Unjustly Maligned

Ask him about it! Yes, it’s time to turn the tables again, and for his birthday this year, Antony hands the reins to Tony Sindelar. Together they weave an appreciation for the videogame so good...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/87/

Is Ringo the best drummer in the world? Ho ho, he’s not even the best drummer in… no, let’s not go there (Lennon never actually said it anyway). Instead, Andy Ihnatko joins Antony to bang a...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/86/

Was making Sherlock Holmes cool really a good idea? Is Robert Downey Jr simply playing himself? And shouldn’t Watson be a bumbling lapdog? Devoted Sherlockian Eddy Webb joins Antony to discuss ...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/85/

Fast cars, impossibly skilled drivers, champagne groupies, loud explosions, and a complete disregard for the laws of physics. Sounds like hell? Jessica Sliwinski once thought so, but now she join...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/84/

When is a planet not a planet? When it gets downgraded after 75 years, apparently. But was Pluto’s fate a mistake by the IAU, or an example of science in action? Marcos Huerta joins Antony to t...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/83/

After the success of its gung-ho predecessor, “Predator 2” — which expanded the mythology of the alien hunters, like “Aliens” did for its predecessor — felt like a sure thing, not the...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/82/

Was it a “Blues Brothers” for the MTV generation, or just a nonsensical movie strung together with songs and bizarre cameos? Or… both?! Kelly Guimont joins Antony to lay down some tape talk...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/81/

It promised the Earth — and an almost-infinite universe to play in — but the videogame “No Man’s Sky” launched to scathing criticism and disappointment. Matt Johnston joins Antony to ex...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/80/

The spirit of Star Trek has seen the franchise reinvented, revisited, and even rebooted, for more than 50 years — but of all its incarnations, perhaps none is so maligned as “Enterprise”. P...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/79/

Sold as an erotic thriller, Stanley Kubrick’s least popular film “Eyes Wide Shut” is neither erotic, nor much of a thriller. But Richard Rouse III joins Antony to argue that it wasn’t jus...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/78/

Dust off your sequins, because once again the Eurovision Song Contest is almost upon us! Rachel Donner, David Loehr, and Liz Myles join Antony to marvel at this year’s contenders and catastroph...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/77/

Every kid who came out of the theater from “Krull” wanted a glaive… even if they were in no rush to see the movie itself again. Carrie Patel joins Antony to explain why that’s a shame, as...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/76/

We all know it’s only a matter of time before the military builds Terminator-style robots, and from there a small leap to Welcoming Our New Robot Overlords… or is it? Robotics engineer Kent M...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/75/

“The Matrix Reloaded” wasn’t the sequel people were expecting, but was swapping bullets for brains really such a bad idea? Filip Selldén joins Antony to explain why making a modern Superma...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/74/

Podcasts should not be afraid of their listeners; listeners should be… wait, that makes no sense. Much like the “V for Vendetta” movie! Or so some fanboys would have you believe. Not Amal E...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/73/

Is “Babe: Pig in the City” really a tour de force of magical realism? Or “A New Yorker cartoon on mescaline”? Warren Frey joins Antony to explain why this kids’ movie from George “Mad...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/72/

In what must surely be our thinnest premise yet, Monty Ashley joins Antony to ostensibly defend GURPS from its detractors. But it’s basically two old RPG nerds chatting and reminiscing about ga...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/71/

They said it would be bigger than Star Wars. Instead it bankrupted a studio and sank without trace. Yes, in another instalment of our Dolph Lundgren love here on UMP, Liz Myles joins Antony to re...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/70/

After making Batman palatable to the mainstream again with the first movie, Tim Burton’s sequel “Batman Returns” went all-in with his signature fairytale gothic style. Michael Molcher joins...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/69/

Regular Incomparable Network listeners will know of Jason Snell’s oft-thwarted desire to talk about his lifelong love of “Micronauts”; a series of comics, starring characters based on Ameri...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/68/

Was it John Cecil, in the loft, with the microphone? Actually, yes — and that’s more straightforward than anything in the puzzling murder-mystery-comedy-movie-of-the-board-game “Clue”, wh...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/67/

