Podcasts in Review

December 20, 2018 at 12:01 am | Posted in Podcasts, Podcasts in Review, Regular Feature, Reviews, Star Wars | Leave a comment

Here is this week’s Podcasts in Review, starting with the top five and honorable mentions, then moving on to the full reviews.

This Week’s Top Five

Blast Points Podcast Episode 152
ForceCenter Episode 147
Disney Vault Talk Monsters Inc.
What the Force? Meta Music: The Composer’s Director
Kanata’s Castle Episode 46

Honorable Mentions

If you’re looking for a Christmas themed episode to put you in the mood for the holidays, there’s Pods & Ends: Episode 3
If you’re looking for fun, try The Deucecast Movie Show Episode 358 or The Geek Supreme Merry Mandalorian on the Shelf

Now here is this week’s Podcasts in Review…

Adolescence After Alderaan: Episode 35 goes over Showdown at Centerpoint as they discuss the puppetmasters, the Sacorrian Triad, Center Point Station, Ackbar, the lack of character development, the decline from book one, the unlikable characters, nothing done with Gaeriel, her horrible death, characters who contribute nothing, thoughts on Anakin, how the protagonists never meet the antagonists, and the weaknesses of the book and the series. Good discussion. They also do a good job of being critical, but still keeping the discussion enjoyable.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 1 hour 6 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Great
Hosts: Caroline, and Meg
Rating: Good

Beyond the Outer Rim: The Clone Wars Begin In Battlefront II & Thrawn: Treason they talk a little about Solo, they cover the news, comics, Thrawn Treason, they touch on the other two Thrawn books, the new Vader comic series, and their main topic is Obi-Wan in Star Wars: Battlefront II. Okay episode. I don’t play Battlefront so it wasn’t a great topic for me to start out on as this is my first time listening to the show. Descent news discussion, but lots of other podcasts cover the news, however they do have good host chemistry. Audio is a little glitchy/choppy.

Podcast Network: Cinema Shelf
Runtime: 36 minutes
Audio Quality: Okay
Production Quality: Okay
Hosts: Jonathan, Logan, and Ross
Rating: Okay

Blast Points Podcast: Episode 152 starts off with a spoof of “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” ala “every Rogue has its one.” It’s a good sign of another fun episode of Blast Points. They go over The Mandalorian official cast news, which they have some fun with, then celebrate the two year anniversary of Rogue One with their “Rogue 100” as they go over 100 things that make Rogue One awesome. I have to stop here and point out just how innovative and entertaining Blast Points is. There are a lot of Star Wars podcasts out there. Lots of people discuss Star Wars in a lot of different ways. But there is only one Blast Points. I’d be hard pressed to name another Star Wars podcast that has this much fun with Star Wars and puts out such entertaining episodes. Needlessly to say, this one was fun.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 1 hour 7 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Jason, and Gabe
Rating: Fun

Brews and Blasters: Episode 188 has some more Crystal Lime, they talk Celebration memories, they go over the official cast announcement for The Mandalorian, they talk egg rolls, and they go over the winners for the Dengar and Solo contest. Fun episode.

Podcast Network: Retrozap
Runtime: 56 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Joe, and Chris
Rating: Fun

Children of the Force: CotF Special Edition – The One From a Sauna is just a quick little episode of them messing around in a sauna and testing the acoustics. They do talk a little about John Williams and John Powell’s Grammy nominations. You can skip this one if you want, but it’s pretty short if you want to listen to it for fun.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 4 minutes
Audio Quality: Okay
Production Quality: Okay
Hosts: Al, Anna, and Liam
Rating: Skippable

Coffee With Kenobi: Episode 155 features guests Lisa Dullard and Dennis Keithly (who has a cold) as they talk about Solo and what they loved about the movie. Good discussion. Very positive. They cover lots of ground, various moments, and characters.

Podcast Network: Coffee With Kenobi
Runtime: 1 hour 18 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Dan Z.
Rating: Good

Comics With Kenobi: Episode 93 they talk news, IDW comics and Chris Ryall, comic rankings, and they review Destroyer Down #2, Star Wars #58, and Age of Republic: Qui-Gon Jinn #1.

