Thumb War

The Oscar nominations dropped — unfortunately, so did everything else.We talk awards season reactions, missing movies, flu recovery, a late-night ER visit, and why sometimes real life completely derails movie discourse. It’s not polished.It’s not organized.It’s extremely honest. Full Patreon chaos on Thumb War. Like, subscribe, and let us know what you think. Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of p...

We’re heading back to Westeros. On this episode of Thumb War, we review the premiere of HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the latest Game of Thrones prequel based on George R. R. Martin’s Dunk & Egg stories. We talk first impressions, performances, tone, and whether this stripped-down take on Westeros is a smart pivot—or a missed opportunity. Is this the Thrones comeback fans have been waiting for? Or just another spinoff riding on legacy? Ad-free episodes + bonus content on Patreon: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU ...

James Cameron doubles down with Avatar: Fire and Ash, delivering jaw-dropping visuals, new Na’vi factions, and a full-on 3D assault on the senses. On Thumb War, JD and Rachel debate whether Fire and Ash is the strongest Avatar yet, or proof that the franchise might finally be testing its limits. From villainous tribes and uneasy alliances to spiritual world-building and technological obsession, we break down what works, what doesn’t, and why you absolutely need to see this one in theaters. Spoilers ahead. Eyeballs may need a recovery day. Ad-free epis...

The Housemaid (2025) Is Trashy, Twisty, and Kind of a Blast This week on Thumb War, JD and Rachel review The Housemaid (2025), the glossy erotic thriller starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. Directed by Paul Feig and based on the novel by Frieda McFadden, it’s packed with twists, bad decisions, and big “turn your brain off” energy. Is it smart? Not really. Is it entertaining? Absolutely. We spoil everything, debate the logic (or lack thereof), compare it to classic 90s thrillers, and agree on one thing: this movie knows exactly what it is...

Josh Safdie turns ping pong into pure anxiety cinema with Marty Supreme (2025) — a fictionalized sports biopic packed with unlikable characters, outrageous casting, and relentless momentum. On this episode of Thumb War, Jason and Rachel unpack why Marty Supreme works so well: from Kevin O’Leary’s scene-stealing villain turn to Timothée Chalamet’s desperate, pride-driven performance, the film’s Oscar-worthy casting, needle drops, and one hell of a final match. If you like Safdie chaos, uncomfortable sports movies, or films where everyone is kind of terrible, this one’s for you. J...

The Upside Down closes for good — and it gets weird on the way out. On this episode of Thumb War, Jason and Rachel review Stranger Things Episodes 5–8, aka the series finale. We dig into what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and why a finale that’s often frustrating still manages to land emotionally. From baffling monster choices and zero-stakes action to genuinely touching character farewells, this is a deep dive into an ending that’s messy, modern, nostalgic, and oddly effective. Spoilers throughout. Join our Patreon for ad-free ep...

This week on Thumb War, we take on Christy (2025), the true-story boxing biopic chronicling the rise — and near-destruction — of trailblazing fighter Christy Martin. Sydney Sweeney delivers a ferocious performance in a film that doesn’t flinch from the realities of domestic abuse, control, and isolation, while still honouring Christy’s resilience and legacy. A tough watch. A necessary one. Big thumbs up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we finally get around to tackling Bugonia (2025), Yorgos Lanthimos’ strange, funny, disturbing sci-fi thriller about conspiracy thinking, corporate power, and what happens when the paranoia might actually be right. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons deliver two of the best performances of the year in a movie that demands to be seen before it’s discussed. Go in blind. Then come back and argue with us. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows: http://bit.ly/44Mo8xU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for info...

We’re revisiting Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) — the Star Wars movie everyone shrugged at… and maybe shouldn’t have. JD, Rachel and Jeshua break down why Ron Howard’s takeover actually works, why Alden Ehrenreich nails a younger Han Solo, and why Donald Glover’s Lando deserves his own cinematic future. From pure fan service to sharp dialogue and surprisingly great casting, Solo feels better now than it did on release. Was this movie a victim of Star Wars fatigue? Or did audiences just miss the point? Spoiler alert: we’re firmly on Team Sol...

We start with a sad goodbye to Cosmo — a very good, very food-motivated boy — and somehow end up talking about frat houses at sunrise, parental panic spirals, and why Quentin Tarantino absolutely deserves to catch a few strays. Along the way: Saying goodbye to a beloved dog (and why doing it at home mattered) Why tracking apps are a gateway to full-blown anxiety Actors we know are “good” but still don’t like Dubai chocolate discourse (yes, again) This is the kind of episode that only works off-feed — looser, longer, more honest, and way more cha...

