Film Junk Premium Podcast: Star Wars – The Prequels

Posted by on October 16th, 2011   Filed under: Featured, Film Junk Podcast, Premium Podcast

Are those pesky Star Wars prequels really as bad as everyone says they are? With the release of The Star Wars Saga on Blu-ray, we decided to attempt to answer this question once and for all. As we announced last week, this is the first of what will hopefully be many bonus podcasts that we will be releasing every so often in addition to the regular weekly Film Junk Podcast. We will be making them available in exchange for a small donation to help support the Film Junk Podcast and cover our operating costs. We’re not looking to get rich, and we know that many of our listeners are in different financial situations, so we thought we would let you name your price (although there is a minimum donation of 99 cents required).

For the time being we have decided to use Bandcamp to host these special premium episodes. As the name implies, the site is mostly geared towards independent bands, but they have flexible pricing and a simple interface. In order to make the full 3 hour podcast available, we had to break it up into multiple chapters. Hopefully this isn’t too much of an inconvenience, but on the bright side, you can download it in multiple formats and the sound quality is much higher than any previous podcasts we have released. We hope that you will find it entertaining and worthwhile, and we welcome any feedback and suggestions for topics to cover on future bonus episodes. Head on over to Bandcamp and download the full episode now!

» Download It Now!

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  • bard

    I haven’t seen these movies since the original theater release, and it was great hearing you guys remind me how bad they really were. I would agree that the pod racing and Darth Maul fight scene would be the best parts of the whole first trilogy.

    I can’t wait for the next episode, do you know when that will be?

    Good luck with these types of episodes, I hope you’ll be raking in the cash each time!

  • http://www.mode7software.com Stephen

    I just downloaded this bonus podcast. A $ is such great value so I added in a little extra.

    I’d be up for buying more. A great idea for raising funds.

  • Matt

    I paid for the episode but the download didn’t finish correctly and I need to redownload it. How can I do that without paying again?

  • Matt

    Nevermind, I just figured it out :)

  • http://www.seandwyer.net Sean

    Just a quick note for anyone complaining about file size: you don’t have to download the MP3s at 320 kbps, that’s just the default format. You can download the podcast in many other formats, most of which are a lot smaller. Hope that helps!

  • csidle

    For the record, I think it would be really great if you guys did more trilogy features. The Godfather, Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings, the Bourne Trilogy etc. Special feature episodes are always really, really interesting.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/hauntedsnowfort/ Glen

    I just bought the bonus podcast.

    Thanks for making me laugh all these years, guys

  • Jonny Ashley

    Completely worth it. If semen were an acceptable currency, this podcast would be the gift that keeps on giving.

  • tjg92

    I like that Lord of the Rings idea.

  • Tim

    Thanks for this- I haven’t watched those movies since they came out on DVD, and though I enjoyed this bonus mega-episode of your show, it didn’t inspire me to go back to them (quite the contrary).

    One thing I thought of, even listening to the clips you played – poor John Williams, having to try and write music to shore up so many weak scenes.

    The other thing I thought – hearing the ‘love scenes’, the acting and writing is so bad, it sounds alot like setups for a porn. So awful.

    $3 seemed fair.. I will also gladly pay for more bonus episodes to help keep the regular shows free.

  • mattTO

    great listening… I’d love to hear a Kevin Smith themed podcast, going through all of his stuff (or at least the View-Askewniverse stuff).

  • Napalm

    This is one of those times when I say to myself “Why was I born in a third world shithole!?”

    I wish I could pay/donate and listen to this :(

  • http://www.frothygirlz.com Nat Almirall

    I had a similar thought regarding Yoda aging, too–somehow he’s able to jump around like a frog on speed Attack of the Clones but in Return of the Jedi, he can barely lift a blanket. Does his species’ health just rapidly fail from their 870s to their 900s?

    One thing I think that’s always overlooked regarding the prequels is how the universe goes from being a nice, kind, and decent place presided over by a benevolent senate to being tyrannized by an evil empire, and all thanks to pretty much one guy.

