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PODCAST

Close Up

Thought Plane Media

We get Close Up on a variety of entertainment-- including film, television, and comics. For substantive reviews, history, trivia, lists, and debates.

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

71:28

How Toxic Fandoms Undermine The Enjoyment of All |...

Close Up ·

2025/07/12

The state of online fandom is decidednly toxic. Joe and Justin break down the ways in which this toxicity manifests and outline steps to improve the well-being of everybody who considers themselves a "fan". 04:35 A History of Passionate Nerds 11:55 IP Is Inter-generational 18:12 Lack of Understanding Franchise Themes 30:52 Lack of Critical Awareness 42:36 Commodification of Hate 47:28 A Path to Bettering Fandom: Stage 1 53:10 Bettering Fandom Stage 2 01:02:03 Bettering Fandom Stage 3 01:07:33

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36:59

The Gorge Sets a New Benchmark for Digital...

Close Up ·

2025/07/02

Justin (a Director of Photography) explains why The Gorge excels with its digital cinematography, where other films fail!00:00 Introduction02:34 Non-spoiler Review6:07 Top-tier Visual Style11:15 Plot is Overrated14:30 What's in the Gorge?16:12 CGI Should Look Unnatural23:06 Tradition Vs New School31:47 More About the Gorge's Story33:37 Colour Work35:16 Wrap-upWEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/Recorded by Joseph Morin and Justin

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32:30

Ballerina Has Strong Action But a Tired Story | Close...

Close Up ·

2025/06/26

Joe reviews "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina". 00:00 Introduction 02:22 The Shadow of John Wick 10:07 Expands the World 12:32 The Twist 14:32 Eve 16:07 Action 21:51 Themes 24:11 Criticism of the Story 28:36 Box Office Woes WEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/ JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/ Recorded by Joseph Morin and Justin Church Edited by Joseph Morin Close Up cover art by Justin Church #ballerina #johnwick #anadearmas #actionfilm #closeup #reviews

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55:17

Audio Fiction is The Most Underrated Type of Media |...

Close Up ·

2025/06/18

Joe and Justin share their love for the too-often ignored world of audio fiction. 01:18 Our Histories With Audio 05:47 Close Up 10:35 Voice Acting 15:11 New Audio Fiction 20:01 The Budget Option 21:19 Not Cool 24:55 The Appeals of the Format 32:33 Thought Plane Media Audios 41:38 Audio Fiction Classics 46:36 Visual Imagination WEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/ JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/Recorded by Joseph Morin and Justin Church Edited by Joseph Morin Close Up

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67:21

Mission Impossible 8 Is An Self Indulgent Victory Lap...

Close Up ·

2025/06/12

Justin and Joe review Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning!00:00 Introduction02:22 MI Expectations07:44 The Classic Series11:17 Bookends to MI 112:51 Luther15:17 The Stunts34:21 The Entity37:34 Combating The Entity42:39 Themes of Individualism45:18 The Franchise's Future1:00:30 Editing1:01:48 Final RankingWEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/Recorded by Joseph Morin and Justin ChurchEdited by Joseph MorinClose Up cover art by Justin

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96:22

The Last of Us S2 Makes the Game Look Fantastic...

Close Up ·

2025/06/04

Ryan and Joe review The Last of Us Season 2!00:00 Introduction04:47 That Joel Moment07:56 Season Overview10:54 Episode 614:06 Nuanced Reactions to Gay Characters17:35 The Bella Ramsey Problem19:18 Ellie's Final Kills21:49 The Seraphite Island Scene23:26 The Ellie Problem27:00 Atmosphere29:36 Ellie Is Incompetent30:28 Dina and Joel32:02 Frustrating Writing37:08 A Better Season42:22 Dina the Show Stealer45:21 Jesse47:19 Supporting Cast50:24 Spores53:26 Ellie's Characterization57:44 Action1:01:02

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53:32

Lilo and Stitch (2025) Isn't Disastrous as Expected |...

