Regular Joes Podcast

As 2023 fades into memory the Regular Joes, along with Irregular Joes Derryl DePriest and Brian Mix, take a look back to the year that was. What were their favorite films, TV shows, events and collectibles? Conversely, what were their least favorites. And while they’re at it, in a year, when many long, anticipated projects failed to find audiences, what did they see as the most overlooked and under appreciated offerings of 2023? The gang also note some of what they are looking forward to in 2024, and bid a fond farewell to several of those who left us last year. Thanks for listening!

Zack Snyder has made some good films. Rebel Moon: Part I. A Child of Fire is not one of them. Described as both the start of a new sci-fi franchise, and the byproduct of a failed Star Wars pitch, what Rebel Moon most resembles is amalgamation of scenes and themes from a long list of other familiar films. You haven’t seen it? Here’s a recap, Gamora, who is estranged from her evil dad, rounds up slightly less than seven samurai, to take on an evil galactic empire before being betrayed by Han Solo. The Regular Joes conduct a postmortem review examining how, with top-notch talent, excellent visual effects and clearly a healthy budget did this project still manage to go so wrong. And, moreover, with part II coming shortly, and a director’s cut no one other than Barry will watch, is there anywhere to go with this franchise? There’s also the usual random topics. Thanks for listening, and Happy New Year!

As 2023 came to a close, the Regular Joes convened at a not so secret location (Dave’s House) to break bread and to prove yet again that with a little thought you can actually buy gifts for people who literally have everything, it’s the annual Regular Joe’s gift exchange where you listen in as we open presents!  Then , as an added bonus, our wives join us to discuss the filmography of everyone’s favorite action hero, Tom Cruise and evaluate which of his films are “unwatchable”, the results may surprise you, or maybe not…but the wives are back on the show, so there you go!  We sincerely thank you all for listening and hope you all have a very safe and Happy New Year.

This week the Regular Joes check out the recent documentary A Disturbance in The Force (available on disc or stream) which provides the best explanation to date on how and why the 1978 Star Wars Christmas Special came to be. As part of their rigorous preparation the Joes also dug up and watched the first episode of season three of the Donnie and Marie show from 1977, which included a Star Wars skit. This provided much needed context and forced Tod to come clean on his childhood Marie Osmond crush. If all of this does not seem compelling there’s also a lengthy discussion about Dave’s sports apparel peccadillos. Barry, heavily medicated, did not admit anything embarrassing. At this point it’s traditional to note, there’s also Random Topics, but the randomness of the aforementioned content makes this seem somehow redundant. Thanks for listening … and  happy Life Day!

With the holidays fast approaching the Regular Joes pause to reflect upon the difficulty of finding gifts for people who are hard to buy for. You know, the folks who have everything, or those people who  don’t hesitate to buy themselves things … even two weeks before Christmas (see also, Barry Kay). They cover electronics, services, gadgets and several things people don’t yet know they need. All just in time to make those last minute purchases. There’s also Random topics and 2/3 of a round of What’s in the Box because at least one of the Joes is exercising restraint.  Thanks for listening!

This week Dave comes back from vacation and the other Regular Joes, plus the Irregular Joes , catch him up on what they have been up to. Barry checked out this past weekend’s Annual WinterCon. Brian made another trek to Ticonderoga to help update the Star Trek Set Tour and hang with Shatner. Tod gives his thoughts on Godzilla Minus One. And, late arrival Derryl, has been unboxing auction winnings and action figures. There’s also a plethora of Random topics and a Round of What’s in the Box. Thanks for listening!

Prompted by Dave’s recent observation about the scarcity of good sci-fi / fantasy / action / adventure genre films from the 1990’s the Regular Joes dive into the last decade of the last millennium. And while the 1990’s does not holdup to the decade immediately prior, there are a good many films from a wide range of genres that are worth a second look. Though opinions vary on several titles, it is clear the 1990’s yielded a few gems. One of the best sequels ever in Terminator 2 Judgement Day 1991. An original Sci Fi offering, in Matrix 1999, whose magic proved impossible to recapture. And a groundbreaking shift in how animation is handed on the big screen with Toy Story 1995. There are also a bevy of sentimental favorites along the way, including the Rocketeer 1991 (Tod), A few Good Men 1992 (Dave) and Clerks 1994 (Barry). Like the 1990’s as a whole, there are some high points, but also a whole lot best left in the rear view mirror. And, of course, there’s also the usual Random Topics and a round of What’s in

