"I'll Be a Mummy's Uncle"

Aired February 22, 1968

We come to the last King Tut episode of the Batman 66 series and out of all the characters in the series, John has always struggled with his view of the Mad Monarch.  There is much to praise in this stand alone story, but there is also much to note as simply bad.  Tut manages to confirm that Bruce and Batman are one in the same and it's a battle royale in the Batcave to stop him from revealing it to the world.

​

Joining John to discuss the good and the bad of this episode, to lament the last appearance of the Batman fight theme, and to discuss the possibilities of a fourth season are writers/editors Robert Greenberger and Jim Beard of Gotham City 14 Miles.

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

 

Robert Greenberger (born July 24, 1958) is a writer and editor.

Greenberger was born in Brooklyn in New York City, the son of Edwin L. Greenberger and Joan Greenberger. A lifelong fan of comic books, comic strips, science fiction and Star Trek, he drifted towards writing and editing, encouraged by his father and inspired by Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent.

While at SUNY-Binghamton, Greenberger wrote and edited for the college newspaper, Pipe Dream, moving from general assignment writer to Arts Editor, Managing Editor and ultimately Editor-in-Chief.  He served an internship at Gannett’s Binghamton Sun-Bulletin as a feature writer and reviewer.

Upon graduation, he worked for Starlog Press as Managing Editor ofFangoria.  He was also an Associate Editor for Starlog and while there, created Comics Scene, the first nationally distributed magazine to focus on comic books, comic strips and animation.  The magazine lasted 11 issues before its first cancellation at which time Greenberger went to work on their sports magazines.

In 1984, he joined DC Comics as an Assistant Editor, working with Len Wein and Marv Wolfman on DC’s Golden Anniversary projects Who’s WhoandCrisis on Infinite Earths.  He went on to act as assistant editor to numerous titles for each editor until he was promoted to editor.  During his tenure, his titles included Star Trek, Suicide Squad, Warlord, Doom Patrol, Lois Lane, Action Comics Weekly, Time Masters, Secret Origins, The Hacker Files and others.

By 1990, he had given up editing to become the company’s Editorial Coordinator, helping grow the Editorial Administration department.  When he left the company, he was Manager-Editorial Operations.

In March 2000, he left DC to become a Producer for Gist Communications, television news and listings web site. After ten months there, he learned some new skills and got out before the dotcom bubble burst.

In January 2001, he joined Marvel Comics as Director-Publishing Operations.  During his year with the company, he oversaw editorial schedules, Production, Manufacturing, the Print Library, and other departments.

In January 2002, he left Marvel and rejoined DC in May 2002 as a Senior Editor-Collected Editions.  He helped grow that department, introducing new formats and improving the editions’ editorial content. He also managed DC’s ElfQuest publishing program.

He left DC in January 2006, becoming a freelance writer and editor.  His clients included Weekly World News, Platinum Studios, scifi.com, DC and Marvel. By June, he was offered the post of Managing Editor at Weekly World News where he helped transition the newspaper from being produced jointly in Florida and New York to just NYC.

When the paper folded in August 2007, he resumed his freelance career which continues to this date.  Along the way, he helped revitalize Famous Monsters of Filmland and served as News Editor at ComicMix from August through December 2008.

He is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.  He served on the final Nebula Short Fiction Jury.

 

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

"DEADLINE FOR DEATH"

AIRED: DECEMBER 2, 1966

John and Jim are back to being at odds with this episode.  Mike Axford is accused of a murder he didn't commit and the Hornet has to prove his innocence.  John found that the episode was slow to start, but picked up in pace greatly as it moved along.  Plus, it has another challenge for the Black Beauty and Kato gets to use the Hornet's Sting.

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.

For New Year’s, we sum up all of 1939.  First it’s “Information Please” from January of that year.  The guest is Alexander Wolcott, the inspiration for the titular character in our previous episode, “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”  The panelists take questions from columnist Walter Winchell, make up poker hands from Mother Goose, and identify famous generals.  Then on the “The Jack Benny Show” it’s New Year’s Eve.  Jack has a date, but forces conspire to prevent him from keeping it.  Western star Andy Devine drops by to talk about taking his parents to Phil Harris’ wild late show.

Episodes

Information Please

January 10 1939

Guest:  Alexander Wolcott

2:22

The Jack Benny Show

December 31,1939

“Gladys Zybisco Disappoints Jack on New Year’s Eve”

33:19

On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, we close out the year with a triple header and the return of the Jedi. Star Wars: The Last Jedi set a lot of second place records... and a lot of fanboy teeth on edge. Whichever way the lightsaber cuts, it's a win for Disney. This week's premieres, including the third outing for Pitch Perfect's bellas and a remake of Jumanji, will try to unseat the box office champ, but will the Force be with them?

Home entertainment brings several big titles home in time for the holidays, including Dunkirk, LEGO Ninjago, Blade Runner 2049, and The Mountain Between Us. TV on DVD visits Duckburg with the new DuckTales, as well as the last season of Dirk Gently. After that, Denise gives you news of Night Vale on TV, Watergate on Netflix, The Rock on the walk, and Sir Ian McKellan on the prowl.

From your friends at The Weekly Podioplex and The Chronic Rift Network,

have a happy, warm, and safe holiday season. We'll see you in 2018!

Weekly Podioplex Notes for December 19, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Pitch Perfect 3

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Star Wars: The Last Jedi – [New Release]
#2 – Ferdinand – [New Release]
#3 – Coco – [-2]
#4 – Wonder – [-1]
#5 – Justice League – [-3]
#6 – Daddy’s Home 2 – [Even]

#7 – Thor: Ragnarok – [-2]
#8 – The Disaster Artist – [-4]
#9 – Murder on the Orient Express – [-2]
#10 – Lady Bird – [-1]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
2007 – National Treasure: Book of Secrets
1997 – Titanic
1987 – Eddie Murphy Raw
1977 – Saturday Night Fever
 

Box Office Premieres

December 22, 2017: Wide

Pitch Perfect 3 – [PG-13]
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – [PG-13]
Downsizing – [R]
Father Figures – [R]

December 22, 2017: Limited

The Post – [PG-13]
Happy End – [R]

December 29, 2017: Wide

The Greatest Showman – [PG]
All the Money in the World – [R]

December 29, 2017: Limited

Molly’s Game – [R]
Phantom Thread – [R]
Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool – [R]

January 5, 2018: Wide

Insidious: The Last Key – [PG-13]

January 5, 2018: Limited

None

Home Entertainment

December 19, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Dunkirk – [PG-13]

mother! – [R]

The LEGO Ninjago Movie – [PG]

Stronger – [R]

December 26, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

The Mountain Between Us – [PG-13]

Flatliners – [PG-13]

Manhunt: Unabomber – [TV-14]

January 2, 2018: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

American Made – [R]

December 19, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

American Made – [R]

December 26, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

Blade Runner 2049 – [R]

January 2, 2018: New Releases on Digital Video

Geostorm – [PG-13]

December 19, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Ducktales: Volume One – Woo-Oo!  (2017)

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency: Season Two (2017)

December 26, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Acceptable Risk: Series One (2017)

January 2, 2018: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

None

December 19, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

The Kentuckian (1955) – [NR]

December 26, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Fletch Lives (1989) – [PG]

January 2, 2018: Blu-Rays From the Past 

The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) – [PG-13]

Podcast Promos

Full of Sith

The Full of Sith Podcast is a show dedicated to bringing the most interesting Star Wars conversations in the galaxy with hosts Bryan Young, Tha Mike Pilot, and Holly Frey.

Earth Station Who
Earth Station Who is a show dedicated to the culture around the BBC icon Doctor Who. Join Mike F, Mike G, and Mary Ogle as we explore the 50-year history and fandom surrounding the Doctor with reviews, interviews, and general discussions about the show. Be prepared for surprises, though; you never know WHO might pop up as a guest on Earth Station Who!

Quick Flicks

Welcome to Night Vale moves from podcast to television
George Clooney and Netflix ponder Watergate
The Rock gets a Hollywood star
Sir Ian McKellen is possessive of Gandalf

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

We present two Christmas-themed comedy programs this time.  First up, on “The Bob Hope Show,” guest Gregory Peck debates with Bob about who’s the handsomer.  Then Bob tries to buy a cheap Christmas tree.  On “The Great Gildersleeve,” Gildy spends considerable time and effort selecting just the right present for his old pal Fibber McGee.  Enjoy these broadcasts – which aired exactly seven years apart, as it happens – while trimming your tree or wrapping your gifts.

Episodes

The Bob Hope Show

December 21, 1948

Guest:  Gregory Peck

4:15

The Great Gildersleeve

December 21, 1941

 “Christmas Gift for Fibber McGee”

 35:51

On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, destiny is coming. Coco scored a box office turkey (just like Moana) and is about to hand the crown to a new Star Wars story (just like Moana). It's a Disney month, but that isn't stopping Warner Bros. and the limited release The Disaster Artist from making their respective marks on 2017. In home entertainment, the Kingsmen come home, as does a plethora of televised entertainment including Game of Thrones, Fuller House, Luke Cage, and Viper. Yes, I said Viper. It's like a low budget Knight Rider and it's delightfully '90s kitsch. 

Denise puts the stamp on the envelope with news of 2019's coming attractions, including The Witcher, The Twilight Zone, and The Phantom Tollbooth. Also, will you please leave David Harbour and Ron Perlman alone? All of that and a bit more make up a brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Isis

"Rockhound's Roost"

October 11, 1975

Kevin is a young student who tries to avoid any of his responsibilities at any cost.  But he goes too far when forges his father's name on a permission slip to avoid a cleanup job at home.  On the trip, Kevin continues to shirk his responsibilities and decides to run away before getting caught.  The problem is he brings along a fellow student named Fabian.  Will the two become lost or even worse or can Isis find them in time?

John and Richard discuss this episode in detail and also talk about how the episode is important for today's youth who many do not accept their responsibilities.  Plus, what is the deal with the bear?  It's pretty bad, even for Isis/Shazam standards.

 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: "Being responsible means knowing the right thing to do an doing it."

