Nerdfest

For Fleurken’s sake, it’s another Nerdfest episode! This time we’re delighted to be reunited with Ian Mayor, who is a puddle of excitement about “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters”. Also we review David Fincher’s “The Killer”, sci-fi romance “Fingernails”, Palme D’or winner “Anatomy of a Fall”, the bizarre “007 Road to a Million”, and the MCU’s latest, “The Marvels.”

This week’s show is a particularly funny one. No, not funny like a clown per se… Yes, it’s time for some Wise Guys in the second instalment of our “Something old, something new” where we get to discuss a Martin Scorsese classic: Goodfellas (which, for one of our nerds, also marks a Shameful Gap). The “something new” is Loki Season 2. Which isn’t making us laugh so much as leaving us rather bewildered. Plus, we open the show with a quickfire round of recommendations, and pay tribute to one of our favourites- the great Matthew Perry.

It’s Buff or Bluff time! Can we work out the manufactured lies from this week’s lineup of entertainment facts? Our topics include “Return to Oz”, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, Dr Who baddies, and Alfred Hitchcock. Plus, with Halloween being just around the corner, we discuss some of our favourite horrifying movie experiences, including one recent hell-raising experience that resulted in the exchange of gifts between Andy and Jon.

We recorded this episode remotely due to a bout of Covid in the ranks, but still had the best of times discussing everything we’ve been enjoying recently. Recommendations this week include original sci fi movie 'The Creator', and Bob Mortimer’s first-ever novel 'The Satsuma Complex'. We also talk enthusiastically about Netflix’s adaptation of Japanese manga 'One Piece', as well as Celine Song’s fantastic feature debut 'Past Lives.' As Jon was too "busy" to write a review, Dan makes him do an epic forfeit. Plus! It’s the return of Shameful Gap, as one (or maybe two) of our nerds watches 'An American Werewolf in London' for the very first time.

We’re shaking things up at Nerdfest this week and introducing a new format: Something Old, Something New. Hazel, Jon, Peter, Dan and Ian discuss their fondest memories of an old favourite "Jurassic Park" and what makes that movie stand the test of time. Then we head into the land of "Ahsoka" and are given some much needed context on the series from Dan. Plus we have a quick-fire round of reviews of "Men", "What We Do In The Shadows", Shyamalan's "Old", "Lincoln Lawyer Season 2" and "Elemental". And finally, can you beat the team in Dan's quiz where you match the actors to their Action Hero punchlines?

It’s a quiz-tastic episode! Today’s Buff or Bluff covers topics ranging from almost-made Godzilla crossover movies, movie costumes, evil sea creatures, and films set in Las Vegas. Plus! Join in on Andy’s fun quiz, as he gives us two movies from the same year and we try to guess which made the most money. Yay Capitalism!

We're ALL in a Barbie world this week- as Jon, Peter and Andy are joined by Louise to review both halves of the Barbenheimer double bill. Plus "Evil Dead Rise" and murder mystery comedy show "The After Party", and we uncover shortages of pink paint and Prosecco.

On today’s show we talk about how excited we are for Barbenheimer, and what the repercussions of the actors’ strike might be. We then have a group discussion on Mission:Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1. Our main reviews and recommendations include going all the way back to “Prehistoric Planet” from National Treasure Sir David Attenborough. In an unfortunate segue, we then chat about asteroids in Wes Anderson’s latest, “Asteroid City.” Andy recommends “1976”, a Chilean drama set against the backdrop of the military coup. Jon then takes us into the speed force via “The Flash”, an experience he enjoyed much more than he expected (WARNING: skip if you don’t want spoilers). And finally Hazel recommends “Hijack” (although for legal purposes, it should be clear that she’s recommending the new Apple TV show, not the practice). And….we’re just so, so sorry about Jon’s song choices in this episode. Enjoy!

We give you our (spoiler free) reactions to 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.' We’re split on this one - how did you find it? Plus the first two episodes of 'Secret Invasion'- most of us are hoping it gets…less boring? Plus, we have our Buff or Bluff quiz, with topics including Indiana Jones rip off films, and some little known facts about popular songs, The Dark Knight, and Glastonbury.

Choo choo! It’s another hugely enjoyable, thought provoking and downright filthy episode of Nerdfest! It’s recommendations time, and today that includes “Reality” a very-much-based-on-a-true-story drama about a pivotal moment in U.S politics. Peter diagnoses “The Patient”; a psychological thriller series starring Steve Carrell. Andy reviews “8 Mountains” (Everest is lovely at this time of year apparently). Jon gives us an arty car boot viewpoint from Quentin Tarantino, with a review of his book, “Cinema Speculation”. And Ian Mac has a cunning plan…

We bring you our first reactions to seeing "Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse" together. Plus, it’s a Buff or Bluff episode, and that means mindgames and trickery as we try to sort the true facts from the all-out lies! Topics include the iconic Geena Davis, "Happy Days" spin offs, First Lines, Time Travel Movies, and "Spaceballs"!

