Episode Guide

Yes, we are aware this episode guide is badly out of date. It may one day be updated. It may not. You’ll never know. Isn’t that exciting? In the meantime, feel free to scroll through the main page at your leisure.

EPISODE 96: “Talking Turkey: Ernest Cline”

Airdate: May 12, 2012
This week, Paul and AJ are honored to sit down with Ernie Cline, author of the New York Times bestselling science fiction novel Ready Player One, which arrives in paperback on June 5. The three of them have a pretty epic geek-out session. Oh, they talk about the book, too. Ernie discusses his inspiration for writing Ready Player One, what the future holds for the film adaptation, his brutal experience writing the movie Fanboys, and the many virtues of the Alamo Drafthouse. Ernie also mentions how much The Avengers rocked his world, so after the interview, Paul and AJ obsess some more over the movie, its nooks, and its crannies (hint: mirrors!). (show notes)

EPISODE 95: “Assemble”

Airdate: May 5, 2012
It’s here. It’s finally, really, actually here. The Avengers is in theaters. Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk assemble into one giant superhero-palooza under the watchful eye of Joss Whedon. We hope it doesn’t spoil the episode very much if we say that the film more than lives up to our expectations. Paul and AJ discuss the film’s impressive structure, the insane giddiness of watching our heroes rumble with one another, and what Joss Whedon puts these iconic characters through. Among other things. There’s a lot of talking going on; there kind of had to be. Plus, the boys pay tribute to Adam “MCA” Yauch. (show notes)

EPISODE 94: “Snow White Seeking a Friend in the Lawless Moonrise Kingdom”

Airdate: April 28, 2012
Bust out your surfboards and bikinis, boys and girls! Hollywood’s gearing up for its summer movie season, so Paul and AJ discuss the 10 movies they’re most looking forward to, four mutual picks and three solo choices apiece. We cover everything from superhero fare like The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises to quirky independents like Moonrise Kingdom and Safety Not Guaranteed. Plus, AJ talks about seeing Casablanca on the big screen, Paul heaps praise on the comics Saga and Prophet, and a retraction is issued in regards to Girls. (show notes)

EPISODE 93: “Titanic: Episode I – The Phantom Iceberg…in 3D!”

Airdate: April 21, 2012
There’s been a disturbance in the Force…and that’s only the tip of the iceberg! Well, after that peach of a sentence, we’re about to be dragged offstage, so really quickly: AJ likes Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; Paul likes Titanic. Paul hates Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; AJ hates Titanic. FIGHT! Well, it’s actually a lot more civil than that, but yes, arguments are had, rants are ranted, bile is spewed. Plus, they also have a fundamental disagreement over the new HBO series Girls, so, you know, more fighting and stuff. (show notes)

EPISODE 92: “Am I on Speakerphone?”

Airdate: April 14, 2012
Calling all jocks, nerds, sluts, virgins, and stoners: there’s a certain cabin you might want to take a trip to. Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard’s long-delayed The Cabin in the Woods is finally in theaters this weekend, so Paul and AJ offer up their thoughts. We know the movie isn’t just about kids going to a cabin and getting sliced and diced, but how much can we say here without pissing off the Internet? As far as that goes, in lieu of a witty banter portion, we discuss our NON-SPOILERY thoughts on the film up top before getting into a SPOILERY discussion. So, yeah. It’s a barrel o’ laughs, there’s some arguing, and lots of affection for certain cast members. Why don’t you go ahead and walk down into that dark cellar? (show notes)

EPISODE 91: “Real Darko”

Airdate: April 7, 2012
It’s Geek Challenge time! Paul has challenged AJ to Real Genius, and in turn, AJ has challenged Paul to Donnie Darko. Our two challenges this time may seem wildly different in terms of plot and tone, but they’re really not that dissimilar: Both take place in the ’80s, both are centered around “extraordinary” young men, both feature schools which are important to the story, and both ensure that Tears for Fears will keep receiving those royalty checks for a good long while. As far as the boys’ discussion is concerned, things are going pretty well until they’re not. Plus, Paul and AJ rave about the Game of Thrones season premiere. (show notes)

EPISODE 90: “Once Upon a Time…in Nazi-Occupied France”

Airdate: March 31, 2012
Atten-SHUN! It’s the last week of Tarantino Month, so that means one thing, and one thing only: we’re here to discuss Inglourious Basterds, Tarantino’s charmingly misspelled WWII epic. Points of interest for the boys include Brad Pitt’s ridiculous accent, the puzzling nature of Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa, the film’s Spaghetti Western stylings, the greatness of Mélanie Laurent, and what Tarantino has to say about the power of cinema. Plus, AJ recounts his Lez Zeppelin experience and Paul has a few extra thoughts about The Hunger Games. (show notes)

EPISODE 89: “Now I Gotta Catch Me My Other Girlfriends”

Airdate: March 24, 2012
For the penultimate installment of Tarantino Month, the boys set their high-beams on 2007′s Death Proof. Thrill! as they discuss Kurt Russell’s magnificent creepiness as the psychotic Stuntman Mike. Contemplate! as they analyze the film’s subversion of slasher movie tropes. Ponder! as they explore the rape-y aspects of Death Proof and even Kill Bill, and what that means in the context of stories about strong women. Plus, Paul rants about spoilerphobes and the lie Fandango (quite literally) sold him; and, with a rueful, barely-functioning heart, AJ explains how he came into contact with a deep-fried Twinkie and lived to tell the tale. (show notes)

SPECIAL: “Hungry Hungry Katniss”

Airdate: March 23, 2012
After seeing The Hunger Games at midnight, Paul and AJ recorded their thoughts…not all of which are positive. Jennifer Lawrence makes for a good Katniss, but how does the movie stack up to the book? Was there a way around some of the film’s narrative pitfalls? And just what in the fuck is up with that camerawork? (Yes, friends and Gobblers, that means Paul goes on another shakycam rant. And it is glorious.)

