The Movie Defenders

It's time to get the shields up once again as we return to the much unfairly criticized trilogies of all time, The Hobbit trilogy. Today we unpack part two, The Desolation of Smaug. We three really feel these movies get a bad wrap but there is much more here than most see. We get into everything! We also pick our Top 5 Dragons of all time in TV/Movies. So grab your ring of power, don't leave until the moonlight hits you, and be on the lookout for giant bears... it's time for The Desolation of Smaug on The Movie Defenders podcast!
Click here to listen and connect anywhere: https://linktr.ee/moviedefenders
00:00:00 Intro and What We've Been Watching
00:29:16 Top 5 Dragons
00:52:56 Movie Discussion Starts
01:18:06 Thorin Meets Gandalf
01:48:25 Beorn
02:20:55 Thorin Holds a Grudge
02:41:15 Something Darker is Coming
02:53:19 Alfrid and the Master
03:01:59 Bilbo Vouches for Thorin
03:21:03 Enter Smaug
03:33:48 Smaug Taunts Bilbo
03:43:14 Thorin Decides to Fight
03:50:08 Cliffhanger Ending
Special thanks to our amazing Patreon supporters!
Alex Kirkby 
Alexis Helman
Barrett Young
Bart German
Brett Bowen
Daryl Ewry
Doug Robertson
Ena Haynes
Eric Blattberg
Jason Chastain
Josh Evans
Joshua Loy
Katherine Boulware
Kevin Athey
Mark Nattress
Mark Martin
Megan Bush
Michal Kaczmarek
Michael Puckett
Nick Nagher
Randal Silver
Sean Masters
Stephanie Ewry
Tim TJ Walker
Attack of the Killer Podcast

It's time to begin our two-part episode examination of The Running Man from 1987's version to last year's with Edgar Wright. We head all the way back into Arnold Schwarzenegger's peak stardom and unpack this classic 1980s action-fest. Does it hold up? Is it super cheesy? Both? We'll find out! Also each host makes up his own Stalker if we were on the show! So keep an eye out for those satellites, remember your one-liners, and don't touch that dial... it's time for The Running Man 1987 on The Movie Defenders podcast!
Click here to listen and connect anywhere: https://linktr.ee/moviedefenders
00:00:00 Intro and What We've Been Watching
00:27:23 The Hosts Make Their Stalkers
00:57:32 The Running Man Discussion Starts
01:28:55 The Real Story
01:40:01 Meet the Resistance
01:56:20 An Offer Ben Can't Refuse
02:13:11 Figuring Out the Satelites
02:24:00 Killian Offers a Deal
02:27:38 The Resistance Rescues Ben and Amber
02:35:01 Ben Gets Revenge
Special thanks to our amazing Patreon supporters!
Alex Kirkby 
Alexis Helman
Barrett Young
Bart German
Brett Bowen
Daryl Ewry
Doug Robertson
Ena Haynes
Eric Blattberg
Jason Chastain
Josh Evans
Joshua Loy
Katherine Boulware
Kevin Athey
Mark Nattress
Mark Martin
Megan Bush
Michal Kaczmarek
Michael Puckett
Nick Nagher
Randal Silver
Sean Masters
Stephanie Ewry
Tim TJ Walker
Attack of the Killer Podcast

For today's special episode of The Movie Defenders, Scott and Brev go back to Batman '66 and move all the way through Superman 2025... tier rank every film.  Which ones are GOAT?  Which are Not Good?  Agree or disagree?  Listen to the nerdy discussion as we go back for movies you probably forgot existed!  Head to Patreon.com/moviedefenders and for just $1 a month you can get a full second show filled with episodes like these!
Click here to listen and connect anywhere:  https://linktr.ee/moviedefenders
Special thanks to our amazing Patreon supporters!
Alex Kirkby 
Alexis Helman
Barrett Young
Bart German
Brett Bowen
Daryl Ewry
Doug Robertson
Ena Haynes
Eric Blattberg
Jason Chastain
Josh Evans
Joshua Loy
Katherine Boulware
Kevin Athey
Mark Nattress
Mark Martin
Megan Bush
Michal Kaczmarek
Michael Puckett
Nick Nagher
Randal Silver
Sean Masters
Stephanie Ewry
Tim TJ Walker
Attack of the Killer Podcast

