Systematic Geekology

They dig into the price of revenge in The Ring (2002), asking what it costs when a vengeful spirit spreads a curse. Christian Ashley gets hyped and lays out the deep lore and the differences between Sadako and Samara. John Erdely calls it an investigative horror and likes how the film rewards curious viewers. Evan Garcia shares funny stories about seeing it young and says the film still feels fres...

Aunt May and Uncle Ben are the real heart of Peter Parker’s story: Uncle Ben’s death and Aunt May’s care shape the guilt, the duty, and the man who becomes Spider‑Man. Christian Ashley and Jill Elizabeth riff about how that loss and love push Peter into the whole “with great power” groove. They dig into backstory, side characters, weird comic what‑ifs like Bullet Points, and even May’s own love li...

Andy Walsh, Kevin Schaefer, Evan Garcia, and Liz Clyde dig into Lanterns right off the bat, calling it a gritty, HBO-style Green Lantern murder mystery that lands as a strong character study but low-key skips a bunch of classic Lantern lore. Andy says he liked the big ideas and the themes about fear and free will, but he wanted more of the wild Green Lantern imagination. Evan and Kevin praise the...

Kevin Schaefer and Andy Walsh review Silent House, a 2011 psychological horror remake of a Uruguayan film, and dig into its one-shot style and Elizabeth Olsen's tight lead performance. Kevin admits he first watched Silent Hill by accident, which made for a funny start to the chat. They say the movie is a slow burn that builds real tension, but that it might have been stronger as a shorter piece. T...

Christian says the Cross Guild shakes up One Piece because Buggy is the flashy face while Mihawk and Crocodile do the heavy lifting. TJ says it is funny and smart at the same time. They talk about how the guild puts bounties on Marines and stirs up big trouble and fear. Christian notes that the move splits the world and makes pirates and marines fight harder. TJ wonders how the Straw Hats will dea...

Kevin Schaefer and Will Rose dig into Alfred Pennyworth's role as the father-figure and mentor to both Batman and Nightwing right off the bat. Kevin calls Alfred the greatest father figure in comics and says he keeps Bruce and Dick from going off the rails. Will, fresh from a sabbatical, says the show’s "Faces Behind Us" theme made him think about who looks out for him in real life. They run throu...

Joshua and Christian dive into the original Kingdom Hearts (2002) and the big idea is clear fast: friendship is the power — "My friends are my power" — cheesy but true. Joshua says this game is his fave and he plays it every year because it hits his nostalgia sweet spot. Christian calls the combat clunky but says the boss fights and Disney crossover vibes keep him hooked. They laugh about gummy sh...

Andy Walsh and Jill Elizabeth dig into Derek Walcott's stage version of The Odyssey, emphasizing its Caribbean retelling and how that shift remakes the poem’s tone and themes. He says the play’s playful language and stage directions make it feel like something that really needs to be seen, not just read. She loved the use of Billy Blind as a bard and the oral‑tradition rhythm that turns the sea fr...

Kevin and Christian dig into how Martha and Jonathan Kent basically built Superman’s moral GPS, arguing the Kents are the real force behind who Clark becomes. They romp through movie and comic examples — from the 1978 film Smallville moments to All-Star and Red Son flips — showing how different origins still bow to the Kents’ influence. They joke about being tired and sick but get surprisingly dee...

"People are going to be talking about that last kick for years." Welcome to my dojo, this is Kung Fu Pizza Party. Today, to celebrate the two year anniversary of the show, I sit down with Christian Ashley of Systematic Geekology to re-review The Undisputed 2025 Downloads Champion, The Karate Kid pt 2. In this review, Christian offers his reasons why he thinks this film is better than the original,...

Kevin Schaefer and Evan Garcia jump straight into two big takes: they rave about Coyote vs. Acme as a surprisingly sharp, emotionally honest live‑action/animation hybrid and dig into Lanterns as a moody, adult‑leaning Green Lantern mystery that’s more True Detective than cape parade. They break down Coyote vs. Acme’s origins (yes, inspired by that New Yorker gag piece), how the film survived a stu...

"You were adopted last night? Why didn't your dad adopt you when you were born?" Welcome to my dojo, this is Kung Fu Pizza Party. Today, I am once more joined by Pastor Will Rose of Systematic Geekology to discuss 1993's Surf Ninjas starring Ernie Reyes Jr. Pastor Will brings his surf knowledge to help us better understand what surf culture was like in the early 90s and how that influenced Surf Ni...

