But Why Tho? The Podcast

Kate and Matt headed out to see the third and final installment of the Maze Runner trilogy on opening night and walked away feeling things. Seemingly closing the chapter on Young Adult fiction adaptations for awhile, what did you think about the much delayed movie? Hints for the episode: They waited 3 years to see these stories end and it sure does end.     *Music used is from the Maze Runner: The Death Cure trailer*

This week we celebrate our 50th episode by answering your questions!! In this episode you'll learn a lot about us and who we are outside the podcast and what parts of pop culture get us going. Look out tomorrow for the prize drawing! 

This weekend (Jan 12-14) Matt and Kate to PAX South, a gaming convention in San Antonio Texas. Check out their highlights and experience in this episode! Head over to our website for all of the organizations, games, and people mentioned in this episode. *Correction - Kate says that Doctor B is the clinical psychologist but his correct title is clinical director of Take This. 

After 25 years in the industry, Mexican director, Guillermo del Toro, has earned a spot among the cinematic greats. His striking visual style and color pallets have made a name for him, and his dark fairy tale style has left a mark on the genre of horror. In this episode Kate brings us through GDT's influences, passion, and ultimately how his films have affected the landscape around them.  Music Used: Pan's Labyrinth Lullaby by Javier Navarrete and Fox Searchlight's The Shape of Water theatrical trailer

This week we recapped everything that happened in 2017. With the podcast, with our lives, and in popular culture. Find out our favorites, our worst, our underwhelming, and where we're taking the pod in 2018. We also want to say a special thanks to all of the guests we had this year! You'll hear from them throughout the episode.  

By you know that we all have advanced degrees. In that process we met some interesting friends doing interesting work. In this Crossover, Matt talks with Brice, a Latin American Religions PhD student, talk about uncontacted tribes. Asking how they still maintain this isolation in 2018, interactions they have had with the world, and how they could enrich both anthropological and scientific research. 

Everyone has a Holiday Special! Now we do too! We talk about the most wonderful time of the year, our favorite holiday movies, tv specials and eggnog.

Like Frank Castle's vengeance, this episode has been a long time coming. After dissecting the character in Episode 42, we look at the newest Marvel on Netflix series: The Punisher. We have a lot to say about one of the most iconic and complicated characters from Marvel. Music used is not our own. Intro Music: Main Title Theme, Tyler Bates -- Outro Music: Hell Broke Luce, Tom Waits 

Why is Star Wars still smashing the box office and outselling other franchises after 40 years? This week we tell you why George Lucas’ Star Wars turned from science fiction blockbuster to the backbone of American mythology. From the height of being nerdy to becoming pop culture references that every in our pop culture galaxy know and love. The Original Trilogy Matters…But Why Tho? All music in this episode belongs to the Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm Ltd. and was composed by John Williams.

We're closing out the year with a movie everyone has been waiting for: The Last Jedi. The second part of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi has had fans hearts and minds whirling, debating, and running back to the theater for their second, third, fourth, and even fifth viewings. In this episode, hear what we have to say with guest Sceritz from the Wakanda IV Lyfe podcast. We talk the highs, the lows, and where we rank this movie among the others in the franchise.  All music used is composed by John Williams and owned by the Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm Ltd

In this crossover, Matt sits down with Jason Flatt, host of the Holy Star Wars podcast to discuss the religion and mythology of Assassin's Creed. But you won't get an explanation of historical parallels to the Templars and the Assassin's like everywhere else. Instead, they dive deep into the myth of the Isu, the gods of the games, the first people, ancient aliens, and how free-will comes into play in religion and beyond.  Music used: Assassin's Creed: Origins Cinematic trailer music, Fly Like an Eagle by Seal Follow Jason on Twitter @Flatter_You and find his podcast @holy_star_wars

For Episode II of our Star Wars special leading up to The Last Jedi, we're talking about the 40 years of video games that allowed fans to enter the Star Wars universe, create their own stories, and even dance as Han Solo. Yes. We talk about that game. Spanning game-type, character focuses, and even building out the now apocryphal Extended Universe, these video games matter...but why tho? Music Used: Star Wars Opening Crawl theme by John Williams, All rights belong to Lucasfilm and the Walt Disney Company

Nothing turns into a debate quicker than the Prequel Trilogy. Love them, hate them, want more from them, or appreciate them, the Prequel Trilogy is a point of contention and argument in the Star Wars fandom. This week we cover the bad, the good, and it's impact on the Star Wars universe. We focus on the But Why Thos from start to finish and it's definitely a ride.   All music used belongs to Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company, composed by John Williams

We all love popular culture, but few of us use it to do good in the world. In this Missions that Matters episode, we got to sit down with a member of the Red Sands Patrol, the El Paso, TX squad of the global organization: The 501st Legion. Dressed as Stormtroopers, Tie Pilots, Vader, and more, the 501st Legion uses their love of Star Wars to give back to their communities and bring the community together through their love of the franchise. Yes, they even work with rebel scum.  This interview is reflective of the West Texas Squadron of Star Garrison and specifically the activities and events of the El Paso chapter.  All music used is by John Williams and owned by the Walt Disney Company. 

In honor of The Last Jedi and because the Star wars universe is so wide and vast, we've decided to do a lot a special series where we look at different pieces of the franchise and ask, but why tho? This week Adrian brings us through the world of Star Wars books, both pre and post Disney. 

This week we talk about the highest grossing media franchise ever, one of the longest running series, and a franchise that has been a card game, a manga, an anime, a video game, and a gateway to otaku status for kids in the US: Pokémon. Adrian brings us through one of his first fandoms and explains how it has been able to unite families and generations of fans, how it became a phenomena, and why it beats out Star Wars when it comes to money. Pokémon matters, but why tho?

Did Justice League save the DCEU? Can you really not save the world alone? Find out on our spoiler-filled review of Warner Brothers' Justice League. We take you through the movie with our thoughts on what appears to be a very divisive movie among comic book fans and movie-goers.  Music Used: Come Together by Gary Clark Jr.; Icky Thump by The White Stripes

This week we talk about why we need anti-heroes as we explore Frank Castle, The Punisher. We talk about his history, his trauma and why chaotic good is sometimes the only way to counter chaotic evil. We cover why he's important in the Marvel universe, in the world of anti-heroes, and why veterans and active duty military connect with Frank and use his symbol. We take through his trauma, so that you can understand the violence in his world. Sometimes we need a soldier, not a Superhero.  Music used: In time by Mark Collie and War Zone by Rob Zombie

With the Justice League movie coming out this weekend (Nov. 17th) we decided to revisit Bruce Timm's early 2000s animated series and it's sequel. Justice League and Justice League: Unlimited is loved by critics and fans alike and defined the League and it's heroes for a generation of comic book and superhero fans.  Music used: Justice League intro theme, Justice League: Unlimited intro theme

We saw Thor: Ragnarok opening night, but you still have to! This episode spoils everything about the movie. We go into our takes on the cast, the music, and the fresh new dynamic that the director, Taika Waititi brought to the MCU. So, where does the third installment of the Thor series rank for us? Does this blow other comic book movies out of the water this year? Do you come from the land of the ice and snow, from the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow? Find out now! Music used:  Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin; In the Face of Evil by Magic Sword