On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, it's Wakanda forever as Black Panther continues to reign as champion. March is trying to roar in like a lion with Red Sparrow and Death Wish, but the panther powered with vibranium has a ton of momentum.

On the home entertainment front, things pick up a bit this week with Coco leading a strong slate including Murder on the Orient Express and The Shape of Water. Television slows down a little with the rebooted MacGyver, but our retro title is the iconic Lady and the Tramp. Finally, Denise gives us updates on Battlestar Galactica, a whole lotta Stephen King, and a bat-farewell to Whedon.

Enjoy the journey, because it's showtime on The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for February 27, 2018

Introduction

Opening Clip: Red Sparrow

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Black Panther – [Second Week]
#2 – Game Night – [New Release]
#3 – Peter Rabbit – [-1]
#4 – Annihilation – [New Release]
#5 – Fifty Shades Freed – [-2]
#6 – Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – [-2]

#7 – The 15:17 to Paris – [-2]
#8 – The Greatest Showman – [-2]
#9 – Every Day – [Limited Release]
#10 – Early Man – [-3]

Box Office Premieres

March 2, 2018: Wide

Red Sparrow – [R]
Death Wish – [R]

March 2, 2018: Limited

Foxtrot – [R]
They Remain – [NR]
Submission – [NR]
Souvenir – [NR]
Dance Academy: The Movie – [NR]

Home Entertainment

February 27, 2018: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Coco – [PG]

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – [R]

Darkest Hour – [PG-13]

Murder on the Orient Express – [PG-13]

February 20, 2018: New Releases on Digital Video

The Shape of Water – [R]

February 20, 2018: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

MacGyver: Season One (2017)

Diff’rent Strokes: Season Seven (1984)

Green Acres: Season Five (1969)
Mayberry R.F.D.: Season One (1968)

February 13, 2018: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Lady and the Tramp (1955) – [G]

Podcast Promos

MASH 4077 Podcast

MASH 4077 Podcast is a fan cast covering one of the most well known and highly successful series in television history. Hosted by Kenny, Meds, and Al, each episode will cover a single episode of MASH starting at the beginning with the pilot. We hope to share with our listeners some cool and informative behind the scene information, cool trivia and little know facts about this wonderful TV series.

Quick Flicks

Battlestar Galactica reboot update
The Dark Tower and Wheel of Time head to Amazon
The Bone Church is coming to TV
Joss Whedon and Batgirl

Links

Visit the Chronic Rift site
Send us an e-mail
Tweet on Twitter:  The Chronic Rift, The Weekly Podioplex, Denise, and Michael
Listen on Stitcher Radio

Leave a review on iTunes:  The Chronic Rift

Shop the Rift’s Best Bets or search our Amazon Store. 

Michael’s blog at Creative Criticality

Denise’s blog at Accessories Not Included

"Minerva, Mayhem and Millionaires"

Aired March 14, 1968

Minerva has a plan to rob the richest men in Gotham City while using her spa as a front for her operations.  It seems almost like a plausible story for the third season.  In fact, John went into it dreading it and then found in watching it and then talking about it with guest host, longtime Batman 66 fan, Robert Long, that it wasn't all that bad.  Robert goes so far as to point out that the episode has the beats of a condensed two-part second season story.  They also discuss the relationship between Barbara Gordon/Batgirl and Alfred compared with his relationship with Batman and Robin.  It may be the final review of the original series, but it's not the end of the podcast as John explains towards the end.  Thank you so much for listening and thanks for your continuing comments here and to thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

Robert Long is a full time graphic designer and independent filmmaker.  As a first generation Batman syndication kid, he manages the 1966-68 Batman Television Series Group on Facebook.  He has had the pleasure to meet and work with Adam West and Julie Newmar with various projects in the past.  Visit Robert's production company - Smash or Trash Independent Filmmakingto learn more about it.

Isis

"Bigfoot"

October 25, 1975

Lee and Cindy claim to have seen Bigfoot while walking through the woods.  Is it possible?  Rick has a hard time believing it, but when the kids begin to panic and decide to hunt the beast down, Isis steps in and discovers the secret of Bigfoot (long before Steve Austin did).

John is especially excited to tackle this episode in light of his love for Bigfoot on The Six Million Dollar Man, but there are problems with it as John and Richard discuss.  Plus, they also talk about how Isis managed to debunk supernatural tropes that were popular in the 70s, wonder how a man with shoes leaves a bare footprint, and discuss the second issue of the DC Comics The Mighty Isis Series, "The Creature from Dimension X" and "Lost and Found".

It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode.  Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.

Moral: "There's a well-known proverb that says, "You can't judge a book by its cover."  What that means is that you can't tell what something is like just by the way it looks.  That's especially true of people.  So whether they be tall or short, thin or fat, remember, the way a person acts, not how he looks, that is what counts."

​

Guest Cast

Scott Colomby as Lee Webster

Neil J. Schwartz as Mickey Moses

William Engesser as Bigfoot (Richard)

&

Albert Reed as Dr. Joshua Barnes

Recorded on Facebook Live February 25, 2018.

It's that time of the month, when John gets a hankering for taking a look at all things pop culture and reviewing them with a group of people whose opinion he trusts.  This month, the focus is on Marvel's Black Panther movie.  John is joined by Denise Lhamon of The Weekly Podioplex and artist Mike Fichera.  Together they discuss Dan Persons' assertion that Marvel didn't really push the envelope when it came to the social message of the movie.  Plus, they chat about the glut of super hero projects in general and is the bubble about to burst with thanks to commentary from Ken Holtzhouser.  It's all here, plus a little Bringing it to the Table for a new In Review for February 2018.

Contents:

3:40 - John is thrilled that the very short-lived 80s TV series The Master has been released on Blu-Ray in a remastered format, but he continues to question the powers that be that won't do the same for The Six Million Dollar Man & The Bionic Woman.

6:10 - Mike addresses the concerns that there is too many Marvel movies to keep up with, a discussion that will continue well into the episode.

11:45 - The Batcave Podcast promo

13:30 - Dan Persons offers his thoughts on the latest offering from the MCU,  Black Panther and we discuss what came across as an odd note in the review.

48:50 - Ken Holtzhauser opines on the glut of super hero entertainment and how we might just be reaching the bursting of the bubble.

Episode 46—Treknology

Science fiction writer Scott Pearson welcomes astrophysicist Ethan Siegel to discuss science and Treknology, his new book about how the technology of Star Trek compares with what we have now and what we could develop in the future. Plus, Ella reacts to the surprise at the end of Star Trek: Discovery’s first season finale. 

Segments

Intro :28

What Came First, Trek or Science 1:08

When Trek Took Hold 3:00

Science as a Career 5:19

On Becoming an Astrophysicist 7:30

All the Star Trek 9:46

What Do Cosmologists Do 10:30

Popularizing Science 14:14

Space Kilts! 15:43

Carl Sagan 16:55

Writing About Science 20:17

Treknology: Holograms 24:00 

Geordi’s VISOR 27:10

Synthehol 30:05

Tech That’s Better Than Trek 33:50

Universal Translators 35:08

Replicators 37:10

The Borg…But in a Good Way 38:00

Human Life Extension 41:05

Warp Drive 45:20

FtL Communication 50:29

Emergency Medical Hologram 51:41 

Transporters Would be Nice 54:20

Phasers 54:59

Bonus: Weather Control 56:28

Ella Reacts to Discovery Finale 59:36

On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, it's Wakanda forever as Black Panther breaks all sorts of records and secures the throne. Next week, games and aliens try to unseat the king as we visit Game Night and Annihilation, but the power of vibranium and T'Challa is hard to beat.

On the home entertainment front, it's a holiday clearinghouse as Daddy's Home 2, The Star, and the Twelfth Doctor's Christmas special make their debuts. In digital we get Thor: Ragnarok and a little dose of murder on the Orient Express. Also, television goes to Texas... Midnight, Texas, before returning us to the feet of The Master. Finally, Denise gives the week a send off with gifts of Scorsese in Rome and her thoughts on Black Panther. 

Spoiler: We both loved it.

