This week, we take our discerning look to a new level. We do our usual good-stuff/bad-stuff style review of the post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie, "Children of Men," but first, we debate the contentious question, "Is it a Christmas movie?" - Which co-host(s) said that "Children of Men" is a Christmas movie, and which co-host(s) said it wasn't? What were the reasons for their opinions? - What elements of the nativity story were undisputed as inspiring part of this movie's prem...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we continue our holiday trend with a review of the classic Christmas movie, "Home Alone." It would seem the sequels didn't do as well, but don't worry folks; this is the first movie in the Home Alone Cinematic Universe. - Which co-host was most surprised to like this movie? - Which co-host(s) appreciated the amount of story & character development that occurred outside the house-rigging scenes? - Which co-host was not that impressed with the movie, except f...
Dec 22, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast We continue our 2021 holiday season with a review of "Klaus," the award-winning animated movie for Netflix which takes a new and unexpected spin on the origin of Santa Claus, involving a postman, a woodsman, and a frigid island town. - Who called out one co-host for the mispronunciation of "cinematography" (it wasn't Joanna this time)? - Which co-host enjoyed the "family feud" aspect of the movie? - Which co-host appreciated the new animation techniques which led to this movie'...
Dec 08, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we kick off the holiday season with a review of the 2017 biographical Christmas film, "The Man Who Invented Christmas." We've all heard or seen the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, but this movie takes a different approach and depicts the author, Charles Dickens, in his conceptualization, writing, and publishing of his famous novella, "A Christmas Carol." - Which co-host is the big Charles Dickens fan? - Which co-host couldn't join us because he was sick? And, did we...
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast The holidays are upon us. In this special quasi-Thanksgiving-themed episode we (eventually) discuss things we're thankful for in the geek realm. We discuss some of our favorite movies & TV shows that made an impression on us this year, potential upcoming projects we're thankful are in development, and even some YouTube pages and other podcasts that we're thankful for. - Which movies did the co-hosts pick as their favorites of 2021 so far (not that there are many to choose f...
Nov 24, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Based on a real story & an article in the Wall Street Journal, we review the movie "Tag." In real life, 10 friends from Spokane, Washington, continue playing tag every February, even into adulthood, as a way of staying in each others' lives. In the movie, Hogan, Bob, Chilli, and Sable, work together in the month of May to tag their other best friend Jerry before he gets married and retires from the game. But, Jerry is a master of evasion & has still never been tagged th...
Nov 21, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast This week we venture into a realm of discovery, vision, and innovation, as we review the (somewhat?) inspirational sci-fi family film "Tomorrowland." The film is based on the future-themed attraction that has a version at each of Disney's resorts in Anaheim, Orlando, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. - Did this movie's message go deep enough or remain "surface level"? - As one of our rare PG-rated movies, what did Dave's kids think about it? - Which co-host made corr...
Nov 14, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast In this week's Whatcha' Doin'? episode for early November 2021, we cover a lot of TV and movie topics, including things we've watched recently and things we're looking forward to in the near future. Here's our list of main topics... - “Foundation” (Apple TV+) - “Legends of Tomorrow” (The CW) - “Fear Street” trilogy (Netflix) - “Dune” (2021) (in theaters & on HBO Max) - Marvel’s “What If…?” (Disney+) - “Call the Midwife” ...
Nov 09, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we take a slight departure from science fiction & fantasy as we review the Las Vegas heist film, "Ocean's Eleven" -- a movie that's a remake, not a sequel, despite what a number in the title might imply (even the original 1960 version had the number). Continuing our recent and unintentional tradition of contentious reviews, opinions were further apart on this movie than you might expect. We debate about cast chemistry, character skills & purposes, character motivations, ...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we review the 1990s sci-fi action-comedy, "Men In Black." - Which co-host was seeing the movie for the first time, and was it what he expected? - Which co-host(s) disliked the movie, and what aspects of it did he/they find to be redeeming qualities? - How well did the special effects hold up? - Which co-star in this movie allegedly had a reputation for being hard to work with? - Which co-host highlighted a non-human co-star of movie? - How well did ...