As we dig into our Thanksgiving leftovers, in a year end oddly without a Disney+ Star Wars series, the Regular Joes take a look at one new show and one returning Apple TV+ series to fill the void. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters shares a universe with the four most recent Godzilla and King Kong films. In dual time lines, and with at least one very unique casting decision, the series details the secret events prior to Kong: Skull Island 2017 and just after Godzilla 2014. With a minimum of SPOILERS (yes there are monsters in this monster show) the Joes give three titanic sized thumbs up. In year four it’s easy to slip back into the known, but very deadly, alternate reality of For all Mankind. Yes, space … it will kill you. There are returning, more aged, faces and a few new ones as we continue to explore the “what ifs” of a space race that never ended. There’s also the usual, Random Topics and a round of What’s in the Box. Thanks for listening!

This week, Barry, Dave and Tod settle back into their normal routine. There’s no celebrity interviews or overly complicated recording set ups. It’s just the three of them catching up on random topics, debating the merits of the recently concluded Disney+ series Loki, and taking a last pass at the just wrapped Star Trek Lower Decks season four. Note: there is agreement on only one of these topics. There’s also a round of What’s in the box. Really, it's just a plain ol’ regular episode. Pretty much exactly what you would expect. Just like putting on a comfortable pair of jeans. Thanks for listening!

Yes, our 500th episode, quite a milestone and we have a show worthy of that milestone. We travel to Rhode Island Comic Con for our 10th time and interview possibly our best guests yet! John Rhys Davies of Indiana Jones and Lord of the Rings fame as well as director, producer and make-up effects creator Greg Nicotero. Both sit down for lengthy discussions and a great time was had by all. Barry could not be there in person but joins remotely.  Irregular Joes Derryl and Brian made the trip and join in on the fun. Huge shout out to Brian for securing both awesome guests.  We also recap the con and let you know who we saw, smelled and met. RICC and The Omni Providence do not disappoint.  Thanks for listening x 500!

It’s that time again when the Regular Joe’s thoughts turn to the Rhode Island Comicon. Making the trek to Providence has been a RJ tradition for 10 years, pretty much as long as the podcast has been running. This year as they prepare, they take a second round (apparently this is now tradition as well) at rating the huge list of convention guests, based on autograph, appeal, visual appeal, and …. wait for it, aromatic appeal. This stems from an entirely reasonable comment Tod once made about Karen Gillan, and as things do, it just spiraled from there. There’s also a round of What’s in the Box, dominated by two very large boxes, that Tod and Dave have been waiting on for well over a year. Tomy’s epic scale die cast NCC-1701  has been met with awe and minor nitpicking, find out what the Joes think as they add what is certainly the heaviest starship they have ever owned to their respective collections. Oh … and Barry has a new Star Wars thing.  There’s also the usual random topics  Note: somewhat astonishingly th

While recent shows have been somewhat narrowly focused, this week’s is decidedly not. One might even walk away with the impression that there was no discernible plan at all. There is some (inevitable) follow up from the recent auction, followed by a deep dive into … well, nothing in particular. There is a segment of Random Topics that never really ends, and some talk about current, and upcoming TV shows. So really very much what you have come to expect these past ten plus years. Thanks for listening!

There has never been an event  like the now completed Heritage Greg Jien Collection Auction of props, costumes and model miniatures. The Regular Joes, as well as Irregular Joes Derryl DePriest and Brian Mix, each went in with a wish list and high hopes. In the aftermath, the five of them get together to discuss their wins and losses (ranging from the highly recognizable to the incredibly obscure) and some of the history making sales that came out of the marathon event.  Including a fair bit of speculation on the mysterious buyer 7101, who went home with a huge swath of the offerings. Equal parts, debrief and group therapy session, this episode might be the last one they devote to this collection, but certainly not the last time they think about the ones that got away. Thanks for Listening!

The newest Disney+ Star Wars series eight episode run has wrapped. Ahsoka had the advantage of established characters from Clone Wars, Rebels and the no longer canon Expanded Universe. But was likewise burdened with two Galaxy’s worth of expectations. Find out how this played out for the Regular Joes, who started with perspectives ranging from basic familiarity to deep mythology immersion. From the Star Trek side of things Very Short Treks (find them on YouTube) is series of short animated videos commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek The Animated series. If you are a Star Trek fan, you have a sense of humor, and even a passing knowledge of the animated series, like the Joes, you should appreciate this. There’s also the usual Random Topics and a round of What’s in the Box. Thanks for listening!