Enjoy the journey, because it's showtime on the Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for February 20, 2018

Introduction

Opening Clip: Game Night

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Black Panther – [New Release]
#2 – Peter Rabbit – [Even]
#3 – Fifty Shades Freed – [-2]
#4 – Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – [Even]
#5 – The 15:17 to Paris – [-2]
#6 – The Greatest Showman – [-1]

#7 – Early Man – [New Release]
#8 – Maze Runner: The Death Cure – [-2]
#9 – Winchester – [-2]
#10 – The Post – [-2]

Box Office Premieres

February 23, 2018: Wide

Game Night – [R]
Annihilation – [R]

February 23, 2017: Limited

Hannah – [NR]
The Lodgers – [R]
Beasts of Burden – [R]
The Chamber – [NR]
Survivors Guide to Prison – [TV-MA]

Home Entertainment

February 20, 2018: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Daddy’s Home 2 – [PG-13]

The Star – [PG]

February 20, 2018: New Releases on Digital Video

Thor: Ragnarok – [PG-13]

Murder on the Orient Express – [PG-13]

February 20, 2018: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time (2017)

Midnight, Texas: Season One (2017)

The Master: The Complete Series (1984)

February 13, 2018: Blu-Rays From the Past 

The Night Walker (1964) – [NR]

Podcast Promos

The Anomaly Podcast

Welcome to Anomaly Geek Girl Podcasts and Blog.  Articles and episodes feature topics such as: Sci Fi and Fantasy books, games, movies & television shows, costuming & cosplay, conventions, theatre & general geek culture. There’s a little something here for the geek in every one.

Quick Flicks

Martin Scorsese tackles Rome
Black Panther spoiler-free review

Links

Visit the Chronic Rift site
Send us an e-mail
Tweet on Twitter:  The Chronic Rift, The Weekly Podioplex, Denise, and Michael
Listen on Stitcher Radio

Leave a review on iTunes:  The Chronic Rift

Shop the Rift’s Best Bets or search our Amazon Store. 

Michael’s blog at Creative Criticality

Denise’s blog at Accessories Not Included

"FREEWAY TO DEATH"

AIRED: DECEMBER 16, 1966

The Hornet and Mike Axford teaming up?  How is this possible?  When Britt orders Mike to work with the Hornet in order to bring down a construction racket, Mike has his own ideas that could threaten his life.  John and Jim are in agreement that this is a "Must Watch" episode, but they're not entirely sure why.  Is it the appearance of Jeffrey Hunter?  Is it the Black Beauty versus three bulldozers?  Is it the Hornet Mortars?  Is it the Hornet and Mike working together?  Take a listen and maybe you can help them figure it out.  Also, the two take a moment to talk about the late Van Williams and his legacy of The Green Hornet.

The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra"
Aired March 7, 1968

It's the penultimate episode of the series and it seems to lack any spark or energy to it despite featuring Ida Lupino and Howard Duff as alchemist Dr. Cassandra and her groovy husband Cabala.  That alone should make it exciting, but then add Batgirl in the Batcave and a prison break featuring six of the villains from Batman's Rogue's Gallery and you should have a classic - and yet, nothing.

​Joining John to discuss an episode that's only thing that makes it stand out is the sexual innuendo is writer/editor Jim Beard of Gotham City 14 Miles.

​NOTE: Thanks to listener David Maska for supplying us with the PSA that is featured at the start of this episode.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

Websites

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

Recorded on Facebook Live on Sunday, February 18, 2018.

The first season of Star Trek: Discovery is in the books and enough time has passed that we can have a spoiler filled discussion of what worked and what didn't.  John and guest, writer Julio Angel Ortiz, get into their favorite moments, episodes, and characters as well as discuss the fan reaction to the new series overall.  In addition, they offer their suggestions for a second season in 2019.  

Julio Angel Ortiz is a writer in both print and electronic media. Julio has had an audio drama released for the original sci-fi series The Dome and short stories published in collections by Obverse Books featuring Iris Wildthyme and Señor 105. He also has several eBooks available for Kindle via his Vox Camera imprint. When not banging his head against his notebook in order to string words together, Julio works in Information Technology during the day and is also active blogging, posting on Twitter, and working at his photography.

On “The Great Gildersleeve,” Gildy receives a visit from his old friends (and stars of their own radio show), Fibber McGee and Molly.  Knowing he’s in for some ribbing, Gildy tries to hide the fact that he’s engaged to be married.  Then on “X Minus One,” we have an adaptation of a classic bit of science fiction by Fredric Brown, “The Last Martian.”

Episodes

The Great Gildersleeve

January 10, 1943

“Fibber McGee and Molly Visit”

2:48

X Minus One

August 7, 1956

“The Last Martian”

32:45