BIRD PROTOCOL

Ayo! We’re back to FINALLY close out our year-in-review series after a brief battle with a stomach flu, some horrible weather, and food court Chinese food! This is the 2025 Lazy Bird Report! So kick back, crack a cold one, and join your favourite Bird Boys as we take a lazy look back on our personal experiences in 2025. From our wings (wins) to our cages (losses) to our eggs (hopes) for this coming year… we cover it all (and then some). If you couldn’t tell from our inconsistency with the pod, last year was a year of immense change in our lives. Thankfully, it was mostly for the better, but it didn’t come without some challenges and creative blocks. In this episode, we share our thoughts on a year that, in the grander sense, was horrible. Ironically, it was pretty dope for us individually and truly great for art/media. Funny how that works, huh?We share some of our highs and lows from 2025 while we take a look at the current nightmare of a world we’re living in, while musing on how we can still find some joy (joymaxxing lol) by disconnecting from the fake and linking up with the real. Sure, there were some heartbreaks (RIP to the boy Tucker), social media companies are trying to make us hate one another, and the world is filled with clowns that piss us off. Still, our personal wins include an upcoming marriage, going to (or continuing) therapy, getting a new job, finding joy in the simple things like reading or being creative, appreciating getting older, valuing friendship and love, moving into new apartments, and a lot more. We discuss how these changes may have stifled our creativity at the time and challenged us as creatives… but also how they might have set us up to have a killer year of creating in 2026.We also discuss the state of the world, social media, politics, and the slow descent into idiocracy and madness that we’re all up against. We suggest ways to improve media literacy, find your joy, disconnect from social media (or at least look at it with a critical eye), get out of the politics-as-wrestling mentality, recognize the death of nuance on the internet, and avoid the influence of the evil billionaires and the trauma addiction that lurks in every post and comment. Our growing distrust in social media and the way people use the internet is a dead horse that we are happy to beat again... because, man, a lot of our problems are currently coming from a bunch of weirdo tech bro billionaires, online trolling, and poisonous algorithms. Plus, Baby Keem dropped an album. Everything is gambling now. We live in a simulation, and the food court chicken is in control! Nonetheless, we hope that 2026 is another year of growth, joy, creativity, and love. And movies. And games. And music. Anyway, thanks for rocking with us. We appreciate ya.See you next week, homies.As always… INITIATE THE PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies! It’s time for one last (official) look back on 2025 with the final instalment of the Bird Report! In this episode, we look back on some of the TV shows released in 2025 and share our favourites and honourable mentions. Much like with movies and music, it was a damn good year for television. Although we missed some shows due to living life and not having enough time, we have a decent list of stuff that we really dug.In this episode, you’ll hear our thoughts (both good and bad) on shows like “Pluribus”, “The Studio”, “Murderbot”, “The Vince Staples Show”, “Andor”, “The Chair Company”, “The Pitt”, “Task”, “The Righteous Gemstones”, “MobLand”, “The Bear”, “The White Lotus”, “Your Friends & Neighbors”, “The Last Of Us”, “Alien: Earth”, “The Rehearsal”, and more. What did you watch in 2025? Did we miss anything major? Let us know in a comment!We end the episode with a bit of reminiscing, but we’ll be back next episode with a deeper look back on 2025 from our own personal perspectives in our Lazy Bird Report. Plus, what we’ve been watching, playing, and listening to in 2026 - including our thoughts on the awesome and under-appreciated “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”. Tap in!As always…INITIATE THE PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Ayo! We’re back and continuing our quest to discuss our favourite releases of 2025! This week, we’re talking film… and what a BANGER year it was for movies! Join Otis and PALMREADER as they share their ten favourite movies from the past year (plus a whole bunch of honourable mentions).In this episode, we discuss some really great movies from 2025 including “No Other Choice”, “One Battle After Another”, “If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You”, “Sentimental Value”, “The Perfect Neighbor”, “Train Dreams”, “28 Years Later”, “Sorry, Baby”, “Eddington”, “Thunderbolts”, “Marty Supreme”, “Sinners”, “Weapons”, “Begonia”, “A House Of Dynamite”, and more. Plus, a whole whack of honourable mentions and stuff we dug (but maybe wasn’t the best). We’ll be back next week with our TV picks, a look back on the year, and a close-out of the 2025 Bird Report.How was your year of watching movies? Let us know in a comment if we missed anything dope! As always…INITIATE THE PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What's good, homies?! Another year has come and gone... and what a year it was for music, movies, video games, and TV! We're back with another year-end summary of all of our personal favourites from 2025. This week, we're covering music and video games (kind of)! So, kick back, relax, and enjoy the first installment of our yearly review.In this episode, we discuss some of our favourite albums of the past year, including releases from The Clipse, Turnstile, Chance The Rapper, Chat Pile & Hayden Pedigo, Liquid Mike, JID, Militarie Gun, Aminé, Aitch, Mac Miller, Moving Mountains, The Starting Line, Geese, The Callous Daoboys, Lambrini Girls, Fred Again.., $uicideboy$, and more. Plus, honourable mentions like Bon Iver, Brevin Kim, Bouvé, Dijon, Know Good, Justin Bieber, Totorro, Conway The Machine, MIKE, The Acacia Strain, Angelmaker, Earl Sweatshirt, Ovrkast., Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist, and more.Then we talk a (very) little about what we've played this year. Surprise! It wasn't much. With that being said, there is a lot we still WANT to play, so we discuss what we're itching to try out, some older games we've been revisiting, and the very few new releases we got a chance to enjoy this year.We'll be back in a week or two to discuss the movies and TV we loved from 2025. Let us know if we missed anything that you loved from this past year in a comment below.As always… INITIATE THE PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s shakin’, homies?! It’s time for another episode of BIRD PROTOCOL. This week, we’re talking about the forefathers of modern pop-punk, Blink-182. You didn’t think we’d miss a chance at talking about one of the most seminal and important bands in our lives AND make a visual joke using the episode title, did you? Absolutely not. Are you crazy? Don’t you know us by now? Anyway, this episode is pretty much us gushing about the band (even though we aren’t so hot on a few of their releases) and serves as our chance to remind everyone how goddamn important, influential, and great the Blink boys were (and still are) at their peak.In this episode, we break down (most of) their career from the highest highs to the lowest lows, talk about our favourite albums and songs, and give them their flowers. This is not completely devoid of criticism, though, because what the hell was up with “Nine”? Yeesh. We briefly touch on their early days and then chronicle their meteoric rise with a three-peat of absolute slappers from the aughts (“Enema Of The State”, “Take Off Your Pants And Jacket’, and “Untitled”). From there, we discuss the rising tension in the band, their multiple hiatuses and line-up changes, and everything that led to a myriad of kinda-sorta-alright to downright boring releases. Then, we discuss the events leading to their reunion and excellent latest release, “One More Time…”. We also take some time to discuss why we personally love them and how Blink has played an irrefutable role in our youth and young manhood (and lives as musicians). This band is deeply important to both of us, as well as a huge number of people all around the world, so even as we tried to adhere to our new rules about length… it just wasn't happening. Blink’s impact is undeniable, their rise to the top is the stuff of legends, and they are just so much fun. We tried to pack as much as we could into the episode, but Otis, being a massive fan, said it best when he points out that we could have done a long-form series on every album, song, triumph, and failure of the band. It’s a genuinely crazy story filled with plane crashes, a cancer diagnosis, UFOs, alcoholism, naked dudes, secret bands, inter-member tension, and a whole lot more. So, tap in with us. It is a good one.We’ll be back in two weeks with our Christmas pick. In the meantime, wish PALMREADER luck at his new job!As always…INITIATE THE PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies? It’s time for another episode of BIRD PROTOCOL, and this week, we’re taking you to go like hell at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We’re hitting that sweet spot, 7,000 RPMS, where everything vanishes, and all that's left is a body moving through space and time. That’s right, we’re talking James Mangold’s 2019 biographical sports drama “Ford v Ferrari”, which tells the true story of American automotive designer Carroll Shelby and British driver/engineer Ken Miles as they join forces with the Ford Motor Company to build a revolutionary race car capable of defeating Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. This movie is a slam dunk that both Otis and I neglected upon release, but have since come to adore, so join us as we line up like GT40s and cross the finish line… but this time there’s no technicality to trip us up. We’re all winners.“Ford v Ferrari” is a masterclass in turning something that could easily be a run-of-the-mill sports movie into a well-oiled and rich cinematic experience. From the direction to the performances to the editing to the story beats to the deeper themes of the film to the immaculate and nostalgic Sunday-afternoon-all-star vibe of the movie, this one is near-perfect. Starring Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Caitríona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone, and Ray McKinnon, this movie rules. It’s tough to find movies like this that (seemingly) effortlessly pull off real thrills, dynamic action, laughs, excellent writing, beautiful cinematography, and a lot of heart. It also boasts pitch-perfect performances from the cast. Seriously. Not a single bad turn. Damon, Letts, Lucas, Bernthal… all amazing. Bale, especially, delivers a performance unlike anything he’s done before and is so damn charming and funny. Josh Lucas’ Leo Beebe is an all-time pencil-pushing scumbag. Letts as Henry Ford II, is a home run. Damon is back to casually remind you all that he is really that guy. It’s awesome.Nominated for multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture, this movie was a hit with both critics and audiences alike. So, join us this week as we discuss why this movie rules, give it some context and history, talk about what makes it so special, share what we love about it, and a whole lot more. Truthfully, neither of us really cares about racing, but when Ford tells Shelby to go to war, we’re locked in. It’s wonderful. It’s fun. It’s charming. This one is a gush fest. Also in this episode, some clerical updates, a quick discussion on Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein”, and some hints for our 182nd episode next week. As always…INITIATE THE PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

A nuclear ICBM is headed toward Chicago. Nobody can figure out who fired it. Nuclear war is on our doorstep. Is this insanity? No, sir. This is BIRD PROTOCOL. This week, we’re chatting about the recently released (and fantastic) apocalyptic political thriller film from none other than the talented and military-obsessed Kathryn Bigelow, “A House Of Dynamite”. This movie rips and is possibly the scariest film released this Halloween season. Tense, fraught, procedural, and full of dread… nuclear war started the minute the missile was launched, and there’s nothing anyone could do about it. Sure, it has some issues. We definitely discuss and litigate them throughout the episode. Nonetheless, we both think this one is a banger, and we can’t wait to chat about it.Starring Rebecca Ferguson (who is truly fantastic, even if her accent slips), Idris Elba, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Anthony Ramos, Tracy Letts (also excellent), and more.  “A House Of Dynamite” explores the twenty or so minutes before Chicago is wiped off the map and nuclear proliferation comes to a head through three separate but connected perspectives. The structure allows for more information to be unveiled slowly and the tension to build to a fever pitch. In the end, it doesn’t matter what happens, because it’s gonna be bad, and that’s the point. All it takes for the house of dynamite to blow is a match… doesn’t matter who lights it. Head to your nuclear bunkers ASAP, homies. It’s about to get really real. In this episode, we discuss Bigelow’s direction, the cinematography, the editing, the narrative structure, the performances, and all the other stuff we love about the movie. We also discuss some of the parts that felt comparatively flat. Was Idris the right choice to play the president? Or is his casting an inspired choice? We unpack this in real time. We also have some bones to pick with the wider film audience and open-source film criticism. Some people didn’t like this movie, and we’re here to tell you that they’re wrong. Put down the phone, close the TikTok app, and pay attention. Your one-liner reviews might be funny, but if you didn’t even get the point of the movie (which was very clear, by the way)… it all feels kind of like a waste, no? Also, how could anyone think the ending of this movie is ambiguous? And what’s so weird about a modern president listening to podcasts? We talk about it.We also briefly touch on some of the stuff we’ve seen recently including Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” (apologies Mr. Elordi, PALMREADER wasn’t aware of your game), Joseph Kosinski’s “F1”, Julia Ducournau’s “Titane”, the new season of “The Vince Staples” show, the new hyper-pop inspired Danny Brown album “Stardust”, and more. We’ll see you next week.As always…INITIATE THE PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

