Episode: The Movie That Defined Our Pandemic (Unhinged Review) Hosts: JR Sparrow & Stacey Sparrow, with intro by King Jerm Duration: ~13 minutes

JR and Stacey dive into their all-time favorite pandemic movie: Russell Crowe's "Unhinged." This road rage thriller became the couple's go-to film during COVID, and they explore why this underrated movie resonates so deeply with anyone who's ever experienced frustration on the road. The conversation spirals into hilarious and relatable rants about driving pet peeves, West Virginia road rules, and their own "unhinged" moments behind the wheel.

• Why they love it: Raw emotion, compelling story, Russell Crowe's intense performance
• Pandemic comfort film: Watched it 2-3 times together, plus multiple viewings with Stacey's dad
• Where to watch: Currently streaming on Tubi (free)
• The premise: Road rage thriller that taps into universal driving frustrations

• Left lane etiquette: Should only be used for passing or going 5-10+ mph over the speed limit
• The honking debate: When is it appropriate to honk at a green light?
• Semi-truck frustrations: Especially on hills in mountainous areas
• West Virginia driving culture: Local knowledge of roads, potholes, and coal truck safety

• JR admits he makes his own driving rules (just like Russell Crowe's character)
• Stacey relates to both the angry driver AND the person being honked at
• Multiple road trip horror stories across the US (Florida, Savannah, Indianapolis)
• The couple's upcoming Buc-ee's trips in Ohio

"Any person that's ever gotten in a vehicle and someone has disobeyed one of your driving laws... you have experienced Unhinged." - JR

"Drive in the right lane if you cannot afford a speeding ticket." - Stacey

"If you're in Southern West Virginia... you give leeway to the coal truck or you will die." - JR

"The speed limit in West Virginia is 70 everywhere. Or 90." - JR & Stacey

Rating: Favorite couple's movie of all time Rewatchability: Infinite (it could be a TNT movie on repeat) Who should watch: Anyone who's ever been frustrated by another driver

• Follow them: Find Sparrows Under Review on Facebook
• Share your stories: What's the craziest thing you've experienced or seen on the road?
• New episodes: Every Friday on any DSP (Digital Streaming Platform)

• Strong language throughout
• Road rage themes
• Passionate discussions about driving

Produced by: Sparrows Under Review "Every take is examined and nothing escapes the spotlight"

Episode SummaryKey Topics DiscussedThe Movie: Unhinged (2020)Driving Pet Peeves & Road RulesRelatable MomentsNotable QuotesHosts' VerdictCall to ActionContent Warnings

Hosts: JR Sparrow & Stacey Sparrow | Intro by: King Germ

JR and Stacey catch a surprise release of Scream 7 while JR recovers at the Cleveland Clinic. They break down the franchise's goriest installment yet — from the brutal Sabrina Carpenter lookalike opening to Courteney Cox and Matthew Lillard's returns — and debate whether the low critic scores are fair for a movie that pulled in $179M at the box office.

• 0:00 — Intro
• 0:28 — Welcome & Background
• 1:14 — First Impressions & Gore Factor
• 4:52 — Stacey's Take
• 6:07 — Box Office & Budget
• 7:39 — Critic Scores & Ratings
• 8:36 — The Scream Franchise Legacy
• 10:01 — Final Verdict & Recommendations
• 10:29 — Outro

Episode Summary: JR and Stacey review the 2026 Warner Brothers adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel Wuthering Heights. Recorded from a hospital room in West Virginia, the couple shares their candid takes on the film's visuals, storytelling, soundtrack, and character development.

Key Topics:

• Recording Update: JR has been hospitalized for several days; the couple set up a projector in the hospital to keep the show going.
• 3-Year Anniversary: Congratulations to the podcast for reaching its 3-year milestone (March 12th).
• Movie Review — Wuthering Heights (2026):
• Twilight Connection: Stacey ties in a reference to Bella's mention of the Wuthering Heights book in the Twilight series.

Episode Description: JR and Stacey dive into their review of "The Housemaid" (December 2025), a psychological thriller that kept them hooked until the final twist. This suspenseful film explores domestic violence and mental abuse through the lens of a gripping narrative featuring an all-star cast.