​

Guest Cast

Steven Paul as Kevin McCauley

Thomas Carter as Fabian

Bill DeLand as Mr. McCauley

On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, it's all quiet before the return of the Jedi. Coco is your champion once again with the limited newbies making a decent but not Top Ten worthy showing. This week, Coco faces off against The Shape of Water and Just Getting Started in one last bid for box office superiority. In home entertainment, Despicable Me returns alongside The Simpsons, Fargo, and Twin Peaks. After another holiday horror from the past, Denise brings it all to a close with news of Tarantino, Abrams, and Meyer on Trek, Johnson on Wars, and House of Cards without Spacey.

It's another short release list, but it's still here for you on a brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for December 5, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The Shape of Water

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Coco – [Second Week]
#2 – Justice League – [Even]
#3 – Wonder – [Even]
#4 – Thor: Ragnarok – [Even]
#5 – Daddy’s Home 2 – [Even]
#6 – Murder on the Orient Express – [Even]

#7 – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – [+3]
#8 – Lady Bird – [+3]
#9 – The Star – [-2]
#10 – A Bad Moms Christmas – [-2]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Skyfall
2007 – The Golden Compass
1997 – Flubber
1987 – Three Men and a Baby
1977 – The Goodbye Girl
 

Box Office Premieres

December 1, 2017: Wide

The Shape of Water – [R]
Just Getting Started – [PG-13]

December 1, 2017: Limited

I, Tonya – [R]
November Criminals – [PG-13]
Big Sonia – [NR]

Home Entertainment

December 5, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Despicable Me 3 – [PG]

December 5, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

Stronger – [R]

December 5, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

The Simpsons: Season Eighteen (2006)

Fargo: Season Three (2017)

Twin Peaks: Season Three – A Limited Event Series (2017)

December 5, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) – [R]

Podcast Promos

The Dead Robots Society

The Dead Robots’ Society was created by Justin Macumber in an effort to offer advice and support to other aspiring writers. All the hosts, current and former, have writing experience of some kind. They gather on a weekly basis to share stories of their individual journeys and discuss topics important to the world of writing. Occasional forays into the territories of brown dragons, taco eating cowboy space ninjas, or random discussions involving monkeys are all considered rumor at best and none of the hosts are willing to admit any of that actually happened.

Quick Flicks

Quentin Tarantino meets Star Trek?
Nicholas Meyer is actively pursuing a new Star Trek project
Rian Johnson’s new Star Wars trilogy not the Knights of the Old Republic
Bryan Singer fired from Bohemian Rhapsody
House of Cards continues, but without Kevin Spacey

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 Man Who Came to Dinner” was a 1939 Broadway comedy written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.  It has since become a classic.  When radio commentator and professional wit Sheridan Whiteside is visiting a prominent family in a small town in Ohio a few weeks before Christmas, he injures himself and is confined to their house for a month.  He may be stuck but the show must go on.  “Sherry,” as his friends call him, continues to run his business, see friends and associates, and drive his nice suburban hosts crazy.  This one-hour adaptation stars Clifton Webb and Lucille Ball.

Episodes

Lux Radio Theater

March 27 1950

“The Man Who Came to Dinner”

5:58

On a this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, we return to a world where the Justice League almost made it two for two, but the superior power of Disney and Pixar is hard to beat. Coco is your champion, and with only limited releases on the slate for this week's newbies, there's hardly any stopping a repeat performance. Home entertainment is equally sparse, highlighting Logan Lucky, Get Out, the second installment of the Kingsman adventures, and the return of the Gilmore Girls.

To wrap it all up, Denise talks Tolkien in a Lord of the Rings-apalooza! It's a short slate, but it's still a brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for November 28, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The Disaster Artist

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Coco – [New Release]
#2 – Justice League – [-1]
#3 – Wonder – [-1]
#4 – Thor: Ragnarok – [-1]
#5 – Daddy’s Home 2 – [-1]
#6 – Murder on the Orient Express – [-1]

#7 – The Star – [-1]
#8 – A Bad Moms Christmas – [-1]
#9 – Roman J. Israel, Esq. – [+28]
#10 – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – [-1]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
2007 – Enchanted
1997 – Flubber
1987 – Three Men and a Baby
1977 – Close Encounters of the Third Kind
 

Box Office Premieres

December 1, 2017: Wide

None

December 1, 2017: Limited

The Disaster Artist – [R]
Wonder Wheel – [PG-13]
Padmavati – [NR]
The Shape of Water – [R]
The Tribes of Palos Verdes – [R]
Love Beats Rhymes – [R]
Gangster Land – [NR]
Another WolfCop – [NR]

Naples ‘44 – [NR]

Slumber – [R]
Drawing Home – [NR]

Shadowman – [NR]

Home Entertainment

November 28, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Logan Lucky – [PG-13]

Get Out – [R]

November 28, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

Kingsman: The Golden Circle – [R]

November 28, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016)

November 28, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Misery (1990) – [R]

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 somtimes 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

The Lord of the Rings-apalooza!

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 Great Escape/The Great Train Robbery"

Aired February 1/8, 1968

It's the final two-part story for Batman 66.  It's also the final appearance of Cliff Robertson as Shame.  And it's a shame, really.  (Pun intended)  This episode has almost all the elements that make it feel like a second season episode rather than a third.  The only thing missing is a proper death trap.  So why did it take so long to come up with something like this?  Was it the fact that it was an established character that had proven popular?  Was it Stanley Ralph Ross' writing?  And what was with Adam West's poor man's Gary Cooper impression?

Joining John to discuss what worked and what didn't work in this story that made us long for the good old days is podcaster, The Hunnic Outcast.

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

HunnicOutcasts offers a variety of podcasts.  Whether it's unscripted/off the cuff or an in depth discussion, regarding T.V. films, literature, and/or video games.  

Learn more at 

https://www.facebook.com/hunnicoutcasts

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hunnicoutcasts/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hunnicoutcasts/id913787694?mt=2

http://www.spreaker.com/show/hunnicoutcasts

Twitter @hunnicoutcasts

http://www.geekcastradio.com/show-guide/syndicated-shows/hunnic-outcast-podcast

http://tangentboundnetwork.com/network-shows/

The Web Planet

Production: N

Airdates: February 13 - March 20, 1965

The TARDIS materializes on the planet Vortis, a world with a rarified atmosphere and a population of alien insects.  The time travelers are drawn into a conflict with the inhabitants, all being manipulated by an outside force.

This six parter was a tough one to get through and John isn't shy to point this out, but that's about all he can say about it.  What do you think of the story?  Perhaps you have a different opinion.  Leave your thoughts here and perhaps you can show John the error of his ways.

Current Rankings

1 - Dalek Invasion of Earth

2 - Marco Polo

3 - The Daleks

4 - The Aztecs

5 - The Romans

6 - An Unearthly Child

7 - The Reign of Terror

8 - Edge of Destruction

9 - The Rescue

10 - Planet of Giants

11- Keys of Marinus

12 - The Sensorites

13 - The Web Planet

"THE HUNTERS AND THE HUNTED"

AIRED: NOVEMBER 25, 1966

John and Jim find themselves reaching for things to even talk about this episode.  A group of wealthy industrialists gather to hunt the most dangerous game and they've set their sights on the Hornet and Kato.  It sounds like a great plot, but the execution leaves much to be desired.  Instead, the two spend more time talking about the salary disparities of the cast members of the show and those of Batman thanks to some trivia from The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson.  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.

We present two comedies, both Thanksgiving-themed, and both featuring the perils of trying to save money by buying a live turkey.  First on "Our Miss Brooks," teachers never have enough money, so Connie tries to work herself and her date into a big dinner with all the fixings at her principal’s house.  Then on “The Jack Benny Program,” you can trust Jack to try to save a few pennies by getting his turkey the hard way.  And it turns out to be even harder than he anticipated.

Episodes

Our Miss Brooks

November 19, 1950

“Thanksgiving Turkey”

2:01

The Jack Benny Program

November 29, 1953

“Thanksgiving Dinner”

32:40

On a special double digest edition of The Weekly Podioplex, we welcome the Thanksgiving holiday with two weeks in one show. This week's newbies were neck and neck, but they couldn't defeat the power of Thor and Ragnarok. This week, the marvelous God of Thunder faces off against DC Comics and the Justice League. If they're not enough, perhaps the heart-touching Wonder can sway the Odinson. Or perhaps, if they fail, Pixar and the tale of Coco? We shall see.

Home entertainment goes wild with Atomic Blonde, Valerian, Doctor Who and the final adventures of the Twelfth, Red Dwarf. TV also goes old school with the Dukes of Hazzard, The Incredible Hulk, and the last edition of the classic MST3K. Keep circulating the tapes.

After that, Denise covers the plethora of Disney and Star Wars news, says goodbye to Higgins, and almost dies from laughter as the mummy kills the monsters. It's showtime on a brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

On The Weekly Podioplex, the start of the holiday movie season was welcomed with thunderous acclaim as Thor: Ragnarok shook the box office and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This week, the son of Odin and his compatriots will hold the line against the star-studded remake of Murder on the Orient Express and another shot at Daddy's Home. Can Thor withstand the power of Hercule Poirot?

Home entertainment revs engines from top to bottom with Cars 3 and Speed Racer. The middle of the pack includes Valerian on digital, The Crown and Westworld, and a megapack of DC original animated movies. After that heart-pounding excitement, Denise gives us word of several exciting television prospects, including a Paperback Princess and a return to The Lord of the Rings. Altogether, it's brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Real-life bandleader for “The Jack Benny Show,” Phil Harris, and his wife, Alice Faye, had their own sitcom radio show during the 1940s – 50s.  Accompanied by his pal Frankie Remley (or is that Elliott Lewis?  Listen and all will be explained.), Harris would stumble into problems surpassed only by the team of Flintstone and Rubble.  This time around, it’s the infamous traffic in Los Angeles that will be the guys’ undoing.  Then it’s time to see what you remember from school.  On “College Quiz Bowl” we cover music, witches, and international capitals.

Episodes

The Phil Harris – Alice Faye Show

November 27, 1953

“The Traffic Problem in Los Angeles”

4:56

College Quiz Bowl

November 27, 1954

“Minnesota vs Smith”

34:59

Episode 44—Special Order 937

Science fiction writer Scott Pearson and his daughter, Ella, revisit the original Alien (1979) as they continue their epic review of the entire Alien movie series. Scott tries to live in a world where the prequels don’t exist, but Ella’s love of Walter keeps Covenant alive, making some comparing and contrasting with the classic film unavoidable!

