Ep 193: The 2025 Defender Awards

Ep 193: The 2025 Defender Awards

Author: Movie Reviews for your favorite movies February 24, 2025 Duration: 5:10:01

It's that time of year again... time for our Defender Awards! We celebrate the best in movies in 2024 and give out our own awards, Shields, to our picks just like the Oscars. Ours are just more fun. It's a long one so listen in chunks if you must and don't forget we have chapter headings to skip to your favs! Lots of clips, scenes, trailers, you name it. So strap in... let's head to the blue Movie Defenders carpet... and let's do The Defender Awards!

Click here to listen and connect anywhere: https://linktr.ee/moviedefenders

  • 00:15:34 Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2024
  • 00:58:00 Most Unfairly Criticized Movie
  • 01:03:05 Best Trailer
  • 01:14:37 Best Picture Nominee: Alien - Romulus
  • 01:22:48 Best Scene
  • 01:35:47 Best Music
  • 01:47:26 Best Picture Nominee: Anora
  • 01:57:40 Best Supporting Actress
  • 02:11:51 Best Supporting Actor
  • 02:20:39 Best Picture Nominee: Deadpool & Wolverine
  • 02:26:51 In Memorium
  • 02:47:01 Best Picture Nominee: Dune - Part 2
  • 02:52:00 Best Actress
  • 03:10:03 Best Actor
  • 03:22:59 Best Picture Nominee: Furiosa - A Mad Max Saga
  • 03:26:49 Best Cinematography
  • 03:30:59 Best Quote or Monologue
  • 03:39:09 Best Picture Nominee: Smile 2
  • 03:43:39 Best Screenplay
  • 03:49:30 Best Opening Scene or Credits
  • 03:56:57 Best Picture Nominee: The Substance
  • 04:04:52 Biggest Surprise Movie
  • 04:11:39 Best Genre (Sci-Fi) Movie
  • 04:16:16 Best Picture Nominee: Wicked
  • 04:24:00 Best Ending
  • 04:39:47 Best Director
  • 04:49:11 Best Picture Nominee: The Wild Robot
  • 04:56:39 Best Picture of 2024

Special thanks to our amazing Patreon supporters!
Alex Kirkby 
Alexis Helman
Barrett Young
Bart German
Brett Bowen
Daryl Ewry
Doug Robertson
Ena Haynes
Eric Blattberg
Jason Chastain
Josh Evans
Joshua Loy
Katherine Boulware
Kevin Athey
Mark Nattress
Mark Martin
Megan Bush
Michael Puckett
Nick Nagher
Randal Silver
Sean Masters
Stephanie Ewry
Attack of the Killer Podcast


Ever feel like your favorite film just got a bad rap? The Movie Defenders is here to change the conversation. While so much film criticism focuses on flaws and nitpicks, this podcast digs into the genuine merits, clever choices, and pure joy of popular movies that often face undue ridicule. Each episode is a dedicated re-appraisal, a lively discussion that aims to articulate why a maligned blockbuster or a critically panned genre piece actually works. You’ll hear thoughtful analysis that goes beyond simple praise, exploring the artistic decisions, cultural impact, and hidden strengths that might have been overlooked. It’s for anyone who’s ever left a theater loving a movie only to see it torn apart online, or who has a soft spot for a film they’re almost embarrassed to admit they enjoy. This isn’t about blind fandom, but about giving these films a fair shake and celebrating what makes them resonate with audiences. Tune in for a refreshing take that might just make you see an old favorite-or even a former disappointment-in a completely new and appreciative light. If you believe a movie deserves a second chance, you’ve found your audio home.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Movie Defenders
Podcast Episodes
Ep 198: Spaceballs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:30:47
May the 4th Be With You! We couldn't figure out a better way to Celebrate Star Wars day than with Spaceballs! A classic we all grew up on, we are going to laugh our rear-ends off the entire show and you're along for the…
The Last of Us Season 2 - Episode 3: "The Path" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:07
The best show on TV soldiers on as the universe of The Last of Us picks up the pieces. The show's theme is "Every path has a price." A path is chosen in this episode. Come along with The Movie Defenders to break this one…
The Last of Us Season 2 - Episode 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:53
The episode that all The Last of Us game fans knew was coming when the show was announced finally dropped. Join The Movie Defenders as we unpack this emotional episode and dive into all the things the show has been doing…
Ep 197: Draft Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:04:08
It's NFL Draft time so we go after a rare sports movie, Draft Day! Ivan Reitman's last film, it dives entertainingly into the world of the NFL Draft in a smart, entertaining way. A fantastic cast and a lot of entertainin…
The Last of Us Season 2 - Episode 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:01
Welcome to a special first episode of The Movie Defenders podcast companion show for The Last of Us: Season 2! We break down every episode minutes after it airs, starting with Episode 1: "Future Days". We dive into the e…
Ep 196: John Wick - Chapter 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:20:08
Today we finally get around to finishing out the last of the John Wick films (so far!), and we break down John Wick: Chapter 4. We also have great treats for you in this one as we talk the Superman First Look Teaser, the…
Ep 195: Saturday Night [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:41:47
Live from wherever the heck you are, it's Saturday Night! One of last year's surprising (and underrated) hits of 2024, Saturday Night tells the (mostly) true story of getting the first SNL show off the ground in a brilli…
Ep 194: Constantine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:35:29
At long last, it's time for Constantine! One of the most requested films since we started the show, we figured it was about time as the movie reached 20 years old. Also a treat is the fact that until this show, Brev and…
Ep 192: Transformers - The Movie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:33:09
Nostalgia, here we come! We jump back in to an all-time classic from our youth... Transformers: The Movie! A gorgeously animated film that the filmmakers thought was to serve one purpose, while the kids in the audience h…
Ep 191: Trap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:40:13
M. Night Shyamalan is back with his latest film, and while the reviews are mixed, the opinions of the Movie Defenders is the flick is great! One of M. Night's best! So much is underrated in this movie. The performances,…