The Weekly Stuff Podcast with Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman
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We’re back with a jam-packed episode covering lots of games, anime, and more! Sean and Jonathan have finally finished the massive 100-hour JRPGs both have been playing – Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Persona 3 Reload – and give final reports on both of those. But we also discuss the leaked specs for Sony’s upcoming PS5 Pro, discuss the new Sand Land anime based on the manga by Akira Toriyama, hear travel stories from Jonathan about a recent trip to Boston, and get details from Sean on his latest Ultraman adventures! Enjoy! TIME CHART: Into & Housekeeping: 0:00:00 – 0:06:27 Stuff: 0:06:27 – 0:57:56 PS5 Pro News: 0:57:56 – 1:25:44 Persona 3 Reload: 1:25:44 – 1:58:16 Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth: 1:58:16 – 2:23:24 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
Akira Toriyama, creator of and and illustrator of the franchise, passed away this week at the age of 68. His influence on our lives, like those of millions around the world, has been incalculable, so we’re devoting today’s entire show to discussing his incredible body of work and the way it changed anime, manga, video games, and global popular culture. We discuss how we first discovered why he was such a peerless read some of the statements that have poured in from other manga authors and collaborators, and respond to some listener comments. And after that, we bring back a segment from 2022 in which Sean and Jonathan rank all the story arcs in the franchise, giving us a chance to dive into and celebrate his most famous work. Enjoy. Time Chart: Remembering Akira Toriyama: 0:00:00 – 2:12:07 Ranking Dragon Ball Story Arcs: 2:12:07 – 3:10:45 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
After weeks of breathless speculation, Xbox unveiled some relatively minor details about the multiplatform future vision of the brand, which prompts us to have an in-depth conversation about where Xbox is going and why the current strategy feels at odds with their oft-stated long-term goals. We also discuss Marvel’s unveiling of their new cast, Jonathan talks about watching and playing and we conclude with a check-in on the giant JRPGs we’re both playing, and Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:07:43 Stuff: 0:07:43 – 0:24:34 Fantastic Four News: 0:24:34 – 0:45:21 Xbox & Gaming News: 0:45:21 – 1:35:20 Persona: 1:35:20 – 1:46:32 Like a Dragon: 1:46:32 – 2:10:51 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
Superhero movies are quickly becoming a dead genre in Hollywood, as evidenced by this weekend’s coldly-unanticipated release of so we thought we’d bid the genre the farewell it deserves by recycling a segment from our 10th Anniversary Podcast in 2022, where we counted down each of our 10 favorite superhero movies of all time! Though this was recorded a year-and-a-half ago, almost nothing of note in the genre has come out since, so this still more or less reflects our general thoughts, and can serve as a nice auditory headstone over the grave of superhero cinema. These were the good ones, and we may never see their like again. Enjoy! Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
Today’s episode is wall-to-wall packed with exciting stuff, as we give first impressions on and Jonathan explains why you should avoid Sean dips his toes in and we discuss some anime we caught up on over winter break including and We also dive into recent news including the catastrophic series of video game industry layoffs throughout January and, more happily, the announcement of the original visual novel finally being localized in English later this year. Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro/Housekeeping: 0:00:00 – 0:16:26 Talkin’ Anime: 0:16:26 – 0:52:41 Talkin’ Tolkien: 0:52:41 – 1:01:04 News: 1:01:04 – 1:30:11 Fate/Samurai Remnant: 1:30:11 – 1:41:19 Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: 1:41:19 – 1:58:01 Palworld: 1:58:01 – 2:05:11 Persona 3 Reload: 2:05:11 – 2:28:50 Like a Dragon: 2:28:50 – 3:05:35 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
This Friday sees the release of the remake of one of our very favorite video games ever made, and to celebrate, we’re resurrecting a segment from our 10th Anniversary Podcast in 2022, where Sean, Jonathan, and special guest star Occasional Thomas watched and reviewed the first part of the stage play adaptation of the game from 2014. “Weird” is definitely the operative word here, as this is a very quirky theatrical (and musical!) adaptation of an already bizarre game, but it makes for a very interesting conversation, one we’re excited to present as a standalone episode for the first time! Enjoy! Link to YouTube Fansubs - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiy1WLTm7y8wFxkRdzycpHRZ0QNNYnkUX&si=gn2ZCs5qrKeDVCfQ Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