The finale of It: Welcome to Derry is here, and JD and Rachel have… thoughts. In this Thumb War episode, we recap and react to Episode 8 — a finale stuffed with Pennywise theatrics, confusing lore, magic solutions, timeline gymnastics, and zero interest in explaining itself. We debate what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and why filming this in Canada without Pennywise on skates should be a criminal offense. If you love horror vibes, messy finales, and yelling “WHY?” at your TV, this one’s for you. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes + bonus shows...

This week on Thumb War, we revisit Bad Santa (2003) — Terry Zwigoff’s filthy, funny, and surprisingly tender Christmas classic. Jason & Rachel dig into the Director’s Cut vs the Theatrical version, studio interference, and why Billy Bob Thornton’s Willie T. Soke somehow becomes one of the strangest “found family” characters in holiday movie history. Along the way, we celebrate: Bernie Mac & John Ritter’s perfect comic chemistry Zwigoff’s anti-sentimental worldview Why this movie still works — and why it probably wouldn’t get made today A holiday staple in th...

This week on Thumb War, we’re deep into Stranger Things Season 5, breaking down Episodes 3 and 4 — The Turnbow Trap and The Sorcerer. We talk Frank Darabont’s direction, the Upside Down’s increasingly flexible rules, Hopper going full action hero, and whether the show’s massive cast is finally working against itself. Plus: Karen Wheeler MVP discourse, Joyce complaints, Erica chaos, and a few extremely dumb (but fun) theories. Spoilers throughout. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of persona...

Episode 7 Had Us Yelling at the TV | Welcome to Derry Review In this episode of Thumb War, we review Welcome to Derry Episode 7 (2025) — an hour of television that somehow delivers peak Pennywise and peak frustration at the same time. We talk: Why the Pennywise stage performance works so well Andy Muschietti’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it organ-grinder cameo The Black Spot fire, emotional shortcuts, and broken horror logic When tragedy feels earned… and when it absolutely doesn’t If you’re wondering whether Welcome to Derry is sticking the landing — or quietly fallin...

Episode 6 of Welcome to Derry finally feels like the show hitting full stride. On this episode of Thumb War, we break down the darkest chapter yet — from Pennywise’s unsettling origin story to Ingrid’s role in feeding the horror beneath Derry. Jason and Rachel debate the black-and-white flashbacks, the show’s obsession with daddy issues, and whether this episode recontextualizes everything we’ve seen so far. If you’ve been waiting for Welcome to Derry to fully deliver on its promise, Episode 6 might be the turning point. Spoilers ahead for Episode 6.<...

JD and Rachel return to the Upside Down to recap Stranger Things Season 5, Episodes 1 & 2 — and yes, we’re spoiling everything. We talk Will’s nightmare opening, the “is that CGI or a PS5 cutscene?” debate, the Dustin/Lucas/Steve dynamics, Robin’s Pretty in Pink broadcast, Jonathan vs. Steve (again), the baffling obstacle course sequence, Holly’s shocking growth spurt, Joyce catching heat, Murray being the delivery man for every important plot point, and the possible real shape of Season 5. Subscribe for more TV breakdowns, new series reviews, and chaotic movi...

JD & Rachel fire up the hyperdrive for a deep-dive review of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith — joined by special guest Jeshua Kidd, Jedi Master and all-around Star Wars encyclopedia. We break down the fall of Anakin Skywalker, the tragedy of Order 66, why Ewan McGregor is acting circles around everyone, and how the film has aged two decades later. Plus: favorite moments, tiny details we never noticed, and which scenes STILL give us goosebumps. New to Thumb War? We review movies, TV, and all things pop culture — with bad joke...

Welcome to Derry Episode 5 finally gives us what everyone’s been begging for: Pennywise. In the sewer. In full nightmare mode. In this Thumb War recap, we break down everything from the genuinely awesome parts — Bill Skarsgård’s terrifying Pennywise reveal, the triple-decker teeth, the contortions, the hallucinatory sewer sequences — to the parts that made us feel like we were taking crazy pills. Including: • The indigenous prophecy lore dump that explains why everyone in Derry acts insane • “There’s something in the water — clown shit” (not our words, the episode’s) • The...

Welcome to our Patreon-only T-Giving episode, where the vibes are loose, the thumbs are down, and the opinions are turgid (yes, we go there). In this clip, we bounce between: Jason’s birthday Korean BBQ adventure The Room, Species, Wicked, and other cinematic crimes Classic P-Hounds-only chaos you won’t see on the main feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Thumb War is back and slightly annoyed for a new Welcome to Derry Episode 4 Review! We’re forced to ask a serious question: Is this the worst episode yet? The Stephen King Universe lore is being dumped like it's an end-of-season yard sale, and frankly, we're tired of them explaining everything. On this episode of Thumb War, Jason, Rachel, and special guest Jeshua Kidd wade through the Derry, Maine mud to discuss the highly questionable writing and deeply confusing plot points. We break down the absolutely cringe-worthy dialogue, the heavy-handed Pennywise connections and whether the excessive Stephen King Easter Eg...