EPISODE 88: “I Ain’t Ridin’ in No Trunk for No Minute, Man”

Airdate: March 17, 2012
It’s Week Three of Tarantino Month, and that can only mean one thing. Put on your Kangol hat, grab your Raptor bag, and grow some whack-ass facial hair, because it’s Jackie Brown time. Paul and AJ wax rhapsodic about Pam Grier’s badassitude, the mysterious cool of Robert Forster, the brilliant build-up to a perfect pay-off, and of how this might have been the last time Robert De Niro actually cared about acting. Plus, AJ describes the extreme elation and subsequent torture he put himself through by following a big-screen viewing of The Godfather with two Twilight movies; and Paul lambastes the media’s coverage of John Carter. (show notes)

EPISODE 87: “Garçon Means Boy”

Airdate: March 10, 2012
It’s week two of Tarantino Month, so the boys discuss the big one: Pulp Fiction, the film that rekindled or launched a thousand careers. What’s in the briefcase? Is Butch a true American patriot? What would have become of Vincent and Mia if things had gone a little differently? Did Reservoir Dogs‘ Mr. Pink survive to become Buddy Holly the waiter? Paul and AJ tackle these questions and more in discussing one of their all-time favorite films. Plus, AJ discusses Ben & Arthur, the worst movie he’s ever seen; and Paul details how he amazingly tried to make his zoo visitors happy. (show notes)

EPISODE 86: “Was That As Good for You As It Was for Me?”

Airdate: March 3, 2012
Are you gonna bark all day, little doggy, or are you gonna bite…and/or listen to us babble about Reservoir Dogs for the first entry of Tarantino Month here at Gobbledygeek? In covering Quentin Tarantino’s first feature, we discuss the film’s ingenious construction; Michael Madsen’s disturbing performance as Mr. Blonde; why AJ thought he might go to hell after watching it for the first time; how it inspired a multitude of copycats; and why none of its imitators have ever been able to rival the real thing. Plus, the boys geek out over the Avengers trailer, Paul brags about a little somethin’, and a revelation is revelated! (show notes)

30-SECOND SPECIAL: “And the Oscar Goes To…”

Airdate: February 27, 2012
As you may have heard, the Oscars were tonight. The body isn’t even cold yet, but Paul and AJ are here on the scene with their barely coherent criticisms, crammed into 30 seconds!

EPISODE 85: “Talking Turkey: Standard Action”

Airdate: February 26, 2012
This week, Paul and AJ are joined by Joanna Gaskell and Rob Hunt of the fantasy-based web series Standard Action. Joanna and Rob discuss filming in the mud and rain of Vancouver, writing a part for yourself, and how to finance an indie project, all before turning the tables on the boys. Plus, AJ gets excited for the Oscars and gee, Paul really hates George Lucas. (show notes)

EPISODE 84: “Live and Die on This Day”

Airdate: February 21, 2012
The first surprise of 2012 is The Grey, the Liam Neeson survival film whose trailers could be politely described as Taken, Only by Wolves. However, such is not the case, and Paul and AJ discuss the movie’s meditative reflections on life, death, and the human will to survive. And, yes, the movie’s depiction of wolves as supernatural beasts…and whether or not any wolfpunching occurs. Plus, AJ details his remedy for illness (it involves a bad Nicolas Cage movie) and Paul talks about Kevin Smith’s new reality show Comic Book Men. (show notes)

EPISODE 83: “Mawwiage”

Airdate: February 11, 2012
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, so grab your best guy/gal and settle down for the latest episode of Gobbledygeek, in which the boys discuss how marriage is presented in pop culture. It’s really hard to find a pop marriage that isn’t fundamentally fucked-up in one way or another, but Paul and AJ do their best. On one hand, you’ve got everyone from Firefly‘s Wash and Zoe to The Honeymooners‘ Ralph and Alice, and on the other, you’ve got Breaking Bad‘s Walt and Skyler and The Godfather‘s Michael and Kay. Plus…Paul and AJ get engaged???? (show notes)

EPISODE 82: “The Secret Wanderlust of John Carter, Who Lives at Home”

Airdate: February 4, 2012
Spring is about to get sprung (thanks for ruining that, Sir Mix-a-Lot), so Paul and AJ list 20 movies that might be worth your attention in February, March, and April. The films range from charming Japanese anime The Secret World of Arrietty to the very serious Albanian-language The Forgiveness of Blood; to the wacky high seas adventures of The Pirates! Band of Misfits to the Willem Dafoe/Sam Neill Tasmanian tiger (or is it wolf?) movie The Hunter. In between, you’ll find films sappy, thrilling, terrifying, and hilarious. Hopefully. Also, the seeds for a future episode are nefariously planted, and: The Cabin in the Woods is finally coming out! (show notes)

EPISODE 81: “Pop to the Future”

Airdate: January 28, 2012
It’s 2012. The world is probably coming to a fiery end soon. So where is our flying car? And while we’re at it, are there going to be lightsabers? Or clones? Or hoverboards? Or any number of things that science fiction and pop culture have promised us? Paul and AJ ruminate on these questions of the future, discussing whether or not some of these goals are attainable or even desirable. And heads up: shit gets kinda bleak. (show notes)

EPISODE 80: “The Young Adult with the Dragon Tattoo”

Airdate: January 21, 2012
Your worst nightmares have been realized: Paul and AJ are back with another season of Gobbledygeek! To kick things off, the boys discuss two films released late last year. Though they are both very different, they’re both about damaged women: Young Adult, the very un-Juno-like reteaming of Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody, starring Charlize Theron as a self-obsessed YA author; and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, David Fincher’s adaptation of the first book in Stieg Larsson’s blockbuster Millennium series, starring Rooney Mara as fierce hacker/investigator Lisbeth Salander. They clash over Young Adult‘s polarizing conclusion, and come together in defense of Mara’s Salander, who has not been softened or overly sexualized, thank you very much. (show notes)