The time has come, once again: Sean and Jonathan are here to count down the Top 10 Video Games of 2023, in what was one of the most densely packed years for great games we’ve experienced in a long time. Both hosts present their own Top 10 lists, recapping some games we’ve sung the praises of before – like and – and discussing some surprise entries we haven’t mentioned until now. It’s a really fun episode that highlights just how many great experiences we had in the world of video games this year, and leaves us refreshed and excited for what’s to come in 2024! Enjoy! Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
The New Year and the of (whoa!) begins with a lot of catch-up on what we’ve been doing over the holidays – playing and watching anime, and more – and our review of the Christmas special, “The Church on Ruby Road.” Introducing us to Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson as new companion Ruby Sunday, this Christmas-day extravaganza was a blast, with amazing creature effects, outstanding performances, and a full-blown musical number. It’s a great way to ring out 2023, kick off 2024, and start a new year of the podcast! Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:09:46 Sean’s Remedy Adventures: 0:09:46 – 0:39:53 Jonathan’s Stuff & Anime Talk: 0:39:53 – 1:07:36 Doctor Who: 1:07:36 – 2:13:24 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
In this special bonus episode, Jonathan Lack counts down the Top 10 Films of 2023! You can read the text of this episode, and see links to full reviews of every film discussed, at https://www.jonathanlack.com/p/the-top-10-films-of-2023 Time Chart: Intro: 0:00:00 - 0:03:18 Leftovers: 0:03:18 - 0:05:01 Honorable Mentions (#20-#11): 0:05:01 - 0:17:29 #10: 0:17:29 - 0:19:57 #9: 0:19:57 - 0:22:23 #8: 0:22:23 - 0:25:11 #7: 0:25:11 - 0:27:48 #6: 0:27:48 - 0:34:40 #5: 0:34:40 - 0:36:52 #4: 0:36:52 - 0:39:30 #3: 0:39:30 - 0:41:54 #2: 0:41:54 - 0:44:16 #1: 0:44:16 - 0:48:59 Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
The 60th anniversary mini-season of has come to a rousing and surprising close with “The Giggle,” with David Tennant and Catherine Tate facing down Neil Patrick Harris as the Toymaker, and the expected regeneration into Ncuti Gatwa going in some unexpected directions. It’s a fantastic episode of that makes the most of its very big swings, and gives us a to talk about as we break down how this episode both serves as something of a ‘series finale’ for modern while launching a bold new era to come. Sean talks about playing we discuss the trailer, and Jonathan briefly discusses Hayao Miyazaki’s https://www.jonathanlack.com/p/review-the-boy-and-the-heron-invites – before diving into the spoilers. Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro & Stuff: 0:00:00 – 0:35:33 Doctor Who, “The Giggle”: 0:35:33 – 2:31:25 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
GODZILLA MINUS ONE & DOCTOR WHO SPECIAL 2 REVIEWS | THE WEEKLY STUFF PODCAST #485 It’s a very enthusiastic week here on the podcast as we not only get to talk about another great new episode, but an even greater new movie! The first live-action film by Toho in seven years, is of the finest films in the franchise’s 70-year-history, a rousing period piece with phenomenal special effects and even more impressive human drama. We talk about it at length, and then move on to discussing this week’s “Wild Blue Yonder,”the second 60th anniversary special! It’s a wonderfully weird and very creepy story, performed beautifully by David Tennant and Catherine Tate, and gives us a lot to chew on. Discussion of and round out the episode! Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro & Stuff: 0:00:00 – 0:40:32 Godzilla Minus One: 0:40:32 – 1:57:43 Doctor Who, “Wild Blue Yonder”: 1:57:43 – 2:44:38 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
is back! Both in the sense that we got our first new episode in over a year this weekend, and, more importantly, in the sense that we got our first new episode since 2017! This week marked the 60th anniversary of our favorite TV show here at and brought with it the first in a series of specials reuniting David Tennant and Catherine Tate, writer/showrunner Russell T Davies, composer Murray Gold, and more, and the resulting episode, “The Star Beast,” is indeed a cracking good time, and a tremendous return-to-form after the Dark Ages ushered in by Chris Chibnall since 2018. Sean talks about finally catching up with the end of the Chibnall/Jodie Whittaker run at the top of today’s show, then we talk about some our favorite stories we’ve been revisiting for the 60th anniversary, and finally we’ve got a spoiler-filled review of “The Star Beast.” Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:10:06 The Sad, Pathetic End of Chibnall’s Doctor Who: 0:10:06 – 1:12:21 Doctor Who 60th Talk: 1:12:21 – 1:45:27 “The Star Beast” Review: 1:45:27 – 3:18:31 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
