Socially Distanced

Fire it up! Fire it up! Fire it up! Socially Distanced revisits a film that led to a generation of goth kids and Hot Topic shoppers - The Crow (1994)

Amanda Rivas is in the lead host seat as Pop Break's resident hardcore Crow fan and joined by Pop Break Podcast Director Alex Marcus, stepping in for Bill Bodkin as co-host this week, and The Flamingo King Branden Vice. Hot on the heels of the upcoming release of the 2024 remake of The Crow, they discuss Alex's thoughts on the film as he had never seen the 1994 film prior to this episode, Amanda and Branden's first experiences with the film, supporting cast performances, the film's soundtrack, and the journey full of twists and turns this franchise took to get a remake completed. They also discuss the late Brandon Lee's performance, the legacy this film leaves behind 30 years later, and their concerns about the 2024 film.

In the pre-game segment, they discuss the top three songs of the summer and which ultimately dominated the airwaves. They also share their own choices for the song that dominated their personal airwaves this summer to include tracks by AFI, Urban Heat, and Chappell Roan.

It’s a massive episode filled with news, churros and mouse ears as we dove deep into all the announcements from Disney’s D23 event.

Bill Bodkin and Amanda Rivas are joined by Pop Break’s Fairy Podfather Alex Marcus and Disney superfan Michelle Chapman (host of Roses and Rejections).

In the episode they discuss the Skeleton Crew, Daredevil Born Again, Andor, Harrison Ford as the Red Hulk, Agatha All Along, Mando & Grogu, and all the Marvel and Star Wars news as well as discussing the massive Disney parks expansion and all the other major film and Disney+ announcements.

Welcome to the final installment of The House Pop Break — Socially Distanced’s official House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones review series.

Hosts Bill Bodkin and Amanda Rivas are joined by Marshall Stevenson of the Blerd Watchers podcast and Tyler McCarthy of the  Not Couple Goals podcast to discuss the House of the Dragon Season 2 finale.

They discuss how this episode, despite what the internet said, was an incredible season ender and a huge bit of hype for the impending third season. They discuss the Alicent and Rhaenyra scene, Daemon bending the knee and who gave the best performance for the season.

We’re going to need you to come with us, peanut. That’s right Socially Distanced is heading to the multiverse to discuss  Deadpool and Wolverine! But that’s not all.

That’s because this is our House of the Deadpool episode — where we’re also discussing the penultimate episode of House of the Dragon Season 2!

Host Bill Bodkin is joined by Pop Break Podcast Director Alex Marcus and very special guest Matt Kelly of Nando v Movies for this episode.

They discuss the cameos, the Deadpool corps and the future of the entire MCU as it relates to Deadpool and Wolverine. But don’t worry they also take an in-depth look at Robert Downey JR’s return to the MCU as Victor Von Doom.

They also discuss the dragon seed storyline for House of the Dragon, how the finale may not work in the favor of Team Black and more!

Welcome to the House Pop Break -- where we discuss all things related to Westeros, King's

Landing and House of the Dragon.

Pop Break's Editor-in-Chief Bill Bodkin is back in the host seat and is joined by "The Human Star Wars Encyclopedia" Amanda Rivas and special guests Josh Sarnecky (Anime x Pop, TV Break, Anniversary Brothers) and making his Socially Distanced debut, Kris Ingersoll of the Media/Lit podcast.

This foursome of intrepid travelers discuss the strategies of Aemond and Rhaenyra, the hubris and arrogance of the men surrounding Alicent and Rhanenyra, Mysaria's true intentions, Daemon's never-ending visions, the future of the realm, who gave the best person, what character needs to be subject to dragon fire and predictions for the rest of the season.

In the pre-game section they discuss the importance of this year's San Diego Comic Con and the news they need to hear coming out the weekend -- including news on Batman, numerous anime projects, the Avengers director, My Adventures with Superman's future and Spider-man.

For the last time this year Socially Distanced goes to the High Republic to discuss The Acolyte.

Host Amanda Rivas is rejoined by Pop Break Editor in Chief Bill Bodkin and Podcasting Editor Alex Marcus along with special guests Amanda Clark and Murjani Rawls to discuss The Acolyte Season Finale.

In the episode the discuss the various issues they had with the plot including Sol’s motivations and the Mae and Osha relationship. They praise the lightsaber fights, Manny Jacinto’s sex appeal and the risks showrunner Lesley Headlund took. They discuss the cameos as well as the potential for a second season.

In the pre-game segment they discuss the teaser trailer for Captain America: Brave New World and the potential return for The Russo Brothers to the MCU.

Welcome to Socially Distanced’s fourth installment of the House of the Acolyte review series — where we review both the latest Star Wars series, The Acolyte and the second season of HBO’s House of the Dragon.