Podcast Network: Coffee With Kenobi
Runtime: 1 hour 12 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Matt, and Jeff
Rating: Good

Comics With Kenobi: Episode 94 they review Han Solo – Imperial Cadet #2, go over the Top Gun connections and give it a lot of praise. They also review Doctor Aphra #27 and Age of Republic: Darth Maul #1. Good discussions of each comics. Matt has a cold for the first half, but is fine for the second half (as they recorded at different times) but audio quality is still good for the whole thing.

Podcast Network: Coffee With Kenobi
Runtime: 1 hour 8 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Great
Hosts: Matt, and Jeff
Rating: Good

Disney Vault Talk: Monsters Inc. Steve talks about getting married, new dog, they touch on Winnie the Pooh, Incredibles 2, top money making movie franchises, Disney+, The Lion King remake and other upcoming Disney films, then they discuss Monsters Inc. They go over trivia, fun facts and their thoughts on the movie. Fun episode.

Podcast Network: Geek Out Loud
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Steve, and Teresa
Rating: Fun

ForceCenter: Episode 147 touches on a new Star Wars behind-the-scenes book, Star Wars Resistance, Mark Hamill’s comments on script security, and then they get into the official cast announcement for The Mandalorian. The dig into who was revealed, the age of the cast, whether they’ll be guests of the week, possibilities, and more. They cap off with listener questions. Great discussions. If you’ve never listened to ForceCenter, I highly recommend it. It’s one of the best Star Wars podcasts out there. Very high quality in both discussions and in sound quality.

Podcast Network: ForceCenter
Runtime: 1 hour 7 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Host: Ken, Jennifer, and Joseph
Rating: Great

Full of Sith: Episode CCXCV features Holly and Bryan as they talk about the little moments in the new Star Wars movies, things like Chewie and Han’s feet in the shower in Solo or the porg stepping on the lightsaber in The Last Jedi. A bit different, but good discussion.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 1 hour 7 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Bryan, and Holly
Rating: Good

Full of Sith: Episode CCXCV they talk about The Last Jedi – the things they liked and loved, and the things people complained about. Some good discussion, though I feel like I’ve heard some of this before in their previous discussions of The Last Jedi.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 1 hour 7 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Bryan, Holly, and Mike
Rating: Okay

Geeky Bubble: Episode 116 first goes over their favorite animals, then they discuss Star Wars Resistance “Secrets and Holograms.” Good episode.

Podcast Network: The Star Wars Escape Pods Network
Runtime: 42 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Johnamarie, and Maria
Rating: Good

Geeky Bubble: Episode 117 they talk about one true pairs, then they get to Star Wars as they go over Star Wars Resistance “Station Theta Black.” They discuss the episode, share their thoughts and observations, and cover some listener feedback. They wrap up with a little Doctor Who discussion at the end. Good episode.

Podcast Network: The Star Wars Escape Pods Network
Runtime: 1 hour
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Johnamarie, and Maria
Rating: Good

Grand Moff Talkin’: Episode 78 they go over some feedback on Heir to to the Empire, Star Wars books, and The Last Jedi. They talk about the Cassian Andor series, Vong, Mara Jade, The New Jedi Order, and Poe. Lot of random discussions, no overall theme to this one, but it’s a good episode.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 43 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Jake, Jazmine, and Riley
Rating: Good

Kanata’s Castle: Episode 46 they talk about the roasted mynock, Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventure, Star Wars Resistance connections, Battlefront II, then they get to their main discussion which focuses on Padme and her handmaidens. They talk about George Lucas’ original concept of handmaidens and decoys for A New Hope, Amelia/Allana Solo in Legends, whether the handmaidens knew about Padme and Anakin’s relationship, whether they ever betrayed Padme, they ponder how one became a handmaiden, whether Palpatine had decoys, they talk about Dorme, Corde, the one from Thrawn Alliances, and how they look alike. Great discussion.

Podcast Network: Retrozap
Runtime: 1 hour 12 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Becca, and Devon
Rating: Great

Making Tracks: Making Tracks at Farthest From 19: Gus Lopez: A Star Wars Collectors Journey features the audio from the panel. Gus talks about collecting, keeping a budget, building a collecting community, etc. Okay panel but I’ve heard this one before. If you’ve listened to other Gus Lopez panels, there’s a lot of familiar topics and discussion, so you might want to skip. Definitely a collecting focused discussion.