Happy Thanksgiving one and all! While the main podcast is off this week, we still wanted to give you something to show our gratitude for another great year, so Jonathan busted out a microphone, broke open a copy of his new book, – available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/bLx53vK – and read 5 reviews as requested by listeners! The ones chosen were Quentin Tarantino’s the latest film Francis Ford Coppola’s Hayao Miyazaki’s and David Lynch’s Jonathan reads all of those and gives some insight into the book on this special Thanksgiving bonus episode! Enjoy, and come back Monday for a big 60th anniversary extravaganza! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:12:00 Death Proof: 0:12:00 – 0:18:49 Fast X: 0:18:49 – 0:30:14 Godfather III: 0:30:14 – 0:42:17 Nausicaa: 0:42:17 – 0:48:36 Twin Peaks: 0:48:36 – 1:01:20 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
It’s a giant episode with many topics today, led by an in-depth discussion of Insomniac’s fantastic for the PS5. We break down the gameplay and story in spoiler-filled detail at the end of today’s show, mostly praising it but also debating whether or not the controversial MJ missions are bad – please take to social media and use #JonathanWasRight (they suck) or #SeanWasRight (they’re great and there should be more) to sound off. Jonathan also gives final thoughts on for Nintendo Switch, Sean shares more thoughts on we talk some major Hollywood news including Marvel’s latest misfire and the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, and we spend more time than we have in a long while talking about our favorite show, as we both find ourselves watching through parts of the series in advance of this month’s 60th anniversary specials. Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:04:35 Baldur’s Gate 3: 0:04:35 – 0:08:55 Doctor Who: 0:08:55 – 0:57:52 News: 0:57:52 – 1:40:28 Super Mario Wonder: 1:40:28 – 1:49:22 Spider-Man 2: 1:49:22 – 3:15:52 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
Happy Halloween! Last year, we celebrated the spookiest day of the year by talking about John Carpenter’s original HALLOWEEN from 1978, https://youtu.be/Qqs5BVnP5eM?si=vgmNnpD0TrOYP-1L and this year we’re jumping ahead 30 years to talk about the remake directed by Rob Zombie in 2007, and its sequel from 2009. These films have a mixed reputation, but they’re worth revisiting and taking seriously. The 2007 remake is trying to be two movies at once and never really coheres, but the 2009 sequel – especially in its Unrated Director’s Cut – may just be a genuine masterpiece, a truly powerful depiction of PTSD and the way trauma can swallow a person whole. Zombie is a real auteur, a singular filmmaker with a compelling voice, and these films are worth engaging with on that level alone. We also talk about Sean’s recent experiences catching up on and Jonathan’s October adventures binging all 10 movies (and ranking them over on JonathanLack.Com https://www.jonathanlack.com/p/ranking-all-10-saw-films-for-halloween). Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:04:30 Doctor Who: 0:04:30 – 0:25:07 Saw: 0:25:07 – 0:40:16 Rob Zombie’s Halloween: 0:40:16 – 1:29:29 Rob Zombie’s Halloween II: 1:29:29 – 2:46:13 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
Two of the most anticipated video games of 2023 launched this week, with Sony and Insomniac’s for the PS5 and Nintendo’s for the Nintendo Switch. We’ve been extremely excited for both, and so far, they haven’t disappointed. We give initial spoiler-free impressions of both games on today’s show, discussing how delivers a deliriously fun re-invention of 2D Mario platformers and serves as both a compulsively playable superhero game and the PS5’s best tech demo to date. Sean also talks about finally diving into and we remind everyone to listen to https://www.youtube.com/@japanimationstationthe amazing new season of our anime podcast that just launched last week! Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:06:13 Baldur’s Gate 3: 0:06:13 – 0:24:43 Super Mario Bros. Wonder: 0:24:43 – 0:48:58 Spider-Man 2: 0:48:58 – 1:21:00 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
The fourth season of our sister series, begins today with the premiere of our biggest podcasting adventure yet! We are taking a journey through the works of Kyoto Animation, one of the most respected and beloved anime studios in Japan, reviewing shows like and much more. But before we talk about any specific works, we take a step back and discuss the history of Kyoto Animation itself, because it’s a fascinating story stretching back to the earliest days of anime, and one that explains a lot about how the studio came to have the style and structure it is known and respected for. Even if you’ve never watched one of these shows before, this is a story you’ll definitely want to hear, and a great way to kick off our Kyoto Vacation. Enjoy, and be sure to subscribe to Japanimation Station to continue following the season https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/japanimationstation as it continues for many weeks to come! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:02:56 Theme Song: 0:02:56 – 0:04:25 Intro and Preview to Season: 0:04:25 – 0:40:31 Eyecatch Break: 0:40:31 – 0:41:07 The History of Kyoto Animation: 0:41:07 – 1:57:08 End Theme: 1:57:08 – 1:58:11 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Read the book in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
