The Average Podcast: Movie Reviews for Social Settings

The Average
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to The Average Podcast! We review movies based on how they would fair in social settings—meaning whether or not a general crowd would enjoy it or not. Your hosts, Jonathan and Tim, walk you through how they scored a movie according to The Average criteria. More importantly, we want to hear from YOU. Follow us on Instagram to download a scorecard, send it to us, and we'll feature you.  Follow us on all platforms: linktr.ee/theaveragereviews

  1. S4.E8: Dead Heat (1988) | The Ultimate Zombie Buddy-Cop Movie?

    Apr 21 ·  Video

    S4.E8: Dead Heat (1988) | The Ultimate Zombie Buddy-Cop Movie?

    Welcome back to The Average! Tonight, we are throwing the rulebook out the window for one of the most gloriously unhinged genre-mashups of the 1980s. We’re reviewing DEAD HEAT (1988)—the definitive, high-octane buddy-cop zombie masterpiece you never knew you needed.  When Detectives Roger Mortis (Treat Williams) and Doug Bigelow (Joe Piscopo) stumble upon a case involving a suspicious butcher shop and a villainous plot to revive the dead, things get... messy. From practical gore effects that push the limits of good taste to Vincent Price bringing pure class to this chaotic fever dream, Dead Heat is everything we love about 80s cinema.  YOUR VOTE IS THE FINAL WORD! 🫵 This is your show. We’re putting Dead Heat through our official 9-category scorecard, and we’ll be reading your audience scores and live chat comments throughout the broadcast. Is it the greatest zombie-cop hybrid ever made, or just a beautiful, undead wreck? Let us know!  👉 SUBMIT YOUR REVIEW & SCORECARD: [Insert Link to Bio/Review Form]  📚 WANT MORE ADVENTURE? Check out our horror and fantasy books on Amazon: 👉 https://a.co/d/bUtniBd 🎧 RECORD YOUR OWN QUEST WITH ZENCASTR Get 30% off your first 3 months of Zencastr Pro: 👉 https://zen.ai/theaveragereviews 📖 EXPAND YOUR LIBRARY WITH PANGOBOOKS Get $5.00 off your first purchase with code “TIMOTHYREADS”: 👉 https://pangobooks.com/TIMOTHYREADS This is The Average, where the real review happens with your friends.  #TheAveragePodcast #DeadHeat #DeadHeat1988 #TreatWilliams #JoePiscopo #VincentPrice #80sHorror #ZombieMovie #BuddyCop #CultClassic #PracticalEffects #MovieReview #MovieScorecard #LivePodcast #HorrorComedy

    59 min
  2. S4.E7: Masters of the Universe (1987) | Fantasy meets California w/ @journerywithacinephile The Average 227 subscribers

    Apr 21 ·  Video

    S4.E7: Masters of the Universe (1987) | Fantasy meets California w/ @journerywithacinephile The Average 227 subscribers

    The journey through our Sword and Sorcery Series reaches the center of the universe tonight! We are traveling from the high-fantasy realms of Willow and Krull to the neon-soaked, cosmic world of Eternia—which, for some reason, looks a lot like 1980s California.  Joining us in the booth to navigate the cosmic keys and interdimensional rifts is our good friend David from Journey with a Cinephile! Together, we’re breaking down everything that makes MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE (1987) a permanent fixture in the Cannon Films hall of fame. We’re diving deep into Dolph Lundgren’s physical presence as He-Man, the wild "fish-out-of-water" Earth sequences, and why Frank Langella’s Shakespearean take on Skeletor might be the greatest fantasy villain performance of all time.  THE POWER IS YOURS! 🫵 On this show, your voice is the final word. We’re putting He-Man through the gauntlet of our official 9-category scorecard, and we’ll be reading your audience scores and live chat comments throughout the entire broadcast. Did the movie capture the magic of the toys, or was it a cosmic misfire? Tell us what you think!  👉 SUBMIT YOUR REVIEW & SCORECARD: [Insert Link to Bio/Review Form]  📚 WANT MORE ADVENTURE? Check out our horror and fantasy books on Amazon: 👉 https://a.co/d/bUtniBd 🎧 RECORD YOUR OWN QUEST WITH ZENCASTR Get 30% off your first 3 months of Zencastr Pro: 👉 https://zen.ai/theaveragereviews 📖 EXPAND YOUR LIBRARY WITH PANGOBOOKS Get $5.00 off your first purchase with code “TIMOTHYREADS”: 👉 https://pangobooks.com/TIMOTHYREADS FOLLOW OUR GUEST: 📸 David: @journeywithacinephile  This is The Average, where the real review happens with your friends.  #TheAveragePodcast #MastersOfTheUniverse #HeMan #Skeletor #SwordAndSorcery #JourneyWithACinephile #80sFantasy #CannonFilms #DolphLundgren #FrankLangella #MovieReview #CultClassic #MovieScorecard #LivePodcast