Segments

Intro :28

Nothing Happened Before Alien :55

Opening Shots 1:30 

Real People, Real Scary 2:20

Creepy Sounds 4:24

Wakey, Wakey 5:15

Model Landing 6:15

Are There Other Aliens? 7:12

That Is NOT a Spacesuit 9:59

Don’t Stick Your Face in That Thing 10:38

Listen To Ripley, People 12:35

Introducing Sigourney Weaver 13:35

Facehugger 15:40

Chestburster 18:50

Space Monster Context 19:29

Alien as Slasher Movie 21:03

Part of the Ship or Dolly Track? 23:08

Brett and Jonesy and Dallas 24:30

Ash Freaks Out 27:37

Lambert Has a Bad Day 29:20

Watching for Decades 30:23

Okay, There Were Prequels 31:37

What Makes an Alien Movie? 36:25

Questions You Didn’t Ask, Answers You Don’t Want 38:10

Imagine a Sensible Prequel 38:56

Could You Have an Alien Film Without the Alien? 40:02

Daniels and Walter in Covenant 42:45

Run, Ripley, Run 44:04

Slasher’s Last Slash 44:51

Our Cat Cameos as Jonesy 45:48

Life Cycles and Cocoons  45:52

On The Weekly Podioplex, it was another slow week at the box office, but that was okay for audiences who wanted scares because Jigsaw was ready and willing. It wasn't pretty, but it did the job. This week should see a turn on those low receipts with the return of the god of thunder Thor as he faces Ragnarok.

Home entertainment takes a trip to The Dark Tower, ventures down Wind River, and brings complete sets of Orphan Black and Sherlock. It's a good week for television from the BBC. After that, Denise brings us word of meaty Aquaman tales, Stranger Things producers on the CW, a monsterpalooza, and a drain on your wallets. There you have it: A brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

(Good luck all you crazy NaNoWriMo challengers! We salute you.)

On The Weekly Podioplex, it was a slow week at the box office, and Madea took advantage over low critical ratings. In fact, none of the newbies scored particularly well, which makes us wonder if horror revival Jigsaw, dark comedy thriller Suburbicon, or military drama Thank You For Your Service can ascend to the top spot instead. Home entertainment is equally light, offering War for the Planet of the Apes, Atomic Blonde, Teen Wolf, and two retro thrillers among some other fare.  

Wrap it all up with Denise and news of Hollywood's sexual assault cases, ThinkGeek emptying your wallets, and more, and you have a brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

On “The Jack Benny Show,” Jack has a terrible time trying to listen to the 1950 World Series.  When he’s not being interrupted by visitors, his radio keeps jumping between a performance of “Bali Hai” and a boxing match from the 1920s.  Then “X Minus One” adapts Ray Bradbury’s classic short story, “The Veldt.”  How real is too real for the television of the future?

Episodes

The Jack Benny Show

October 8, 1950

“Jack Listens to the World Series and the Dempsey-Tunney Fight”

4:10

X Minus One

August 4, 1955

“The Veldt”

36:14

On The Weekly Podioplex, it was a good week to die over and over again as Happy Death Day wowed audiences and critics alike. This week, it hopes to survive against the combined might of a Geostorm, firefighters, a spiritual film, a snowman mystery, and another Madea Halloween. Home entertainment offers some solace if none of those is quite your jam as Spider-Man swings home on DVD. Streaming brings The Dark Tower, Target offers Stranger Things, and The Good Place and Batman are solid. 

After that, Denise wraps it up with the Quick Flicks as she talks Snoke, Movies Anywhere, sexual harassment tested against The Rock, and more. That's all on this brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

On The Weekly Podioplex, Blade Runner took charge, but it was a disappointing performance. This week brings historical biopics, action, and a slasher Groundhog Day to fight the replicants. Home entertainment brings driving action and caped crusaders, followed by historical television and an early start to Christmas. In the holiday's defense, this week's 70th anniversary film is a classic. 

After that, Denise brings it all to a close with a James Cameron festival. Buckle up, because she's taking him to task on a brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

On The Weekly Podioplex, the clown and the Kingsmen waged a close war for first, leaving all of the newbies in the dust. This week, both of the meet their match in the return of Blade Runner. There are also ponies and plane crashes, but come on. It's Blade Runner.

Home entertainment brings pirates, killer dolls, and the Book of Henry before diving into House of Cards, American Horror Story, 2 Broke Girls, and iZombie. But the big news this week is Superman and the much anticipated three-hour extended cut on blu-ray. 

After that, Denise brings it all to a close with news of Cleopatra, Hocus Pocus, a Game of Thrones (hopefully not red) wedding, and a revision of Hocus Pocus. All of that on a brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for October 3, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Blade Runner 2049

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Kingsman: The Golden Circle – [Second Week]
#2 – It – [Even]
#3 – American Made – [New Release]
#4 – The LEGO Ninjago Movie – [-1]
#5 – Flatliners – [New Release]
#6 – Battle of the Sexes – [+10]

#7 – American Assassin – [-3]
#8 – Home Again – [-2]
#9 – Til Death Do Us Part – [New Release]
#10 – mother! – [-5]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Taken 2
2007 – The Game Plan
1997 – Kiss the Girls
1987 – Fatal Attraction
1977 – Star Wars
 

Box Office Premieres

October 6, 2017: Wide

Blade Runner 2049 – [R]

My Little Pony: The Movie – [PG]

The Mountain Between Us – [PG-13]

October 6, 2017: Limited

The Florida Project – [R]
Una – [R]
Dina – [NR]
Walking Out – [PG-13]

Home Entertainment

October 3, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – [PG-13]

Cult of Chucky – [R]

The Book of Henry – [PG-13]

October 3, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

Sharknado 5: Global Swarming – [NR]

October 3, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

House of Cards: Season Five (2017)

American Horror Story: Season Six - Roanoke (2016)
2 Broke Girls: Season Six (2016)
2 Broke Girls: The Complete Series (2011-2017)

iZombie: Season Three (2015)

October 3, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Superman: The Movie (1978) – [PG]

Podcast Promos

The Quantum Leap Podcast

The Quantum Leap Podcast is a Barren Space Production with the purpose of exploring the Quantum Leap Universe episode by episode.  This podcast will cover all five seasons of one of the best television shows of all time by delving into all 96 episodes one by one and not spoiling upcoming plot points so first timers can follow along. We will be doing approximately two shows per month taking about three years. We will dissect each and every show looking for the meanings morals and lessons we can learn while keeping track of the overall arc of the show.

Quick Flicks

Sony taking on a Cleopatra biopic
Liam Neeson un-retired (!)
Jon Snow and Ygritte get hitched in real life
Hugh Hefner died at age 91
Tim Miller talks exit from Deadpool 2
Hocus Pocus remake

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

On The Weekly Podioplex, a sewer-dwelling clown was kicked to the curb by the Kingsmen. Both titles were clear winners this week, though time will tell if the Golden Circle will hold up to the legacy of the Secret Service. This week, both clown and Kingsman get a challenge from Tom Cruise: Drug Runner, a remake of Flatliners (mmmm, Bacon), a tale of domestic abuse, and a question of faith.  

Home entertainment opens with another Transformers spectacle, a tale of sharks vs. oxygen, and the return of Spider-Man doing everything a spider can. Television ups the ante with some Shameless action, a little Longmire, a whole lot of Sleepy Hollow, a certain set of skills in Taken, and one of the most catchy, upbeat theme songs ever heard on The Greatest American Hero. Finish off the home entertainment slate with Flatliners and Space Camp, then cap off your podcasting journey with Denise and news of Han Solo, Overwatch tackling toxicity, Jordan Peele hunting Nazis, and more. 

There you go. One brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex. And it's all yours courtesy of The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for September 26, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: American Made

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Kingsman: The Golden Circle – [New Release]
#2 – It – [-1]
#3 – The LEGO Ninjago Movie – [New Release]
#4 – American Assassin – [-2]
#5 – mother! – [-2]
#6 – Home Again – [-2]

#7 – Friend Request – [New Release]
#8 – Stronger – [New Release]
#9 – The Hitman’s Bodyguard – [-4]
#10 – Wind River – [-4]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Hotel Transylvania
2007 – The Game Plan
1997 – The Peacemaker
1987 – Fatal Attraction
1977 – Star Wars
 

Box Office Premieres

September 29, 2017: Wide

American Made – [R]

Flatliners – [PG-13]

Til Death Do Us Part – [PG-13]

A Question of Faith – [PG]

September 29, 2017: Limited

Judwaa 2 – [NR]
Battle of the Sexes – [PG-13]
Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House – [PG-13]
Lucky – [NR]
Super Dark Times – [NR]
Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton – [NR]
Literally, Right Before Aaron – [NR]
Abundant Acreage Available – [NR]

Home Entertainment

September 26, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Transformers: The Last Knight – [PG-13]

47 Meters Down – [PG-13]

September 26, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

Spider-Man: Homecoming – [PG-13]

September 26, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Shameless: Season Seven (2017)

Longmire: Season Five (2016)
Sleepy Hollow: Season Four (2016)
Sleepy Hollow: The Complete Series (2013-2017)

Taken: Season One (2016)

The Greatest American Hero: The Complete Series (1981-1983)

September 26, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Flatliners (1990) – [R]

SpaceCamp (1986) – [PG]

Podcast Promos

Techno Retro Dads

TechnoRetro Dads share the fandom and fun of their youth with their families as they build a bridge from the past to the future through the time spent with their kids in the present. Join JediShua and shazbazzar as they reminisce about the past while exploring the future of some of their favorite science fiction and fantasy properties of their youth. Listen in to discussions about the movies, music, games, and comics of the 70s and 80s as they share the days of their youth with their own kids in a positive, family-friendly atmosphere. If you’re a TechnoRetro Dad, the child of one, or just fondly remember the sci-fi/fantasy properties of the 70s and 80s, then this podcast is for you!

Quick Flicks

Ron Howard is a Han Solo tease
Overwatch to tackle toxicity
Jordan Peele going Nazi-bashing in The Hunt
Watchmen going to television on HBO
Edge of Tomorrow to be Live Die Repeat for the sequel?

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

On The Weekly Podioplex, demonic clowns kept mother! and assassins at bay. In fact, mother! joined an exclusive club where only the worst-received get to visit. This week, Pennywise faces off against the Kingsmen and LEGO ninjas. Itís a battle for the middle of September and seats are yours for the asking. 

Home entertainment brings us an Amazon princess in Wonder Woman, The Big Sick, and another Pirates movie, and television is swimming in great titles like Arrow, Timeless, and classic anniversary editions of Buffy, Firefly, and Friends. After a Marvel-ous Close Encounter or two in the Blu-Rays from the Past, Denise shows us out with news of Nightfliers, Star Wars, and the promise of NES Classics for everyone. Or some of us. Or maybe just that one guy. Who knows with Nintendo at the helm?

 On “You Bet Your Life” a horsewoman and a fisherman come in for some good-natured ribbing, but they give as good as they get from the one, the only, Groucho Marx.  And, as usual, a simple question like “How did you meet your spouse?” opens up a world of comedy.  Then on “Dragnet,” there is no honor among thieves.  When a jewel thief is caught, he’s quick to turn on his fellows once he learns that they’ve cheated him.

Episodes

You Bet Your Life

April 9, 1952

The Secret Word is “Sign”

2:34

Dragnet

April 26, 1953

“The Big Scrapbook”

32:26

On The Weekly Podioplex, demonic clowns are a pleasant surprise. Well, okay, not just any demonic clowns, but record-breaking demonic clowns make our day. IT shocked audiences and the box office by shaking Spetember right out of the gate. The only competition this week is a Jennifer Lawrence thriller and an American Assassin, so that clown may haunt autumn for a little while. 

Home entertainment brings The Mummy ñ ask Denise how good that one is ñ alongside Captain Underpants and the haunting Get Out. Transformers arrive on digital as Anthony Hopkins tries to pay the bills, and television is awash in great titles, ranging from Doctor Who and The Big Bang Theory to Orphan Black and Broadchurch. We get some 35th anniversary love in 4K as E.T. rolls into HD, and then Denise chats about the new lack of Trevorrow in Star Wars, Wonder Womanís wonderful success, the pros and cons of Indiana Jones 5, and more. Thatís what you get on a new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

On The Weekly Podioplex, we arrive in a post-Dragon Con world to find disappointment. The summer is over, the box office is the slowest it has been in seventeen years, and none of the newcomers could break the top ten. As autumn rolls in, it brings comedies about aging women and horror tales about demonic clowns. Can either jumpstart flagging sales, or have we already drifted into the storm drain to float away?

Home entertainment brings real life tales, from Morgan Leavey to Tupac Shakur, as well as television adventures from the Scarlet Speedster to demon-hunters in Impalas. After closing that chapter with Blade Runner, Denise offers up news of from the DC universe (good or bad, you choose) as well as heartwarming news about Marvel helping autistic artists. With that, we turn out the lights on summer and welcome cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and this new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for September 5, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: It

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – The Hitman’s Bodyguard – [Third Week]
#2 – Annabelle: Creation – [Even]
#3 – Wind River – [+1]
#4 – Leap! – [-1]
#5 – Logan Lucky – [Even]
#6 – Dunkirk – [Even]

#7 – Spider-Man: Homecoming – [Even]
#8 – Despicable Me 3 – [+5]
#9 – The Emoji Movie – [+1]
#10 – Girls Trip – [+1]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Possession
2007 – 3:10 to Yuma
1997 – Fire Down Below
1987 – Stakeout
1977 – Star Wars
 

Box Office Premieres

September 8, 2017: Wide

It – [R]

Home Again – [PG-13]

September 8, 2017: Limited

The Good Catholic – [PG-13]
Poster Boys – [PG-13]
9/11 – [R]
School Life – [PG-13]
Trophy – [NR]
The Unknown Girl – [NR]

Hirune-hime: Shiranai watashi no monogatari – [NR]

Home Entertainment

September 5, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Megan Leavey – [PG-13]

Rough Night – [R]

All Eyez on Me – [R]

September 5, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

The Big Sick – [R]

September 5, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

The Flash: Season Three (2016)

Criminal Minds: Season Twelve (2016)
Hawaii Five-O: Season Seven (2016)

Narcos: Season Two (2016)

Supernatural: Season Twelve (2016)

September 5, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Blade Runner (1982) – [R]

Podcast Promos

Skywalking Through Neverland

Skywalking Through Neverland is a Star Wars/Disney, fan-focused Podcast. We cover Star Wars, Disney, Superheroes and pop culture fandom. You know, that stuff that binds us all together as instantaneous friends! We showcase either what people have done with their fandom or talked to those who are involved first-hand in the universes that we LOVE.

Quick Flicks

Suicide Squad 2 on its way (along with solo Joker and Joker/Harley films)
Teen Titans finds Starfire
Netflix develops 1822
Marvel-backed VFX company teaches autistic students how to animate

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

Radio quiz shows were all the rage during the 1940s and 1950s, from the comedy of “You Bet Your Life” to the erudition of “Information Please.”  Tonight we present an episode of “College Quiz Bowl,” where the best and brightest of two colleges square off.  Here it’s Brown and its affiliated women’s college, Pembroke, vs the University of Minnesota.  For a transcribed program, this show is brimming with spontaneity.  Then, on an early episode of “The Great Gildersleeve,” our hero is dragooned into investigating the City Jail . . . from the point of view of a prisoner.

Episodes

College Quiz Bowl

January 15, 1955

“Brown vs University of Minnesota”

3:42

The Great Gildersleeve

October 5, 1941

“Investigate the City Jail”

33:25

Shazam!

"Speak No Evil"

October 11, 1975

Paul and his friends are hanging out on a Sunday afternoon and are bored.  So they decide to go to school.  Makes sense, right?  Paul has his misgivings and he's proven right when his friends accidentally start a fire and his dog is almost killed in it before being saved by Captain Marvel.  Billy and Mentor know Paul knows something but he doesn't want to be a "fink".  Will he see it's better to admit the truth before it's too late?

Danny Bonaduce plays the misguided, but well intentioned teen who keeps his silence in this episode.  John and Richard play the hosts of a podcast discussing the episode.  They discuss how many kids learned to take off in flight from Superman and Captain Marvel as well as the "rural" effect on television in the 70s.

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: “Don't ever be afraid of being called a name. As long as you're sure what you're doing is right, there's no word... no name... that can harm you."

Guest Cast

Melvin F. Allen as Sheriff

Danny Bonaduce as Paul

Eric Chase as Sam

Ty Henderson as Kyle

Hal Lynch as John Jerome

Kerry Maclane as Chuck

"Penguin's Clean Sweep"

Aired January 25, 1968

It's the final appearance of Burgess Meredith as The Penguin and he doesn't exactly go out in a blaze of glory.  The story involved Penguin trying to collect all of Gotham City's money that he has convinced the public is tainted with Lygerian Sleeping Sickness.  Despite the hokey sounding plot, John still feels there are some things of merit in this one and talks about it with Batman at 45 author Chris Gould.

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

Chris Gould was born in the UK in 1983, and has lived in Japan since 2008. His career so far has seen him work as a political researcher, local government officer, sports journalist, business English teacher, translator and magazine writer. 

Introduced to Batman re-runs as a child, Chris would watch the show as a junior high-schooler, university student and mid-career professional, his appreciation taking on new forms at every step.

Convinced that Batman constitutes the definitive guide to mid-60s popular culture, and is therefore an invaluable source of study for future generations, Chris took to researching the show in detail, eventually producing the ebook: Batman at 45: The Ultimate Tribute to Pow, Bam and Zap! 

The aim of his research is to underline the point that no matter how many years have passed, Batman, through its sheer diversity of stars and insightful lines, helps us fully understand how we got to where we are today.

Click on the image to the right to get your copy of Chris' book.

"THE PREYING MANTIS"

AIRED: NOVEMBER 18, 1966

It's another challenge for The Green Hornet, but for John and Jim, there's not much of a challenge in reviewing this episode.  Both are excited by this story that gives Bruce Lee a chance to stretch a little as the Hornet and Kato investigate a protection racket by a tong in Chinatown.  The thing is, there's more to the tong than simply an extortion racket.  There's a great deal to like about this fan favorite as the two discuss. Plus, there's some trivia on this episode from The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson, including Green Hornet creator George Trendle's dislike for this episode.  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.

Isis

"The Outsider"

October 4, 1975

A new student shows great potential in environmental science, but he's having trouble fitting in with the student body.  He discovers that a nearby piece of land that supports a great deal of wildlife in the area is in danger of being cleared for new housing.  Will he take the law into his own hands or can Isis resolve the situation before it gets out of hand or worse, deadly? 

We're really not sure which is scarier: The number one film or the descent of the summer box office. Annabelle may have won the weekend, but this year's summer season is not performing well at all. Between The Hitman's Bodyguard and Logan Lucky, maybe there's hope in two adult comedies as the season winds down.

The home entertainment slate looks a little better with Alien: Covenant leading the pack, backed by heavy hitters like Once Upon a Time, The Blacklist, Legends of Tommorrow, and Riverdale. Oh, and a little creepshow known as Pet Semetary. So many chills down the spine. After that, Denise brings news of Hannibal, Hellboy, Neuromancer, Dawn, and whatever The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is. It's the dog days of summer right here on a new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for August 15th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The Hitman’s Bodyguard

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Annabelle: Creation – [New Release]
#2 – Dunkirk – [Even]
#3 – The Nut Job: Nutty by Nature – [New Release]
#4 – The Dark Tower – [-3]
#5 – Girls Trip – [-1]
#6 – The Emoji Movie – [-3]

#7 – Spider-Man: Homecoming – [-1]
#8 – Kidnap – [-3]
#9 – The Glass Castle – [New Release]
#10 – Atomic Blonde – [-3]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Expendables 2
2007 – Superbad
1997 – Cop Land
1987 – Stakeout
1977 – The Kentucky Fried Movie
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of August 18th, 2017

Wide

The Hitman’s Bodyguard – [R]

Logan Lucky – [PG-13]

Limited

Patti Cake$ – [R]
Gook – [UR]
Lemon – [NR]
Marjorie Prime – [NR]
Sidemen: Long Road to Glory – [NR]
6 Days – [R]
The Adventurers – [NR]

Home Entertainment for the week of August 15th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Alien: Covenant – [R]

Chuck – [R]

New Releases on Digital Video

Baywatch – [R]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Once Upon a Time: Season Six (2016)

The Blacklist: Season Four (2016)
The Blacklist: Redemption: Season One (2016)

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: Season Two (2016)

Riverdale: Season One (2016)

Blu-Rays From the Past 

Pet Sematary (1989) – [R]

Podcast Promos

Full of Sith

The Full of Sith Podcast is a show dedicated to bringing the most interesting Star Wars conversations in the galaxy with hosts Bryan Young, Tha Mike Pilot, and Holly Frey.

Quick Flicks

Hannibal revival in discussions
The BPRD and the Hellboy reboot
Deadpool’s Tim Miller gets Neuromancer
Octavia Butler’s Dawn goes to television
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs meets Netflix

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

“Vic and Sade” is the driest of domestic comedies.  We present two 15-minute visits to “the small house half-way up on the next block.”  First, the son of the house, young Rush, has plans to single-handedly tear down a brick building – purely for the honor.  Then Rush recruits his father to teach his high school principle, Mr. Chinbunny, the manly art of cigar smoking.  “The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe” are based on the classic characters created by Rex Stout and star the magnificently-voiced (and appropriately-girthed) Sydney Greenstreet as New York’s brilliant, but lazy, private investigator. Wolfe leaves the legwork to his assistant, Archie Goodwin – a man about town who really gets around.

Episodes

Vic and Sade

November 14, 1939

“Tearing Down a Three-Storey Brick Building”

June 2, 1940

“Mr. Chinbunny Wants to Smoke Cigars”

3:30

The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe

April 20, 1951

“The Lost Heir”

23:36

The battle between good and evil seems to be a winner, but the victory is tainted by really low attendance numbers. That's unfortunate, but audiences may find some respite from The Dark Tower with another crack at The Nut Job. There's also some real life drama in The Glass Castle, a creepy creepy doll in Annabelle: Creation, and the hope that Detroit finds legs in the interim.

The home entertainment slate is heavy on film and light on TV, showcasing King Arthur, Snatched, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Blindspot and the mysteries of amenesiacs and terrorists amp up the action before moving into retro titles with two Teen Wolf tales. Wrap it all up with Denise and news of an Ant-Man sequel, a Pacific Rim sequel, and a Nintendo Classic sequel. We seriously hope that they work out the bugs in that last one. Also, a PSA on fantasy, dogs, and milkshakes. Seriously, be kind to living creatures and #MakeMineMilkshake on a new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for August 8th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – The Dark Tower – [New Release]
#2 – Dunkirk – [-1]
#3 – The Emoji Movie – [-1]
#4 – Girls Trip – [-1]
#5 – Kidnap – [New Release]
#6 – Spider-Man: Homecoming – [-1]

#7 – Atomic Blonde – [-3]
#8 – Detroit – [+8]
#9 – War for the Planet of the Apes – [-3]
#10 – Despicable Me 3 – [-3]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Bourne Legacy
2007 – Rush Hour 3
1997 – Conspiracy Theory
1987 – The Living Daylights
1977 – The Spy Who Loved Me
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of August 11th, 2017

Wide

The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature – [PG]

The Glass Castle – [PG-13]

Annabelle: Creation – [R]

Limited

Ingrid Goes West – [R]
The Only Living Boy in New York – [R]
The Trip to Spain – [NR]

Home Entertainment for the week of August 8th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword – [PG-13]

Snatched – [R]

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul – [PG]

New Releases on Digital Video

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – [PG-13]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Blindspot: Season Two (2016)

Blu-Rays From the Past 

Teen Wolf (1985) – [PG]

Teen Wolf Too (1987) – [PG]

Podcast Promos

Talking Apes TV

Every episode of TALKING APES TV will delve into one episode of the PLANET OF THE APES TV Series, with plenty of quotes, audio and social commentary pulled from each show.

Quick Flicks

PSA: Game of Thrones, dogs, and #MakeMineMilkshake
Ant-Man and the Wasp is underway
Nintendo SNES Classic
Pacific Rim: Uprising moves to March 2018

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 Romans

Production: M

Airdates: January 16 - February 6, 1965

The TARDIS takes the time travelers to ancient Rome where Ian and Barbara are captured as slaves while the Doctor and Vicki are guests of Nero.  The Doctor is mistaken for a murdered musician and enrages Nero with his performance in Nero's court.  It all leads up to the burning the Rome.  Can the travelers escape their situation and return to the TARDIS?

It's Doctor Who's first stab at a comedy, but is it straight comedy or more like dark comedy? In any event, this is a favorite of John's and he enthuses about it on this episode. Do you agree? Let us know here.

"Nora Clavicle and the Ladies' Crime Club"

Aired January 18, 1968

Feminist Nora Clavicle has plans for Gotham City as she takes control of Gotham City's police department.  It looks, on the surface, that is a blow for women's rights as she replaces every male police officer with women.  The problem is the women are ineffective when it comes to enforcing the law and nobody is aware of Nora's plan to destroy Gotham City.

​

John is joined by podcaster Chris Franklin of the Super Mates Podcast to discuss what may possibly be the worst episode in the entire series.  (Yes, even worse than "Marsha, Queen of Diamonds".)  They wonder if this is supposed to be camp, a spoof on women's lib, or just bad writing.  They also try to figure out just how Batman, Robin, and Batgirl allow themselves to be turned into a human Siamese Knot by, and you'll excuse us here, a trio of women.  

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

 

Chris Franklin is a mild-mannered graphic designer by day, but at night, he retreats to his secret headquarters festooned with action figures, and podcasts with his long-suffering wife Cindy on the Super Mates podcast, a proud part of The Fire and Water Podcast Network. Together they take a look at all things geeky, such as comics, TV, movies, and toys, from a couple’s perspective.

"The Rescue"

Production: L

Airdates: January 2-9, 1965

The Doctor has left Susan behind on a future Earth, recovering from Dalek occupation.  He appears to be even more distracted than usual.  And then the TARDIS lands on the planet Dido, a world the Doctor visited once before.  There, he, Ian and Barbara find the wreck of downed space ship and the two survivors who are being terrorized by Koquilion, an inhabitant of the planet.

This story sets up the introduction of Vicki, as played by Maureen O'Brien.  She will join the TARDIS and while the producers were looking for her to be a replacement for Susan, she is clearly much more than that.  Take a listen and see if you agree with the assessment of the episode overall and where it places in the ranking.

Current Rankings

1 - Dalek Invasion of Earth

2 - Marco Polo

3 - The Daleks

4 - The Aztecs

5 - An Unearthly Child

6 - The Reign of Terror

7 - Edge of Destruction

8 - The Rescue

9 - Planet of Giants

10 - The Keys of Marinus

11 - The Sensorites

"THE RAY IS FOR KILLING"

AIRED: NOVEMBER 11, 1966

John and Jim are excited to be talking about this episode as it's another high concept episode that manages to work in the Hornet's usual angle of getting inside the criminal organization for a "piece of the action".  A group of thieves have stolen a cache of artwork which they wish to ransom.  They have everyone at bay though because they carry with them a powerful laser weapon.  While Britt negotiates for the release, the Hornet goes inside to learn about who is holding the artwork.  It's a tight, well-written adventure and has a great deal going for it as John and Jim discuss.  Plus, we've got listener mail.  We also introduce The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson.  We'll be referring to this extensive tome from time to time in our discussions.  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.

Sometimes, not even secret agents and poop are enough to win the weekend. On this edition of The Weekly Podioplex, we face the triumph of Dunkirk and the rise of The Dark Tower, and we question if Stephen King is enough to defeat Christopher Nolan and dramatic war dramas. [CONFORM] This week also sees the wide releases of Kidnap and Detroit, dramas starring Halle Berry and John Boyega.

The home entertainment slate tries to steal hearts with a bank heist in Going in Style, a thrilling mystery in The Circle, an extraterrestrial horror in Alien: Covenant, and a blast from the past with They Live. [OBEY] To wrap it all up, Denise brings us a few confrontations, including the singularity (and Melissa McCarthy), Confederate (and HBO), and Castlevania (and the video game curse). Did we mention Darkwing Duck? Yes, there's Darkwing Duck. This and more on a new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network. [CONSUME]

Weekly Podioplex Notes for August 1st, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The Dark Tower

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Dunkirk – [Second Week]
#2 – The Emoji Movie – [New Release]
#3 – Girls Trip – [-1]
#4 – Atomic Blonde – [New Release]
#5 – Spider-Man: Homecoming – [-2]
#6 – War for the Planet of the Apes – [-2]

#7 – Despicable Me 3 – [-1]
#8 – Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets – [-3]
#9 – Baby Driver – [-2]
#10 – Wonder Woman – [-1]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
2007 – The Bourne Ultimatum
1997 – Air Force One
1987 – The Living Daylights
1977 – Star Wars
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of August 4th, 2017

Wide

The Dark Tower – [PG-13]

Detroit – [R]

Kidnap – [R]

Limited

Midnight Sun – [PG-13]
Step – [PG]
Wind River – [R]

Home Entertainment for the week of August 1st, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Going in Style – [PG-13]

The Circle – [PG-13]

All About the Money – [NR]

New Releases on Digital Video

Alien: Covenant – [R]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Big Little Lies: Season One (2017)

The Secret World of Alex Mack: Complete Series (1994-1998)

Blu-Rays From the Past 

They Live (1988) – [R]

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

Melissa McCarthy vs. the singularity
Confederate vs. HBO
Netflix’s Castlevania vs. the video game curse
Darkwing Duck vs. DuckTales revival
John Wick vs. the expanded universe

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

Shazam!

"Goodbye, Packy"

October 4, 1975

Kathy has raised Packy since he was a pup.  It's an adorable relationship, but there is one hitch - Packy is a wolf.  He's getting older now and harder to control.  Add to it, the danger he poses to livestock in the area and Kathy's father wants to release him to the wild.  But Kathy and Packy run away and quickly find themselves in danger.  Can Captain Marvel rescue the two in time?