This week, we’re gonna need a young priest and an old priest as we delve into a Spooky Season certified classic, one of the most infamous and influential horror films of all time, and maybe the most culturally important possession movie… “The Exorcist”. This is one of our favourite movies from one of our favourite guys that is filled with technical skill, pure cinema, and stories of a cursed production… and we’re ready to go deep. So, strap in, get your holy water ready, and let’s talk about pure evil.Released in 1973 and directed by William Friedkin, this adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s best-selling novel shocked audiences with its raw, terrifying portrayal of demonic possession. Starring Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, and Jason Miller, the film follows the convergence of a woman named Chris, her young daughter named Regan, the priests who risk life and limb everything to save a soul, and (you guessed it) The Devil. Considered one of the best horror films of all time (or THE horror film of all time, per Otis), “The Exorcist” was a cultural event, sparking controversy, fainting spells, religious backlash, and debates about good, evil, and the supernatural that still echo today. Not to mention the deep cinematic and cultural legacy left in its wake. Look, this movie did for horror what “2001: A Space Odyssey” did for science fiction. With ten Academy Award nominations (and two wins) and a legacy that shaped modern horror, it is a real ripper. Not to be missed.In this episode, we cover as much as we can about this film without beating a dead horse, and although this movie has been talked about time and time again, we share our thoughts on what it does well, why it is so important, and the legacy of “The Exorcist”. Plus, we discuss the purportedly “cursed” production, some of the technical feats and innovations used in the making of the movie, the insane casting what-ifs, the differences between the film and the book, and why the visual style of William Friedkin elevates this movie to something more. We also talk about the release of this movie, the fervour it created, the controversies surrounding it, etc. Furthermore, we share some of our favourite moments, discuss the scenes that probably blew people’s minds and Max von Sydow’s old-age makeup, and Otis educates PALMREADER on the sequels (most of them are not comparable, but recently there have been some reappraisals).This is one of the pillars of horror film, and we honestly could have spent three hours talking about it. Friedkin, much like Pazuzu, is a demon. If you love horror but haven’t seen this movie… What are you doing? Hopefully, this makes you finally see it, because it rules. The power of Christ compels you!As always…INITIATE THE PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Ayo! It’s time for another Spooky Season offering from your favourite Bird Boys, and this week, well… we went to a haunted farm and got scared in real life! So, instead of talking about a specific movie, we decided to do another Spooky Bird episode on a variety of horror and horror-adjacent topics. First things first, though. We start this episode with a recap of our night of frights and friendship at the local Fear Farm Halloween event. From screaming ladies popping out of the ceiling to a tall bone man rubbing PALMREADER’s head to a lady in line openly talking about her sexual proclivities and drug use in line to a crazy beatboxing performance… it was a night of laughs, seasonal scares, and fun. Definitely consider checking out the Fear Farm if you live in the region.Then, we shift gears to discuss a variety of topics related to Horror cinema. Firstly, PALMREADER wants to know why some folklore and mythology haven’t been explored in horror. For example… Why are there no really good, elevated movies about alien abductions, Bigfoot, missing people in the woods, and other creepy and ominous creatures and scenarios? We think there are things that the genre is missing out on, and can’t figure out why nobody has really done them justice. Otis has a stellar idea for how a filmmaker could really make an abduction film horrifying, and PALMREADER reminisces on a TV movie about aliens showing up at a family Thanksgiving that freaked him out as a kid.Then, we discuss one of the major issues plaguing horror films these days… formulaic and shallow over-complication! For some reason, people seem to forget what makes the core kernels of various horror concepts effective and opt for making sequels or films that needlessly riff on an already good idea in dumb ways. Mostly, we take issue with the practice of overcomplicating narratives that has been baked into the standard studio filmmaking formula (especially in sequels) and the lack of organic and thoughtful re-contextualization that you find in some great foreign or independent films like “Let The Right One In”, “Hereditary”, or “Stake Land”. Why couldn't this be done with a bigger budget on one of these lesser-known stories or mythos? Why don’t more filmmakers explore core concepts in a natural, logical, and meaningful way? Why not improve or experiment with the technical aspects of filmmaking as opposed to needlessly complicating or diluting the ideas that are actually scary? In horror, sometimes simple is better, yet that point seems to have been lost somewhere.This leads to a discussion on vampires and werewolves and haunted house movies and why many of them seem to miss the mark on something so simple it should be banger after banger. Otis has been on a werewolf kick lately and has many thoughts. PALMREADER has some issues with the “Conjuring” series and the wider "Conjuring" cinematic world that he uses as a base for his arguments. Later in the episode, we discuss “Heretic” and when non-horror actors make villainous turns in horror or thriller films (much like Hugh Grant as the charming yet insanely evil Mr. Reed). We list some of our favourites and discuss what makes these performances great.Join us for all this, and many other rantings and ravings, in this Spooky Bird episode.INITIATE THE PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What is good, homies! Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate! We’re kicking off our annual Spooky Season selections with PALMREADER’s belated birthday pick from a very hit-or-miss filmmaker that, whether you like it or not, has been hugely influential to modern cinema. Plus, it’s one of the best alien invasion movies ever, still holds up with moments of pure terror, and somehow still lands the plane even with the glaring plot holes and the overly silly “God’s plan” schtick. Today, we’re talking about M. Night Shyamalan’s sci-fi horror film, “Signs”.Ok, let’s get this out of the way now. M. Night makes divisive movies. Some of them bang, while some of them are trash, and there’s not really any in-between. We’ve never really discussed him as a filmmaker on the show before, even with his major influence on filmmaking, so we spend a good portion of the start of this episode charting out his career and dissecting exactly what works and what doesn’t when it comes to his filmmaking style. We both agree that, like Zack Snyder, he has a wholly unique filmmaking vision. We also think that he has yet to reach the heights implied by some of his really great films. But why hasn’t he? Is it his fervent adherence to his own creative voice that is holding him back? Or is it a skill issue? Or has he just not found his perfect collaborator? PALMREADER has a theory that his movies are best viewed as cinematic fables or parables, not reflections of true reality, and that by engaging with them as such… well, it makes the viewing experience even better (or at least more palatable). With that being said, he has released some real stinkers. Perhaps it is because he leaned too far into his parable-style filmmaking (like with “The Happening” and “Lady In The Water”)? Or maybe he’s just not built for huge blockbuster films (like with “Avatar” and “After Earth”)? We litigate it and discuss the possibilities in depth.With all that being said, M. Night Shyamalan really has made some heaters, and “Signs” might be his best. It was the last in a trilogy of films that were very well received critically before a decade of decline in M. Night’s career (followed by what some might call a course correction with “The Visit” and the excellent “Split”). This movie is STILL scary - even with all the flaws, religious zest, and heavy-handed allegories. The aliens? Horrifying camouflaged freaks that speak through clicks on a pre-invasion reconnaissance mission? Yeah, no thanks. We all know the scenes… The Brazilian birthday party, the pantry, the monster on the roof, the chase around the house, the corn field… they all still send a shiver down our spine. With an incredible score, excellent cinematography, an absolutely banging poster, and performances that somehow work despite some of the most egregiously silly line readings and dialogue… “Signs” is insanely rewatchable.Look, the movie is about God sending an alien invasion to rekindle a man’s faith (which is the most Old Testament thing ever) and see the divine plan laid out in front of him. It’s SILLY as all hell. Not to mention the fact that Earth is COVERED in water… which hurts the alien invaders (read: maybe demons?)… and yet they still came to drag humanity away? They travel the stars, and they don’t understand doors? WHAT?! The genius of this film, starring (pre-breakdown) Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, and Abigail Breslin, is that it SOMEHOW still works. “Swing away, Merrill.” Hell yeah, dude. Beat that alien to death with a baseball bat. You’re right there, accepting it all, until the credits roll. That’s when you’re like… wait… HUH?! But, following PALMREADER’s thesis on M. Night as a parable filmmaker, it might make sense that in HIS cinematic world (not the real one), this all might be possible.Join us this week as we delve into all of this (and more) in-depth.INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What's good, homies! We're back with another Lazy Bird to share some updates on our lives and thoughts on what we've been listening to, playing, and watching. It's been a busy end to our summer as PALMREADER celebrated his birthday and Otis went to work at Comic Con again. We discuss his time at the convention, the fallout of continental breakfasts, the recent flood of AI-generated waifu vendors, why they shouldn't be allowed to sell at comic conventions, the ethical use of AI, and more. Plus, we're heading to the cottage to pretend that the world isn't on fire. How exciting!Then, we talk about some stuff that we've been watching. Otis has been on a Darren Aronofsky kick after seeing his latest movie, "Caught Stealing," so we discuss his filmography and style with a particular focus on "The Wrestler", "Noah", and "Black Swan". We also discuss the star of "Caught Stealing", Austin Butler, and his career thus far (including his link-up with our guy Action Bronson). He also puts PALMREADER onto a Korean action film called "The Villainess," which apparently rips. PALMREADER has been watching Noah Hawley's "Alien: Earth" and is 1000% in on it. He explains what makes this show excellent and makes a passionate plea for Otis to check it out. Plus, "Mandy" still rips, and we talk about it.Following this, we talk about Marvel's "Thunderbolts*" and why it is one of the best Marvel movies in a long time. Both Otis and PALMREADER thoroughly enjoyed it for a variety of reasons, from the performances to the villain to the tone. Yo, Feige, make more like this. Shake things up. Break the cycle. We also discuss Florence Pugh's performance, the anthropomorphized form of murderous depression being the true villain of the film, Marvel villains being habitually lacklustre, not needing to see everything else to enjoy and understand the film, the future of the MCU, and Jake Schreier being tapped to reboot the X-Men.Then, we talk about video games for once! Wow! There are so many dope games coming out. Due to being so busy lately, we're just trying to catch up, but PALMREADER has been playing "Kingdom Come Deliverance 2" and is living his best medieval life. He discusses what they improved upon and made more palatable when compared to the first game, why he loves it, and what makes it such a deep and engaging RPG.There's a bunch more ranting and raving in the episode for you to enjoy, so tap in with us and catch up with your favourite Bird Boys.We’ll be back after our trip to the cottage!INITIATE THE PROTOCOL.Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What's good, homies! We're back with another fresh review episode on one of the best movies of the year, Zach Cregger's genre-bending masterwork of a horror film, "Weapons". This movie rules. If you haven't seen it yet, we highly recommend you do before listening to this episode. Although we try not to spoil too much, it is inevitable, and there is a lot to talk about and unpack."Weapons" was directed, written, produced, and co-scored by Zach Cregger. It stars Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Toby Huss, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan. All of whom deliver outstanding performances that will make you laugh, recoil in disgust, and cheer at various points in this film. It is gory, eerie, menacing, and surprisingly funny. The filmmaking is kinetic. The editing is outstanding. The score is a banger. The narrative and filmmaking choices rule. It honestly might be the best of the year for us, so tap in and hear us talk about why.We don't want to spoil too much of the movie, so we forgo discussing the plot in depth in today's episode. Instead, we talk about our immediate reactions to "Weapons", the critical response, our favourite moments, Cregger's history (and future) in film, WKUK, what we think this film is trying to say, the excellent moments of comedy, the masterful use of the various types of horror filmmaking, Gladys, and a whole lot more.Again... you have to see this movie. It is thoroughly awesome. One of the best times we've had at the movie theater in a long time (and "Sinners" came out this year). We're excited to see where Cregger goes and can't wait to watch "Weapons" again.If you're in the area, come to Revive Karaoke Bar on Tuesday to see the first of Otis' new open mic shows and say happy birthday to PALMREADER. Doors are at 7 PM in Uptown Waterloo. Come on out.INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

