Category: Episodes

Episodes

MFV #159 – Constant Panda-ing Explicit

31st March 2022

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair look on the sunny side of life with Pixar’s Turning Red and… the other one with The Boys: Diabolical.

But first, Alastair’s finally seen enough Oscar movies to take a shot at predicting the results (and yes, since the ceremony has aired since this episode was recorded, you’ll already know if he was right). (This also means no jokes about Will Smith.) Meanwhile, Nick’s getting into the spirit of the season with Weezer’s new timely EP SZNZ: Spring.

And then our heroes cast aside their many worries and wish they were a red panda with Turning Red (13:46).

Last of all, Nick and Alastair have seen The Boys: Diabolical (25:04), a new animated anthology from the world of Amazon’s superhero-bashing show. And yes, an animated anthology can only mean one thing: top three countdown time!

Finally, a reminder that Nick’s latest comics Kickstarter is still running, and by the time the next MFV pod goes up, it’ll be hours from the end. So really it makes more sense to head over and back now.

Episodes

MFV #158 – 500 True Fans Explicit

17th March 2022

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair begin a long dark journey into the depths of the human soul with The Batman and Euphoria season 2.

But first, in a rare brighter moment, Nick’s finally watched Agents of SHIELD season 7, while Alastair’s slightly more up to date with The Dropout.

After which, they zip up their cowls and dive into the dark heart of Gotham with The Batman (12:53). Does the world need another gritty Batfilm? And should it be this one specifically?

Relatedly, Euphoria season 2 (29:22) dares to ask – what if the whole world was really bad?

And finally – as you’ll know almost immediately if you listen to this podcast episode, Nick has a new comics Kickstarter running for his epic fun-goth dark magic graphic novel Death of a Necromancer with Robert Ahmad, David Cooper and DC Hopkins. Fancy giving it a look, and maybe backing for this powerful journey into the dark? Head on over and get involved.

Episodes

MFV #157 – Diageticville Explicit

3rd March 2022

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair attach themselves to Netflix once again to cover improv crime-sitcom Murderville and Oscar-contending cowboy movie The Power of the Dog.

But first, Alastair’s continuing his awards season diet with strong contender Parallel Mothers, while Nick’s finally watching universally beloved optcom Ted Lasso.

After which, they finally sign into Netflix to consume all six episodes of Murderville (12:02) and find out whether the one thing past popular TV cop sitcoms needed was a main character improvising the whole time.

Lastly, as part of their annual quest for Oscar relevance, Nick and Alastair watch Jane Campion’s acclaimed western The Power of the Dog (25:04) and puzzle over exactly where it fits in the pantheon of past Cumberbatch roles, plus (of course) how it connects to Zack Snyder’s Justice League.

PS – if you want to get involved with Nick’s upcoming comic about Necromancers, the Kickstarter notification page thing is up now.

Episodes

MFV #156 – The People Demand Baby Yoda Explicit

17th February 2022

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair armour up and hit the trail with Star Wars: The Book of Boba Feet, then hunker down for the apocalypse with Don’t Look Up.

But first, a rare detour into music reviewing as Nick’s heard the new Frank Turner and Mitski albums, while Alastair’s enjoying not just the new Black Country, New Road record, but also movies The Souvenir and The Souvenir Part II. Bloody hell.

But, at last, they must sit down and watch the latest Disney+ Star Wars antics in The Book of Boba Fett (14:30), chronicling one man’s rise to somehow being the second most popular man to wear his armour despite getting there first. Spoilers throughout.

And then it’s time to embrace oblivion in apocalyptic Netflix comedy-drama Don’t Look Up (29:48), starring… more or less everyone.

Episodes

MFV #155 – The MFV Curse Explicit

3rd February 2022

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair take their annual stab at catching some films which will go on to win Oscar glory with Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza and Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth. Their success has been variable in the past, will these films finally win out?

But first, Alastair’s back on the Netflix subtitled drama with The Silent Sea, while Nick’s finally gone back and watched all of HBO scorched-Earth political satire Veep.

And then they cruise back to the 70s with the smooth romance and weird Hollywood satire of Licorice Pizza (11:02).

Last of all, going forward in time to their GCSE years, Nick and Alastair take a look at The Tragedy of Macbeth (23:03).

Episodes

MFV #154 – I’m hot in this universe! Explicit

20th January 2022

Nick and Alastair cover the last month in expansive form, with a packed episode covering Spider-Man: No Way Home (at last!), The Matrix: Resurrections (surprise extra!) and Dexter: New Blood (uh-oh!).

But first, even more franchises folded in, with recent Doctor Who special Eve of the Daleks, plus Alastair’s seen the latest season of The Witcher.

And then, a full month after release, Nick (and also Alastair) has finally seen Spider-Man: No Way Home (15:56), and they’ve got a lot to say, including full film-ruining spoilers from 22:30.

As a small apology for trying and failing to cover Spidey before Christmas, they’ve slotted in a bonus un-trailed review of The Matrix: Resurrections (40:20), including scattered spoilers throughout.

Lastly, Nick and Alastair return to the scene of the crime with Dexter: New Blood (52:05), a show they enjoyed a lot in its heyday. Can this revival mini-series recapture any of the old killer magic? Finding out will require full-on ending spoilers from 63:05.

Episodes

MFV #153 – Life Without Jason Sudeikis Explicit

6th January 2022

Happy New Year! It’s the end of 2021 wrap-up episode so, as the ancient traditions demand, Nick and Alastair must check off their top five TV and film releases of the year.

But first, one last catch-up review as they finally take aim at the full first season of Marvel’s Hawkeye show. (But still not Spider-Man: No Way Home. It’s coming!)

And then, at last, Nick and Alastair get into the sweet summary material with TV (15:37) and film (38:47) given the rigorous treatment of chat and then chart. Plus, with increasing amusement, the hotly contended worst of each medium.

And if you want still more end-of-year type content, Nick’s Top Ten TV Shows and Alastair’s Year In Film articles are also now available on this very website.

Episodes

MFV #152 – The Ballad of Dickface Phil Explicit

23rd December 2021

Merry Christmas! Let’s mention it here since Nick and Alastair barely do in the episode! Because they’re too busy reviewing Doctor Who: Flux and Wrath of Man!

And yes, sorry to say Wrath of Man comes to you instead of the promised Spider-Man: No Way Home, as Team MFV didn’t make it out to the cinema due to the Omicron variant. Much to Nick’s extreme disappointment.

But first, Nick’s channelling his Spider-FOMO into the subtle tension of The Americans, while Alastair’s ending the year as he spent most of it – watching subtitled Netflix drama, specifically My Name.

And then they hit Doctor Who: Flux (11:00), complete with full total ending spoilers. Will Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor finish on a high, or slink out quiet and shamed?

Lastly, Nick and Alastair explore the Wrath of Man (26:47) with Jason Statham, in a movie which might be a subtle, nuanced exploration of male rage. They’re not sure.

One thing’s for sure, though – it’s not the new Spidey sequel.