EPISODE 79: “2011 in Review”

Airdate: December 19, 2011
Well, boys and girls, the second season of Gobbledygeek has come to a close, so just like they did last year, Paul and AJ talk about everything they loved and hated in the past twelve months. In the midst of discussing their favorite and least favorite movies, TV shows, albums, and comics of 2011–among other things–the boys engage in some bickering, some mockery, some name-calling…a good way to end the year, don’t you think? (show notes)

EPISODE 78: “Twisted Christmas: Just Add Water”

Airdate: December 10, 2011
This holiday season, the boys rewind to their respective childhoods and visit a cherished classic: Joe Dante’s Gremlins. It’s not your usual holiday fare, unless your usual holiday fare involves murder, insanity, and chaos. They discuss whether or not the film actually holds up to the harsh light of adulthood, whether those damn rules make any sense, and just how high the author of the film’s novelization was. AJ reviews We Need to Talk About Kevin, Paul gripes about The Defenders #1, and then we get around to Nathan’s snarky Formspring question of the week. (show notes)

EPISODE 77: “Buy, Buy, Buy”

Airdate: December 3, 2011
If there’s anything we learned from A Charlie Brown Christmas, it’s that Christmas has become far too commercialized and that the true spirit of Christmas isn’t in the gifts that you receive. So, going entirely against that lesson from our childhoods, we’ve concocted the second annual Gobbledygeek Gift Guide! We’ll clue you into everything you should buy for that nerd in your life, be they into movies (The Tree of Life! Hanna!), music (Nirvana! Pink Floyd!), games (Arkham City! Skyrim!), or more. We also leaven all the cynical buying and spending with genuine, heartfelt appreciations of the movies We Bought a Zoo, Hugo, and The Muppets, plus some Formspring questions and an e-mail. (show notes)

EPISODE 76: “Gobbledygeek Thanksgiving II”

Airdate: November 19, 2011
Leaves changing color? Check. Days getting shorter? Check. The bitter taste of your college sports team getting its butt kicked? Double check. So what else could you possibly need? How about the second annual Gobbledygeek Thanksgiving? Much more restrained this year than in our freshman effort, but we still managed to blackmail a couple of guests into stopping by to help us be all thankful and shit. Nathan and Kevin make their long-awaited returns to the Turkey-Cave to say nice things about the nerdy stuff they’re thankful for…and also to mock us, your beloved Gobbledygeek guys. It’s a holiday tradition! (show notes)

EPISODE 75: “GobbleCon 2011: Of Records, Ribs, and Rock Band”

Airdate: November 12, 2011
Turkey Day’s early this year! Universes collide, worlds explode, and galaxies collapse as Paul and AJ actually meet face-to-face for the first time ever for GobbleCon 2011! As such, this is one for the faithful: the boys don’t take on any outside topics, just report from the front lines about all the places they’ve visited, all the food they’ve eaten, and all the Rock Band they’ve played. To be fair, there’s also a joint review of Andrew Niccol’s In Time. It’s mostly about food, though. (show notes)

EPISODE 74: “Occupy Arkham City or, Batman Is the 1%”

Airdate: November 6, 2011
This week, the boys get their Bat on, discussing the new video game Batman: Arkham City and the new animated film Batman: Year One. Does Arkham City improve on Arkham Asylum? Does Kevin Conroy have the greatest batvoice ever? Is Year One a faithful adaptation of Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s comic book? Does Bryan Cranston make for a great Jim Gordon? These questions, and many more, are answered in the affirmative. Plus, a reader e-mail and some Formspring questions, including what may be the last “oeuvre” question ever. (show notes)

EPISODE 73: “Where We’re Going, We Won’t Need Clothes”

Airdate: October 29, 2011
For the final week of Gobbledyween, Paul revisits Paul W.S. Anderson’s magnum opus Event Horizon for the first time since theaters and AJ watches it for the very first time. Also probably the last. You see, it’s not very good. Unlike The Evil Dead, The Thing, and Dawn of the Dead, this one’s not so much a classic, but the boys still mine some discussion and humor from the proceedings. They also ponder the philosophical query: does one need clothes? As always, there are some Formspring questions to round things out. (show notes)

EPISODE 72: “No More Room in Hell”

Airdate: October 22, 2011
When there is no more room in hell, the Gobbledygeeks will walk the earth. And while we’re here, we shall discuss George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead! That’s right, zombiefolk, it’s Gobbledyween week three, so we’re turning our rotting, shambling corpses upon one of the original undead classics. Part consumerism satire and part gory munchfest, the film set a high bar for zombie films that not many have been able to shuffle up to. After we discuss the film and go off on some bizarre tangents, we talk about the Walking Dead season 2 premiere and answer some off-the-wall Formspring questions. (show notes)

EPISODE 71: “Things to Do in Antarctica When You’re Dead”

Airdate: October 17, 2011
The second installment of Gobbledyween 2011, John Carpenter’s The Thing, gets discussed just as its new prequel/remake is hitting theaters. The boys discuss the film’s paranoia, claustrophobia, and intensity, as well as why Paul considers it possibly the greatest horror film ever made. Also mentioned are the film’s initially poor reception and Christian Nyby/Howard Hawks’ original The Thing from Another World. Plus: Paul talks concerts, AJ talks Moneyball, and they both review 50/50. (show notes)

SPECIAL: “Enormous Green Rage Monster”

Airdate: October 13, 2011
We were made to be ruled by this Avengers trailer! The boys review the preview in the first-ever GobbledySpecial. Explosions! Sparring superheroes! Robert Downey Jr. reciting Joss Whedon dialogue! Avengers Assemble? More like AWESOME Assemble! Am I right?