It's the first episode of the season that John and Richard do not like which is surprising considering how good the stories have been to this point and the fact that this one was written by a team who wrote some good stories in the first season.  The two discuss where this one went wrong, the laws concerning the possession of wild creatures, and the motif of eating that runs throughout the entire Shazam! series.

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: “Having a pet carries responsibilities. Some animals are born to be free. To deprive them of that right is selfish, so we all must understand and respect the laws of nature... for our sake, as well as for our animal friends."

Guest Cast

Conlan Carter as Bob Rose

Shannon Terhune as Kathy Rose

"Louie's Lethal Lilac Time"

Aired January 11, 1968

Louie the Lilac is back in Gotham City and this time he plans to corner the perfume market with the help of a kidnapped Bruce and Dick.  

​

John is joined by podcaster Joseph Culp and they discuss how Berle actually works in the role of Louie and how this episode, warts and all, is not a bad little story.  They also lament the missing Madge Blake, who doesn't appear in this episode, but her character Aunt Harriet gets a name drop.

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

 

Pastor Joseph "Captain Scotland" Culp is a licensed and ordained minister. He serves as the Host of The weekly Podcast, The Highlander's Heart at 

www.highlandersheart.com. He is an expat from Turriff, Aberdeenshire Scotland who now lives in Pickerington, Ohio. He works with the the elderly in senior ministry at Abbington of Pickerington Ohio bi-weekly. He is a Batman '66 fan as well an an avid reader of history, mystery novel and old comic books from 1938 to 1977. His favorite shows are Batman with Adam West, The Avengers with Patrick Macnee, Shazam, Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman classic Doctor Who (the 1st 3 Doctors only) and the current show of Super Girl, The Flash, Arrow, Doctor Who. He is married to his lovely wife Serene of 24 years and is the proud father of 2 great cats, Princess Bella and Prince Caledonia. You can reach him at joseph.captainscotland.culp@gmail.com or facebook at https://www.facebook.com/joseph.culp.9.

WCRS Radiostage returns with the final run of episodes from their catalogue.  In "The Mirror", a young couple buys a mirror in which they can see the faces of the dead - when the moon is right.  What will the mirror reveal?

Episode 43—They Aren’t What We Thought They Were

Science fiction writer Scott Pearson and his daughter, Ella, try to make sense of Ridley Scott’s retcons Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, as they begin an epic review of the entire Alien movie series. Plus, Scott can’t stop saying “muddled” and Ella dives into Alan Dean Foster’s Covenant novelization, comparing and contrasting with the film. Double-length episode!

Segments

Intro :28

Waiter, There’s DNA in My Soup 1:03

On Seeing Prometheus Twice 4:00

Ancient Astronauts? Seriously? 4:38

Answering Questions No One Asked 8:00

Christmas and Prometheus 8:45

Creepy David 11:15

We’re Here! 13:00

Are There Other Aliens in the Alien Movies? 14:32

Stupid Scientists 17:20

Here’s the Thing About Ridley 20:30

Space Suit? No, Those Were Skeletons! 21:25

Hey, We Found an Alien Head! 22:55

Waiter, There’s Black Goo in My Drink 24:50

Snake Monster Just Wants to Snuggle 25:47

Vickers Taking Care of Business 30:15

It’s a Squid! 32:02

Sexist Medical Pod 32:55

What is This Movie About? 34:35

Shaw Taking Care of Business 35:20

Engineer Wakes Up on the Wrong Side of the Pod 38:58

Getting That Old-Time Religion 39:32

Just Run to the Side! 42:02

David’s Head and the Squid Baby 43:35

Prometheus: Final Thoughts 45:38

Alien TED Talk 49:37

Covenant: First Thoughts 52:03

Answering Questions No One Asked, Part Deux 54:45

Engineering Xenomorphs 56:12

What is This Movie About? Part Deux 59:12

“The Crossing”: Shaw and David’s Head 1:00:55

“The Last Supper”: That’s a Franco 1:04:32

Who Loves Walter? We Do 1:07:10

Weyland and David 1:08:00

Arriving at the Engineer’s Planet 1:09:00

Xenomorph Spores? Seriously? 1:11:07

Ash, David, and the Company 1:13:06

The Creator and the Created 1:14:45 

Prequels vs. Alien/Aliens 1:15:43

David: Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs 1:16:38

Quarantine: Like That’s Going to Happen 1:17:52

Uh, What About Those Corpses? 1:20:49

Hey, Look in This Slimy Egg! 1:21:36

Colonists, Shmolonists 1:24:45

David and Walter and Daniels 1:25:55

Xenomorphs and Neomorphs 1:30:13

Back on the Ship 1:31:42

And We Thought Hairballs Were Gross 1:32:41

Covenant: Final Thoughts 1:33:40

Book Report: The Covenant Novelization 1:37:04

Changes in the Book 1:41:50

Let’s Talk More About Walter and Daniels 1:45:40

The Captain and David and Xenomorphs 1:59:35

The Weekly Podioplex returns to find good performers and a disappointment. Dunkirk is the victor, Girls Trip is a winner, but Valerian disappointed while looking pretty. All three of them face challenges from thrilling Atomic Blonde and poop... er, I mean, The Emoji Movie. Or maybe just poop.

The home entertainment slate brings Ghost in the Shell, Emerald City, Pretty Little Liars, and Silkwood, all of which lead into the Quick Flicks where Denise talks remakes, revivals, Squirrel Girl (!), and why, oh why, sweet Christmas why is Confederate a thing? This and more on a new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for July 25th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Atomic Blonde

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Dunkirk – [New Release]
#2 – Girls Trip – [New Release]
#3 – Spider-Man: Homecoming – [-1]
#4 – War for the Planet of the Apes – [-3]
#5 – Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets – [New Release]
#6 – Despicable Me 3 – [-3]

#7 – Baby Driver – [-3]
#8 – The Big Sick – [-3]
#9 – Wonder Woman – [-3]
#10 – Wish Upon – [-3]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
2007 – The Simpsons Movie
1997 – Air Force One
1987 – RoboCop
1977 – Star Wars
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of July 28th, 2017

Wide

Atomic Blonde – [R]

The Emoji Movie – [PG]

Limited

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power – [NR]
Menashe – [PG]
From the Land of the Moon – [R]
The Midwife – [UR]

Home Entertainment for the week of July 25th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Ghost in the Shell – [PG-13]

The Boss Baby – [PG]

Unforgettable – [R]

New Releases on Digital Video

King Arthur – [PG-13]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Emerald City: Season One (2017)

Girls: Season Six (2017)

Pretty Little Liars: Season Seven (2016)
Pretty Little Liars: Complete Series (2010-2017)

Blu-Rays From the Past 

Silkwood (1983) – [R]

Podcast Promos

Techno Retro Dads

TechnoRetro Dads share the fandom and fun of their youth with their families as they build a bridge from the past to the future through the time spent with their kids in the present. Join JediShua and shazbazzar as they reminisce about the past while exploring the future of some of their favorite science fiction and fantasy properties of their youth. Listen in to discussions about the movies, music, games, and comics of the 70s and 80s as they share the days of their youth with their own kids in a positive, family-friendly atmosphere. If you’re a TechnoRetro Dad, the child of one, or just fondly remember the sci-fi/fantasy properties of the 70s and 80s, then this podcast is for you!

Quick Flicks

Invasion of the Body Snatchers remade… again
Skinner returns to The X-Files
Confederate
Squirrel Girl!

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

Sports, poetry, music, and military campaigns are all topics for clever questions and clever answers on “Information Please.”  Then we present the first episode of a little-known but hilarious (and surprisingly timeless) radio comedy, “The Magnificent Montague.”  Starring writer and actor Monty Woolley (you may know him as the star of “The Man Who Came to Dinner”), Woolley plays a former Broadway star forced to take a role on a cheesy afternoon radio melodrama.  The character of Edwin Montague is the precursor to Frasier Crane ands Charles Emerson Winchester III -- loveable in his pomposity.

 

Episodes

 

Information Please

April 19,1943

“Guests:  Ford Frick and Grantland Rice”

1:42

 

The Magnificent Montague

November 10, 1950

“A Starring Role in Radio”

34:15

The Weekly Podioplex returns to find war. This week belongs to Caesar and the apes as they dominate the box office, but still have considerable ground to make up in their own franchise. Meanwhile, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, Christopher Nolan's take on Dunkirk, and a Girls Trip will challenge the apes for the throne. Can they hold the line?

The home entertainment slate also stars an ape as Kong: Skull Island invades store shelves. Joining the king are a Promise, The 100, The Expanse, and the car-leaping antics of T.J. Hooker. After that, Denise wraps things up in the Quick Flicks with comic book news and a celebration of the Thirteenth Doctor. This and more comprise a new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for July 18th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – War for the Planet of the Apes – [New Release]
#2 – Spider-Man: Homecoming – [-1]
#3 – Despicable Me 3 – [-1]
#4 – Baby Driver – [-1]
#5 – The Big Sick – [+3]
#6 – Wonder Woman – [-2]

#7 – Wish Upon – [New Release]
#8 – Cars 3 – [-2]
#9 – Transformers: The Last Knight – [-4]
#10 – The House – [-3]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
2007 – I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
1997 – Men in Black
1987 – RoboCop
1977 – The Island of Dr. Moreau
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of July 21st, 2017

Wide

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets – [PG-13]

Dunkirk – [PG-13]

Girls Trip – [R]

Limited

Landline – [R]
The Midwife – [UR]

Home Entertainment for the week of July 18th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Kong: Skull Island – [PG-13]

The Promise – [PG-13]

New Releases on Digital Video

The Circle – [PG-13]

With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story (2010) – [UR]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

The 100: Season Four (2017)

The Expanse: Season Two (2017)

T.J. Hooker: Complete Series (1982-1986)

Blu-Rays From the Past 

State Fair (1962) – [NR]

Podcast Promos

British Invaders

The British Invaders podcast features a lively two-person exchange about different television series, tele-films and mini-series. These discussions serve as both an introduction and an entertaining conversation, catering to both those who have seen and those who have yet to see these British science fiction and fantasy shows. Each show is presented in two parts, with new episodes appearing every two weeks. British Invaders covers everything from story-lines to production details to spinoff material. Past topics have included Doctor Who, Sapphire and Steel, Red Dwarf, Day of the Triffids, Jekyll, Robin of Sherwood, and many more.

