The Commentary Booth

The Commentary Booth is a weekly entertainment podcast where we watch, & you guessed it commentate on the week that was in movies & TV. Each week, Jamie & a rotating cast of colour commentators will review what they've been watching to help you find your next viewing treat.

The Commentary Booth is a tv podcast hosted by Pario Magazine, with 300 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Pario Magazine hosts The Commentary Booth, a tv show with 300 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #340

  Solo: A Star Wars Story

  Sep 29, 202638 min

  Han Solo's origin story takes centre stage as The Commentary Booth continues its Star Wars 50th Anniversary Celebration Rewatch Series with Solo: A Star Wars Story. Jamie Apps and Corrina Mabey head back to 2018 for a space Western packed with smugglers, criminals, double-crosses, questionable life choices and, eventually, one very familiar Wookiee. For Corrina, this is her very first watch of Solo, and somehow, eight years on, she managed to dodge every spoiler, including the movie's biggest reveal. The pair dig into Alden Ehrenreich ’s portrayal of Han Solo, asking whether he manages to capture Harrison Ford 's swagger without simply becoming a Ford impersonator. They also discuss Donald Glover 's near-perfect Lando Calrissian, Emilia Clarke ’s Qi'ra, Woody Harrelson 's Tobias Beckett and a surprisingly stacked supporting cast. Then there's the production drama. Jamie breaks down the notorious change of directors from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller to Ron Howard , the competing creative visions behind the movie and how that turbulent production may have contributed to a film that sometimes feels like two different Star Wars adventures fighting for screen time. The conversation also gets into the spectacular train heist, the Kessel Run, Han and Chewie's first meeting, L3-37, the film's endless betrayals, the Darth Maul surprise and why Corrina absolutely did not see that one coming. Is Solo an underrated Star Wars adventure, an overlong origin story, or simply a decent movie caught in the middle of a galaxy-sized production mess? Jamie and Corrina have plenty to say about it. Plus, find out where Solo lands in their personal Star Wars rankings and whether either of them thinks they'd willingly watch it again. This week’s episode is brought to you by Australian Wrestling Cards Check out more great content from Pario Magazine on our website . ------------------------------------------------------------- SUPPORT PARIO MAGAZINE & THE COMMENTARY BOOTH - PATREON - BUY MERCH - AMAZON PRIME VIDEO - TUBEBUDDY - Subscribe to AEW Plus using my code (q0yydoz) to earn $10 in FITE credit - Shop Online With Honey - Shop Online With Satechi MY EQUIPMENT - Elgato Facecam - Rode PodMic - Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP - Streamlabs Talk Studio FOLLOW JAMIE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - TikTok FOLLOW PARIO MAGAZINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram

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  Episode #339

  David Baker - Baker’s Blades

  Sep 22, 202651 min

  What happens when a lifelong obsession with swords, history and making things turns into a career spanning Hollywood, television and now YouTube? In this episode of The Commentary Booth , Jamie Apps sits down with historic weapons recreation specialist and longtime Forged In Fire judge David Baker for a wide-ranging conversation about three decades in bladesmithing, the rollercoaster rise and quiet end of one of TV's most beloved competition shows, and the passion project that's picking up where it left off: Baker’s Blades . David takes Jamie behind the scenes of his extraordinary creative journey, from teaching actors how to sword fight and building theatrical weapons for film and television, to recreating some of history’s most fascinating blades. Jamie and David also look back at the rise of Forged in Fire, from what was originally intended to be a 10-episode run to a series that eventually stretched across 11 seasons of production. David discusses what made the show so special, the incredible bladesmiths he encountered, the realities of filming a competition involving live weapons, and why the show's cancellation was a disappointing casualty of network mergers. But the conversation is really about what comes next. David reveals the story behind Baker’s Blades, a project that had been in his mind for years before finally becoming reality. The new series combines historic weapons, hands-on recreation, travel, motorcycles and the stories behind the objects themselves. Its first episode follows David's recreation of Cornwallis's Surrender Sword , a project that came together through an unexpected opportunity involving the National Museum of the United States Army. David also explains why Baker’s Blades isn't simply another forging show. For him, the journey matters just as much as the weapon. He wants to take viewers to the places where history happened, uncover stories that have been forgotten, and show how historic weapons can provide a doorway into the people, places and events surrounding them. And because this is The Commentary Booth, the conversation eventually comes back to the creative process itself and David’s philosophy of "fail big"! Whether you're a Forged in Fire diehard, a history nerd, or just someone who loves hearing a craftsman talk about their craft, this is a Commentary Booth episode unlike any other. This week’s episode is brought to you by Australian Wrestling Cards Check out more great content from Pario Magazine on our website . ------------------------------------------------------------- SUPPORT PARIO MAGAZINE & THE COMMENTARY BOOTH - PATREON - BUY MERCH - AMAZON PRIME VIDEO - TUBEBUDDY - Subscribe to AEW Plus using my code (q0yydoz) to earn $10 in FITE credit - Shop Online With Honey - Shop Online With Satechi MY EQUIPMENT - Elgato Facecam - Rode PodMic - Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP - Streamlabs Talk Studio FOLLOW JAMIE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - TikTok FOLLOW PARIO MAGAZINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram

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  Episode #338

  First Time Watching: Resident Evil (2002)

  Sep 15, 202641 min

  Before Zach Cregger takes audiences back into the world of Resident Evil, The Commentary Booth ’s Jamie Apps and Corrina Mabey return to where the live-action movie franchise began with Paul W.S. Anderson's 2002 action-horror adaptation. Milla Jovovich stars as Alice, a mysterious operative caught in the middle of an outbreak at an Umbrella Corporation genetics laboratory, alongside Michelle Rodriguez ’s Rain Ocampo and a team of commandos fighting their way through zombies, mutant creatures and one very unhappy artificial intelligence. But how well does Resident Evil actually hold up more than two decades later? For Jamie, who has never played a Resident Evil game , this is a chance to judge the movie purely as a piece of horror and action cinema. Corrina, meanwhile, brings her experience with the games and plenty of affection for the increasingly chaotic movie franchise. That makes for a surprisingly interesting debate about what counts as a good video game adaptation. Highlights Breakdown: - Video Game vs Movie: How closely does the 2002 film actually resemble Resident Evil, and does that even matter - Horror or Action?: Jamie and Corrina debate why the movie feels more like an action film than traditional zombie horror. - Alice & Milla Jovovich: Why creating an original protagonist helped the film stand apart from the games while still feeling connected to the Resident Evil universe. - The Romero What-If: What could George A. Romero 's version of Resident Evil have looked like? - What Went Wrong?: The dialogue, darkness, characters and video-game-style storytelling all come under the microscope. - Zach Cregger's Resident Evil: What can the upcoming adaptation learn from Anderson's film while bringing something new to the franchise? Is Anderson's Resident Evil a misunderstood video game adaptation, a gloriously ridiculous early-2000s action movie, or both? And, what can Zach Cregger learn from the 2002 movie to ensure his version finally gives Resident Evil the big-screen adaptation it deserves? This week’s episode is brought to you by Australian Wrestling Cards Check out more great content from Pario Magazine on our website . ------------------------------------------------------------- SUPPORT PARIO MAGAZINE & THE COMMENTARY BOOTH - PATREON - BUY MERCH - AMAZON PRIME VIDEO - TUBEBUDDY - Subscribe to AEW Plus using my code (q0yydoz) to earn $10 in FITE credit - Shop Online With Honey - Shop Online With Satechi MY EQUIPMENT - Elgato Facecam - Rode PodMic - Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP - Streamlabs Talk Studio FOLLOW JAMIE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - TikTok FOLLOW PARIO MAGAZINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram

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  Episode #337

  The Whisper Man Review (SPOILERS)

