Needs Some Introduction - Pluribus / Welcome to Derry

In this episode of Need Some Introduction, host Victor Anand reviews his top films of 2025, highlighting around 20 notable movies. He also provides insights into recent viewings and shares upcoming podcast plans. Special attention is given to a detailed analysis of the film 'Bugonia,' featuring standout performances by Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone. Join Victor and Darren as they discuss the intriguing elements and thematic depth of 'Bugonia,' explore other recent movies, and look forward to the next season of the podcast. mailto:[email protected] 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:19 Favorite Films of 2025 and Holiday Season Catch-Up 01:14 Upcoming TV Show Coverage 03:05 Listener Recommendations 06:44 The State of the Box Office and Nostalgia Trends 14:01 Top 20 Films of 2025: Sentimental Value and If I Had Legs I'd Kick You 20:38 Top 20 Films of 2025: Weapons and Blue Moon 26:13 Top 20 Films of 2025: One of Them Days and Bugonia 31:39 Top 20 Films of 2025: Black Bag and Sinners 38:23 Top 20 Films of 2025: Bring Her Back and The Phoenician Scheme 42:34 Magnetic Performances and Stellar Cast 43:43 Exploring the Japanese Film 'Cloud' 45:57 Top 10 Movies and Special Mentions 48:49 Mike Leigh's 'Hard Truths' and Other Highlights 52:49 Diving into the Top 10: 'Train Dreams' and More 53:56 Unexpected Gems: 'Twin Less' 58:45 Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just an Accident' 01:01:54 Marty Supreme: A Wild Ride 01:05:07 Companion: A Genre-Bending Experience 01:07:11 Top 5 Movies of the Year 01:29:13 Ice Cube's Latest Movie: So Bad It's Good? 01:33:44 Jack Black: The Unexpected Box Office Titan 01:35:59 Sydney Sweeney's Breakout Role in 'The Housemaid' 01:48:07 Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Bugonia': A Masterpiece? 01:58:32 Initial Impressions and Concerns 01:59:43 Breaking Down the Story 02:02:00 Conspiracy Theories and Character Motivations 02:06:44 Comparing to the Original Film 02:11:00 Spoiler Section: Discussing the Ending 02:16:41 Final Thoughts and Reflections 02:30:31 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

In this episode of 'Need Some Introduction,' host Victor reviews his favorite TV shows of the year, including underappreciated gems and acclaimed favorites. Victor is joined by his wife, Kim, for an in-depth discussion on 'The Pitt,' a medical drama. Kim, a PA with extensive experience in trauma and emergency medicine, provides unique insights into the show's medical accuracy and its portrayal of healthcare challenges. Other shows discussed include 'Your Friends and Neighbors,' 'Dying for Sex,' and 'Task,' among others. The episode also highlights upcoming shows and encourages listener feedback. mailto:[email protected] 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 01:18 Upcoming TV Shows and Events 03:54 Honorable Mentions: Underrated Shows 05:37 Black Mirror: Eulogy Episode 10:52 More Underrated Shows 32:58 Top 15 TV Shows of the Year 55:09 Cliffhanger Disappointments 55:46 The Lowdown: Sterling Hard's Masterpiece 57:36 The Rehearsal: Nathan Fielder's Magic Trick 58:21 Top Five: The Task 59:31 Severance: A Remarkable Season 01:00:41 Adolescence: A Profound Experience 01:01:29 Andor: A Smart Exploration 01:03:48 The Pit: A Medical Drama Deep Dive 01:09:52 Medical Realism and TV Dramas 01:39:43 Upcoming Shows and Final Thoughts Listed Shows: Black Mirror The Bear Poker Face Down Cemetery Lane Paradise Your Friends and Neighbors Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman Black Rabbit Devil in Disguise Dying for Sex Mr Scorsese  Peewee as Himself Deli Boys White Lotus Win or Lose Death By Lightning The Narrow Path to the Deep North Common Side Effects/Pantheon The Studio Pluribus The Lowdown The Rehearsal Task Severance Adolescence  Andor The Pitt

