Discerning Geeks Portal

This week, we hack into the star-studded 1992 movie Sneakers, a tale of hacking, cyber security, crime, cryptography, and driving a truck while visually impaired.  Did this movie predict the future of the information age?  Is it both quaint & timeless at the same time?  Would this movie make a good remake or TV show?  Were answering machines ever really that big?  It’s not easy what we just did, but our voice is our passport, as we discuss…too many secrets…of Sneakers.

Note:  There's a mention early in this installment of it being our 6th episode.  But, since recording that, we've done some...sneaking...of our own and worked in a bonus episode last week, which is why Sneakers is now #007.  The bonus episode was a casual conversation about recent TV shows, books, D&D, and other entertainment.  We released it off-cycle and may do more bonus episodes in the future.  So, be on the lookout for additional episodes some weeks, forgive us as we get used to a new numbering system, and send us feedback or give us a review if you like what we do.

Whatcha Doin'?  Releasing mid-week, we recorded our first bonus episode.  We have a more informal, off-format chat about TV shows & movies we're watching (not including those for the podcast -- yet???), books we're reading, and even a little bit about our ongoing Dungeons & Dragons game.  Which one of our co-hosts is the fan of DC superhero shows on The CW?  Which otherwise excellent show has parental warnings for really useful reasons.  How many Netflix shows can we mention in a single episode?  Does Todd play a bard, druid, monk, or wizard?  Does Dave play a barbarian, paladin, ranger, or sorcerer?  Find out the answers to these and other burning questions as we ask, "Whatcha doin'?"

If you'd like to tell us what you're doin', send us a message.

Podcasters’ Log, August 2020.  Changing course from geeky movies this week, we explore our first TV topic — our most & least favorite Star Trek episodes featuring the recurring character known as Q.  Preferences among the co-hosts differed more than expected, so you get a nice variety of opinions about this member of the omnipotent Q Continuum and his intrusive meddling onboard the Enterprise, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager.  Was he best when providing these shows comic relief, or is his value in teaching lessons to humanity?  Listen to our analysis, as this time, humans put Q on trial for *his* actions.

This week, we review the robot fighting movie Real Steel, starring Hugh Jackman.  We discuss our appreciation for the movie's artistic value & character-driven story, explore its underlying themes, share theories about the robot Atom that are both scientific & metaphysical, and discover the movie has unexpected sentimental value for one of our co-hosts.  Yes, all this...from Real Steel.  Join us on this very special episode of The Discerning Geeks Portal as we prove that Real Steel is so much more...than just a robot fighting movie.

This week, we go all the way back to 1989 and review the movie Batman.  We talk about the look & feel of the movie, music & sound effects, the casting of Michael Keaton, and the greatness of the Alfred character.  Who’s the best Batman?  Who’s the best Joker?  Is this movie dated or timeless?  Does Vicki Vale scream too often?  Find out!  This Bat-Time!  This Bat-Channel!

In this episode, we review the film "A Knight's Tale," examining how it works as a sports movie in a medieval setting.  We talk about creative anachronisms, music, the role of women in the movie, class distinctions, hair, costumes, nitpicks, Chaucer, and of course, favorite moments, characters, and quotes.  And, now, I'm afraid without any more ado whatsoever!...  Here it is!...  Your review of..."A Knight's Tale."

In our debut episode, we review "The Martian," starring Matt Damon, a favorite among our original trio of co-hosts, Dave, Dave, and Todd (not a typo; two Daves; not confusing at all).

We talk about our favorite moments, favorite quotes, the amazing visuals, the extended version, deleted scenes, and much more.

With this review as well as our ones to come, we sum up remaining thoughts in a lightning round, grade the movie three different ways, and throw out ideas of what to cover in a future episode.

We approach our reviews from every angle -- the intellectual, the analytical, the emotional, the geeky, and the just plain fun.

Thank you for joining us in the debut of the next adventure between three best friends and continue enjoying whatever makes you a Discerning Geek.

Note: The audio has been re-uploaded twice, for slight improvements, once in February 2023 and again with slight volume adjustments on 01 January 2024.