Cognitive Recalibration

Cognitive Recalibration

Join brothers Sravan and Tarun Rajupalem every week as they discuss their favourite superhero movies, television shows and video games as well as the latest news in pop culture. Whether you're a fan of superhero movies, just a general movie buff, or just want some informative entertainment this podcast is for you! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cognitiverecalibration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 4d ago

    Mandalorian & Grogu Feels Like 4 Disney+ Episodes

    Star Wars returns to the big screen for the first time in years with Mandalorian & Grogu — but does it actually feel like an event movie? In this episode of Cognitive Recalibration, Sravan and Bhaskar break down the latest Star Wars theatrical release, discussing: ⚔️ The movie’s “side quest” structure   👶 Grogu stealing every scene   🎬 Whether this should’ve just been Disney+ episodes   🌌 The current state of Star Wars   🔥 IMAX & 3D impressions   💭 Why the film feels safe but inconsequential   ⭐ And why Andor Season 2 might still be Disney Star Wars at its peak We also dive deep into SPOILERS, discuss the future of Star Wars, Ahsoka Season 2, Starfighter, and rank the best Disney-era Star Wars projects. ⚠️ Spoiler warning included in timestamps below. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9uPAygFdUME ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 Intro Music 0:37 Intro & welcome 1:12 Box office & Star Wars returning to cinemas 2:09 Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni & Ludwig Göransson discussion 3:49 Audience demographics & Disney+ connection 7:25 Pedro Pascal & Grogu behind-the-scenes discussion 9:19 Initial thoughts on the movie 13:09 Visuals, action & production value 13:54 Biggest problem: no real stakes 17:50 “This could have been 4 Disney+ episodes” 18:53 Sravan’s overall thoughts 20:37 Has Star Wars become “cute”? 22:19 Why this doesn’t feel like a major Star Wars event 25:14 Lack of urgency in modern blockbuster movies 27:01 Is Disney aiming for broader audiences? 29:19 Final non-spoiler verdicts 30:22 Are Star Wars fans no longer the target audience? SPOILERS START HERE37:37 Full spoiler discussion begins 38:01 Rotta the Hutt & gladiator storyline 40:55 Sigourney Weaver’s mission cards 43:11 The Hutt side quest begins 47:27 “Dwayne the Hutt Johnson” discussion 48:38 Rodda reveal & gladiator arena 52:40 Lord Janu / Imperial reveal 56:11 Homecoming fake-out & bounty hunter attack 59:34 Grogu rescue mission 1:01:01 Mandalorian captured by the Hutts 1:02:08 Grogu alone in the wilderness 1:06:58 Final assault on the Hutts 1:11:09 Grogu’s Force abilities discussion 1:14:23 Ending explained 1:15:57 Why the movie ultimately feels inconsequential 1:18:17 IMAX & 3D recommendations 1:19:53 Future of Star Wars discussion 1:21:12 Starfighter & upcoming projects 1:21:39 50th anniversary of Star Wars discussion 1:23:59 Ranking Disney-era Star Wars projects 1:25:05 Andor vs Mandalorian debate 1:30:38 Why Andor Season 2 is the best Disney Star Wars project 1:33:22 Final thoughts & outro If you want to support this podcast so we can keep producing our content for free consider the following options: Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3gjnw87å Buy us a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CRecalibration Acast Supporter: https://supporter.acast.com/cognitive-recalibration If you wish to contact us to ask a question or give us some feedback, please do so via the channels below: Facebook Page: Cognitive Recalibration Instagram: cognitiverecalibration Twitter: @CRecalibration TikTok: @cogrecal #StarWars #MandalorianAndGrogu #TheMandalorian #Grogu #PedroPascal #StarWarsReview #CognitiveRecalibration #DisneyStarWars #Andor #Ahsok Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cognitiverecalibration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 34m

  2. May 20

    Mortal Kombat II (2026)

