Chapter Select

This week join your hosts Randy and Jens as they delve into the world of Rovio’s Angry Birds, weighing the first film adaptation’s successes and pitfalls, analyzing how it attempts to capture the game’s premise while crafting a narrative suitable for the big screen. They share their thoughts on the film’s voice cast, animation quality, attempts at humor, and political themes.

Jens and Randy are back to follow up on the further adventures of Dumb Lara Croft, the variant of the character portrayed by Angelina Jolie, in Jan De Bond’s The Cradle of Life. Will this reckless and selfish version of the character finally learn not to needlessly endanger all of humanity, or will she repeat all of the same mistakes again? Gerard Butler also stars as the new Daniel Craig.

In this exhilarating episode of Chapter Select, your hosts Randy and Jens transport you to the world of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Join them on a magic carpet ride as they delve into the depths of this action-packed, Jerry Bruckheimer produced and Mike Newell directed adventure film, which takes inspiration from the beloved video game series. They explore the captivating story of Prince...

Chapter Select is finally back to review Ratchet and Clank, a CGI theatrical film developed in tandem with the 2016 PS4 reboot of the series. Is this movie completely redundant for fans of the game or does it stand on its own? How about if you went in completely blind like a regular movie-goer? Randy and Jens discuss.

In an unprecedented move, Randy and Jens actually went out to the movie theater for The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Was it worth the premium in effort and money? Listen to find out.

With The Last of Us firmly behind Randy and Jens, they finally get back into their comfort zone: terrible movies. Back in 2021, filmmaker Garrett Gilchrist (whom you might know for his similar restoration of The Thief and the Cobbler) released this extended rough cut of Super Mario Bros.: The Movie, utilizing over 20 minutes of additional footage from directors Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel's wo...

As Joel and Ellie’s long and arduous journey comes to an end, Jens and Randy reflect on how it was longer and much more arduous in the video game. Trifling complaints aside, the show sticks the landing in a major way. Also: Jens continues not to remember either Last of Us game well AT ALL.

As Randy and Jens reach the penultimate climax of the series, Jens finds he’s completely blocked this part of the game out of his mind ever since. Still, as soon as the David character in The Last of Us started reading from the Bible, the guys knew he was going to be a horrific villain. Could there be a Bible-reading preacher on a show who is actually loving and kind? Neil Druckman says “No!”

The Last of Us brings us yet another semi-stand-alone episode, this time adapting the downloadable content chapter of the original game. Randy and Jens discuss what they liked and didn't like, and how it fits into the series as a whole.

Real life intervened in every way it possibly could to stop Randy and Jens from podcasting, but they are finally back to offer their opinions on the sixth episode of The Last of Us, entitled "Kin." While the least eventful episode of the show so far, Randy and Jens still find plenty of material to ruminate about.

After thankfully only two episodes, the Resistance Revenge arc comes to a spectacular end. Randy and Jens discuss whether this is the best episode of the show so far, or merely the third best. At any rate, it's looking like The Last of Us Season One is well on its way to sticking the landing on everything.

While passing through Kansas City, Joel and Ellie run into an independent militia on a quest for vengeance. Randy and Jens discuss. Apoligies for the dropouts in the initial release of this episode. The audio has now been fixed.

This week on The Last of Us, Joel and Ellie’s story takes a back seat in favor of grizzled prepper weirdo Bill and Frank, the love of his life. Randy and Jens discuss.

The second episode of The Last of Us series stays slavishly faithful to the look and tone of the game, while making notable additions and changes to the story. Are these changes for the better? Randy and Jens discuss.

Just when they thought they were out, The Last of Us pulls Randy and Jens back into podcasting. Chapter Select: At the Movies is back.

This week the guys watch Netflix's new Dynasty Warriors adaptation and argue over the quality. Randy remembers how many times he had to change his pants when facing Lu Bu in the games. Jens tries feverishly to find the soundtrack. The big question is, is the movie any good? Please help support the show and the entire W2M Network by taking advantage of our 30 Day Free Trial offer of Amazon Music Un...

While CyberConnect2’s spectacular interactive anime (and sometimes rail-shooter or brawler) Asura’s Wrath wasn’t a success upon its initial release, over the years it built up a loyal and dedicated following. Among its fans is Jens, who decides to risk sharing yet another favorite with Randy, in the hopes it will yield better results this time. Please help support the show and the entire W2M Netwo...

Almost exactly twenty years ago, the only aspect of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within critics praised without reservation were its groundbreaking computer-animated visuals. There have been countless entries in the ever-evolving sub-genre of CGI anime since, so The Spirits Within no longer has the advantage of novelty. The last time they respectively saw it at the time of its initial release, Randy...

After years of studying abroad, prodigal daughter Kaitlin returns to her familial abode, The House on Arbor Hill, only to find it mysteriously deserted. She feels a pit form in her stomach and sink to its deepest depths. What tragedy befell the household she so cruelly abandoned? Who hid the bodies? And is she truly alone or is she haunted by the specter of her abusive grand uncle Oscar? “Aha,” Je...

"And in the end, the fire and the plagues will come at the behest of the Lord, and the sores and the boils, and the intestinal ulcers and testicular tumors shall befall all of humanity, except for those who hide like rabbits below the ground. And you shall know when the final day of reckoning begins because on that day, a tiny entertainer will be raped by 1,000 monkeys." ~ Dave's bible, Chapter 11...

On this week's Chapter Select, Randy dives into LucasArts' Loom, one of the defining games of Jens' childhood and of the Adventure game genre and finds it just kind of boring. Meanwhile, Jens twists into a pretzel trying to justify why it is in fact one of the Greats(TM), even if it doesn’t completely hold up to his lofty memories. Please help support the show and the entire W2M Network by taking...

Jens and Randy meet back up in an exact location at the exact time they need to be so they can review Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Does the movie, now 20 years old, hold up to the expectations of the two or should it stay in the ruins of time until the next planetary alignment? Find out on this week's Chapter Select: At The Movies. Please go help support the show and the entire W2M N...

This week on Chapter Select it was Randy’s turn to pick a game and he picked Resident Evil Village. Jens didn’t even get far in Resident Evil 7 but nonetheless (like most of the internet) was drawn in by 8.5 foot tall vampire mommy Lady Alcina Dimitrescu. Will this survival horror novice regret his decision? And how will series veteran Randy interpret Village’s third act narrative turns? Listen to...

For this latest installment of Chapter Select at the Movies, Randy and Jens examine Duncan Jones’ 2016 big budget adaptation of WarCraft, or as Jens likes to call it “the prettiest fan film ever made.” Jones clearly loves the material he is adapting and is trying his best to do it justice, but can he condense all the lore he wants to include into an entertaining two hours? Listen to find out. The...

Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir is complete. Jens and Randy attempt to discuss the merits of its story. Jens loved it but is drawing a blank at key elements, while Randy just does not care. Please go help support the show and the entire W2M Network by taking advantage of our 30 Day Free Trial offer of Amazon Music Unlimited by signing up via our link: http://getamazonmusic.com/w2mnetwork . We have a spec...