John Williams is the most celebrated film composer alive, yet the man behind the music has remained notoriously private, famously elusive. He has composed the definitive scores for cinema's greatest visions.

Join Kerwin and biographer Tim Greiving, author of the first major Williams biography, John Williams: A Composer’s Life, for an unprecedented conversation. Greiving, granted rare access to Williams and his closest collaborators, takes us beyond the blockbuster themes to explore the deeper truths, tensions, and artistic evolution that fueled this unprecedented career.

The interview explores the central duality of the Maestro’s legacy: the lifelong tension between the demands of Hollywood and his profound aspirations as a serious concert composer. Discover the personal drive and the professional sacrifices required to bridge the perceived chasm between film music and the classical concert hall, and why his success in legitimizing the art form was a battle won where other contemporaries failed.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Tim Greiving

01:42 The Early Influences of John Williams

05:18 The Journey to Becoming a Film Composer

09:11 The Spielberg-Williams Collaboration

15:04 The Impact of Star Wars on Film Music

22:43 Tanglewood: A Hub for Classical Music

30:39 John Williams' Longevity and Future Prospects

In this episode, we explore Lucas Wars by Laurent Hopman and Renaud Roche. The book reveals how a life-altering car crash in Modesto, CA, changed George Lucas's path forever, leading him to film school where he met the likes of Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola. We discuss his untold struggles, from the first film that bankrupted his company to a studio that wasn't thrilled with his vision. The book takes us behind the scenes of the on-set disasters, actor casting challenges, and studio interference that plagued the production of Star Wars: A New Hope. This is a must-read for any film fan, revealing the true grit and creative vision that built a galaxy far, far away.

Writer and co-executive producer Marc Bernardin discusses his journey from writing for Black Panther to co-writing the new Disney+ animated series Eyes of Wakanda. He shares illuminating insights into the creative process, the unique choice to focus on the War Dogs, and the integration of Greek mythology into Wakanda's narrative. From the complexity of Memnon's character to the implications of time travel in the finale, this episode is a deep dive into the rich history and future of Wakanda.

This episode features a conversation with the stars of Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, Gaten Matarazzo (Sig) and Tony Hale (Dev). In this roundtable discussion with fellow podcasters, they share never-before-told stories about bringing their characters to life and what it means to be part of the Star Wars legacy.

Becoming Sig and Dev: Find out how Gaten's lifelong fandom made him the perfect fit for Sig and how Tony built the character of Dev like a "Frankenstein monster" with creative input from the showrunners.

The Power of Family: The actors discuss the core moral of the series: the importance of fighting for family. Learn why this theme of loyalty extends beyond blood relatives to the bonds forged with friends.

From Fan to Franchise Star: Gaten and Tony share their personal connections to the Lego Star Wars universe, from favorite games to the sheer joy of hearing the "True Jedi" chime. Hear Tony's hilarious story about playing the Lego games before ever seeing the original movies.

A Childhood Dream Fulfilled: The duo reflect on the incredible honor of becoming a Lego minifigure and how being part of the Star Wars franchise fulfills a lifelong dream. They also touch on the unique challenges and creative freedom that came with returning for the second season.

Ever wonder how Star Wars went from a shaky idea to a cultural phenomenon? In this short clip, co-host Keith discusses how George Lucas turned a $7 million budget and initial doubts into a cinematic triumph. Get the behind-the-scenes story through the graphic novel Lucas Wars, which chronicles his trials, perseverance, and ultimate victory.

And Mr. Lucas, if you are listening, we'd be thrilled and honored to have you share your story with us!

The MCU's First Family is here! In this spoiler review of Fantastic Four: First Steps, we talk about the retro-futuristic world of Earth-828 and discuss everything from Michael Giacchino's incredible score to the fantastic performances of Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and the rest of the cast. We break down the complex relationship between Franklin Richards and Galactus, the introduction of the Silver Surfer, the lovable Thing, and a surprisingly intelligent Johnny Storm. Plus, we'll talk about that shocking mid-credits scene and what it means for the future of the MCU, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Join us as we herald the end . . . or is it the beginning?

In this spoiler-filled review of the latest Superman movie, Kerwin and Keith dive deep into everything that makes this film soar… and stumble. From the electric chemistry between Clark Kent and Lois Lane to David Cornsworth and Rachel Brosnahan's standout performances, we break it all down. We explore Lex Luthor's ruthless motivations, Superman's internal conflicts, and the Justice Gang's team dynamics. Is the CGI a visual triumph or a distraction? What’s the deal with Jor-El's distorted message, and how does the ending set up the next DC chapter—including Supergirl? Tune in for a full breakdown, honest takes, and what we want to see next from the DC Universe. Let us know in the comments: Who was your favorite character? Are you hyped for what’s next?

In this episode, we share our review of the entire Ironheart series on Disney+, covering all six episodes and breaking down everything from character arcs to comic book connections.

We discuss Riri Williams’ evolution from MIT genius to armored hero, and why she makes the controversial choice to work with criminals like Parker Robbins (The Hood). We explore her emotional core—losing her stepdad and best friend Natalie—and how Natalie’s return as an AI (N.A.T.A.L.I.E.) shapes the story.

We get into Parker Robbins’ origin, how he gets his powers, and what drives his twisted version of “success.” We discuss how his cousin John’s death affects him, and why his partnership with Mephisto (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) felt more like a sketch comedy bit than a serious villain debut.

We also explore characters like Xavier Washington, who has one of the most emotionally grounded scenes in the series, and Ezekiel Stane, whose character arc goes from promising villain to comic relief under Parker’s control.

Zelma Stanton’s role introduces the magical side of the Marvel universe, which adds a mystical layer to Riri’s otherwise tech-based story. We share our thoughts on how well that blend worked—and whether it makes sense for Riri to embrace magic so quickly.

We talk through key moments like the Heirlum facility showdown, the reveal of Parker’s motives, Riri building a new magic-powered suit from car parts, and her deal with Mephisto to bring Natalie back. We also unpack the mid-credits scene and speculate on a possible second season.

We discuss what worked, what didn’t, and what this series means for the future of Ironheart in the MCU.