The Wait For It Podcast

When does entertainment become too expensive? This month, we dive headfirst into the controversy surrounding Borderlands 4's $80 price tag and Randy Pitchford's divisive "if you're a real fan, you'll find a way" comments. Our spirited discussion examines the rising cost of gaming across the industry and what it means for accessibility when even basic entertainment becomes a luxury some can't afford.

• Randy Pitchford told fans "if you're a real fan, you'll find a way" to afford the $80 Borderlands 4
• Game prices continue to rise with Nintendo games reaching $90 and GTA 6 potentially hitting $100
• MoviePass is returning with a fant...

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 before voice acting
• Roo's cosplay journey began with Junko Enoshima from Danganronpa and has expanded to include many One Piece characters
• Her gaming interests span from childhood Nintendo...

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 Creed II and Ezio Auditore revolutionized the series with improved gameplay, character depth, and Renaissance setting
• Brotherhood refined mechanics while Revelations completed Ezio's story arc
• Black Flag remains the pinnacle pirate game experien...

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 captures the quiet strength of a mother protecting her children while seeking answers
• Set against the backdrop of Rio's beaches, the film contrasts the family's idyllic lifestyle with the ever-present military threat
• Director Walter Salles uses authentic period filmmaking techniques including Super 8...

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's standout element
• Scorsese's portrayal of 1970s New York City creates a character of its own through gritty, atmospheric cinematography
• Bernard Herrmann's jazz-influenced score perfectly enhances the film's sense of isolation and brewing violence
• The film's 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
• Designing books as collectible art pieces that remind readers of their emotional journey
• Stories designed to provoke questions readers will debate with friends
• Balancing work and passion by reading fantasy novels and staying ph...

From 36,000 feet in the air to the depths of future dystopian worlds, Nicholas Keating-Casbarro shares the incredible journey of creating his sci-fi franchise, Vitalerium – Descent into the Void. We explore how a career in the medical field led to writing a sci-fi series about humanity's complex future 700 years from now.

• Writing a sci-fi novel during countless flight hours while working in medical devices
• Creating Vitalerium – a sci-fi universe following a roughneck freelancer caught in a planetary conspiracy
• Building an extensive story bible with a 40-tab Excel document detailing planets, societies, and technologies
• Drawing insp...

We go behind the music of Naruto: The Symphonic Experience with Heidi Joosten. This North American tour brings the iconic anime to life with a full orchestra performing to scenes from the first 220 episodes projected on a cinema screen.

• The show combines a live orchestra with favorite fight scenes and beloved music from the early Naruto series
• Audiences are encouraged to react, cheer, and engage with the performance—not a traditional quiet symphony experience
• The production features a rock band, horns, reeds, and strings playing music by some of the best in the business
• This forma...

The hosts from the Super Bracket Bros Cinematic Universe return to discuss April's most interesting pop culture stories and compete in a lively Kahoot game. They explore scientific breakthroughs, gaming controversies, and exciting new entertainment projects with humor and insight.

• Return of the dire wolf after 10,000 years through gene editing by Colossal Biosciences
• Celebrity-funded de-extinction projects raising ethical concerns about playing with nature
• Nintendo's Switch 2 announcement creating fan whiplash with improved hardware but controversial pricing
• $80-90 Mario Kart pricing exemplifying Nintendo's confidence in their market position
• Ryan Coogler drawing inspiration from Puss in Boots: The...

We deep dive into Slay the Spire, the roguelike deck-building game that surprised us with its addictive gameplay and endless replayability. This recommendation from our patron Stefan takes us far outside our comfort zone, yet proves to be one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences we've had.

• Exploring how Slay the Spire works as a roguelike deck-builder with procedural generation
• Discussing our initial hesitation and eventual appreciation for the game's accessible design
• Breaking down the different character classes and their unique playstyles
• Sharing strategies for success and learning from failure across multiple runs
• Examining...

Mamoru Hosoda's "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" follows 17-year-old Makoto Konno who discovers she can literally leap backward through time, using her newfound ability to reshape her experiences and relationships with mixed results.

