On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, it took three new releases to dethrone the jungle. The king and queen are the torrid pair of Fifty Shades Freed, but they have only a mere week to enjoy their reign. Next week, we visit Wakanda and King T'challa, better known as the Black Panther. It's shaping up to be a big, marvelous adventure.

On the home entertainment front, physical media brings both Wonder and Roman J. Israel, Esq, while digital goes to Coco and the Justice League. TV on DVD explores the New York City sex industry with Deuce and time and space with the Peter Capaldi run of Doctor Who. After that, zombies gotta eat as we revisit the Night of the Living Dead. Finally, Denise wraps up the show with Game of Thrones and Star Wars, the end of the line (maybe) for Thor, and an update on the scandals rocking Hollywood.

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

This week's promo is for Geek Radio Daily.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for February 13, 2018

Introduction

Opening Clip: Black Panther

Box Office Report

Top Ten

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

#7 – Winchester – [-4]
#8 – The Post – [-3]
#9 – The Shape of Water – [Even]
#10 – Den of Thieves – [-2]

Box Office Premieres

February 16, 2018: Wide

Black Panther – [PG-13]
Early Man – [PG]
Samson – [PG-13]

February 16, 2017: Limited

Aiyaary – [NR]
The Party – [R]
Loveless – [R]
Nostalgia – [R]
Oh Lucy! – [NR]
Double Lover – [NR]
Tehran Taboo – [NR]
The Boy Downstairs – [PG-13]
The Monkey King 3 – [NR]
Mind Game – [NR]
Western – [NR]

Home Entertainment

February 13, 2018: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Wonder – [PG]

Roman J. Israel, Esq. – [PG-13]

February 13, 2018: New Releases on Digital Video

Coco – [PG]

Justice League – [PG-13]

February 13, 2018: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Doctor Who: The Peter Capaldi Years (2014-2017)

The Deuce: Season One (2017)

The Lazarus Man: The Complete Series (1996)

February 13, 2018: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Night of the Living Dead (1968) – [NR]

Podcast Promos

Geek Radio Daily

Geek Radio Daily is a place for geeks and stealth geeks alike to hang out and talk about a variety of geeky topics. Check out the sometimes weekly podcast…..sWeekly, if you will.  The GRD sWeekly ‘cast is usually available on Mondays, and if you are new to the show, just jump right in!

Quick Flicks

Uma Thurman and Kill Bill
The State of New York vs Harvey Weinstein
Star Wars meets the producers of Game of Thrones
Chris Hemsworth is done with Thor (no he’s not)

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

Isis

"Lucky"

October 18, 1975

Randy is getting ready to enter high school and he's looking forward to it, even though it means leaving his dog Lucky behind during the day.  When Lucky drowns in the ocean during a beach party, Randy struggles with his loss.  And when he questions Isis for not using her powers to revive Lucky, Isis must teach him a lesson on life and death.

In the most heartwarming and heartbreaking episode of either series, John and Richard discuss the dealing with loss in one's life.  Plus, they also look at the first issue of DC Comics' The Mighty Isis comic book and rave about Joanna Cameron's acting in light of her performance in this episode.  In the end though, is this one of the best, if not the best episode of the series?  John and Richard are of mixed thoughts about this.

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: "Losing something we love is never easy, but it's a part of growing up.  Growing up doesn't mean just getting bigger and older, it means learning and understanding about life.  The cycle of life is all around us.  If you look, you'll see it everywhere - flowers, people, animals.  But remember, every ending is a beginning full of hope and promise and new life."

Guest Cast

John Doran as Randy Martin

Brian Nash as Glenn

Robert Forward as Dr. Herb Rogers

Recorded on Facebook Live

February 11, 2018

It’s the 25th anniversary of the release of the movie Groundhog’s Day. There is something about a time loop that fascinates most everyone, be it for the comedy or drama potential. We’re going to discuss just what makes a good time loop story and of course talk about Groundhog’s Daywith The Podcast Cowboy Clay Dugger and Denise Lhamon of The Weekly Podioplex.

On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, the jungle returns as Winchester debuts in third place. This week, three differing genres will compete against the board game that will not die: Historical drama in The 15:17 to Paris, family comedy with Peter Rabbit, and thriller with Fifty Shades Freed. They get one week before Marvel arrives, so they have to make it count.

On the home entertainment front, Batman goes Victorian in Gotham By Gaslight. We also see Bad Moms surviving Christmas, the Darkest Hour on digital, and a plethora of retro classics on TV. We wrap up the home entertainment slate and the show overall with the HD debut of the adorable mutt Benji. 

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

Weekly Podioplex Notes for February 6, 2018

Introduction

Opening Clip: The 15:17 to Paris

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – [+1]
#2 – Maze Runner: The Death Cure– [-1]
#3 – Winchester – [New Release]
#4 – The Greatest Showman – [Even]
#5 – The Post – [Even]
#6 – Hostiles – [-3]

#7 – 12 Strong – [-1]
#8 – Den of Thieves – [-1]
#9 – The Shape of Water – [-1]
#10 – Paddington 2 – [-1]

Box Office Premieres

February 3, 2018: Wide

The 15:17 to Paris – [PG-13]
Peter Rabbit – [PG]
Fifty Shades Freed – [R]

February 3, 2017: Limited

Aiyaary – [NR]
Padman – [PG-13]
Before We Vanish – [NR]
La Bode de Valentina – [R]

Home Entertainment

February 6, 2018: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – [R]

A Bad Moms Christmas – [R]

Only the Brave – [PG-13]

February 6, 2018: New Releases on Digital Video

Darkest Hour – [PG-13]

February 6, 2018: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Homeland: Season Six (2017)

Bosom Buddies: The Complete Series (1980-1982)

The Guardian: The Complete Series (2001-2004)

Duckman: The Complete Series (1994-1997)

The Ren & Stimpy Show: The Mostly Complete Collection (1991-1996)

War of the Worlds: The Complete Series (1988-1990)

February 6, 2018: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Benji (1974) – [G]

Podcast Promos

Tuning in to SciFi TV

Tuning in to SciFi TV is the genre fan's weekly guide to science fiction and fantasy television. Think of us as the viewer’s digest, tour guides or sherpas for the genre rather than critics. We’ll always share our honest opinions but we also plan to keep things fun.

Quick Flicks

None

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

"The Joker's Flying Saucer"

Aired February 29, 1968

The final Joker episode for Batman 66 is not exactly a fan favorite, but there are things of merit in the episode that are worth discussing. There were missed opportunities in a story that went beyond even the insanity of Joker surfing by having Joker build an unidentified flying object to terrorize Gotham City. And who is Verdigris?  Is being a Martian his shtick?  Is he just a bomb expert?  Or is he a bunko artist?

Joining John to discuss what could have been a two-part story based on the high concept ideas expressed but never fully realized is writer/editor Jim Beard of Gotham City 14 Miles.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. 

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

"THE SECRET OF THE SALLY BELL"

AIRED: DECEMBER 9, 1966

The Sally Bell returns to dock after having mysteriously disappeared.  There's only one survivor who is now injured thanks to a Hornet's Sting.  With the aid of a doctor, the Hornet tries to protect the man from his comrades who are all trying to discover the secret of the Sally Bell.  John and Jim are back to being at odds over the merits of this particular episode.  They do both agree though that the character of Honey Boy is absolutely useless.  Take a listen and let us know what you think.

​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.

Originally broadcast on Facebook Live on February 5, 2018.

It’s the 50th anniversary of the premiere of the original “Planet of the Apes” movie starrring Roddy McDowell as Cornelius. SInce then, there have been five movies in the original movie series, a cartoon, a TV series, various comic book series, a failed attempt at reviving the franchise in 2001, and a more successful revivial that continues to produce hit movies to this day.

We take a look at the history of this franchise with Dan Greenfield of 13thDimension.com, and writer Jim Beard. What stands out? What survives the test of time and what do we wish we could just say never happened? Considering the political climate today, what should future movies deal with in plotlines?

Shazam!

"The Odd Couple"

October 18, 1975

Dan is much too proud to ever ask help from anyone to the point where he risks his and his girlfriend's lives.  But will he learn a lesson when he sees the World's Mightiest Mortal asking for help from the Champion of Truth and Justice?

Long before Hercules and Xena - long before Buffy and Angel - long before Steve Austin and Jaime Sommers, there was Captain Marvel and Isis.  It's the first of several team-ups featuring the two stars of our iconic Saturday morning TV shows.  The question is, is it all worth it?  Is the story worthy of such a meeting?  John and Richard discuss this as well as begin a series of reviews of the DC Comics Isis series from 1976-77.  They start with Isis' first appearance in Shazam! #25.

​

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 are a lot of things we can do by ourselves, but it's kind of foolish and maybe even dangerous to try to do something when we don't know how."

Guest Cast

Steve Benedict as Dan Haley

Cindy Eilbacher as Susie Walsh

&

Joanna Cameron as Andrea Thomas and Isis

Originally Broadcast on Facebook Live: January 28, 2018

Author, TV host, writer/producer Herbie J Pilato joins John to chat about his upcoming television show "Then Again with Herbie J Pilato" (premiering in 2018 on the Decades TV Network). We also discuss his creation of the Classic TV Preservation Society, his numerous written works on classic TV shows and actors, and his love for Elizabeth Montgomery and the television series, "Bewitched".

Plus, Daniel Persons reviews Stephen King's It 2017 and Have a Nice Day HD movie and John suggests a unique Valentine's Day gift.

It's all here on a new episode of The Chronic Rift!

Herbie's Links

Homepage

Classic TV Preservation Society

Herbie's TV Articles

Then Again Homepage

On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, the Death Cure outlasted the jungle, but it's not all sunshine and roses on this side of the maze. The final Maze Runner film is a bit of a disappointment, and that stumble leaves the field wide open for mystery thriller Winchester. Young adult adaptation vs spooky haunted house? Who's the winner here?

On the home entertainment front, we get the history of Wonder Woman and her creator, Professor Marston. We also get Boo! 2 from Madea and a Wonder on digital. TV on DVD kicks in a queen with Victoria and a classic with the Pink Panther (and Henry Mancini's iconic brass). Denise wraps it all up with the Quick Flicks, telling us tale of Space Mom Carrie Fisher's final award, Indy 5, Doctor Sleep, and Elon Musk's supposed zombie apocalypse.

It's showtime on the Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for January 30, 2018

Introduction

Opening Clip: Winchester

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Maze Runner: The Death Cure – [New Release]
#2 – Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – [-1]
#3 – Hostiles – [+20, Wide Release]
#4 – The Greatest Showman – [+1]
#5 – The Post – [-1]
#6 – 12 Strong – [-4]

#7 – Den of Thieves – [-4]
#8 – The Shape of Water – [+8]
#9 – Paddington 2 – [-3]
#10 – Padmaavat – [New Release]

Box Office Premieres

February 3, 2018: Wide

Winchester – [PG-13]

February 3, 2017: Limited

A Fantastic Woman – [R]
The Cage Fighter – [NR]
Bilal: A New Breed of Hero – [PG-13]
A Ciambra – [NR]

Scorched Earth – [R]

Home Entertainment

January 30, 2018: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women – [R]

Boo 2! A Madea Halloween – [PG-13]

January 30, 2018: New Releases on Digital Video

Wonder – [PG]

January 30, 2018: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

The Pink Panther Cartoon Collection: Volume One – 1964-1966 (1964-1966)

Victoria: Season Two (2017)

Ray Donovan: Season Five (2017)

January 30, 2018: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Class of 1999 (1990) – [NR]

Podcast Promos

Earth Station One

Earth Station One is a pop culture podcast & blog celebrating our love for all things Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comics & much, much more.

Quick Flicks

Carrie Fisher wins a posthumous Grammy Award
Elon Musk not creating a zombie apocalypse... promise!
Jennifer Hudson is Aretha Franklin in upcoming biopic
Indiana Jones 5 filming in 2019 with Steven Spielberg
Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining, is coming to film

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