Today’s show is a medley of what we have been enjoying recently, starting with "Guardians of the Galaxy 3". Andy recommends the incredible “Still: A Michael J Fox film”. Dan heads into the “Silo” to tell us about Apple’s new post-apocalyptic series. Peter is empowered to talk about Prime’s intriguing new drama “The Power”. Jon is a “Deadringer” for someone who actually recommends something good for a change. And Hazel waxes lyrical about “The Diplomat”, written and produced by a West Wing alumni. We definitely don’t spend too much time saying “diplomatic immunity” a la Lethal Weapon 2….just kidding, of course we do.

It’s all lies and deceit as we play our monthly round of Buff or Bluff. Among the topics are the repercussions of the 2008 Writer’s Strike (leading us to a rare thoughtful discussion about the current strike). We also tackle TV show crossovers, as well as “facts” about one great actor and one awful one: Viggo Mortensen, and Shia LaBeouf. And Peter tells us about the times Keanu Reeves replaced Johnny Depp in movies. Which is a trend we’d like to see often repeated. And it’s the return of our Shameful Gap feature, where one of our nerds watches an older film for the very first time. Today, that film is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Come and reminisce with us!

On today’s show Jon reviews “Renfield” and has the opportunity to see his beloved Nic Cage in the role of a lifetime. Andy recommends the rollicking French adaptation of “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan” (before we get interrupted by the UK government’s emergency alert test). Hazel talks about the joy of seeing “Rye Lane” and why people who normally turn their noses up at a rom com should give it a go. Peter talks everything “Schmigadoon” and how it’s a must for musical lovers. And Ian recommends the flawed, but oh-so-fun “Studio 666”, featuring a very possessed Dave Grohl. We also discuss the wonderful Christopher Reeve and celebrate 45 years since he made us all believe a man could fly.

It’s another Buff or Bluff episode! Our nerds try to pick out the truth from the lies on topics including the Planet of the Ape reboots, surfer themed movies, Super Mario, and fictional food brands. Plus, Dan is on the ground at Star Wars Celebration in London. He brings us his thoughts on what Disney has in store. And we hear some interesting interviews that Jon, Peter and Ian conducted at the annual Nerdfest festival in Newcastle. MUSIC Surf Shimmy by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) is licensed under a Creative Commons license

It’s reviews and recommendations time! Our top recommendation is to not go down in the woods today as you may get an unpleasant surprise - Jon reviews “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey.” Sometimes, it seems, copyright law is a good thing. Hazel has a double recommendation, consisting of two of Jon’s favourite things in life: “Women Talking”, and the return of “Ted Lasso.” Andy yet again takes the podcast in a much needed highbrow direction, with his review of the Iranian dark thriller “Holy Spider”. Peter enjoys the return of Christoph Waltz to the screen in the new mysterious and dark comedy series, 'The Consultant'. And Ian Mac delights us with an oldie but goodie - the Argentinian film 'BomBon', about a very good dog!

It’s buff or bluff time! Can you work out the truth from the nerds’ devious lies? Topics today include method acting in boxing films, the incredible career of Frances McDormand, and the life and times of Stanley Kubrick. Plus sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, as Peter investigates real life espionage activities for his Buff or Bluff. Stay tuned for Andy’s fun quiz at the end: guess the movie title from two clues in one!

It's reviews and recommendations time! We cover the start of Marvel Phase 5: 'Ant Man and the Wasp: QuantumMania'. Plus, 'Our Flag Means Death' has finally made it to these shores, much to Dan’s delight. Peter reviews 'Extraordinary'. Jon revels in Blumhouse’s latest horrifying creation, 'M3GAN'. And Hazel tells us why 'Till' should be winning all the awards. Speaking of awards, Hazel’s got her hats out! It’s time for our annual Nerdfest Oscars Sweepstake. But this time, all rules have been thrown out the window…. (An apology to our listeners as we did indeed get the date of the Oscars ceremony wrong! We were a week early :))

It’s time to lie to our closest friends again, as we play our Buff or Bluff quiz. Can you work out the truth from stories about the entertainment industry? Rounds include facts about re-used props in movies, the ridiculous diets that some stars undertake to prepare for a role, Sir Christopher Lee’s record breaking antics, and the weird and wonderful guest appearances of Sherlock Holmes. Plus, Hazel gets us all excited for Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie film, by befuddling us (and herself) with the elaborate plots of previous Barbie outings. We round today’s episode off with a “Higher or Lower” game of how many times movie stars have died in their movies. It’s a really fun one folks - enjoy!

Dan discusses the similarities between Spielberg’s mostly autobiographical 'The Fabelmans', and Terry Pratchett biography 'A Life with Footnotes'. Andy conducts a TARiffic review of 'Tar' (sorry, the puns don’t get any better….). Jon reviews post-apocalyptic zombie thriller 'The Last of Us' (as an avid fan of the game, will he be converted?) Hazel recommends 'This is Us'. which she accidentally stumbled across when looking for 'The Last Of Us' and has completely fallen in love with. And Peter reviews the Gary Oldman MI5 thriller series “Slow Horses”, with apologies in advance to our Slough-based listeners…