Today’s episode is all about the new book by co-host Jonathan Lack, which contains, well, 200 reviews, mostly of movies, but also some TV and video games, some that have been seen before, and many that haven’t. You can buy the book now in paperback https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKMPX2CK, for Amazon Kindle, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK68K3WG and as a digital bundle with PDF and EPUB versions https://ko-fi.com/s/07bc1a2b39. We tell you all about it on today’s episode, with Sean interviewing Jonathan about the book’s contents, and Jonathan reading eight excerpts from the book, including reviews for and more! We also take a look at Jonathan’s earliest-ever reviews, from when he was just ten years old, in one of the funnier segments we’ve ever recorded. Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:00:30 Discussing 200 Reviews: 0:00:30 – 1:12:36 Barbie: 1:12:36 – 1:21:34 Cats: 1:21:34 – 1:38:13 A Christmas Carol: 1:38:13 – 1:45:20 The Grand Budapest Hotel: 1:45:20 – 1:55:40 The Lord of the Rings: 1:55:40 – 2:03:34 Spider-Man 2: 2:03:34 – 2:09:24 Star Trek Into Darkness: 2:09:24 – 2:27:19 Star Wars Episode III: 2:27:19 – 2:41:01 Outro: 2:41:01 – 2:41:41 Buy in Paperback on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKMPX2CK Buy for Kindle on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK68K3WG Buy as an EPUB/PDF bundle at Ko-fi – https://ko-fi.com/s/07bc1a2b39 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
It’s a big week with lots of news here at the Weekly Stuff, including Jonathan’s announcement of his new book, which releases this Sunday! He tells you a little bit about it on today’s show (and you can pre-order it on Amazon now for Kindle https://www.amazon.com/200-Reviews-Jonathan-R-Lack-ebook/dp/B0CK68K3WG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LPPMWA6WV3OQ&keywords=200+Reviews+by+jonathan+r+lack&qid=1696268166&sprefix=200+reviews+by+jonathan+r+lack%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1, with a paperback version coming soon!), and we’ll discuss it more next week. On today’s show, we discuss the triumphant end of the writer’s strike, lots of Xbox news courtesy of a historic document leak, and review Capcom’s DLC, an outstanding extension of a wonderful game that leaves us wanting more from Ada Wong and her awesome grappling hook. Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:01:07 Jonathan’s Book, 200 Reviews: 0:01:07 – 0:11:25 Stuff: 0:11:25 – 0:28:53 News: 0:28:53 – 1:36:25 Separate Ways: 1:36:25 – 1:56:15 Pre-order 200 Reviews by Jonathan Lack https://a.co/d/efTM4zp Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
It’s an exciting grab-bag of topics this weeks as we discuss some recent video game news from Sony and Nintendo, dive into a big ol’ bag of listener mail, and talk more about two of our favorite games of the year with and A surprise Nintendo Direct and Sony State of Play give us plenty of video game announcements and trailers to talk about, including our best look yet at and an absolute avalanche of Mario games from Nintendo, including the long-requested remake of Then we answer some questions sent in by listeners, including thoughts on what movies/shows/games our opinions have most changed on over the years, the state of superhero movies and DC in particular, our favorite live music experiences, and much, much more. Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:01:21 Armored Core VI: 0:01:21 – 0:06:13 Baldur’s Gate 3: 0:06:13 – 0:30:48 Video Game News: 0:30:48 – 1:27:53 Listener Mail: 1:27:53 – 2:47:13 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
It’s a double-header on today’s podcast as we review two very different things from this summer that we both love passionately: FX’s the sequel miniseries to the modern neo-western classic starring Timothy Olyphant, and Square Enix’s the latest and among-the-greatest entry in the venerable JRPG series. is one of our favorite TV series, and the return absolutely did not disappoint, putting Raylan Givens in a new setting and telling a new kind of story with him, while continuing his character development in really smart, thoughtful ways. is one of the year’s best games, but also perhaps one of its most misunderstood, and in this discussion, we mainly break down the story and themes and why so much of what it’s doing has been dismissed in Western reviews and thinkpieces. Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:02:25 Armored Core VI: 0:02:25 – 0:17:47 Baldur’s Gate 3: 0:17:47 – 0:23:56 Justified City Primeval: 0:23:56 – 1:46:05 Final Fantasy XVI: 1:46:05 – 3:05:56 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