This episode is hosted by Amanda Rivas (for The Acolyte section) and special guest host Alex Marcus (for The House of the Dragon section), tagging in for Bill Bodkin this week. They are joined by The Pop Break’s White Knight and Commander of our Hearts — Ben Murchison. 

Our small council begins their journey to Brendok and Westeros with a pregame discussion of the trailers for Agatha All Along and Gladiator 2. 

In the first half of the podcast, they return to Brendok with Master Indara, her padawan Torbin, Master Sol, and wookie Jedi Kelnacca, and learn the fateful events that led to the present day events the show covers in Episode 7 of The Acolyte:”Choices.”They discuss Carrie Ann Moss’s performance, her decision to withhold the events of Brendok from the Jedi Council, the epicness of a Wookie Jedi possessed by Space Witches, and the weak-willed Torbin’s struggle to accept the consequences of his actions that night. They also discuss Master Sol’s string of poor choices, intense need of connection, and how his unhinged behavior pretty much led to Mae being thrown under the bus for what happened on Brendok. Plus they clearly had to revisit the thirst for Qimir and why they all are Sith now. 

In the second half of the podcast, our small council takes part in a massive dragon battle as they discuss Episode 4 of House of the Dragon: “King of the Narrow Road.” They discuss whether Daemon via his dream sequences in Harrenhall has given up on his ambition to rule or whether he will eventually challenge Rhaeynra, this episode’s lack of Rhaenyra in the first half, Alicent’s motivation for digging into her late husband’s historical texts (although her motivation for taking moon tea is quite clear), and whether Criston Cole is toast after what happens to Aegon in this battle. Plus, they dive into the heated rivalry between Aemond and Aegon, collectively mourn the late great Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys, and discuss so much more. 

Welcome to Socially Distanced's third installment of the House of the Acolyte review series -- where we review both the latest Star Wars series, The Acolyte and the second season of HBO's House of the Dragon.

The episode is hosted by Amanda Rivas (for the Acolyte section) and Bill Bodkin (for the House of the Dragon section). This week they are joined by the hosts of the Blerd Watchers podcast (found right here on ThePopBreak feed) -- Courtney & Marshall Stevenson!

In the first half of the podcast, they head to an "unknown planet" to discuss the sexy side of Star Wars, that's right the 6th episode of The Acolyte -- "Teach/Corrupt." They obviously discuss the Qimir of it all and how actor Manny Jacinto may have seduced more than just Osha to the dark side of the force. They talk about Master Sol and his guilt and if he knew about Mae. They discuss the potential reveals of who Qimir may be in the Star Wars Universe. They also kick around a few surprises that Lesyle Headlund might have in store for viewers.

In the second half of the podcast, the foursome fly on a dragon to Harrenhall to discuss House of the Dragon Episode 3, "The Burning Mill." They discuss how Alicent is not as smart as Bill thinks, and how Rhaenyra's cautiousness may win out the day -- despite what Daemon and the other men might think. They discuss the role of Criston Cole, the future of Otto Hightower and much more.

Socially Distanced returns to Westeros via light speed for the second part of its Acolyte and House of the Dragon review series.

In this episode Bill and Amanda are joined by Pop Breaks House of the Dragon beat writer Randy Allain (host of the Media/Lit pod) and Roses and Rejections host Michelle Chapman.

They discuss the epic light saber battles in The Acolyte and the performance from Manny Jacinto, the incompetence of the men in House of the Dragon in particular Sir Cristin Cole (bay bay) and pre-game with their wishlist for Marvels return to Hall H at San Diego Comic Con.

Pop Break's House of the Acolyte Series Officially Begins!

However, before we start - we need to ask a favor. On Tuesday June 18, Pop Break lost one of their own, staff writer Michael Vacchiano. Mike left behind a wife, a four-year-old daughter and a 16 month old son. His friends and family have come together to raise money for his family in this time of great need. If you're able to donate to the family please click here.

In the episode, Bill Bodkin and Amanda Rivas split hosting duties and are joined this week by Pop Break staff writer Ben Murchison to discuss Episode 4 of The Acolyte and the Season 2 Premiere of House of the Dragon.

In The Acolyte section they discuss who the person in the mysterious mask is, the lack of Wookie Jedi in the episode, what happens to Mae and Osha's family and more. They of course, discuss Basil, the otter face guide, rat boy summer, the canon controversy and Tom Hardy in Biker Riders.

In the House of the Dragon episode they talk about who might not make it out of Season 2, The Wall, Bill's love of Alicent Hightower and if the episode was able to hook them back into the world of King's Landing. 

Also, Bill, Amanda, & Ben pre-game with their thoughts on the new trailer for Penguin.