Systematic Geekology

Jill Elizabeth and Kevin Schaefer dive into the whimsical world of "Wonka," the 2023 prequel that serves up a fresh take on everyone's favorite chocolatier. They kick things off by musing over the film's central question: would you risk everything for the best chocolate in the world? Both hosts glow with excitement as they share their thoughts on the movie's vibrant colors, catchy tunes, and delig...

The adventure continues as the crew dives deeper into the chaotic world of "Corrupted Fantasy." Christian Ashley, our fearless DM, leads John Erdely and Nick Polk as they grapple with the complexities of their eclectic party, which features the likes of Spyro the Dragon, Kumar, Freakazoid, Samwise Gamgee, and Guan Yin. Picking up where they left off, the group faces the eerie remnants of a devasta...

What happens when beloved fictional realms get a little too wild? Christian Ashley, the DM extraordinaire, invites co-host John Erdely and guest Nick Polk into the chaotic world of "Corrupted Fantasy," part of the Geeks on a Roll series. Their eclectic party includes fan-favorites like Spyro the Dragon, Kumar from the Harold & Kumar flicks, and even the whimsical Freakazoid, alongside characte...

Before there were Avengers, multiverses, and all that post-credit homework, there was a scrawny Brooklyn kid with a major glow-up and a whole lot of heart. Jill Elizabeth and TJ Blackwell dive into "Captain America: The First Avenger," the film that lays the groundwork for not just a superhero, but an entire ethos. They kick off their discussion by exploring how this origin story captures the esse...

Joshua Noel, TJ Blackwell, and Liz Clyde dive into the mind-bending Egghead Island arc of One Piece, where the gang grapples with the wild concept of dividing one's mind while still holding onto their essence. It’s a thought-provoking ride that kicks off with the crew’s unexpected arrival on this high-tech island, where they meet the genius Vegapunk—who, spoiler alert, is way more complex than jus...

Welcome to my dojo, this is Kung Fu Pizza Party. In today's episode, we are headed back to the arcade, this time with a dive into the Ninja Gaiden franchise. Joining me for this talk, by request, is TJ Blackwell of Systematic Geekology; a long time fan of the Ninja Gaiden series. We discuss the game's legacy of being extremely difficult, how Ninja Gaiden connects to the Dead or Alive franchise, an...

Jiminy Cricket takes center stage as the duo of Joshua Noel and Andy Walsh dive into how this iconic character plays the role of conscience for Pinocchio in both the animated classic and the original novel. Joshua Noel and Andy Walsh explore the significant differences between the two portrayals, highlighting how Disney transformed Jiminy from a ghostly figure in the book to a charming, wise mento...

Kevin Schafer and Evan Garcia dive deep into the galaxy far, far away as they chat about "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith" in the latest installment of Systematic Geekology’s Summer Drive-In series. Right off the bat, they tackle the film's heavy themes, particularly Anakin's heartbreaking transformation into Darth Vader and the resulting chaos of Order 66. They reminisce about their own experience...

Christian, Herbie, and Karai Roe dive deep into the latest pop culture happenings in this laid-back episode of Systematic Geekology. They kick things off by dissecting Steven Spielberg's new flick, "Disclosure Day," and while Christian's not exactly rolling out the red carpet for it, he’s got plenty to say about its flaws. The trio then shifts gears to the iconic "Doctor Who," discussing the buzz...

Joshua Noel takes the reins as Game Master in this episode of Geeks on a Roll, where the crew dives headfirst into a wild tabletop RPG adventure featuring a mix of beloved characters from pop culture. Liz Clyde and Christian Ashley assemble a team that includes Hermione Granger, Captain America, Daredevil, Captain Jack Harkness, Bakugo, and Sun Wukong, all thrown together in a Bible Study of the S...

Andy and Liz dive into the intriguing world of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" in this chill summer Drive-In episode. Right off the bat, they explore how this prequel adds layers to the iconic series, shedding light on the origins of President Snow and the twisted society of Panem. With a mix of witty banter and insightful commentary, they dissect the film's themes of ambi...

Joshua Noel and TJ Blackwell dive into the enchanting world of Disney's "Dumbo", marking it as the third film in their exploration of the Golden Era of Disney Animation. They kick things off by discussing the film's unique place in animation history, especially considering it was made during a time when Disney was scrambling to recover from the lackluster performances of its predecessors. With its...

