On an all-new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, Batman defeats his foes as Presidents' Day Weekend becomes a rough one for new releases. This week, the Caped Crusader will face a rocking dog, a race along the Autobahn, and an interracial romantic comedy as he fights to maintain the cape and cowl of number one movie in the nation. Can it be done?

In home entertainment, it's a short slate across the board, highlighted by the debut of Doctor Mysterio on shelves. Denise brings news about Guardians of the Galaxy, Rufio's Hook prequel, Bryan Cranston on Better Call Saul, and more before bringing things to a close on this edition of the Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for February 21st, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Rock Dog

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – The LEGO Batman Movie – [Second Week]
#2 – Fifty Shades Darker – [Second Week]
#3 – The Great Wall – [New Release]
#4 – John Wick: Chapter Two – [-1]
#5 – Fist Fight – [New Release]
#6 – Hidden Figures – [-1]

#7 – Split – [-3]
#8 – A Dog’s Purpose – [-2]
#9 – La La Land – [-1]
#10 – A Cure for Wellness – [New Release]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Act of Valor
2007 – Ghost Rider
1997 – Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition
1987 – Platoon
1977 – Rocky
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of February 24th, 2017

Wide

Rock Dog – [PG]

Collide – [PG-13]

Get Out – [R]

Limited

Bitter Harvest – [R]
As You Are – [NR]
Punching Henry – [NR]

Home Entertainment for the week of February 21st, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Hacksaw Ridge – [R]

Manchester by the Sea – [R]

Bad Santa 2 – [R]

New Releases on Digital Video

Moana – [PG]

Jackie – [R]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Doctor Who: The Return of Doctor Mysterio (2016)
Grace and Frankie: Season Two (2016)

Blu-Rays From the Past

King Solomon’s Mines (1985) – [PG-13]

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

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Rufio is crowdfunding a Hook prequel
Bryan Cranston would return for Better Call Saul
The Kitchen from Vertigo Comics
The LEGO Batman Movie

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 podcast is back, but with a new look and attitude.  Actually, it's not a podcast so much as  vid-cast now.  John explains in this episode what the show is going to be like going forward.  In the first of two parts, John introduces the game that will be played, Card Sharks, giving a brief history of the show on TV and introducing the components of the game.  Finally, he offers an episode of the game show from its original run.  

 

Stay tuned as in two weeks, we'll present the actual game play of the game with two contests playing online via Skype.

Want to be part of the fun?  Have a game show favorite you'd like to play?  Write John at drewshi2000@gmail.com and let him know what are your favorite game shows.  When we come up to it, you could be one of the people considered to play.

Aired December 13, 1967

Catwoman is back in Gotham, but she's looking a little different this season.  Eartha Kitt takes over the role, replacing Julie Newmar who was appearing in a film at the time.  Curiously, the dynamic between Batman and Catwoman is changed where the sexual tension is almost gone.  Instead, Catwoman is obsessed with Batgirl.

​

Joining John to discuss this episode is podcaster Michael Falkner (The Weekly Podioplex).  In addition to talking about the missed opportunities of this story (including the idea that Catwoman is literally invading a foreign country when she replaces the queen in her embassy), they also discuss the possible reasoning behind the change in the relationship with Batman and Catwoman.

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

 

Michael Falkner is a writer, podcaster, and photographer living in the Atlanta area. A graduate of the University of Utah and the University of Arkansas, a Navy submarine veteran, and an incurable science fiction geek, he has been writing, give or take, since he could hold a pencil.

​

Since 2011, he has hosted The Weekly Podioplex, a movie and television news podcast on The Chronic Rift network. Before then, he was a writer and producer for The Scapecast, the Parsec Award-winning podcast about Farscape. He has also contributed to various other podcast productions, most notably The RevCast on RevolutionSF and The Chronic Rift's Roundtable. Michael is also a frequent panelist for the American Science Fiction Classics Track at Dragon Con, and is also one of the founding members of the Dragon Con Newbies group, which helps newcomers of the annual convention.

​

As a writer, Michael has been published several times, including genre essays on RevolutionSF and ForceCast.net. He is also the author of the Timestamps Project, a series of reviews of the long-running Doctor Who television series. His work can be found on his site, Creative Criticality.