In this episode of 'Need Some Introduction,' Victor and Darren discuss a range of topics from recent entertainment releases to year-end reviews. The episode begins with a debate about covering the series 'Fallout' but shifts focus to 'Industry,' which both hosts are excited to discuss. They touch upon their recent experiences with various movies and TV shows, including 'Avatar,' sharing their mixed feelings about Cameron's ongoing saga. The hosts then dive deeply into their top TV series and movies of the year, praising series like 'White Lotus,' 'The Studio,' and 'Andor,' as well as documentaries like 'Unknown Number: High School Catfish' and 'The Perfect Neighbor.' They also highlight standout films such as 'Sinners' and powerful performances from actors like Rose Byrne and Joel Edgerton. Additionally, they mention interesting side notes like the 'Boxing Day' puzzle, current weather conditions, holiday activities, and the unique tendencies of modern viewers, including teenagers binge-watching 'Stranger Things.'   00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:54 Holiday Experiences 02:06 Movies and TV Shows Review 07:18 Boxing Day Puzzle 12:28 Movie Reviews and Recommendations 19:00 ‘The Life of Chuck’ 33 33:12 ‘Avatar Fire and Ash’ 33:45 Struggles with 3D Technology 34:13 New Characters and Family Reactions 35:25 Repetitive Storyline Critique 36:11 Meta Narrative and Visuals 38:22 Character Development and Performances 44:42 Cameron's Personal Themes 47:48 3D Technology and Financial Success 01:02:29 ‘Stranger Things’ Viewing Habits 01:05:29 Top 10 List and Honorable Mentions 01:07:14 ‘King of the Hill’ and Netflix Documentary 01:08:36 The Perfect Neighbor: A Shocking Documentary 01:10:54 American Murder and Other Disturbing Documentaries 01:13:57 White Lotus Season 3: A Sun-Drenched Thriller 01:15:24 Seth Rogan's The Studio: Hilarious and Technically Brilliant 01:17:09 Australian Actors Shine in Art House Films 01:22:06 The Rehearsal Season 2: Nathan Fielder's Genius 01:26:37 Sinners: An Epic Period Horror Drama 01:34:06 Paradise Episode 7: The Day 01:35:01 Adolescence: A Powerful One-Shot Series 01:37:55 Andor: The Best Star Wars Content in Years

Merry Christmas Eve. We have arrived at the end of the season. Carol gets a cold reminder of the cruelty of indifferent efficiency.  Remember to email us any of your year end recommendations. mailto:[email protected]  

In this episode of 'Need Some Introduction,' host Victor delves into the penultimate episode of 'Pluribus' Season 1, titled 'Charm Offensive.' Victor breaks down key moments, including Carol's interactions with the Hive Mind and her evolving relationship with Zosia. The episode highlights the charm offensive from both sides, the show's exploration of collective consciousness, and theorizes about the implications of these discoveries. Additionally, Victor and guest Sona discuss the emotional depth of the characters, the potential future of the series, and their predictions for the season finale. The episode also pays tribute to the late Rob Reiner, reflecting on his influential filmography and impact on pop culture. mailto:[email protected] 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:48 Upcoming Episodes and Podcast Plans 01:58 Year-End Wrap-Up and Listener Participation 03:38 Movie Reviews and Top 10 Lists 05:15 Stranger Things Finale and Fallout Discussion 06:09 Pluribus Episode Breakdown 08:02 Charm Offensive Analysis 10:03 Carol's Strategy and Hive Mind Dynamics 13:03 Mind Glue and Communication Theories 15:24 Emotional Manipulation and Seduction 18:31 Revelations and Speculations 24:37 The Dating Metaphor and Final Confrontation 46:30 Carol's Emotional Plea 47:04 The Spontaneous Kiss 47:32 Zosia's Morning Routine 48:41 The Radio DJ 49:06 Carol's Illusion 51:05 Manuso's Journey 51:34 Discussion with Sona 52:20 Rob Reiner's Legacy 01:03:47 The Charm Offensive 01:22:36 Carol's Revelation and the Entity's Paradox 01:25:09 The Entity's Mission and Antenna Construction 01:26:32 The Signal Theory and Potential Disruption 01:29:12 Carol's Writing and AI Metaphor 01:35:53 The Entity's True Nature and Weapon Theory 01:44:29 Manuso's Stubbornness and Survival 01:52:23 Final Thoughts and Season Finale Anticipation