PODCAST · tv
Headcanon
by James Taylor and Marco Sparks
A podcast discussing narratives and the creative process in film, tv, books and video games, hosted by James Taylor (aka Benjamin Light) and Marco Sparks.
Episodes
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No. 604 | “Oh he’s the good drug dealer.”
We’re back with a special pod and a special guest. Sara joins us to talk about the 1999 film Go, by Doug Liman and John August. What a blast from the past this movie is. Young Katie Holmes! Timothy Olyphant stealing everything! Mannie still sucks! “It’s all right, I’m okay!” The final book in our...
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603 | “The closer you look, the less you’ll see”
We’re back with an actual movie pod! This week we’re joined by special guest Ally to discuss the magic heist classic Now You See Me, starring Mark Zuckerberg as the tastefully named J. Daniel Atlas, lothario magician! A lot of people hated this movie, but we kinda dug it. There’s magic! And…
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602 | A Conversation about “Game On, Trouble”
No movie to talk about this time, we are indulging ourselves with an extended talk about our new book, “Game On, Trouble.” Joining us is beta reader Kayla, who watched the novel develop over a couple drafts. MASSIVE SPOILERS, obviously. If you haven’t read all the Trouble books yet, pause the…
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No. 601 | Summer Blockbuster Round-up
The guys return to catch up on all the big ticket summer entertainment in movies and television. First we talk the legacyquel Twisters, starring Glen Powell, the girl from Normal People, and no kissing. Then, because we must, we discuss Deadpool and Wolverine, a feature-length Super Bowl...
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No. 513 | “Hi, Barbie!”
Yes, we did the whole Barbenheimer thing. Please enjoy this mini-episode of Headcanon At The Movies where the guys chat about their thoughts about Barbie and Oppenheimer. Send all complaints to @jamestaylor21
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No. 512 | “A mind-reading, shape-shifting agent of chaos.”
We went and saw Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One and then ran to the mics to discuss. Is it just us, or is the dynamic between Ethan Hunt, Ilsa Faust, and newcomer Grace (Hayley Atwell) just so, so weird? SPOILERS ABOUND YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
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No. 511 | “I miss the desert. I miss the sea.”
Happy Fourth, listeners. We dragged ourselves to the mics to discuss Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (12:46). It was… fine. Also discussed: our plans for Cruel Summer season 2. *whip-crack noise!*
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No. 510 | “Burglekutt, you’re troll dung!”
The guys return with a very timely episode on the 1988 fantasy film Willow, and they’re joined by special guest Kayla. JT had never seen this movie, but it’s close to Kayla’s heart. This one goes off the rails in a hurry.
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No. 509 | “As if!”
It’s a Bros Watch PLL Too crossover episode, the Bros are joined by Kate to talk about the grandmother of all modern teen movies: Amy Heckerling’s Clueless. The Girl from the Aerosmith video shows limitless charm as Cher, the ditzy queen of Bronson Alcott High, and the stellar supporting cast of...
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No. 508 | “You have broken my heart yet again”
We’re back! The guys surface to talk multiverses madness in Everything Everywhere All at Once with friend of the pod Ally, and discuss our new book Trouble Takes a Holiday at the end. (Spoilers beware!)
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No. 507 | “You can be my wingman anytime”
The guys are back to talk about some recent films and their general disaffected ennui with the state of TV and the Cinema (4:40). Then they travel back to a simpler time of F-14 Tomcats, bomber jackets, and baby oil, to discuss Top Gun (12:24). Plus, a short Trouble update at the end (1:45:49).
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No. 506 | “You’re a weird guy”
The bros return to talk about The Batman and the new season of Star Trek: Picard (2:53), before diving deep into the murky, sloppy depths of Deep Water, the Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas erotic thriller from Adrian Lyne (37:06). Dang, it’s real bad.
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No. 505 | “It’s not sexy like it should be, Jack”
We’re back! Happy New Year, everyone! We stumbled and crawled and pulled our aging corpses back to the mics to pinch off 2021 with a long overdue look at one of our favorite movies of all time: Boogie Nights (52:05). Also, we briefly touch on all the stuff that’s come out in the past few months....
