The Senate Floor

A Discussion of the Most Patriotic Movies for the 4th of JulyJohn Mills and Tristan Riddell take over Filibuster this week with a tribute to American patriotism in cinema. They delve deep into what makes a movie patriotic. Is it a nation coming together? A nation going to war? Helping an old woman cross the street? They also review the trends of 20th century decades and how they shaped our perception of what it means to be patriotic.What is your favorite patriotic movie?

Session 51 - New Ship. New Crew. Thoughts on the new Star Trek show and its infinite possibilities. New Star Trek is filled with fascinating possibilities and excitement. More and more information is trickling out especially with the latest interview with Bryan Fuller. Matt and Tristan discuss the interview and where they think the show could go from the tidbits of knowledge that Fuller dropped. What excites you the most about a new Star Trek show?

In light of some recent events, this Filibuster finds Lee and Matt taking a look at LGBT representation in Hollywood films. Is the industry doing what it can, and where is there room for improvement? They also talk about some of their favorite examples of LGBT characters and stories from existing movies. This episode begins with a special tribute to Anton Yelchin, who tragically passed away the day after this episode was recorded. 

Special Batman '89 CommentaryThe Senate Floor made it to 50 episodes and we are celebrating with a special commentary on the 1989 Tim Burton movie “Batman”. We brought in as many members of The Nerd Party as we could for this special event. Nostalgia based reactions, shouting matches, guffaws, and utter disbelief all insue. Make sure to listen to find out where all of the hosts land on this 1980s classic.Do you think Batman ’89 holds up?

Moon Review/RetrospectiveThis week on the Filibuster, Lee and Matt take a look at the often overlooked 2009 sci-fi drama "Moon," directed by Duncan Jones. It's one of Lee's favorite films, and it's Matt's first time watching the movie. Find out Matt's initial take, and Lee's passionate endorsement of why this movie deserves more attention than it received upon its original release. What do you think of "Moon"?

Franchise films vs. Original movies: Is Hollywood running out of ideas?This has been an ongoing argument for decades but it seems to be heating up. Tent pole films have become the norm and some would argue that original pictures are suffering. If that hypothesis is true, who is to blame? Is it the studio for putting out vapid franchises that make money or is it the consumer who keeps going to the theater to see it?What type do you prefer the most?

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock - Underrated Trek Retrospective Lee and Matt decide to kick off celebrating Star Trek's 50th anniversary by taking a look at an often overlooked entry in the movie series: The Search for Spock. In breaking down the film, they'll tell you why they think it's worth another look.They also take some time at the top of the show to discuss the new Star Trek Beyond trailer and their excitement for the upcoming film.What do you think of the new Beyond trailer and The Search for Spock? 

Top 5 2016 Films (So Far)With only a few weeks left in May, we are already halfway through 2016 and its film releases. This week, Matt and Special Guest Lee Hutchinson of The Filibuster take a look at the first half of 2016 and rank their top 5 films of the year thus far. They also look towards the latter half of the year to see what movies they're most looking forward to. 

Captain America: Civil War ReviewCaptain America: Civil War has easily been one of the most anticipated blockbusters of this year. On this week's Filibuster, Lee and Matt break down the plot, characters and their overall feelings on the film and why they think it's one of the strongest entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Where does Civil War rank among your MCU list? 

Digital vs Physical Movies, TV, Music, and Comic books. Which do you prefer?Matt and Tristan could be considered "old school" when it comes to physical media. They love the feeling of putting a disc on the shelf and knowing they dont have to rely on the internet to watch a movie. But lately they've been going over to the other side more and more. Matt with his music and Tristan with his comic books. Is it a space issue? A quality issue?Where do you land on the subject?

Celebrating Alien Day with the 30th Anniversary of Aliens. All too often, sequels to successful first installments are unable to capture the same magic as their predecessors, let alone surpass them. On this show, Lee and Matt celebrate Alien Day by taking a look at a now 30 year old film that managed to beat the odds and do both: James Cameron's 1986 action classic, Aliens. Join Lee and Matt as they break down what makes this rip-roaring sequel work, from the direction, to the cast, to the music, and everything in between! What do you think of this James Cameron follow up? Does it hold up 30 years later? And join us in the age old debate among Alien fans: do you prefer Alien or Aliens? 

Movie Commentary of Captain America: The Winter SoldierIn the first ever movie commentary for The Senate Floor, we bring in all three hosts for the first time. Matt, Lee, and Tristan discuss Cap’s third time out in the MCU. Even if you aren’t following along with the movie, make sure to listen because we talk character motivations, behind the scenes information, and much more all throughout.What did you think of Cap 2?