Mah stories are on! And when they include aliens, vampires, weather machines, movement suits, and more, how can you resist? Rachael Noel Fox can’t, and says those of us who appreciate wild crea...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/66/

Forget corny spooks and campy monsters; for this Halloween edition, Moisés Chiullan joins Antony to delve into the murky horror of “Alien 3”, and explain why this most maligned entry in the ...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/65/

Let’s be honest; it’s not every day you hear a middle-aged cis/het man tell you “Pretty Woman” is his favourite movie ever. Meet Regie Rigby, who’s here to explain why he thinks Garry M...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/64/

Drills! In! Spaaaaaace! Alison Baker throws scientific accuracy to the (solar) wind, jumps a canyon in low-g, and revels in NASA’s afterburn as she rockets through the joys of Michael Bay’s �...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/63/

“BioShock” is widely regarded as one of the best video games of all time. “BioShock 2”, though… not so much. Podcaster Shaline Lopez joins Antony to discuss Big and Little Sisters, stor...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/62/

It’s Antony’s birthday again, and this time he’s gatecrashing his own podcast to enthuse about “Dark City”, Alex Proyas’ cult noir sci-fi movie filled with twists, turns, and Richard ...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/61/

He punishes the guilty… when he’s not meditating naked in the sewers, that is. Clay McCormack joins Antony to defend the first movie of Frank castle, starring Dolph Lundgren. Is it the best v...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/60/

Reich. Stockhausen. Zorn. Anderson. Glass. Weill. Henze. Stravinsky! Johnston, Fleishman, digressions. Aural : oral : visual : performance. Art?

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/59/

It’s not as bad as “Cars 2”, but Pixar’s original “Cars” gets a bad rap from fans for being too childish, too simple, too boring. Educator Brian Ashe joins Antony to signal his object...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/58/

It’s the Fourth of July! And what could be more American than Big Blue himself? Jonathan Penn joins Antony to defend “Superman III”, famously derided as a slapstick comedy, and argue that b...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/57/

Mrs Peel, we’re needed — to defend what some critics called “the worst movie ever” from… a spot of bad weather? Hey, it makes about as much sense as the film. Writer and musician Cecile...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/56/

Great white sharks are feared the world over, with shark attacks on humans still guaranteed to make the news. As “Finding Dory“‘s release approaches, writer and scuba diver Chris Mitchell j...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/55/

Roger Ebert gave it one star, and called it one of his ‘most hated’ movies. But was he just expecting the wrong kind of story? Georgia Dow joins Antony to stay within the boundaries of M Nigh...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/54/

Every year, millions of Americans are baffled by an outburst of snarky comments about cheesy European pop music on Twitter. Eurovision Song Contest uberfan Rachel Donner joins Antony to explain w...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/53/

He can stretch and change his body in “Fantastic” ways, but to many comic readers, he’s anything but a role model. Journalist Andy Ihnatko joins Antony to defend the honor of the Fantastic ...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/52/

As St George’s Day approaches, gentlemen in England’s green and pleasant land take to the field for a game that can last five days, yet still somehow end in a draw…! Author Paul Cornell goe...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/51/

What happens when a show with a ridiculous premise, created by management, and aimed firmly at young girls… actually takes its female characters seriously? Katy Rex joins Antony to divulge all ...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/50/

It should have been the biggest action movie of 1986… instead, it was the flop that drove John Carpenter out of Hollywood. Michael Palmer joins Antony to explain how it’s all in the reflexes.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/49/

On a day that shouldn’t exist comes a podcast equally paradoxical. Merlin Mann joins Antony to sit still, garden at night, and talk about the passion of rock band R.E.M.’s early work.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/48/

Everybody loved “True Detective” Season 1… but not so much Season 2. Musician and LA native Erik Aho joins Antony to stand up for the show, and elaborate on its appeal to noir lovers everyw...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/47/

Few directors divide opinion so much as M Night Shyamalan, but writer Dan Moren dives in headfirst to attempt a rescue of his fairy-tale movie “Lady in the Water”.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/46/

To celebrate the late David Bowie’s extraordinary life and body of work, writer Chris Mitchell joins Antony to defend the artist’s short-lived and drastically misunderstood “Tin Machine” ...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/45/