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast We continue our new special mini-series, Alpha-Movie-Bet, with our 2nd installment covering our favorite movies starting with the letters E, F, G, and H. Among our favorites and honorable mentions, we list... - 7 science fiction movies - 5 fantasy movies - 7 dramas - 4 comedies - 2 animated movies - 1 horror movie - 2 horror-comedies - And, 2 horror franchises ...And, out of those, nine individual movies (not counting those from the two horror fran...
Oct 10, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Listen now as we take a discerning look into the 1984 science fiction (or maybe fantasy) film "Dune" -- one of our most divisive movie reviews since "The Space Between Us" (who am I kidding; no review is more divisive than "The Space Between Us"). This 92 minute review is overflowing with opinion and analysis. At a running time this unintentionally epic, we possibly could have split this up into two episodes, *but*...we didn't think about that...so we didn't. Actually, that was one o...
Oct 03, 2021•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast BREAKING NEWS... Babylon 5, the all-time favorite TV show of one of our co-hosts, is getting a reboot that, basically, no one ever expected. Or, technically, it's being developed. There's still a chance it might not happen, but it least it's possible. We discuss our cautious optimism about the news, the long tweet from show creator J. Michael Straczynski confirming and clarifying the news, and all of our concerns, hopes, expectations, and reassurances about the this potentially...
Sep 29, 2021•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dave asks Todd how Dragon Con 2021 went. The discussion takes place a few days after it was over. We discuss how well the COVID safety measures worked, how well people followed the safety rules, what were some of the best panels & guests, what Dave would like to do when he finally gets to go to Dragon Con, and more. Check out episode #069 for Part 1 of the discussion that took place on the Wednesday before Dragon Con started where Todd explains how big the con is...
Sep 26, 2021•1 hr•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode was recorded on Wednesday 01 September, the day before the start of Dragon Con 2021. Todd had arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, to attend the con, and discussed with Dave what Dragon Con is all about. Topics covered... - The size & scope of the con (5 host hotels & two buildings of the AmericasMart in downtown Atlanta) - COVID safety measures taken to have an in-person con this year (2020 still happened but only online via "Dragon Con Goes Virtual")  ...
Sep 25, 2021•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we review "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." While previous on-screen incarnations have existed as TV movies or mini-series, this is the theatrical film from 2005. This is the first of three Narnia movies and is based on the first of seven Narnia children's novels written by C. S. Lewis in the 1950s. - Is it a product of our era that it's weird to see a story where kids are given weapons to fight a war? - Were the Narnia books tr...
Sep 19, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we conclude our discussion about the "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy, a special topic too epic to contain in just one episode. Last week we focused on characters. This week, we focus on what Dave calls Moments of Awesomeness -- and, there are many. Two moments were so awesome, in an emotional way, one co-host's voice cracked a bit just describing them. This topic was too epic for the typical lightning round. We instead do a pseudo-lightning round where we wrapped up...
Sep 12, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast We're finally doing it... We're finally taking a discerning look into one of the greatest (if not *thee* greatest) film trilogies of all time, "The Lord of the Rings." We discuss the theatrical versions vs. the extended editions, the movies vs. the books, and the awesomeness of the characters. Much of this first part is taken up with the following character superlatives. - Coolest Character - Funniest Character - Most Honorable Character - Most Important Chara...
Sep 07, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we review the classic middle installment of an almost-certainly-never-to-be-rebooted trilogy, "Back to the Future, Part II." We discuss the movie's story structure, tone, pacing, character focus, and the excellent cliffhanger ending. How much (or how little) does the movie's depiction of 2015 hold up to the 2015 we now know in our real world past? Do the special effects depicting flying cars hold up to today's standards? Is the alternate 1985 created by Biff fun, fun...
Aug 30, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast And, this week, something completely different. Again. This week, one of the Daves couldn't make it, so we postponed our review of (spoilers) "Back to the Future, Part II" and improvised with something we're calling...eh...Alpha-Movie-Bet. (There are mixed feelings about the name.) The concept is simple. We took turns discussing 2 or 3 of our favorite movies beginning with a certain letter, in alphabetical order. After nailing down the rules, we got through letters A, B, ...
