The Weekly Substandard | A nerdcast on movies and pop-culture

In this latest episode, the Substandard discusses Atomic Blonde, the trailer for Death Wish, and the decline of 3-D. Jonathan offers a ranking that’s simply titillating, Sonny trolls for free booze (we love you Old Forester!), and Vic discovers cosplay for … Jurassic Park? Plus science fiction novels, a restaurant obit, and the return of Gene Shalit, all on this week’s Substandard!

The Substandard weighs in on bad franchise name-changes and the horror that is the Krispy Kreme sugar bomb.

In this latest episode, JVL and Sonny review Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets and rank the Luc Besson oeuvre. Meanwhile, Vic and Sonny rank their favorite Chinese buffet dishes—Sesame Chicken > General Tso’s! Plus JVL on his great baseball weekend and Sonny on his expanding Criterion Collection—all on this week’s Substandard!

On this latest micro episode, the Substandard reflects on the late actor and playwright Sam Shepard. Vic remembers Shepard in The Right Stuff. Jonathan segues into G.I. Joe toys. Sonny has actually seen Days of Heaven.

On this week’s episode, the Substandard reviews Dunkirk and ranks the Christopher Nolan oeuvre. Sonny hates the beach, JVL hates Tesla even more, and Vic discovers Game of Thrones. Plus Justice League woes and Gene Shalit goes to the IMAX, all on this week’s Substandard!

On this week’s episode, the Substandard discusses War for Planet of the Apes. Should Andy Serkis get an Oscar nom for best actor? The hosts share their innermost Star Wars fantasies. Sonny scolds Vic for getting his son a graphic novel that’s extremely graphic. And JVL turns into Red Hulk when he shares his opinions on Tesla (the car, not the scientist or the band).

On this week's mini episode, the Substandard looks back on the life and work of George Romero and Martin Landau. Sonny reflects on the zombie legacy of Romero, JVL remembers the time he met Landau, and Vic may or may not have played hours of Doom.

On this latest episode, the Substandard reviews Spider-Man: Homecoming. JVL offers his take on Peter Parker 3.0 and his nerdified nemesis, Flash. Vic channels his inner Gene Shalit. And Sonny knows Amelia Earhart will never be found—but does he know his cured meats? Plus the best of In Search Of: Bigfoot, UFOs, and the Amityville Horror, oh my!

On the latest micro-episode of the Substandard, Vic, JVL, and Sonny curse David Brooks for ruining Amazon Prime Day and suggest ways for the beneficent Jeff Bezos to improve the most wonderful time of the year.

There’s more than meets the eye on the latest episode of the Substandard. The hosts discuss Transformers: The Last Knight and the Michael Bay oeuvre. Sonny hates people who shoot off fireworks. Vic remembers drinking on the National Mall. And Jonathan explains his mysterious absence. All on the latest Substandard!