    MORTAL KOMBAT is back… but is it actually an upgrade? 👊🔥 We’re reviewing Mortal Kombat 2, talking Johnny Cage, fatalities, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Katana, Kano, and whether this sequel delivers enough chaos to justify another round. Was it fun? Yes.   Was it good? That’s where things get complicated… Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9ASmLq88Dug ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:37 Intro + Mortal Kombat 2 setup 1:35 Johnny Cage joins the sequel 2:44 Returning characters and Mortal Kombat lore 4:03 Initial thoughts: was it better than the first? 5:06 The fights, kills and cheesy dialogue 7:03 Johnny Cage and Katana’s roles 9:06 Scorpion and Sub-Zero feel wasted 10:47 Tekken, Street Fighter and fighting game movies 12:47 Spoilers: who dies? 14:40 How Mortal Kombat tournament rules work 16:02 Johnny Cage’s powers and missed potential 18:11 Scorpion, Sub-Zero and sequel setup 18:58 What’s next for the podcast? 21:33 Mortal Kombat 2 box office draft regrets 22:58 Street Fighter vs Mortal Kombat vs Tekken If you want to support this podcast so we can keep producing our content for free consider the following options: Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3gjnw87å Buy us a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CRecalibration Acast Supporter: https://supporter.acast.com/cognitive-recalibration If you wish to contact us to ask a question or give us some feedback, please do so via the channels below: Facebook Page: Cognitive Recalibration Instagram: cognitiverecalibration Twitter: @CRecalibration TikTok: @cogrecal #MortalKombat2 #MortalKombat #MovieReview #JohnnyCage #CognitiveRecalibration #VideoGameMovies #Scorpion #SubZero #Fatality #StreetFighter Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cognitiverecalibration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min

  3. May 19

    The Devil Wears Prada 2

    The Devil Wears Prada 2 is finally here… but was it worth bringing Miranda, Andy and Emily back after 20 years? In this episode, we break down whether the sequel captures the magic of the original, why the plot feels more like a legacy cash grab, the AI/media industry angle, Meryl Streep’s return as Miranda Priestly, and whether this deserved its massive box office opening. Is this a stylish comeback or one sequel too many? Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Te0gkakSzic ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:37 Intro + The Devil Wears Prada 2 setup 0:57 Release, cast, crew and box office 1:46 Thoughts on the original Devil Wears Prada 2:52 Who is this sequel for? 3:15 Non-spoiler review 3:59 The new characters and sequel setup 6:03 Returning characters and where they are now 7:40 Does the sequel justify existing? 9:00 Spoiler warning 9:25 Miranda Priestly’s strange promotion arc 11:23 Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway and the company takeover plot 14:35 Why the movie feels like a cash grab 16:59 What could have been a better sequel? 19:05 Final thoughts and box office draft impact 20:10 What’s next on Cognitive Recalibration 20:49 Wrap-up If you want to support this podcast so we can keep producing our content for free consider the following options: Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3gjnw87å Buy us a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CRecalibration Acast Supporter: https://supporter.acast.com/cognitive-recalibration If you wish to contact us to ask a question or give us some feedback, please do so via the channels below: Facebook Page: Cognitive Recalibration Instagram: cognitiverecalibration Twitter: @CRecalibration TikTok: @cogrecal #TheDevilWearsPrada2 #DevilWearsPrada #AnneHathaway #MerylStreep #EmilyBlunt #MovieReview #CognitiveRecalibration #FilmPodcast #HollywoodMovies #SequelReview Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cognitiverecalibration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min

  4. Apr 26

    Project Hail Mary | The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

    Project Hail Mary surprised us, Super Mario Galaxy is racing toward a billion, and the 2026 Movie Draft is already getting interesting. In this episode, Sravan and Tarun review Project Hail Mary and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, discuss Ryan Gosling, Rocky, IMAX, Mario nostalgia, Nintendo easter eggs, box office numbers, and whether these films are already shaking up the 2026 movie race. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ac_SLvdCqPM ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:35 Intro 1:01 Our 2026 Movie Draft picks are already paying off 2:27 Project Hail Mary background 3:02 Project Hail Mary review 6:57 Project Hail Mary spoiler warning 10:27 Rocky and the heart of Project Hail Mary 13:50 Box office, word of mouth and Ryan Gosling 17:25 The Super Mario Galaxy Movie review 20:29 Who is this movie really for? 25:47 Super Mario Galaxy spoilers and easter eggs 33:40 Next episode and wrap-up If you want to support this podcast so we can keep producing our content for free consider the following options: Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3gjnw87å Buy us a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CRecalibration Acast Supporter: https://supporter.acast.com/cognitive-recalibration If you wish to contact us to ask a question or give us some feedback, please do so via the channels below: Facebook Page: Cognitive Recalibration Instagram: cognitiverecalibration Twitter: @CRecalibration TikTok: @cogrecal #ProjectHailMary #SuperMarioGalaxyMovie #RyanGosling #MarioMovie #CognitiveRecalibration #MovieReview #Nintendo #SuperMario #FilmPodcast #2026Movies Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cognitiverecalibration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min

