Mike Kaye
@captainkaye42.bsky.social
Media critic, Co-founder of Renegadepopculture.com. Co-host of Renegade Animation. Music Nerd. Animation junkie.
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die might just be the most important movie of the year? I know that sounds hyperbolic, but if you're a fan of Gore Verbinksi and have missed his authorial voice on the big screen, then I'd advise you to seek this out ASAP!
A review of Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2025)
Quick thoughts: Fuck A.I., at least the way it's being used today. Artificial intelligence in and of itself isn't necessarily the problem, it's just a tool at the end of the day. The problem is that s...
letterboxd.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die might just be the most important movie of the year? I know that sounds hyperbolic, but if you're a fan of Gore Verbinksi and have missed his authorial voice on the big screen, then I'd advise you to seek this out ASAP!
Let me hear your Muppet hot takes, but with some ground rules:
1. No mention of Kermit, because that topic's been beaten to death.
2. Try to keep it positive, if possible.
Now, what do you got for me?
1. No mention of Kermit, because that topic's been beaten to death.
2. Try to keep it positive, if possible.
Now, what do you got for me?
kermit the frog is dancing on a stage in front of a red curtain and saying yeah .
ALT: kermit the frog is dancing on a stage in front of a red curtain and saying yeah .
media.tenor.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Let me hear your Muppet hot takes, but with some ground rules:
1. No mention of Kermit, because that topic's been beaten to death.
2. Try to keep it positive, if possible.
Now, what do you got for me?
1. No mention of Kermit, because that topic's been beaten to death.
2. Try to keep it positive, if possible.
Now, what do you got for me?
Reposted by Mike Kaye
In this episode, we talk about the last of the Oscar-nominated animated features, and then we dive into the current state of indie animation and we also link a few indie pilots more folks should check out.
Enjoy a brand new episode of Renegade Animation! This time, @camseyeview.biz, @crazylemur.bsky.social, and I finally get to talk about Arco, while addressing the current state of Indie Animation! Look in the description for our personal Indie pilot recommendations!
Arco and the State of Indie Animation - Renegade Animation #211
YouTube video by Renegade Pop Culture
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:17 PM
In this episode, we talk about the last of the Oscar-nominated animated features, and then we dive into the current state of indie animation and we also link a few indie pilots more folks should check out.
Enjoy a brand new episode of Renegade Animation! This time, @camseyeview.biz, @crazylemur.bsky.social, and I finally get to talk about Arco, while addressing the current state of Indie Animation! Look in the description for our personal Indie pilot recommendations!
Arco and the State of Indie Animation - Renegade Animation #211
YouTube video by Renegade Pop Culture
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Enjoy a brand new episode of Renegade Animation! This time, @camseyeview.biz, @crazylemur.bsky.social, and I finally get to talk about Arco, while addressing the current state of Indie Animation! Look in the description for our personal Indie pilot recommendations!
So here's the thing: The Muppet Show special was great, exactly what Disney needed to do since 2011. But I gotta be honest, The Muppets Mayhem might actually be my favorite Muppet Studios production. It just feels like it was made specifically for me, and it helps that the music is amazing as well!
a group of muppets playing instruments with the words the electric mayhem
ALT: a group of muppets playing instruments with the words the electric mayhem
media.tenor.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:54 AM
So here's the thing: The Muppet Show special was great, exactly what Disney needed to do since 2011. But I gotta be honest, The Muppets Mayhem might actually be my favorite Muppet Studios production. It just feels like it was made specifically for me, and it helps that the music is amazing as well!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, you're not allowed to hate The Muppets! If it's not your cup of tea, it's not your cup of tea. You don't even have to love every single Muppet production.
We need the Muppets, and we need them to be as ubiquitous as they were in the 70's again!
We need the Muppets, and we need them to be as ubiquitous as they were in the 70's again!
a sign for the muppet show has a fancy design around it
ALT: a sign for the muppet show has a fancy design around it
media.tenor.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, you're not allowed to hate The Muppets! If it's not your cup of tea, it's not your cup of tea. You don't even have to love every single Muppet production.