    A lot of people hate the politics in the backstory, and while they are pretty ponderous at times, I do think that following Palpatine’s scheme from Episode 1 to 3 is the only thing I find consistently interesting in the prequel trilogy.

    And any thoughts on the idea that Palpatine is Anakin’s father?

  • Andrew

    Loved the episode. Bandcamp was easy to use and the sound quality was great. I’ll definitely be buying every special podcast you guys release.

  • Andrew

    To echo a comment above, I’d also pay top dolla for more Cantankerous.

  • Dennis

    No problem paying for this high quality content from you guys. Count me in for ponying up more dough if you do more of these special shows. I’m loving the Jurassic Park and LOTR ideas being tossed around.

    As for the podcast itself… I was shouting “AMEN!” to Jay when he said these prequels should have skipped the baby Anakin years. I’ve been saying that forever! I feel like a genius agreeing with Jay. Or do I feel like a moron? Na, genius.

  • Maopheus

    Why does the website look bizarre now and when I click on the link to buy the podcast it gives me an error?

  • Adam G

    By my calculations you’ve made a good chunk over $100, so congrats on that, going over to see if the site or Paypal will accept an Irish laser card, which is probably unlikely! I really want to get this, and throw you guys a bit extra as thanks for the last year I’ve been listening, keep up the good work!

  • http://www.mode7software.com Stephen

    Just finished listening to the podcast and I enjoyed every moment. Can’t wait to hear the next special podcast.

    My one gripe is that when I put the files into iTunes it isn’t recognised as a podcast. That means the skip back 30 seconds functionality doesn’t work.

  • Dave

    Awesome. Looking forward to more specials and will gladly pay the humble amount to listen.

  • Mike F

    Gentlemen. This was a great idea. I’ve been meaning to donate to the site and this special podcast is the thing that got me off my ass. Looking forward to Part Deux.

  • http://www.celluloid-freaks.blogspot.com theocean85

    @Stephen, just change the “Media Kind” to podcast and then you’ll get the 30-second rewind function back. It’ll appear as the “Star Wars blah blah” podcast instead of film junk, tho… AND it won’t have a date of release. But still, doing that should get you that feature back, as well as the feature of resuming where you left off if you stop it.

    I left it as “music” and made it act like a comedy album in my files so I don’t screw anything up in my podcasts. I think I may treat all the special episodes as new comedy albums.

    PS, this episode made me laugh harder than I EVER have at film junk. The last time I ever laughed anywhere near this hard was when Jay said he was getting a tattoo on his asshole.

    This just reminds me that Frank is a great addition to the show (even though he’s not really new anymore… it’s been months now, right?). He was the one that made me laugh so hard I stopped breathing for a few seconds.

  • Adam

    Second that above comment about Frank. He was a powerhouse during this podcast. Brother brought his A game for sure. School’s in session and Frank is the teacher.

  • bard

    I’ve already commented, but I feel that I have to comment on Frank. Obviously, I love the normal guys: Sean, Jay, and Greg. They’re amazing, they’re classic, they made Film Junk what it is. But what is amazing is that they recognized talent. They recognized humor. They recognized Frank…

    He has helped breathe a new life into Film Junk as a whole. The infectious laugh, the propensity to quote films perfectly. He does it all.

    Kudos the the Film Junk crew for everything they have done for us fans, we truly appreciate it.

    When I think about the legacy that Steve Jobs has left behind, I think about shows like this. Things like this would have NEVER been made aware to anyone really without his influence, and to me (someone who has 9 hours a day at work to listen to my iPod to pass the time) it’s very, very important to have quality, hilarious entertainment.

    Truly, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I only wish I had more money to throw your way!

  • Dave

    Getting to the end of the podcast. Awesome marathon podcasting, guys. One awful moment that you guys left out, which was brief, so it doesn’t matter – but remember towards the end of Episode III when Padme runs down the ramp off her ship before Obi-Wan and Anakin fight? This woman is on the brink of giving birth to twins and she sprints down the ramp with her obviously fake belly. But still, no nine-month pregnant woman could move like she does. A small, but memorably horrible moment.

  • cap

    Maybe a Lost podcast? I know you did it when the show ended, but maybe it would be interesting to talk about it after so much time has passed. And Jay could chime in after not being on the bonus podcast, when it was recorded (and since Greg didn’t watch the show you have perfect opportunity to just not include that sucker).

  • bert belgium

    downloading now for the nice price of 5 bucks.

  • http://www.mode7software.com Stephen

    I would like to hear another bonus podcast on the Matrix trilogy. I think it is perfect. The films were out before the podcast began. It would also generate good discussion because of the quality of the first one and how badly the sequels turned out.

  • Adam G

    Finally got this, I want my $10 to go towards Jay’s tea, keep him in a good mood and those vocal chords nicely warmed up!

  • http://dharmalarspodcast.blogspot.com/ James

    I downloaded straight away but now just want to say “Thanks” :) It’s really great, and I look forward to the next one. I did enjoy greatly the addition of Dax and not only for his amazingly good Hayden Christianson impersonations.
    Like many, I spend around 9 hours listening to you lot whilst working and a “premium” content episode every now and then is most welcome. I am well aware of the amount of work you guys do! I used to do this for a now defunct LOST podcast called “The Dharmalars”. We did it for about 2 1/2 years and it’s fucking exhausting. Especially when you get an actual following! I take my hat off to you all as it’s a labor of love with little reward (except emotional satisfaction). Well done for moving forward with all this.
    Oh and Frank…I sadly knew who Ric Olie was/is and your impression of him was remarkable!
    Thanks for the laughs…

  • Greg

    I’m cheap and I hate paying for shit, but I coughed up for this ’cause you guys rock!

    And available in OGG format! SWEET!

  • http://www.twitter.com/auraldissonance milath

    Finally got to listen to this. Great podcast, guys! Frank and Dax are absolutely hilarious with their impressions. Jay and Greg to a lesser extent with the no’s. Sean, the glue holding it all together admirably as always.

    Definitely a top podcast out of the repertoire and well worth the donation! Hope you guys can keep doing this for many years to come!

    Around the survivors, a perimeter create…

  • http://www.equilibriumblog.de Stefan

    Thanks & greetings from Germany!

  • http://www.rianmiller.com Rian

    I haven’t listened to the show yet, but I downloaded it last night and can’t wait to jump in feet first. This monster is going to last me several car rides to and from work. Allow me to go ahead and offer my recommendation for the subject of a future episode: Jackie Chan. You guys have mentioned doing a JC marathon a few times in the past, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting the day when this plan comes to fruition ever since.

  • mushroomyakuza

    This was awesome all round guys, congrats, but Frank and Dax MADE this with their impressions, and even Jay’s silent impression of Palpatine’s face during the swordfight…I could see it. Perfect.

  • http://www.equilibriumblog.de Stefan
  • KeithTalent

    Watched all 6 films in anticipation (first time seeing Clones and Sith) and just finished this bonus podcast. It was awesome and I can’t wait until the original trilogy pod. Love being able to download this in FLAC as it sounds great. I really liked the Top 5 best and worst at the end, it’s a great way to summarize everything, plus brings up any points you may have missed in the original discussion.

    Does anyone else get a bit of audio clipping here and there? I’ve actually been getting it since you guys switched to the new equipment and it is still happening here. It seems to cut out a word here and there when people are speaking. Not a huge deal as I can generally get the gist of what everyone is saying, but I’m just wondering if I’m alone here and need to try and figure it out on my end, or if it’s an issue for others as well.

    Thanks again and you will of course continue to get my dough going forward.

  • http://www.seandwyer.net Sean

    The audio clipping is a problem on our end. I’ve been trying different settings and optimizations almost every week to fix it but nothing seems to work. I think it’s just a problem with recording via USB specifically… I might have to try Firewire instead.

  • KeithTalent

    Ahh ok, cool. Not a huge deal, just wanted to see if I was alone in hearing it. Glad it’s not on my end because I would have no clue how to fix it. :D

  • Lucas

    Thanks Guys, happy to pay for this. Good stuff!

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