This week, we take a...hopefully discerning...look into the British musical horror comedy web series, "Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared." Technically, this is just season 1, which only takes about 35 minutes to watch six episodes, and somehow this led to our 2nd-longest podcast episode ever.

- What were the co-hosts' general feelings about this web series. Which one(s) found it at least entertaining, if not meaningful; and which one(s) found it frustratingly nonsensical & pointless? Can you guess which Geek was which?

- What exactly were the motivations behind the makers of this web series? How much do the Geeks agree and/or disagree on those motivations?

- One Geek referred to at least part of the project as cohesive & having meaning. Which Geek was the first to grunt at such a notion?

- What was the significance of June 19th in the web series?

- What was the main redeeming quality that one critical Geek gave the web series?

- Did the Geeks feel the series had any successful horror or comedy elements?

- What was the explanation behind the title of the series, and did it make any sense to the other Geeks?

- What one-time scoring system did one Geek come up with specifically for this web series?

- How did this review lead to references to Star Trek, Pink Floyd, urine, Shakespeare, Bluey, N.C. State basketball, Lost, philosophers Plato & Diogenes, a BBC show called "Ghost Watch," the movie "Dead Poets Society," and Elon University's one-month winter terms?

Listen now for the answers to these and other cryptic questions as we try...with varied success...to make sense of..."Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared" (season 1).

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With the triumphant return of Andruw, we finally review the Netflix horror trilogy, "Fear Street." Each of the movies in the trilogy are named after the year in which they're based: 1994, 1978, and 1666.

- How well did the Geeks think these three movies worked as a collective trilogy? Was there disagreement about this point?

- Did one or more co-hosts love these movies, and did one or more co-hosts hate these movies?

- Were the characters likable and/or sympathetic? Did that change for the better or worse for any of the co-hosts?

- With these three movies gradually going back in time, which other movie trilogy did one Geek compare it to?

- Which of the Geeks felt a same-sex relationship between two characters was crucial to the plot & message of the trilogy, and which other Geek felt that wasn't even important until the 3rd movie?

- Was there too much focus, good or bad, on a scene involving a bread slicer?

- Which co-host repeatedly reminded the others how many hours it took to watch the whole trilogy?

- Which of the Geeks was extremely critical of the trilogy's plot, to the point of claiming there was no plot?

- Which Geek wondered where all the adults were in the trilogy?

- Which cartoon had an episode with convenient similarities to this trilogy?

- How did this review lead to tangents about "Avatar" movies, Dave Teague, "Killer Klowns From Outer Space," oldies music, and "Mac & Me"?

- What were the Geeks' opinions about the production value, monsters, and music?

- Which of the Geeks totally blew his Lightning Round?

- One of the Geeks listed 5 witch-related movies better than Fear Street. What were his picks?

- And, what confounding thing was randomly rolled to be reviewed in the near future? Note: We actually got to that item before things rolled earlier, so this episode's rolled item will be reviewed in the next episode.

Listen now for the answers to these and other frightening questions as we try to demystify..."Fear Street."

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This week is PART 2 of Todd & Preston's Drive-Time #05. Topics discussed include...

- "NCIS" franchise

- "JAG"

- "Magnum P.I."

- "Hawaii Five-O"

- The movie "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"

- The movie "2 Days in the Valley"

- Spaghetti Westerns

- Who had the better navy, the Empire from Star Wars or the Federation from Star Trek

- "Star Trek Adventures" role playing game

- "Star Trek Continues" web series

Listen now for these and other topics, and check out Part 1 of this Drive-Time Chat #05 if you didn't already.

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- E-Mail:  discerninggeeks@gmail.com

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With Dave & Andruw incognito this week, Todd & Preston go on another imaginary car ride for their Drive-Time Chat #05. And, once again, the discussion lasted long enough to make a two-parter. This is Part 1.

This time, Todd & Preston discuss...