Aug 22, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we have another Whatcha's Doin'? episode, where we talk about anything we're watching, reading, playing, or thinking about in the geek sphere (okay, admittedly no reading or playing this particular week, but we've covered books & games in other Whatcha' Doin'? episodes; check those out). In an effort to catch up after our two-week hiatus, we recorded this the same night as our Blade Runner review (check that out; episode #062). We covered the following topics. - ...
Aug 15, 2021•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast And...we're back! Sorry for the unexpected hiatus, but a couple of co-hosts were out of town on a vacation. This week, we are back on track with a review of the 1982 sci-fi classic film, "Blade Runner." Does this film stand the test of time? How well do its story, characters, and dialogue stack up against its impressive visuals? Are its visuals good enough to make up for any other shortcomings? Is this movie more about Harrison Ford's character, or is it really more...
Aug 08, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast And, this week, something completely different… We’ve chosen TV Series Premieres as the inaugural topic in our new series we tentatively refer to as…”What Should Andruw Watch?” (Let us know by e-mail or social media whether you prefer “Educating Andruw” or have an even better name.) You see, three of us on this podcast have been geeks longer than Andruw has been alive. We’ve accepted the mission of broadening his geek horizons in things he hasn’t had the time, opportunity, or inclina...
Jul 25, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we review the last two episodes of the Disney+ MCU series "Loki." We discuss how episodes 5 & 6 stack up against the other four episodes, the relationship between Loki & Sylvie, the major new character introduced in the finale, and the nature of the timelines. What was the creature in the jar buried in the ground on the alien world? Where did all the lunch trays come from on that alien world? Where can you find information about all the many Easter eggs sprea...
Jul 20, 2021•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast We started podcasting exactly 12 months ago in the midst of the pandemic, but finally, FINALLY, we have, FOR THE FIRST TIME, a review of not a years-old classic but a BRAND NEW RELEASE, in theaters, RIGHT NOW, in July 2021. This week we review the 24th MCU film, "BLACK WIDOW." And... Eh, it's okay. We discuss the overall feel of the movie, its value & placement within the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the experience of being back in the theater for the first time in 1.5 y...
Jul 17, 2021•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we journey back to 1985 and 1955, in our review of the period piece, teen coming-of-age story, bizarre family drama, and yes, sci-fi time travel classic, "Back to the Future." We discuss the film's extremely well-crafted story, the music and sound, some of the changes from the original premise to the finished story, the replacement of the lead actor weeks into production, and comparisons between this movie and "Rick and Morty" and "Buckaroo Banzai." Grab your skateboard, hazmat suit, ...
Jul 13, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we review the culmination of the MCU Phase 1 and the first Marvel movie to earn $1 billion, "The Avengers." We discuss the movie's moments of humor, our favorite moments, Loki as the antagonist, and the visuals. Does "The Avengers" hold up over time? How strong (or weak) is the story compared to the visuals and the coolness factor? Do parts of the plot even make sense? How does it compare to the other three Avengers movies? Grab your high tech armor, vibranium ...
Jul 08, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we review the first four episodes of the Disney+ MCU series, "Loki." We discuss the series' surprising turning points, the witty humor, and the buddy-cop-like chemistry between Tom Hiddleston as Loki and Owen Wilson as TVA agent Mobius. How does the "Loki" series compare to "WandaVision" and "Falcon and the Winter Soldier"? How do we think this TV show and the other shows are claiming their place in Phase Four and setting up future movies & series, something somewhat new to ...
Jul 04, 2021•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we review the World War II historical drama -- and the 5th movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe -- "Captain America: The First Avenger." We discuss the story, pacing, characters, excellent casting of characters (not just in this movie but for the entire MCU), the movie's handling of 1940s technology, and the portrayal of the friendship between Steve and Bucky. We also continue to spin the "Wheel of Insanity" to pick the next movie to review, and this week's spin proves the wheel to ...
Jun 26, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, our 2nd time having used the season 2 "Wheel of Insanity" feature to pick our movie randomly, we review the 1997 sci-fi film, "Gattaca." This is a film about a future (or maybe an alternate reality) in which status, opportunity, and personal value, are measured solely by DNA, not by experience or determination, with fetuses being genetically enhanced & optimized in the womb. This ends up being an impassioned review for at least one of our co-hosts. We discuss how the i...
Jun 20, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