Podcast Network: Fantha Tracks Radio
Runtime: 1 hour 25 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Good
Host: Gus Lopez
Rating: Okay

Mighty Marvel Geeks: Episode 231 they talk about the new Captain Marvel trailer, DLC for the Spider-Man video game, they talk about The Master of Kung Fu, Jake Gyllenhaal playing Mysterio, Marvel shows not moving to Disney+, Daredevil comments “future somewhere”, and other movies news, plus their comic picks for the week.

Podcast Network: We Be Geeks Network
Runtime: 58 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Editing: Great
Hosts: Mike, Eric, and Kylan
Rating: Good

Obroa-Skai Walkers: MedStar I: Battle Surgeons – Chapters 25-32 they go over the chapters and talk tea, Exar Kun, Vergere, dead Hutts, and ponder who the spy is. Good discussion of the book and they keep it fun.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 1 hour 11 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Ben, and Cole
Rating: Good

Pods & Ends: Episode 3 first they talk about the Avengers: Endgame and new Captain Marvel trailer, they talk some anime, Sabrina, Dumpling, The Lobster, BTS, music they’re listening to, games, webtoons, books and sports. Then for their main discussion, they talk Christmas. They share Christmas traditions, gift ideas, favorite Christmas songs, and favorite Christmas movies. Great Christmas episode.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Bryan, Phil, Shelby, and Sophie
Rating: Great

Scavenger’s Hoard: Episode 87 they talk about The Last Jedi, news, The Mandalorian official cast announcement, Mark on Episode IX, new Leia voice actor, and then guest Melissa joins them as they talk The Last Jedi and Hux. Lots of Hux discussion for the Hux fans out there. Afterwards they go into their spoiler discussion, and things are starting to get spoilery now, so you might want to skip this part. I dropped out 9 minutes from the end as I started to hear things I’d probably be better off not knowing as I try to avoid spoilers.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Kirsty, and Rachael
Rating: Good

Skywalking Through Neverland: Episode 232 covers their favorite Christmas songs, and features guest Eric Walker as he talks about his new song “Dare to Dream in a Galaxy Far, Far Away.” Afterwards they talk with Andrew Osborne about the Star Wars Holiday Special and his play.

Podcast Network: Skywalking Through Neverland
Runtime: 1 hour 15 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Richard, and Sarah
Rating: Good

Star Wars 7×7: Episode 1623 is an update on The Mandalorian series going over the official casting news.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 8 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Editing: Excellent
Host: Allen Voivod
Rating: Good

Star Wars 7×7: Episode 1624 is an Episode IX update they goes over Mark Hamill’s comments on script security.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 8 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Editing: Excellent
Host: Allen Voivod
Rating: Good

Star Wars 7×7: Episode 1625 goes over how the Resistance found Lor San Tekka via the Poe Dameron comics.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 10 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Editing: Excellent
Host: Allen Voivod
Rating: Good

Star Wars 7×7: Episode 1626 touches on the timeline of the Resistance and when did Han and Chewie leave it. This one draws off info from the Poe Dameron Annual #2.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 7 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Editing: Excellent
Host: Allen Voivod
Rating: Good

Star Wars 7×7: Episode 1627 goes over the Poe Dameron comic series and what it revealed post The Last Jedi.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 8 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Editing: Excellent
Host: Allen Voivod
Rating: Good

Star Wars 7×7: Episode 1628 goes over the final arc of the Poe Dameron comic series and focuses on Snap Wexley and his run at Starkiller Base.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 7 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Editing: Excellent
Host: Allen Voivod
Rating: Good

Star Wars 7×7: Episode 1629 goes over the Poe Dameron #28 comic which features some actual dialog (not beeps and boops) between R2 and BB-8.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 11 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Editing: Excellent
Host: Allen Voivod
Rating: Good

Star Wars Report: Episode 360 features guest Christy Morris as her and Bruce talk about The Mandalorian official casting news, Hamill’s comments on Episode IX script security, Andy Serkis’ comments, Star Wars Resistance shorts, and Christy talks about her 501st approved Aurra Sing costume. Fun episode.

