The Binge: Cheers to the franchise

Johnson Media
  • 5.0 (50)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

We celebrate the movies where one wasn't enough by raising a glass. Full mugs. Entire franchises. Lots of laughs. Cheers to the Franchise is a movie podcast dedicated to watching, drinking, and laughing our way through entire film franchises, one movie at a time. From beloved classics and blockbuster sequels to notorious misfires and the entries everyone forgot existed, no movie gets skipped. Joshua Ryan is a professional Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic who brings the critic's perspective to the conversation. Timbo Jones is an independent filmmaker and film school graduate who brings the filmmaker's perspective. Together, they break down each movie, share behind-the-scenes stories and trivia, debate what works and what doesn't, and decide where every film belongs in the franchise. Grab a drink, press play, and join us as we raise a glass to the movies that just couldn't stop at one. Cheers to the Franchise! 🍻🎬

  1. 2d ago

    Lethal Weapon (1987) — The Buddy Cop Movie That Changed Everything | Cheers to the Franchise

    This week on Cheers to the Franchise, Joshua and Tim kick off the Lethal Weapon franchise with Richard Donner's 1987 action classic starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Nearly 40 years later, Lethal Weapon remains one of the defining buddy cop movies, a perfect collision of explosive action, dark humor, and the unforgettable chemistry between Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. But does this beloved action classic still hold up? Joshua and Tim dive into the movie's surprisingly dark portrayal of Riggs, Shane Black's influential screenplay, Gary Busey's gloriously unhinged Mr. Joshua, and the partnership that launched one of Hollywood's most iconic action franchises. The drinks are poured, the arguments are ready, and Joshua and Tim are officially getting too old for this shit. Cheers to Lethal Weapon... and Cheers to the Franchise!  Follow Cheers to the Franchise: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Binge Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/binge_show/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebingeshow?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBingeShow Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/TheBingePodcast/

    Lethal Weapon (1987) — The Buddy Cop Movie That Changed Everything | Cheers to the Franchise

  2. Aug 18

    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) — The Most Forgettable Movie Ever Made? | The Binge

    *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-6a43e317-ee44-83ea-b985-58e55fab3d9c-8" data-turn-id-container= "request-6a43e317-ee44-83ea-b985-58e55fab3d9c-8" data-testid= "conversation-turn-1270" data-turn="assistant"> *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-6a43e317-ee44-83ea-b985-58e55fab3d9c-9" data-turn-id-container= "request-6a43e317-ee44-83ea-b985-58e55fab3d9c-9" data-testid= "conversation-turn-1272" data-turn="assistant"> This week on The Binge, we revisit Super Mario Galaxy — a movie so aggressively forgettable that you might struggle to remember anything about it before the episode is even over. We break down what works, what doesn't, and why a movie featuring some of the most iconic video game characters of all time somehow manages to leave almost no lasting impression whatsoever. Plus, we discuss the animation, the voice cast, the movie's attempts to expand the Mario universe, and whether there's actually anything here worth remembering once the credits roll. They debate, laugh, and argue — all while raising a glass (or more) of their favorite alcoholic beverage and toasting to cinema… and to surviving the franchise. 🍸 This episode also marks the end of an era. It's the final episode of the show under The Binge name. But we're not going anywhere. A new name, a new look, and the next chapter of the show are next week. Stay tuned! The Binge's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/TheBingePodcast/ Joshua Ryan's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/MrMovieGuy86/

    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) — The Most Forgettable Movie Ever Made? | The Binge

  3. Aug 11

    The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) — Mario's Billion-Dollar Comeback | The Binge

    This week on The Binge, we revisit The Super Mario Bros. Movie — the 2023 animated blockbuster that brought Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, and the Mushroom Kingdom back to the big screen 30 years after Hollywood's infamous first attempt. We break down what works, what doesn't, and whether Nintendo and Illumination finally cracked the code for bringing Super Mario to the movies. Plus, we discuss Chris Pratt's controversial casting as Mario, Jack Black's scene-stealing performance as Bowser, the endless Nintendo references and Easter eggs, the movie's massive box-office success, and how it compares to the bizarre 1993 live-action film. They debate, laugh, and argue — all while raising a glass (or more) of their favorite alcoholic beverage and toasting to cinema… and to surviving the franchise. 🍸 The Binge's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/TheBingePodcast/ Joshua Ryan's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/MrMovieGuy86/

    The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) — Mario's Billion-Dollar Comeback | The Binge

  4. Aug 4

    Super Mario Bros. (1993) — A Cult Classic or a Total Disaster? | The Binge

    This week on The Binge, we revisit Super Mario Bros. — the 1993 live-action movie that turned Nintendo's bright, colorful video-game world into a strange, grimy dystopian adventure starring Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, Dennis Hopper, and a whole lot of decisions nobody saw coming. We break down what went wrong, what has become oddly fascinating over time, and whether this infamous adaptation deserves its reputation as one of the biggest video-game movie disasters ever made. Plus, we discuss the chaotic production, Hoskins and Leguizamo's on-set drinking, Dennis Hopper's wild King Koopa, the movie's bizarre version of the Mushroom Kingdom, and whether Super Mario Bros. has earned its cult-classic status. They debate, laugh, and argue — all while raising a glass (or more) of their favorite alcoholic beverage and toasting to cinema… and to surviving the franchise. 🍸 The Binge Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/TheBingePodcast/ Joshua Ryan's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/MrMovieGuy86/