🎬 Movie Details:

• Film: The Housemaid (2025)
• Director: Spencer (from 1923)
• Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar
• Production: Hidden Pictures, Pretty Dangerous Pictures
• Distributor: Lionsgate
• Budget: $35 million
• Box Office: $386 million
• Status: Sequel in development with Sydney Sweeney set to return

⭐ Critical Reception:

• Rotten Tomatoes: 74% positive
• Metacritic: 65/100
• CinemaScore: B
• PostTrak: 84% overall positive

Introduction & Setup (0:00-2:30)

• Welcome to Sparrows Under Review
• March episode format announcement
• Why they chose The Housemaid

Movie Discussion (2:30-8:00)

• Initial confusion with "The Handmaid's Tale"
• How they discovered the film through friends
• Viewing experience and first impressions
• Sydney Sweeney as "this generation's Julia Roberts"

Content Warnings & Themes (8:00-10:30)

• Domestic violence and psychological abuse themes
• Importance of viewer sensitivity
• The film's gripping, suspenseful nature
• Real-life parallels to the fictional story

Character Analysis (10:30-12:00)

• Portrayal of sociopaths and psychopaths
• The charming villain archetype
• Amanda Seyfried's "gangster" performance
• Perfect casting across all three leads

Budget & Box Office Analysis (12:00-15:00)

• Discussion of the $35 million budget
• Debate about whether actor salaries are included
• Minimal special effects needed
• Impressive $386 million box office return

Final Thoughts (15:00-End)

• Comparison to Lifetime/TNT thriller movies
• Perfect for spring break viewing
• Where to follow their reviews (Letterboxd, Instagram, Threads)
• Shoutouts to international listeners (Ghana, Netherlands, USA)

✅ Highly Recommended - A must-watch psychological thriller with masterful plot twists ✅ Strong Performances - All three leads deliver compelling performances ✅ Handle With Care - Contains sensitive content regarding domestic violence and psychological abuse ✅ Box Office Success - Exceeded expectations with nearly $400 million worldwide ✅ Sequel Confirmed - Development underway with Sydney Sweeney returning

• 📱 Instagram Stories for ratings
• 🎬 Letterboxd for detailed reviews
• 💬 Threads for discussions
• 🎙️ New episodes every Friday on all DSPs

"It paints a sociopath and a psychopath. The loving God, the guy with all the charm, he can whip anybody off their feet and literally whip them off their feet." - JR Sparrow

Next Episode: More movie reviews coming your way!

Sparrows Under Review: Where every take is examined and nothing escapes the spotlight. Movies, food, relationships, and culture put under the microscope with bold opinions and real perspective.

Show Highlights:Episode Timestamps & Topics:Key Takeaways:Connect With Sparrows Under Review:Quote of the Episode:

Episode Summary

JR and Stacey review Predator: Badlands, the seventh installment in the Predator franchise. The discussion covers the film's unique storytelling approach, its connection to the Alien franchise through the Waylon-Yutani corporation, and whether it's accessible to newcomers.

• Release Date: November 7, 2024
• Budget: $105 million
• Box Office: $184.3 million
• Notable Cast: Elle Fanning (Dakota Fanning's younger sister) as an Android
• Franchise Position: 7th installment, follows Prey (2022)
• Related Content: Ties to Predators: Killer of Killers (2025 animated film) and Marvel comic book series

Unique Perspective

• Film tells story from the Predator's point of view
• Shows internal power struggles among Predators
• Explores conflict with Waylon-Yutani corporation

Franchise Connections

• Bridges Alien and Predator universes through Waylon-Yutani
• References to Alien vs. Predator films
• Comparison to Alien: Romulus (2024) - budget $80M, earned $350M

Accessibility for New Viewers

• JR considers it an easy entry point for sci-fi newcomers
• Similar to Alien: Romulus in being newcomer-friendly
• Can be enjoyed without seeing previous films

• Important: The hosts watched a version without English subtitles for the Predator's alien language, which significantly impacted Stacey's viewing experience
• Proper version includes English subtitles for full comprehension

JR Sparrow:

• Enthusiastic about the film
• Appreciates the world-building and Waylon-Yutani connections
• Would recommend to sci-fi newcomers
• Rates it worthy of his "sci-fi catalog"

Stacey Sparrow:

• Admits to only half-watching due to language barrier
• Interested in rewatching with proper subtitles
• Plans to watch the entire Alien/Predator franchise from the beginning
• Recalls enjoying Alien: Romulus in theaters (August 2024)

Watch if you like:

• Tension and atmosphere
• Predator as an actual threat
• Science fiction world-building

Skip if you want:

• Constant explosions
• Frequent jokes
• Fast-paced action without substance

• Prey (2022) - Previous Predator film, mentioned as must-watch
• Alien: Romulus (2024) - Comparable in accessibility
• Predators: Killer of Killers (2025) - Animated companion piece

Sparrows Under Review - Available on all major podcast platforms
Sister Show: Pod and Saved Our Marriage with King Jerm and Queen Jerm - New episodes every Friday

Key Discussion PointsMovie OverviewMain Themes DiscussedTechnical NoteHosts' PerspectivesRecommendationsRelated ViewingPodcast Information

pisode Description: Join JR Sparrow and Stacey Sparrow as they dive into two iconic films from the '80s and '90s: Top Gun (1986) and Twister (1996). The hosts share their nostalgic memories, discuss the cultural impact of these movies, and debate where they rank in their all-time favorites. From Tom Cruise's career-defining role to Bill Paxton's tornado-chasing adventure, this episode celebrates the movies that shaped a generation.

[0:00 - 0:40] - Introduction & Podcast Promo

• King Jerm introduces "Pod and Saved Our Marriage" podcast
• JR and Stacey set up the episode theme: movies from 1986-1996

[0:40 - 2:18] - Top Gun: The Crown Jewel of 1986

• Discussion of Tom Cruise and Jerry Bruckheimer's collaboration
• Top Gun's impact on Tom Cruise's career
• Stacey shares her family's love for the film

[2:18 - 4:22] - Top Gun's Cinematic Excellence

• Why Top Gun does "everything you need in a movie"
• Comparison to Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
• The 36-year gap between films

[4:22 - 6:47] - Top Gun's Legacy & Cultural Impact

• Film preservation at the Library of Congress
• How Top Gun paved the way for long-awaited sequels
• Miles Teller's role connecting generations

[6:47 - 8:07] - Personal Memories & Re-releases

• JR's experience seeing Top Gun in 3D
• Why this is a must-watch film for anyone

[8:07 - 9:45] - Box Office & Critical Reception

• Budget: $13-15 million, Box Office: $357.4 million
• Highest-grossing film of 1986 worldwide
• Rotten Tomatoes: 59%, Metacritic: 50/100, CinemaScore: A

[9:45 - 10:25] - Personal Rankings & Wrap-up

• Stacey: Top 5 movie
• JR: Top 10 movie

[10:25 - 11:09] - Twister Introduction

• Featuring Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, and Kathleen Kennedy
• Michael Crichton's involvement

[11:09 - 13:18] - Twister: A Defining Tornado Movie

• JR's first DVD and theater experience
• The cultural significance of tornado films
• The device named "Dorothy"

[13:18 - 14:47] - Twister's Box Office Success

• Budget: $88-92 million, Box Office: $499.2 million
• Discussion of theatrical release windows in the '90s

[14:47 - 15:45] - Critical Reception & Cast

• Rotten Tomatoes: 67%, Metacritic: 68/100, CinemaScore: A-
• Shout-out to Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride)

[15:45 - 16:48] - Final Thoughts & Wrap-up

• Stacey: Twister is in her top 3 movies
• Jamie Gertz's notable appearance
• Closing remarks

Timestamps & Show Notes:

Episode Summary: JR and Stacey dive into the Colleen Hoover adaptation "Regretting You," discussing the film's quiet release, impressive box office performance, and why the critical response might be unfairly harsh. They explore the cast, compare it to other Hoover adaptations, and debate whether this movie deserved better ratings than it received.