We’re back after a month away with a “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” catch-up episode, and it’s quite the grab bag! Sean gives impressions of some recent video games including and the 4.0 Fontaine update of while Jonathan tells us about unexpectedly becoming a fan of while researching his dissertation, and walks us through the giant stack of movies he watched over the last week of summer, from a few Michael Mann classics on 4K Blu-ray to the re-release of Park Chan-wook’s in theaters. More discussion of and a discussion of the great Arleen Sorkin, originator of Harley Quinn who passed away over the weekend, round out the episode. Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:06:20 Arleen Sorkin: 0:06:20 – 0:11:30 Final Fantasy XVI: 0:11:30 – 0:20:57 Jonathan’s Sword Art Online Adventures: 0:20:57 – 0:52:56 Genshin Impact 4.0: 0:52:56 – 1:09:01 Jonathan’s Movie Madness: 1:09:01 – 1:35:51 Armored Core VI: 1:35:51 – 1:55:22 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
Seven years after Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi lit the world on fire with which we very vocally went crazy for! https://youtu.be/F9EGBMe8Jzo – the duo’s follow-up, is finally available for home viewing in the United States! Sean’s been gradually watching through the TV shows over the past few years, while Jonathan has only seen a few stray episodes, but we’re both in love with this passionate re-imagining of the classic. It’s a striking piece of filmmaking with amazing special effects, creative and disorienting camera work, a great cast, and terrific music, giving us plenty to sink our teeth into. Jonathan also talks about his experiences seeing and reviewing both halves of the Barbenheimer phenomenon this weekend (Barbie and Oppenheimer, both reviewed at the new www.jonathanlack.com http://www.jonathanlack.com/), and we discuss our continued adventures in Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of the Hideaki Anno film released in the US this week, ! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:06:35 Barbenheimer: 0:06:35 – 0:28:17 Final Fantasy: 0:28:17 – 0:54:43 Shin Ultraman: 0:54:43 – 2:47:57 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
Today’s podcast, should you choose to listen to it, is all about one of the finest films of the summer, Jonathan reviewed the film in non-spoilery details at the new JonathanLack.Com https://www.jonathanlack.com/p/review-mission-impossible-dead-reckoning last week, but on today’s show, he and Sean dive deep with the story, characters, action sequences, and much more, and while there are a few disagreements, overall we’re very much fans of what Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie continue to achieve with this series. Before the big review, though, we also talk a little more and discuss SAG-AFTRA joining the WGA in striking Hollywood’s abhorrent treatment of its workers, in a segment that becomes a larger conversation about what a raging dumpster fire the non-parts of this industry have become. Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:08:13 Final Fantasy XVI: 0:08:13 – 0:23:37 SAG-AFTRA Strike: 0:23:37 – 0:49:21 Godzilla News: 0:49:21 – 0:56:23 Mission Impossible Review: 0:56:23 – 2:44:41 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
After checking in on all the recent video games we’ve playing – including and and hearing a very funny anecdote from Sean, we dive back into the Weekly Suit Gundam waters with our review of the second and final season of This season brings the story to a close with a rousing, jam-packed set of episodes that’s darker, richer, and more action-filled than the first season. This is the first mainline series besides to tell its story in just 2 cours, but that doesn’t mean it’s a thinner or less complicated show, as our super-sized conversation in today’s episode attests to. With so many amazing characters, stellar animation and music, and a story that revisits classic scenarios and iconography while also challenging and moving beyond them, is a show with a lot on its mind, and a lot to break down. TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:05:10 Video Games (Diablo, Zelda, Street Fighter): 0:05:10 – 0:24:52 Final Fantasy XVI: 0:24:52 – 0:39:36 Ultraman: 0:39:36 – 0:49:53 G-Witch: 0:49:53 – 3:47:35 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