Quick Flicks

Martin Landau and George Romero
Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor
Wonder Woman’s strong box office performance
Ben Affleck’s script is out for Batman
The Joker is cured?

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

"BEAUTIFUL DREAMER"

AIRED: OCTOBER 22 and 29, 1966

This story has a lot of things that make it stand out from the others in the series.  First, it's the first two-part episode for the series.  Second, it's co-written by Lorenzo Semple.  But the real question is - is there enough story here to warrant two parts?  John and Jim discuss this as well as Britt's "type" of woman in the series.  Plus, we have an audio treat thanks to listener David Maska.  Listen to talk show host Mike Douglas interview Van Williams on the premiere of The Green Hornet back in 1966.

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

After a brief break, The Weekly Podioplex has returned to news of an infestation at the box office. This week's winner is Spider-Man: Homecoming, which made a pretty big splash for a superhero whose only reward is supposedly action. The wallcrawler faces a new challenge as war comes to the Planet of the Apes. Simian or spider: Who will win?

The home entertainment slate goes high octane with The Fate of the Furious, a lost city, the Smurfs, and the unexplained between magic and time travelers on TV. After Leeloo Dallas Multipass goes 4K for a 20th anniversary, Denise returns with news of Netflix, gender and race conflicts in popular TV, and word that James Bond may expand to a whole shared universe of stories. This and more come together on a new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for July 11th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: War for the Planet of the Apes

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Spider-Man: Homecoming – [New Release]
#2 – Despicable Me 3 – [-1]
#3 – Baby Driver – [-1]
#4 – Wonder Woman – [Even]
#5 – Transformers: The Last Knight – [-2]
#6 – Cars 3 – [-1]

#7 – The House – [-1]
#8 – The Big Sick – [+4]
#9 – 47 Meters Down – [-2]
#10 – The Beguiled – [-2]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Ice Age: Continental Drift
2007 – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
1997 – Men in Black
1987 – Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise
1977 – The Deep
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of July 14th, 2017

Wide

War for the Planet of the Apes – [PG-13]

Wish Upon – [PG-13]

The Big Sick – [R]

Limited

Lady Macbeth – [R]
Chasing Coral – [NR]
Blind – [R]

Home Entertainment for the week of July 11th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

The Fate of the Furious – [PG-13]

The Lost City of Z – [PG-13]

Smurfs: The Lost Village – [PG]

Big Miracle – [PG]

New Releases on Digital Video

Going in Style – [PG-13]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

The Magicians: Season Two (2017)

Class: Series One (2016)

Blu-Rays From the Past 

The Fifth Element (1997) – [PG]

Podcast Promos

11.22.63: A Look Back
Join your hosts, Troy Heinritz and Wayne Henderson, for in-depth theories, discussion, fun, and your thoughts on Hulu's TV series 11.22.63.

Quick Flicks

Top Gun 2 in 2019
Netflix Class of 2018
Gillian Anderson takes on The X-Files writer’s room
A James Bond Universe of films?
Gemini Man gets a release date
Hawaii Five-O shakeups
The Umbrella Academy
Wonder Woman
John Carpenter on the small screen: Tales for a Halloween Night

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

Greek restaurateurs have their say on this episode of “Presenting the Transcription Feature.”  We start off with a fictional one, the loveable Parky of “Meet Me at Parky’s.”  A famous food critic is coming to his restaurant, and Parky is desperate for a good write-up.  So desperate that he looks for help from con-man Orville Sharpe, the only person of Parky’s acquaintance with more of a talent for malapropisms than he.  Then, on “You Bet Your Life,” Groucho Marx welcomes an actual Greek restaurateur.   Other contestants include a Las Vegas masseur and a real-life “Rosie the Riveter.”

Episodes

Meet Me at Parky’s

March 3, 1946

“Visit from a Gourmet”

2:19

You Bet Your Life

April 21, 1954

“The Secret Word is People”

32:33

On an all-new double digest edition of The Weekly Podioplex, the Transformers won the weekend, but it was a hollow victory based on sales. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman and Cars 3 picked up the slack. The next two weeks will be a test for the numbers two and three as Gru, the Minions, and Spider-Man make their debuts. It's kids and comics against kids and comics, and the winners are us.

On the home entertainment slate, Power Rangers, The Boss Baby, The Zookeeper's Wife, Prison Break, and Homicide make their way to your shelves alongside others. The Lodger celebrates 90 years and Fievel Goes West, then Denise tells us all about replicants, Han Solo's director issues, and an assembling of Avengers. Put it all together like a LEGO Death Star and you have another edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for June 27th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Spider-Man: Homecoming

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Transformers: The Last Knight – [New Release]
#2 – Wonder Woman – [Even]
#3 – Cars 3 – [-2]
#4 – 47 Meters Down – [+1]
#5 – The Mummy – [-1]
#6 – All Eyez on Me – [-3]

#7 – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – [-1]
#8 – Rough Night – [-1]
#9 – Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie – [-1]
#10 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – [-1]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Ted
2007 – Ratatouille
1997 – Face/Off
1987 – Dragnet
1977 – The Rescuers
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of June 30th, 2017

Wide

Despicable Me 3 – [PG]

The House – [R]

Baby Driver – [R]

Limited

13 Minutes – [R]
The Little Hours – [R]
The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography – [R]

Box Office Premieres for the week of July 7th, 2017

Wide

Spider-Man: Homecoming – [PG-13]

Limited

A Ghost Story – [R]
City of Ghosts – [R]
Patti Cake$ – [R]
Santoalla – [NR]

Home Entertainment for the weeks of June 27th and July 4th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray for June 27th

Power Rangers – [PG-13]

CHIPS – [R]

T2: Trainspotting – [R]

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray for July 4th

The Zookeeper’s Wife – [PG-13]

New Releases on Digital Video for June 27th

The Lost City of Z – [PG-13]

New Releases on Digital Video for July 4th

The Boss Baby – [PG]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray for June 27th

Prison Break: The Complete Series (2005-2017)
Prison Break: Resurrection (2017)

The Strain: Season Three (2016)

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray for July 4th

Homicide: Life on the Street: The Complete Series (1993-1999)

Blu-Rays From the Past for June 27th 

The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927) – [UR]

Blu-Rays From the Past for July 4th 

An American Tale: Fievel Goes West (1991) – [G]

Podcast Promos

The Shared Desk

From the writing desk of award-nominated and award-winning authors and podcasters Philippa Ballantine and Tee Morris comes The Shared Desk, a writer's show that explores collaboration, science fiction, fantasy, and just about anything that catches their fleeting attention spans.

Quick Flicks

Han Solo divorces from Lord and Miller
Blade Runner 2049 and Deckard’s replicant status
World War Z 2
Jurassic World: Falling Kingdom
The Infinity War roll call

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

On an all-new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, Lightning McQueen won the race, but can he match Wonder Woman's box office endurance as she continues to take down her DCEU brethren? This week, they both face off against a new set of cars as a popular '80s franchise gets another movie chapter in Transformers: The Last Knight. The question is how the Michael Bay action spectacle will match against two movies with feeling.

On the home entertainment slate, the pickings are equally slim as Life, Kong, Jake and the Fatman, and Under the Dome make their way to various shelves. To top it off, Denise discusses remakes, squees about DuckTales (woo-oo!), laments Cruise control, and says goodbye to Batman. Add it all together and you have another edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for June 20th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Transformers: The Last Knight

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Cars 3 – [Second Week]
#2 – Wonder Woman – [-1]
#3 – All Eyez on Me – [New Release]
#4 – The Mummy – [-2]
#5 – 47 Meters Down – [New Release]
#6 – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – [-2]

#7 – Rough Night – [New Release]
#8 – Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie – [-5]
#9 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – [-4]
#10 – It Comes at Night – [-4]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Brave
2007 – Evan Almighty
1997 – Batman & Robin
1987 – The Witches of Eastwick
1977 – The Deep
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of June 23rd, 2017

Wide

Transformers: The Last Knight – [PG-13]

Limited

The Big Sick – [R]
The Beguiled – [R]
The Bad Batch – [R]

Home Entertainment for the week of June 20th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Life – [R]

Altitude – [R]

New Releases on Digital Video

Kong: Skull Island – [PG-13]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Jake and the Fatman: The Complete Series (1987-1992)

Under the Dome: The Complete Series (2013-2015)

Blu-Rays From the Past

The Lawnmower Man (1992) – [R]

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

Adam West (1928-2017)
The Mummy’s performance due to Cruise control?
The Cannonball Run remake (sorry, John)
Big Trouble in Little China comic series Old Man Jack
DuckTales (woo-oo!)
Black Mirror goes literary

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

Episode 42—The Ape is Back in Town

Science fiction writer Scott Pearson and his daughter, Ella, discuss Kong: Skull Island in depth, including how it compares to earlier Kong films, its relationship with Godzilla (2014), how it holds up under repeated viewings, and differences between the film and its novelization. Double-length episode!

Segments

Intro :28

King Kong Through the Years 1:01

First Thoughts on Skull Island 5:18

Character Development: Kong v. Godzilla 6:48

Missing the Boat on Fighter Pilots 12:43

No Forced Romance, Hooray! 15:34

Kong as a Character 17:40

Respecting the Natives 19:48

Monarch and the Kaiju 21:18

Samuel L. Jackson is Angry 23:24

Hey, This Ape Ain’t So Bad 25:07

That’s a Lot of Choppers 26:04

Let’s Talk Monsters 29:22

Who is Captain Conrad? 31:05

Apocalypse Kong 32:15

The Boat that Pilots Built 34:10

What About the Female Characters? 34:57

Vietnam v. Kong 36:45

Coming Back to We’ll Meet Again 41:19

Kong and the Godzilla Template 42:08

The After Credit Scene 43:48

Kong v. Kong v. Kong v. Kong 49:18

Creating a Shared Universe 52:52

Skull Crawlers 54:34

They Sound Like Birds 55:02

John C. Reilly and the Old Flight Suit 55:40

Final Thoughts 56:44

Apocalypse Kong Redux: The Rewatches 57:10

All-Star Choppers Review 58:43

We Need a Map 1:00:47

Still a Fun Flick 1:04:12

Motion-Capture Connections 1:05:36

Thoughts on Three Viewings 1:09:26

The Novelization: Bulking up the Backstories 1:13:40

NOTE: Apologies to Michael and Denise for the delay in producing this episode - JD

On an all-new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, The Mummy could not defeat Diana of Themiscrya, and the other newbies couldn't even keep up. The race is still on this week as Wonder Woman defends her crown against the might of Disney, Pixar, and Lightning McQueen. Can ka-chow defeat the Amazon princess or will she make it a box office three-peat?