Time to go back to one of the OG horror anthology films ever with Twilight Zone: The Movie! A film plagued by tragedy, but still managed to capture the magic of the original series, and was helmed by some of the best directors that have ever made movies. We break it all down with our great friend Eric Blattberg! We also rank our Top 5 anthology films of all time. So buckle your seat belt, watch yourself around the creepy kid, and be sure you want to see something really scary... time for Twilight Zone: The Movie on The Movie Defenders podcast!
Click here to listen and connect anywhere: https://linktr.ee/moviedefenders
00:00:00 Hail Mary and They Follow News!
00:33:13 Top 5 Anthology Movies
01:08:23 Twilight Zone Movie Discussion Starts
01:32:46 The Prologue
01:43:31 "Time Out"
02:10:34 "Kick the Can"
02:30:54 "It's a Good Life"
02:59:35 "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet"
Special thanks to our amazing Patreon supporters!
Alex Kirkby 
Alexis Helman
Barrett Young
Bart German
Brett Bowen
Daryl Ewry
Doug Robertson
Ena Haynes
Eric Blattberg
Jason Chastain
Josh Evans
Joshua Loy
Katherine Boulware
Kevin Athey
Mark Nattress
Mark Martin
Megan Bush
Michal Kaczmarek
Michael Puckett
Nick Nagher
Randal Silver
Sean Masters
Stephanie Ewry
Tim TJ Walker
Attack of the Killer Podcast

It's that time of year... time for our entry into awards season with the 2026 Defender Awards, celebrating the films of 2025. We have all the categories the Oscars have, as well as other fun ones. Sit back and listen to the year that was in films! We put a lot of work into this for all of you, and we hope you enjoy! Maybe you'll find some films that you didn't catch that this show will make you want to watch. It's time for the 2026 Defender Awards!
Click here to listen and connect anywhere: https://linktr.ee/moviedefenders
00:00:00 2026 Defender Awards Begins
00:21:16 Most Unfairly Criticized Movie
00:28:08 Best Trailer
00:43:47 Best Picture Nominee: Companion
00:47:16 Best Scene
01:04:23 Best Music
01:21:13 Best Picture Nominee: F1 - The Movie
01:28:04 Best Supporting Actress
01:36:45 Best Supporting Actor
01:50:42 Best Picture Nominee: Hamnet
01:55:38 In Memorium
02:19:52 Best Picture Nominee: K-Pop Demon Hunters
02:25:45 Best Actress
02:36:59 Best Actor
02:49:21 Best Picture Nominee: No Other Choice
02:51:40 Best Cinematography
02:55:54 Best Picture Nominee: One Battle After Another
02:59:30 Best Quote or Monologue
03:09:47 Best Picture Nominee: Predator - Killer of Killers
03:14:16 Best Screenplay
03:20:15 Best Opening Scene or Credits
03:24:16 Best Picture Nominee: Sinners
03:28:13 Biggest Surprise Movie
03:32:02 Best Genre (Documentaries) Movie
03:36:05 Best Picture Nominee: Superman
03:41:25 Best Ending
03:49:48 Best Director
03:55:15 Best Picture Nominee: Weapons
03:58:53 Best Picture of 2025
Special thanks to our amazing Patreon supporters!
Alex Kirkby 
Alexis Helman
Barrett Young
Bart German
Brett Bowen
Daryl Ewry
Doug Robertson
Ena Haynes
Eric Blattberg
Jason Chastain
Josh Evans
Joshua Loy
Katherine Boulware
Kevin Athey
Mark Nattress
Mark Martin
Megan Bush
Michal Kaczmarek
Michael Puckett
Nick Nagher
Randal Silver
Sean Masters
Stephanie Ewry
Tim TJ Walker
Attack of the Killer Podcast