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No. 504 | “We are the weirdos, mister”
Flashback to 1996 for a charming little moving about witches and unpronounceable spirits. It’s The Craft! (15:56) A more innocent time when pleather meant you were dangerous, and $175 grand was a lot of money. We’re joined by special guest Demi to re-examine an old cult favorite that defined...
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No. 503 | “Woman! Whoa, man!”
This week on the pod, we’re joined by Savannah as we continue through 90s month with So I Married an Axe Murderer (18:49). What is Charlie’s job in this movie? How does a poet who does one reading a month live in SF with a fancy roadster car? How did Harriet become a butcher? Please enjoy this...
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No. 502 | “What came first, the music or the misery?”
This week on the pod we’re talking High Fidelity (14:33), the John Cusack music snob epic that made Jack Black a star, and The Beta Band a meme. We’re joined by special guest Kayla as we relive the innocent time before 9/11 and Pitchfork.
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No. 501 | “You’re a handsome devil, what’s your name?”
We’re back! It’s Season Five of Headcanon, and we’re kicking it off with a trip back to the 90s where even hitmen deserve a second shot. Grosse Pointe Blank is an underrated classic, and we can’t stop quoting lines from it two decades later.
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No. 019 | “[Joker blows raspberry]”
Ugh. Fine. We watched this stupid Justice League re-cut (39:19). It’s still bad. This podcasts is over three hours long and it’s still shorter than this turgid pile of garbage. Cruel Summer is great, tho.
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No. 018 | “My whole life is a dark room”
This week on the pod, we will go insane and we will take you with us! We’re joined by special guest Savannah to talk about bizarre 80s classic Beetlejuice. (15:09) How did this get made? How is this rated PG?? How did this get embraced as mainstream entertainment??? We have no idea, but we dig it.
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No. 017 | “Aman-duh!!”
This week on the pod we welcome back Kayla to return to another 90s teen classic: Can’t Hardly Wait! (21:13) Preston Meyers is kind of a creep. The kid from Hook has some problematic revenge ideas. And the Girl Whose Party It Is can hang with us anytime. In conclusion: two words: Mike Dexter.
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No. 016 | “You sack of wine!”
We want what all podcasts want, we just want it more. We’re talking Troy (Director’s Cut) from 2004 (23:49). Feast your eyes on those tanned, bronzed chests, luxuriant, oiled hair, and gratuitous gore and violence. Brad Pitt’s Achilles was born to end lives while doing blue steel surfer bro...
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No. 015 | “There is nothing worse than not feeling chosen”
This week on the pod, we’re wrapping up the To All the Boys rom-com trilogy with To All the Boys: Always and Forever (23:03)—and we’re joined by friend of the pod Krystal Pearson. We’ve got some thoughts about Mr. Covey proposing after the trip to South Korea, Kitty’s meddling ways, Peter…
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No. 014 | “Maybe I’m lame in a cool way”
This week on the pod: Lara Jean has one boyfriend, yes, but what about second boyfriends? We’re revisiting the fluffy Netflix Noah Centineo Romantic Comedy Universe to talk To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (23:00). It’s uh, not as good as the first one. John Ambrose seems like a cool dude....
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No. 013 | “Two’s company, three’s a crowd”
Happy New Year! It’s our first pod of the 2021 and already there’s been a violent insurrection. Let’s try to remember a simpler time, when Denise Richards was in movies, Bill Murray was just starting his comeback, and Kevin Bacon was hanging dong. That’s right, we’re talking 1998’s “Wild Things.”...
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No. 012 | “The Soft Package”
Another year comes to a close, this one quite unlike any other. Let us all hope that in the future we can all look back on 2020 as the worst year of our lives. Until then, we’re running down our favorite books, movies, TV shows, albums, games, and internet media from the past year (3:17), before...
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No. 011 | “I used only the good notes”
Nothing says holiday rom com like Kate Winslet huffing her stove’s gas to off herself! That’s right, we watched The Holiday (22:07), just in time for Nancy Meyers week, whatever that is. Marco is shipping Iris and the old guy, JT wants to recast Cameron Diaz with Kim Dickens. Also, some spoilers...
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No. 010 | “Are you watching closely?”
