The Wait For It Podcast

We dive into LA Noire, Rockstar Games' often overlooked 2011 detective thriller that pioneered facial animation technology but struggled to become a true classic.

• LA Noire was revolutionary for its MotionScan facial animation system, creating unprecedented realism for interrogation scenes
• The game's "Truth, Doubt, Lie" system became iconic but often led to unexpectedly aggressive responses from ...

The devastating impact of war through the eyes of children creates one of cinema's most profound animated experiences, standing as Studio Ghibli's most sobering and realistic work.

• Grave of the Fireflies (1988) is directed by Isao Takahata, co-founder of Studio Ghibli
• The film follows 14-year-old Seita and his younger sister Setsuko as they struggle to survive after losing their mother in WWII Japan
•...

We investigate Zack Snyder's 2013 Superman origin film Man of Steel, comparing it with the new 2025 Superman movie and reflecting on how its controversial approach continues to influence superhero films a decade later.

• Krypton sequences featuring Russell Crowe and Michael Shannon stand as the film's strongest segments
• Flashback structure feels disjointed and lacks clear purpose or emotional throughline

Eric and Phil return with a throwback format for this episode, diving into July 2025's entertainment landscape without guests or gimmicks—just two hosts chatting about what you might have missed this past month.

• Marvel pivots from Kang to Downey Jr as Doctor Doom after Feige admits "Kang wasn't big enough" to follow Thanos
• Neil Druckmann steps away from HBO's Last of Us ahead of season 3 to...

Victor Larson joins us to share his incredible journey building NomNom, a unique trading card role-playing game that blends elements from TCGs, tabletop RPGs, and board games into an immersive gaming experience set in a world where "all doorways lead to NomNom."

• Created the world of NomNom as a creative playground for his diverse artistic interests
• Designed a unique setting where ancient technologies and ...

Eric and Phil take a nostalgic journey through arcade-style sports games from the 90s and 2000s, exploring the decline of this once-thriving genre that prioritized outrageous fun over simulation.

• NBA Jam with its flaming basketballs, NFL Blitz with its bone-crushing late hits, and other classics represented a golden era of accessible sports gaming
• Both hosts reveal their "Holy Trinity" of sports games, wi...

K-pop Demon Hunters blends spectacular animation with chart-topping music to create Netflix's biggest animated surprise hit of the year. Sony Pictures' animated film follows K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey who use their secret powers to protect fans from supernatural threats.

• Animation style draws inspiration from Spider-Verse and Mitchells vs. The Machines, offering something fresh compared to traditiona...

We dive into DreamWorks' criminally underrated 2022 animated film "The Bad Guys," exploring why this stylish heist movie deserves more recognition alongside studio favorites.

• Based on the popular children's books by Aaron Blabey
• Features an impressive voice cast including Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Awkwafina, and Anthony Ramos
• Animation style heavily influenced by "Spid...

Longtime friend Erin, who works as Community Manager for 2K Games on Borderlands, joins us for a special reunion episode filled with nostalgia, cryptid sightings, and Hollywood career revelations.

• Harold and Kumar are getting a new sequel with original stars John Cho and Kal Penn expected to return
• Discussing whether early 2000s stoner comedies can successfully translate to today's entertainment landscape
...

Lalaine Art Geek shares her journey as a cartoonist, illustrator, and comic artist, revealing how her distinctive bold, colorful style has evolved from composition notebooks to digital platforms and print. Her vibrant approach to character design draws inspiration from some of your favorite franchises in pop culture, creating a unique style that pops off the screen and stands out at conventions!

• Creating character-focuse...

We dive into the world of park building games with a focus on Jurassic World Evolution 2, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and the crucial role of mods in enhancing gameplay.

• Comparing Jurassic World Evolution 1 (2018) and Evolution 2 (2021)
• The experience gap between console and PC gameplay due to mod support
• Evolution 2's simplified approach compared to other park builders like Planet Zoo and Prehi...

For this edition of International Feature, we dive into The First Slam Dunk, exploring how the 2022 anime film became the highest-grossing basketball movie of all time with nearly $300 million worldwide. They analyze the revolutionary animation style that blends 2D and 3D techniques while discussing whether it successfully welcomes newcomers to the franchise.

• Groundbreaking animation combining traditional 2D with CGI cre...

Perfect Blue, Satoshi Kon's 1997 directorial debut, stands as one of the most influential and psychologically complex anime films ever created, still inspiring filmmakers today with its disturbing yet masterful narrative about identity and fame. The film's ability to blur the lines between reality and delusion creates a viewing experience that continues to haunt viewers days after watching, making it a timeless psychologi...

The entertainment industry is constantly evolving, and May 2025 brought several significant developments that caught the attention of pop culture enthusiasts everywhere. From controversial pricing decisions to exciting casting announcements, there's much to unpack in this month's entertainment landscape.

• Randy Pitchford told fans "if you're a real fan, you'll find a way" to afford the $80 Bo...

Voice actress Roo Ryder shares her journey from athlete to anime star, revealing how she became the voice of Torako Koshi in "My Deer Friend Nokotan" and built her career in gaming, voice acting, and cosplay.

• Roo discusses her background as an athlete and how COVID led her to pursue voice acting professionally in 2022
• Her experience working as a party princess entertainer helped develop her character work...

We take a deep dive into the Assassin's Creed franchise with Andrew from Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers to examine its evolution from humble beginnings to global phenomenon. Together, we trace the journey from Altair's first adventure to the latest installment in feudal Japan.

• The first Assassin's Creed established a foundation despite repetitive gameplay and a bland protagonist
• Assassin's Cr...

We return to international cinema with 2024's Oscar winner for Best International Film, "I'm Still Here," a powerful true story about Brazil's military dictatorship and one family's devastating experience.

• Based on the true story of Eunice Paiva, whose husband disappeared during Brazil's military dictatorship in 1971
• Features an extraordinary performance from Fernanda Torres that ...

Travis Bickle, a lonely Vietnam War veteran working as a NYC taxi driver, descends into violent vigilantism as his mental state deteriorates and his disgust with urban decay intensifies. Martin Scorsese's legendary 1976 character study features an iconic performance by Robert De Niro that continues to influence cinema decades later.

• Robert De Niro's transformative performance as Travis Bickle remains the film&a...

Matthew Medney joins us to discuss GUNGNIR, his fresh publishing company blending punk rock spirit with Norse mythology to create bold, innovative sci-fi and fantasy narratives.

• Journey from music industry production management to publishing
• Creating a community-based publisher where readers discover new voices and follow favorite authors
• Every Gungnir book has its own unique artistic style – no house style