  Sep 8, 202630 min

  What happens when a film looks like one thing in the trailer, only to turn out to be something rather different once you actually press play? This week on The Commentary Booth , Jamie Apps is joined by Astrid Pizarro from the Killer Cuts Podcast to break down Netflix’s star-studded thriller, The Whisper Man . Based on Alex North ’s bestselling novel, The Whisper Man follows a widowed crime writer whose eight-year-old son is abducted, forcing him to turn to his estranged father, a retired police detective, for help. As the investigation unfolds, the pair discover disturbing links to an old serial killer case involving the mysterious Whisper Man. But does Netflix 's marketing sell audiences the wrong movie? We go beyond the trailer’s supernatural scares to dissect the film's real core: a gripping serial killer mystery and a profound exploration of inherited trauma.The pair also explore the film's Black Phone -esque moments, creepy background details, the mysterious blue hand, the clever use of red herrings, and the unsettling imagery surrounding the Whisper Man himself. Highlights Breakdown: The Whisper Man's misleading marketing A Stacked Cast Hidden Horror Details The Theme of Inherited Trauma They also take a closer look at the stacked cast, including Adam Scott 's increasingly impressive dramatic work, Robert De Niro 's involvement, and Hamish Linklater 's bizarre but memorable turn as Norman Collins. They also consider whether the movie successfully answers the questions it raises, whether the Alex North novel is worth checking out, and whether the Russo Brothers' involvement can actually be felt on screen. If you love mystery, thrillers, and Robert De Niro, this episode is for you. This week’s episode is brought to you by Australian Wrestling Cards Check out more great content from Pario Magazine on our website . ------------------------------------------------------------- SUPPORT PARIO MAGAZINE & THE COMMENTARY BOOTH - PATREON - BUY MERCH - AMAZON PRIME VIDEO - TUBEBUDDY - Subscribe to AEW Plus using my code (q0yydoz) to earn $10 in FITE credit - Shop Online With Honey - Shop Online With Satechi MY EQUIPMENT - Elgato Facecam - Rode PodMic - Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP - Streamlabs Talk Studio FOLLOW JAMIE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - TikTok FOLLOW PARIO MAGAZINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram

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  Episode #336

  Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

  Sep 1, 202653 min

  Our Star Wars 50th anniversary rewatch continues on The Commentary Booth , and this time Jamie Apps and Corrina Mabey are heading back to a galaxy far, far away for 2017's Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi . Written and directed by Rian Johnson , The Last Jedi sees Rey ( Daisy Ridley ) travel to the remote island where Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ) has isolated himself, hoping the legendary Jedi Master can help her understand and control her growing connection to the Force. Meanwhile, the Resistance faces an increasingly desperate battle against the First Order, with Poe Dameron ( Oscar Isaac ), Finn ( John Boyega ), Rose Tico ( Kelly Marie Tran ) and Leia Organa ( Carrie Fisher ) all fighting their own battles as the galaxy edges closer to collapse. But does The Last Jedi hold up nearly a decade later? Jamie and Corrina revisit one of the most divisive movies in the Star Wars saga, unpacking the film's ambitious ideas, questionable creative choices and storylines that seem to go nowhere. From Luke Skywalker's characterisation and Rey's rapidly developing powers to Kylo Ren's ( Adam Driver ) frustrating villain arc, the much-maligned casino planet and that unforgettable Battle of Crait , almost nothing escapes scrutiny. Highlights Breakdown: - What went wrong with Luke Skywalker's character arc? - Why the Leia space scene should have ended differently - Hidden cameos from British royalty and Tom Hardy! - Why this trilogy lacked a cohesive plan Along the way, Jamie and Corrina question whether the sequel trilogy ever had a cohesive plan, debate what could have been done differently with Kylo Ren and Leia, revisit Mark Hamill's famous criticism of Luke's characterisation, and examine the film's numerous loose ends. So, was The Last Jedi a bold attempt to take Star Wars somewhere new, or a spectacularly messy middle chapter that left Episode IX with an impossible job? Join Jamie and Corrina as The Commentary Booth puts Star Wars: Episode VIII, The Last Jedi back under the microscope. This week’s episode is brought to you by Australian Wrestling Cards Check out more great content from Pario Magazine on our website . ------------------------------------------------------------- SUPPORT PARIO MAGAZINE & THE COMMENTARY BOOTH - PATREON - BUY MERCH - AMAZON PRIME VIDEO - TUBEBUDDY - Subscribe to AEW Plus using my code (q0yydoz) to earn $10 in FITE credit - Shop Online With Honey - Shop Online With Satechi MY EQUIPMENT - Elgato Facecam - Rode PodMic - Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP - Streamlabs Talk Studio FOLLOW JAMIE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - TikTok FOLLOW PARIO MAGAZINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram

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