Laser Focus - podcast cover

Laser Focus

Nerdistnerdist.com
Watched the latest big movie, binged a whole TV season, or read comics from 25 years ago and want more? Need to hear people go very, very deep on the dorkiest things we all love? Then Laser Focus, the new podcast from Nerdist, is for you. Every week, Senior Editor and film critic Kyle Anderson will welcome other members of the Nerdist expert staff to get all up in every bit of the pop culture, from the latest thing to your nostalgic faves. Join and enjoy!
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

What Happened to the Jurassic Franchise?

Jurassic World: Rebirth made a lot of money at the box office, just like the previous Jurassic World movies, but nobody seems to like it or them. So how did the franchise that began in 1993 with Jurassic Park get to this point? Kyle seeks to answer that question this week with Adam Murray, who has spent a lot of time researching all things Jurassic.

Jul 24, 20251 hr 31 minSeason 1Ep. 106

Superman (2025)

Look up! Or, wherever you want to. But listen up because Kyle welcomes Eric Diaz and Dan Casey to discuss James Gunn's Superman, full of spoilers and everything. Did it live up to expectations? Is the DC Universe in good shape? And is Krypto the best bad dog or the worst good dog?

Jul 17, 20251 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 105

Therapy Session w/ Maggie Mae Fish

This week, Kyle welcomes a new member to Laser Focus' Three-Timers' Club: writer, performer, video essayist Maggie Mae Fish! In addition to discussing her new Nebula exclusive series Amy's Dead-End Dreamhouse, Maggie and Kyle also get down on some shared media therapy. Raised on kids TV that never told us how being a grown up would super suck. Also there's talk of horror movies, naturally. Watch Amy's Dead-End Dreamhouse on Nebula by visiting this link! https://nebula.tv/dreamhouse...

Jul 10, 20251 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 104

Superman: The Animated Series

This week, Kyle has Superman on the brain. Ahead of James Gunn's live-action film, Kyle welcomes back Eric Diaz to talk about Superman: The Animated Series, still arguably the best and most influential version of Superman on screen. Best episodes, best casting, best villains, and that's just the beginning!

Jul 03, 20251 hr 18 minSeason 1Ep. 103

The X-Files Retrospective Part 2

This week, Kyle welcomes back Head Over Feels co-founder Sage Young to continue their exhaustive retrospective of The X-Files. This time, it's seasons 5 and 6 and the first movie, The X-Files: Fight the Future. And that's it! Enjoy.

Jun 26, 20252 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 102

JAWS 50th Anniversary

This week, Kyle and Mikey discuss Steven Spielberg's Jaws which turns 50 this year. It was the movie that spawned the term "Blockbuster," is one of the greatest movies ever made, and might just be the most perfect summer movie in history. We're all gonna need a bigger boat!

Jun 19, 20251 hr 23 minSeason 1Ep. 101

Kaiju Madness w/ Rosie Knight

It's episode 100! To celebrate, Kyle welcomes writer, author, and podcaster Rosie Knight to discuss her work writing Godzilla comics, including a story starring Doug the kaiju in Legendary's Monsterverse Declassified. And because it's episode 100, they also talk about Batman Forever a little bit.

Jun 11, 20251 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 100

Doctor Who Season 2 - WHAT?!

The Ncuti Gatwa era of Doctor Who has ended abruptly and surprisingly. Tai Gooden is back to talk to Kyle about how weird the second Disney+ season was and about a season finale that ended up being a regeneration story nobody saw coming. Also, why is Billie Piper there?!

Jun 05, 20251 hr 15 minSeason 1Ep. 99

Can THE LAST OF US Survive Season 2?

This week, Kyle welcomes freelancer writer and film and TV critic Ariel Kling to discuss The Last of Us season 2. How well does the show adapt the controversial second game? Does it work as well as the first season? And what on earth will they do next season?

May 29, 202559 minSeason 1Ep. 98

Tony Gilroy Talks Andor

We have one last Andor treat for everyone as Kyle gets in the weeks on the series with creator Tony Gilroy. Mr. Gilroy discusses how Kleya is actually Luthen's boss, how Syril is misunderstood (kinda), and how Dedra might have had the worst fate of anybody. Next week, something else!