Christian Ashley and Justin Coleman dive into the heart of Starfleet Academy in this episode, exploring how it shapes the heroes of the Federation across various Star Trek series. They kick things off by dissecting the Academy's role not just as a training ground for future officers, but as a crucible for character development, cultivating virtues like courage and diplomacy that are essential for...

Christian Ashley and Jill Elizabeth dive deep into the 2022 film "Prey," a prequel in the iconic Predator franchise, fresh out of their Drive-In theater experience. They kick things off with a major takeaway: this flick flips the script on traditional storytelling with its strong female lead, Naru, who stands tall against both the titular predator and the colonizing French trappers. Jill's enthusi...

Kevin Schaefer and Evan Garcia dive into the latest pop culture gems, kicking things off with a deep dive into the gritty world of Spider Noir, featuring none other than Nicolas Cage. The duo explores the series' unique blend of classic film noir aesthetics and superhero antics, which has fans buzzing about its fresh take on familiar characters. But that's not all—they also tackle two indie horror...

Andy Walsh, Evan Garcia, Kevin Schaefer, Will Rose, and Christian Ashley dive deep into the galaxy far, far away, focusing on the Mandalorian and Grogu film while casting their eyes toward the future of the Star Wars franchise. They kick things off by reflecting on the film's nostalgic elements, especially how it pays homage to classic stop-motion techniques, sparking some heartfelt emotions among...

Joshua Noel and TJ Blackwell kick off this year's Summer Drive-In series on Systematic Geekology by diving into the colorful world of Monsters University. They explore how the film serves as a prequel to the beloved Monsters, Inc., unpacking the origins of our favorite characters, Mike and Sully. The duo banters about the quirky dynamics of college life as portrayed in the movie, from the trials o...

The crew dives into the latest flick featuring Mandalorian and Grogu, unpacking not just their reactions to the film, but also their hopes for the future of the Star Wars franchise. They kick things off with a heartfelt nod to the idea that Grogu, the adorable little green guy, is set to outlive them all, sparking a lively discussion about the film’s connection to the larger Star Wars universe. An...

Joshua Noel, TJ Blackwell, and their special guest, Michael Morelli, dive into the captivating realm of fantasy video games in this inaugural episode of Gamer’s Garage. They kick things off by exploring the question: why are we so drawn to fantasy gaming? As they curate their own game recommendations, the trio reflects on how this medium shapes our understanding of themes like sacrifice and herois...

Christian Ashley and Kevin Schaeffer dive into the latest pop culture happenings in this "What's New(s)" episode of Systematic Geekology, focusing on some major highlights that are sure to tickle the fancy of every geek out there. Right off the bat, they discuss the buzzing Mandalorian and Grogu film, where the dynamics of their favorite characters unfold in a galactic adventure that’s both fun an...

Who are the faces behind The Doctor? In this episode, Joshua Noel and Christian Ashley dive deep into the influential figures that shaped the enigmatic Time Lord, exploring how characters like Tecteun, Borusa, Rassilon, The Master, and Romana contributed to the Doctor's identity. They tackle the big questions about how these relationships mold the Doctor's choices and values, ultimately leading to...

The crew dives back into the chaos of "Murder World" in this nail-biting conclusion to the "Incursive Entertainment" campaign. Christian Ashley takes the reins as GM while TJ Blackwell and Evan Garcia navigate a wild mix of characters, including the ever-sassy Jessica Jones and the teleporting Nightcrawler, all while trying to figure out the devilish schemes of Arcade and the Joker. With stakes hi...

Christian Ashley leads a wild ride in this episode of "Geeks on a Roll," diving headfirst into the question: does the media we consume really matter as long as we’re entertained? The crew assembles a ragtag team featuring Jessica Jones, Nightcrawler, Hondo Ohnaka, Friar Tuck, Alfred Borden, and Tinker Bell, embarking on a quest that blends theology and tabletop gaming in a campaign called "Incursi...

Andy Walsh and Kevin Schaefer dive into the fascinating world of unmade superhero films, specifically focusing on Kevin Smith's screenplay for "Superman Lives." This legendary script, which never made it to the big screen, is a treasure trove of comic book references and unique storytelling that reflects the quirky style of Smith. The duo discusses the plot, featuring Brainiac's quest for Kryptoni...

Kevin Schaefer, Andy Walsh, and Evan Garcia dive into the latest buzz in geek culture, kicking things off with a spotlight on Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and the first season of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord. They dissect the thrilling plot twists and character developments that keep fans on the edge of their seats, especially the dynamic between Daredevil and Bullseye, which takes center stage...