EPISODE 70: “Join Us”

Airdate: October 8, 2011
This week, we get sad and silly. First, the boys say goodbye to Apple founder and tech visionary Steve Jobs. Then, to keep anyone from taking them too seriously, they kick off this year’s Gobbledygeek Halloween (Gobbledy’ween?) Film Festival with a ribald discussion of the Sam Raimi classic The Evil Dead. Also: AJ reviews the Wasikowska/Fassbender interpretation of Jane Eyre; Paul hints at what you can probably expect from the review of the Ethan Gilsdorf book Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks he’s bound to do someday; and a slew of Formspring questions. (show notes)

EPISODE 69: “Nerdgasm”

Airdate: October 2, 2011
This week, Paul and AJ discuss Ernest Cline’s new book Ready Player One, which may as well be the geek manifesto of 2011. Dystopian future, an evil corporation, an immersive virtual world, 80′s pop culture references out the wazoo…yeah, it pretty much covers all the bases. AJ also offers his opinion of Drive to counter Paul’s, and reviews the indie film Terri. Plus Formspring questions! (show notes)

EPISODE 68: “Stop Rapping, Son or, Little Stipe and Big Boobs”

Airdate: September 24, 2011
It’s a veritable cornucopia of conversation as Paul and AJ let it roll with another fast-and-loose episode. Netflix’s questionable new business strategy is discussed (tweets are read aloud!), some of the new/returning fall TV shows are subject to the boys’ discerning gaze (planking is dissed!), R.E.M.’s break-up is mourned (Michael Stipe’s penis!), and more. Paul offers up his review of Drive, while AJ raves about Girls’ new album Father, Son, Holy Ghost. If you like your Gobbledygeek served raw and rambly, this one’s for you! Whatever that means. Forget I said anything. (show notes)

EPISODE 67: “Of Sci-Fi, Slayers, and Spider-Men”

Airdate: September 19, 2011
Welcome, boys and girls, to another off-the-cuff, scriptless episode. After some quote-unquote “banter,” the boys talk about why we geeks are so drawn to works of fantasy and science fiction. They also say some words about the latest wave of DC Comics’ New 52, AJ shares his thoughts on the films Our Idiot Brother and Horrible Bosses, and Paul waxes rhapsodic on Another Earth. But of course what we all care about here are the boys’ thoughts on the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9 #1 (hint: they dig it), and Ultimate Spider-Man #1, which includes mocking the %#$& out of “valued reader” Jimmy Champane and “formerly happy Marvel true believer” Douglas Maxfield. Good times. (show notes)

EPISODE 66: “TV Party”

Airdate: September 10, 2011
Paul and AJ have already told you what movies you’re going to watch this fall, but what about those nights when you feel like staying in and staring slack-jawed at your television screen? Well, ladies and germs,we’ve got you covered! The boys discuss a number of new shows–sci-fi dramas like Terra Nova and comedies like New Girl, starring the glorious angel that is Zooey Deschanel–and returning ones–from Community to Boardwalk Empire. Now you have no excuse not to be as anti-social as humanly possible. You can thank us later! Plus: Paul reviews more DC New 52 books; AJ tells you why you need Spotify in your life; we’ve got the second half of last week’s Formspring question; and a listener e-mail! (show notes)

EPISODE 65: “Talking Turkey”

Airdate: September 5, 2011
Hello Gobblers! In honor of this Labor Day holiday, the boys did absolutely no work to get this podcast ready. No news. No predetermined topic. Just two geeks chatting and ranting, freestyle…like nerdy, talentless Flava Flavs. Thrill as the boys complain about George Lucas! Marvel as they complain about the debut of the DC New 52! (See what I did there?) Roll your eyes as they conflate adorable actress Karen Gillan and adorable (?) writer Kieron Gillen! They saw some movies and say some things about ‘em; they pimp some local record stores; they sing the praises of Direct Comic Book Service and InStockTrades. (Please sponsor us. We love you.) (show notes)

EPISODE 64: “A Hazy Shade of Fall/Winter”

Airdate: August 28, 2011
Gather ’round, boys and girls! The leaves will soon be falling from the trees; snow can’t be too far off after that. After long, strenuous days of leaf-blowing and snow-shoveling, what better way to take respite than by going to a movie? Well, luckily for you, Paul and AJ have got your fall/winter itinerary covered: they discuss 65 (!) movies coming out from September through January, from blockbusters like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to arthouse flicks like The Artist, from sure-to-be-awful movies like The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 to sure-to-be-awesome movies like Carnage. As August comes to a close, pour yourself a mug of hot cocoa, wrap yourself in a parka, and fantasize about all the moviegoing you’ll be doing the next few months. (show notes)

EPISODE 63: “Mise-en-Scène”

Airdate: August 20, 2011
Have you ever been inexplicably, powerfully moved by a scene in a film? Has there ever been a moment in your favorite television series that captivated you beyond all explanation? Have you found yourself so strongly identifying with a paragraph, page, or chapter in a book that you feel as though you’ve been forever transformed? Paul and AJ have, more times than they can count. Hear just some of the scenes from pop culture that have spoken to them over the years. Also, AJ sees The Smurfs and lives to smurf the smurf (but just barely). And our Formspring page is being ridden like a two dollar whore lately, giving us more questions than the boys could possibly answer…but they give it the ol’ college try anyway. (show notes)

EPISODE 62: “Get Your Stinking Prequels Off Me, You Damned Dirty Reboots”

Airdate: August 14, 2011
Everything old is new again. Hollywood insists that there are no new stories to tell. This week, Paul and AJ wander through the desert of pop culture and discuss the ups and downs (mostly downs) of prequels and reboots, looking for the rare oases of creativity. Plus: Paul reviews Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and the boys wrap it up with a slew of Formspring questions. (show notes)

EPISODE 61: “No Country for the Outlaw Josey Wales”

Airdate: August 7, 2011
For the latest Geek Challenge, the boys challenged each other to watch two very different Westerns: Clint Eastwood’s classic 1976 outing The Outlaw Josey Wales for AJ, and the Coen Brothers’ 2007 award-winner No County for Old Men for Paul. One is an epic tale of revenge, filled with Indians and shoot-outs and starring the Spirit of the West himself. The other is a bleak modern Western featuring a frightening force of nature ripping through anyone in his way. How does the Challenge turn out? How often does Josey Wales spit? How dorky is Anton Chigurh’s hair? These questions, and probably not others, will be answered in this week’s gobble-rific Geek Challenge! Plus: news, the boys’ joint review of Captain America: The First Avenger, and too many Formspring questions! (show notes)

EPISODE 60: “Comic-KHAAAAAN!”