Production: J

Airdates: October 31 - November 14, 1964

The TARDIS doors open suddenly in mid-flight causing the dimensions of the vessel to change.  When the crew emerges in modern day England, they find themselves the size of insects in a planet of giants.  Add to that, there's a murder mystery that they become involved in.  How can they solve it and bring the murderer to justice in their diminutive state?

It's the first episode of the second series of Doctor Who from 1964.  This was supposed to be the first story in the series proper and it's a good thing it wasn't as it's as short in its content as the time travelers.  Take a listen to this brief review and let us know what you think of it by leaving a comment here.

It's love, true love on an all-new edition of The Weekly Podioplex as the sluggish year gets a reboot with three new releases in the top three spots. LEGO Batman will have his hands full fighting mythic monsters as Hollywood and China join forces at The Great Wall. Does the Caped Crusader have the power to break a wall not made of plastic bricks, or can he rely on the undying love of the fans to keep him on top?

In home entertainment, several titles make their debut, including the sci-fi darling Arrival and, on digital, Marvel's newest dimension-beinding wizard. TV on DVD brings drama and crime fighting, the latter with an addiction to lollipops, along with the Starship Enterprise in HD. Raquel Welch caps it off with a trip to the stone age before Denise gives us the lowdown on how Baby Groot is a jerk. After that, we put a bow on this Valentine's Day edition of the Weekly Podioplex because we choo-choo-choose you. Either that, or we shot you with Cupid's arrows again. That cherub really needs to quit leaving his weapons lying around The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for February 14th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The Great Wall

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – The LEGO Batman Movie – [New Release]
#2 – Fifty Shades Darker – [New Release]
#3 – John Wick: Chapter Two – [New Release]
#4 – Split – [-3]
#5 – Hidden Figures – [-1]
#6 – A Dog’s Purpose – [-3]

#7 – Rings – [-5]
#8 – La La Land – [-3]
#9 – Lion – [+1]
#10 – Sing – [-3]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Safe House
2007 – Ghost Rider
1997 – Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Special Edition
1987 – Platoon
1977 – Rocky
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of February 17th, 2017

Wide

The Great Wall – [PG-13]

Fist Fight – [R]

A Cure for Wellness – [R]

Limited

Land of Mine – [R]
Everybody Loves Somebody – [PG-13]
Lovesong – [NR]
In Dubious Battle – [R]

Home Entertainment for the week of February 14th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Arrival – [PG-13]

The Edge of Seventeen – [R]

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk – [R]

Bleed for This – [R]

New Releases on Digital Video

Doctor Strange – [PG-13]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Mercy Street: Season Two (2017)
Quarry: Season One (2016)
Kojak: Season One (1973)
Star Trek: Enterprise: The Complete Series (2001-2005)

Blu-Rays From the Past

One Million Years B.C. (1966) – [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

Kate McKinnon and The Magic School Bus
Scarlett Johansson, whitewashing, and Ghost in the Shell
Disney’s live-action Aladdin
Castlevania on Netflix
Baby Groot is a jerk

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

Welcome to February with all-new edition of The Weekly Podioplex. With Split earning a box office turkey and all of the new releases acting more like Falcons than Patriots, we have to wonder if the Caped Crusader can break through the brick wall and score a win. Joining him (and Robin, if we continue the avian theme) are John Wick and fifty more shades of Fifty Shades. Nothing says Valentines like LEGOs, violence, and hyperbolic BDSM.

In home entertainment, we start with a completely different kind of Loving, followed by Trolls, political fallout, and the dark side of the Justice League. The digital and TV slates are pretty sparse, but classics on Blu-Ray make up for it as we say goodbye to Carrie Fisher with a loose semi-autobiographical salute. Wrap it up with Denise and news of Star Wars vinyls, Game of Thrones beverages, and a wee spot of, shall we say, alternative facts in the Quick Flicks, and we bring this edition of The Weekly Podioplex to close. It's all yours for free, courtesy of The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for February 7th, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The LEGO Batman Movie

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Split – [Third Week]
#2 – Rings – [New Release]
#3 – A Dog’s Purpose – [-1]
#4 – Hidden Figures – [-1]
#5 – La La Land – [Even]
#6 – Resident Evil: The Final Chapter – [-2]

