum of '80s love interests?
Does Ralph Macchio wear one of the all-time worst Halloween costumes in movie history? (Spoiler: Yes. Yes, he does.)
Can you really learn black belt-level karate in just a few weeks? Or did Daniel unlock cheat codes under Mr. Miyagi’s tutelage?
Ian goes to war with the score—and one particular song that just doesn’t belong.
The film suggests America was batty about soccer in the '80s. Was that true… or just wishful screenwriting?
Why the studio was reluctant to cast Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi—and how he proved them all spectacularly wrong.
Ian finds a way to shave 10 minutes off the runtime—Miyagi would approve of the efficiency.
Why does Daniel’s mother uproot their entire life for a job that seems… deeply underwhelming?
Does Daniel deserve Alli in the end—or was she just too good for this drama-prone karate kid?
We wax (lyrically) on and off about themes, nostalgia, and tournament ethics.
And finally, whether The Karate Kid is the Best Film Ever.
Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.
We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:
Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.
Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.
Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.
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3:15:43
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3:15:43
Episode 286 - Superman (1978)
“You’ll believe a man can fly.” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam (Megs couldn’t make it—she’s busy spinning the Earth backwards to reclaim her weekend while KevDog’s off searching for crystals in the Arctic... or just stuck in a phone booth with no signal - as we don the cape, slick back the hair, and fly faster than a speeding bullet into our 286th episode, reviewing Richard Donner’s iconic superhero origin story Superman (1978). We’re trading classical guitars and military trenches for red trunks and crystal fortresses as we discuss:
We look at how Superman redefined the superhero genre before it was a genre—and why it still matters nearly 50 years later.
Why Christopher Reeve may be the most perfectly cast superhero of all time, and how his dual performance still holds up.
Ian dives into the film’s structure and why the three-act split (Krypton, Kansas, Metropolis) feels so bold and ambitious.
We condemn and then forgive Teen Clark (Jeff East) and do likewise for Brando but without the forgiveness at the end
We discuss whether Lex Luthor is a credible villain—or just a walking punchline with a killer property portfolio.
Liam marvels at the charm, the score, and the genuine sense of wonder—while struggling not to get emotional about Pa Kent.
We ask: does the “reverse time” ending still fly? Or is that where the cape starts to fray?
And of course: whether Superman (1978) is the Best Film Ever.
Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.
We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:
Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.
Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.
Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.
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2:55:55
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2:55:55
Episode 285 - Heneral Luna (w/ BFF of the BFE: Juleen)
“Bayan o sarili?” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam – as we ride into revolution and betrayal in our 285th episode, tackling the powerful, patriotic, and provocative Heneral Luna (2015). We’re later joined by BFF of the BFE Juleen, as we trade chequered flags for sabres and cigar smoke while we discuss:
Ian shares a personal story about how his perspective on film shifted dramatically this week—and why Heneral Luna hit harder than expected.
We talk about rediscovering old hobbies and how sometimes history—and a great movie—can reignite forgotten passions.
We’ve got some big BFE cast news to share—don’t worry, no one got court-martialed.
Was Antonio Luna an epic figure… but a deeply unlikeable man? We break down the myth and the man.
At what point do patriotism and ego diverge—especially in military leadership? And how much of Luna’s downfall was self-inflicted?
Why is this vital and volatile chapter of Filipino history completely absent from most American history books?
Juleen joins us with powerful insights from her time living in Southern California and how Heneral Luna resonates against today’s shifting political tides.
Our Rodecaster decides to go full rebellion, jumping ship mid-episode—more than once.
What’s with all the Jesus imagery? From framing to posture to betrayal, Luna doesn’t hold back.
One scene left Ian absolutely gobsmacked—he didn’t see it coming, and we’re still picking our jaws off the floor.
Why did troop movements in this film feel like Season 8 of Game of Thrones? Can we get a map?
Are Americans great marksmen… or hilariously awful? And what made standing up in battle a form of actual camouflage?
Whether Heneral Luna is the Best Film Ever—or just the best film you’ve never heard of.
Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.
We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:
Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.
Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.
Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.
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3:32:00
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3:32:00
Episode 284 - Rush
“The closer you are to death, the more alive you feel.” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam – as we rev the engines, grip the wheel, and go full throttle into our 284th episode with a look at Ron Howard’s high-octane drama Rush (2013). We’re trading poisoned apples for podium finishes as we dive into one of Formula 1’s greatest real-life rivalries:
What is it about films that explore the pursuit of greatness that gets our hearts racing every time?
We break down why stories with duelling personalities—like Hunt and Lauda—are so compelling, especially when each sees themselves reflected in the other.
What elements of the true story were changed, streamlined, or dialled up to eleven for cinematic effect?
Ian and Liam try to figure out which one of them is the reckless playboy and which is the meticulous technician… and it gets uncomfortable quickly.
We talk about the power of respect over friendship, the blurred lines between envy and admiration, and why this film might be Ron Howard’s unsung masterpiece.
Whether Rush is the Best Film Ever—or just one hell of a ride worth taking.
Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.
We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:
Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.
Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.
Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.
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2:32:09
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2:32:09
Episode 283 - Toy Story 3
“So long… partner.” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam – as we stare mortality, memory, and molten doom right in the eye in our 283rd episode, covering Pixar’s emotional rollercoaster Toy Story 3 (2010). We’re trading poisoned apples for daycare drama and incinerator trauma as we ask whether this trilogy-closer really is the perfect goodbye:
We are so very thankful for a new piece of kit that limited our downtime this week
We talk about why Toy Story 3 might just be the best third act in any trilogy ever.
Ian reflects on the passage of time, growing up, and how Pixar weaponised emotion in the final 20 minutes.
Liam bravely tries to hold it together during that incinerator scene—and that goodbye with Andy.
Is Lotso one of Pixar’s greatest villains and what is it about him that Liam hates so much but Ian loves so much?
We talk about daycare as dystopia, Big Baby as horror icon, why Mr. Pricklepants deserved more screen time and who exactly is watching these kids at the daycare?
Why does this hit so hard for adults? Is it just about toys—or everything we leave behind?
Ian breaks down the film’s narrative structure and how it perfectly mirrors growing up and letting go.
Whether Toy Story 3 is the Best Film Ever—or just the most emotionally devastating G-rated film of all time.
Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.
We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:
Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.
Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.
Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.
Ireland