Happy new year! And to begin 2016, writer and SF lover Lisa Schmeiser joins Antony to discuss the all-but-forgotten “Andromeda”, and wonder just how much of it actually came from Gene Roddenb...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/44/

Ho Ho Seven! For Brits, Christmas means a traditional dose of 007 on the TV. So in this festive episode, playwright David J Loehr joins Antony to talk about the most misunderstood Bond movie of a...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/43/

Just ahead of “The Force Awakens” release, game designer and podcaster Brianna Wu joins Antony to round off our very own “prequel trilogy” with a defense of “Star Wars Episode III: Reve...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/42/

Sci-fi podcaster Chip Sudderth joins Antony to defend (though not three times)”Robotech”, the 1980s anime series maligned by purists everywhere.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/41/

Veteran and Napoleon buff Nick Friederich joins Antony to explain why the Emperor is unjustly maligned, why his military genius is overlooked, and how this complex figure birthed modern Europe.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/40/

NYU game professor Clara Fernández-Vara joins Antony to confess her love of all things Indiana Jones, even including the infamous fridge contained within the Crystal Skulls.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/39/

Podcaster and comic aficionado Moisés Chiullan joins Antony on the eve of “Dark Knight 3“‘s release to stand up for the iconoclastic Frank Miller’s Batman sequel, “The Dark Knight Stri...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/38/

Musician and writer Meredith Yayanos joins Antony to walk (without rhythm) through her love of David Lynch’s “Dune”, from weirding modules to suggestive navigators to heart plugs, and so mu...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/37/

Game designer and writer Matthew Weise joins Antony to explain how Danny Boyle’s “Sunshine” is unjustly maligned, and why in fact it belongs in the same conversation as “2001”.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/36/

Author and cultural critic Danielle Henderson joins Antony to expound on her love of England’s pop troubadour, and his evolution as a Serious Artiste with 1991’s “Mighty Like A Rose”.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/35/

Podcaster and film lover Brian Hamilton joins Antony on a journey into the ultra-gothic future world of organ repossession, weird musicals, and, um, Paris Hilton…?!

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/34/

Swashbuckling comic-slinger Juliette Capra joins Antony to convince him “Cutthroat Island” isn’t the disaster popular consensus would have you believe. Strap on your boots and hoist the mai...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/33/

Videographer and podcaster Philip Mozolak joins Antony to explain his love of reality TV shows, and Big Brother in particular. What do they say about society, celebrity, and human nature?

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/32/

Tech writer and old school mutant lover Josh Centers joins Antony to explain why “X-Men: The Last Stand” is not only unjustly maligned, but probably the movie most faithful to the comics…!

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/31/

Podcaster and mega-nerd Steven Schapansky joins Antony to discuss an old, obscure British sci-fi TV show he loves. How unusual! Can he convince everyone it’s unjustly maligned? It won’t be ea...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/30/

Podcaster Shannon Sudderth knows a thing or two about high school, and joins Antony to put a stake through the immortal fools who malign Buffy the Vampire Slayer - the movie. Oh, yes.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/29/

Bestselling cartoonist Scott Kurtz joins Antony to explain why the cat everyone loves to hate is unjustly maligned, how Jim Davis inspired his own career, and why topical gags are overrated.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/28/

Nebula and World Fantasy Award-nominated author Helene Wecker joins Antony to talk Constantine’s unjustly maligned visual feast, the angelic Tilda Swinton, and the size of Keanu’s hands.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/27/

For one week only, the tables are turned as guest host Jason Snell welcomes Antony to rant about the genius of Genesis (!) Look, we tried to stop him, but it’s his birthday.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/26/

Film critic and controversial prequel fan Mike Klimo joins Antony to explain his unorthodox Ring Theory, and how he believes it proves “Episode II: Attack of the Clones” is unjustly maligned....