Movie Commentary of Captain America: The Winter SoldierIn the first ever movie commentary for The Senate Floor, we bring in all three hosts for the first time. Matt, Lee, and Tristan discuss Cap’s third time out in the MCU. Even if you aren’t following along with the movie, make sure to listen because we talk character motivations, behind the scenes information, and much more all throughout.What did you think of Cap 2?

Favorite Onscreen PoliticiansMatt is out sick and we’ve got our own resident Scotsman, Lee Hutchison, to fill in. This week we discuss our absolute favorite fictional politicians that have appeared on film and television. President, Prime Minister, local government? We cover it all. You might be surprised by some of our choices.We start the show with talking about the Star Wars Force Awakens home release.What are some of your favorite onscreen politicians?

Favorite Onscreen PoliticiansMatt is out sick and we’ve got our own resident Scotsman, Lee Hutchison, to fill in. This week we discuss our absolute favorite fictional politicians that have appeared on film and television. President, Prime Minister, local government? We cover it all. You might be surprised by some of our choices.We start the show with talking about the Star Wars Force Awakens home release.What are some of your favorite onscreen politicians?

Lee’s Reaction to Batman v. Superman In this special Filibuster bonus, Matt grills Lee for his thoughts and reactions to the newly released Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Tune in to hear this spoiler-free analysis and let us know what you thought of the movie!  

Lee’s Reaction to Batman v. Superman In this special Filibuster bonus, Matt grills Lee for his thoughts and reactions to the newly released Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Tune in to hear this spoiler-free analysis and let us know what you thought of the movie! 

In case you didn’t already know, Matt and Lee LOVE watching movies. One of the factors that plays into their love of film is the hype (or sometimes lack thereof) whenever they approach a new movie. In this Filibuster, they talk about times when they were genuinely surprised by some films and other times when the hype overloaded their expectations. Lots of passionate discussion abound! What were some films that surprised you? What were others that underwhelmed?  

In case you didn’t already know, Matt and Lee LOVE watching movies. One of the factors that plays into their love of film is the hype (or sometimes lack thereof) whenever they approach a new movie. In this Filibuster, they talk about times when they were genuinely surprised by some films and other times when the hype overloaded their expectations. Lots of passionate discussion abound! What were some films that surprised you? What were others that underwhelmed? 

Upcoming Films and TelevisionMatt and Tristan discuss projects in development that they’re excited about. As well as some choices made by studios that seem questionable.What’s coming out in 2017 and beyond that you guys are excited for?

Upcoming Films and TelevisionMatt and Tristan discuss projects in development that they’re excited about. As well as some choices made by studios that seem questionable.What’s coming out in 2017 and beyond that you guys are excited for?

Why We Love the CinemaWith the arrival of high-end home theater systems, going out to the cinema has become somewhat of a lost pastime for many people.In this episode, Lee and Matt discuss why they still love going to the cinema, as well as their favorite cinema-going experiences.They also break down the new Captain America: Civil War trailer  

Why We Love the CinemaWith the arrival of high-end home theater systems, going out to the cinema has become somewhat of a lost pastime for many people.In this episode, Lee and Matt discuss why they still love going to the cinema, as well as their favorite cinema-going experiences.They also break down the new Captain America: Civil War trailer 

Rocky/Creed RetrospectiveRocky has played a part in our lives whether we know it or not. This franchise is rooted deep in our culture and is the source of strong motivation for many. Matt and Tristan discuss their favorite aspects of the franchise and how well Creed fits into it.What did you think of Creed? 

Rocky/Creed Retrospective Rocky has played a part in our lives whether we know it or not. This franchise is rooted deep in our culture and is the source of strong motivation for many. Matt and Tristan discuss their favorite aspects of the franchise and how well Creed fits into it.What did you think of Creed?

Welcome to a Filibuster on The Senate Floor!The Senate Floor is a bi-weekly podcast and we have found a way to give you even more episodes in-between. Matt Hansen and Lee Hutchison had so much fun talking Deadpool they want to continue their conversation with other topics.This week they talk Star Trek Beyond and the new Star Trek show coming in 2017. Are you excited for this resurgence of Trek?

Welcome to a Filibuster on The Senate Floor!The Senate Floor is a bi-weekly podcast and we have found a way to give you even more episodes in-between. Matt Hansen and Lee Hutchison had so much fun talking Deadpool they want to continue their conversation with other topics.This week they talk Star Trek Beyond and the new Star Trek show coming in 2017. Are you excited for this resurgence of Trek?

Introducing The Senate Floor! Same show, different name. The Nerd Party is now a network and Matt and Tristan saw it fitting to leave that name with the network and change the show.In this episode, Matt and Tristan discuss their top five film relationships. Who do you love to love?

Introducing The Senate Floor! Same show, different name. The Nerd Party is now a network and Matt and Tristan saw it fitting to leave that name with the network and change the show.In this episode, Matt and Tristan discuss their top five film relationships. Who do you love to love?