We need the Muppets, and we need them to be as ubiquitous as they were in the 70's again!
We need the Muppets, and we need them to be as ubiquitous as they were in the 70's again!
I love the Muppets, you love the Muppets, everyone loves the Muppets! I genuinely hope that #TheMuppetShow special emboldens Disney to give them another shot, because it was a fantastic showcase of what made the original series so special. Sabrina Carpenter was a perfect guest!
a kermit the frog appears on the muppet show logo
ALT: a kermit the frog appears on the muppet show logo
media.tenor.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
I love the Muppets, you love the Muppets, everyone loves the Muppets! I genuinely hope that #TheMuppetShow special emboldens Disney to give them another shot, because it was a fantastic showcase of what made the original series so special. Sabrina Carpenter was a perfect guest!
Tonight I will finish #WonderMan, picking up at episode 6, which probably has my favorite scene between Simon and Trevor so far! Anyone who's calling this series "boring" just because there's no superhero action is honestly watching this for the wrong reason.
two men are walking down a hallway with wonder man written on the wall behind them
ALT: two men are walking down a hallway with wonder man written on the wall behind them
media.tenor.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Tonight I will finish #WonderMan, picking up at episode 6, which probably has my favorite scene between Simon and Trevor so far! Anyone who's calling this series "boring" just because there's no superhero action is honestly watching this for the wrong reason.
Time to shine a spotlight on some pilots!
🧵 Here is my thread of the indie animation pilots I have checked out. These will be quick, honest thoughts with a simple letter grade. However I feel about the end product, I'm glad these teams got something made in these chaotic times. Let's get started!
a cartoon character says " one art please " in front of spiders
Alt: a cartoon character says " one art please " in front of spiders
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Time to shine a spotlight on some pilots!
I had an absolute blast with #SendHelp! Sam Raimi puts Misery and Castaway in a blender, while Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien make excellent scene partners. It's violent and bloody, but also incredibly silly, par for the course in a Sam Raimi joint.
A review of Send Help (2026)
Quick thoughts: January comes to a close with a brand new movie from Sam Raimi, his first foray back into horror since 2009's Drag Me to Hell. I've been excited for this one ever since it was first an...
letterboxd.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:53 AM
I had an absolute blast with #SendHelp! Sam Raimi puts Misery and Castaway in a blender, while Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien make excellent scene partners. It's violent and bloody, but also incredibly silly, par for the course in a Sam Raimi joint.
I consider it tied with All You Need is Kill.
January 31, 2026 at 3:53 AM
I consider it tied with All You Need is Kill.
Iron Lung is a solid feature film directorial debut from Markiplier! He impressed me with his dramatic acting chops, and while it does overstay its welcome, it mostly succeeds as a contained thriller. A comfortable recommendation!
A review of Iron Lung (2025)
Quick Thoughts: It's 2026, time to admit that YouTube is every bit as valid a starting point for this current generation of filmmakers as music videos were for some of the biggest names in the 80's an...
letterboxd.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:49 AM
Iron Lung is a solid feature film directorial debut from Markiplier! He impressed me with his dramatic acting chops, and while it does overstay its welcome, it mostly succeeds as a contained thriller. A comfortable recommendation!
#WonderMan episode 4 might just be the best episode of television I've seen in a very long time. The story of DeMarr "Doorman" Davis is both funny and tragic, and it explains enough of why the Department of Damage Control is after Simon Williams. Incredible stuff!
a man in a denim jacket stands in front of a brick wall with kepler written on the bottom right
ALT: a man in a denim jacket stands in front of a brick wall with kepler written on the bottom right
media.tenor.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:53 AM
#WonderMan episode 4 might just be the best episode of television I've seen in a very long time. The story of DeMarr "Doorman" Davis is both funny and tragic, and it explains enough of why the Department of Damage Control is after Simon Williams. Incredible stuff!