Joshua and Christian pick up part two of their Birth by Sleep deep-dive, wrapping up the game's story — Terra's fall and fusion with Xehanort, Aqua's sacrifice in the Realm of Darkness, Ventus slipping into Sora's heart — and tease how those beats feed into the larger Kingdom Hearts canon. Joshua rambles with affectionate geek energy about lore, worldbuilding, and how the Disney worlds land emotio...

Joshua Noel and Christian Ashley dive straight into Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep while unpacking the fresh Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer—talking the Coco world reveal, the surprise anime, and why the Dandelion/mobile-era lore actually matters for what’s coming next. Joshua, the obsessive fan who can’t stop geeking out, rides shotgun and he gets hyped about Disney finally putting real money behind the...

A ragtag crew of pop‑culture icons race to restore life across collapsing worlds by chasing Maui's hook and returning the Heart of Te Fiti — and they end up squaring off with a grief‑driven Tony Stark and a well‑meaning Celebrimbor who’ve been “forging” life in all the wrong ways. Joshua Noel, the GM, moons in and out of exposition, dropping the players on Motunui and basically saying “fix it” wit...

Who inspired Jim Hawkins to explore Treasure Planet? That's the burning question on the table as John Erdely, Christian Ashley, and TJ Blackwell dive deep into the cinematic treasure trove that is Disney's animated classic. The trio riffs on the film's vibrant characters, especially focusing on the rebellious spirit of Jim Hawkins, who is not just a teen lost in space but a symbol of adventure and...

Christian Ashley and Joe Dea dive deep into the rich tapestry of "Tales of the Jedi" in this episode of Systematic Geekology, unraveling the intriguing lore of the Old Republic and its epic conflicts. They explore the intricacies of the Sith and Jedi dynamics, showcasing how this comic series painted a vivid picture of the Star Wars universe long before the prequels came into play. With clever ban...

Joshua Noel and Christian Ashley dive deep into Disney's "Fun and Fancy Free," the third film from the package film era, and they’re ready to unpack its whimsical layers. Kicking things off, they chat about how this film blends two distinct stories—Bongo the bear’s quest for freedom and Mickey's escapades with the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk—while also touching on the broader themes of pover...

Joshua Noel and TJ Blackwell dive deep into the transformative impact of Thors' legacy on characters Thorfinn, Thorkell, and Askeladd in the manga "Vinland Saga." Kicking off their discussion, they reflect on how Thors' principles of peace and honor ripple through the lives of these Vikings, illustrating the dichotomy between violence and non-violence. They unpack the significance of Thors' on-scr...

Kevin Schaefer, Jill Elizabeth, Christian Ashley, and Andy Walsh dive headfirst into the latest “What’s New(s)” episode of Systematic Geekology, zooming in on the hot-off-the-press HBO series "Lanterns" and the buzz surrounding the MCU's X-Men casting announcements. Right off the bat, Kevin sets the stage by highlighting the excitement around the pilot of "Lanterns," which heralds a unique blend o...

Andy and Evan dive into the rich tapestry of Process Theology as it intersects with the themes of the new flick, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." Right off the bat, they highlight how the film explores the importance of relationships and community, illustrating that our identities are shaped by our connections with others. As they unpack the film, they delve into Spider-Man's journey of navigating iso...

Joshua Noel and Christian Ashley dive deep into the often-overlooked mobile games of the Kingdom Hearts series in this episode, all in the lead-up to the franchise's big 25th anniversary next year. They kick things off by exploring the narrative significance of titles like Coded and Union X, revealing how these games fill in crucial lore gaps while also poking fun at their often convoluted storyte...

Kevin Schaefer, Justin Coleman, Evan Garcia, and Joshua Noel dive into the latest Spider-Man flick, "Brand New Day!" and it's clear they're all about that Spidey life. Right off the bat, they tackle how this film shifts the narrative, focusing less on traditional villains and more on the inner struggles of Peter Parker and his journey toward empathy. They chat about the film’s pacing, emotional we...

Kevin Schaefer, Evan Garcia, Andy Walsh, Justin Coleman, and Joshua Noel dive headfirst into the latest buzz from San Diego Comic Con 2026, and boy, do they have some spicy updates for fans! Kicking things off, they tackle the electrifying news about a new Ghost Rider movie, featuring none other than Ryan Gosling in a role that's been long speculated. But hold onto your capes, because they also sp...

Buckle up, folks, because part two of "A MOUSE enTRAPment in Paris" is a wild ride! In this episode, our eclectic crew—comprised of Merida from "Brave," Beorn from "The Hobbit," Blastoise from Pokémon, the kaiju Mothra, and Nehemiah from the Hebrew Scriptures—teams up with Basil from "The Great Mouse Detective" to clear Remy of the murder rap he’s been framed for. As they navigate the bustling str...