  5. Apr 6

    2026 Movie Draft

    It’s draft day on Cognitive Recalibration. Sravan, Tarun and special guest Kireeti go head-to-head in a 2026 Movie Draft, building their ultimate box office teams with a $100 budget, 6 picks each, tiered movie pricing, and a steal tax that turns the whole thing chaotic. From Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Toy Story 5 to risky value picks like Michael, Supergirl, Jumanji 3, Disclosure Day and Project Hail Mary, this episode is part strategy, part trash talk, and part pure movie nerd chaos. Who drafted the best team? Who got the biggest steals? And who’s shouting dinner when this all blows up at the box office? Let us know whose lineup you think wins. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hdQG4t3CrdA?si=v4TY7u3dCHmbd7ta ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:37 Welcome back to Cognitive Recalibration 01:00 The 2026 Movie Draft concept explained 01:26 Rules: $100 budget, 6 picks, snake draft, steal tax 02:15 Tier 1 to Tier 5 movie pool breakdown 03:04 Draft order revealed 03:26 Round 1 begins: Avengers, Mario, Dune 06:42 Minions 3 gets called a cheat code 08:18 Spider-Man: Brand New Day enters the draft 09:59 Michael gets stolen 12:13 Hexed, Devil Wears Prada 2 and Moana join the board 15:08 Supergirl gets stolen too 17:03 Jumanji 3 stolen, budget pressure rises 18:03 Why nobody wants Masters of the Universe 19:03 Why nobody picked The Odyssey 20:41 Project Hail Mary enters the team 23:20 Disclosure Day vs horror movies 24:42 Final teams revealed 25:08 Why nobody picked The Odyssey 26:08 Who actually has the best team? 26:41 The academic scoring debate: profit vs gross 26:46 Why Avengers: Doomsday might be a trap 30:03 Loser has to buy dinner 30:55 Could Indian movies ever compete in this draft? 34:00 Dhurandhar tangent: movie of the year? 35:21 2025 movie chat: Demon Slayer, Sinners and Superman 38:47 Final thoughts and sign-off If you want to support this podcast so we can keep producing our content for free consider the following options: Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3gjnw87å Buy us a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CRecalibration Acast Supporter: https://supporter.acast.com/cognitive-recalibration If you wish to contact us to ask a question or give us some feedback, please do so via the channels below: Facebook Page: Cognitive Recalibration Instagram: cognitiverecalibration Twitter: @CRecalibration TikTok: @cogrecal #CognitiveRecalibration #MovieDraft #2026Movies #BoxOffice #FilmPodcast Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cognitiverecalibration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min

  6. 12/28/2025

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle (2025)

    Sravan is joined by special guest Kireeti to break down Infinity Castle (and the Demon Slayer series as a whole): why it became a global phenomenon, how the movie cranks the animation and intensity to max, and what the three big arcs mean for what’s coming next. Non-spoiler thoughts up front, then we go full spoiler mode — including Shinobu’s showdown, Zenitsu finally locking in, and Akaza’s surprisingly heartbreaking backstory. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MShzvsMtqsU ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:35 – Welcome + guest Kireeti 1:42 – Why Demon Slayer is a global phenomenon (box office context) 4:26 – Series overview: what works, pacing, character focus 12:20 – Spoiler zone begins (series + movie) 20:34 – Why you must watch the series before Infinity Castle 24:38 – Arc 1: Shinobu vs Doma (Upper Two) 27:49 – Arc 2: Zenitsu ‘locks in’ (Thunder Breathing showdown) 32:39 – Arc 3: Akaza vs Tanjiro + Giyu (main event) 41:28 – Akaza’s tragic backstory + “redemption” 44:29 – The crows + Ubuyashiki kids mapping the castle 47:22 – Nezuko’s absence + what Muzan is really after 49:45 – Ratings + what else in 2025 cinema stacks up 1:00:36 – Quick anime recs: Kaiju No.8 + Solo Leveling 1:02:01 – Subs vs dubs debate 1:04:03 – When’s the next movie? (2027 talk) 1:05:01 – JJK movie next week + Season 3 timing 1:06:15 – Favourite characters (Tanjiro, Akaza, Hashira picks) 1:11:42 – Wrap-up + where to follow/contact If you want to support this podcast so we can keep producing our content for free consider the following options: Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3gjnw87å Buy us a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CRecalibration Acast Supporter: https://supporter.acast.com/cognitive-recalibration If you wish to contact us to ask a question or give us some feedback, please do so via the channels below: Facebook Page: Cognitive Recalibration Instagram: cognitiverecalibration Twitter: @CRecalibration TikTok: @cogrecal #cognitiverecalibration #demon slayer #kimetsunoyaiba #infinitycastle #animepodcast #animecommunity #animeedit #mugen train #tanjiro #nezuko #zenitsu #inosuke #hashira #akaza #mugen train #crunchyroll #animereview #movieriew #weebculture #otaku #animefans #subvsdub #melbournepodcast #podcastclips #spoilers Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cognitiverecalibration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 13m

