Moderate Fantasy Violence

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair return to the bricky world of The Lego Movie to learn another important lesson about how to play nicely with others!

But first, Alastair’s been watching Nightflyers (and Nick takes the opportunity to drop some news on him), while Nick’s started Homicide: Life On The Street, the TV adaptation of David Simon’s book – yes, the one he told a story from in MFV’s guest appearance on And Then What?

And then it’s time to work together with your little sister and watch The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (8:53), so everyone can find out if it really needed a sequel.

Last of all, inspired by the multi-franchise toy commercial nature of this fortnight’s movie, Nick and Alastair ask: what film concept would involve more capitalism? (24:54)

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This fortnight, Nick and Alastair watch the entire second season of Marvel-Netflix’s The Punisher and proceed to spoil the hell out of it, much like The Punisher himself at a naughty child’s birthday party.

But first, some discussion of other culture consumed, such as I’m A Joke And So Are You, a book about the science and psychology of comedy by Robin Ince, and the hot hot hot new Netflix show Russian Doll.

And then Nick and Alastair armour up and dive into The Punisher season 2 (7:28), complete, again, with pretty full spoilers. Will they enjoy it as much as they did season 1, back in MFV #51? Are the cartoon mice at Disney willing to stare all the way into Frank Castle’s serial-killing heart?

Finally, after a season of it driving the villain in this show, they ask the related question: is amnesia a valid excuse? (33:42)

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Nick and Alastair stare through the Glass at the conclusion of M. Night Shyamalan’s grounded superhero trilogy, following Split and Unbreakable.

But first, Nick’s read Grant Morrison’s Supergods, a history of the superhero comic, while Alastair’s seen new movie Stan & Ollie, a history of Laurel & Hardy.

And then they begin exploring Glass (9:02), bringing the superheroic alter egos of Bruce Willis, James McAvoy and Samuel L. Jackson together for one epic… therapy session.

To follow that, it’s time to ask: what other films from 10-20 years ago need a belated sequel? (25:22)

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Big moment in MFV history this fortnight, as they tackle one of Alastair’s favourite shows: grim crime drama Luther staring Idris Elba!

But first, Nick and Alastair have other impressively recent culture to discuss, such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and well-reviewed new movie The Favourite.

And then they’re pacing the grim streets of London with the BBC’s trenchcoated angry-cop in the fifth series of Luther (7:47). Can he overcome his relationship issues with Alice to actually solve some crime?

More importantly, there’s the other question of the moment: is Luther this generation’s Poirot? (24:38)

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It’s the annual end-of-year extravaganza! Nick and Alastair look back on the TV and film of 2018, and then try to sort it all into content-friendly lists.

But first – Alastair goes back to his roots with guntastic Netflix show Altered Carbon, while Nick’s read warmhearted novel Our Child Of The Stars by Stephen Cox.

And then it’s into the business of the year, with discussion of 2018’s film trends. Can anything stop the superheroes? (6:01) And how will they fare in each of the hosts’ top five movies? (17:43)

TV gets the same discussion as we examine the impact of streaming service wars on our lives (37:38) and then chart our favourite shows, many of which aired on Netflix (47:07).

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Back on schedule for the festive period, it’s time to chat about DC’s latest superhero release, Aquaman!

But first Nick and Alastair have seen some other recent cultural items, such as Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and the ending of the recent Doctor Who season, following on from their recent entire episode on the subject.

And then we dive into the damp curls of Aquaman (9:24), in which DC’s fish-king dives into his solo adventure and gets wet all over the world.

Lastly, in this year’s seasonal question section, we ask: who would throw a better Christmas party – the Avengers or the Justice League? (32:22)

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A week late due to Nick’s computer dying, but it’s here! The MFV Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald episode!

But first, Alastair has seen brand new movie Wreck-It Ralph 2, whereas Nick is retreating into elderly sitcom The US Office. But at least they both enjoyed themselves.

Which stands in sharp contrast to Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (10:33), a film diving into a part of Harry Potter mythology even hardcore fans are struggling to care about, and Nick and Alastair are not in the fandom.

Which leads us neatly into our related question: what does it take to make the fandom turn on a franchise? (27:47) And no, the answer isn’t just casting Johnny Depp.

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This fortnight, in an episode that just screams Delayed Halloween Special, Nick and Alastair cover Netflix’s teen horror reboot The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

But before that, they’ve also got to talk about their recent intake, such as Nick reading Kill Or Be Killed by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips from Image Comics – and since a comic is mentioned, there’s time to pay homage to the recently departed Stan Lee. Equally depressing, Alastair’s read the dystopian novel 84K by Claire North.

And then it’s down the horror mines, to find out whether Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (11:55) is a horror, a comedy or the unholy misshapen cloven-hooved bastard child of both. With various spoilers throughout, it has to be said.

Lastly, time to ask: just where is the line between camp, fun Halloweeny horror and the real grim disturbing stuff? (35:31) Does the line even exist? (Also some Sabrina spoilers here, by the way.)

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