Oscars 2026 Recap: Michael B. Jordan, PTA’s Big Win, and a Dark TwistThe 98th Academy Awards are officially in the books, and we are breaking down every viral moment, from Conan O’Brien’s opening parody of Weapons to the history-making wins. Did Michael B. Jordan deserve Best Actor for playing twins in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners? Was Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another the right choice for Best Picture?We’re diving deep into the 2026 winners, the snubs, and the awkward chemistry that had everyone talking.The Big Winners: Analyzing Michael B. Jordan, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), and Paul Thomas Anderson’s long-awaited Directing Oscar.Viral Moments: Conan O’Brien vs. Grogu, and the Josh Groban / Moulin Rouge surprise reunion with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.The "Egg" Energy: What was going on with Channing Tatum’s presenter chemistry?Timothée Chalamet & Kylie Jenner: Discussing the drama surrounding the Marty Supreme star’s early exit.Animated History: How K-Pop Demon Hunters (Netflix) disrupted the Disney / Zootopia 2 streak.Stick around until the very end of the episode for a special world premiere. I’m sharing an exclusive sample of my new eco-thriller, The Maw Beneath The Mane .Hear the incredible narration by Marvin Abrego as he performs Chapter 4, a haunting look into the life of Sal Carpathia. The full audiobook is coming to Audible soon!Follow "Because I'm John Sellmeyer" for more deep dives into film, history, and the writing process.Inside This Episode:🔥 EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK: "The Maw Beneath The Mane"

Podcast Summary: Autism in Film, TV, and Pop CultureIn this episode of "Because I'm John Sellmeyer," John sits down with his lifelong friend Reese to dive deep into the world of autism representation in media.John and Reese use a "Plus" (Authentic/Relatable) and "Minus" (Stereotypical/Exploitative) system to break down a massive list of titles:Taxi Driver (1976): [PLUS] Starring Robert De Niro (Travis Bickle) and directed by Martin Scorsese. Reese highlights Bickle's social stiltedness and literal thinking (the "get organized" poster) as a raw, unintentional portrayal of neurodivergence.Rain Man (1988): [MINUS] Starring Dustin Hoffman (Raymond Babbitt) and Tom Cruise, directed by Barry Levinson. While a classic, they discuss how it birthed the "autistic savant" trope and treated the character as a plot device for others' growth.Forrest Gump (1994): [MINUS] Starring Tom Hanks, directed by Robert Zemeckis. They contrast the movie's "inspirationally disabled" vibe with Winston Groom’s original novel, where Forrest is more explicitly autistic.Napoleon Dynamite (2004): [PLUS] Starring Jon Heder, directed by Jared Hess. A favorite for its portrayal of a world where everyone is a little neurodivergent and social quirks are just part of the charm.Punch-Drunk Love (2002): [PLUS] Starring Adam Sandler (Barry Egan) and Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Praised for showing sensory overstimulation and anxiety.Sherlock Holmes (2009): Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, directed by Guy Ritchie. Analyzing the detective's hyper-fixation and social detachment.Community: [PLUS] Featuring Danny Pudi as Abed Nadir, created by Dan Harmon. A standout for "accidental" authenticity—Harmon discovered his own autism while writing the character.The Good Doctor: [MINUS] Starring Freddie Highmore, created by David Shore. Discussed as a stereotypical "Hollywood" version of autism.The Walking Dead: [PLUS] Featuring Josh McDermitt as Eugene Porter. They explore Eugene's social masking and his survival strategy of using his intellect as a shield.The Office (US): Created by Greg Daniels. A debate on whether Steve Carell (Michael Scott) or Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute) more accurately reflects autistic traits.Bob's Burgers: Created by Loren Bouchard. A look at Tina (Dan Mintz) and Gene (Eugene Mirman) Belcher as relatable neurodivergent characters.Avatar: The Last Airbender: Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. A deep dive into the fan "head-canon" of Zuko (Dante Basco) being autistic based on his social dorkiness and hyper-focus on honor.Hazbin Hotel: Created by Vivienne Medrano. Featuring Keith David as Husk; they discuss the character's non-verbal cues and fan-favorite status.SpongeBob SquarePants: Created by Stephen Hillenburg. John shares Tom Kenny’s quote about SpongeBob being "on the spectrum" because of his rigid routines and social naivety.Seinfeld / Curb Your Enthusiasm: Created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. Discussing the "autistic vibe" of the writing and Jerry’s own comments on having Asperger’s.Harry Potter (Books): They discuss Severus Snape as portrayed in J.K. Rowling’s books versus Alan Rickman’s film performance, focusing on Snape’s social isolation and rigid bitterness.Of Mice and Men: By John Steinbeck. A classic look at Lennie Small and the history of portraying intellectual disability in literature.Masking & Disassociation: The exhausting mental effort of "appearing normal" and the anxiety it causes.Nothing About Us Without Us: The importance of involving autistic creators and actors in stories about neurodiversity.The "Todd" Theory: A surprising analysis of Jesse Plemons’ character Todd Alquist from Breaking Bad and El Camino, reframing him as an autistic man mentored by sociopaths.+MoreJohn’s novel, The Maw Beneath The Mane, is available on Amazon!The "Plus/Minus" Review: Portrayals AnalyzedMoviesTelevision & AnimationLiterature & OtherKey Discussion Points