#7 – Sing – [Even]
#8 – xXx: The Return of Xander Cage – [-2]
#9 – The Space Between Us – [New Release]
#10 – Lion – [+4]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Vow
2007 – Norbit
1997 – Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Special Edition
1987 – Platoon
1977 – Rocky
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of February 10th, 2017

Wide

The LEGO Batman Movie – [PG]

John Wick: Chapter 2 – [R]

Fifty Shades Darker – [R]

Limited

Jolly LLB 2 – [NR]
A United Kingdom – [PG-13]
Kedi – [UR]

Home Entertainment for the week of February 7th, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Loving – [PG-13]

Trolls – [PG]

American Pastoral – [R]

Justice League Dark – [R]

New Releases on Digital Video

Manchester By the Sea – [R]

Hacksaw Ridge – [R]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

From Dusk Till Dawn: Season Three (2016)

Blu-Rays From the Past

Postcards from the Edge (1990) – [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

A Dog’s Purpose
Star Wars: The Force Awakens collectors vinyls
J.J. Abrams and supernatural WWII film Overlord
Game of Thrones adult beverages
Charmed and Lost Boys reboots pushed back

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

It’s a Presidents’ Day episode of “Presenting the Transcription Feature.”  On “Meet Me at Parky’s,” Greek restaurateur Parkyakarkus celebrates Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday.  He wants to do the Great Rail Splitter proud, but keeps having trouble with his decorating scheme.  Then on “The Great Gildersleeve” Gildy finds himself in a George Washington’s birthday bind.  He’s trying to set a good example for his nephew by not telling any lies, but reality keeps getting in the way.

Episodes

Meet Me at Parky’s

February 9, 1947

“Lincoln’s Birthday Decorations”

5:37

The Great Gildersleeve

February 22, 1942

“Selling the Drugstore”

39:13

It's the end of January on an all-new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, and while we wonder where the month has gone, the box office newbies were Split across the board. As he continues to seek redemption from moviegoers, M. Night Shyamalan has some contenders this week with The Space Between Us and Ring

s. Yes, it's another visit to the short film about a girl who crawls out of well on a weekly basis to kill. We can empathize. Except for the crawling out a well. And the killing. So, basically with the weekly basis bit.

Anyway, in home entertainment, Jack Reacher doesn't listen to his titles, Madea says boo, Disney crowns the Queen of Katwe, and Arrival arrives on digital. Television titles welcome Penny Dreadful, Queen Victoria, and the return of two classic sci-fi favorites. Add in the boy without strings on a new blu-ray for a nice finish to the month.

What? You want more? Denise has just the thing with Marvel meet-ups and Star Wars stories, bringing January to fantastic finale on The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for January 31st, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The Space Between Us

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Split – [Second Week]
#2 – A Dog’s Purpose – [New Release]
#3 – Hidden Figures – [Even]
#4 – Resident Evil: The Final Chapter – [New Release]
#5 – La La Land – [Even]
#6 – xXx: The Return of Xander Cage – [-4]

#7 – Sing – [-3]
#8 – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – [-2]
#9 – Monster Trucks – [-2]
#10 – Gold – [New Release]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Chronicle
2007 – The Messengers
1997 – Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Special Edition
1987 – Platoon
1977 – Rocky
 

Box Office Premieres for the week of February 3rd, 2017

Wide

The Space Between Us – [PG-13]

Rings – [PG-13]

Limited

Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back – [PG-13]
I Am Not Your Negro – [PG-13]
The Comedian – [R]

Home Entertainment for the week of January 31st, 2017

New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back – [PG-13]

Boo! A Madea Halloween – [PG-13]

Queen of Katwe – [PG]

New Releases on Digital Video

Arrival – [PG-13]

TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Penny Dreadful: The Complete Series (2014-2016)
Victoria: Season One (2016)
Quantum Leap: The Complete Series (1989-1993)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Complete Series (1993-1999)

Blu-Rays From the Past

Pinocchio (1940) – [G]

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

Mary Tyler Moore
Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills
Star Wars: Rebel Rising
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Doctor Strange meets Infinity War

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