The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 62 - Ready Player One Review, A Quiet Place, Unforgotten and More

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 62:
Ready Player One Review, A Quiet Place, Unforgotten and More

On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich and Kevin) review the film Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the 2011 novel by Ernest Cline. The film is a celebration of 80’s pop culture and the history of video games, and is set in the year 2045 where the desolation of the real world leads most of humanity to escape to the OASIS - a virtual reality utopia where anything is possible. Ready Player One is one part rollicking, Indiana Jones-esque adventure film, and two parts pop-culture fan service turned up to 11, with everyone from King Kong to Tracer from Overwatch making an appearance, and a scene from Kubrick’s The Shining thrown in for good measure. And in theory, this sure sounds like a recipe for pure, escapist fun.

But does Ready Player One deliver on its tremendous promise, or buckle under the weight of too much fan service and an overblown production budget? To decide, we’ll weigh in on all aspects of the film - from the cast, to the narrative, to the special effects - and yes, the myriad pop-culture references - and let you know how it all comes together, in our SPOILER-FILLED, Joy of Geek Review. We also discuss some recent comics and TV news, and discuss what we’ve been watching and reading lately, including: A Quiet Place, Westworld's Spoiler “Strategy”, HBO’s Bill Hader dramedy Barry, DC Comics’ Doomsday Clock, Unforgotten on Masterpiece, SyFy’s Wynonna Earp, Hamilton on Broadway, and more!

So join us, as we enter the OASIS in search of fame, fortune and the secret of happiness. Hint: it’s LOVE. Well, that, and taking Tuesdays and Thursdays off from video games. This...is the Joy of Geek!