Hold on tight, folks—because Toy Story 5 isn’t just a movie, it’s a nostalgic rollercoaster with a savvy twist that proves Pixar’s still got it. Whether you're a Disney diehard or just love a good story about toys and real connections, this film hits all the right buttons—and then some.In this episode:

• How Toy Story 5 revisits the magic with new characters that steal scenes and hearts
• The genius storytelling choices that make it feel both fresh and timeless
• Why this film is a perfect bridge across generations—yes, even your grandma!
• The side quests, hidden clues, and cheeky humor Conan O’Brien brings to life
• The delicate dance of balancing old favorites and new faces without losing the core charm
• Deep dive into Pixar’s renewed focus on original IP and why it matters
• A cheeky discussion on the real story behind the batteries and toy aging
• Spoiler-light appreciation of Jesse’s touching backstory and Bonnie’s imagination — plus, who poisoned the cake?

Timestamps:

00:00 - The magic of global unity during the World Cup and how it reflects in Toy Story 5

02:00 - Pixar’s secret sauce: balancing legacy and innovation

04:23 - The Rocky statue and international fan craziness

09:06 - Deep dive into Pixar’s storytelling evolution and why Pixar wants to do right by characters

11:37 - Inside Pixar's ideation: the influence of Andrew Stanton and the storytelling process

15:24 - The fun cameos and performances, especially Conan O’Brien’s hilarious toy

22:02 - How Toy Story 5 revisits its core themes with Jesse’s backstory and Bonnie’s world

27:00 - The stunning animation shifts and the emotional power of Bonnie’s imagination

33:11 - Parenting in the digital age: lessons from Toy Story 5 on technology and childhood

40:07 - The nuanced view of screen time and toys, balanced and optimistic

44:08 - The secret: batteries and aging toys as a metaphor for embracing change

50:37 - Who poisoned the cake? The playful cliffhanger leaving us craving more

54:12 - Final grade: I give it an A plus—because Pixar just doesn’t mess around

Special thanks to everyone who keeps the magic alive in movies, whether big or small. Don't miss out—grab your popcorn, and let's keep those connections alive, one toy at a time.

From Val handing out her first "F" grade of the year to a legendary live radio blunder where Jake accidentally roasted a movie right before a ticket giveaway, this episode is packed with laughs, rants, and hot takes.

What We Discuss:

• Scary Movie 6 (00:50): Why Val and Tracy gave this horror parody a hard F. Tracy explains why a ChatGPT-generated script would have been infinitely better than what we got.
• Masters of the Universe (07:45): We break down the new He-Man movie! We discuss Nicholas Galitzine’s incredible charisma, Jared Leto’s heavily modulated Skeletor voice, and whether the movie leaned far enough into the "cheese."
• The Ultimate Theater Rant (26:50): Val goes on an epic tirade against atrocious theater etiquette (talking, aggressive popcorn eating, and endless bathroom breaks).
• Power Ballad (38:20): Why this Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas musical dramedy is a refreshing, human, throwback film and our official Pick of the Week.

Connect With Us: If you love honest movie reviews and zero corporate fluff, make sure to follow/subscribe to The Movies That Make Us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Rate us 5 stars and share us with your fellow film buffs!

Next week, we are looking at Steven Spielberg’s highly anticipated return to the alien genre. You won't want to miss it!

We’re back with Episode 2 of Season 7—and this time, all three hosts are together again as we dive into The Mandalorian & Grogu.

And right up front… yeah, we liked it.

A lot.

This episode is all about why this movie works—especially at a time when Star Wars has felt a little hit-or-miss for fans.

🎙️ In This Episode

We break down:

• What makes this movie feel like classic Star Wars
• Why the action hits right from the beginning
• How Grogu evolves beyond just being “the cute one”
• The mix of practical effects and modern visuals
• The film’s tone—lighter, simpler, and more character-driven
• Whether the story needs big galaxy-level stakes

We also get into the theater experience—why watching this one with a crowd makes a difference—and what Star Wars fans might expect walking in.

⚠️ Spoilers

We keep things spoiler-free for the first part of the episode and clearly call out before going deeper—so you can listen safely and come back later for the full discussion.

🎬 Why This One Works

This movie doesn’t try to be everything at once.

It keeps things grounded (for Star Wars, anyway) and focuses on:

• Character growth
• Relationships (especially Mando & Grogu)
• Smaller, more personal stakes
• Pure entertainment

And honestly… that might be exactly what Star Wars needed.

⭐ Our Ratings

Jake: A
Val: A
Tracy: A-

Across the board: Highly recommended

🎯 Final Thoughts

If you’re going into this looking for:

• A fun Star Wars adventure ✅
• Great action sequences ✅
• Nostalgic vibes with a modern feel ✅

You’re probably going to enjoy it.

If you’re going in looking for something to tear apart… you might find that too—but that’s kind of on you.

🎧 Listen If You Enjoy

Star Wars, movie reviews, film discussions, The Mandalorian, Grogu, pop culture podcasts, movie breakdowns, film analysis

🔔 Follow the Show

If you enjoy the episode, follow/subscribe and share it with a friend who loves movies as much as you do.

🎬 About the Show

The Movies That Make Us is a casual, insightful, and fun conversation about the films that shape us—from blockbusters to nostalgic favorites and everything in between.

In this episode, Jake and Tracy discuss the nuances of biopics, the impact of creative choices in filmmaking, and insights into recent movies like 'Over Your Dead Body' and the 'Spider-Man' universe. They explore the art of storytelling, character development, and the creative process behind iconic performances. Join us as we explore upcoming movies, industry trends, and the art of filmmaking, with insights into horror, sci-fi, and blockbuster hits. Perfect for movie enthusiasts and industry followers alike.

Keywords

biopics, filmmaking, Michael Jackson, 'Over Your Dead Body', Spider-Man, Rocky, Nicolas Cage, creative process, movie analysis movies, film industry, horror, sci-fi, blockbusters, filmmaking, movie reviews, upcoming releases

Key Topics

The importance of character depth in biopics

Creative choices in depicting real-life figures

The impact of visual style on storytelling

Insights into the making of 'Over Your Dead Body'

The significance of voice and puppetry in film Upcoming movie releases and industry trends

The art and craft of filmmaking

Genre insights: horror, sci-fi, and action

Sound Bites

"Filmmaking is a blend of art, technology, and passion."

"Because these two guys are eccentric and talented."

"The alpha male has arrived, and everybody knows it."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Hiatus Reflection

03:31 Biopics and Their Impact

06:40 Michael Jackson's Legacy and Film Reception

09:31 Character Depth in Biopics

12:27 Exploring Michael's Complexity

15:30 Creative Process and Artistic Insight

18:30 Cultural Reflections of the 80s

20:28 Over Your Dead Body Review

25:44 Epic Movie Moments: Heroic Entrances

27:40 Behind the Scenes: Casting and Production Insights

30:13 Spider-Man and the Evolution of Superhero Films

32:40 Nick Cage: The Unconventional Star

35:05 Project Hail Mary: A Sci-Fi Masterpiece

39:54 The Art of Puppeteering in Film

41:57 Horror Films: Finding the Fun

47:10 Anticipating Mortal Kombat 2 and Street Fighter

52:28 The Future of Star Wars: Mandalorian Insights

53:18 The Enduring Legacy of Star Wars

54:36 Upcoming Films and Anticipations

57:12 The State of Original Content in Cinema

01:01:31 The Future of Film and Media

01:07:37 Critics and Audience Expectations

01:12:33 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

01:19:41 MTMU Outro