This week, Alex and Wesley discuss the artistic and political failure of Neill Blomkamp’s Chappie, but not before Wesley goes on a dozen tangents inspired by his refusal to comprehend the need for a remake of 1982’s Poltergeist. One tangent? Marvel: Make a Power Pack movie!

It’s a “short” show this week, so from there, they rush through a discussion based on a recent Vulture post that ranked the 37 singers of “We Are the World,” which turns 30 this year. Where, they ask, has the social-awareness/charity song gone?

Wesley apologizes for the noise that interrupts this broadcast toward the end. It couldn’t be helped.

Listen to the podcast here.

Here are links to topics discussed in this week’s show:

Chappie
“‘Chappie’ Accidents: The Willfully Apolitical Sci-Fi of Neill Blomkamp,” Grantland, March 6, 2015

“In Space, No One Can Hear Neill Blomkamp Scream: The Future of the ‘Alien’ Franchise,” Grantland, March 9, 2015

“Weekend Box Office Winners & Losers: ‘Chappie’ Is Not the Moneymaking Droid You’re Looking For,” Grantland, March 9, 2015

“We Are the World” and all-star charity songs
“Ranking the 37 Contributors to ‘We Are the World,’” Vulture, March 6, 2015

“Do They Know It’s Christmas,” Band Aid, 1984

“We Are the World,” USA for Africa, 1985

“Hand Across America,” Joe Cerisano, Sandy Farina, and Toto, 1986

“Self-Destruction,” Stop the Violence Movement, 1989

“We’re All in the Same Gang,” The West Coast Rap All-Stars, 1990

“Give Peace a Chance,” The Peace Choir, 1991

“Voices That Care,” Voices That Care, 1991

Miscellany
Power Pack

Fright Night, 1985

Fright Night film review, The Boston Globe, 2011