Podcast Network: 2nd Airborne Division
Runtime: 40 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Editing: Excellent
Host: Bruce
Rating: Fun

Talk Star Wars: Episode 148 features Rob and Carlos as they talk busking, toys, Lando hero or foil, Finn, Episode IX thoughts and speculation, Dex, and whether they can bring in a new villain or not. Rob Cast jumps in as they continue the discussion. What will we get from Luke in Ep. IX, things we don’t need in Star Wars, planets to visit, must have’s for Ep. IX, what ship would you own, and lots of other listener questions. They keep it fun. Plus they go over The Mandalorian official cast news. Good episode.

Podcast Network: Star Wars Commonwealth
Runtime: 2 hours 36 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Great
Hosts: Rob, and Carlos
Rating: Good

TechnoRetro Dads: Scrooged from 1998 before Unscrooged 2018 they talk Christmas trees, gift jokes, cereal, Superman video games, the movie Scrooged (one of my favorites), and some classic toys like Magnadoodle, Etch A Sketch, Tinker Toys and Play-Doh. Fun episode.

Podcast Network: Retrozap
Runtime: 77 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Host: JediShua, and Shazbazzar
Rating: Fun

The Deucecast Movie Show: Episode 358 features guest Clay Shaver as they play an IMDB cast credits movie game for holiday films, then they do their Christmas gifts for the year. The is a hypothetical gift thing like giving Vincent D’Onofrio a film role for Kingpin, Ghostbusters 3 for Dan Aykroyd, an extended Marvel contract for the Russo brothers, etc. Fun episode. They had me laughing.

Podcast Network: Retrozap
Runtime: 1 hour 9 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Great
Hosts: Dave, Mikey, and Dr. Earl
Rating: Fun

The Geek Supreme: Merry Mandalorian on the Shelf they go over The Mandalorian official casting news, they touch on the new Godzilla trailer, they talk about the best and worst movies of 2018, play a thing on a shelf game, and more. Fun episode.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 57 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Jeff, Regina, Scott, and Taxus
Rating: Fun

The Nerd Room: Episode 148 they go over the early Chinese opening Aquaman, initial reviews, and their predictions. They touch on some Star Wars news with the new Vader: Dark Visions comic, and the Age of Republic comics. The talk about the break from Star Wars films, and what next for Episode IX. They go over the Spider-Man suit on display, then dive into the Avengers: Endgame trailer. Good episode.

Podcast Network: Star Wars Commonwealth
Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Tim, Troy, and Sunjay
Rating: Good

The Skyhoppers Podcast: Episode CXXV they talk about The Last Jedi, where they stand with it now, issues with it, things that hold up, Rey the nobody, breaking the lightsaber, and there’s a Dick Van Dyke Show tangent. Good episode.

Podcast Network: Star Wars Commonwealth
Runtime: 1 hour 12 minutes
Audio Quality: Excellent
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Ben, and Ash
Rating: Good

Toy Run: Episode 135 they go over toy hunts, the new Solo playset, Steve Evans changing positions at Hasbro, Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventure, Star Wars Resistance, listener feedback on best figures of 2018, and then they go over the year in review in regards to Hasbro’s Star Wars line, as well as other toy makers. Good episode.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Excellent
Hosts: Criz, and Jake
Rating: Good

What the Force?: Meta Music: The Composer’s Director features guest Christy Carew as they talk composing, John Williams, J.J. Abrams and The Force Awakens. They talk about how the Force theme has resolved yet in the sequel movies, Christy talks about composing, they talk about John Williams, J.J. Abrams and their relationship. They go over Abrams work as a composer. They touch on the importance of Rey’s theme, Christy talks about spending a day with Ben Burt, and they go over their plans for future episodes. Some really good discussion and some fun stories in this one. Worth checking out.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 1 hour 14 minutes
Audio Quality: Great
Production Quality: Great
Hosts: Marie-Claire Gould, and James Dalton
Rating: Good

Women of the Whills: Episode 2 is hosted by Nedi and Megan as they talk about Attack of the Clones. They breakdown the movie, highlight various scenes, share the things they liked, observations, and trivia. Megan’s audio quality is not as good as Nedi’s, a little loud at times too, but good discussion.

Podcast Network: N/A
Runtime: 2 hours 23 minutes
Audio Quality: Okay to Great
Production Quality: Okay
Hosts: Megan, and Nedi
Rating: Good