Nick Bryan, Author at Moderate Fantasy Violence

Episodes

MFV #142 – The plant/spade abomination Explicit

5th August 2021

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair return to big-name supercinema with The Suicide Squad, before reminding themselves of the inside world with Biohackers season 2.

In fact, there’s an uncanny amount of new cinema in this episode, as Nick’s talking about surreal French fashion-murder film Deerskin, while Alastair’s seen Edgar Wright’s rockumentary The Sparks Brothers.

Then, at last, The Suicide Squad (9:04) arrives to show us the fun, happy, almost uplifting side of murder. Surprisingly few spoilers in this one.

And in a short flashback to the pandemic world, Nick and Alastair return to the bizarre world of Biohackers (21:49) to see if the second season can live up to the first.

Meanwhile, Nick’s next comics Kickstarter launched the actual same day as this podcast – it’s FairyFare with his Little Deaths of Watson Tower collaborator Rosie Alexander, the story of the fairies finally joining the gig economy. Click on through to check it out.

Episodes

MFV #141 – Praising with faint damn Explicit

22nd July 2021

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair fully enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe at last, covering the omni-franchise’s latest movie Black Widow and TV show Loki.

But first, Nick’s briefly defected to the other superhero universe with Legends of Tomorrow, while Alastair’s turned to booze with Another Round (plus an update on his attempts to finally see Fast 9).

And at long last, they hit the bold new territory of a new non-Netflix movie with Black Widow (13:01), including scattered spoilers about the fates of a couple of characters and the post-credits scene.

Whereas in the subsequent review of Loki season 1 (33:00), Nick and Alastair go ahead and spoil everything from beginning to end, just like they do at parties.

Episodes

MFV #140 – I think I’ll cry again Explicit

8th July 2021

From one extreme to another this fortnight, as Nick and Alastair chill out with new Pixar movie Luca, then freak out into a numb depression thanks to Inside by Bo Burnham.

But first, Nick’s read classic horror-action comic Hellboy by Mike Mignola, while Alastair’s making do with new Roman drama series Domina, because Covid wouldn’t let him see Fast 9.

And finally, they head on their Italian holiday with Luca (13:10), only to immediately disagree over whether this is standard Pixar fare or a particularly delightful entry.

However, they can definitely agree the last year was a bummer, and that Bo Burnham captured that glum vibe with his hit musical comedy special Inside (25:13).

Episodes

MFV #139 – Alexarama Explicit

24th June 2021

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair take a walking tour of the local streaming services with Netflix’s Sweet Tooth and Amazon’s Solos.

But first, they’ve stretched their reach all the way to Disney+’s Loki and Marvel’s Spider-Man PS4 game.

And then it’s time to begin the real business with Sweet Tooth (13:05) as they ask exactly what kind of dystopia this is and whether that’s okay.

Last of all, it’s Solos (30:08), a show which begs all kind of questions about exactly what Amazon think of their own talking products.

Episodes

MFV #138 – The thinking man’s Rock Explicit

10th June 2021

This fortnight, a classic combination of creatives with The Nevers, a new TV show created (though no longer run) by Joss Whedon, and Army of the Dead, the latest movie directed by Zack Snyder.

But first, Nick’s watching Lucifer again, but in a more topical way, while Alastair’s enjoying new punk rock sitcom We Are Lady Parts.

And then it’s finally time to travel back to Victorian times with The Nevers (10:28), discussing its many plot elements, some extreme comparisons to X-Men and, for once, not too many spoilers.

Last of all, they’ve seen Army of the Dead (28:30) – has it been long enough since Nick’s last Walking Dead episode to finally give zombies a chance?

Episodes

MFV #137 – Robots, Robots & Robots Explicit

27th May 2021

Relentless robots and never-ending Netflix this fortnight, as Nick and Alastair do Love, Death & Robots season 2, followed by The Mitchells Vs The Machines.

But first, Alastair’s still in the Netflix scifi ballpark with Oxygen, while Nick’s way off the reservation with new crime graphic novel Friend of the Devil by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.

Their main course, though, is the next helping of Love, Death & Robots (9:35), including general chat about the new run and your hosts running down their top 3 episodes from it.

Finally, after rave reviews from all quarters, Nick and Alastair sit down to discover the happier side of androids with The Mitchells Vs The Machines (26:31).

Episodes

MFV #136 – Better than Hamlet Explicit

13th May 2021

This fortnight, the podcast celebrates Alastair’s successful Oscar predictions by watching 2021’s Best Picture Nomadland, while Nick takes his turn by bringing in new X-Men series Way of X.

But first, still in the world of comics, Nick’s read Silver Surfer by Dan Slott and Michael & Laura Allred, while Alastair’s watched Netflix space movie Stowaway.

And then it’s time to hit the road with Nomadland (11:15), Chloe Zhao’s acclaimed movie starring Frances McDormand as a modern-day nomad.

Finally, Nick and Alastair return to their beloved modern-era X-Men line with Way of X #1 (22:57) by Si Spurrier and Bob Quinn and ask: how much ritualised murder is too much?

Episodes

MFV #135 – Dead in the bin Explicit

29th April 2021

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair present their inevitable The Falcon & The Winter Soldier conclusions, then decompress with lovable scifi-romcom Palm Springs.

But first, tis the season for Alastair’s annual Oscar predictions, while Nick’s read teen alien meltdown comic Alienated by Si Spurrier and Chris Wildgoose.

And then they join the masses in receiving the gift of The Falcon & The Winter Soldier (12:18), Marvel’s much-discussed latest TV show about the weight of the Captain America legacy, including spoilers to the very end from 19:45.

Finally, Nick and Alastair live through the eventful day of Palm Springs (36:13) with Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, including somehow yet more spoilers from 39:37.