Gobbledygeek

Welcome back to the land of Berk, where the dragons soar, the adults have Scottish accents, and the kids have grown up. Frenemy Eric Sipple joins Paul and AJ to discuss How to Train Your Dragon 2, which--spoiler alert--they all agree is a fine film indeed. Among the points of discussion are the more mature tone, the stunning animation (with an assist from the great Roger Deakins), and Cate Blanchett's role as Valka, Hiccup's mother. In a strong year for sequels, this is one of the strongest, and we're here to tell you why. Plus, in another dragon-related news, the gang dissects the Game of Thrones season finale. Next: getting back on our track with our monthly Four-Color Flashback series discussing Neil Gaiman's The Sandman. Greg Sahadachny of The Debatable Podcast joins us for an analysis of Vol. III - Dream Country.

Godzilla, that green, rubbery, nuclear-breathing master of destruction--he's basically like if Gumby kicked ass, right? His origins were a little different. Close to a decade after America dropped the atom bomb, Japanese filmmaker Ishirô Honda sought to show us, in stark black-and-white, what the bomb may have wrought: a physical manifestation of his nation's desperation and anxiety. And, yeah, he was green, rubbery, and breathed nuclear fire. Paul and AJ revisit the 1954 original, looking to discover why it remains so potent despite being so crudely made. Oh, and they talk about the new one for a few minutes too. Plus, Cosmos comes to a close and Jack White gets weird on Lazaretto. Next: There's this movie? That follows this other movie? About this dragon? Something about that.

With How to Train Your Dragon 2 prepared to soar into theaters next weekend, you'd better believe superfan Paul was going to find some way to celebrate it. And celebrate it he has, with frequent guests Eric Sipple and Kenn Edwards joining Paul and AJ for a commentary of the first film. The gang discusses how the film overcame their initial low expectations, why having Roger Deakins as a "visual consultant" was crucial, the way the movie expertly moves the plot forward at only 90 minutes, and which of them is a dog person (much to the shame of the other three). Watch along and enjoy.

Hello, Birmingham! Live from the Alabama Phoenix Festival, it’s Gobbledygeek! Paul and AJ returned to APF 2014 to host a series of panels about everything from summer movies to Orphan Black, and while they were there, they thought it’d be neat to record a live podcast. Joining them in the hot seat is Gobbledy-stalwart Kenn Edwards; in the audience, frequent guests/loved ones/freaks of nature Eric Sipple, Joseph Lewis, and Pam Smith. The gang talks to the crowd—including a man dressed as Casey Jones and two teenaged Bronies—about how the con’s going, why they enjoy the sense of community it provides, and that awful-looking Ninja Turtles movie.

Next: Paul and AJ return to their boring, excitement-free home lives to discuss the original Japanese Godzilla. And I guess they’ll mention the new one too.

Friend of the show and long-ago guest K. Dale Koontz makes her triumphant return to Gobbledygeek, and this time, she's brought along her lovely husband Ensley F. Guffey. Together, they've written Wanna Cook? The Complete, Unofficial Companion to Breaking Bad, which is pretty much what it says. Dale and Ensley geek out about Breaking Bad, discuss Michael Slovis' stunning visuals, and talk about what goes into writing a book with your spouse. They do not, however, tell you how to cook 99.9% pure crystal blue meth. Disappointing, I know. Plus, the gang bemoans Zack Snyder's grip on DC's movie world and raves about indie comics. Next: our year-long Four-Color Flashback exploration of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman continues, as Greg Sahadachny joins us to discuss Vol. III: Dream Country.

Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is swinging back into theaters with The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and we're on hand to dissect it. There is just so much going on in this movie that Paul and AJ have recruited another villain for their burgeoning franchise: Kenn Edwards of So Let's Get to the Point and Project Batman. The gang is sharply divided on just how good Marc Webb's sequel is and just how much plot is too much plot, but the common ground is surprising. Namely, the film's faithful portrayal of Spidey himself; the adorability of Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy; and the power of one particularly iconic moment. Plus, Paul shares some shocking casting news, and AJ and Kenn dig on Louie. Next: K. Dale Koontz and Ensley F. Guffey join us to discuss their book Wanna Cook? The Complete, Unofficial Companion to Breaking Bad. Meth and/or egomania not required.

Close your eyes. Lull yourself to sleep. It's time for another trip to the Dreaming, as Paul, AJ, and special guest/third Gobbler Eric Sipple continue their Four-Color Flashback exploration of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman. In Vol. II, A Doll's House, we discover humans might be playthings of the gods; that hearts are very important; that for a man named "Fun Land," he's not very fun; and which of the Endless has the most bitchin' stereo system. Plus, the gang talks about their appearance at this year's Alabama Phoenix Festival. Next: spins a web any size, catches thieves just like flies, look out! Here comes The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Paul and AJ are, you know, they're...I think the word is "geeks"? Geeks. Yes. And sometimes, they challenge each other. Lord knows they challenge each other. And sometimes such a challenge between geeks is bestowed the the rank of Geek Challenge. For the first time in far too long, such a plague has befallen the podcast: AJ challenges Paul to watch the 1957 Ingmar Bergman classic The Seventh Seal; in return, Paul challenges AJ to John Boorman's 1981 Arthurian epic Excalibur. There is much sadness and mythmaking and fast-and-loose historical accuracies as our knights ride off a journey of the soul. Plus, Fargo makes for a pretty great TV show and The Superior Spider-Man has reached its blessed end. Next week: the second installment of this year's Four-Color Flashback, as the boys discuss the second volume of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, The Doll's House.

The Debatable Podcast's Greg Sahadachny has bullied his way onto another podcast. This time, he forces Paul and AJ to discuss storytelling in video games, and whether or not harder games are more fulfilling than easy ones. Throughout this, the words "ludology" and "narratology" are bandied about as if anyone involved has the faintest idea of what they mean. Before the games discussion, the gang talks about Amazon's acquisition of comiXology and what that might mean for the world's premiere platform for digital comics; after, they get into this week's shocking Game of Thrones and--of course--the nature of spoilers. Next: for the first time in a while, the Geek Challenge rears its challenge-y head.

He's pretty spry for an old guy: Steve Rogers charges back onto the big screen with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and we're here to tell you if it's a worthy outing for the star-spangled boy scout. Joining Paul and AJ to disuss the film is friend/lover/ultimate Brony forever Eric Sipple (he also wrote a really cool book called Broken Magic, check it out). The gang talks about Winter Soldier's brutal hand-to-hand, whether or not the movie's political commentary works, the merits of Scarlett Johansson's badassery, and that Sundance Kid. Spoiler alert: this episode might contain the most agreement of any single episode of Gobbledygeek. Next: Paul and AJ talk about stuff! They don't know what! But something!