C2E2 2025: NJPW Windy City Riot, Extinction (2018), ThePoeticCritic, Civil War (2024), & The Dogs of War (1980)

I Dig Crazy Flicks with @CatBusRuss

Bonus Episode: C2E2 2025 & NJPW Windy City Riot & Extinction (2018)

CatBusRuss⁠ survived the blood loss, his social inadequacies, and the poor scheduling by ReedPop, and came out with quite a rewarding day at ⁠C2E2 2025⁠. The new tattoo that is sure to upset the customers that mock him for wearing a face covering was the priciest investment. Outside of that, only spending a $110 at the con and $140 at ⁠New Japan Windy City Riot⁠ for collectables makes it seem like he won the day. On top of that, he was able to watch a good Netflix Original movie, "⁠Extinction⁠" to warm up for the con that decided to deprive most of its attendees "Here and Back Again: The Lord of the Rings Reunion". Screw you if you think we are all going to whip out our phones and pay $6 to stream it.

Episode 215 - C2E2 2025 with ThePoeticCritic; "Civil War" and "The Dogs of War" with CatBusRuss

CatBusRuss⁠ and ⁠ThePoeticCritic⁠ definitely had two different experiences at 2025's ⁠Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo⁠. Our host's big sister was allowed to attend all three days while he just got frustrated with ReedPop entering the realm of gouging nerds. But, the two do have different personalities, so perhaps we will discover the common ground that still makes the C2E2 worthwhile.

Russ is more about panels and presentations while ThePoeticCritic just likes the community cons provide. In other words, we do not get the details on the "Robocop Reunion" panel with Peter Weller and Nancy Allen or the Jon Boyega panel that she attended. This episode's guest could really care less about the "Starship Reunion" panel the CatBus checked out.

If only ReedPop had accommodated to those spending the most money, instead they overloaded the second day with the celebrities resulting in a sell out for that day only. ThePoeticCritic says fire codes, but McCormick Place is a huge complex where traffic constantly goes in and out. You cannot stop people from going to train stations, so why here?

Con talk might not be your thing. It may not be ThePoeticCritic's thing since the conversation is broken up twice. If you are listening to "⁠Ninety For Chill: The Podcast⁠" for the movies, CatBusRuss continues is annual trek through the alphabet of sub 100 minute movies with "⁠Civil War⁠" and "⁠The Dogs of War⁠". He thought the title of this episode would be better served by putting these classic wartime movies ahead of the con, but that takes away from the main conversation. But surely, ThePoeticCritic is more than willing to put Christopher Walken ahead of herself in terms of billing.

 

Follow me on Twitter @catbusruss. If you want to be on the show, contact me on Twitter or send an email to russthebus07@gmail.com. All we need is a theme, movie, director, or actor and a focus on sub 100-minute material. As long as the credits start before the 1:39:59 mark on the runtime bar, the movie qualifies.

Indiana Comic Con Presents: CatBusRuss - The Panel Host.

I Dig Crazy Flicks with @CatBusRuss

Bonus Episode: #ICC25: Tron - Back to the Grid with Ron Hernandez

CatBusRuss⁠ and Gregory Carl had a great time in Indianapolis the past weekend for the ⁠Indiana Comic Con⁠. In the case of our host, perhaps too much fun. By the end of the two nights, he was too partied out to create any of his traditional bonus episodes recapping his days at the convention.

Fortunately, there were five other panels he was on, and his fellow co-panelists had no issue with him pulling out the Yeti mic and Macbook Air to record those conversations.

⁠Russ⁠'s Friday started with a panel about the innovative computer-animation based films ⁠Tron⁠ and ⁠Tron: Legacy⁠ in anticipation for the upcoming threequel, Tron: Ares. He was joined by gaming expert and con crew member ⁠Ron Hernandez⁠ to see what Indiana loved about these to films and their hopes and fears about the Jared Leto movie that is due out in October.

"As long as it is not "Pixels"," was the general consensus. Everyone doubts that, so optimism was the vibe.

Episode 211 - Live from Indiana Comic Con 2025: Ninety For Chill - The Panel

CatBusRuss⁠ and Gregory Carl survived their first two days of meeting in person and sharing a hotel room. If they managed that, surely they were able to give ⁠Indiana Comic Con⁠ a podcast to remember. The two are pretty sure their discussions about:

The ideal movie running time being between 70 and 100 minutes;

How great it was interacting with the mind behind the ⁠Full Moon Features⁠ magazine "⁠Delirium⁠" as well as Delirium Films, ⁠Chris Alexander⁠;

Recapping Russ Stevens's experience participating/moderating five other panels;

Gregory wanting our host to once again call out CM Punk.

At least the father with the "Sailor Moon" merchandise will not forget. The two did appreciate the politeness of his son.

Thus, it was another learning experience for "I Dig Crazy Flicks". CatBus has some new strategies coming out of this how to grow the podcast, so stick with the podcast to find out the next city he will take on. Starting with fighting against being slotted in the "Bottom of the Ninth so lets beat traffic spot".

 

Follow me on Twitter @catbusruss. If you want to be on the show, contact me on Twitter or send an email to russthebus07@gmail.com. All we need is a theme, movie, director, or actor and a focus on sub 100-minute material. As long as the credits start before the 1:39:59 mark on the runtime bar, the movie qualifies.