Airdate: July 30, 2011
San Diego had its annual expo/trade show/clusterfuck from July 20-24, Comic-Con International, and while the Gobblers weren’t actually on hand, they discuss some of the biggest comics, movies, and TV news to emerge from its seething bowels. Oh, and some nifty cosplaying. (Also some pathetic cosplaying. But we’re trying to be positive here.) Plus: news and Formspring questions! (show notes)

EPISODE 59: “The Good, the Bad, and the Bat-Nipples”

Airdate: July 24, 2011
Captain America has arrived to some very positive buzz, but not all superhero adaptations fare so well. Paul and AJ are here with their official list of the 5 Worst Superhero Adaptations…but to console your inevitable sense of despair, they’ve also got the 5 Best Superhero Adaptations. Tights, capes, laser beams, and nipples are all on display. Merely a day’s work for our intrepid Gobblers. (show notes)

EPISODE 58: “The C-Word”

Airdate: July 17, 2011
Yes, ladies and gentlemen: the C-Word! We’re talking about canon, of course. (And its dirty little sister, continuity.) These two words, and fan reaction to them, have defined much of fandom. How do you react to the supposed reality of a fictional story? Is it fluid? Who has the right to decide where canon begins and ends? These questions and more are blathered on about by Paul and AJ this week. Plus: news, AJ’s review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and Formspring questions. (show notes)

EPISODE 57: “Joffrey Baratheon Must Die”

Airdate: July 10, 2011
I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn…the geek who watches Game of Thrones and has come here to rant and rave about it for your listening pleasure. Paul and AJ delve into the realm of Game of Thrones, including its many (oh god so many) characters, a number of whom are wonderfully despicable; its shocking moments; its adorably incestuous sibling-on-sibling action. All that, plus: news, Paul’s thoughts on Zookeeper and The Tree of Life, and Formspring questions. (show notes)

EPISODE 56: “You Can’t Go to Riverdale Again”

Airdate: June 25, 2011
Nostalgia…it’s that bittersweet pang, that intangible sense memory, when you encounter something that makes you want to go home again. It’s also informed many major geek properties these past few decades, and is a buzzword of late thanks to J.J. Abrams’ Super 8. AJ and Paul discuss things that make them nostalgic, the films Super 8 lovingly pays homage to, and of course, the movie itself. Plus: news, the boys’ review of The Killing season 1, and a spectacularly dumb Formspring question. (show notes)

EPISODE 55: “#1”

Airdate: June 18, 2011
You may have heard that DC Comics is relaunching/rebooting/re-whatevering its entire line. We certainly have, and rejoined by Nathan, we’re here to discuss all 52 titles, from the Batmen to the WildC.A.T.S. to the…questionable decisions made by just about everyone involved. But hey! It’s not us to be cynical, right? Right? Is this thing on? Plus: news and Formspring questions! (show notes)

EPISODE 54: “E3’s Company”

Airdate: June 11, 2011
This week, Nathan joins Paul and AJ to discuss some of the biggest and best things to come out of this year’s E3. Chiefly, there’s Nintendo’s new console, Wii U–its fancypants controller, its surprisingly decent technical specs, its silly name. We also puzzle out why exactly motion control features, à la Microsoft’s Kinect, don’t herald the future of gaming just yet, and talk about some of our most anticipated games, such as Luigi’s Mansion 2 and Sonic Generations. Plus: news, our group review of X-Men: First Class, and Formspring questions. (show notes)

EPISODE 53: “Kill Bill & Ted”

Airdate: June 4, 2011
Geek Challenge time! Paul has astonishingly never seen the Kill Bill films, so AJ challenges him to watch them; and in return, Paul challenges AJ to watch the Bill & Ted films. Because of course. Will Paul thrill to the killing of Bill? Will AJ have a most excellent time? Is that real Hattori Hanzo steel? These questions and more will be answered in this week’s exciting installment of Gobbledygeek! Plus: news, Paul’s thoughts on L.A. Noire, AJ shares his Disney Dream cruise experience, and Formspring questions. (show notes)

LOST EPISODE: “True Swan/Black Grit”

Airdate: May 20, 2011
Recorded way back on January 8, this was initially conceived as a test episode for the show’s new format. We then thought, “Hey. Because we’re lazy bastards, this might also make a really convenient filler episode.” And now, ladies and gentleturkeys, the time has come: half of the Gobbledyteam is away (on business, we’re told), so we’re unearthing this oft-mentioned chestnut in which Paul and AJ review the then-current films True Grit (harmony!) and Black Swan (dischord!). And we thought last week’s episode was about time travel! Plus: outdated news, AJ reviewing The Fighter and Never Let Me Go, Paul reviewing Justified, and possibly more!