- Preston's audio issues (sorry about that, folks)

- Super Bowl commercials & trailers

- Trailer for "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire"

- "The Real Ghostbuster" animated series from the '80s & '90s

- Trailer for now-officially-named "Deadpool & Wolverine)

- Trailer for "Godzilla x King Kong: The New Empire"

- Preston's viewing of the musical prequel film "Wonka"

- Preston's viewing of "Fargo" season 5

- Todd's viewing of YouTube channel "Popcorn in Bed," where a Canadian woman living in Utah (sometimes joined by her sister) reacts to movies she's seeing for the first time

- Todd's and Preston's different senses of humor

- Todd's new..."between jobs"...status

- Todd's viewing of "Quantum Leap" (revival) two-part season 2 finale and reminiscing about the original series

- Todd's viewing of the "The Rookie" season 6 episodes 1 & 2 (after a strike-extended hiatus and with the season's 2nd episode being the show's 100th episode overall)

- And, the Zander Hawley amusing song, "Daddy Cop," from the popular cold opens of episodes 89 & 100 of "The Rookie"

Listen now for these and other topics, and stay tuned for Part 2 of this Drive-Time Chat #05.

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- E-Mail:  discerninggeeks@gmail.com

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This week, we review the 1989 fantasy/sports/road-trip movie, "Field of Dreams," a favorite of one of our co-hosts.

- This movie makes a lot of nostalgic connectionss between baseball and Americana. Which Geek is a fan of Japanese baseball?

- Which Geek described this as a "Hallmark movie for dudes"?

- What did the Geeks think about the relationship between the main character and his wife?

- Which Geek(s) really loved the opening monologue?

- How much or how little did this movie's stance on baseball as a major American tradition have an affect on the Geeks' opinions about the game?

- The supernatural aspect of the movie is barely explained. Which Geek has his own unorthodox theory?

- One theme of the movie is a man's relationship with his father. What aspect of this topic got one Geek a little more emotional talking about it, more so than watching that aspect of the movie itself?

- What did the Geeks thnk about James Earl Jones' place in the movie?

- What is the origin story of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and how is that relevant to this movie?

- How many of the Geeks would have preferred at least a little more explanation into the supernatural aspect of the movie?

- Which Geek equated this podcast to the Field of Dreams, and how many Geeks got a little sentimental during the lightning round?

- And, which ranking-related topic was rolled for a future episode.

Listen now for the answers to these and other questions as play for a while on the..."Field of Dreams."

You can contact us at...

- E-Mail:  discerninggeeks@gmail.com

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Season 4 is the season of variety. So far, we've reviewed two Christmas movies, a western, and a horror TV-movie older than all the co-hosts. This week, we review a different kind of movie. It's the cutscenes of the video game "Arkham City" stitched together in cinematic fashion. It's our first time reviewing something from a video game, outside of Whatcha' Doin'? episodes.

- Which voice actors from "Batman: The Animated Series" reprise their respective roles in the "Arkham City" game/movie?

- This was Preston's pick, partially because the also liked the game. What did non-gamers Dave & Todd think about this cutscene compilation?

- Which relative of Dave & Andruw came close to meeting Mark Hamill at a video game convention?

- What did the Geeks think about the portrayal of Batman in this "movie"? Was he just as good, if not better, than Batman in other cinematic presentations?

- Was Batman a little too physically strong in this game/movie, considering he's a superhero without actual super powers?

- Which Geek wondered how exactly Batman is not killing people in this game/movie considering how hard & how fast he's punching people?

- How well does the game/movies portray Batman as DC's best detective?

- What did the Geeks thing about the three main villains and the two ticking-clock scenarios?

- What did the Geeks about the plethora of support characters (and subsequently many subplots) in the game/movie?

- Which of the three main villains did the Geeks find most interesting?

- Were these versions of Penguin and Mr. Freeze better than their counterparts from the Tim Burton & Joel Schumacher movies?

- What did the Geeks think about the appearance of Gotham Cty?

- Which Geek said he doesn't like it when Batman gets too dark.

- What did the Geeks think about the ending? Did Batman carry the right person out of Arkham City?

- And, ultimately, does this compelation of cut scenes truly work as an actual movie?

Find out the answers to these and other caped crusading questions as explore the many buildings, room, villains, and subplots of..."Arkham City."