May 22, 202530 minSeason 1Ep. 97

Did ANDOR Stick the Landing? (Ep 10-12 Breakdown) | LASER FOCUS

We've reached the final three episodes of one of the best Star Wars things ever. Kyle welcomes Nerdist staff writer and persistent Bostonian Michael Walsh to the show to discuss Andor season 2, episodes 10-12. Did it stick the landing? Where does the show sit in the pantheon of Star Wars? Much to say, have we.

May 15, 20251 hr 21 minSeason 1Ep. 96

ANDOR: The Best Star Wars EVER?!? (Ep 7-9 Breakdown) | LASER FOCUS

Andor might have outdone itself with season two, episodes 7-9. This week, Kyle Anderson welcomes Dan Casey to discuss everything, from the harrowing Ghorman Massacre to the tense Mon Mothma rescue mission. Is this the best Star Wars ever? Might be!Listen to more Laser Focus: https://spoti.fi/48Y4CxnMore Movie News: https://nerdist.com/topic/movies/Watch more Nerdist News: http://bit.ly/1qvVVhVFollow Us:Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdistTwitter https://twitter.com/NerdistInstagram https://inst...

May 08, 20251 hr 15 minSeason 1Ep. 95

Andor: Season 2 (Episodes 4-6) Breakdown & Review

All paths converge on the planet Ghorman for Andor season 2, episodes 4-6. On this week's Laser Focus, Kyle Anderson welcomes Nerdist staff writer Eric Diaz to discuss the beginning of the end for Space France, Luthen's paranoia growing, and Bix getting ever deeper into her own personal dark side. Plus, Cassian wears fancy clothes! That's fun. Miss episodes 1-3? Check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFxCNeQahDk

May 01, 202558 minSeason 1Ep. 94

Andor: Season 2 (Episodes 1-3)

Laser Focus travels to a galaxy far, far away! Kyle Anderson welcomes Nerdist Editor-in-Chief Rotem Rusak for a spoiler-filled discussion of Andor season 2 episodes 1-3 and catch up with Cassian, Luthen, Mon Mothma, that worm Syril Karn, and the rest of the ragtag rebels. And if you'd like to watch, you can find a video version of this podcast at YouTube.com/Nerdist

Apr 24, 20251 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 93

Daredevil: Born Again

This week, Kyle welcomes writer and journalist Jules Chin Greene to discuss all things Man Without Fear. From Daredevil comics to the original Netflix series up through the first season of Daredevil: Born Again. Is the Devil of Hell's Kitchen back and better than ever?

Apr 17, 20251 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 92

Best Cartoons of 1995

This week, Kyle looks back at the cartoons that debuted 30 years ago, in 1995. Among the winners are three Warner Brothers favorites, two legendary anime, and three different cartoons based on Jim Carrey movies. What a year!

Apr 10, 202527 minSeason 1Ep. 91

Theme Parks w/ Amy Ratcliffe

Get ready to ride the movies when Kyle welcomes back author Amy Ratcliffe to talk about theme parks, as well as her brand new novel, Thrill Ride, a rom-com set in the world of themed attractions.

Apr 03, 20251 hr 13 minSeason 1Ep. 90

Severance Season 2

Mikey Walsh returns to the show to talk with Kyle about the second season of Severance (ever heard of it?). How did it hold up against the first season? Did any of our theories come true, and what new questions to we need answers to? We did get more goats, so that's a big win.

Mar 27, 20251 hr 57 minSeason 1Ep. 89

Weird Media We Love w/ Matthew Warren

Kyle was sick last week and ended up watching a lot of very weird, very disturbing media. So he wants to talk about it! Joining him is filmmaker Matthew Warren whose own weird movie Delicate Arch is currently streaming on Screambox. From Adult Swim to Andrei Tarkovsky, if it's weird, it belongs in this episode!