EPISODE 52: “Geeks of Future Past”

Airdate: May 13, 2011
Let’s say you go back in time and kill your grandfather. This means you were never born, and could never have gone back to murder your sweet ol’ granddad. And more importantly, it means that you wouldn’t be here, about to listen to Gobbledygeek, something I believe we can all agree would be a grave tragedy. This week, Paul and AJ discuss just such a time travel paradox, as well as methods of time travel and time travel’s representations in pop culture. We’ve got the flux capacitor fired up; hop in. Plus: news, AJ’s review of Hereafter, and Formspring questions! (show notes)

EPISODE 51: “The Hammer Is His Penis”

Airdate: May 7, 2011
Thor kicks off the summer movie season this weekend, so Paul and AJ get hammered–by, uh, by the movie, of course. Yeah. They discuss the look of Asgard, whether or not the mythology stuff is super goofy, Chris Hemsworth’s terrific performance, and what Thor means for Captain America and The Avengers. Plus: news and Formspring questions. (show notes)

EPISODE 50: “Dead Smurf Storage”

Airdate: April 30, 2011
The summer movie season is right around the corner, so Paul and AJ dive into a plethora of releases from the tentpoles to the (many, apparently) interesting limited releases. Superheroes? Check. Chick flicks? Check. Painfully quirky indie movies? Check. And most importantly, Justin Timberlake? Check, check, and here’s a little more check. Plus: news, Paul and AJ’s take on Steve Carell’s final episode of The Office, and some Gobbler correspondence. Pop some corn and enjoy. (show notes)

EPISODE 49: “Wow”

Airdate: April 16, 2011
Is your knowledge of World of Warcraft limited to South Park? Boy, have we got a show for you! Like they did last year with Twilight, Paul and AJ turn to a special guest to explain a geek phenomenon they have little to no experience with. Enter Mark, our WoW expert; he’ll tell you everything you could ever want to know about the game. Beyond the nerdish specs, he talks about why he’s drawn to the game, what it means to him, and what kind of gamer would enjoy it. And yes, the South Park episode. Plus: news, Formspring questions, upcoming DVD releases, and reviews (See My Friends by Ray Davies, Hobo with a Shotgun, Hanna, The Green Hornet, Source Code, and Standard Action). (show notes)

EPISODE 48: “Ladylike”

Airdate: April 2, 2011
March was National Women’s History Month, so of course Gobbledygeek starts April off with a show about…strong women in fiction! Scheduling is our strong suit. Paul and AJ discuss the notion of feminism–spoiler: they are 100% pro-woman, but vague on what the tenets of feminism actually are–and discuss such strong fictional women as Wonder Woman, Ellen Ripley, Dana Scully, and duh, Buffy Summers. Then there’s the discussion of Sucker Punch, and yeah…opinions, they differ. Plus: news and upcoming DVD releases. (show notes)

EPISODE 47: “The Worlds According To…”

Airdate: March 26, 2011
Ever wanted to get away? Ever wanted to escape into a world different from your own, if only for a moment? Sure you have. Everyone has. In this week’s episode, Paul and AJ ruminate on which fictional worlds they’d like to live in, even if, as their selections prove, the mortality rate would be fairly high. On our itinerary, there’s Sunnydale, CA; Middle-earth; Toronto (though a very specific Toronto); even Sesame Street. You’ve also got news; upcoming DVD releases; AJ’s reviews of the Simon Pegg/Nick Frost extraterrestrial comedy Paul and Stephen King’s novella collection Full Dark, No Stars; and Paul’s brief look at the Stand by Me 25th Anniversary Blu-ray. And as a bonus, this is the first-ever episode that clocks in at under two hours! Yay! (show notes)

EPISODE 46: “Tights of Spandex, Flights of Fantasy, Slices of Life”

Airdate: March 19, 2011
Endeavoring to enlighten the non-comics-reading portion of their audience, Paul and AJ offer up a sort of Comics 101 class: twenty-seven recommendations for beginners in five different categories. From superhero fare like Batman: Year One to webcomics like The Perry Bible Fellowship; from the engrossing autobiography Blankets to the fantasy epic Fables; from the zombie opus The Walking Dead to the boy-and-his-tiger opus Calvin and Hobbes; we’ve attempted to cover most of the bases. In addition to all o’ that, you’ve also got your news; your upcoming DVD releases; Paul’s takes on the first issues of new comics Xombi, Venom, Sigil, and Ruse; and AJ’s thoughts on the films Unstoppable, Due Date, and LennonNYC. (show notes)

EPISODE 45: “Secret Origins”

Airdate: March 15, 2011
To celebrate the show’s one-year anniversary, Paul and AJ decide to reach back into the dusty, cobweb-laced corners of their minds to bring us their Secret Origins: their first geek experiences, what led them to becoming full-fledged geeks, what made them into who they are today. Such memories as paper-and-dice role-playing, live-action role-playing, and chat room role-playing are brought up…wow, that’s a lot of role-playing. Never again question their geek credentials. Also, things like comic books, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, computers, and more. Plus you’ve got news; upcoming DVD releases; AJ’s takes on The Troll Hunter, Another Year, and How Do You Know; and Paul and AJ’s joint reviews of The Adjustment Bureau and Rango. (show notes)

EPISODE 44: “$20 Toilet Paper or, 127 James Francos”

Airdate: March 5, 2011
The bad news: Paul and AJ talk about the Oscars. Again. For the last time. This year. Maybe. The good news: no one talks about Charlie Sheen! Ever! Plus you have some news, upcoming DVD releases, AJ’s reviews of the new Dum Dum Girls EP He Gets Me High and Tunes: A Comic Book History of Rock and Roll, as well as Paul’s takes on the new episode of Supernatural, Hans Zimmer’s Rango soundtrack, and the 1977 Ralph Bakshi animated “classic” Wizards. (show notes)

EPISODE 43: “Daytripping with Sweet-Toothed Nocturnal Orcs”

Airdate: February 27, 2011
Paul had a very good “geek week,” as he puts it, and so discusses a bunch of the things he consumed in the past week: the TV series Archer and An Idiot Abroad; the comics Nocturnals: Black Planet, Sweet Tooth, Orc Stain, and Daytripper; and more. After that, the geeks take a look at upcoming DVD releases, offer pithy comments on the state of the US box office, and in another exciting installment of “Reel Picks,” AJ reviews The Expendables and Get Low before being joined by Paul to discuss All-Star Superman. (show notes)