I'm only 3 episodes into #WonderMan, wasn't able to binge the full series tonight. Nevertheless, I'm enjoying the show so far! I don't really care how closely it ties to the rest of the MCU, because what's pulling me in is the acting, and the character writing. It's just good TV!
a man sits on a couch with a disney + logo on the bottom
ALT: a man sits on a couch with a disney + logo on the bottom
media.tenor.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:12 AM
I'm only 3 episodes into #WonderMan, wasn't able to binge the full series tonight. Nevertheless, I'm enjoying the show so far! I don't really care how closely it ties to the rest of the MCU, because what's pulling me in is the acting, and the character writing. It's just good TV!
Enjoy a brand new episode of Renegade Animation! This time, @camseyeview.biz, @crazylemur.bsky.social, and I share our thoughts on Fureru, and All You Need is Kill!
All You Need is Kill and Fureru - Renegade Animation #209 | RPC | Renegade Pop Culture - Podcasts on Animation, Movies, and Video games
In this episode, Captain Kaye, the Animation Guru, and the Crazy Lemur share their thoughts on All You Need is Kill , and Fureru ! They also pay tribute to director and screenwriter Roger Allers (Ju...
www.renegadepopculture.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Enjoy a brand new episode of Renegade Animation! This time, @camseyeview.biz, @crazylemur.bsky.social, and I share our thoughts on Fureru, and All You Need is Kill!
January has been a much better month for animation than last year, and here is another example of that. #CosmicPrincessKaguya is a delightful animated musical fantasy with great original songs that successfully updates an old Japanese prose. See it ASAP!
A review of Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (2026)
Quick thoughts: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter is an old Japanese prose from the Heian Period that tells the tale of a princess from the moon who is discovered as a baby inside the stalk of a glowing b...
letterboxd.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:30 AM
January has been a much better month for animation than last year, and here is another example of that. #CosmicPrincessKaguya is a delightful animated musical fantasy with great original songs that successfully updates an old Japanese prose. See it ASAP!
Fair point. Like I said, my entry into the fandom was the 2002 series, so I’m not quite as familiar with some of the older lore.
January 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Fair point. Like I said, my entry into the fandom was the 2002 series, so I’m not quite as familiar with some of the older lore.
I think I share your "mixed" optimism, but having grown up watching the 2002 animated series first, what I like is how much they're taking the mythology seriously, while still having a sense of humor.
The earth stuff we really didn't need though.
The earth stuff we really didn't need though.
January 22, 2026 at 2:53 PM
I think I share your "mixed" optimism, but having grown up watching the 2002 animated series first, what I like is how much they're taking the mythology seriously, while still having a sense of humor.
The earth stuff we really didn't need though.
The earth stuff we really didn't need though.
Listen, she's young, you'll see Chase Infiniti again down the road.
And the reason I'm not mad? Sinners broke the damn record!!!
And the reason I'm not mad? Sinners broke the damn record!!!
January 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Listen, she's young, you'll see Chase Infiniti again down the road.
And the reason I'm not mad? Sinners broke the damn record!!!
And the reason I'm not mad? Sinners broke the damn record!!!
Good morning, how are we all feeling?
Oscar Nominations 2026 (Updating Live)
See the full Oscar 2026 nominations.
variety.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Good morning, how are we all feeling?
She's the new Meryl Streep.
January 22, 2026 at 1:52 PM
She's the new Meryl Streep.
I think Coogler is safe for director.
The one I'm worried about falling off is Chloe Zhao.
The one I'm worried about falling off is Chloe Zhao.
January 22, 2026 at 4:42 AM
I think Coogler is safe for director.
The one I'm worried about falling off is Chloe Zhao.
The one I'm worried about falling off is Chloe Zhao.
Tomorrow morning the Oscar nominations will be announced. What last minute predictions do you have? Which movies do you think are guaranteed a spot, and which are your long shots?
a man is holding an oscar statue in front of a hollywood sign .
ALT: a man is holding an oscar statue in front of a hollywood sign .
media.tenor.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Tomorrow morning the Oscar nominations will be announced. What last minute predictions do you have? Which movies do you think are guaranteed a spot, and which are your long shots?