Recent times - well, really forever - has seen turmoil within the DC Extended Universe, with storylines of movies varying wildly from character to character, and no real thread that can link them all in a cohesive and believable way. All that looks to be up for a big change with the announcement that James Gunn and Peter Safran are taking on the role of creating a uniform outline of characters and movies that will look to restart and reinvigorate the DC line of super heroes on the big screen.

On today's episode, I will run through a basic timeline of what has occurred in the past, and then give my own ideas on which way I would like to see the future run when it comes to those signature characters of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman, as well as which of the other DC super heroes I would like to see given the cinematic treatment. And, how I see future "Justice League"-type movies going, and how they should be made.

So if you are a geek and nerd like me, let me offer you a few of my baseless ideas, as we move into the movie verse on the podcast that still thinks it's living in its teenage years, Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.

On today's edition of The Casual Mankadder, the past week has had its fair share of controversial incidents on the cricket field in the many varied varieties of the game. And while they have all been spoken about at length during the week, when it comes to adding my own opinion to the mix, I like to do it in this forum.

Whether it be Adam Zampa and his abortive attempt at the mankad, and whether or not it should be allowed (still! after all this time!), or whether it be about the use of technology to decide whether a catch has been taken by freezing one frame of the TV coverage, or whether a catch taken over the boundary should ever be allowed to be given as a dismissal, or how a day Test can continue to be stopped for bad light but a day/night Test can never suffer from this, or whether over rates will ever be fixed - all of that is discussed on today's episode.

So, if you are brave enough to har my right or wrong conclusions, come forth for a half hour of cricket expletives, right here on The Casual Mankadder, on the podcast that is still under Umpires Call, Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.

On today's thrilling episode, we move into the realm of the 'limited series' stories that are proliferating the streaming services of the world. And given that the rain is beginning to wipe out all possibility of watching cricket on the TV (much to this podcast's chagrin) then the opportunity to catch up with a good long-form television series is becoming more readily available.

In the spirit of this, today we will examine two such series that I have binge-watched over the past week as I wait to pick up my children from their part time jobs at 11.00pm at night. Both are thriller mysteries, which offer a different approach to the mystery genre. First there is "Inside Man", starring the wonderful Stanley Tucci and David Tennant, and secondly we have a look at "Three Pines" where the protagonist is played by the equally excellent Alfred Molina.

That is the subject matter for today's rambling conversation, on the podcast that continues to morph into all things beautiful, Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.

We're into the home stretch, and for those that can really be bothered to check out what has been said and who has been interviewed, please click the button and enjoy it as much as you can.

Day 2 for the Greater Southern Marlins at the NSW Youth Championships in cricket, and the Dubbo weather turned it on for everyone - cold and gale winds to start the day, and heat and death sun by the end. In between the Marlins played two T20 matches, and felt both the desolation of defeat and the elation of victory.

If you are of mind to hear the summary of the day's play, and hear some of the finest interviews you could ever imagine, then come join us for today's edition of The Casual Mankadder, right here on Thoughts from the Metal Cavern

What else would you want to do on the week before Xmas than journey out to Dubbo and play four days of cricket? Well 12 kids aged 14 and 15 have decided that is exactly what they want to do, so just for a laugh, let's have a talk to a few of them during their first match of the tournament, as the Greater Southern Marlins take on the Southern Districts.

We're back! No one asked for us to return, no one cares that we are doing this, but we are back anyway.

Cricket's most innovative duo return for another season of the Big Bash, and each day will offer you their preview of what is to come.

Today they preview Match 1 of the tournament, with the clash between the Thunder and the Stars.

The fact that there was almost no interest in a series of cricket matches between Australia and England played over the past week is not necessarily a reason to go into all out panic mode, but it has to be a wake up call to everyone involved, most especially the International Cricket Council in regards to the scheduling of international cricket in an already overpacked market place, and Cricket Australia in their promotion of such series, and also where they should be played.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the events of what occurred over that week of cricket, where England showed as much interest in playing more cricket as I do when surveying a plate of steamed broccoli, where the crowds were larger at Keith Grey Oval watching two Albion Park teams play each other, and how the series was as relevant as the Higher School Certificate will be for the kids who just endured it in about six months time.

That's the agenda on today's edition of The Almanack Report, right here on Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.