So far, in season 4, we've had the 3rd & 4th of our four Christmas movie reviews, a review of a modern western, a 2023 year-in-review special, our first review of a TV movie, and now a review of a of a video game "movie." Coming...sometimes in 2024, we have the reviews of a mainstream semi-modern fantasy, a sexy heist movie, and streaming channel horror movie trilgoy; plus a ranking of the MCU Phase 2, and much more. Stay tuned, and let us know what you'd like us to cover.

You can contact us at...

- E-Mail:  discerninggeeks@gmail.com

- Facebook:  #DiscerningGeeksPortal

- Twitter (X):  @discerninggeeks

Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

This week, we delve into classic small-screen macabre with a review of the highly-rated 1972 TV movie, "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." This is the first of two TV movies which led to the single season of a Kolchak TV show, which in turn inspired "The X-Files."

- Preston is the big Kolchak fan in the group. How much, if any, were the other Geeks impressed by it?

- Which odd comparison did one Geek make between Kolchak and a certain lawyer show character from the '80s & '90s.

- Gayle Foster was an intriguing support character with an unclear profession and a surprising relationship with Kolchak. Which Geek(s) liked the mystery around Gayle, and which Geek(s) would have preferred more clarity around who & what she was?

- Did we see enough of the vampire in the movie? Did the Geeks agree on this, or were there differing opinions?

- Which Geek had a bit of a problem with Kolchak's publisher being so hesitant...to publish a story.

- Which Geek(s) appreciated the time period in which this TV movie was made and adjusted their expectations accordingly?

- What was the score of this movie's biggest fan?

- What unofficial connections does Kolchak have to "The X-Files"?

- What excuse did Todd find to mention "Babylon 5" this week?

- Which Geek at one time wanted to be a reporter in the field?

- And, did the Geeks forget to roll for a future topic in this episode?

Listen now for the answers to these and other journalistic questions as we report on "Kolchak: The Night Stalker."

So far, in season 4, we've had the 3rd & 4th of our four Christmas movie reviews, a review of a modern western, a 2023 year-in-review special, and now our first review of a TV movie. Coming...sometimes in 2024, we have the reviews of a video game "movie," a mainstream semi-modern fantasy, a sexy heist movie, and streaming channel horror movie trilgoy; plus a ranking of the MCU Phase 2, and much more. Stay tuned, and let us know what you'd like us to cover.

You can contact us at...

- E-Mail:  discerninggeeks@gmail.com

- Facebook:  #DiscerningGeeksPortal

- Twitter (X):  @discerninggeeks

Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Happy New Year, Discerning Listeners, and welcome to our special Year In Review episode for 2023. In this episode we talk about some of the best -- and...not so best -- movies, TV shows, and other entertainment that we enjoyed in 2023.

For movies, we cover the following:

- Blue Beetle

- Super Mario Bros. Movie

- Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

- Evil Dead Rise

- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

- No Hard Feelings

- Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania

- The Marvels

- Oppenheimer

- Godzilla Minus One

- Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3

- Crater (TV movie formerly on Disney+)

- The Creator

- John Wick: Chapter 4

- Barbie

...But, which ones did we think were good, bad, or somewhere in between? You may be surprised by our opinions, but as usual, we do our best to back up our reasons.

For TV shows, we cover...probably too many to list. But, it's the usual wide variety of Marvel, Star Trek, Star Wars, and other sci-fi, fantasy, superhero, and horror shows. But, we also sneak in at least one example each of cop, medical, heist/hijack, kids show, political drama, and royalty docudrama type shows. We also talk a little bit about shows that we binge-watched in 2023 even if those shows didn't originate in 2023.

Taking longer than we thought on movies & TV, we had to save a few topics for a future episode, but we still squeezed in at least one example each of books, games, YouTube channels, and podcasts.

Listen now for our epic wrap up of a year that was...maybe a little less than epic but...still worth reviewing. 2023 is behind us. Best wishes to everyone for an excellent 2024. :)

One of the topics we had to skip was the big question... Was 2023 truly a lackluster year, or are we becoming too picky? What do you think? Let us know by sending us a message.

You can contact us at...

- E-Mail:  discerninggeeks@gmail.com

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Happy New Year! We welcome in 2024 with a slight departure from sci-fi and fantasy with the 1993 western, "Tombstone."