EPISODE 42: “Life, the Universe, and Gobbledygeek”

Airdate: February 18, 2011
Paul and AJ celebrate the meaning of life, the universe, and everything by offering up their Deep Thought on how to approach this week’s show. Which, of course, is to fly by the seat of their pants and just talk about whatever they want. They dabble in music–AJ offers his belated thoughts on Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and Paul shares with us his journey through the Rush catalog; movies–reviewed are The Illusionist, Waiting for Superman, and Eric Lax’s book Conversations with Woody Allen; and sheer randomness–taking to Formspring and asking each other ridiculous questions. It’s about as fun as reading Vogon poetry! So knock back your Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, and don’t panic: we’ve laid out towels for everyone. You may need a Babel fish, though. (show notes)

EPISODE 41: “Saturday Morning Gobbledygeek”

Airdate: February 12, 2011
We travel back to the days of yore for our memories of two very different eras of Saturday morning programming. From Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; from Superfriends to Batman: The Animated Series; and more. After that, we’ve got upcoming DVD releases, another exciting segment of “Reel Picks” (reviewed are Nowhere Boy, Restrepo, and Dogtooth), and then Paul reviews the new episodes of Glee and Justified before capping things off with a discussion of the Lissie concert he attended. (show notes)

EPISODE 40: “Etewaf”

Airdate: February 5, 2011
We discuss how certain creators gain or break our trust as audience members, and how far we’d be willing to follow them into the abyss. Those discussed include Richard Kelly, Neil Gaiman, Joss Whedon, Bob Dylan, and Robert Plant, among others. Then: upcoming DVD releases; AJ’s take on Megamind; and Paul’s thoughts on re-reading Watership Down as well as reading the acclaimed graphic novel Return of the Dapper Men for the first time. (show notes)

EPISODE 39: “Little Gold Men”

Airdate: January 29, 2011
Our second (and final?) awards prediction show of the year, this time focusing on the biggies: the Oscars! We discuss what will win, what should win, and what wasn’t even nominated in each category. Then: upcoming DVD releases; Paul’s review of The Decemberists’ The King Is Dead; and AJ’s look back at The Kinks’ discography. (show notes)

EPISODE 38: “Springtime for Puffy Val Kilmer”

Airdate: January 22, 2011
Our heroes look to the future…the future of the 2011 spring movie season. There are 31 films discussed, some of which they legitimately anticipate, like The Adjustment Bureau and Super; some of which arouse mere curiosity in them, such as The Beaver or Your Highness; and then there’s shit like Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. Following that is another segment of “Reel Picks,” in which AJ takes on The King’s Speech and Blue Valentine while Paul talks up the Criterion release of Guillermo del Toro’s Cronos. (show notes)

EPISODE 37: “Absence Makes the Heart Grow Indifferent”

Airdate: January 20, 2011
The Gobbledygeek season 2 premiere, and our first episode recorded beforehand and published later. As such, our timeliness is a little off. We recorded the day before the Golden Globes and spent a lot of time on our predictions, though the episode wasn’t uploaded until after the Globes. Yeah. Anyways, we also talk about the new Spider-Man, Captain America, and Thor costume pics; share our New Year’s geek resolutions; and battle the fierce Grammar Nazis. (show notes)

EPISODE 36: “2010 in Review”

Airdate: December 16, 2010
Our final episode of 2010, in which we discuss our favorite and least favorite things released during the year from just about every conceivable medium. We also reveal the results of our first annual listeners’ poll. In the bonus hour: AJ unwraps the Christmas present Paul got for him!

EPISODE 35: “The Dark Side of the Sleigh”

Airdate: December 9, 2010
Sure, sure. It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th St., and Charlie Brown are all Christmas classics. But what about the flip side of that moralistic coin? We take a look at dark or unusual holiday fare such as Gremlins, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and others. In the bonus hour: upcoming DVD releases and “Reel Picks” (reviewed are TRON, Shrek Forever After, and Flipped).

EPISODE 34: “Gobbledygeek Gift Guide 2010”

Airdate: December 6, 2010
Wondering what to buy your significant nerd? From Community to Cronos, from Lost to Lord of the Rings, we’ve got you covered. In the bonus hour: upcoming DVD releases; TV talk including the finales of Terriers, The Walking Dead, and Boardwalk Empire; and a very brief “Reel Picks” (reviewed are Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I, Tangled, Easy A, and Howl).

EPISODE 33: “Gobbledygeek Thanksgiving I”

Airdate: November 18, 2010
Joining us for our first annual Thanksgiving celebration are past guests Michele, Colin, Rob, Dale, Nathan, and the ever-present Kevin. We all participate in a roundtable discussion of geeky things we’re thankful for, from Netflix Watch Instantly to our local libraries.

EPISODE 32: “Continue?”

Airdate: November 11, 2010
We conjure up our memories of the video game arcade, an establishment that has mostly gone by the wayside these days. From Pong to Time Crisis, we reminisce about our favorite arcade games, as well as some memorable or regrettable (mostly regrettable) films based around video games. In the bonus hour: upcoming DVD releases, “Reel Picks” (reviewed are Get Him to the Greek, The Kids Are All Right, The American, and The Other Guys), and Kevin and Paul discussing the Cam Newton controversy raging in the college football world.

EPISODE 31: “Braaaaains!!!”

Airdate: October 28, 2010
For our final Halloween episode of the year, we tackle the shuffling, stumbling, slack-jawed zombie. Unfortunately, BlogTalkRadio experienced a massive fail and cut off our recording after 66 minutes. I mean, we recorded a whole three hours, but…only 66 are listenable for whatever reason. If you’d like to listen to us talk about the first episode of The Walking Dead as well as the Romero zombie movies and a few others, though, have at it.