The world was a strange place five years ago. It still is, but that’s beside the point. Some say it might be too soon to immortalize the insanity that was living through the pandemic and all the wild stuff we, as a society, were doing and dealing with. Not Ari Aster, though. He said, watch me straight up show you absolutely batshit everything and everyone was by creating a satirical dark comedy Neo-western set in the epicenter of the worst people imaginable (that we all probably know examples of in real life). Also, let’s throw in some Soros-coded ANTIFA assassins, tech companies, hyper-violence, and people being extremely and detrimentally online. It goes as well as you might imagine an Ari Aster film would go.This week, we’re chatting about “Eddington”, a sensational and scathing indictment of the times and a greatest hits of the ills of modern man. Boy, does this movie rip. It’s so good that it might piss you off and make you feel a little (or very) uneasy. We think that was the whole point, and we love it. Written and directed by Ari Aster, “Eddington” centers around a mayoral race in a small town called Eddington, New Mexico, during the first few months of the pandemic. It quickly descends into a labyrinth of madness, grifting, identity politics gone overboard, greed, and cowardice. Essentially, everyone is either being manipulated, manipulating others, or simply being bad human beings. It’s also funny. Like, laugh-out-loud ridiculous. Because it was an insane time, wasn’t it?Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone, all of whom give excellent and infuriating performances, this movie expertly dissects the rise of online political and conspiratorial manipulation, societal fear, greed, hyperbolic levels of virtue signaling, the faults of identity politics, and the divisions in our humanity. What starts as something familiar slowly evolves into a story of lies, betrayal, and violence. It’s wild. In this episode, we discuss the themes, characters, and performances of the movie, highlight what we love about the direction and script, share our favourite moments from the film, discuss the state of the world both now and then, and look back on how nuts that first year of the pandemic was. They say the best art causes you to look inward… and that might be why this movie got us yapping. It also might be why it had such a polarizing effect.Later in the episode, we briefly talk about the new Chance The Rapper album, “Star Line”, the new “Alien: Earth” series on FX, the endearing and surprising “Sorry, Baby” from Eva Victor, and some other stuff we’ve been enjoying lately.We’ll be back next week!INITIATE THE PROTOCOL.Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Yo! It’s time for another Lazy Bird episode, which means you’re in for some raw, unfiltered thoughts from your favourite Bird Boys. So, strap in because we’ve got some praises to sing and some nits to pick as we cover some of the things we’ve seen, listened to, and done together over the last couple of weeks. To start things off, we recap a day of mini-golf with the homies and the pros and cons of the course. Pros? Alcohol, little to no oversight. Cons? No upkeep, wasps, nasty water in some of the holes, and no real vibe or novelty to the course. Not a lot of pizazz, which is necessary for the true mini-golf experience. Do we need more novelty mini-golf courses near us? Yes. Yes, we do. Preferably with dinosaurs. We had fun, though.In this episode, we also discuss some stuff we’ve watched lately, including the new “Happy Gilmore”, Adam Sandler having fun, Bad Bunny’s rise, and our favourite Happy Madison movies. Plus, we both have a lot to say about “Jurassic World: Rebirth” and “Final Destination: Bloodlines” and the failings of studio-led (and rushed) franchise films. PALMREADER loves the Jurassic franchise but has some serious issues with “Rebirth”, and Otis doesn’t feel like “Bloodlines” hit properly due to many of the deaths being spoiled by the film's promotional materials. It’s doubly troubling when we compare these films to some of the other legacy sequels that did it right, so where do franchise films and studios go from here? Hopefully not nose-first into more ketamine. We also discuss a riveting rewatch of “Westworld” that PALMREADER is undertaking with his girlfriend. It still rips. Someone let Jonathan Nolan make season five because we need to know how the story ends. Plus, “Alien: Earth” is almost here, and PALMREADER is stoked. Hopefully, Noah Hawley has it in him to land the plane with this long-awaited passion project.We also discuss some recently released music including “Alfredo 2” from Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist (plus, The Alchemist’s generational run in the last 5-6 years), “Don’t Tap The Glass” from Tyler, The Creator, Russ’ “Wild” album and the wild DJ Lucas feature, Ovrkast., Benny The Butcher’s “Summertime Butch 2”, Moving Mountains’ “Pruning Of The Lower Limbs”, Aitch’s “4”, and more. Also, Chance The Rapper is back in two weeks... will his return be triumphant or the final nail in the coffin? PALMREADER anxiously awaits "Star Line" and, after the latest single and seeing the cover art, is cautiously optimistic.That’s all for us! We’ll be back again soon. Until then...INITIATE THE PROTOCOL.Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies?! We’re back with an episode about one of the most influential and important independent films of all time, which also features a man dancing while torturing a cop. That’s right, it’s time to revisit the genius of Quentin Tarantino and discuss his first film, “Reservoir Dogs”. This movie kicked down the door for Tarantino’s cinematic vision and language to enter the cultural and cinematic zeitgeist in ways that are still felt today. Furthermore, with the recent passing of frequent Tarantino collaborator Michael Madsen, we figured we should get two birds stoned at once and talk about a film with a great Madsen performance. This episode is basically a gush-fest, but with a movie as good as this, what do you expect?!Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, this small but deceptively smart and well-written heist film stars Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney, Michael Madsen, and Tarantino himself. All of whom deliver stellar performances in a kinetic film filled with pop culture references, witty dialogue, violence, non-linear storytelling, and exciting visual style. Considered by many critics to be one of the most important independent and cult films ever made, it is astounding that this is Tarantino's first film as writer and director. It’s like he walked into the game already an all-star (which is somewhat annoying, but damn, he really did that) and changed the trajectory of film. In this episode, we discuss all the things we love about this movie, including the soundtrack, the writing, the performances, the narrative structure, and the Tarantino-esque elements that make it all come together. It’s a banger.Following this, we discuss a different yet equally outstanding music release that is likely to go down as one of the best of the year. “Let God Sort Em Out”, the new album from veteran rap duo Clipse, has landed, and we are beyond satisfied with it. The album is fantastic, the creative direction is perfect, the videos are killer, and the lead-up to its release was clinical. Exclusively produced by the one and only Pharrell (who reminds everyone with this project why he holds such reverence), “Let God Sort Em Out” marks the triumphant reunion of the brothers and their return to the forefront of rap. It’s opulent. It’s luxurious. It’s academic. The bars go crazy, and the beats are hard as hell. There’s no business like snow business, baby. We’ve got a lot to talk about.INITIATE THE PROTOCOL.Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Ayo! It’s time to go on a post-apocalyptic coming-of-age journey through a fever dream fairytale land filled with giant muscled freaks that love to hang dong, a traumatized bald orange man, a temple of bones, brain cancer, crazy cinematography, the mighty morphin’ power violence street team, artisan DIY spinal cord removals, and weird fat baby zombies… yeah, this movie was a trip! It’s the “28 Years Later” pod! Be warned: SPOILERS AHEAD!Danny Boyle and Alex Garland (our guys) are back together again after many years to direct the third film in the "28 Days" franchise, and boy, did they come to push the envelope. Taking the story in a totally new, bizarre, emotional, and gory direction that has our heads spinning, we can only salute them for having the minerals to flip the script and swing for the fences. This movie does not go the way you might expect it to, and is, in many ways, antithetical to the second film in the series. We loved it.Released just last month, this hallucinogenic fever dream nightmare of a film sequel stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams (in his feature film debut), and Ralph Fiennes. With amazing cinematography, great performances, wild violence, excellent world-building, and innovative technical choices (much like the original), this sequel balances following in the thematic and narrative footsteps of the previous films while striking a unique mix of genres and paving the way forward in a new version of this world with new characters impeccably.Does this film have some flaws? Yeah, no doubt. The ending will be decisive. There are some moments of glaring plot armour or a collection of odd choices from the characters that might require you to suspend your disbelief a little harder than normal. With that being said, it also has an Alpha ripping a deer’s head clean off with its bare hands and then displaying the skull and spinal cord on a tree. This sequence is shot in blood red night vision. Horrifying stuff. This movie crackles with originality and intention that is often missing from legacy sequels and, as previously mentioned, swings for the fences even as the film comes to a close. We loved the fact that we had no idea where it was going as we were watching it, which made for one hell of a ride. Also, shout out to that couple that left because they couldn’t handle the copious amounts of Alpha hog being swung around on screen.Anyway, we share our thoughts on the film, break down what we loved, explore some of its flaws, and discuss where we think the story will go in the upcoming sequel “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”. This was an excellent time at the movies. Don’t sleep on it if you’re a freak like us.We’ll see you next week!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Ayo! We’re back with another episode of BIRD PROTOCOL and, this time, we get to talk about some things we love… grenade fights, flamethrowers, John Wick, and Ana de Armas beating ass. That’s right, we’re here to discuss the recently released John Wick spinoff "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina" (or just “Ballerina”) in all its explosive glory. We recently went and caught it in theatres and, boy, is it fun. It isn't without missteps and flaws, which we also unpack. With that being said, have you ever seen someone bodyslam a man into a table and then vaporize him with a grenade? It’s awesome. Worth the price of admission.In this episode, we discuss our first reactions to the film, what makes it different from the main John Wick films, and some of the more bombastic choices and set pieces. The highs are some of the highest for the franchise, and even with the obvious structural and narrative changes due to reshoots, it still rips. We also discuss the continued expansion of the Wick lore and how smartly the film changes the rules when it comes to action and choreography based on the limitations of the Eve character.Then, we pivot to the new songs from rap legends The Clipse, which are both truly excellent, and revel in how Push and No Malice are restoring a long-dormant feeling. There’s no business like snow business, you know? We also praise Pharrell for his production on both tracks, which serve as a reminder that he’s one of the best producers out there (since people seem to have forgotten that fact). Otis also gives his review of the new Turnstile movie that is meant to accompany their latest album, “NEVER ENOUGH”.From there, we discuss some of our favourite badass ladies in cinema. From Ripley to Mystique to Furiosa to Rita Vrataski to Trinity to The Bride… there are so many confident, smart, and powerful women who kick ass on the big screen. We take a moment to show them some love and give them their flowers.That’s all for us this week. We’ll see you next weekend.Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies? Fresh off a recent move and a short break, the boys are back to ruminate on things. The world is scary and stupid, which means it’s time for another gripe fest with a half-Bizarro Bird, half-Lazy Bird, all DOOM-lovin’ episode. Join us as we discuss all the insanity going on in the world, what we’re listening to and watching, and how much we love the DOOM franchise.In this episode, we discuss many things including the state of the political discourse and the shortfalls of politics in Canada, social media getting even worse, Elon Musk's evolution into the worst human ever, how the oligarchs are destroying society, Alberta being in a perpetual state of ass-backwards thinking, and whatever the hell is going on down in the United States. We also discuss the current lack of media literacy and the need for people to seek out the truth instead of believing everything they see, hear, and read at first glance. Then, we turn to artificial intelligence and share our thoughts on the detrimental over-use of AI in people’s personal lives and the need for ethical discussion, intentionality, and regulation when it comes to generative AI. Whatever your opinion, it’s here, and it seems nobody is looking at it in a meaningful way. Otis hates it, while PALMREADER has a more nuanced take, but they both agree that we need to stop and think about how we’re using it and what it’s doing to society.After that discussion, we talk about our love of the DOOM franchise, with PALMREADER currently playing the original "DOOM" (2016) and Otis currently playing “DOOM: The Dark Ages”, and what makes them so awesome. PALMREADER is also deep into his strategy bag with “Anno 1800”, “Crusader Kings 3”, and “Stellaris” due to his recent lack of a steady internet connection. Otis, on the other hand, has been playing “Lies Of P” and reading a bunch of books, including Mark Hoppus’ new biography. We also cover what we’ve been watching, which includes movies and shows like “Predator: Killer Of Killers”, “Long Way Home”, “Murderbot”, “The Studio”, “The Phoenician Scheme”, and more. On the music side of things, we discuss the new Turnstile album “NEVER ENOUGH”, the new Clipse track “Ace Trumpets”, the new Orthodox album, the re-released “Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge” from MCR, the new “Queens Of The Stone Age” live EP, and how disappointed we are with Lil’ Wayne’s confounding new album “Tha Carter VI”. Oof. Also, JPEGMafia comes in hot with one of the worst takes we’ve ever heard, and we share our thoughts.There’s a bunch more ranting and raving in the episode, but this description is getting long, so tap in with your favourite Bird Boys to hear the episode in all its glory. We’ll be back next week!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

We’re back with another semi-casual themed episode for y’all to enjoy while PALMREADER wades through the waters of an exciting move and Otis plays “DOOM: The Dark Ages”! This is the first of our ongoing series on some of our favourite auteur filmmakers and auteur theory in cinema. From big names to arthouse mainstays to lesser-known gems to a new class making their way in the world of cinema, we hope to cover the deep and evolving roster of filmmakers that intentionally inject their movies with a distinct creative and artistic voice and explore what makes them unique.To kick things off, we give a little update on what’s been going on and how life’s been treating us. PALMREADER has been revisiting his past lives as he sorts through years of stuff, while Otis has been gaming hard. Summer is almost here, and the weather is improving, which makes things a little bit brighter for both of us. Then, we give you a basic overview of auteur theory in cinema, including where it started, what it means to be an auteur, and how the concept has influenced cinema as a business, an art, and an academic pursuit. From there, we cover six filmmakers and attempt to unpack what defines them as auteurs. To do so, we look at the style, vision, recurring themes/concepts, and formal techniques that make them who they are by looking at a selection of their films and their body of work as a whole. The filmmakers included in this episode are Michael Haneke, David Cronenberg, Harmony Korine, Richard Linklater, The Safdie Brothers, and Steven Soderbergh.We’ll be back next week! INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies?! This week, we’re talking about a recent release and a filmmaker who hasn’t missed yet. It’s our review of Ryan Coogler’s recent genre-bending vampire flick “Sinners” starring Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo! Plus, a conversation about Coogler’s career, filmography, and skills as a filmmaker.I’m gonna keep it short and sweet… we loved this movie. Its thematic richness is equal to its enjoyability on the big screen. It’s an example of someone taking a big swing artistically, commercially, and technically… and totally succeeding. Yeah, we have a few nits to pick, but overall it’s a GOOD ASS TIME at the movies that sits with you long after the credits roll (especially if you’re musically inclined). It’s fun, funny, thrilling, soulful, and surprisingly horny. It’s got Irish vampires, blues music, magic, the KKK getting wrecked, and two Michael B. Jordans… What’s not to love? Plus, it looks gorgeous, sounds amazing, and has a killer soundtrack. Join us as we share our reaction to the film and have a deeper discussion about why we loved it. Furthermore, we take some time to discuss Ryan Coogler as a filmmaker and why he’s quietly becoming one of the most important and interesting people making movies. There are many reasons including the deals he made surrounding the release of this film, his ability to keep a creative vision and voice while remaining fresh with each release, his ability to merge American pop film with auteurism and independent filmmaking, his overall profitability, his ability to tell human stories, and his love for movies and understanding of the medium. We also talk about “Creed”, “Fruitvale Station”, “Black Panther”, and explore the themes/ideas/voice that tie them together.That’s all for this week! Go see “Sinners”! It rips!INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

