Is Mission: Impossible still the gold standard of action films—or has the franchise lost its way?

In this episode of BTS with Joe, I’m joined by returning guest and fellow movie nerd Connor Hernan to unpack the latest Mission: Impossible installment (Dead Reckoning? Final Reckoning? They changed the name, we talk about it).

We dive deep into:

• Why the newest Mission: Impossible feels like a studio Frankenstein
• How Tom Cruise became the savior of cinema
• The problem with two-part blockbusters
• The state of the modern box office
• Our full ranking of all Mission: Impossible movies (yes, even the second one)
• And what’s next for action filmmaking

Whether you're a cinephile, a filmmaker, or just here for Cruise content, this episode is packed with laughs, hot takes, and way too much trivia.

Follow the podcast, leave a review, and send this to your most obsessive movie friend.

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In this episode of The Just Joe BTS Podcast, Joe sits down with indie folk artist Nick Wiesner for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes conversation about the reality of life as a working musician.

🎤 Nick opens up about:

• Life on the road: the good, the bad, and the absurd (including a brutal abscessed tooth mid-tour)
• The emotional toll of touring and how it reshaped his creative process
• Recording his debut album and finding his voice as a songwriter
• How faith, pain, and perseverance shaped his newest unreleased track — which premieres exclusively in this episode

Whether you know Nick personally, love discovering new artists, or you're an up-and-coming musician yourself, this episode is packed with raw stories, hard truths, and powerful moments.

👀 If you're chasing a music dream or just want to hear a new song from one of the most honest voices in indie music — don’t miss this.

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This week on The Just Joe BTS Podcast, we’re diving into creativity, culture, and cinema with Chicago-based musician and Letterboxd legend James Palos.

From growing up in a huge, film-obsessed family to falling in love with guitar during COVID, James shares his personal journey into music, his obsession with great storytelling, and the unexpected ways art helps us figure out who we are.

We cover: 🎸 How music became his therapy and voice
🎬 The first movie that changed his life forever
🍿 Why he avoids trailers and watches films "cold"
🧠 The power of soundtracks and how they shape our emotions
🥃 Hosting film nights with custom cocktails & deep convos

If you love movies, music, and real conversations about art and meaning — this one’s for you.

🎧 Follow, rate, and share if this episode made you laugh, think, or queue up a new movie watchlist.

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From viral YouTube videos to high-level B2B marketing, filmmaker Matthew shares his raw journey—balancing creativity, career, and family while unlocking storytelling secrets that separate amateurs from pros. In this episode of The Just Joe BTS Podcast, we dive deep into:

• How early YouTube fame shaped his path
• The brutal reality of filmmaking jobs
• Why storytelling beats camera gear every time
• The power of pre-production—even in run-and-gun shoots
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and finding your “why”
• DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro (and why Matthew will never go back)
• Vision boards, burnout, and what really fuels long-term success

This episode is a goldmine for filmmakers, creatives, marketers, and anyone navigating the highs and lows of a creative career.

📱 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more.
💥 Support the podcast here → https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458932/support

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In this episode, I sit down with Connor Hernan, a college student, storyteller, and passionate film reviewer, for a deep conversation about the Oscars, Best Picture winners, and whether or not the Academy still gets it right.

We talk about:

• Why “Anora” won Best Picture (and why it deserved it)
• The difference between books and movies as storytelling mediums
• Hot takes on Dune: Part Two, Wicked, Oppenheimer, The Fall Guy, and Twisters
• The evolution of film school, self-taught creators, and filmmaking in the YouTube age
• The most underrated movies of the year and which performances were snubbed

Connor brings a fresh Gen Z take on modern cinema, Oscar politics, and why storytelling matters more than spectacle. If you're a movie nerd, aspiring filmmaker, or just curious about the future of film, this one’s for you.

🎥 Subscribe and follow for more episodes where we geek out about movies, TV, filmmaking, and storytelling.

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In the very first episode of JustJoeBTS, host Joe sits down with the filmmaking brothers, Joseph Thomas and Francis Thomas, from the Chicago area. Together, they dive into a raw and insightful conversation about their journey in the film industry, from childhood inspiration to launching full-scale creative projects.

This episode is packed with heartfelt stories, filmmaking wisdom, and a healthy dose of humor as the trio reflects on what it means to be a creative in today’s ever-evolving media landscape. Whether you're a film student, aspiring director, or indie content creator, this episode is your behind-the-scenes pass to the real hustle of storytelling.

🎥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Joseph and Francis discovered their love for filmmaking through writing and home movies
• Their creative evolution from authorship to directing and producing
• Why early 2000s films and classics like Lord of the Rings and Batman inspired their aesthetic
• A hilarious and memorable VFX story involving jumping out of a window (and terrifying their mom)
• The importance of cinematography, lighting, and story over camera gear
• Thoughts on how modern movies have lost some of their originality — and what they’re doing about it
• Deep dive into their web series “A Dangerous Path” and their feature film The Street Corner
• How they navigate the creative tension of working together as brothers
• A candid look at blending genres like sci-fi, action, and comedy as indie filmmakers
• Their thoughts on the best and worst of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, including Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
• The journey of releasing a feature film on Amazon Prime Video, budgeting, crew building, and the business side of film production

📚 Bonus Highlights:

• Francis shares how leaving a full-time job to pursue filmmaking full-time shaped his career
• The influence of YouTube on improving their on-camera skills and storytelling voice
• Why story is the most powerful marketing tool, with nods to Apple ads and TED Talks
• What it’s like to lead, fail, pivot, and grow in an industry driven by passion and risk

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Just start. The journey from home movies to Amazon releases happens one step at a time.
• Don’t underestimate the power of collaboration and compromise — even if you're arguing like Spielberg and Lucas.
• Story is everything. Gear and budget help, but storytelling is what connects with your audience.
• Indie filmmakers can — and should — be ambitious. Feature films are possible without Hollywood budgets.

Whether you're here to learn, laugh, or feel inspired by the relentless grind of independent creators, this episode has something for you.

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to create boldly.

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