Key Discussion Points:

• How JR accidentally picked this thinking it was a rom-com (spoiler: it's not)
• Stacey's initial theory about the plot twist vs. what actually happened
• The film's marketing strategy and quiet theatrical release
• Box office success: $30M budget → $90.5M worldwide gross
• Critical reception disparity: 28% Rotten Tomatoes vs. B CinemaScore
• Cast highlights: McKenna Grace, Mason Thames, and Dave Franco
• Comparisons to "It Ends With Us" and the Colleen Hoover cinematic universe
• Why this generation's Colleen Hoover is like previous generations' Danielle Steel
• The impact of cancel culture on critical reviews

Box Office & Reception:

• Budget: $30 million
• Box Office: $90.5 million worldwide
• Rotten Tomatoes: 28%
• Metacritic: 33/100
• CinemaScore: B

Hosts' Verdict: Both hosts disagree with the harsh critical scores, with Stacey suggesting it deserved at least 75%. JR argues the negative reviews stem from backlash against the first Hoover adaptation rather than the film's actual quality.

Shout Outs:

• Paramount Pictures
• Half Price Books & McKay's used bookstores
• King Jerm's podcast "Podddin Saved Our Marriage"

JR and Stacey dive into the 1996 classic Space Jam, exploring Michael Jordan's iconic collaboration with Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes gang. They discuss the cultural impact of the film, its legendary soundtrack, and how it became a defining moment in 90s pop culture. The Sparrows share personal memories of seeing the movie, debate its critical reception, and compare it to the 2021 sequel with LeBron James.

• Release Context: Space Jam premiered in 1996 during Michael Jordan's return to the NBA following his father's death in 1993 and brief baseball career
• Production Background: The film grew out of two Super Bowl commercials MJ did with Bugs Bunny in 1992-93, directed by Spike Lee
• Cast & Crew: Featured voice actor Billy West as Bugs Bunny, Wayne Knight (Newman from Seinfeld), and Bill Murray in a memorable cameo
• Animation Style: Compared to other live-action/animation hybrids like Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Cool World
• Box Office: Held the record as highest-grossing basketball film until 2022

• Commercial Success: Went 6x Platinum
• Iconic Tracks:
• Cultural Impact: The soundtrack became as legendary as the film itself, with "I Believe I Can Fly" serving as an inspirational anthem across sports and beyond

• JR's Experience: Saw the movie at River Ridge Mall (not the dollar theater), remembers the hype around the PlayStation game
• Cultural Moment: The film represented a unique crossover of sports, animation, and music that defined mid-90s entertainment

• Metacritic: 59/100
• Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
• CinemaScore: A-
• Critics' Consensus: "Silly Looney Tunes-laden slapstick and vivid animation will leave younger viewers satisfied, though accompanying adults may be more annoyed than entertained"
• Hosts' Take: Both hosts felt critics couldn't separate the movie from Michael Jordan's real-life controversies and politics

• Brief Comparison: The LeBron James sequel was poorly received by the hosts
• Notable Difference: The original sold a video game; the sequel gave the game away for free
• Verdict: The original remains superior

"I believe I Can Fly became the biggest song across regular radio, Christian radio, wherever. People still sing it today." - JR

"I feel like they weren't able to separate the sport in the movie." - Stacey (on the 43% Rotten Tomatoes score)

"Michael Jordan sold a video game. They gave the game away for free with the LeBron movie." - JR

JR's Rating: Top 100 movie (not quite top 20 or 50, but holds a special place in his catalog)

Overall Take: A fun, nostalgic film that successfully blended sports, animation, and music into a cultural phenomenon. While critics were mixed, the movie resonated with audiences and created lasting memories for 90s kids.

New episodes drop every Friday on all major podcast platforms. King Jerm and Queen Germ also host episodes showcasing how "pod and saved our marriage."

Note: The hosts acknowledge R. Kelly's legal issues while recognizing "I Believe I Can Fly" as an undeniably impactful song from the era.

Key Topics DiscussedThe MovieThe SoundtrackPersonal MemoriesCritical ReceptionSpace Jam: A New Legacy (2021)Memorable QuotesFinal VerdictConnect with Pod and Saved Our Marriage