This week, we’re talking one of the absolute best films of the last twenty years and Otis’ birthday pick, Paul Thomas Anderson’s exploration of greed, family, religion, madness, and the rot at the soul of America, “There Will Be Blood”! Yes, it is time for the Bird Boys to repeatedly shout “I ABANDONED MY BOY! I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE! DRAINAGE! DRAINAAAGE!” while we talk earnestly about this near-perfect film. Released in 2007 to widespread critical acclaim, this is an authentic and auteurist vision realized from top to bottom through incredible direction, cinematography, writing, performances, thematic depth, and a powerful score. It has aged so well and, in the current climate, speaks to what is really to blame for a lot of the stuff happening just south of us. Talk about being prescient.Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano give generational performances as Daniel Plainview (an oil man) and Eli Sunday (an evangelical preacher), two sides of the same rotten coin, with the former deservedly winning an Oscar for it. Honestly, pretty much everyone’s character is deeply flawed in this movie, but it is so delicious to watch. Plus, multiple oil-related deaths! There’s an oil well engulfed in flames! H.W. tries to light a guy on fire! Paul Dano gets beaten to death with a bowling pin! Daniel Day-Lewis becomes "predatory greed" personified! This is pure cinema, baby!More than this, “There Will Be Blood” is a deliberate and methodical account of the descent into madness fueled by greed (both in terms of money and religious control) and a character study of the soul of America. It builds to a crescendo of insanity that is uncomfortable and complex, rich in theme and criticism. This movie is a dissertation on what is wrong with society, but it’s so well made and impeccably performed that it only gets better with every viewing. The score, composed by Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead, adds lush and frenetic layers to meticulously crafted sequences and shots. This movie is a prime example of masters of their craft moving in lockstep to service a creative vision. It’s breathtaking.In this episode, we discuss the film and its legacy, deep dive into some of our favourite scenes, unpack the film’s themes, discuss what we think PTA was trying to say, marvel at the performances from Day-Lewis and Dano, and share some fun trivia about the film’s production. We also discuss the critical response to the film, the 2007 Oscars and the amazing year for film that was 2007, how “There Will Be Blood” has aged like fine wine, and more. We love this movie, so we got in our bag talking about it.Next week? We review Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” and discuss his career and filmography.Listen to “When This Is Over, Let’s Go Dancing” by Anxiety Weekend on…Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/060CSCe5yQiIv3a1SpQzHY?si=B87eI8WURqqoWpNd6hL9swApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancing/1796328195Bandcamp: https://anxietyweekend.bandcamp.com/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancingINITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

After a two week break, the Bird Boys are back on Easter to share some of our thoughts, opinions, and reviews with another Lazy Bird episode! Also, Happy 4/20 to all the big time stoners out there! As usual, we kick it for a chat about what’s been going on in our lives, what we’ve been watching/listening to, and whatever thoughts are rattling around in our heads. Tap in and enjoy the ride.We kick things off with a recap of Otis’ awesome show with Tim Butterly and his subsequent trip to Nashville. Otis shares some anecdotes and experiences from the trip including a visit to Jack White’s Third Man Records shop. We also discuss some of the differences between Canada and the USA including how friendly Americans are, how different driving is, and the intellectual differences between the two countries. From there, we discuss the current Canadian election and the issues we have with politics in general (sorry lol). We urge everyone to go make their voice heard in this election and discuss the strange state of things in geopolitics.Then, it’s time to talk about what we’ve been watching. PALMREADER has recently seen Bong Joon Ho’s “Mickey 17” and enjoyed it for what it is (even if it isn’t as good as some of his other films). Otis has finally seen “The Equalizer” and understands the hype. PALMREADER also rewatched “Independence Day” and reaffirms that it still goes hard… even if it’s kinda dumb. Speaking of dumb movie-related stuff… what is going on with the Chicken Jockey craze and “Minecraft” screenings? Is this a Chinese psy-op or are kids taking back control of the franchise slop? We also talk about some TV shows we’ve been watching including “The Pitt”, “Daredevil: Born Again”, “The White Lotus”, “The Studio”, and more. Then, we do a quick shout out to some new music from FIDLAR, Corbin, Skrillex, Bon Iver, 156/Silence, Know Good, and a local homie saintjame. Check out his latest release, “Gabriel And The Angel Of Precious Stones”, on all streaming platforms now!That’s all for this week! We’ll be back next week to do Otis’ birthday pick… “There Will Be Blood”!Listen to “When This Is Over, Let’s Go Dancing” by Anxiety Weekend on…Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/060CSCe5yQiIv3a1SpQzHY?si=B87eI8WURqqoWpNd6hL9swApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancing/1796328195Bandcamp: https://anxietyweekend.bandcamp.com/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancingINITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Ayo! It’s time for us to unveil another BIRD PROTOCOL playlist! This time, we took a trip down memory lane and curated a collection of indie rock rippers that range from the aughts to the present day. Indie rock is somewhat of an umbrella term and this playlist could have probably been double or triple in size but we narrowed it down to eighteen songs (many of which are from Canadian indie artists) that we love. Boy, doing this reminded us of an easier time. Remember when indie rock videos were on Much Music every day? Sigh. We’re getting old.We have a quick conversation about indie rock as a genre. It’s so wide-ranging that we will probably make another one at some point. After some litigation, we get right to breaking down our choices and sharing why we picked what we did. Lots of personal nostalgia and admiration, especially because indie rock was hugely popular during our younger years. When you press play on this collection, you’ll hear bands like Stars, Iron & Wine, Bloc Party, The Format, Islands, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Alvvays, LCD Soundsystem, Rilo Kiley, Mates Of State, The Shins, The Strokes, Death Cab For Cutie, Tokyo Police Club, and more.This description has a lot of extra links today, so we’re keeping it short. We hope you enjoy the songs and maybe find someone new or reconnect with an artist you love. We close out the episode with a discussion of Otis’ upcoming comedy show (Get tickets here: https://simpli.events/e/670df2) and say farewell for a few weeks as Otis travels abroad. See you in April!Listen to the playlist on…Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2aSkssq11DdjL0mvh3D5Vx?si=ee587a9f4a4747ad&pt=e7215ad9422e74a03ceeb16afa82a4f4Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/bird-protocols-springtime-indie-rock-playlist/pl.u-xlyNqZWupYGEy1Listen to “When This Is Over, Let’s Go Dancing” by Anxiety Weekend on…Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/060CSCe5yQiIv3a1SpQzHY?si=B87eI8WURqqoWpNd6hL9swApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancing/1796328195Bandcamp: https://anxietyweekend.bandcamp.com/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancingINITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

We’re back with part two of our Gene Hackman double feature with a movie that goes super hard and basically laid a new foundation for modern cinema… William Friedkin’s 1971 neo-noir action thriller “The French Connection” starring Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, and Fernando Rey! This critically acclaimed crime movie won a bunch of awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor (for Hackman). It is one of them ones. If you haven’t seen it, we highly recommend that you watch it before the episode.“The French Connection” is a tight, gritty, procedural, and tense look at drug enforcement centered around a $32 million heroin deal in New York. It is the fictionalized version of Robin Moore’s nonfiction book of the same name that leans into a documentary style of filmmaking and trims the fat that often came with movies in this genre at the time. The pacing, editing, cinematography, and performances are all excellent. With one of the best car chase scenes in all of cinema, Gene Hackman dressed as Santa beating on drug dealers, villainous French dudes, a daytime assassination attempt, someone commandeering a subway by force, many scenes shot on location, and more… this movie is just plain awesome. It is a slowly simmering cat-and-mouse game through the city of New York (which acts almost as a character in this movie) that builds and builds to a fever pitch without losing its gritty documentary style. The tension ramps up to an explosive crescendo and an ambiguous neo-noir ending that hits just right. Plus, Gene Hackman as an extremely driven, street-worn, yet hard-as-nails alcoholic cop? Hell yeah.In this episode, we share what we love about the movie, give some context to the film, discuss some of our favourite sequences, unpack why the performances of Hackman and Scheider are far more complex than they seem at first glance, suggest why people who haven’t seen this movie (or any 70’s movies) should stick through the slower first half, and break down how William Friedkin was a filmmaking freak that bent the rules and pushed the envelope (and, of course, how much he loves to talk shit). Plus, a look at the clandestinely made car chase sequence that was highly illegal but changed everything, the influence of the actual cops who worked the real-life version of this case, the French drug smugglers as antagonists, the impact and legacy of the movie, the devotion to New York crime-fighting realism and the use of the city as a character, and more! We close things out with a preview of our next episode and some updates on what we've got going on in our lives and our schedule going forward for March. It’s a good time spent talking about a great film. Tap in.Listen to “When This Is Over, Let’s Go Dancing” by Anxiety Weekend on…Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/060CSCe5yQiIv3a1SpQzHY?si=B87eI8WURqqoWpNd6hL9swApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancing/1796328195Bandcamp: https://anxietyweekend.bandcamp.com/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancingGet tickets to see Otis Morris open for Tim Butterly here: https://simpli.events/e/670df2INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies? Welcome to another pod! This week, we’re kicking off a two-part series to honour the late Gene Hackman with a revisionist Western masterpiece and an honest-to-goodness ripper of a film, Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Best Picture winner “Unforgiven”! “Unforgiven” is a critically beloved and perfectly executed movie that delivers genuine characters, beautiful cinematography and iconic settings, nuanced performances, and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is simultaneously a thematically layered, complex, and subversive film that has a lot to say about the genre, masculinity, violence, and the American West while being a damn good watch.“Unforgiven” was directed and produced by Clint Eastwood (earning him a Best Director win) and stars Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, Jaimz Woolvett, and Saul Rubinek. Written by David Webb Peoples, who also co-wrote films like “Blade Runner”, it is a look into the morally ambiguous and dangerous world of the West filled with flawed and complex characters, sudden violence, and no real winners. It’s an investigative allegory for the genre itself, a look at the truth about masculinity and violence in the West, and a meta-textual exploration of Eastwood as a star. It’s a gut punch of a film that features incredible performances across the board, especially from Eastwood and Hackman (who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Little Bill).In this episode, we break down the plot, explore the aforementioned theme and subversions, and share what makes this film so impactful and important to the genre. We explore some of our favourite moments from the jailhouse scene to the final shootout, discuss how the characters act as contrasting thematic duos, and break down what a revisionist Western film is. Ultimately, we marvel at how genuinely great this movie is and, conversely, discuss how easily it is for subversive films to fall short in delivering something both intellectual and enjoyable. Thankfully, “Unforgiven” goes hard in all aspects. Although we try not to get too academic, it’s hard not to when talking about such a beloved, complex, and important film. Now, you might say we don’t deserve to pod like this. To that, I say, “Deserve’s got nothing to do with it.”Listen to “When This Is Over, Let’s Go Dancing” by Anxiety Weekend on…Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/060CSCe5yQiIv3a1SpQzHY?si=B87eI8WURqqoWpNd6hL9swApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancing/1796328195Bandcamp: https://anxietyweekend.bandcamp.com/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancingGet tickets to see Otis Morris open for Tim Butterly here: https://simpli.events/e/670df2INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Yo, yo! It’s time for another episode of Bird Protocol! This week, the Bird Boys sit down and chat about everything they’ve been watching, playing, and listening to as well as all the crazy and fun things going on in the world. It’s a new Lazy Bird episode for your head tops!We start the episode off with a short tribute to a fallen friend, PALMREADER’s best pal Tucker, who has now gone on to his next big adventure somewhere beyond the veil. Speaking of someone important to us passing, another titan of cinema is suddenly gone and it sucks. Rest in peace to the extremely talented Gene Hackman. We take some time to reflect on his impact on film as a whole and his outstanding on-screen career from “The Conversation” to “The French Connection” to “Unforgiven” to “The Royal Tenenbaums” and more. Then, Otis shares some tales of his recent experience of seeing John Cena turn heel and side with The Rock at the WWE Elimination Chamber event in Toronto. He had hell of a time at a historic night of wrestling (minus a few morons).Following this, we break down this year’s Oscars… Who were the night’s big winners? Who should have won but didn’t? What did we think of the nominees? Is “Amelia Perez” a good movie? Why don’t people give proper respect to the technical awards? All these questions and more are answered to the best of our knowledge. Then, we pivot to what we’ve been watching, including “The Pitt”, “Daredevil: Born Again”, “Kneecap”, “Reacher”, “A Complete Unknown”, “Treme”, and more. We also discuss some of our recent listens including 2 Chainz, Larry June, and The Alchemist’s “Life Is Beautiful”, Architect’s “The Sky, The Earth, & All Between”, The Strokes’ “Is This It” and the early 2000’s New York indie rock scene, Paris Texas’ new album “They Left Me With The Sword” and the accompanying “They Left Me With A Gun” EP, Big Hit’s “Free Big Hit”, Reason’s “I Love You Again”, L. S. Dunes’ “Violet”, new PUP, Spy’s “Seen Enough” EP, and more. To close things out, we get a little political and discuss the importance of voting, searching out the proper information on the parties and their platforms, and why you DEFINITELY should be voting this year. Considering all the political craziness going on in the world, don't let your voice go unheard.Thanks for hanging with us! See you next week!Listen to “When This Is Over, Let’s Go Dancing” by Anxiety Weekend on…Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/060CSCe5yQiIv3a1SpQzHY?si=B87eI8WURqqoWpNd6hL9swApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancing/1796328195Bandcamp: https://anxietyweekend.bandcamp.com/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancingListen to “The Otis Morris Benefit Show” here:https://open.spotify.com/show/1pC1y6mzWGQ4067IGIkFqq?si=77db8326a5b3482a INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

There have been some cold, snowy, and dark days lately and the world feels like it’s being run into the ground by criminal idiots. It’s the perfect time to watch something… but what? Great news! Otis has the answer! This week, we revisit a modern classic from the talented and influential filmmaking duo Joel and Ethan Coen. It’s time to discuss the 1996 black comedy crime film “Fargo” starring Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, and Peter Stormare. Oh, you betcha!Directed by Joel and written by both Ethan and Joel Coen, this critical darling and modern classic honed in on what the brothers do best and refined their formula for the masses. In many ways, it (like the films of many other filmmakers in the 90s) helped usher in the world of movies we know and love today. “Fargo” is a hilariously dark, twisted, and quaint comedy of tragic errors and stupid people getting caught beyond their depth. Plus, there's explosive violence and funny accents! What more could you want? With excellent and nuanced performances from all the leads, cinematography from the G.O.A.T. Roger Deakins, music from frequent collaborator Carter Burwell, a near-perfect runtime and pacing, and moments of genuine deadpan absurdity that will make you laugh out loud… what more is there to say?In this episode, we discuss all the great things about this film and why it exemplifies the  Coen brothers’ formula. We also praise the performances (specifically William H. Macy and Frances McDormand), the characterization, the comedy, the pacing, and the excellent writing. We break down some of our favourite scenes, lines, and shots while also discussing the impact of this movie and its critical reception. We basically gush about this movie and the Coen brothers for an hour and a half because they rule. We also briefly discuss the brothers’ filmography, how this movie stacks up against their other films and the more recent and wildly successful “Fargo” TV show from Noah Hawley. Don’t like “Fargo’? Too bad. It rips. Plus, a little update on what we’ve got going on and a discussion about the world feeling a lot like the upside-down right now.We’ll see you next week!Listen to “When This Is Over, Let’s Go Dancing” by Anxiety Weekend on…Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/060CSCe5yQiIv3a1SpQzHY?si=B87eI8WURqqoWpNd6hL9swApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancing/1796328195Bandcamp: https://anxietyweekend.bandcamp.com/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancingListen to “The Otis Morris Benefit Show” here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pC1y6mzWGQ4067IGIkFqq?si=77db8326a5b3482a INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Ayo! We’re back with the first official episode of 2025! We’re both tired as hell but this week we’re happy to be covering one of our favourite artists of all time - the late, great Mac Miller! In this episode, we do our best to cover his career from his breakout mixtape “K.I.D.S.” to the most recent posthumous release “Ballloonerism”. Mac’s got a surprisingly deep and varied body of work and we both feel a deeply personal connection to his art so this episode was a long time coming. First, before all that, we discuss the general feeling of unease across the board and the state of the world. Spoiler alert: It kinda sucks! There is a silver lining to be found in the newfound unity growing here in Canada… but at what cost? Daily existential dread. Sigh.From there, it’s all about Mac! We trace his artistry, career, and releases from his early days as the “frat rap” luminary to his creative evolution post-“Blue Slide Park” to his many awesome and underheard mixtapes to his various side projects to his multifaceted trio of final albums that prove just how amazing he was (and highlight what we’re missing now that he’s gone). Although we try to cover all his releases, we spend extra time discussing our favourites including “Watching Movies With The Sound Off”, “Faces”, “Swimming”, “Circles”, and the recently released lost album “Balloonerism”. Producer, rapper, singer, musician… Mac did it all and was on the way to becoming an even bigger and more important pillar of modern music. We discuss his legacy and impact, his frequent collaborators, how his music and passing impacted us, our favourite tracks, and more. He was a major part of our friendship and an inspiration to us both so we get a little emotional.We close the episode with a short discussion about the passing of artists and how it can impact you, the difference between parasocial relationships and genuine admiration and appreciation when it comes to loss, the Grammy’s (neither of us watched the ceremony but we have some thoughts), new projects from the both of us including Otis’ new solo podcast and PALMREADER’s new Anxiety Weekend album, how Kanye and Elon Musk still stink, and some other ramblings. Are we living in an idiocracy? Maybe… sure feels like it.Listen to “When This Is Over, Let’s Go Dancing” by Anxiety Weekend here:https://anxietyweekend.bandcamp.com/album/when-this-is-over-lets-go-dancingListen to “The Otis Morris Benefit Show” here:https://open.spotify.com/show/1pC1y6mzWGQ4067IGIkFqq?si=77db8326a5b3482aINITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL!Follow us on Instagram!Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies? It’s time to close out our year-end round-up with the final part of our three-part Bird Report for 2024. This time, we’re covering some of the excellent TV series we watched last year. As always, this isn't a definitive or objective “best-of” list. Instead, we’re just sharing what we liked. Some of you may even disagree. With that being said, we hope you find something new to check out because there are some absolute bangers mentioned in this episode. We start the episode with a brief conversation about being stoned at bizarre slightly sad comedy shows and a music release we missed two weeks ago. After that’s out of the way, we dive straight into our lists. Included in this episode are shows like “Shogun”, “The Bear”, “Fallout”, “The Vince Staples Show”, “The Penguin”, “The Gentlemen”, “Chef’s Table”, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”, “Tires”, “Masters Of The Air”, “Arcane”, “What We Do In The Shadows”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “Dune: Prophecy”, “F*ck, That’s Delicious”, “Tokyo Vice”, and a whole lot more. It was a good year for TV and there is a lot to talk about. We close out the episode with a personal recap of the tumultuous year that was 2024 and some reflection. We had some very special and wonderful moments, dealt with a few truly bewildering twists, wiled our way through some seriously dark times, and experienced tons of personal growth. Yeah, it wasn’t everything we expected when we ended our Bird Report last year but, ultimately, that’s okay. We realize that smooth seas never made skilled sailors and we’ve grown as people. We reminisce on some of the highlights, the challenges and personal struggles, movies we've seen together, and we look forward with cautious optimism for the future. We also share our hopes for the new year, personal creative and personal goals, and projects we have cooking for 2025. Also, is it time to ditch social media? Probably. Elon Musk sucks. Whatever happens, at least we know we made it through 2024. Take care of yourselves and protect your peace. If things get too overwhelming, put the phone down and seek out the things that make you happy and the people you love. We hope you enjoyed the Bird Report for 2024. Let us know if we missed anything! We’ll see you next week (probably). INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Aye! We’re back with part two of our three-part Bird Report for 2024! This week, we're talking about our favourite movies and movie-going experiences of 2024. Once again, this is not an objective “best-of” list. Instead, our picks are based on what we’ve actually seen and personally enjoyed. Before we start on our lists, though, we share our thoughts on the passing of a titan in the world of filmmaking, David Lynch, and his impact on the medium and society at large. We lost a real one. May he rest in power. Then it’s time to share our favourite movies from the last year. We do our best to give a little context as to why we picked what we did without spoiling too much in case you haven't seen them yet. Surprisingly, we only overlapped a bit which led to a long conversation about a wide variety of movies across many genres. Included in these lists are movies like “Twisters”, “Dune: Part Two”, “The Substance”, “Anora”, “Nosferatu”, “Challengers”, “Conclave”, “Sing Sing”, “Civil War”, “Queer”, “Kinds Of Kindness”, “Rebel Ridge”, “The Bikeriders”, “The Apprentice”, “Evil Does Not Exist”, “Hundreds Of Beavers”, and more. We also list some of the movies that one, or both of us, have yet to see and want to including “The Brutalist”, “The Last Showgirl”, “A Real Pain”, “Oh, Canada”, “A Complete Unknown”, “Cuckoo”, and more. We realize (while recording) that the episode has gone on for so long that we’ll have to do TV next week... so, instead, we take the end of the episode to unpack some of our honourable mentions from the year (movies that were good but didn’t necessarily crack the top of our lists) including “Monkey Man”, “Alien: Romulus”, “Gladiator 2”, “Love Lies Bleeding”, “I Saw The TV Glow”, “Hitman”, “Y2K”, “Furiosa”, “Late Night With The Devil”, “Longlegs”, “Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes”, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, “Maxxxine”, and more. We also talk about some absolute stinkers including "Red One" (The Rock slap-boxing Krampus?) and "Roadhouse" (Cocaine McGregor might be the worst actor alive?). A lot of good stuff was released last year! What were some of your favourites from 2024? Let us know in a comment on Spotify or hit us up on Instagram! We’ll be back next week with our top TV series of 2024 and a general recap of the year. INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Welcome to 2025, my friends! How are we feeling? Ready for another exciting trip around the sun? The year is already off to a wild start. But, before we get into all that, it’s time for another installment of our yearly roundup - The Bird Report! Over the next few episodes, we’ll share some of our favourite stuff from 2024 and look back on what was a rollercoaster of a year for both of us. As with all our year-end reports, this is by no means a definitive or objective “best of” list. We’re just sharing what we love from the past twelve months. Thankfully, there were some amazing releases and we have lots to talk about. We kick things off with a little banter about the holiday season, New Year’s Eve, the past year, and how crazy 2025 is shaping up to be but decide to hold our full thoughts for the Lazy Bird Report coming in a few weeks. Otis plans to do it international style and eat some hot chicken very soon while PALMREADER is freshly back from his time in PA and tired from the holidays. From there, we spend most of this episode talking about our favourite music because a lot of good stuff came out last year. We both share our picks for 2024 (some of which overlap) and some of our honourable mentions. Included in this list are bands and artists like Fred Again.., Vince Staples, Knocked Loose, Counterparts, Drug Church, Doechii, Better Lovers, Mk.Gee, ScHoolboy Q, The Story So Far, Blink 182, Matt Champion, $uicideboy$, Four Year Strong, Alkaline Trio, Mannequin Pussy, Fontaines DC, Tyler, The Creator, Kendrick Lamar, IDLES, Big Hit, and much, much more. Plus, remember that rap beef that took up most of the year? We look back on that, too. We end the episode with a short discussion on what we’ve been playing (which truthfully hasn’t been that much this year) including previously released games that we’ve been catching up on like “Baldur’s Gate 3”, “Lies Of P”, and “Fallout 3”, new DLC’s and updates that we love like Build 42 of “Project Zomboid” and the updates/DLC for “Crusader Kings 3”, console ports like “Sea Of Thieves”, and some new games like “Animal Well” and “Helldivers 2” (both of which are super dope). So, what are some of your favourites from 2024? What did we miss? Let us know! We’ll be back next week to talk about movies and TV! In the meantime, always remember to… INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Happy Holidays, everyone! We’re back with the last episode of 2024 and a new playlist for you to enjoy! That’s right, it’s time to welcome the holidays with a selection of unorthodox holiday songs curated by your favourite Bird Boys! From rap to pop punk to indie rock to hardcore to classic American rock… we’ve got a wide selection of holiday and holiday-adjacent songs for you to enjoy while you’re doing last minute Christmas shopping or kicking back with your friends and family (but don’t want to listen to the same old, same old). This is BIRD PROTOCOL’s Unorthodox Holiday Playlist! Tap in! We start things off with a little catch-up and share some Christmas thoughts… surprisingly, neither of us are feeling like Christmas is a runaway freight train coming our way and both of us are feeling good about the holidays (albeit tired and/or fighting off colds). This year, we realize we’re getting old and it isn’t what it used to be. The number one thing we’d like for Christmas? Some quiet time with friends and family. We also discuss Christmas shopping, buying presents for people who don’t seem to want or need anything, Christmas with and without kids, and more. From there, we jump right in to our playlist of holiday and holiday-adjacent songs. We break down our picks and give some context to each track. This is an eclectic mix but I think that’s what makes it fun. From Gucci Mane to Bruce Springsteen to Phoebe Bridgers to Chance The Rapper to Blink 182 to From First To Last to The 1975 and a whole lot more. Some songs are definitely Christmas tunes, some are more about holiday feelings, and some are sneaky surprise holiday tracks that might blow your mind. We close out the episode with a brief look back on the year and all the crazy things that have happened to us (and the world) in 2024. Plus, it’s been a good (albeit somewhat inconsistent) year of podding and we’re thankful for all the growth we’ve had as BIRD PROTOCOL. We also look forward to the future and share some of our upcoming plans. PALMREADER is releasing a new album as Anxiety Weekend next week so he shares some details about the process this time around and his excitement about his new music. Otis also has some lofty creative goals and projects in the works for 2025. It’s all very exciting. We won’t be back until the start of January for our Bird Report episodes so we take a moment to thank our listeners and wish you all a happy, safe, joyful, and relaxing Holiday Season. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Thanks for rocking with us in 2024. A note from Otis: After recording, I realized the original Christmas mix of Player’s Ball was available on streaming platforms so we decided to include that version instead of the album version as discussed during the episode. Listen on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/bird-protocols-unorthodox-holiday-season-playlist/pl.u-kv9lbyLCWgep2k Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0hLPRRUhdnSQ1Sl7Ga4BZM?si=514dba8ce78948a6&pt=3fd170b1b4665369c243b84ba2b9534c INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Yo! Your favourite Bird Boys are back for the second part in our series on “The New Golden Age” of television! We’re picking up right where we left off with more selections of some of our favourite series from this period. We highly recommend you check out the first episode to give yourself some contextual clues and better understand what makes this “Peak TV” what it is. Or don’t! We’re not your dads! Before we get into that. though, Otis shares an incredibly eye-opening and wildly horny experience he had this weekend that blows PALMREADER’s mind. You learn something new every day. After this, we get right into our discussion of some of the best shows of all time including “Breaking Bad”, “Game Of Thrones”, “Stranger Things”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “Dexter”, “Band Of Brothers”, and more. We give a rundown for each of our choices and discuss what makes them “Prestige TV”, their massive cast of creators and performers, why they rule, and the cultural impact, legacy, and influence of these shows. We also talk about the many shows related and indebted to these excellent series and try to trace some of the tropes and themes of this era of TV across time. We also talk about the growing influence of fan culture and why becoming a “social craze” might not be everything it’s cracked up to be. Then we go through an exhaustive list of honourable mentions which - even with its massive size - barely covers the slew of great TV that was released over the past 20+ years. So, we’re sorry if we missed some of your favourites. We’re sure that we’ll be covering some of these shows more in-depth somewhere down the line and will have lots more to talk about then. We end this episode with a conversation about the state of TV today and the future of TV. Have series like “Game Of Thrones” ruined it for others? Is this another “Avengers: Endgame” situation? Does “Prestige TV” still exist and in what capacity? How did the streaming wars and the over-saturation of content help end this era of TV? Is there a stainable duality between “Prestige TV” and what is called “Trough TV” of “Slop TV”? Is TV suffering from the same IP infection that film is? What’s next? Where do we go from here? Hmm. Much to think about. We’ll be back next week with some sort of playlist for you to enjoy! INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What's good, homies!? We've been lacking in TV talk over the last few months so we've decided to go all-out as we begin to close out the year! This is the New Golden Age of TV episode! "Huh? What is that?", you might ask. Fear not, your favourite Bird Boys are here to break it all down for you, discuss some of our favourite shows from this era of television, and ask some serious questions about the current and future state of TV. Join us for some spirited conversation about HBO, AMC, Netflix, Amazon, Showtime, the death of cable, and the shows we love from the latest wave of peak television! We start this episode by giving some context to the New Golden Age and explaining how it happened, what it is, and what made it so special. When did it start (roughly)? How long did it last (or is it still going)? What are the major characteristics and conventions of the period? What circumstances (cultural, technological, or otherwise) brought about this rise in "Prestige TV' quality? Is the New Golden Age over? What's next? In answering these, we raise further questions that we intend to unpack and discuss further in the next episode. After this, we dive into four of our favourite series from this period. We start with the show that, to many, marks the beginning of the New Golden Age and exemplifies most of the qualities that define it - "The Sopranos". Otis and other, more acclaimed critics and thinkers, suggest that it's the greatest TV show ever made. It just might be. It's a critically lauded dark and morally ambiguous anti-hero-driven series filled with humour, adult themes, realism, and violence. "The Sopranos" sets the template for everything that comes next. It had to be on the list. From there, we move to another series that shows how the "Prestige TV" formula and HBO effect trickled down into cable shows - "Mad Men". PALMREADER was wowed by the show's themes, writing, and performances (especially the charming and charismatic performances from Jon Hamm and Elizabeth Moss). Otis also praises the production value and excellent set design. Then, we move to a show that quietly influenced this period and many of our favourite creators - David Lynch's auteurist and experimental series "Twin Peaks". We both discuss how Lynch's willingness to take charge of the show creatively began the trend of cinematic auteurism bleeding onto the small screen. Finally, we talk about a show we both love - the gritty, witty, and violent "Deadwood". This might be one of the best Western TV shows ever made and is one of those "it's a little ahead of its time" TV shows that was critically beloved but somehow ended way too early. All of these shows exemplify the core tenets of the New Golden Age and completely rip. You should watch them, if you haven't. Then, we call the episode and promise to return next week with six more shows and a whole lot more discussion. We're sure you'll be able to guess some of them but we hope to maybe put you on to something new. What are some of your favourites from this era? Let us know and, as always, remember to... INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

There once was a fragile dream that was BIRD PROTOCOL and, much like the wayward son of a fallen Roman hero, we’re here to fulfill our destiny and bring the podcast back to the people. It is time for another Lazy Bird episode on some of the stuff we’ve been watching and listening to over the past few weeks. We’re also here to share our thoughts on Sir Ridley Scott's most recent release, “Gladiator II”.  We kick things off with a discussion of some of the man-made horrors and atrocities Otis has been reading about and marvel at the evil of the world. Wow. Depressing. Then, it’s time to talk about another empire about to come apart at the seams that has allowed evil and corruption to run unchecked (not the United States, btw). Sir Ridley Scott has taken us back to Rome to continue a story that started with his universally beloved film “Gladiator” nearly 25 years ago. Was it as good as the first? No but that’s ok. Was it entertaining? Oh, hell yeah. You bet your ass it is. “Gladiator II” is an exciting and fun legacy sequel from an octogenarian filmmaker who is obviously still cooking with heat and delivers exactly what we hoped it would. What's not to love here? The film boasts some awesome action sequences and excellent performances from a stacked cast including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and more. It’s full of Roman freaks, political plots, gladiators, animals and people going beast mode, and a monkey gets elected to the role of Emperor’s consul. Join us as we give some thoughts on the film, the critical response, the performances, and share some nitpicks of our own. Hail, Dundus! We then move to another recent release, Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” album, and share our reactions to the surprise drop. Both of us think it’s good since what is considered average for Kendrick is much higher than it is for many other artists… but is it great? We aren’t sure. Coming from an artist who has been so outstandingly and consistently excellent for so long, we wonder if this album could be a bit of a misstep. We both attempt to put some context to the album within K. Dot’s discography, his current moment in hip hop, and share what we enjoyed and what we thought fell short. Will this album grow on us? Only time will tell. Lastly, Otis has some bones to pick with “Deadpool & Wolverine” and laments the state of superhero movies (shocking, I know). This time, though, it comes from a place of respect and admiration for the high points of the genre. Otis explains why he feels like Deadpool completely disregards what makes those movies good. PALMREADER has seen it twice and has some similar, though less vitriolic, thoughts. Can you really build a good film and legacy on dick jokes, swearing, and spoon-fed nostalgia? Hmm. Points were made. During our discussion, we compare and contrast the film with other recent tentpole projects that we absolutely loved like “The Penguin”, “Dune Part 2”, and other films in the Marvel canon. That’s all for today! See you next week! INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies?! We haven’t had a chance to really talk about video games in a while, so it’s time to dust off your old consoles and take a trip down memory lane with your favourite Bird Boys! This week, we decided to talk about five “retro” games that we each love. Now, everyone’s definition of retro is a little different, but for the purposes of this podcast, we’re saying some games from the seventh (early PS3/Xbox 260) all the way to the first generation. Join us as we list and discuss some of our favourites and hit that sweet, sweet nostalgia button in our brains. To start things off, Otis recounts some fun facts about Winston Churchill before we talk about the joys of reading and staying away from the nightmare machine that is social media and the news right now. Then it’s time to get to the games! Some titles you’ll hear us rant and rave about in this episode include “The Sims 2”, “Banjo-Kazooie”, “Alien Vs. Predator 2”, “Pokémon” (Generations 1-3), “Red Dead Redemption”, “Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty”, “Dino Crisis 2”, “The Simpsons Hit and Run”, and a bunch more. Plus, we discuss the lost experience of playing multiplayer games in the same room, early online multiplayer gaming lobbies, LAN parties, game genres that should make a comeback, and more. We close things out with a short conversation about the new Counterparts EP “Heaven Let Them Die,” which is a welcome reinvention for the band. Plus, it’s heavy as sin. We love it. Like this episode? You’re in luck! Our lists are so long that we’ll definitely have a few follow-up episodes coming your way in the future. Did you play any of the games we mentioned in this episode? What are some older games you love? Let us know in a comment! Have a great week and always remember to… INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Well... Halloween is over, the frights have subdued, and it’s time for another Spooky Season recap episode. Join us this week as we cover some of the things we’ve been watching, listening to, and (not really) playing this past month. It’s another Spooky Bird episode for your head tops! To kick things off, we share a summary of our Halloweens and PALMREADER discusses the excellent new documentary series “The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal” on Amazon. Following this, we share our thoughts on a fantastic new satirical gonzo horror film from Coralie Fargeat called “The Substance” that we both absolutely loved. Plus, PALMREADER rewatched Robert Egger’s “The Lighthouse” which has some interesting parallels to “The Substance” and continues to age very well. Later, Otis talks about William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist” which is an all time horror masterpiece and urges PALMREADER to watch the third film as it is, in his opinion, a quiet banger. PALMREADER was a little let down by “As Above, So Below” after screening it for some friends but Otis gives some pushback. Luckily, we both still have big love for our trauma king Ari Aster and discuss rewatching “Midsommar”. This leads to a conversation about the joys and upsides of watching horror films with people instead of alone. Plus, Otis was right… “Alien: Romulus” is good. PALMREADER has seen it a few times now and updates his stance on the film. Also, has anyone else seen “Brotherhood Of The Wolf”? That movie is insane! We also talk about some new music including the new Tyler, The Creator album “CHROMAKOPIA”, BigXThaPlug’s “Take Care” and the new school out of Texas, Feddie Gibbs’ “You Only Die 1nce”, and the fantastic new Better Lovers album “Highly Irresponsible”. Later in the episode, PALMREADER puts the people on to some knowledge he’s acquired about Playstation’s Remote Play app on Mac, talks about some changes to the podcast release schedule, and Otis shares that the indie horror film he worked on, “Regicide”, is now available for free on YouTube (and is doing quite well). Click the link below to watch it yourself! That’s all from us this week! We’ll see you next weekend! INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Watch "Regicide" here: https://youtu.be/26EVgQas93s?si=gad4pUQRTaDRxiFF Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies?! It’s time for another Spooky Season watch-along episode! This week, we sat down and watched one of our favourite movies together - the Japanese psychedelic experimental horror comedy film “House” from director Nobuhiko Obayashi! This is a totally singular film that needs to be seen to at least once… especially if you love movies! It is the highest calibre of weird and some of the most fun we’ve had watching a movie together, ever. “House” (1977) is a stylish, strange, funny, freaky, and oddly sexual romp through a possessed house where seven schoolgirls on summer vacation face off against an evil aunt who writes in the third person, inanimate objects that become suddenly animated, a demonic cat that shoots eye lasers, a flood of blood, a hungry piano, dancing skeletons, a floating severed head, and a whole lot more. RIP to the floor lizard. Shout out to Kung Fu. Listen… a guy gets vaporized due to someone’s personal preference for bananas over watermelon. Yeah. This movie is completely bonkers. So join us as we watch the film and comment on all the insane things we see on the screen. You can get the film on the Criterion channel or rent it on Apple, Amazon, etc. I’m going to keep this short so as not to spoil any more of the movie. I cannot say it clearly enough: YOU NEED TO SEE THIS FILM. Don’t wait. It’s peak cinema, baby. You won’t regret it. INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

The days are getting shorter, the vibe is getting spookier, and we feel like it’s the perfect time of year to unleash some demonic riffs and soul shattering breakdowns upon the masses. What do you think? That’s right, we’re back with another curated playlist of absolute bangers for y’all and our next spooky season offering… this is BIRD PROTOCOL’s Heavy As Hell playlist episode! Hit the gym, put on your favourite video game, or turn up the volume and mosh alone in your bedroom to a selection of heavy tracks that should make you feel like being attacked by a horde of gorillas possessed by an ancient demon somewhere in the dark dimension. It’s fast, it’s loud, it’s angry, and it’s awesome. Join us this week as we break down our song/artist choices, discuss heavy music in general, and awkwardly try to recreate our favourite riffs and mosh calls with our inside voices. We reminisce about and discuss the bands we’ve included in the playlist such as Knocked Loose, Converge, Bodysnatcher, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, Kublai Khan TX, Code Orange, END, Architects, Spite, Every Time I Die, The Acacia Strain, Job For A Cowboy, and many more. We even touch on some who aren’t even on the playlist but still absolutely rip. Plus, we close things out with a brief discussion about the importance of metal and metalcore in Ontario in the aughts/early 2010s and the labels that really made a mark in the scene. Want to listen to the playlist? Click your preferred link below to bang ya head and break ya neck (metaphorically) and then pop on this episode to learn more about the bands (or do it the other way around, I’m not your dad). Like the playlist? Let us know! Think we missed something? Let us know! We might wind up doing a follow up playlist because our long lists were very, very long. This was super fun for us and we hope you enjoy the riffs as much as we did curating this playlist. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2zwzoNdofIm9GxQG7PctwX?si=c792b7619cb34dea&pt=5b69d98be6fdd03b4c0deba7d2454631 Listen on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/bird-protocols-heavy-as-hell-halloween/pl.u-gxblkRGCMq346L We’ll be back next weekend! Always remember to… INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

We’re kicking off our official Spooky Season selections with a movie that we both agree is one of them ones. A modern classic. A stylish and terrifying movie that revived the zombie genre, has aged incredibly well, and influenced horror film and zombie media in so many ways. Ah, yes, it’s finally time to talk about Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s “28 Days Later” starring Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Naomie Harris, Megan Burns, and Christopher Eccleston. This movie is a banger in all respects. From the production choices to the performances to the cinematography to the writing… this is a bonafide heater. If you’re sleeping on it… it is time to wake up! In this episode, we break down what makes this movie so damn good, share some interesting details about the making of the movie, unpack the film’s legacy and influence, discuss the rage virus and what makes it unlike anything else in the zombie filmography, praise the use of digital cameras and the aesthetic of the film, and look at some of our favourite scenes and sequences. We also discuss the themes, performances, and ideas that make this movie so unique. Some are obvious while others thoughtfully woven into the fabric of the film. It’s complex yet simple. A political allegory. A truly frightening horror film. A humanist drama. All in equal parts. There are  so many things that this movie subverted or did differently that had a profound impact on cinema and we dive deep into all of it. There are so many things to like about this movie! Seriously! If you haven’t watched it, what are you waiting for?! Later in the episode, we lament some of the bad takes surrounding this movie on Letterboxd, briefly discuss the sequel, and look forward with cautious optimism about the future of the franchise. We close out the pod by taking some time to talk about some of the new music that we’ve been digging and share some recommendations. We’ll be back next weekend with another Spooky Season episode for y’all. INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Ayo! We’re still easing into Spooky Season with another horror-adjacent pick that’s fun, stylish, and visually appealing. This week, we’re talking about Guillermo del Toro’s “Hellboy” films! First, though, Otis shares a story about seeing karma unfold in real time and we discuss the lack of consideration people have in public these days. Then, we have some thoughts about what we’ve been watching lately. Otis saw “Megalopolis” and “The Substance” and has some questions. Mostly… what was Francis Ford Coppola smoking? Can we get some? Is this a masterpiece or a hunk of trash? Otis also might have CTE… but was it the movie, the slap, or both? Plus, PALMREADER watched “Lost In Translation” and “Dredd” again and still loves them both dearly. Then it’s time to talk “Hellboy” and “Hellboy 2: The Golden Army”, both written and directed by our guy Guillermo del Toro. Admittedly, we don’t spend too much time on 2004’s “Hellboy” because we both feel it is the weaker of the two films. It suffers from all the issues that plagued mid-2000s superhero movies and, although it is stylishly done and features a great cast, it is confined to a movie with flat antagonists, recycled tropes, the weight of introducing a character and world to a wider audience, and too many storylines. Also, we don’t care for Myers. With that being said, "Hellboy" is still fun and there are glimmers of awesomeness that can't be ignored. Ron Perlman as Hellboy is fantastic and the rest of the cast seems to be having a lot of fun. John Hurt as Professor Broom and Selma Blair as Liz are great and Doug Jones/David Hyde Pierce as Abe Sapien rules. Ultimately, it’s 2008’s “The Golden Army” that we wanted to talk about. It’s a prime example of why “letting them cook” can be so damn rewarding. It’s a shame that we’ll probably never get a third sequel and conclusion of the trilogy and we discuss at length why that might be the case. This movie takes everything about the first and does it better. After GDT’s success with “Pan’s Labyrinth”, he was given more creative control and allowed to let his inner dark fantasy freak out. It’s visually impressive, fun, charming, less bogged down by issues than the first, has better and more interesting antagonists, and is filled with great world-building, lore, and special effects. Plus, welcome additions to the story like the ectoplasmic Johann Krauss and more character moments filled with humour and charm. It’s a lot of fun… even if you have to turn your brain off! And that angel of death? Hell yeah. We end things with a chat about the "Hellboy" franchise, why it’s so hard to adapt the comics to film, the upcoming “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” and the failed “Hellboy” reboot, and some more GDT talk. We also share some stuff we’ve been listening to and ramble a bit (as usual). We’ll be back next week with the official start of Spooky Season! INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies?! Welcome to another episode of BIRD PROTOCOL! This week, we share our thoughts about “Alien: Romulus” and list some of our favourite movie monsters… but first, we talk about some of the biggest monsters of all: Landlords! Otis has some upsetting news about his apartment complex which leads into a general discussion about the cost of living, people being greedy, capitalism, the importance of voting, and the lack of basic understanding about politics and economics. Truly horrifying stuff! Then, it’s time to talk about our favourite alien freaks… the Xenomorphs! Earlier this weekend, we went to see Fede Álvarez’s “Alien: Romulus” together, and guess what? We both liked it! Starring Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, this sequel sits chronologically between "Alien" and "Aliens" and features some of the cinematic DNA of both. "Romulus" doesn’t reinvent the wheel and that’s ok by us. It's still an extremely well-done horror film that was super fun to watch. Álvarez adds enough new ideas (including a freaky new Alien offspring), pays attention to detail, shows his technical filmmaking prowess, and pays enough attention to the wider franchise lore that it works. We cover everything that we liked about the film including the creative direction, set design, action and horror sequences, and pacing which all work to make this a great watch. We also talk about Spaeny’s awesome performance as Rain, Jonsson’s nuanced physical performance as Andy, the use of Facehuggers, the ending, the attention to detail, the gore and violence, and other dope stuff. We also unpack some of the film’s flaws and shortcomings and explore some of the critiques we’ve been hearing about the movie. Ultimately, we decided that it still rips and you should see it! After that, we casually discuss some of our favourite movie monsters to begin the ascent into Spooky Season. We’re not saying these are objectively the best... that's another conversation altogether. Instead, we share some of our favourites and why we think they are dope. There are some creatures mentioned that you will likely be able to guess in advance and others that might surprise you. What are your favourites? Did we miss any? Let us know! Otis is in a comedy competition! Come out and support your boy! Get your tickets here: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/londons-next-best-comic-search-qualifying-events-sorry-comedy-festival-tickets-986193801207?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl⁠ PALMREADER wrote something fun! Read “Alien: Outer Rim - Part One” here: ⁠https://www.tumblr.com/codexcurses⁠ We’ll be back next week! INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Ayo! It’s time for PALMREADER’s (belated) birthday episode! This week, we are covering David Ayer’s excellent 2014 war film “Fury” starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Herman, Jon Bernthal, Michael Peña, and a selection of real WWII tanks. Originally recorded on PALMREADER’s birthday, we chose to start things off with some serious positivity by sharing some love for one another and looking back on a crazy year of growth for both of us. We muse on the process of making positives out of negatives and overcoming the challenges that forced us to grow this past year. This prompts PALMREADER to share a personal motto about going through tough times and Otis to share the importance of finding time to do the things you love and enjoying life. For him, this includes things like watching “Boogie Nights” and making sure you’re present in people’s lives. This leads to a conversation about the importance of not "phoning it in" when it comes to any relationship. We also discuss our weekend, breakdancing at weddings, an impromptu reunion, telling your people that you love them, and more. Then it’s time to talk about what is arguably Ayer’s best film and one of PALMREADER’s favourite war films, "Fury". Set in the final days of World War II, “Fury” is a wartime road movie that focuses on a team of soldiers in an M4 Sherman tank as they travel deeper into Germany and are forced to make a heroic final stand against a battalion of German SS soldiers. It’s equal parts gritty, dark, violent, beautiful, human, and complex. Written and directed with full creative control from David Ayer, this brutal film features stunning cinematography, incredible tank-based action, historical accuracy, and inspired performances from the entire cast. It’s a marvel. We break down the filmmaking choices made by Ayer in both direction and storytelling and detail the months-long training camp that he put the cast through to prepare them for this movie. It’s a little insane and probably wouldn’t be allowed to happen today. Nonetheless, it worked. There is a palpable feeling of realism, tension, and camaraderie amongst the cast that makes the film that much more powerful. We discuss some of our favourite scenes, the powerful moments, the excellent action sequences, and all the stuff we love about this movie. It’s insanely rewatchable. Plus, there are tank battles with tracer rounds. So sick. Later, we take some time to discuss David Ayer as a writer-director and unpack his filmography. We look at the moments of excellence in his career like “Fury”, “End Of Watch”, “Training Day”, and “The Fast And The Furious”. We also discuss his failures and shortcomings which leads to a discussion of the studio system and what happened to the ill-fated “Suicide Squad”. Plus, PALMREADER’s secret love for “Bright” and the post-“Suicide Squad” hangover that he theorizes influenced the film's reception. We close things out with a few announcements of stuff we’ve got going on including… Otis is in a comedy competition! Come out and support your boy! Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/londons-next-best-comic-search-qualifying-events-sorry-comedy-festival-tickets-986193801207?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl PALMREADER wrote something fun! Read “Alien: Outer Rim - Part One” here: https://www.tumblr.com/codexcurses We’ll be back next week! INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Alright, we’re back with another Lazy Bird to update you on all the happenings in our lives. We’ve had a hell of a couple of weeks filled with travel, concerts, and generally positive experiences! As usual, we rant and ramble our way through stories, reviews, and the labyrinth of our minds to bring you some takes, laughs, and general tomfoolery. So, tap in with us as we share some tales from the VIP section! This week, we focus on some personal stories from the past little while involving some of our favourite bands. We both went to see Blink-182 and Alexisonfire in Toronto and had a fantastic (and somewhat emotional) time. We share some stories from the show and discuss the performances of two of our favourite bands. Otis also recounts his experience at NOFX’s Punk In Drublic music festival in Toronto during a weekend of scary weather. PALMREADER had to go to a funeral and woke the next day to a Tornado warning over breakfast. Plus, what we’ve been listening to and watching… an abridged list though because it’s a very music-heavy Lazy Bird episode for your headtops! Other topics discussed in this episode include dudes hanging out and playing Mario Kart, feeling old because the university students are back and they look like children, not one but TWO insanely drunk dudes who made us laugh, niche comedy, a stranger in a car sharing a tender moment with a kitten, the Boys are going to a wedding, “Summertime Butch”, new Larry June, the upcoming Better Lovers album, Fontaines D.C.’s new album “Romance”, Gordo’s “DIAMANTE”, Guilt Trip, the new animated Batman show on Amazon, and more. Also, Otis is going to be in a comedy competition and PALMREADER is working on new music and other exciting creative endeavours yet to be announced. Plus, PALMREADER has a birthday coming up! We’ll be back next week for PALMREADER’s birthday pick! INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Your favourite Bird Boys are back with another themed episode on some of our most beloved summer blockbusters. Originally conceived as a Top 5 episode, this episode evolved quickly into each of us sharing five movies that we love and/or movies that we feel exemplify the idea of a summer blockbuster. This is not an objective best-of list. We are painfully aware that there are some major films that we missed out on… mostly because there are just SO many. Instead, we revisit some movies that stuck with us from childhood, some revered classics, some modern reinventions, and more. This episode made us both want to watch some of the movies that we listed so you know it’s good. Grab some popcorn and tap in. We kick things off with a brief update on what we’ve been doing and share our thoughts about Lee Isaac Chung’s “Twisters”. Spoiler alert… We both loved it. We also talk about the Glen Powell of it all, sequels and reboots done right, our hopes for “Alien: Romulus”, and more. Then, it’s time to share our summer blockbuster picks including “The Rock”, “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”, “T2: Judgement Day”, “The Dark Knight”,  “Raiders Of The Lost Ark”, “Jurassic Park”, “Men In Black”, and many more. We’ve got a lot to discuss. As we share our picks, we talk about our experience with each film, give our reasons for why we picked them, share what we love about them, and unpack what makes them a summer blockbuster. For this pod, a blockbuster is typically a popular and financially successful feature film, often a genre film, that performs well (regardless of quality) and often leads to extensive merchandising and franchising opportunities. Usually, these films, for better or worse, have a major impact on cinema, film production/release practices, and garner a certain amount of cultural and cinematic cache. Furthermore, a summer blockbuster is a highly anticipated, big-budget, tent-pole film released in May, June, July, or August. We also discuss some films that didn’t make our list but could easily have been included, some directors that are known for their blockbuster filmmaking like Big Jim and Spielberg, Disney and Marvel movies, and the power and impact of marketing when it comes to this type of movie. Sometimes blockbuster movies aren’t even that objectively good yet, somehow, they seem unavoidable in everyday life. From merchandising to trailers to interviews to magazine articles… sometimes feel like they are EVERYWHERE which plays a huge role in the reception and box office performance. So, what did you think of our list? What would you add? What blockbuster films do you remember from your childhood? Let us know and always remember to… INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies? Every few months, we release a themed playlist filled with bangers for everyone to enjoy. Since it is summer and the sun is shining, we’ve selected 16 certified rap heaters from the late 90s through the aughts to keep the vibes going, pump up the volume, and get you feeling right. Let the Bird Boys keep the speakers knocking at your next summer pool party or backyard kickback. Now, these are NOT what we consider the best rap songs of that era (though some could definitely be in the conversation), nor did we try to cover everything because that would be a long playlist and even longer episode. So, just so we’re clear - we curated a selection of songs that we love from that era because we felt like they would hit just right. No qualitative judgement here. We know we could have added twenty more. Nonetheless, we think we did a pretty bang-up job. So, press play and lean back, lean back, lean back, lean back. In this episode, we break down our selections by giving some context for each of the artists and tracks, explaining why we picked each song. and discussing where they intersect in the history of rap and their legacy. When you press play on the playlist, you’ll hear some expected and unexpected tracks from artists like Lil Wayne, Jay Z, Eminem, 50 Cent, Ludacris, Nelly, Dr. Dre and Snoop, Clipse, Three Six Mafia, T.I., Cam’ron, Too $hort, and many more. We tried to cover all sides of the map from west to east to south and everything in between. Plus, we made sure to include some of our honourable mentions and the tracks that didn’t make the cut for those who want to hear more. We know there are some omissions and that this list could be made a hundred different ways so, once you’ve listened to our version, add your favourites to it and send us YOUR version. We sincerely hope you enjoy this episode and the accompanying playlist. Let us know how it sounds at your next kickback. We’ll be back in two weeks. Listen to the playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1GykbKzCPMKtxnUeFkCgJz?si=dade9bb11de14d7b Listen to the playlist on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/bird-protocols-hip-hop-pool-party/pl.u-jV89bWWsq5lVmZ INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