- How many of the Geeks have a love for westerns, and how many of them were turned on to westerns by their dads?

- What did the Geeks think about the huge, all-star cast?

- Which deep or emotional aspects of the movie appeal to at least one of the Geeks?

- Which line of dialogue from the movie inspired this week's obligatory "Babylon 5" reference?

- Which Geek knows the trivia about the real-life versions of the characters in the movie?

- How accurate is this movie's depiction of the shootout at the O.K. Corral?

- What did the Geeks think about the portrayal of women in the old west?

- And, what were some of the Geeks' favorite quotes from the movie?

Listen now for the answers to these and other gunslinging questions, as the Geeks travel to the infamous town with the unfortunate name, "Tombstone."

Are there movies, TV shows, or other topics you'd like us to explore in season 4? Let us know.

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- E-Mail:  discerninggeeks@gmail.com

- Facebook:  #DiscerningGeeksPortal

- Twitter (X):  @discerninggeeks

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Concluding our run of Christmas movies, we review the 1992 superhero sequel, "Batman Returns," which maybe should be renamed "The Penguin & Catwoman: Featuring Batman."

- Did two of the Geeks possibly see this movie together during its 1992 theatrical run?

- Which Geek, as a teenager, was on the local news for his out-of-the-theater reaction to the movie, and did he give hard-hitting, discerning commentary, or did he boil his review down to how Michelle Pfeiffer looked in the catsuit?

- Was there a consensus on this movie, or were opinions split?

- More specifically, did anyone like this movie's version of the Penguin character?

- How much influence, if any, did this version of the Penguin have on the character in other mediums?

- What impressive physical feat did Michelle Pfeiffer achieve during the shooting of one Catwoman scene?

- Which comparison was made between the Catwoman and Seven-Of-Nine from "Star Trek: Voyager"?

- Did the Penguin, Catwoman, or both together, overshadow Batman in his own movie?

- Which Geek had significant complaints about the movie not making sense?

- What comment about comic book logic led to a bit of trivia about the "Deadpool Meat Dimension" from Marvel Comics?

- How much did the Penguin and Catwoman in this movie both deviate from their comic book origins?

- Which Geek had...quite a bit...to say about the sequence in which the Penguin gains control over the Batmobile?

- What nitpicks & logic flaws were brought up involving the Batsuit?

- What were the Geeks' various opinions about this movie's depiction of Gotham City, the relationship between Bruce and Selina, and Max Shreck as the movie's 3rd (but possibly best) villain?

- How did discussion about the Bruce/Selina relationship lead one Geek to reminisce about dating life in high school?

- What subplot in this movie reminded one or two, maybe all three, Geeks about real-life politics and not in a good way?

- Which Geek particularly liked the last moment of the movie?

- In what way is a prehistoric caveman superhero an important precursor to all of DC's heroes & villains with special powers or optimal human traits?

- Was there consensus on whether this movie truly qualifies as a Christmas movie?

- Was there consensus on whether "Batman Returns" is better or worse than "Black Adam"?

- And, what three season 4 topics were randomly rolled (two offline) for future episodes? Did Preston finally get one of his selections picked?

Listen now for the answers to these and other vigilant questions as the Geeks review, "Batman Returns."

Check out our previous Christmas-themed episodes...

#026 - Gremlins

#028 - Muppet Christmas Carol

#034 to #036 - Christmas-Themed Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot Radio Play, Parts 1 to 3

#080 - The Man That Invented Christmas

#081 - Klaus

#082 - Home Alone

#083 - Children of Men

#115 - Whatcha' Doin' December 2022 Catch-Up

#149 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

#150 - Violent Night

#151 - The Santa Clause

And, check out our other reviews of movies based on DC Comics characters...

#003 - Batman

#089 - Batman Begins

#116 - Black Adam

#145 - Shazam

#146 - Wonder Woman

Are there movies, TV shows, or other topics you'd like us to explore in season 4? Let us know.

You can contact us at...

- E-Mail:  discerninggeeks@gmail.com

- Facebook:  #DiscerningGeeksPortal

- Twitter (X):  @discerninggeeks

Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts.