With there being so many episodes out there, I can't really narrow it down to specific episodes. My absolute favourites though are the 'Fixing the movie' shows, I've learnt more about screenwriting and filmmaking from those episodes than I have anywhere else. Before I became a regular listener, I could barely ever manage to finish a script - now I've co-wrote a sci-fi feature! On a similar note, I'm really fond of the Intermission shows that are almost like a crash course in a certain topic, like the screenwriting (oh, how I wish that was longer!) and setiquette episodes.

On the other hand, I really dig when you do commentaries for the classics. I know universally liked movies can be tricky as finding something that hasn't already been said before isn't the easiest thing. But I think for the most part you guys pull it off well. It's just as interesting to go in depth about why a movie works as it is to why one doesn't work.

In terms of what I would recommend, that all depends on the person I guess. Commentaries are pretty niche, so I'd just go for a film you've done that they love.

Not sure about top five, but Apollo 13 and Phantom Menace are two of my personal favourites, and The Abyss is great listening due to Uncle Trey's stories.

Going specifically by commentaries, favorites are:

1. The prequel commentaries. Sure they're comparatively unsophisticated and you guys are drunk off your asses, but that's all for the better--your rage at what's happening on screen spawns some of the most hilarious lines in the show's history (belt-buckle rant is unmatched), and you're still amazing at pointing out fixes that could have been made. These were my introduction to the show four years ago, and they hooked me immediately.

2. The two marathons (LOTR/HP). There's a huge, celebratory feel even to the comparatively small LOTR marathon, and Potter of course remains unparalleled. The number of people on and off mic makes for a wonderfully varied and multi-faceted experience, and, as with the prequels, the number of laugh-out-loud moments is great. LOTR was a fantastic learning experience for me, hearing all of the making-of details. The Malariathon was only the third time I managed to watch WAYDM live, and I was there for the whole thing--it was an incredibly special experience, something I knew would most likely never happen again, and participating, in my own small way, for 24 hours (and under two names, Darth Praxus and Graham Warnken--thanks, YouTube ) is something I remain proud of. Relistening to the latter, I relive the experience all over again--I feel just as exhausted listening Half-Blood Prince as we all were when it was actually happening. The marathons aren't the best way to introduce someone to the show--too long and involved--but they remain this show's high points, in my view.

3. Twilight. This one is one of the best pick-it-apart episodes the guys have ever done. In addition to the in-depth analysis of why the books are so unhealthy for young readers, the tangents onto things such as Buddhism and the soul are fascinating. This was the first episode where I thought "Hmm, that Eddie guy seems like a really wise person." Plus you guys mentioned Ray Bradbury, my favorite author.

4. The Core. What can I say? Drunk Teague and Dorkman + bad movie = hilarity.

5. Pan's Labyrinth/Legion The former is one of the commentaries I listened to without having seen the film, but still bring up just to irk friends who are fans of said film. It's a top-form fix-it commentary, packed with humor (the hobo analogy at the end especially), and nerd-rage. The latter commentary is another great fix-it episode, and hearing you guys discuss theology is always a great treat for me. Both episodes are also the best ones to feature Cloe, whose presence is always welcome.

For Intermissions, my favorites so far have been the Aurora response, the episode on piracy and fair use, and any and all of the recommendation episodes--it's always fun to hear that guys you love listening to love books you love (Spin/Snow Crash, way to go Teague!), and some of the books I hadn't read before and picked up as a result were among the best I read last year (Summer of 42, the two John Dies at the End novels, the Mars Trilogy, etc.)

As for introducing people to the show, I've already made a fan with the Star Wars episodes and am currently doing so with another friend--who *likes* the prequels. Here's hoping you guys can break him. In addition to being among the first episodes of the show's run, they're accessible--everyone has seen Star Wars--and have a great balance of humor and fixing things.

Last edited by Abbie (2014-04-09 00:49:48)

Whenever the panel really engages with the movie and discusses themes as well as the story and such are my favorites. District 9 is one of the best examples; the panel is genuinely challenged by the themes. Prometheus is a good example of trying to fix the movie; Cowboys vs Aliens and Van Helsing as well. Raiders and Cloud Atlas, Butch and Sundance, and Attack the Block are good examples of examining why a movie works. Mulholland Drive is one of my favorites because the panelists sort of figure out what Lynch is doing along the way and their feeling for the movie changes; it's amazing.

