Transatlantic Rebels

Jesal Padania

Two guys - Jesal from the UK and Rochard from America - host a weekly podcast to discuss various albums, films, books and TV shows in depth.

  1. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

    Jun 18

    Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

    Mandalorian & Grogu: Let Star Wars Be a Kids' Adventure (Plus Marvel Parenting Moments) On the Transatlantic Rebels podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard debate the new film "Star Wars: Grogu," a Mandalorian TV-to-film adventure. Rochard argues the movie delivers exactly what it promises—Mando and Grogu taking odd jobs across the galaxy—and says it recaptures the feeling of childhood Star Wars, praising Grogu's extended range as a practical puppet and highlighting a standout Grogu-solo sequence with a "Dark Crystal" vibe. They note flaws, including uneven CGI (especially Jabba's son Rotta) and Sigourney Weaver "phoning it in," but also praise brutal big-screen action, Pedro Pascal and the other Mando performers being credited, and comedic beats like "I try to avoid violence." The conversation broadens into how fans and "critics" over-police franchise stories, why different Star Wars tones should coexist (Andor, The Mandalorian, Skeleton Crew, The Last Jedi), and a side update on introducing their kids to Marvel, including reactions to Infinity War, WandaVision, and Falcon and Winter Soldier. 00:00 Podcast intro and premise 00:22 Kids movie defense 01:46 Star Wars is always dying 02:07 Adventure promise delivered 02:53 Grogu solo highlight 04:32 Puppet charm and callbacks 05:44 Rotta and effects nitpicks 06:12 Suspending disbelief 11:17 Auteur intent and fandom 13:19 Room for Star Wars variety 15:48 Mando Action Showcase 16:21 Credits and Stunt Performers 16:57 Anzelans and Best Lines 17:21 Grogu Edge and Force 18:22 Should Mando Die 20:12 Kids React to Infinity War 21:46 Childhood Movie Trauma 24:48 Marvel TV Catch Up 25:23 Let Franchises Evolve 26:53 Final Star Wars Wrap 28:36 Sign Off

    30 min
  2. Obsession (2026)

    Jun 18

    Obsession (2026)

    Why 'Obsession' Became 2026's Viral Horror Hit (and What Hollywood Will Get Wrong About It) On the Transatlantic Rebels podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard discuss 2026's viral low-budget horror sensation Obsession, noting its sold-out UK screenings and surprising success against major releases. They credit its popularity to horror's reliability, the film's layered themes—especially agency and a "monkey paw" dynamic where obsession is imposed—and, most of all, Inde Navarette's standout, meme-fueled performance, while Michael Johnston is praised with less material. They compare Obsession's lightning-in-a-bottle breakout to Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, touch on how memes drove viewing, and briefly contrast it with Backrooms. The conversation also covers an art director pay/back-end dispute and cautions against Hollywood overgeneralizing anomalies, forcing copycat trends, or rushing into an "Obsession universe," before closing with thoughts on actors' post-breakout career choices. 00:00 Welcome and premise 00:26 First reactions 00:49 Why it went viral 01:59 Standout performances 02:35 Agency and themes 03:09 Online discourse 03:44 Layers for new viewers 04:49 Low budget zeitgeist 05:45 Memes and marketing 06:53 Backrooms comparison 08:18 Crew pay controversy 10:51 Hollywood copycat trap 13:20 Kill Bill Ripoff Rant 13:34 Hollywood Money Laundering Budgets 13:53 Obsession Praise And Breakout Star 14:22 Worried About Bad Career Choices 15:10 Anora And Oscar Bait Backlash 16:06 One Battle After Another Critique 17:49 India Navarretti Future Prospects 18:57 Charm Twitch And Letterboxd Picks 19:42 Mia Goth Comparisons Shut Down 20:12 Final Wish And Sign Off

    22 min
  3. Materialists (2025)

    09/30/2025

    Materialists (2025)

    Materialists: A Deep Dive into Celine Song's New Film In this episode of the Transatlantic Rebels Podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard discuss Celine Song's second film, 'Materialists.' They explore how the movie defies the traditional rom-com label, presenting a romantic drama laden with complex themes of materialism, relationships, and societal expectations. The hosts compare it to Song's previous work, 'Past Lives,' and delve into the performances of main actors Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. They also touch upon Celine Song's background and directorial style, offering a critical analysis of the film's narrative, themes, and reception. The episode ends with reflections on broader industry trends and the importance of directors like Song in modern cinema. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:08 Discussing the Genre of the Film 00:43 Introduction to 'Materialists' 01:26 Comparing 'Materialists' to 'Past Lives' 02:08 Box Office Success and Personal Ratings 03:23 Audience Reactions and Online Backlash 05:10 Themes and Realism in 'Materialists' 09:35 Character Analysis and Performances 12:38 Height and Social Dynamics 14:41 The Leg Surgery Dilemma 15:11 Chris Evans' Character Analysis 15:34 Dakota Johnson's Performance 15:44 Millennial and Gen Z Traits 16:32 Rom-Com Expectations vs. Reality 16:55 Audience Reception and Box Office 19:05 Materialism and Relationships 19:14 Intimacy and Personal Desires 24:00 Director's Creative Integrity 25:32 Future Projects and Industry Insights 29:10 Podcast Reflections and Anniversary

    31 min
  4. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

    09/30/2025

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

    The Transatlantic Rebels Podcast: Deep Dive into The Fantastic Four! In this episode of the Transatlantic Rebels Podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard dive into the recent Marvel film 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps.' They discuss the movie's self-contained nature, strong performances, and consistent tone. The conversation covers its box office success, the film's rehabilitation of the 'Fantastic Four' franchise in the mainstream, and detailed opinions on cast members such as Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby. They also touch upon related Marvel movies like 'Thunderbolts,' the upcoming 'Spider-Man' film, and future projects such as 'Vision Quest,' emphasizing the franchise's dynamic approach within its familiar structure. The hosts appreciate the film's focus on family dynamics and the human connection, while also teasing what's next for Marvel. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:30 Initial Impressions and Box Office Performance 01:20 Rehabilitating the Fantastic Four 03:38 Cast Performances and Character Analysis 07:49 Direction and Editing Choices 10:14 Marvel's Dynamic Formula 14:36 Future Marvel Projects 17:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    19 min
  5. Superman (2025)

    09/30/2025

    Superman (2025)

    Superman 2025: Trans-Atlantic Rebels Podcast Review In this episode of the Trans-Atlantic Rebels Podcast, hosts Jesal and Rochard discuss the latest reboot of the DC Universe, Superman 2025, directed and written by James Gunn.  Released a few months ago, the film receives a mixed critique from the hosts, who appreciate its strong points, such as the casting of David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. They delve into the film's densely packed narrative, its many characters, and the overall direction and tone, comparing it to previous Superman films and contrasting it with the original Iron Man for successful franchise reboots. They also touch on the commercial performance of the movie and its potential impact on future DCU projects. Additionally, the discussion veers into wider trends in the industry, including the success of Netflix's K-pop Demon Hunters and its implications for streaming and theatrical releases. 00:00 Welcome to the Trans-Atlantic Rebels Podcast 00:27 Initial Impressions of Superman 2025 01:06 Diving into the Plot and Characters 02:22 Casting Choices and Performances 04:37 Critiques and Controversies 13:06 Mr. Terrific and Other Characters 18:11 Final Thoughts and Miscellaneous Topics 21:26 Critique of the Film's Immersion 21:29 Comparing Directorial Approaches 22:07 Overpacking the Film 24:15 Editing and Storytelling Issues 24:35 Comparing James Gunn's Works 25:07 Pressure on James Gunn 25:50 Lessons from Marvel's Iron Man 26:44 Focus on Superman's Ideology 27:44 Final Thoughts on the Film 31:58 Commercial Performance and Box Office Trends 33:47 Impact of Streaming on Cinema 39:40 Potential of Superhero Musicals 41:21 Conclusion and Sign-off