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/25/

Marketing guru and board game nerd Cory Casoni joins Antony to roll the dice and move his mice, while explaining that everyone who unjustly maligns “Monopoly” is simply playing it wrong.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/24/

Bestselling romance author Maya Rodale joins Antony to convince him her chosen field is unjustly maligned, explain how romance is a feminist genre, and ask just what is up with all the dukes, any...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/23/

Programmer and game designer Neven Mrgan joins Antony to defend John Woo’s “Face/Off”, lament the march of realism in action movies, and wonder why anyone would own a double-sided mirror.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/22/

Game writer and novelist Rich Dansky joins Antony in a fun, but in no sense civilized, tribute to the late Sir Christopher Lee as they get wet, stare at bright lights, and feast after midnight on...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/21/

Journalist and podcaster Serenity Caldwell joins Antony to revel in one of the most unjustly maligned movies of 2015, “Jupiter Ascending”. We love dogs!

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/20/

Writer and podcaster Liz Myles joins Antony to complain that “Dragon Age II” is unjustly maligned, how saving the world yet again simply isn’t that exciting, and why you just can’t trust ...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/19/

Whoever the hell Casey Liss is, he joins Antony to persuade him the Dave Matthews Band is unjustly maligned, that you can’t beat a good drummer, and just what is a jam band, anyway?

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/18/

Playwright and theatre producer David Loehr joins Antony to convince him the novelisation of “Buckaroo Banzai” is unjustly maligned, mainly due to its association with a terrible movie, and h...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/17/

Game designer Brianna Wu joins Antony to convince him “Star Trek: Voyager” is unjustly maligned, explain why the world just wasn’t ready for feminist Trek, and why Seven of Nine is actually...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/16/

Writer and podcaster Merlin Mann joins Antony to stand up (mostly) for the “Watchmen” movie, discuss the difficulty of separating source material from its adaptation… and then there’s tha...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/15/

Writer and bookworm Lisa Schmeiser joins Antony to defend the “Dragonriders of Pern” novels from being unjustly maligned, discuss her changing views of them over the years, and muse their sui...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/14/

TV critic and podcaster Monty Ashley joins Antony to explain why the “Popeye” movie is unjustly maligned, that the story of its making is more unlikely than the movie itself, and just how man...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/13/

Writer and podcaster Scott McNulty joins Antony to explain why “Murder, She Wrote” is unjustly maligned, how it changed the TV landscape, and why it’s basically a proto-“Castle”.

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/12/

Tech journalist and podcaster Dan Moren joins Antony in a celebration of what may be the ultimate Unjustly Maligned movie, “Hudson Hawk”. It’s so much better than you realize, and they’re...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/11/

Podcaster and handwavium aficionado Erika Ensign joins Antony to explain why “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” is unjustly maligned, that audiences should judge a movie in what it’s...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/10/

Writer and metalhead Brian LeTendre joins Antony to persuade him that Megadeth’s 1999 album “Risk” is unjustly maligned, why nerdy is state of the art, and why Metallica owes it all to Must...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/9/

Writer and podcaster Glenn Fleishman joins Antony to convince him that kids’ cartoons like “Kim Possible” aren’t just for children, explain why good stories don’t need recaps, but every...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/8/

Geek critic and podcaster Al Kennedy joins Antony to bemoan the unjust maligning of the 1996 “Doctor Who” movie, explain how Paul McGann was a great Doctor, and why he always drezzzzzes for t...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/7/

Comic writer and artist Emma Vieceli joins Antony to convince him her favourite cheesy Italian theme tunes to 1980s anime are unjustly maligned, how theme songs learnt as children can unite peopl...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/6/

Comics podcaster and Charles Dance fangirl Alison Baker joins Antony to convince him the existential 1993 Schwarzenegger movie “Last Action Hero” is unjustly maligned, how the movie was sadly...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/5/

Actor and supergeek Wil Wheaton joins Antony to protest that the original “Tron” movie from 1982 is unjustly maligned, to explain how its very existence created a rift among animators, and wh...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/4/

Arthouse cowboy and podcasting wunderkind Moisés Chiullan joins Antony to convince him the 1989 videogame movie “The Wizard” is unjustly maligned, how the movie has a surprising personal con...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/3/

Games journalist and feminist critic Leigh Alexander joins Antony to stand up for the “Twilight” books, explain how it’s OK to indulge in fantasy, and why separating fiction from reality is...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/2/

Tech writer and geek podcaster Jason Snell joins Antony to explain why “Stargate SG-1” is unjustly maligned, how this long-running TV show seems to have been erased from the cultural conversa...

https://www.theincomparable.com/ump/1/