Mar 20, 20251 hr 30 minSeason 1Ep. 88

The X-Files Retrospective Part 1

This week, Kyle welcomes Head Over Feels co-founder Sage Young to discuss the first four seasons of, in their opinion, the best sci-fi/horror series of the 1990s, The X-Files. Why was it such a phenomenon? What were the best episodes? And were you a Golden Age Shipper?

Mar 06, 20251 hr 38 minSeason 1Ep. 87

Star Wars Franchise Future

This week, Kyle welcomes back Dan Casey to discuss the future of the Star Wars franchise with Andor season on the horizon and Kathleen Kennedy (very probably though not confirmed) stepping down as Lucasfilm head at the end of 2025. Who should take over? What kind of movies and shows do we hope to see? Therm Scissorpunch trilogy, maybe?

Feb 28, 20251 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 83

Captain America: Brave New World

Kyle and Mikey discuss the latest Marvel Studios offering, the first of three in 2025. Is Captain America: Brave New World as bad as the reviews say, or is it merely just pretty bad? Spoiler-filled discussion aplenty!

Feb 20, 20251 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 85

Where to Start with Classic Doctor Who

This week, Kyle gives you a short history lesson. This time, it's about the classic series of Doctor Who, which is available for free on YouTube. Where should you start? What are the best free episodes available? Why is most of '80s Who so bad? Answers will be had!

Feb 13, 202537 minSeason 1Ep. 80

'80s Sci-fi Action

It's time for another very open-ended conversation between Kyle and Nerdist video producer Adam Murray. This time out, it's about '80s sci-fi/action movies, specifically the "Big Four," those of course The Terminator , Aliens , RoboCop , and Predator . Why are they so good? What do they all have in common? Why do aliens and robots with anti-corporate themes hold our attention for 40 years?

Feb 06, 20251 hr 39 minSeason 1Ep. 83

Twin Peaks w/ Lindsey Romain

This week, Kyle welcomes writer and critic Lindsey Romain to discuss perhaps the magnum opus of the late, great David Lynch, Twin Peaks. They get into the whole shebang, including the phenomenon, the weird second season, the controversial Fire Walk with Me film, and the triumph that was The Return. Got a light?

Jan 30, 20251 hr 38 minSeason 1Ep. 82

Robert Eggers Discusses Nosferatu

This week is a very special episode of Laser Focus. Joining Kyle is none other than Robert Eggers, director of The Witch , The Lighthouse , The Northman , and most recently last year's Nosferatu . Together they discuss Eggers' Gothic influences, turning Bill Skarsgard into Count Orlok, and that mustache.

Jan 22, 202533 minSeason 1Ep. 81

Severance Season 1 Theories

This week, Kyle and Mikey go deep down into the bowels of Lumon Industries to discuss the weirdest, wildest, and somehow most plausible theories out of season one of Apple TV+'s Severance before season two begins on 1/17. Spoilers aplenty!If you're able to donate to help those dealing with the disastrous LA wildfires, we'd love to point you to the following resources. World Central Kitchen is feeding people displaced by fires and first responders: https://donate.wck.org/give/654000?_gl=1*quzyos*...

Jan 16, 20251 hr 32 minSeason 1Ep. 80

Creature Commandos Season 1

Happy New Year, folks! Kyle welcomes 2025 with a discussion of Creature Commandos season one as well as the other recent DCU goodness including the Superman teaser and Jason Momoa transforming from Aquaman to Lobo. And of course, who better to join Kyle for this than Eric Diaz? Nobody.

Jan 09, 20251 hr 7 minSeason 1Ep. 79

Best Movies of 2024

For the final episode of the year, Kyle and Mikey Walsh discuss their favorite movies of 2024, along with some they think are really awful. Weird year for movies.

Dec 19, 20241 hr 21 minSeason 1Ep. 78

Best TV of 2024

This week, Kyle and Ro Rusak discuss their top 5 shows of 2024. From comic book and video adaptations to feel-good dramedies and vampires, their lists run the gamut of emotions.

Dec 12, 20241 hr 23 minSeason 1Ep. 77
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android