In this episode of Because I’m John Sellmeyer, John and his beautiful wife Alondra reunite behind the mic for a deep dive into the cultural phenomenon that was Super Bowl 60. While the game itself—a Seahawks vs. Patriots rematch—might have been a "boring" defensive struggle for a Chiefs fan, the halftime show was anything but.We break down Bad Bunny’s record-breaking, cinematic halftime performance. With over 128 million viewers, it wasn’t just a show; it was a powerful statement on Puerto Rican culture, unity, and the resilience of the island's people. From the hidden messages about the power grid to the surprise appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin (plus a legendary nod to Daddy Yankee), we discuss why this performance made Alondra feel "seen" and why it left John—our resident "gringo"—vibing along.Plus, we look ahead to some exciting life updates:Autism in Film: A sneak peek at our upcoming episode with Reese, diving into characters like Forrest Gump, Drax, and Buddy the Elf.The Big 10th Anniversary Trip: Planning our epic journey to London, Paris, and Rome for October 2026.Destination: Puerto Rico: John and Alondra are heading to San Juan in just over a month!Super Bowl Commercials: We talk about the funniest spots (shoutout to Ben Stiller) and the more controversial, impactful ones like Rocket Mortgage.Finally, stick around for a special guest review from Benjamin, who gives the halftime show his official rating.Check out John’s book: The Maw Beneath the Mane is available now on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. Dive into this myth-infused thriller featuring Sal and his trailer full of gators—a perfect read that resonates with the themes of today’s world.

Episode Summary:Grab a brown blanket and a blueberry spinach smoothie—we’re officially one week into 2026! Today, Johnny and his "extravagant" wife Alondra dive deep into the fallout of the Stranger Things season finale. *SPOILERS** Did Eleven really sacrifice herself, or are we all being gaslit by the Duffer Brothers?We’re breaking down the "Conformity Gate" theory: from the color-changing radio dials to the eerie orange graduation gowns and those suspicious blank signs. Is there a secret Episode 9 dropping, or are we just mourning the end of an era?Plus, we look ahead at the massive 2026 film slate, discuss our 10th-year anniversary plans (Venice?!), and Truman drops in with a very specific warning for Aunt Krissy.In this episode, we discuss:New Year's Vibes: Why 2026 feels "rough" but promising, and Alondra’s quest for guilt-free self-care.Stranger Things Finale Spoilers: The "Rightside Up," Eleven’s fate, and why the ending felt a little too perfect.Conformity Gate: Every clue pointing to a Vecna-induced illusion.2026 Blockbusters: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, and the Michael Jackson biopic.Nostalgia Trip: Why we miss the 2000s and who we’d actually invite to dinner (Shakespeare vs. Celine Dion).Check out Alondra on TikTok: @lifewithlondri Read John’s Book: The Maw Beneath the Mane by JRJ Sellmeyer (Available on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited).#StrangerThings #StrangerThings5 #ConformityGate #Episode9Theory #Netflix #DufferBrothers #Eleven #VecnaLives #NewYears2026 #2026Movies #ChristopherNolan #TheOdyssey #TomHolland #MattDamon #AvengersDoomsday #RobertDowneyJr #DoctorDoom #SpiderManBrandNewDay #MichaelJacksonBiopic #DunePart3 #Cinephile #PodcastLife #10YearAnniversary #LifeWithLondri #MFDoom

Because I'm John Sellmeyer: Holiday Chaos, FNaF 2, and Wally World Jokes (Feat. Alondra)Get ready for some hilarious holiday chat as John Sellmeyer welcomes his beautiful wife, Alondra, back to the mic!In this episode, they dive into the festive frenzy, comparing old-school Black Friday madness to today's online deals (and a trip to "Wally World" is involved!). From five Elf on the Shelf dolls, including the possibility of an autistic elf, to John's deep dive into Christmas dinner rankings (Tamales vs. Ham vs. Turkey), you'll hear what's really happening in their Kansas City Christmas.Plus, John and Alondra talk about taking their sons to see Five Nights at Freddy's 2—their first horror movie in theaters! They break down the film's plot, discuss the rise of FNaF fan songs by artists like CG5 and The Living Tombstones, and reminisce about the nostalgia of The Grinch and those classic Claymation specials.Key Topics & Keywords:HolidaysChristmas ShoppingBlack FridayFive Nights at Freddy's 2 (FNaF 2)Elf on the ShelfTamalesKansas City (KC)Christmas MoviesWally World / WalmartCG5

"Till death do us part" takes on a whole new meaning. This week, we're reviewing Ready or Not, the 2019 horror-comedy hit from directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett! We follow Grace (Samara Weaving), a bride whose wedding night turns into a terrifying game of survival against her rich and ritualistic in-laws, played by a stellar cast including Adam Brody, Mark O'Brien, and Andie MacDowell. Join us as we discuss Weaving's star-making performance, the film's perfect blend of gore and laughs, and that absolutely explosive ending.

Abandoned Minds: A Review of Session 9Welcome to an hour of escalating dread as we unpack Brad Anderson's 2001 minimalist masterpiece, Session 9.Shot on location in the chilling, decaying halls of the real Danvers State Hospital (The Danvers Asylum), this film is a masterclass in psychological horror that relies on atmosphere and mounting tension, not cheap jump scares. We join an asbestos abatement crew racing to clear the facility in a week, only to discover they're up against something far more toxic than dust.What We Cover:The Descent: We track the terrifying psychological unraveling of the Hazmat crew, led by the stressed-out Gordon (a powerhouse performance by Peter Mullan), as pressure, past trauma, and the sheer weight of the asylum's history push them to their breaking point.The Tapes: The chilling, central mystery of the film—the discovery of old patient therapy sessions. We discuss the nine audio recordings, the case of Mary Hobbes, and the slow, shocking reveal of the dark personality known only as Simon in the titular "Session 9."Key Cast & Crew: Breaking down the intense, claustrophobic performances from a stellar ensemble cast, including David Caruso, Josh Lucas, Stephen Gevedon (who co-wrote the script with Brad Anderson), and Brendan Sexton III.Is it Haunted? We debate the film's brilliant ambiguity: is the horror in the hospital's dark past and the entity "Simon," or is it a purely psychological breakdown driven by guilt and stress?If you're looking for an underrated horror movie, a deep dive into asylum horror and found footage elements, or a chilling psychological thriller that will stick with you long after the final credits, press play.Keywords: Session 9, Brad Anderson, Peter Mullan, David Caruso, Josh Lucas, Danvers State Hospital, Abandoned Asylum, Psychological Horror, Simon, Mary Hobbes, Horror Movie Review, 2001 Horror, Cult Classic.

NO! NOT THE BEES! A Celebration of The Wicker Man (2006)Forget folk songs and subtle dread. Grab your bear suit and prepare for an hour of pure Cage Rage as we dive into the hilariously disastrous and undeniably iconic 2006 remake of The Wicker Man!Directed by Neil LaBute and starring producer Nicolas Cage as police officer Edward Malus, this film transforms a subtle folk horror classic into an unintentional masterpiece of comedy. Lured to the remote, neo-pagan island of Summersisle by his ex-fiancée Willow (Kate Beahan) to find her missing daughter Rowan, Malus encounters a matriarchal community of hostile women, mysterious rituals, and, most importantly, bees.What We Cover:Hilariocity Defined: We break down the most bizarre and meme-worthy moments: the legendary "Not the Bees!" scene, the infamous bear-suit punch, Cage's aggressive questioning of the silent male villagers, and the overall unhinged performance that cemented this film's cult classic status.The Original vs. The Remake: Why the shift from the 1973 film's religious conflict (Edward Woodward's devout Christian) to Cage's guilt-ridden, pill-popping cop completely derails the tone—and why that failure is exactly what makes the remake so entertaining.The Cast of Cultists: Featuring strong women like Ellen Burstyn as Sister Summersisle and Leelee Sobieski, who manage to keep straight faces while watching a man slowly lose his mind.Final Destination: Summersisle: The shocking, over-the-top ending that reveals the entire search was a setup for the ultimate human sacrifice and sends Edward Malus into the Wicker Man screaming.If you love bad movies done well, Nicolas Cage at his 'Cagest', or just want to laugh at a truly bizarre horror movie remake, this episode is your honey trap!Keywords: The Wicker Man 2006, Nicolas Cage, Cage Rage, Not the Bees, Bad Movie Review, Cult Classic, Folk Horror, Neil LaBute, Ellen Burstyn, Hilariously Bad, Matriarchal Cult, Human Sacrifice.

Get off the ground! Join us as we grab some rocks, load the elephant guns, and dissect one of the best monster movies and purest examples of a horror-comedy hybrid: Ron Underwood's 1990 cult classic, Tremors.In the tiny, ironically-named desert town of Perfection, Nevada, two perpetual handymen, Val McKee (Kevin Bacon) and Earl Bassett (Fred Ward), are planning to finally leave town. But their departure is interrupted by a series of mysterious, deadly phenomena. They soon discover they're up against the Graboids—giant, subterranean, worm-like predators that hunt by detecting seismic vibrations. It’s a battle of wits against creatures with an appetite for human flesh, where the only safe place is solid ground.What We Cover:The Graboids: We break down the brilliance of the monster design and how the film constantly raises the stakes, turning the entire landscape into a game of "the floor is lava."A Perfect Cast: The undeniable chemistry between Kevin Bacon and the late Fred Ward, the unforgettable survivalist duo Burt and Heather Gummer (Michael Gross and Reba McEntire), and how the movie’s phenomenal character focus makes you root for every single resident of Perfection.Action-Comedy-Horror: How director Ron Underwood and writers S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock masterfully balance genuine scares with hilarious dialogue and escalating creature feature action.Why It Became a Franchise: We discuss the enduring legacy of Tremors and why its simple, effective premise and unpretentious execution made it a true 90s cult classic that spawned a multi-film, decades-long series.If you love a smart B-movie, the thrill of an escalating action sequence, or just want to hear us finally give Burt Gummer the credit he deserves, tune in now!Keywords: Tremors, Graboids, Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Michael Gross, Reba McEntire, Ron Underwood, Horror Comedy, Monster Movie, Creature Feature, Perfection Nevada, Cult Classic, 90s Horror.

From Splatter to Middle-earth: A Review of Peter Jackson's Dead AliveBefore the epic battles of Middle-earth, there was the ultimate suburban bloodbath. Join us as we explore the early, gloriously gross work of Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson with a review of his 1992 splatter masterpiece, Dead Alive (also known as Braindead).This is the film that put a new spin on splatstick (splatter + slapstick), setting a world record for the amount of fake blood used in a single scene. We are diving into the bizarre, hilarious, and stomach-churning tale of Lionel Cosgrove (Tim Balme), a mama's boy whose overbearing mother (Elizabeth Moody) is bitten by a Sumatran Rat-Monkey at the zoo, turning her into a rapidly decaying, ravenous zombie—and starting an infection that threatens to ruin his burgeoning romance with Paquita (Diana Peñalver).What We Cover:Unleashing the Gore: An appreciation for the film’s legendary practical effects, including the infamous lawnmower scene, the Kung Fu priest, and the unforgettable zombie baby. This is the ultimate zombie comedy for gorehounds.The Director's Journey: We discuss how the mind behind Dead Alive—a hyper-violent, low-budget horror cult classic—managed to transition to helm the universally acclaimed The Fellowship of the Ring and the entire The Lord of the Rings trilogy.Family, Romance, and Mayhem: Breaking down the dark comedy themes of the overbearing mother, toxic masculinity, and the sweet, warped love story at the film's gooey center.Cast & Crew Highlights: Featuring performances from Ian Watkin and co-writer Fran Walsh (a long-time collaborator of Jackson's).If you’re a Peter Jackson fan curious about his truly mad early work, a horror comedy aficionado, or just looking for the goriest movie ever made, grab your shears and prepare for an incredibly bloody, cartoonishly violent ride!Keywords: Dead Alive, Braindead, Peter Jackson, Lord of the Rings, Splatter Film, Horror Comedy, Zombie Movie, Tim Balme, Elizabeth Moody, Cult Classic, 90s Horror, Lawnmower Scene, Gore.