  7. 12/22/2025

    Christmas Special 2025

    t’s that time of the year 🎄 — the Cognitive Recalibration Annual Christmas Special is back! Sravan and Tarun are joined once again by Bhaskar and Kireeti for our most chaotic, funniest, and most festive episode of the year. Each of us brings a Christmas-themed pick and puts it through our Christmas Movie Test™ to decide what really qualifies as a Christmas movie (see below). 🎬 Movies discussed this year: The Polar Express (2004)Miracle on 34th Street (1947)My Secret Santa (Netflix)Man vs. Baby (Rowan Atkinson) We debate: What actually makes a Christmas movieNostalgia vs rewatch valueUncanny valley nightmaresSanta Claus on trial in courtNetflix Christmas logicRowan Atkinson doing Rowan Atkinson things Expect hot takes, derailed plot explanations, Christmas scoring chaos, and a lot of laughter. 🎅 Let us know which one you’d watch (or rewatch) this Christmas! Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DuxZI1h3llY ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:37 – Welcome to the Christmas Special 🎄 00:44 – Christmas Movie Test explained 01:41 – Bhaskar: The Polar Express 03:10 – Christmas Movie Test scoring 04:25 – Box office, cult status & uncanny valley 06:29 – Tom Hanks & motion capture madness 09:46 – Story breakdown 14:31 – Themes, nostalgia & verdict 19:23 – Tarun: Miracle on 34th Street (1947) 21:10 – Plot overview 27:18 – Santa sent to a mental hospital 30:22 – Santa on trial 34:43 – Christmas score & verdict 37:40 – Sravan: My Secret Santa (Netflix) 38:44 – Mrs Doubtfire comparisons 43:22 – Fake Santa backlash 47:16 – Reveal & resolution 50:47 – Rating & Christmas score 53:30 – Kireeti: Man vs. Baby 54:15 – Rowan Atkinson chaos 57:47 – Baby subplot & humour 59:25 – Christmas Movie Test score 01:03:31 – Ranking all four films 01:05:30 – Final thoughts 01:06:53 – Merry Christmas & sign-off 🎄 🎄 THE CHRISTMAS MOVIE TEST (Cognitive Recalibration Edition) A film must score highly across the following categories to qualify. ✅ 1. Christmas Centrality Test (0–2 points) Would the story fall apart if Christmas were removed? •2 points – Christmas is essential to the plot •1 point – Christmas influences the story but is not essential •0 points – Christmas is just background decoration 🌟 2. Christmas Themes Test (0–2 points) Does the movie explore themes traditionally associated with Christmas? •2 points – Strong themes (family, redemption, generosity, miracles) •1 point – Light thematic resonance •0 points – No Christmas themes 🎁 3. Christmas Aesthetic Test (0–1 point) Does the film consistently use Christmas iconography, setting, music, or atmosphere? •1 point – Christmas aesthetic is clearly present •0 points – Minimal or no Christmas visuals or mood 🎅 4. Christmas Message Test (0–1 point) At its heart, does the film deliver a message aligned with the Christmas spirit? •1 point – Clear Christmas message (kindness, togetherness, gratitude) •0 points – No Christmas message 🎄 5. Cultural Adoption Test (0–1 point) Has the movie become part of audience holiday tradition, even unintentionally? •1 point – Widely watched during Christmas / marketed as such •0 points – Not associated with Christmas culturally 🔔 6. Holiday Release/Test of Intent (0–1 point) Was the movie released during Christmas or clearly marketed as a Christmas film? •1 point – Yes •0 points – No 🎄 TOTAL SCORE: 0–8 Points ScoreClassification 7–8Definitive Christmas Movie 5–6Probable Christmas Movie 3–4Debatable / Fringe Christmas Movie 0–2Not a Christmas Movie If you want to support this podcast so we can keep producing our content for free consider the following options: Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3gjnw87å Buy us a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CRecalibration Acast Supporter: https://supporter.acast.com/cognitive-recalibration If you wish to contact us to ask a question or give us some feedback, please do so via the channels below: Facebook Page: Cognitive Recalibration Instagram: cognitiverecalibration Twitter: @CRecalibration TikTok: @cogrecal Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cognitiverecalibration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 7m