It’s a good ol’ fashioned grab-bag this week as we prepare for the launch of Japanimation Station Season 3 tomorrow night, July 4th, with the first episode of shameless plug, yes, but you should totally listen to this new season! https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Here on The Weekly Stuff, Jonathan talks about going through all the Indiana Jones movies for The Weekly Stuff Wordcast, http://weeklystuff.substack.com/ and we chat about the disastrous new movie, Sean gives first impressions of and gives continued thoughts on Blizzard’s while Jonathan talks about getting back into and we also go off the beaten track for an exploration of how out-of-control movie budgets have become, and why Sean is obsessed with Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:05:40 Indiana Jones (w/spoilers for Dial of Destiny): 0:05:40 – 0:38:50 Movie Budgets Are Crazy: 0:38:50 – 0:50:04 Ultraman: 0:50:04 – 1:02:41 Final Fantasy XVI Impressions: 1:02:41 – 1:18:04 Diablo IV: 1:18:04 – 1:39:07 Zelda Tears of the Kingdom: 1:39:07 – 1:58:22 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
The third season of the hit anime recently wrapped up its hotly anticipated third season, adapting the “Swordsmith Village Arc” of Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga, and as big fans of the series who have reviewed all the prior arcs, we’re here for a deep dive with another amazing season. This set of episodes introduces us to a cast of largely new characters, and is also where the story fully starts to lay out its biggest themes and ideas, before arriving at a pivotal turning point leading to the start of the series’ endgame. Before we dive into though, we also recap this week’s surprise Nintendo Direct, which revealed a remake of and several other interesting games, and talk a lot about the glory of Elephant Mario, our new lord and savior. Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:01:43 Nintendo Direct: 0:01:43 – 0:40:08 Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village: 0:40:08 – 3:16:03 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
It’s a video game-focused episode today as we continue gushing about Capcom’s outstanding Sean gives his first impressions of and we recap all the most interesting announcements and reveals from June’s various “Not-E3 2023” events, including the Summer Games Fest, Xbox’s showcase, and more. Is shaping up to be something interesting? Is the remake we always wanted? Do we care about Bethesda’s yet? And is the presumptive Game of the Year 2024? All this and more will be answered, along with Jonathan’s thoughts on the final season of FX’s Enjoy! TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:06:36 Diablo IV: 0:06:36 – 0:14:42 Justified (w/spoilers): 0:14:42 – 0:38:55 Street Fighter 6: 0:38:55 – 1:21:20 Not-E3 2023: 1:21:20 – 3:07:40 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
Hosts Sean Chapman and Jonathan Lack give you a special look at Season 3 of Japanimation Station, THE CLASSIC ADVENTURES OF LUPIN THE 3RD, premiering July 4th, 2023! In this 8-episode season, we will be surveying 30 years of anime history through the exploits of the infamous thief Lupin III and his friends Daisuke Jigen, Fujiko Mine, Goemon Ishikawa, and Inspector Zenigata! From the original anime in 1971 to the “Episode 0” origin-story special in 2002, we’re looking at many of Lupin’s biggest, best, weirdest, and most memorable heists, learning and laughing a lot along the way. In this preview, we give you the details on everything we’re watching and where exactly you can find it! Season 3 premieres July 4th, 2023, and will air Tuesday nights at 7pm CT for 8 uninterrupted weeks. Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/ Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ “Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com https://www.thomaslack.com/ SEASON 3 VIEWING GUIDE: __ __
The sequel to one of our favorite superhero/animated films ever made dropped this week with and has been lighting the world on fire – so you know we had to talk about it. Jonathan gave his thoughts in a written review over at the Weekly Stuff Wordcast https://weeklystuff.substack.com/p/review-spider-man-across-the-spider – you should subscribe! – but here, we go into full spoiler detail breaking down what makes this movie so bold, brilliant, and beautiful. We also spend a good chunk of time gushing overthe brand new entry in the beloved fighting game series, and one that has completely captured our hearts with its charming and inviting presentation and World Tour campaign mode. A bit more talk and Jonathan’s continued adventures with round out the episode. TIME CHART: Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:03:35 Zelda TotK: 0:03:35 – 0:16:16 Justified: 0:16:16 – 0:25:24 Street Fighter 6: 0:25:24 – 1:04:53 Across the Spider-Verse: 1:04:53 – 2:41:42 Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms: https://weeklystuffpodcast.com https://weeklystuffpodcast.com/ Follow newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com https://weeklystuff.substack.com/ Ending music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/
