Episode 485 – Proof of Superhero Fatigue and Mini Golf Mayhem

Because Apparently We’ve All Had Enough Capes and Spandex

This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl are talking Fantastic Four: First Steps, Happy Gilmore 2, Movies we want to catch at the theater for the rest of 2025, and the latest Superhero Showdown at the Box Office.

Episode Index

Intro: 0:07 Box Office Showdown: 10:49 Movie in the Back Half of 2025: 20:45 Happy Gilmore 2: 33:27 Fantastic Four: 45:22

Superman vs. Marvel’s First Family at the Box Office

Superman grabbed a bigger domestic haul, but First Steps showed stronger international momentum and may signal better legs in overseas markets.

Superman Box Office https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1543340801/?ref_=bo_hm_rd Fantastic Four: First Steps Box Office https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2429649665/?ref_=bo_hm_rd

Remaining 2025 Must-Sees at the Theater

Darryl: Tron: Ares Avatar: Fire and Ash Nobody 2 The Running Man MK 2 Predator: Badlands Weapons Caught Stealing The Long Walk

Brian: Caught Stealing The Naked Gun Tron:Ares Mortal Kombat 2 Predator: Badlands Weapons Twinless The Running Man The Toxic Avenger TMNT 35th Anniversary Release

Happy Gilmore 2 (2025)

Summary Nearly three decades after winning the Tour Championship, Happy (Adam Sandler) is now a grieving widower and alcoholic. To pay for his daughter Vienna’s ballet school in Paris, he returns to pro golf—and chaos ensues. The film leans hard into callbacks, celebrity cameos, and legacy sequel nostalgia. 

Director: Kyle Newacheck Writers: Tim Herlihy & Adam Sandler 

Cast: Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin Ben Stiller as Hal L. (in sobriety group leadership) Bad Bunny as Happy’s new caddy Benny Safdie as golf mogul Frank Manatee Additional Cast: Sunny Sandler (Vienna), Sadie Sandler, Travis Kelce, Margaret Qualley, John Daly, Rory McIlroy, Eminem (cameos), and more sport & music legends  

Production Notes: Produced by Happy Madison and STX Films, filmed in North Jersey over fall 2024; directed by Newacheck with music by Rupert Gregson-Williams. The production is built around cameo-heavy nostalgia and real-world athletes.  Budget: Estimated at $30 million, modest compared to legacy sequel standards.  Distribution: Released globally via Netflix on July 25, 2025. 

Reception: Critics remain divided—mixed reviews on Rotten Tomatoes (65%) and Popcornmeter (~70%). Praise comes for Sandler’s commitment and cameo spectacle; criticism centers on overreliance on callbacks, tonally uneven storytelling (including a shocking death), and lazy legacy sequel tropes. Some outlets called it a “cinematic disaster,” while others saw it as funny and heartfelt escapism. 

Rating out of 10 Cameo Filled Nostalgic Rounds of Maxi Golf Darryl: 2/10 Brian: 7.5/10

Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

Summary Set in a retro‑futuristic 1960s alternate universe (Earth‑828), Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm are already established heroes expecting their first child. When cosmic threats like Galactus and Silver Surfer emerge, the team must band together to save the world—and their family dynamic. Director: Matt Shakman Writers: Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer; story contributions by Kat Wood  Cast: Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic) Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman) Joseph Quinn (Human Torch) Ebon Moss‑Bachrach (The Thing) Julia Garner (Silver Surfer) Ralph Ineson (Galactus) Paul Walter Hauser (Mole Man/Harvey Elder) John Malkovich as Red Ghost (cameo)  Production Notes: Filmed at Pinewood Studios in the UK with shoots in Derbyshire Dales and Oviedo; styled with practical miniatures, retro‑futuristic set design reminiscent of Jack Kirby comics; score by Michael Giacchino recorded at Abbey Road Studios; executive production overseen by Kevin Feige; post‑credits nod to late producer Jamie Christopher and director’s mother Inez Shakman in homage scenes  Budget: Estimated over $200 million  Box Office (Opening Weekend): Domestic 3‑day: $117.6–118M across 4,125 theaters (including ~$57M previews) International: $100M from 52 territories Global debut: ~$218M   Reception & Context: Critical consensus: ~88% on Rotten Tomatoes; CinemaScore “A‑” reflects strong audience response. Reviews praise cast chemistry, emotional grounding, and visual style—though tone is more serious than comic-minded critics expected. Some reviewers note a pacing lull and lack of overt humor from a director known for lighter work. Industry analysts call this the first confirmed MCU blockbuster of 2025—ushering in Phase 6 with confidence and momentum after pr