    42 min
  6. Music in 2025

    07/10/2025

    Music in 2025

    Deep Dive into Little Simz, Hip-Hop Culture, and Glastonbury Politics! In this Transatlantic Rebels Podcast episode, we explore various dimensions of contemporary music and culture. The discussion starts with the reception of Little Simz's album and the reactions to her satirical single. We also delve into the controversies surrounding the Glastonbury Festival, addressing political stances and their impact on artists. The conversation transitions into an analysis of the current state of hip-hop, touching on the influence of artists like Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and the cyclical nature of music trends. Other topics include the varying ticket prices for artists like Dua Lipa, Beyonce, as well as the political and societal undercurrents in their fanbase reactions. The episode wraps up with a very brief look at upcoming movie releases, hinting at a promising year for cinema. 00:00 Introduction and Little Simz Album Reaction 00:14 Humor in Hip Hop and Artist Reactions 01:29 Concert Experiences and Ticket Prices 03:02 Glastonbury Festival and Political Controversies 04:33 Palestinian Support and Media Bias 07:09 Little Simz and Hip Hop Industry Discussion 10:15 Future of Hip Hop and Music Trends 16:21 Upcoming Movies and Final Thoughts

    19 min
  7. Marvel 2025 - Captain America 4, Thunderbolts, Ironheart...

    07/09/2025

    Marvel 2025 - Captain America 4, Thunderbolts, Ironheart...

    2025: Marvel Films & TV Shows, Sinners Movie Analysis, and the State of Cinema! In this Transatlantic Rebels Podcast episode, we dive into a comprehensive review of the MCU Films & TV shows watched this year, including 'Spider-Man: Neighborhood,' 'Daredevil,' 'Iron Heart,' and others.  There's an in-depth discussion about mixed reactions to 'Ironheart' and critical commentary on 'Captain America: Brave New World' and 'Thunderbolts.'  We also explore Ryan Coogler's film 'Sinners,' its genre fusion, critical acclaim, and box office performance. Additionally, the episode delves into the current state of the movie industry, post-COVID theater experiences, and suggestions for improving the cinematic experience. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the past year's entertainment landscape! 00:00 Introduction and TV Shows Recap 00:31 Marvel Series: Hits and Misses 01:58 Captain America: A Critical Review 07:51 Thunderbolts: Emotional Impact 18:12 Marvel's Phase Five and Six: Future Outlook 22:05 Marvel Movies' Box Office Struggles 22:20 Audience Behavior Post-COVID 24:58 Impact of Streaming on the Movie Industry 27:28 The Future of AI in Movies 28:58 Theater Experience and Pricing Issues 36:43 Discussion on 'Sinners' Movie

    42 min
  8. Andor (Season 2 - 2025)

    07/08/2025

    Andor (Season 2 - 2025)

    In-Depth Discussion on 'Andor' and Star Wars Universe Join the Transatlantic Rebels Podcast as we delve into an extensive discussion about the 'Andor' series and its place within the Star Wars universe. We compare its seasons, examine its narrative structure, common themes, and the significance of Tony Gilroy and Diego Luna's involvement. We also touch upon general Star Wars lore, its impact, and speculate its reception among non-Star Wars fans. Additionally, we discuss other Star Wars series like 'The Mandalorian', 'The Acolyte', and 'Skeleton Crew', highlighting their successes and missed opportunities. 00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts on Andor 00:25 Deep Dive into Andor Seasons and Rogue One 01:30 Tony Gilroy's Vision and Execution 03:27 Audience Reception and Critique 06:17 Comparisons with Other Star Wars Content 16:18 Discussion on The Acolyte and Skeleton Crew

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Two guys - Jesal from the UK and Rochard from America - host a weekly podcast to discuss various albums, films, books and TV shows in depth.

Information

  • Creator
    Jesal Padania
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    188
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Transatlantic Rebels