  8. 09/16/2025

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps Review

    🧬 The First Family of Marvel returns! In this episode of Cognitive Recalibration, Sravan and Tarun break down The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) — the long-awaited reboot starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Is it a return to form or another forgettable entry? We talk team dynamics, MCU fatigue, Galactus, and what’s next for Marvel Phase 5. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KjEIDVVTUIQ 🎙 Hosts: Sravan & Tarun 📩 Email: CognitiveRecalibrationPodcast@gmail.com 📲 Follow us: @CognitiveRecalibration on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and all podcast platforms New episodes every week — subscribe, rate, and share! 0:00 - Intro music & welcome 0:35 - Fantastic Four 2025 overview 1:22 - First impressions (non-spoiler) 3:09 - Phase 1 vibes & runtime criticism 5:26 - Team balance & character depth 6:48 - Action light or just right? 8:14 - Galactus & visual effects 9:50 - Best Fantastic Four yet? 11:10 - Standout performances & casting thoughts 12:23 - Ranking vs. Superman & Thunderbolts 13:30 - Are we ready for Avengers: Doomsday? 14:22 - Post-Endgame decline & future recovery 15:50 - Missed opportunities for character development 16:45 - Spoiler warning begins 17:06 - Silver Surfer’s arc & Johnny Storm's subplot 18:08 - Galactus defeat felt underwhelming 19:07 - Not an action-first team 20:13 - Who’s coming through the multiverse portal? 21:54 - Doomsday casting & theories 23:52 - Clean slate post-Secret Wars? 24:45 - Will X-Men dominate Doomsday? 26:00 - Brief Jurassic World: Rebirth review 28:29 - What’s coming next? 29:18 - How to reach us 29:27 - Addressing listener comment on Superman (from @incredibleistic) 31:14 - Looking ahead to DC’s Clayface horror film 32:20 - Wrapping up: final thoughts on Fantastic Four 🔔 Subscribe & hit the bell icon for more movie breakdowns and discussions! The equipment we use: Rode Podmic: https://amzn.to/2LSeJPb Rodecaster Pro: https://amzn.to/3bLykLP Rode PSA1 Boom Arm: https://amzn.to/2M0ujIp XLR Cables: https://amzn.to/38QTEOgå If you want to support this podcast so we can keep producing our content for free consider the following options: Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3gjnw87å Buy us a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CRecalibration Acast Supporter: https://supporter.acast.com/cognitive-recalibration If you enjoy our content, don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you haven't already done so, please give us a review on iTunes or Spotify and help spread the word. If you wish to contact us to ask a question or give us some feedback, please do so via the channels below: Facebook Page: Cognitive Recalibration Instagram: cognitiverecalibration Twitter: @CRecalibration TikTok: @cogrecal Cognitive Recalibration theme composed by Esteban: Instagram: iam.wake Fiverr: https://www.fiverr.com/iam_wake Logo and Artwork created by Rita Sus: Instagram: 5small #FantasticFour #PedroPascal #MCU2025 #MarvelReview #Galactus #SilverSurfer #MovieReviewPodcast #PaisaVasool #CognitiveRecalibration #Phase5 #VanessaKirby #JosephQuinn #EbonMossBachrach #MCUReboot #ComicBookMovies Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cognitiverecalibration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
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About

Join brothers Sravan and Tarun Rajupalem every week as they discuss their favourite superhero movies, television shows and video games as well as the latest news in pop culture. Whether you're a fan of superhero movies, just a general movie buff, or just want some informative entertainment this podcast is for you! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cognitiverecalibration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Cognitive Recalibration
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    195
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Cognitive Recalibration
  • Show Website
    Cognitive Recalibration