In this special Coup d’état edition of The Nerd Party, Matt Hansen ditches Tristan for a much more highlander version of a nerd with Lee Hutchison. They both just saw Deadpool and couldn’t wait to talk about it. Now, you reap the benefits of their impatience.*Recorded via Skype 

In this special Coup d’état edition of The Nerd Party, Matt Hansen ditches Tristan for a much more highlander version of a nerd with Lee Hutchison. They both just saw Deadpool and couldn’t wait to talk about it. Now, you reap the benefits of their impatience.*Recorded via Skype

So many great cameos and so little time.Matt and Tristan discuss their favorite cameos and have more than a few honorable mentions. Matt opens the show talking about his first impression of The Big Short.What are your favorite cameos?

So many great cameos and so little time.Matt and Tristan discuss their favorite cameos and have more than a few honorable mentions.  Matt opens the show talking about his first impression of The Big Short.What are your favorite cameos?

Nerd Party Coup D’etat!In this very special episode of the Nerd Party, The Girl (aka Mrs. Riddell) makes her podcasting debut.The Girl and Tristan start out the episode talking about the latest Suicide Squad trailer and then go right into The X-Files revival.SCULLAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Nerd Party Coup D’ėtat!In this very special episode of the Nerd Party, The Girl (aka Mrs. Riddell) makes her podcasting debut.The Girl and Tristan start out the episode talking about the latest Suicide Squad trailer and then go right into The X-Files revival.SCULLAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Alan Rickman has left us but his art never will. In this episode of The Nerd Party, Matt and Tristan reminisce about Rickman’s work and how he’ll always be remembered.They also share their feelings on Alejandro Iñárritu’s “The Revenant.”

Alan Rickman has left us but his art never will. In this episode of The Nerd Party, Matt and Tristan reminisce about Rickman’s work and how he’ll always be remembered.They also share their feelings on Alejandro Iñárritu’s “The Revenant.”

What’s the best film that you’ve seen in 2015?Matt and Tristan ask themselves this question and you might be surprised at some of the answers. This hasn’t been the best year for film but it’s far from the worst.What do you think?

What’s the best film that you’ve seen in 2015?Matt and Tristan ask themselves this question and you might be surprised at some of the answers. This hasn’t been the best year for film but it’s far from the worst.What do you think?

Opening weekend of Star Wars The Force Awakens has come and gone. That means Matt and Tristan swap out their Star Trek shirts for wookie pelt and discuss the movie.Listen to them argue back and forth on the merits and failings of this long awaited revival.What did you think of the movie?

Opening weekend of Star Wars The Force Awakens has come and gone. That means Matt and Tristan swap out their Star Trek shirts for wookie pelt and discuss the movie.Listen to them argue back and forth on the merits and failings of this long awaited revival.What did you think of the movie?

It’s not a secret that Matt and Tristan are excited for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and because of that they do a 6 movie retrospective on the previous two trilogies.Can they discuss all 6 films in under an hour? 

It’s not a secret that Matt and Tristan are excited for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and because of that they do a 6 movie retrospective on the previous two trilogies.Can they discuss all 6 films in under an hour? 

Matt and Tristan discuss the Captain America Civil War trailer from Marvel and what it was like to grow up “nerd” while it was still a dirty word.How did you survive Nerdom?

Matt and Tristan discuss the Captain America Civil War trailer from Marvel and what it was like to grow up “nerd” while it was still a dirty word.How did you survive Nerdom?

Spectre Review!Matt and Tristan have been itching to do this review but wanted to wait until everyone who was going to see it could. This is a very SPOILER filled review. Repeat, SPOILER filled review. Do NOT listen to this podcast if you haven’t seen the movie.What did you think of the movie?

Spectre Review!Matt and Tristan have been itching to do this review but wanted to wait until everyone who was going to see it could. This is a very SPOILER filled review. Repeat, SPOILER filled review. Do NOT listen to this podcast if you haven’t seen the movie.What did you think of the movie?

Scream is a franchise that both Matt and Tristan love to death; some iterations more than others. But in this episode they delve deep into what makes the Scream franchise fun and truly scary.Also, they start the show with talking about Bond, his women, and the age gap.What’s your favorite scary movie?

Scream is a franchise that both Matt and Tristan love to death; some iterations more than others. But in this episode they delve deep into what makes the Scream franchise fun and truly scary.Also, they start the show with talking about Bond, his women, and the age gap.What’s your favorite scary movie?

After the release of our Emergency Session about the latest Star Wars trailer, Matt and Tristan discuss their top five favorite scary moments in movies and TV.They start the show with the official Force Awakens poster, Arkham Knight season pass, and Marvel’s scheduling changes.What moments terrified you the most in a movie?