Episode 285 - Heneral Luna (w/ BFF of the BFE: Juleen)
“Bayan o sarili?” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam – as we ride into revolution and betrayal in our 285th episode, tackling the powerful, patriotic, and provocative Heneral Luna (2015). We’re later joined by BFF of the BFE Juleen, as we trade chequered flags for sabres and cigar smoke while we discuss:
Ian shares a personal story about how his perspective on film shifted dramatically this week—and why Heneral Luna hit harder than expected.
We talk about rediscovering old hobbies and how sometimes history—and a great movie—can reignite forgotten passions.
We’ve got some big BFE cast news to share—don’t worry, no one got court-martialed.
Was Antonio Luna an epic figure… but a deeply unlikeable man? We break down the myth and the man.
At what point do patriotism and ego diverge—especially in military leadership? And how much of Luna’s downfall was self-inflicted?
Why is this vital and volatile chapter of Filipino history completely absent from most American history books?
Juleen joins us with powerful insights from her time living in Southern California and how Heneral Luna resonates against today’s shifting political tides.
Our Rodecaster decides to go full rebellion, jumping ship mid-episode—more than once.
What’s with all the Jesus imagery? From framing to posture to betrayal, Luna doesn’t hold back.
One scene left Ian absolutely gobsmacked—he didn’t see it coming, and we’re still picking our jaws off the floor.
Why did troop movements in this film feel like Season 8 of Game of Thrones? Can we get a map?
Are Americans great marksmen… or hilariously awful? And what made standing up in battle a form of actual camouflage?
Whether Heneral Luna is the Best Film Ever—or just the best film you’ve never heard of.
Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.
We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:
Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.
Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.
Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.
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3:32:00
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3:32:00
Episode 284 - Rush
“The closer you are to death, the more alive you feel.” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam – as we rev the engines, grip the wheel, and go full throttle into our 284th episode with a look at Ron Howard’s high-octane drama Rush (2013). We’re trading poisoned apples for podium finishes as we dive into one of Formula 1’s greatest real-life rivalries:
What is it about films that explore the pursuit of greatness that gets our hearts racing every time?
We break down why stories with duelling personalities—like Hunt and Lauda—are so compelling, especially when each sees themselves reflected in the other.
What elements of the true story were changed, streamlined, or dialled up to eleven for cinematic effect?
Ian and Liam try to figure out which one of them is the reckless playboy and which is the meticulous technician… and it gets uncomfortable quickly.
We talk about the power of respect over friendship, the blurred lines between envy and admiration, and why this film might be Ron Howard’s unsung masterpiece.
Whether Rush is the Best Film Ever—or just one hell of a ride worth taking.
Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.
We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:
Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.
Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.
Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.
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2:32:09
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2:32:09
Episode 283 - Toy Story 3
“So long… partner.” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam – as we stare mortality, memory, and molten doom right in the eye in our 283rd episode, covering Pixar’s emotional rollercoaster Toy Story 3 (2010). We’re trading poisoned apples for daycare drama and incinerator trauma as we ask whether this trilogy-closer really is the perfect goodbye:
We are so very thankful for a new piece of kit that limited our downtime this week
We talk about why Toy Story 3 might just be the best third act in any trilogy ever.
Ian reflects on the passage of time, growing up, and how Pixar weaponised emotion in the final 20 minutes.
Liam bravely tries to hold it together during that incinerator scene—and that goodbye with Andy.
Is Lotso one of Pixar’s greatest villains and what is it about him that Liam hates so much but Ian loves so much?
We talk about daycare as dystopia, Big Baby as horror icon, why Mr. Pricklepants deserved more screen time and who exactly is watching these kids at the daycare?
Why does this hit so hard for adults? Is it just about toys—or everything we leave behind?
Ian breaks down the film’s narrative structure and how it perfectly mirrors growing up and letting go.
Whether Toy Story 3 is the Best Film Ever—or just the most emotionally devastating G-rated film of all time.
Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.
We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:
Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.
Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.
Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.
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2:15:06
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2:15:06
Episode 282 - Mr. & Mrs. Smith
“Happy anniversary, baby.” Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting trio – Ian, Liam & Megs (Kev's taking care of some issues in Atlanta) – as we lock and load for our 282nd episode, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Doug Liman’s bullet-riddled marital meltdown Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005). We’re trading treasure maps and Pepsi product placement for high-tech arsenals and awkward couples therapy as we discuss:
At what point exactly did Brad Pitt's & Angelina Jolie's respective existing marriages become doomed
The world of super spies and just how deep your cover has to be before you forget who you're actually married to.
We get a guest review from a parent of a podcaster this week—they've certainly chosen a side
Do our respective genders guarantee a same-gender allegiance or is it up for grabs
One of us struggles to accept the film’s central conceit (spoiler: it involves assassins, suburbs, and how you manage to create your respective weapons stashes).
How this film caused a minor international incident
We ask the big question: Was Brad Pitt a character actor trapped in a movie star’s body all along?
What’s wrong with the narrative pacing—and why does it feel like the film ran out of bullets before the third act?
We dive into the ongoing conversation around gender pay equality, especially when both leads aren't marquee stars.
Is this a great film or just a very stylish couples' argument with body count.
How much mediocrity can great chemistry overcome
Whether Mr. & Mrs. Smith is the Best Film Ever
Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.
We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:
Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.
Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.
Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.
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3:40:21
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3:40:21
See It or Skip It? - Karate Kid: Legends
FIRST 23:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 23:00: Full Spoiler Review
It’s another Sunday edition of See It or Skip It and this time Ian is flying solo to crane-kick his way through Karate Kid: Legends (2025), the latest legacy sequel to join the dojo of long-dormant franchises getting a fresh coat of wax. But did we really need another Karate Kid movie?
Ian’s here to break down whether this spiritual sequel finds balance or just breaks the board. Does Legends honour the conventions we expect from a Karate Kid film—training montages, tournaments, and that moment of quiet wisdom from a mentor—or does it skip straight to a breakneck pace that leaves the heart of the series behind?
What should a legacy sequel accomplish in its first outing? Is this film content to lean on nostalgia, or does it earn its place in the Karate Kid canon? Ian explores whether the new characters bring something meaningful to the dojo or if they’re just here to bow respectfully and cash in.
All this and more in this week’s See It or Skip It review of Karate Kid: Legends—and of course, Ian lets you know if you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.
New Zealand