Once Upon a Franchise
A weekly podcast where film critics Manuel São Bento and Ren Vieira revisit every installment of major movie franchises. From iconic blockbusters to hidden gems, each episode dives deep into one title, blending critical insight with passionate, friendly banter. Join us on a cinematic journey through the franchises that shaped pop culture - one film (or show) at a time.
Episodes
Earth’s Mightiest Heroes finally unite in The Avengers (2012), the MCU’s first crossover spectacle. Join Manel, Ren, and special guest Paul Klein as they revisit the film that brought Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye together against Loki and the Chitauri. From the iconic “circle shot” to “Puny god”, they unpack the film’s sharp banter, team dynamics, and enduring spectacle - and explore why this bill...
From Brooklyn’s alleys to Hydra’s fortresses, Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) tells the story of a hero who was one long before the serum. Join Manel and Ren as they revisit Steve Rogers’ transformation from “skinny kid” to living legend, unpacking the film’s heartfelt sincerity, its throwback war-movie style, and its mix of timeless character beats and dated VFX. From Erskine’s wisdom to “I had a date,” they explore why ...
The rainbow bridge is open, the family drama is Shakespearean, and the MCU goes cosmic for the first time. Join Manel and Ren as they revisit Thor (2011), Kenneth Branagh’s mythic take on the God of Thunder. From the breathtaking vistas of Asgard to the heartfelt campfire moments in New Mexico, they unpack Thor’s redemption arc, Loki’s layered villainy, and whether the MCU ever recaptured this sense of wonder. Is Thor a foundationa...
The suits are shinier, the egos bigger, and the MCU connections louder. Join Manel and Ren as they dive into Iron Man 2 (2010), a sequel that juggles world-building, rogue inventors, and Tony Stark’s growing identity crisis. From the slick Monaco Grand Prix sequence to the chaotic birthday brawl, they unpack what this entry gets right, what feels like déjà vu, and whether its themes of control and legacy land as strongly as they sh...
The journey through the MCU continues with the often-forgotten second chapter — The Incredible Hulk (2008). Join Manel and Ren as they revisit Bruce Banner’s explosive standalone outing, discussing its place in the franchise, the grounded action, and whether Edward Norton’s take on the character still holds up. From sonic cannons to monster transformations, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and why this film might deserve m...
Welcome to the very first episode of Once Upon a Franchise! Join Manuel and Ren as they kick off the journey through the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with the film that launched it all — Iron Man (2008). From Tony Stark’s iconic origin to the seeds of a shared universe, they break down what made this film a game-changer, how it holds up today, and what it tells us about the franchise to come.
Popular Podcasts
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Charlie is America's hardest working grassroots activist who has your inside scoop on the biggest news of the day and what's really going on behind the headlines. The founder of Turning Point USA and one of social media's most engaged personalities, Charlie is on the front lines of America’s culture war, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of students on over 3,500 college and high school campuses across the country, bringing you your daily dose of clarity in a sea of chaos all from his signature no-holds-barred, unapologetically conservative, freedom-loving point of view. You can also watch Charlie Kirk on Salem News Channel