EP 196: 2008’s Box Office Countdown (5–1) – Jokers, Jones, and ABBA (ft. Phoenix Clouden)
Episode Description: Jason is joined by the ever unpredictable Phoenix Clouden (The Film Canon) to finish the epic climb through 2008’s biggest box office hits! This is the top 5 where caped crusaders, crystal skulls, pandas, demigods, and dancing queens battled for cinematic dominance.
It's a strange mix of gritty realism, nostalgic absurdity, and pop musical euphoria
Films Discussed:
Mamma Mia! (5) – Meryl, ABBA, and summer dreams you can sorta almost sing along to.
Hancock (4) – A drunken antihero gets a redemption arc, and the movie continues.
Kung Fu Panda (3) – The animated surprise that kicks harder than anyone expects.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2) – Aliens? Fridges? And the first real internet backlash blockbuster.
The Dark Knight (1) – Ledger’s Joker, Nolan’s vision, and the box office juggernaut that changed the game. But is it...good?
IN THIS EPISODE:
Phoenix defends Kung Fu Panda as top-tier animation with real heart and craft.
Jason revisits Hancock and some tone deaf creative choices.
Can Mamma Mia! actually work as a movie?
Was Crystal Skull ever really that bad, or just a victim of overhype?
And does The Dark Knight still hold up as the superhero movie to beat?
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New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
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