Well, this seemed inevitable ;-) James and Marco are joined by special guest and Trouble beta reader Ally to discuss one of our favorite movies, Christoper Nolan’s The Prestige (14:44). Secrets. Are our lives! What a thrill to revisit the subtle duality of Christian Bale’s performance, Hugh...
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No. 009 | “I am not hiding you! I am hiding me!”
Bonus Episode! We were feeling the holiday cheer, so we thought we’d grab Friend of the Pod Kaitlin Reilly of The Riverdale Register to talk about the instant classic Happiest Season, (15:30) starring our patron saint of Headcanon: Kristen Stewart. We have some takes about Harper and her family!...
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No. 008 | “I have a brilliant beyond brilliant idea!”
This week on the pod, contest winner Meaghan has us watching a very apt selection: 1998’s version of The Parent Trap! (12:29) Journey back to a time when Lindsay Lohan was a talented new star, and Dennis Quaid wasn’t totally creepy yet. Let’s get together, yeah? Also, at the end of the pod…
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No. 007 | “Shock me shock me shock me with that deviant behavior.”
This week on the pod we welcome special guest and contest winner Kayla to discuss the movie of her choosing: Empire Records (14:50). Take a fun trip down memory lane to the world 90s slacker alt rock, where everyone was kind of a spaz, and working at a record store seemed like the coolest job…
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No. 006 | “Tell it to the cleaning lady on Monday.”
Take your mind off doom scrolling for a bit as we revisit this modern cult classic that’s somehow already 10 years old: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World! (11:53) We love Wallace. We absolutely love Knives and Kim. Scott, tho… yeah, he sucks. Love the movie!
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No. 005 | “You weren’t supposed to help her.”
Listen to this podcast and you’ve got seven days to make a copy or else. That’s right, the Horrorgasm! concludes this week with 2002’s The Ring (11:56), directed by Gore Verbinski. Why is so terrifying and yet kinda funny when that horse goes over the side of the ferry? How is the cursed tape...
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No. 004 | “Whoa! Look at this! So much content!”
The Horrorgasm! continues on this week’s episode. We’re talking about the newly-released film “No Escape,” (15:30) starring the one and only Keegan Allen as a vlogging lord who goes to Moscow just to do an escape room. We wish we could tell you that this movie was fantastic. We wish we could.
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No. 003 | “I know I’m human.”
This week on the pod: one of us in a podcaster, and one of us is an imposter. Is that whiskey Marco Spark just drank? Or gasoline? That’s right, it’s 1982’s The Thing (7:52) directed by John Carpenter, and starring Kurt Russell with an incredible mane of hair. Horrorgasm intensifies!
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No. 002 | “I think it’s vodka o’clock.”
This week on Headcanon, we’re taking a trip into the uncharted tunnel system below the United States, to get thoroughly creeped out by the Tethered in Jordan Peele’s Us (13:53). The horrifying voice, the way they move, the rabbits! It’s spooky season on the pod, so dive into this instant genre...
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No. 001 | “I’d rather be a free spinster and paddle my own canoe.”
On this new season of Headcanon, the Buffy rewatch is over, but we’re still talking about Little Women (12:54). Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth, to be precise. To the surprise of no one, Marco is stanning for Amy. And we all knew James is part of the JoHive. That Laurie’s a real 1860s fuckboi, eh?
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No. 084 | “I ain’t getting any older.”
At long last, we have reached the end of our Buffy the Vampire Slayer rewatch. We are no longer cookie dough, we are cookies and you can eat us. This week, we’re talking about the second half of Season 7 (08:23), specifically s07e16 “Storyteller,” s07e18 “Dirty Girls,” and s07e22 “Chosen.” Pour…
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No. 083 | “From beneath you, it devours”
This week on the pod: the rewatch is winding down as we cover the first half of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 7 (24:03). We’re talking the superb s07e05 “Selfless,” the also excellent s07e07 “Conversations With Dead People,” and the dull as dishwater s07e10 “Bring on the Night.” Anya sings...
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No. 082 | “Your shirt…”
It’s “Seeing Red” day on Headcanon! At long last, we’ve made it to the most controversial episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 6 (13:16). In part II of our Season 6 discussion, we also discuss s06e14 “Older and Far Away,” and s06e17 “Normal Again.” Happy stuff! Barrel of laughs! Warren sucks.
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No. 081 | “Dawn’s in trouble. Must be Tuesday.”
This week on the pod, JT and Marco are joined by Amanda of the Fire Bad, Tree Pretty podcast to discuss perhaps the most delightful episode of Buffy ever: s06e07 “Once More, With Feeling.” (13:47) We also gab about the next two episodes, “Tabula Rasa” and “Smashed,” as the Scooby Gang takes a…
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No. 080 | “Mom? Mom? Mommy?”
This week on Headcanon, we close the book on season five of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (16:53). Buffy finds a body, fights off some truly lame Knights, and gives Dawn a Gift. Come for the misery, stay for the Ben slander.
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No. 079 | “Every Slayer has a death wish. Even you.”
Glory is upon us! This week on Headcanon, we’re talking the first half of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 5 (13:46). We’ll be covering s05e05 “No Place Like Home,” s05e07 “Fool For Love,” and s05e12 “Checkpoint” — along with assorted thoughts about some other episodes in the first half of the...
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No. 078 | “Men! With your… sales!”
This week on the pod: creepy Gentleman, Faith body-switching hijinx, and the Exposition Song! It’s Season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer! (10:40) We’re covering the whole season in one shot, discussing s04e10 “Hush,” s04e15 “This Year’s Girl,” s04e16 “Who Are You?” and s04e22 “Restless.” This is a...
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No. 077 | “Fire bad, tree pretty”
This week on Headcanon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 3 (14:50) comes to an end with our third podcast covering so3e18 “Earshot,” s03e21 “Graduation Day, Part One,” and s03e22 “Graduation Day, Part Two.” Buffy is psychic. Buffy tries to murder Faith. Buffy lets Angel drink her. Buffy…
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No. 076 | “I know everything that you did, because you did it to me”
We’re right in the middle of an awesome groove with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 3 (13:25). This week on the pod we’re talking s03e10 “Amends,” s03e13 “The Zeppo,” and s03e14 “Bad Girls.” Faith takes her first steps down a dark path, Buffy guts us with her speech to Angel at Overlook Point....
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No. 075 | “You’ll never be friends”
After a break to respect the Black Lives Matter protests and movement, we’re back to talk Buffy Season 3 (22:25). This week on the pod we’re covering s03e03 “Faith, Hope, and Trick,” s03e08 “Lover’s Walk,” and s03e09 “The Wish.” Buffy is getting over Angel, Willow is getting more witchy and bored...
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No. 074 | “Close your eyes”
This week on the pod, you might not find a finer half-season of television. The guys are covering the back half of season 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Specifically, “Passion,” and “Becoming” parts 1 and 2. Xander remains problematic, Willow takes her first step into the dark arts, and Buffy...
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No. 073 | “I’ll just let it burn”
At long last, we’re finally tackling foundational text Buffy the Vampire Slayer (9:17). We’re settling into Season 2 this week, covering s02e07 “Lie to Me,” s02e13 “Surprise!” and s02e14 “Innocence.” You know, just some all-time classics. Buffy Summers remains an iconic legend, awkward Willow...
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No. 072 | “The lawyer’s all yours.”
This week on the pod we’re indulging in some guilty pleasure Dad Cinema with 2012’s Jack Reacher (11:21). Diminutive Tom Cruise might not match the size of the titular hero from the book series, but his performance sure does! Or something. Please enjoy this breather of a podcast between April’s...
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No. 071 | “No. That’s not how you know me.”
Please join us, in this place that we all made together, as we close out our LOST rewatch with Season 6 (16:17). Jack gets an even bigger god complex, LaFleur is the hit new CBS procedural about LA Hot Cops working vice, Claire has a bird’s nest in her hair, and Richard finally gets a gray hair....
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Headcanon have?
Headcanon currently has 163 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Headcanon about?
A podcast discussing narratives and the creative process in film, tv, books and video games, hosted by James Taylor (aka Benjamin Light) and Marco Sparks.
How often does Headcanon release new episodes?
Headcanon publishes regularly with 163 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Headcanon?
You can listen to Headcanon on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Headcanon?
Headcanon is created and hosted by James Taylor and Marco Sparks.
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