Your favourite Bird Boys are coming in hot with another Lazy Bird episode to update you on everything going on in our lives and everything we’ve been listening to, watching, and playing. In this episode, we talk about driving in the post-apocalyptic wasteland, a MAJOR piece of news that dropped and stopped the presses, how our life is getting better (slowly), complex systems of reality and human-caused issues, the internet conspiracy mill, and way more. We also talk about director Richard Linklater and his amazing movie “Boyhood” (which celebrated its tenth anniversary this year), an insane Italian horror film called “Blood Delirium”,  “The Gentlemen” TV show and Guy Ritchie movies, “The Bear” season 3, “Band Of Brothers”, “Smiling Friends”, and more. Plus, we’re stoked for “Alien: Romulus” after the new trailer and all the recent promotional material has only heightened our excitement. Speaking of being excited... “Gladiator 2” is coming. We weigh in on the new trailer and the poor music choices made therein. In the realm of gaming, there have been a bunch of updates to No Man’s Sky including a full overhaul of planets… and PALMREADER is getting ready to dive back into it.  Later in the episode, we talk about some music releases that we've been enjoying. Our buddy STEVEDAVE put out an album called “Infinite Jest” and we like it a lot. Also, a little-known rapper named Eminem put out an album… but is it good? We’re not sure if we can call it a masterpiece but it’s better than some of his other recent releases. We ARE sure that people don’t understand concept albums or Eminem anymore. Will that influence how this new album lands? Only time will tell. Plus, PALMREADER loves the new $uicideboy$ album “New World Depression”, Otis has been getting into Koyo and the newest songs from Four Year Strong, and there’s a bunch more ranting and raving for you to enjoy. Join us for a lazy trip down the winding rivers of our minds. We’ll be back next week with another playlist episode! INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

It’s time to revisit the final film of the first “Planet Of The Apes” reboot trilogy this week on BIRD PROTOCOL! You already know we had to give it up for our boy Caesar one last time. Directed once again by Matt Reeves, “War For The Planet Of The Apes” is the last chapter of Caesar’s story and one hell of a movie. Starring Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Amiah Miller, Steve Zahn, and more, this movie shifts focus almost completely on the apes as their defensive war comes to a close, revenge is in the air, and the apes seek a new home. Talk about a satisfying conclusion to an excellent story. As with “Dawn”, this movie is pitch-perfect. It is a superb finale. The CGI and motion capture work is immaculate, the cast (especially Serkis and Zahn) gives an outstanding performance, the story and world-building are excellent, the themes are deep and complex, the action is awesome, and the emotional payoff is delivered perfectly. What more could you want in a sci-fi film? It truly is a modern classic of the genre and an example of a blockbuster done exceptionally right. The whole series is. It is a travesty that this movie wasn’t recognized by the Academy for more than the SFX. We spend most of this episode unpacking why this movie rips and sharing everything we love about it. We also talk about the critical response to the film, some of the themes and ideas behind the film, which films influenced the making of “War”, Caesar’s journey and ultimate end, and what ties this film (both good and bad) to the first episode we did on “Kingdom”. We shine a light on Steve Zahn’s excellent performance as Bad Ape, discuss Nova and The Colonel being examples of the right way to use a human to further the apes’ story, marvel at Serkis’ swan song as Caesar and how they showed the weight of his journey both visually and in the writing, break down some of the various action set pieces, ponder the skill it takes to make someone cry for imaginary apes, and more. Is this the best in the trilogy? Probably. We eventually rank the films and share our reasoning. We love this movie. We love apes. Apes together strong. We’ll be back next week with either some music or some recommendations. INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

The Bird Boys are back at the dawn of a new age… it’s time to continue the saga of Caesar and his apes with Matt Reeves’ 2014 epic simian sci-fi action film “Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes”. Starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, and Kodi Smit-McPhee, this is a superb genre movie hidden within a summer blockbuster that shows striking depth and skill, delivers huge action, and explores some deep questions about humanity and power. It elevates the franchise in new, thoughtful, and exciting ways much like any of the other truly great sequels. What we’re trying to say is that this one goes so hard and if you haven’t seen it… what are you doing?? In this episode, we talk all about “Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes” and the many things this movie does right. Hint: It’s pretty much everything. The performances are pitch-perfect, the themes and ideas are deep but not pretentious, the world-building is fantastic, the action and choreography are excellent, and the pivot toward making the apes the main focus of the franchise is truly inspired. Andy Serkis is a revelation and should have been nominated for an Oscar for his performance as Caesar. For real. The apes (and other animals) are even more impressive thanks to the work done by Weta Digital and the integration of CGI with practical sets delivers an immediacy that feels real. You’ll forget that these apes don’t exist. On top of that, the human side of the story is told incredibly well and filled with equally awesome performances. Nothing is lacking in this movie. The writing is great, the action set pieces are fantastic, and with this film, Matt Reeves solidified himself as one of them ones. Later, we chat about the themes and duality within “Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes”, the impressive CGI and motion capture tech, Andy Serkis being awesome, what we consider a good genre film, apes with guns, the positive critical response to the film, Matt Reeves, ape politics and Koba’s Shakespearian sabotage, and a whole lot more. We also share the film's plot, discuss our favourite scenes, talk about how excellent Koba is as a villain, discuss finding the right ratio of CGI and practical effects/sets in movies, and praise the development of the ape society. Plus, Otis talks about getting a haircut and the boys discuss aging gracefully, announce that “Weird Boy Summer” is here, share our review of the new album “I Want To Disappear” from The Story So Far, talk “Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire” being silly as hell, and more. We’ll return next week with “War For The Planet Of The Apes” to finish the trilogy. INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude

What’s good, homies?! “Apes Month” is in full swing and we’re finally hitting the first installment of Caesar's story with 2011’s “Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes”. Directed by Rupert Wyatt and written by the writing team of Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, the film stars James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, Andy Serkis, and more. What can we say? The performances are great, the action is dope, and the emotions are real. Who doesn't love a further anthropomorphized baby chimpanzee? Apes together strong. That's what's up. Although this film might be at the bottom of our Planet Of The Apes reboot list… it still slaps. Very hard. “Rise” is a smart, well-made, genre-pushing summer blockbuster that was loved by critics and filmgoers alike. The CGI and motion capture from Weta Digital is insane and only gets better from here, Andy Serkis shines as Caesar, and the shift from human-focused films to ape-centric storytelling is inspired. Plus, it lays the foundation and themes for Caesar’s journey and the rest of the franchise in surprisingly smart ways. In this episode, we talk about our first experience with the reboot franchise, what we love about this movie, how even with it being (possibly) the weakest of the “Apes” films it still goes so incredibly hard, smart blockbusters, our favourite apes (shout out Maurice), Weta’s insane motion capture tech and the innovations used in this film, Caesar as a character and his “I’m him” moment in the ape prison, and more. We also break down some of our favourite scenes and sequences, discuss the critical response to the film, and quickly go through the story in preparation for next week’s episode. We praise Andy Serkis as Caesar and the performances of the human characters (especially our dude John Lithgow, who was playing the hell out of that piano). Plus, the writing and storytelling! Oh, man! This film does an immaculate job setting up everything to come within the franchise and we unpack how. Later in the episode, we share some film trivia including who was originally up for the role of Will, imagine what it would be like to hear our pets speaking English, talk about some of the incredibly dope ape action moments (specifically the bridge sequences), discuss some of the plot holes in the film, praise the CGI apes, and share how we both are very scared of Koba (with good reason… the dude sucks). Plus, some other ranting and raving. It’s an ape world and we’re just living in it! Next week, we continue the trilogy with the incredible “Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes” from Matt Reeves. Caesar is back! Apes with guns! Gary Oldman! It’s truly lit. INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude