Moderate Fantasy Violence

Episodes

MFV #214 – The Meninist K-Hole Explicit

9th May 2024

This fortnight, an exercise in extreme contrast with thoughtful historical drama Shogun and cartoonish high school comedy Bottoms.

But first, Nick’s rewatched the whole Twelfth Doctor era of Doctor Who with Peter Capaldi, while Alastair’s watched creepy YouTube videos on The Oldest View.

And then they visit feudal Japan with acclaimed historical drama Shogun (24:39), to see which controversial modern politician the lead character reminds Nick of.

Last of all, it’s Bottoms (40:18), the popular anarchic Gen Z comedy that really gives our heroes a chance to consider their mortality and relevance.

And finally finally, Nick has another Kickstarter running for his latest comic The Collected Letters of Courier Z! It’s a series of short stories about a scifi postwoman turning to crime, shades of 2000AD, Red Dwarf and Doctor Who. If that sounds fun to you, check it out here!

Episodes

MFV #213 – The worst job in the world Explicit

25th April 2024

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair confront the hideous present-future in Civil War, then retreat into a cosy fantastical past with Renegade Nell.

But first, Alastair’s watching a fresh new scifi show in The Three Body Problem, while Nick’s finally watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine season 8 from a couple of years ago.

And then they wade into the crushing hellscape of Civil War (18:10) to try and work out what it’s saying and whether we should all be scared.

Lastly, the whimsical fantasy of Renegade Nell (34:48) leaves Nick to reminisce about his good old days as a TV reviewer. Hopefully at some point he’ll remember to review the show.

Episodes

MFV #212 – EBV (Extreme Bloody Violence) Explicit

11th April 2024

Nick and Alastair make a mockery of their podcast name this fortnight, tackling two releases where the violence is definitely not moderate – Invincible season 2 and Monkey Man.

But first, Nick’s read the recent Daredevil run by Chip Zdarsky and Marco Chechetto (artist of Ultimate Spider-Man from last episode), while Alastair’s watched under-the-radar crime series Culprits.

And then it’s up and into the bloody skies with Invincible season 2 (15:03) which emerged as a surprise hit when they last covered it. Can this gory animated superhero show repeat the trick with expectations in place?

Lastly, it’s Monkey Man (34:15), the new revenge-action movie written by, directed by and starring Dev Patel, as he gives whole armies of dudes a damn good smacking. Be aware – Nick does launch an excessive ending spoiler at one point.

Episodes

MFV #211 – A void in Walthamstow Explicit

28th March 2024

The podcast is firmly back on Nick’s superhero territory this fortnight, with the second season of power-based sitcom Extraordinary and the first two issues of the new Ultimate Spider-Man series from Marvel Comics.

But first, Alastair’s sticking to his credible guns with new Spielberg war drama Masters of the Air, while Nick’s been stabbing and snotting in Dead Cells.

After which, it’s time to experience the life of a tryhard London waster in Extraordinary season 2 ( 20:40). Will there be a happily-ever-after for Jen and Jizzlord?

And lastly, for the second time in the history of this podcast, it’s time to read the opening issues of Ultimate Spider-Man (36:02), but this time Peter Parker is a middle-aged man suffering from a vague malaise. The media seems particularly relatable this episode.

Episodes

MFV #210 – The Golden Honk of the Sandworm Explicit

14th March 2024

A big fortnight for Alastair, with his annual Oscar-predictions audio extravaganza and the new Dune movie, plus bonus piracy with the return of Our Flag Means Death.

Oh, and Nick’s also seen 2023 Netflix sensation Beef, far too late to include it in his Top Ten TV list.

But most importantly, it’s time to return to Arrakis with Dune: Part 2 (16:11, harder spoilers from 25:24). Can anything live up to that first one?

And it’s a similar question for cult favourite pirate romcom Our Flag Means Death season 2 (36:52, ending spoilers from 43:34) as they return to follow up their acclaimed first season and… quickly get cancelled. Dammit.

Episodes

MFV #209 – 80s Magic Mike Explicit

29th February 2024

Some seasonal February dark moments of the soul this fortnight, as Nick and Alastair tackle The Iron Claw and the new Mr & Mrs Smith show.

But first, Alastair’s seen new Netflix housing-scifi movie The Kitchen, while Nick’s reading the new Poison Ivy series from DC Comics.

And then the boys climb into the ring to tackle The Iron Claw (12:19), a movie which brings us all the bottomless sadness of real wrestling.

Lastly, less miserable but still not… total joy, it’s the Mr & Mrs Smith (26:37) show on Amazon Prime!

Episodes

MFV #208 – Teenage Milked Ninja Turtles Explicit

15th February 2024

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair cover two different ends of the movie spectrum – thoughtful current Oscar-contender American Fiction and last year’s loud, slimy family adventure Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

But first, to make up for covering a not-so-current film, Nick’s watched zeitgeisty reality show sensation The Traitors, while Alastair catches up with former podcast subject Disenchantment.

After all that, they get into serious literary criticism with American Fiction (15:40), in which Jeffrey Wright struggles to maintain his self-respect.

And last of all, it’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (29:38), the critically acclaimed cool-looking action movie featuring some rad dudes hanging out in the sewer. But is this fun kids’ film radical in other ways too?

Episodes

MFV #207 – True Confessions of a Serious Film Critic Explicit

1st February 2024

This fortnight, Nick and Alastair go hard into 2024 with Oscar-nominated movie Poor Things and new Marvel series Echo.

But first, Alastair continues his annual Oscar marathon with Anatomy of a Fall, while Nick’s left the house for once to… see a theatrical spin-off of a Netflix show. Yes, it’s the Stranger Things prequel play The First Shadow.

And then they get into the shameless weirdness of Poor Things (14:07), in which Emma Stone makes a truly hilarious play for awards.

Last of all, time to watch Echo (28:06), the latest Marvel show spinning off from Hawkeye and Daredevil, and also serving as a prequel to… Daredevil again.