• Exploring Hosoda's distinct animation style that differs from Ghibli films while maintaining beautiful visuals
• Examining the relatable teenage friend group dynamic among Makoto, Chiaki, and Kosuke
• Appreciating the unique visual representation of time travel through physical leaping
• Discussing how the film balances comedy with deeper themes of choice and consequence
• Analyzing the third-act revelations and somewhat ambiguous ending
• Comparing th...

The guys review Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, a 2012 web series-turned-movie that follows military cadets who must team up with Master Chief when their academy is attacked by the Covenant.

• A tale of two halves, with the first portion focusing on cadet training that feels slow and uninspired
• The film dramatically improves once the Covenant attack begins around the midpoint
• Excellent atmospheric portrayal of the Covenant as genuinely terrifying threats
• Master Chief's portrayal strikes the perfect balance between badass soldier and empathetic hero
• Impressive use of a $10 million budget to create effective horror-action sequences
• Ffla...

Step into the electric atmosphere of Collective Con during these live interviews with the talents behind some of your favorite characters across film, television, anime, and video games. A huge thank you to the event organizers of Collective Con and the extraordinarily talented Jack Drain, who allowed us the opportunity to take part in these live interviews. We hope you enjoy this episode and we will see you at next year's event!

We start off with Shawn Ashmore (0:15) talking about his favorite fandoms and how he's always wanted to...

Special guests Bridget Rulz and Vintage Macaroni from Retro AV Rewind join us for a lively discussion about the most interesting pop culture moments of March.

• Common Side Effects on HBO Max gets renewed for season 2 - a dark animated series about a mushroom that can cure anything
• The moral dilemma of possessing something with unlimited healing power: would you profit or share freely?
• Disney announces "Not Just a Goof" documentary about the untold story of A Goofy Movie and its cult following
• Underrated Disney films deserving more recognition, including Atlantis, Treasure Planet...

The world of voice acting often seems glamorous from the outside, but behind every character is a person with their own path, struggles, and triumphs. Professional voice actor Josh Portillo shares his journey from childhood influences to navigating the voice acting industry, balancing grief with career demands, and finding community in creative spaces.

• Started voice acting to support a friend before discovering his own passion for the craft.
• Went full-time after careful consideration and encouragement from peers.
• Credits video games and cartoons for "saving his life" during a difficult childhood.
• Emphasizes the importance of genuine...

We dive into The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe, a meta-commentary game that challenges what a video game can be while providing a compelling experience about choice, predestination, and the relationship between player and creator.

• Plays like an interactive choose-your-own-adventure book with countless branching paths and endings
• Features a narrator who responds to player choices, creating a dynamic relationship between game and player
• Raises philosophical questions about whether player choices in games truly matter
• Compares to shows like Severance with its empty office aesthetic and themes
• Contains numerous Easter eggs, achievements, and meta-humor about the gaming...

We dive into the Chinese animated phenomenon Ne Zha on this episode, exploring how this little-known film and its sequel became the highest-grossing animated movies of all time while most Western audiences have never heard of them. Whether you're an animation enthusiast or simply curious about international cinema that's breaking records, Ne Zha offers stunning visuals, emotional storytelling, and cultural insights that shouldn't be missed.

• Based on Chinese folk religion, Ne Zha tells the story of a protection deity born as a devil incarnate instead of a hero
• First film released in 2019 on a modest $22 million budg...

Keith Arem and Chris Yates unveil 'Frost Road', a groundbreaking apocalyptic horror graphic novel that plays like "a zombie movie in reverse", and our guests reveal the science behind this project of salt, sound, and survival.

• A story that blends the emotional intensity of The Last of Us with the atmosphere of A Quiet Place and dread of Silent Hill
• Keith brings extensive experience of over 30+ years from the video game (Call of Duty, Spider-Man) and the music industry
• Chris contributes expertise from Disney, United Talent Agency's graphic novel division, and publis...

Covering the iconic film "The Shawshank Redemption" after seeing it for the first time, we delve into its journey from initial failure to cinematic excellence. It's not just about prison; it's about hope, friendship, and resilience in the face of adversity. 

- Discussion of the film’s historical context and critical reception 
- Analysis of key characters and performances by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman 
- Insights on cinematic techniques and thematic elements 
- Personal reflections and critiques from the hosts 
- Closing thoughts and overall ratings of the film 

Letterbo...