    Super Mario Bros. (1993) — A Cult Classic or a Total Disaster? | The Binge

  5. Jul 28

    Punisher: War Zone (2008) — The Punisher Goes Full Grindhouse | The Binge

    his week on The Binge, we revisit Punisher: War Zone — the 2008 reboot that traded slow-burn revenge for exploding heads, broken bones, and one of the most unapologetically violent comic-book movies ever made. We break down Ray Stevenson's take on Frank Castle, whether this is the closest any movie has come to capturing the brutal, comic-book version of The Punisher, and why the film's over-the-top violence has helped it build a cult following over the years. Plus, we discuss Dominic West's scenery-chewing Jigsaw, the movie's grimy grindhouse style, Lexi Alexander's direction, and whether Punisher: War Zone is a misunderstood gem or an absolute mess. They debate, laugh, and argue — all while raising a glass (or more) of their favorite alcoholic beverage and toasting to cinema… and to surviving the franchise. 🍸 The Binge Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/TheBingePodcast/ Joshua Ryan's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/MrMovieGuy86/

    Punisher: War Zone (2008) — The Punisher Goes Full Grindhouse | The Binge

  6. Jul 21

    The Punisher (2004) — Was This the Best Punisher Movie? | The Binge

    This week on The Binge, we take a look at The Punisher — the 2004 Marvel adaptation that gave Frank Castle a new face, a new origin, and a very different kind of revenge story. We break down whether Thomas Jane was the right choice to play Frank Castle, whether this version of the character ever truly feels like The Punisher, and why the movie leans more into a slow-burn revenge thriller than the brutal comic-book action fans may have expected. Plus, we discuss John Travolta's villain, the film's strange mix of serious trauma and goofy moments, the infamous popsicle torture scene, and how this movie compares to Dolph Lundgren's 1989 version. We debate, laugh, and argue — all while raising a glass (or more) of their favorite alcoholic beverage and toasting to cinema… and to surviving the franchise. 🍸 The Binge Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/TheBingePodcast/ Joshua Ryan's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/MrMovieGuy86/

    The Punisher (2004) — Was This the Best Punisher Movie? | The Binge

  7. Jul 14

    The Punisher (1989) — Marvel's Forgotten Movie | The Binge

    This week on The Binge, we revisit The Punisher — the 1989 Marvel action movie starring Dolph Lundgren as Frank Castle, years before the MCU turned comic-book films into Hollywood's biggest genre. We break down what works, what doesn't, and why this version of The Punisher has become one of Marvel's most forgotten movies. Plus, we discuss Lundgren's brutal take on Frank Castle, the missing skull logo, the movie's strange Yakuza storyline, its gritty '80s action style, and how it compares to the later Punisher films and shows. They debate, laugh, and argue — all while raising a glass (or more) of their favorite alcoholic beverage and toasting to cinema… and to surviving the franchise. 🍸 The Binge's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/TheBingePodcast/ Joshua Ryan's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/MrMovieGuy86/

    The Punisher (1989) — Marvel's Forgotten Movie | The Binge

  8. Jul 7

    Jackass: Best and Last — Was There Really One More Jackass Movie Left? | The Binge

    This week on The Binge, we dig into Jackass: Best and Last — the final chapter in the Jackass franchise and a farewell to the original crew's decades-long run of painful stunts, disgusting pranks, and complete chaos. We break down whether this final collection of footage works as a proper sendoff, what separates it from Jackass Forever, and whether there was still enough left in the tank for one last round. Plus, we discuss the legacy of Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Wee Man, Chris Pontius, and the rest of the crew, the moments that did not make the theatrical cut, and why Jackass has endured far longer than anyone probably expected. They debate, laugh, and argue — all while raising a glass (or more) of their favorite alcoholic beverage and toasting to cinema… and to surviving the franchise. 🍸 The Binge Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/TheBingePodcast/ Joshua Ryan's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/MrMovieGuy86/

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We celebrate the movies where one wasn't enough by raising a glass. Full mugs. Entire franchises. Lots of laughs. Cheers to the Franchise is a movie podcast dedicated to watching, drinking, and laughing our way through entire film franchises, one movie at a time. From beloved classics and blockbuster sequels to notorious misfires and the entries everyone forgot existed, no movie gets skipped. Joshua Ryan is a professional Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic who brings the critic's perspective to the conversation. Timbo Jones is an independent filmmaker and film school graduate who brings the filmmaker's perspective. Together, they break down each movie, share behind-the-scenes stories and trivia, debate what works and what doesn't, and decide where every film belongs in the franchise. Grab a drink, press play, and join us as we raise a glass to the movies that just couldn't stop at one. Cheers to the Franchise! 🍻🎬

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