    1h 12m
  3. S4.E6: Krull (1983) | STAR WARS MEETS EXCALIBUR? w/ @thenightclubpodcast

    Mar 19 ·  Video

    S4.E6: Krull (1983) | STAR WARS MEETS EXCALIBUR? w/ @thenightclubpodcast

    Welcome back to The Average! We are charging full-speed into Part 2 of our Sword and Sorcery Series, and tonight we’re traveling to the planet Krull to witness one of the most ambitious, visually stunning, and wonderfully chaotic films of the 1980s.  Joining us in the booth to navigate the shifting walls of the Black Fortress is the incredible Ricky from @thenightclubpodcast! Together, we’re breaking down everything that makes KRULL (1983) a permanent fixture in the cult cinema hall of fame. From the massive practical sets to the haunting creature designs and that iconic James Horner score, we’re leaving no stone unturned in the Swamps of Forgetfulness.  YOUR VOTE IS THE FINAL WORD!  On this show, we don't just give you our opinions—we want yours. We’re putting Krull through the gauntlet of our official 9-category scorecard, and we’ll be reading audience scores and live chat comments throughout the entire broadcast. Did the Glaive live up to the hype? Does the Beast still give you nightmares? Tell us what you think!  👉 SUBMIT YOUR REVIEW & SCORECARD: [Insert Link to Bio/Review Form]  📚 WANT MORE ADVENTURE? Check out our horror and fantasy books on Amazon: 👉 https://a.co/d/bUtniBd 🎧 RECORD YOUR OWN QUEST WITH ZENCASTR Get 30% off your first 3 months of Zencastr Pro: 👉 https://zen.ai/theaveragereviews 📖 EXPAND YOUR LIBRARY WITH PANGOBOOKS Get $5.00 off your first purchase with code “TIMOTHYREADS”: 👉 https://pangobooks.com/TIMOTHYREADS FOLLOW OUR GUEST: 📸 Ricky: @thenightclubpodcast  This is The Average, where the real review happens with your friends.  #TheAveragePodcast #Krull1983 #SwordAndSorcery #TheNightclubPodcast #TheGlaive #80sFantasy #CultClassic #MovieReview #JamesHorner #SciFiFantasy #MovieScorecard #PracticalEffects #LivePodcast

    1h 31m
  4. S4.E5: Willow (1988) | Val Kilmer, Deleted Scenes & The History of Tir Asleen w/ @slimeandslashers

    Mar 5 ·  Video

    S4.E5: Willow (1988) | Val Kilmer, Deleted Scenes & The History of Tir Asleen w/ @slimeandslashers

    Welcome to Season 4, Episode 5 of The Average. Tonight, we’re putting down the pickaxes and picking up the magic wands as we kick off our Sword and Sorcery Series with the 1988 George Lucas/Ron Howard masterpiece: WILLOW.  But there’s a catch: the movie you saw on screen is only half the story. Tonight, we’re joined by the incredible Kelsi (@superkickingit / Kelsi’s Nostalgic Life) to dive deep into the official Willow novelization.  WHAT DID THE MOVIE CUT OUT? 📖 From the "Fish Boy" lake monster to the tragic, stone-cold backstory of Sorsha’s father, the Wayland Drew novelization contains world-building and grit that never made it to the final theatrical cut. We’re breaking down:  Extended Lore: The dark history of Bavmorda and Fin Raziel’s rivalry.  Deleted Scenes: The "Fish Boy" sequence and the "Tir Asleen" moments that were too big for 1988 VFX.  Val Kilmer’s Ad-libs: How Madmartigan’s best lines weren't in any script.  YOUR VOTE COUNTS! 🫵 On The Average, the final score is in your hands. We’re putting Willow through our 9-category scorecard—from the groundbreaking morphing effects to the "annoyance factor" of the Brownies. Did you watch the Disney+ series? Does the 1988 film still hold the magic?  👉 SUBMIT YOUR REVIEW: [Insert Link to Bio/Review Form]  📚 WANT MORE ADVENTURE? Check out our horror and fantasy books on Amazon: 👉 https://a.co/d/bUtniBd  🎧 RECORD YOUR OWN QUEST WITH ZENCASTR Get 30% off your first 3 months of Zencastr Pro: 👉 https://zen.ai/theaveragereviews  📖 EXPAND YOUR LIBRARY WITH PANGOBOOKS Get $5.00 off your first purchase with code “TIMOTHYREADS”: 👉 https://pangobooks.com/TIMOTHYREADS  FOLLOW OUR GUEST: 📸 Kelsi: @superkickingit (Kelsi’s Nostalgic Life)   This is The Average, where the real review happens with your friends.  #Willow1988 #SwordAndSorcery #GeorgeLucas #KelsisNostalgicLife #TheAveragePodcast #MovieReview #80sFantasy #WarwickDavis #ValKilmer #MovieScorecard #DeletedScenes #BookVsMovie

    2h 2m
  5. S4.E4: My Bloody Valentine (1981) | Love Sucks, but This Slasher Rules

    Feb 19 ·  Video

    S4.E4: My Bloody Valentine (1981) | Love Sucks, but This Slasher Rules

    Heart-shaped boxes and gas masks: The ultimate horror summit starts NOW! ❤️⛏️  Welcome to Season 4, Episode 4 of The Average. Tonight, we are skipping the corporate romance and descending into the gritty, blue-collar mines of Valentine Bluffs to break down the 1981 cult masterpiece: MY BLOODY VALENTINE.  We are incredibly humbled to be joined by a powerhouse panel of horror creators to discuss the lasting impact, the infamous censorship battles, and the legendary legacy of Harry Warden. Joining Johnathan and Tim in the booth tonight:  🎙️ Jordan from @the_movie_den_ 🎙️ Chris (@beardedfilmguy) from @beyondthebloodpod 🎙️ Rich & Jerry from the @horrorheadspodcast  WE NEED YOUR SCORECARDS! 🫵 On The Average, the real review happens with your friends—and that includes YOU in the live chat. We want to hear your takes on the 9-category scorecard. Does the atmosphere of this Canadian slasher hold up in 2026? Where does Harry rank in the pantheon of horror icons?  👉 SUBMIT YOUR REVIEW: [Insert Link to Bio/Review Form]  📚 WANT MORE HORROR? Check out our books on Amazon and dive deeper into the genre: 👉 https://a.co/d/bUtniBd  🎧 LEVEL UP YOUR PODCAST WITH ZENCASTR Get 30% off your first 3 months of Zencastr Pro and record like a pro: 👉 https://zen.ai/theaveragereviews  📖 EXPAND YOUR LIBRARY WITH PANGOBOOKS Enjoy $5.00 off your first purchase when you use Tim Umpleby’s code “TIMOTHYREADS” at checkout: 👉 https://pangobooks.com/TIMOTHYREADS  FOLLOW OUR GUESTS: 📸 Jordan: @the_movie_den_ 📸 Chris: @beardedfilmguy / @beyondthebloodpod 📸 Horror Heads: @horrorheadspodcast   This is The Average, where the real review happens with your friends.  #MyBloodyValentine #HorrorCommunity #HarryWarden #TheAveragePodcast #SlasherMovies #TheMovieDen #BeyondTheBlood #HorrorHeads #MovieScorecard #80sHorror #LiveStream

    2h 5m
  6. S4.E3. Bullet Train: Styled to Perfection or a Messy Train Wreck? w/ The Kilt and the Redneck

    Feb 5 ·  Video

    S4.E3. Bullet Train: Styled to Perfection or a Messy Train Wreck? w/ The Kilt and the Redneck

    The doors are closing and the luck is running out! 🚅💥  Welcome to Season 4, Episode 3 of The Average. Tonight, we are stepping onto the fastest train in Japan for a high-speed, neon-drenched deep dive into the 2022 action-extravaganza: BULLET TRAIN. Joining us in the cabin tonight is the fantastic Evan from @thekiltandtheredneck! Together, we’re breaking down why this movie—directed by Brad Pitt’s former stunt double, David Leitch—might just be the most underrated action flick of the last five years.  From the "Seven Samurai" vibes to the legendary chemistry of Lemon and Tangerine, we’re putting this film through our 9-Category Scorecard. Does the stylized "Volume" cinematography and Guy Ritchie-esque dialogue earn it a spot at the top of the Season 4 Leaderboard? Or does the "luck" run out before the final station?  In this episode, we discuss:  Stunt Double to Director: The incredible connection between Brad Pitt and David Leitch.  The Soundstage Secret: How they filmed the Japanese countryside in the middle of LA.  Character Arcs: Why Lemon, Tangerine, and even a bottle of water stole the show.  Style vs. Substance: Does the frantic pacing help or hurt the story?  THE FINAL VERDICT: We average our scores with the LIVE chat to find the definitive rating.  Join the Conversation: On The Average, YOU are the third host. Grab the scorecard from our link below, rate along with us in the chat, and let’s see if your scores can derail our averages!  ✍️ GRAB THE SCORECARD  📸 FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @theaveragepodcast  🎙️ FOLLOW OUR GUEST: @thekiltandtheredneck    This is The Average, where the real review happens with your friends.  #BulletTrain #BradPitt #MovieReview #TheAveragePodcast #ActionMovies #DavidLeitch #TheKiltAndTheRedneck #MovieScorecard #NeonAction #UnderratedMovies

    1h 19m
  7. S4.E2. Death Spa (1989) The Most RIDICULOUS Horror Movie Ever Made?