EPISODE 30: “Things That Go Bump in the Night”

Airdate: October 21, 2010
For our penultimate Halloween episode of 2010, we gather up all the monsters we didn’t have time for: slashers, aliens, and demons, oh my! In the bonus hour, we’ve got upcoming DVD releases and more.

EPISODE 29: “Boo”

Airdate: October 14, 2010
After vampires and werewolves, we set our sights on the ghost, which is, as Paul says, probably the single oldest fictional invention in the history of man. Too bad there aren’t as many good ghost movies as I had remembered. But it’s cool, there are enough. And the coolest part of the show comes in the bonus hour, when, after some DVD releases and a quick check-up on the state of the fall TV season, Paul relates the origin story of his online username, Haunt. It so fascinated Kevin and I that it led to the three of us chatting on Skype for hours afterward. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

EPISODE 28: “When the Wolfbane Blooms”

Airdate: October 8, 2010
More Halloween fun, this time with the furry, cuddly werewolf, as we wolf out about films such as An American Werewolf in London, The Wolf Man, and Dog Soldiers, among others, as well as discussing why werewolves that actually look like wolves are almost always preferable to the 800-pound bipedal gorilla-type werewolf. In the bonus hour, we briefly discuss upcoming DVD releases and how John Lennon would have turned 70, before talking about Let Me In, The Town, and having more Social Network conversation.

EPISODE 27: “How to Stake a Vampire”

Airdate: October 1, 2010
The first of our five Halloween-themed episodes takes on everyone’s favorite creature of the night, the venerable vampire. You know we’re thorough when we manage to name-check both Vampyr and Dracula: Dead and Loving It. In addition to some favorite vampire movies, we discuss vampires themselves and our preferred approaches to the whole vampire mythos. In the bonus hour, we’ve got upcoming DVD releases, The Social Network, and other miscellany.

EPISODE 26: “Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your DVR’s”

Airdate: September 17, 2010
We talk about 30-some new and returning TV shows we’re looking forward to, and hey, guess what? Paul watches more television than could possibly be healthy for any living being. Maybe that’s why he’s always looks so sickly. In the bonus hour, we’ve got upcoming DVD releases and book releases, the superhero anthology Masked, and the films Exit Through the Gift Shop and Splice.

EPISODE 25: “America, America”

Airdate: September 10, 2010
In honor of Pam’s birthday, we explore a topic of her own making: American Myths. What are the stories that are ingrained in and define our culture? For starters, we’ve got the Old West, the 1960’s, high school, and corporate America. In the bonus hour, we discuss DVD releases, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, and new films including Machete.

EPISODE 24: “Higher Education”

Airdate: September 3, 2010
With the new school year in full swing, we take a look at many, many fictional schools, including but not limited to Sunnydale High, Greendale Community College, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then there’s DVD talk, Batman talk, and True Blood talk. Lots of talk.

EPISODE 23: “The Top 10”

Airdate: August 27, 2010
Our top 10 characters in modern pop culture. What else? (Note: the top 10 goes off without a hitch, and it’s beautiful, but after that, Skype decided to take a ginormous dump on the proceedings. There’s four minutes of silence, and we come back, but we’re not the same. We have been damaged.)

EPISODE 22: “The American Harry Potter Waiting for Jack to Go Boating and Let Me In”

Airdate: August 20, 2010
We preview the fall/winter movie season, mentioning 36 movies we find interesting in some way. From arthouse flicks to honest-to-gosh blockbusters, from films we’re genuinely excited about to others for whom we harbor only morbid curiosity. Also, Top 100 Characters in Modern Pop Culture #20-11.

EPISODE 21: “Scott Pilgrim vs. Gobbledygeek”

Airdate: August 13, 2010
Hey, have you heard about this movie? Something about a pilgrim or some shit? Eh, me either. Still, we talk about it. We gush about it, actually, so yeah, fair warning, all you in the front row–’tis the GUSH ZONE. The storytelling, the cast, the music, how it compares to the comics, we discuss it all. Also, Top 100 Characters in Modern Pop Culture #30-21.

EPISODE 20: “Gobbledygeek Concerto: Movements I-III”

Airdate: August 6, 2010
The conductor rises. The orchestra begins. The music swells. Welcome to Gobbledygeek. Er, well, maybe not. But we do talk about the importance of music in film and television, bandying about names such as John Williams, Ennio Morricone, Hans Zimmer, and Anton Karas. Not to mention Aerosmith and Byran Adams! Also, Top 100 Characters in Modern Pop Culture #40-31.

EPISODE 19: “WTF, FCC, T&A”

Airdate: July 30, 2010
Rantin’ and ramblin’ about America’s bass-ackwards policies in regard to language, and the potentially unconstitutional censorship thereof. Matters discussed include Georges Harrison and Carlin, Janet Jackson, cartoon tits, cartoon asses, and much more. Also, Top 100 Characters in Modern Pop Culture #50-41.

EPISODE 18: “It’s On Like Donkey Con”

Airdate: July 23, 2010
Comic-Con fever: Joss Whedon, J.J. Abrams, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Walking Dead, and more. Also, Top 100 Characters in Modern Pop Culture #60-51.

EPISODE 17: “Dream a Little Dream”

Airdate: July 16, 2010
We discuss the dreamworld of Inception, at least as much as we can without dropping any spoilers. Also, Top 100 Characters in Modern Pop Culture #70-61.

EPISODE 16: “The Match in the Fireworks Shop”

Airdate: July 9, 2010
We talk the future of the comics industry, including the impending digital revolution. And somehow, we get around to bashing Rob Liefeld. Because, really, we can’t do that enough. Also, Top 100 Characters in Modern Pop Culture #80-71.

EPISODE 15: “Falling in Love Again”

Airdate: July 2, 2010
Our heroes turn to guest host Michele Durham for guidance and enlightenment in regards to the Twilight saga; she reveals why it appeals to her and many others, likening the emotions it stirs to falling in love for the first time. Also, Top 100 Characters in Modern Pop Culture #90-81.

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