Close Up ·

2025/05/29

Justin and Joe review the live-action adaptation of Disney's Lilo and Stitch.00:00 Introduction02:15 Close Up04:11 Comparison Games07:12 Nani Overwhelmed10:31 Positive View of Social Work14:02 Living For Yourself16:33 Narrative Bloat19:17 Jumba and Pleakley22:18 Sisterly Bonding25:12 Stitch30:29 Third Act Shenanigans33:14 More Jumba and Pleakley38:29 Challenges of Adaptations48:27 Visual StyleWEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/Recorded by

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73:18

Andor is the BEST Written Star Wars (S2 Review) |...

Close Up ·

2025/05/22

Joe reviews and recaps Star Wars: Andor for Justin! 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Cassian is an Everyman 05:56 The Rebels/ Alliance 09:15 Luthen Rael 13:17 Mon Mothma's Rescue 18:18 Mon Mothma 25:09 Bail Organa 26:55 That One Force User 28:42 Dedra Meero 31:34 Luthen's Ending 35:43 Intensity 38:30 The Ghorman Massascre 47:37 Syril Karn 53:02 Bix 57:00 Andor Legacy 1:02:21 A Lived-in Universe WEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/ JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/ Recorded by

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56:39

Thunderbolts* Is A Step In the Right Direction |...

Close Up ·

2025/05/15

Justin and Joe review Marvel's Thunderbolts*! 00:00 Introduction 10:57 Exposition 13:26 Government Run Superheroes 15:27 Sentry 21:38 Ending Dream Sequence 23:19 Black Widow 25:54 Mental Health 29:00 Visual Style + Costumes 34:04 Ghost + The Writing 39:32 The New Avengerz 44:42 John Walker 49:58 Humour + Stakes 55:26 Who Is Marvel For? 49:41 Justin's Disney Conspiracy WEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/ JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/ Recorded by Joseph Morin and Justin

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73:33

What's New? | Solo Leveling, Daredevil, The Amateur |...

Close Up ·

2025/04/30

00:00 Introduction01:07 Daredevil Born Again12:04 Otherworldly17:39 The Amateur29:20 Black Mirror S739:30 Solo Leveling47:03 Light and Magic S259:44 News and TrailersWEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/Recorded by Joseph Morin and Justin ChurchEdited by Joseph MorinClose Up cover art by Justin Church#sololeveling #daredevil #blackmirror #ilm #closeup #reviews

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85:36

What's Better? | Star Wars The Clone Wars vs Rebels |...

Close Up ·

2025/04/23

00:00 Intro and rules Justin and Joe debate whether Star Wars: The Clone Wars is superior to Star Wars: Rebels (+ The Bad Batch for good measure).FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085031226698TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@thoughtplanemediaWEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/Recorded by Joseph Morin and Justin ChurchEdited by Joseph MorinClose Up cover art by Justin Church#starwars #rebels #clonewars #badbatch

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76:13

Leisure List | Critical Role C1, Marry My Husband,...

Close Up ·

2025/04/16

00:00 Intro and rules 01:17 Critical Role C1 15:57 Titan Mage 28:26 Asteroid City 36:58 Marry My Husband 48:47 The 1990s Addams Family 01:00:57 The Hobbit (Andy Serkis) 01:10:20 Joe's Quick Picks (Action Comics: The Arena)FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085031226698TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@thoughtplanemediaWEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/Recorded by Joseph Morin and Justin ChurchEdited by Joseph MorinClose Up

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78:57

Leisure List | Impact Winter, Superhero Movie, Spy...

Close Up ·

2025/04/09

00:00 Intro and rules 02:50 Four Weddings and a Funeral 13:17 Impact Winter S1-3 24:51 Superhero Movie 35:32 Tails Noir 46:38 Tremors 59:19 Spy Family S1-2 + Code White 1:07:13 Joe's Quick Picks (Fiddler On the Roof, The Pianist, 12 Angry Men)FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085031226698TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@thoughtplanemediaWEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/Recorded by Joseph Morin and Justin ChurchEdited by

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74:06

What's New? | Novocaine, Black Bag, Looney Tunes,...

Close Up ·

2025/04/02

(0:00) Introduction (01:04) Novocaine Review (13:58) Black Bag Review (14:16) Marvel Rivals Review (35:56) The Day the Earth Blew Up Review (43:59) Looney Tunes/ Warner Bros Drama News (52:33) Snow White debacle News (01:01:37) Marvel shows chairs for 5 hours News FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085031226698 TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@thoughtplanemedia WEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/ JUSTIN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.instagram.com/jchurchtpm/ Recorded by Joseph Morin

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109:34

Leisure List | Latest: Invincible S3, Mickey 17,...

Close Up ·

2025/03/20

THE LIST (Now with time codes!)Invincible Season 3 (00:02:46)Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 3 (00:11:38)Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 7 (00:24:52)Mickey 17 (00:41:53)The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep (00:55:21)Solo Levelling (01:10:06)Escape From New York (01:16:20)The Mist (01:25:00)Harrow the Ninth + Nona the Ninth (01:32:37)JOE'S QUICK PICS: (01:41:49)The Sound of Metal, Chef, Room, Seven, Lost in Translation, Paths of Glory (01:41:41)FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085031226698TIKTOK:

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8:18

The Truth About Close Up's Floundering Recent History...

Close Up ·

2025/03/05

Joe reviews all the ways he's failed the podcast since Ryan left, and how he plans to right the ship moving forward.FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085031226698TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@thoughtplanemediaWEBSITE: https://www.thoughtplane.ca/RYAN'S SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=ryanwalkerofficial&t=1645086679872 https://www.instagram.com/ryanwalkerofficial/?hl=enRecorded by Joseph MorinEdited by Joseph MorinClose Up cover art by Justin Church#updatenews

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97:35

Leisure Lists | Latest: Skeleton Crew, and A Complete...

Close Up ·

2025/02/19

THE LIST Skeleton Crew Gladiator 2 Dandadan Dune: Prophecy Spaceman A Complete Unknown Beastars Seasons 1-3 Pride and Prejudice (2005) Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV The Devil's Advocate Re:Zero Season 2 The World's EndHooked The Master Overlord Light Novel 1 It's a Wonderful Life Kindergarten Cop Road House (1989) Anna KareninaAnnie (1982) Journey to BethlehemSimpsons S13 Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey Fanboys FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085031226698 TIKTOK:

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99:29

Justin and Joe's Leisure Lists (January 2025) | Close...

Close Up ·

2025/01/22

THE LIST-Ghost Wire: Tokyo-Action Comics: Warworld Rising. -Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon-Near Automaton-8 Mile-Detective Comics: The Neighborhood. -Sweet Tooth Seasons 2-3-Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea-Casper (1995)-Unsouled (Part of The Cradle series)-Ghost Rider (2007)-Superman Vol 1 The Truth-Vox Machina S3 (Justin's take)-American Pie-American Pie 2-American Wedding-American Reunion-Tower of Power series Books 1-4-The Monuments Men-Trainspotting-The Strange Case-Gangs of New York-The

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100:00

Justin and Joe's Leisure Lists (December 2024) |...

Close Up ·

2024/12/11

THE LIST-Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.-Cobra Kai S6 Part 2-Star Wars: Padawan's Pride-The Penguin (HBO)-Conclave-Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom-Wicked: Part 1-This is 40-Demon Slayer S3-Molly's Game-The Notebook-Arcane S1-The Mask of Zorro-Mr and Mrs Smith-Jake's Magical Market-The Negotiator-Be Careful What You Wish For (Novel)-Around the World in 80 Days (Novel)-Justice League: Endless Winter (Graphic Novel)-Dimension 20: Escape From the Bloodkeep-Doki Doki Literature Club (Video

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96:48

Justin and Joe's Leisure Lists (November 2024) |...

Close Up ·

2024/11/20

THE LISTGideon the Ninth Star Trek 4: The Voyage HomeLegally Blonde.Red RisingBoardwalk empire S1Star Trek 5: The Final FrontierDeath Note Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered CountryTwin Peaks: The Missing PiecesDemon SlayerThe Warsaw Protocol by Steve BerryThe Earth and Sky and Marvels of Astronomy by Clarence R. SmithDead Boy DetectivesJack Reacher: Never Go BackTwin Peaks: The ReturnDelicious in Dungeon Batman: Ghost Stories by James Tynion IV, Guillem March, James Stokoe, Carlo Pagulayan and David

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164 results

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