On the home entertainment slate, Bones, The Vampire Diaries, and Grimm all say goodbye as LEGO Batman, John Wick, and the Power Rangers say hello. Add in some Rockford Files, a prison break, and Denise with comic news in the Quick Flicks, and you have another edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

For Father’s Day, we start off with “The Great Gildersleeve.”  He’s only an uncle, but he’s been like a father to his niece and nephew, so they decide to get him a great, big, stuffed club chair.  They aren’t the only ones.  This episode is a classically-structured farce with people and chairs coming and going to beat the band.  Then on the science fiction anthology program “X Minus One,” a couple of lab rats find themselves caught up in government bureaucracy.  

Episodes

The Great Gildersleeve

June 21, 1942

“Father’s Day Chair”

2:09

X Minus One

November 21, 1956

“Chain of Command” 

32:00

On an all-new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, it was no contest as Diana of Themiscrya stormed the box office and made massive waves. This week may pose no threat to her reign as Tom Cruise tries to reboot The Mummy. The world has Wonder Woman.

On the home entertainment slate, it's Disney debuts the live action Beauty and the Beast, the Doctor makes his tenth season premiere, and another Disney classic celebrates 75 years in our hearts. He can call us flower if he wants to. It's a nice thing to say. Wrap it all up with Denise and the Quick Flicks, and we come to the end of another edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for June 6th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The Mummy

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Wonder Woman – [New Release]
#2 – Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie – [New Release]
#3 – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – [-2]
#4 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2  – [-2]
#5 – Baywatch – [-2]
#6 – Alien: Covenant – [-2]

#7 – Everything, Everything – [-2]
#8 – Snatched – [-1]
#9 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul – [-3]
#10 – King Arthur: Legend of the Sword – [-2]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
2007 – Ocean's Thirteen
1997 – Con Air
1987 – Beverly Hills Cop II
1977 – Star Wars
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of June 9th, 2017

Wide

The Mummy – [PG-13]

Megan Leavey – [PG-13]

It Comes at Night – [R]

Limited

The Hero – [R]
Beatriz at Dinner  – [R]
My Cousin Rachel  – [PG-13]

Home Entertainment for the week of June 6th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Beauty and the Beast – [PG]

A Cure for Wellness – [R]

The Young Pope (2016)

New Releases on Digital Video

Don’t Knock Twice – [R]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Doctor Who: Series Ten, Part One (2017)

Van Helsing: Season One (2016)

CHiPs: Season Six (1982)
CHiPs: The Complete Series (1977-1983)

Blu-Rays From the Past

Bambi (1942) – [G]

Podcast Promos

Earth Station Who
A fun mashup celebrating over 50 years of the Doctor Who universe.

Quick Flicks

Wonder Woman sequel coming (!)
Tales from the Crypt stalled
Top Gun: Maverick
John Wick 3 gets a writer and start date
The Punisher coming soon
Nosferatu, Pandora, and Silent History on AMC

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

On an all-new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, it's evident that pirates rule and lifeguards drool, even if it was a lackluster holiday performance for both of them. This week, Captain Jack and the babes and brawn of Baywatch contend with an Amazon princess. It's a DC Comics origin story that isn't for Superman, isn't for Batman, and isn't even for a man. Finally, the world has Wonder Woman.

On the home entertainment slate, studios air out some winter releases with The Shack, Before I Fall, A Cure for Wellness, and some major crimes and intrigue on TV. Denise ends on a high note with various popular properties coming to screens in the near future, putting the polish on another edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for May 30th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Wonder Woman

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – [New Release]
#2 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – [Even]
#3 – Baywatch – [New Release]
#4 – Alien: Covenant – [-2]
#5 – Everything, Everything – [-2]
#6 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul – [Even]

#7 – Snatched – [-3]
#8 – King Arthur: Legend of the Sword – [-3]
#9 – The Boss Baby – [-1]
#10 – The Fate of the Furious – [-3]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Snow White and the Huntsman
2007 – Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
1997 – The Lost World: Jurassic Park
1987 – Beverly Hills Cop II
1977 – Star Wars
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of June 2nd, 2017

Wide

Wonder Woman – [PG-13]

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie – [PG]

Limited

Dean – [PG-13]
3 Idiotas  – [PG-13]
Past Life  – [NR]
Band Aid  – [NR]
Vincent N Roxxy – [R]

Home Entertainment for the week of May 30th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

The Shack – [PG-13]

Before I Fall – [PG-13]

Collide – [PG-13]

New Releases on Digital Video

A Cure for Wellness – [R]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Major Crimes: Season Five (2016)

Suits: Season Six (2016)

Hart to Hart: The Complete Series (1979-1984)

Beauty and the Beast: The Complete Series (2012-2016)

Blu-Rays From the Past

The Paradine Case (1947) – [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

Thoughts on Wonder Woman
Netflix tackles The Witcher
Aardman’s Early Man is coming to the US
Final season of Game of Thrones
Blue Book coming to The History Channel
Bryan Fuller teases Hannibal’s potential fourth season

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 March of Dimes gets mentioned on both our quiz show and our comedy in this installment.  On “Information Please,” the guest is General Hugh Johnson, head of President Roosevelt’s National Recovery Administration, who also worked hard to raise money to fight polio.  Then, on “The Danny Kaye Show,” the versatile comedian / actor / singer plays an exaggerated version of himself.  As he tries to get to Washington for a March of Dimes fund-raiser, he finds plenty of opportunities to use his patented fake-foreign accents and scat-patter as well as sing a sweet song or two.

Episodes

Information Please

January 24, 1939

“Guest:  General Hugh Johnson”

3:29

The Danny Kaye Show

January 27, 1945

“Flying to Washington for March of Dimes” 

36:30

On an all-new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, it was a battle between then aliens and the xenomorphs won. Barely. Now it's the battle of the aliens (both sets) and the pirates. Bring rum and that guy's leg, and watchout for facehuggers.

On the home entertainment slate, old man Logan, haunted houses, the Great Wall, and John Wick come home. So does an animated superhero who is friends with the Flash, Green Arrow, and the Legends. Disney also gets in on things with some ducks. Mighty ones. Denise takes us out with a few geeky articles and a whole lotta "yaaaaaaayyy" as we put the wraps on another edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for May 23rd, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Alien: Covenant – [New Release]
#2 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – [-1]
#3 – Everything, Everything – [New Release]
#4 – Snatched – [-2]
#5 – King Arthur: Legend of the Sword – [-2]
#6 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul – [New Release]

#7 – The Fate of the Furious – [-3]
#8 – The Boss Baby – [-2]
#9 – Beauty and the Beast – [-4]
#10 – How to Be a Latin Lover – [-3]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Men in Black 3
2007 – Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
1997 – The Lost World: Jurassic Park
1987 – Beverly Hills Cop II
1977 – The Car
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of May 26th, 2017

Wide

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – [PG-13]

Baywatch – [R]

Limited

Long Strange Trip – [R]
Buena Vista Social Club: Adios  – [PG]
Drone  – [NR]

Home Entertainment for the week of May 23rd, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Logan – [R]

Get Out – [R]

The Great Wall – [PG-13]

Rock Dog – [PG]

New Releases on Digital Video

John Wick: Chapter 2 – [R]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Vixen: The Movie (2016)

Blu-Rays From the Past

The Mighty Ducks (1992) – [PG]

Podcast Promos

Doctor Geek’s Laboratory
It’s the 21st Century. Ever wondered what happened to all those inventions, conveniences, and other concepts the future was suppose to bring? Well, so have we. Here, at Doctor Geek’s Laboratory, we will explore all the realms of applied geekdom. We will examine the future that was, the future that is, and the future that has not yet come to pass.

STEAM Edutainment Logo Doctor Geek established the lab and science fair as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) outreach.

Through enthusiasm, passion, and humor, we hope to bring our audience closer to the scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs, tinkerers, and others who are attempting to bring about the world of tomorrow. Together we will help the future along … give it a push where it’s needed.

Quick Flicks

Michael Fassbender to return to the X-Men films?
James Gunn on texting in theaters
Slaughterhouse Rules
The New Pope
Dirk Gently welcomes Alan Tudyk

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

On an all-new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, it was a battle between then aliens and the xenomorphs won. Barely. Now it's the battle of the aliens (both sets) and the pirates. Bring rum and that guy's leg, and watchout for facehuggers.

On the home entertainment slate, old man Logan, haunted houses, the Great Wall, and John Wick come home. So does an animated superhero who is friends with the Flash, Green Arrow, and the Legends. Disney also gets in on things with some ducks. Mighty ones. Denise takes us out with a few geeky articles and a whole lotta "yaaaaaaayyy" as we put the wraps on another edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for May 23rd, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Alien: Covenant – [New Release]
#2 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – [-1]
#3 – Everything, Everything – [New Release]
#4 – Snatched – [-2]
#5 – King Arthur: Legend of the Sword – [-2]
#6 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul – [New Release]

#7 – The Fate of the Furious – [-3]
#8 – The Boss Baby – [-2]
#9 – Beauty and the Beast – [-4]
#10 – How to Be a Latin Lover – [-3]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Men in Black 3
2007 – Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
1997 – The Lost World: Jurassic Park
1987 – Beverly Hills Cop II
1977 – The Car
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of May 26th, 2017

Wide

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – [PG-13]

Baywatch – [R]

Limited

Long Strange Trip – [R]
Buena Vista Social Club: Adios  – [PG]
Drone  – [NR]

Home Entertainment for the week of May 23rd, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Logan – [R]

Get Out – [R]

The Great Wall – [PG-13]

Rock Dog – [PG]