This week the Regular Joe’s once again hit up Brian Mix’s deep bench of knowledgeable, and well-connected, associates. It’s rapidly becoming clear, if you were into Sci Fi and on the West Coast  in the last half century you probably know Brian. This time they are joined by Max Cervantes, a professional model builder in the film industry, and a prolific background extra throughout the Star Trek franchise. So while you may not recognize his name, it’s pretty much assured that you’ve seen his work. Max shares stories from his many years in the industry, as well as his own memories of the late Greg Jien, the collector’s collector, whose amazing stash of film and TV, props, costumes, etc. is heading for the auction block soon. Thank for Listening!

Prompted by photos Brian recently shared, which revealed the depth and dedication of his own early nerdiness, Barry, Dave and Tod delve into their own, not quite, secret origins. At what point did all of us cross over from simply liking a given thing, like Star Trek, or Batman, to engaging with it on an interactive, creative or otherwise expansive level? Buying the books, tracking down the merchandise, costuming, DYI, and seeking out like minded souls are all early manifestations of Nerddom. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this all to common affliction. Perhaps we could start a telethon? We could get Bill Shatner to host. And of course, while he’s there, we would want to get a few more autographs.There’s also the usual, Random, Topics, as well as a mixed bag of What’s in the Box and What’s on my Workbench projects. Thanks for listening!

It’s another one of those weeks, when fortune, or scheduling executives at Disney+ and Paramount+, favors us with new episodes of both a Star Trek and Star Wars series.  Star Trek Lower Decks, the animated series that only the most uptight Star Trek fans can’t find room in their hearts for, is back for a fourth season. This time around Mariner, Boimler and the other ensigns get a rank upgrade, and a new crew mate. Because any good Trek recipe can be improved by adding a little Vulcan.  At the other end of the galaxy, Star Wars Ahsoka seems to have finally hit its stride. Admittedly, a bit slow off the mark, episode five has given every Ahsoka fan (read as Tod) everything they’ve been hoping to see. It can only get better from here! There’s also the usual Random Topics and a round What’s in the Box!  Thanks for listening!

This week the Regular Joes take a  look at the Greg Jein collection of Sci Fi movie and TV props, production models, costumes and other memorabilia which Heritage Auctions will be putting on the block starting October 14. To call this auction unprecedented is a gross understatement. The trove of objects the late special effects wizard amassed in his life time is simply astounding. The scope and quality of items is almost beyond belief.  The Regular Joes guide through this once in a lifetime offering is their own Brian Mix, a friend of Mr. Jein and first hand witness to the extraordinary assemblage of treasures accumulated in and around the movie business. From, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, to his final work in Mulan, Mr. Jein’s onscreen contributions are dwarfed only by his more private side as a collector. In this episode we get rare insights into both. If you have any interest in collecting sci fi props, this will be the Auction folks will be talking about for decades to come.

The Regular Joes have been AWOL for a few weeks but Barry has a good excuse. This week he fills us all on on his secret trip to a certain ranch … far, far away. On a similar theme, it’s time to talk Ashoka. The latest Disney+ series faces the daunting task of fusing elements of the live action and animated Star Wars universes. Does it stand on its own? How do the Rebels series characters translate to a live action, post original trilogy setting? The hosts offer differing perspectives from different backgrounds as the twin tracks of Dave Filoni’s efforts converge. There’s also Random Topics and What’s in The Box. Thanks for Listening!

The teeming juggernaut that is Disney has a whole lot of projects in the hopper right now. If recent history has demonstrated anything not everything they announce actually comes to pass. Anyone still waiting for Patty Jenkin’s Rogue Squadron? With a couple of recent big budget commercial failures to reflect on rumor has it Disney honcho Bob Iger is having some second thoughts. Always helpful, the Regular Joes weigh in giving Bob some feedback on where he might trim the fat. As we ease into the dog days of Summer the Joes offer some advice on how you might use the remainder of your TV viewing time. Each giving one previously undiscussed show they enjoyed add another they suggest passing on. There’s also the usual Random Topics, a round of what’s in the box, and Barry schools Tod on how to pronounce “Wakanda.” Just because. Thanks for listening!