1. I enjoy the marathon ones quite a lot, but I would count them as one. The prequels are my "go-to" for some quick jokes and fun discussion about movies I know very well and don't need to watch while listening (I am a big fan of being able to do house work and listen to WAYDM). Avengers is fun because it is a fun movie and the panel enjoys it, points out some logical inconsistencies but they have fun in spite of themselves. Finally, I like Spiderman 3 because Teague's rage against that movie just makes me chuckle.

As a honorable mention, I enjoyed "Wrath of Khan" because it had a good balance of fans for Star Trek. It represents the panelists in fine form for a work they are a fan of rather than hatred for the movie.

2. If I am to introduce WAYDM to another person then I would recommend the following:

a. Prequels-usually good way for people to get introduced to movies that are fairly well know (and generally accepted as "not good.").
b. Wrath of Khan-again, a known movie for quality and this showcases the more film-making and fanboy-ness of the group, but more positive.
c. Anything with Trey's knowledge or stories: Abyss, Starship Troopers, GI JOE (best Trey rant, IMO).
d. Intermission: Battleship, Terra Prime, Recommendations and "What are you reading." Showing more facets to the show, especially if people like more topics than movies.
e. Monster Inc and Galaxy Quest to show why movies work

I really need to watch more movies so I can keep up on the commentaries!

Dredd was good - Harry Potter too. Bizarrely I prefer it when you're all enthusiastic about a movie. The energy is palpable when it's positive. There's a lot to be said about the comms when you're not so happy. The last air bender comm made me try and watch the film, however, the thing that wasn't covered was what ultimately made me give up 20mins in. That was that the acting was utterly unconvincing. So much ham it was oinkbelievable!

For me, personal favourites are usually the episodes where you guys sound like you're having fun, and it's a celebration of film (original Star Wars, and Pulp Fiction spring to mind). And also the episodes where you bring up entire new perspectives I hadn't considered (Full Metal Jacket).

For an episode I'd use to get someone else to listen, I think the one which really sold me on the 'cast was Wild Wild West. I'm sure most other 'casts would just use it as an excuse to poop on the film from an impressive height, but I was really impressed and charmed by your "what went wrong, and what would it take to make this work?" approach. I think that episode is a good blend of "hey, we can analyze a film AND be funny", so yeah.

Disclaimer: if you dislike the tone of a post I make, re-read it in a North/East London accent until it sounds sufficiently playful

I liked:

1. Independence Day - Ya'll are so excited, it's fun to listen to. Lots of trivia, as well.
2. Back to the Future - Same as above. (And Galaxy Quest.)
3. The Heroine's Journey - So many lightbulb moments in this in one half hour!
4. Titanic/Apollo 13 - Lots of trivia and just reacting to the movie. They're a couple of the first episodes I listened to, so, nostalgic for me.
5. The Dark Knight - Convinced me you guys react to movies similarly to the way I do. Nice to hear someone else explain why this movie didn't work as well for me as it apparently did for the general public.

The first three have been on my phone, I think, for about two years. Great for airplane rides.

Story-time with Trey episodes are fun, too.

I tend to recommend the video on the homepage. It explains the show well, esp. the Indiana Jones clip.

Recommendations would depend on the person, but in general The Heroine's Journey is a nice quick introduction to you guys, what you do and which movies you talk about. Back to the Future is a solid episode, as are Super 8, Raiders, Galaxy Quest, The Sting and Spiderman 1 & 2. There are others, of course. ...You guys have done a LOT of movies.

Bump for funsies.

Not tryin' to get weird here, but that was fairly moving to read. I'm still chewin' on the 'arc' of DIF myself; it's gratifying to know someone else is too.

(Of course, I've also just realized that it probably looks like I bumped this thread to get someone to say nice things about the show, and now I feel like a doofus for not predicting this predicament.)

Anyway. Thanks for the analysis, P. Nice to see those years through someone else's eyes.