    Jan 22 ·  Video

    S4.E2. Death Spa (1989) The Most RIDICULOUS Horror Movie Ever Made?

    Is this the ultimate "So Bad It’s Good" 80s masterpiece? 🧖‍♂️🩸  Welcome to Season 4, Episode 2 of The Average. Tonight, we’re trading the psychological dread of our premiere for neon spandex, exploding blenders, and the most haunted gym equipment in cinematic history. We are breaking down the 1989 cult classic: DEATH SPA.  To help us survive this workout, we’ve brought in a powerhouse panel of horror expert: 🎙️ Aaron from @aaronsmovies8587 & @abhorrormovies  From the "nudity every ten minutes" rule to some of the most creative practical effects of the era, we’re putting Death Spa through our signature 9-Category Scorecard. Does the 80s synth-wave charm and high-octane camp earn it a high score, or do the massive plot holes drag it down to the basement?  In this episode, we discuss:  The "Sentient" gym computer and the logic (or lack thereof) behind the kills.  The legendary practical effects—from the "acid shower" to the "blender fist."  Why this movie is the quintessential "Social Setting" watch.  THE FINAL VERDICT: We average our scores with the LIVE chat to find the definitive rating.  Join the Conversation: Every week, YOU are the third host. Grab the scorecard from our link below, rate along with us, and see how your scores impact the final average!  ✍️ GRAB THE SCORECARD: https://linktr.ee/theaveragereviews   This is The Average, where the real review happens with your friends.  #DeathSpa #HorrorReview #TheAveragePodcast #80sHorror #CultClassic #PracticalEffects #DarkroomReviews #AaronsMovies #MovieScorecard #Season4✨ Be part of the conversation! Submit your final score here: 👉 https://tr.ee/iGtZ-DpOO6  📚 Want more horror? Check out our books on Amazon: 👉 https://a.co/d/bUtniBd  🎧 Check out our friends at Zencastr and get 30% off your first 3 months of Zencastr Pro: 👉 https://zen.ai/theaveragereviews  📖 Enjoy $5.00 off your first purchase when you use Tim Umpleby’s code “TIMOTHYREADS” at checkout: 👉 https://pangobooks.com/TIMOTHYREADS

    1h 24m
  8. S4.E1. Bring Her Back Review (2025) Last Year's Horror Masterpiece? w/ The Night Club Podcast

    Jan 8 ·  Video

    S4.E1. Bring Her Back Review (2025) Last Year's Horror Masterpiece? w/ The Night Club Podcast

    Season 4 of The Average is officially HERE! 🎬 We’re kicking things off with the highly anticipated supernatural thriller, Bring Her Back. From the minds of the Philippou brothers (Talk to Me) and starring Sally Hawkins, this movie has a lot to live up to.  To help us break it down, we are joined by a great friend of the show, Travis from @thenightclubpodcast!  WANT TO JOIN THE REVIEW? ✍️ We aren't professional critics—we're fans, and your voice matters. We use a unique 50-point Score Card to determine the final verdict. Download the scorecard in our bio/ https://linktr.ee/theaveragereviewsand submit your scores in the comments! We factor audience averages into our final season rankings.  In this episode, we score: ✅ Story & Character Development ✅ Script & Acting ✅ Music, Sound Design & Special Effects ✅ Direction & Cultural Impact ✅ Pure Enjoyment (The Big One!)  CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Follow Travis and The Night Club Podcast  https://linktr.ee/thenightclub?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=bba24f19-9d16-4ff8-acd2-ef3363dabfda ✨ Be part of the conversation! Submit your final score here: 👉 https://tr.ee/iGtZ-DpOO6  📚 Want more horror? Check out our books on Amazon: 👉 https://a.co/d/bUtniBd  🎧 Check out our friends at Zencastr and get 30% off your first 3 months of Zencastr Pro: 👉 https://zen.ai/theaveragereviews  📖 Enjoy $5.00 off your first purchase when you use Tim Umpleby’s code “TIMOTHYREADS” at checkout: 👉 https://pangobooks.com/TIMOTHYREADS JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Instagram & Submit your Scorecard: https://linktr.ee/theaveragereviews #BringHerBack #MovieReview #TheAverageReviews #TheNightClubPodcast #HorrorFans #Season4 #MovieScorecard #PhilippouBrothers

    1h 27m
See All (125)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Average Podcast! We review movies based on how they would fair in social settings—meaning whether or not a general crowd would enjoy it or not. Your hosts, Jonathan and Tim, walk you through how they scored a movie according to The Average criteria. More importantly, we want to hear from YOU. Follow us on Instagram to download a scorecard, send it to us, and we'll feature you.  Follow us on all platforms: linktr.ee/theaveragereviews

Information