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!
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Episodes

The Cinema of Bong Joon-ho

It's time once again for one of Laser Focus' filmmaker retrospectives. This time, Kyle welcomes Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode cast member Jason Nguyen to discuss the cinema of the great South Korean auteur, Bong Joon-ho. Parasite, Snowpiercer, Okja, and many more amazing films. Kyle and Jason get pretentious as heck!

Dec 05, 20241 hr 25 minSeason 1Ep. 76

Holiday Horror w/ Clarke Wolfe

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! This week, Kyle welcomes back Clarke Wolfe to discuss the best holiday horror media, either set during specific holidays or just good stuff for the holiday season mood. Clarke also discusses her new IndieGoGo campaign for her film FIENDSGIVING, which will teach backers to make a horror movie during production. Details on Nerdist.com.

Nov 28, 20241 hr 27 minSeason 1Ep. 75

DCU and MCU in 2025

This week, Kyle welcomes back Dan "The Man" Casey of Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode to discuss the current and upcoming state of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe. Will Superman beat Fantastic Four? Does it all still feel like homework? And what the hell is even canon anymore?

Nov 21, 20241 hr 16 minSeason 1Ep. 74

The Penguin

This week, Kyle welcomes back Eric Diaz to discuss yet another fantastic comic book-based TV program for 2024, HBO’s The Penguin. Why does the show work? What does it make us hope for with Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II, and what other grounded baddies should get a spinoff series?

Nov 14, 20241 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 73

Agatha All Along w/Amy Ratcliffe

This week Kyle and returning champ, author Amy Ratcliffe, go into a magical realm to discuss Marvel’s recent Disney+ series, Agatha All Along. From writing to performances, this series really surprised them, but what will it mean going forward in the MCU with the looming threat of Secret Wars?

Nov 07, 20241 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 72

Adapting Horror Books to Movies and TV

Kyle wraps up this year’s spooky month of episodes by welcoming a true horror aficionado. Writer, director, producer, actor Clarke Wolfe joins the show to discuss the best examples of horror adaptations, which naturally brings up much talk of Stephen King and Mike Flanagan. Catch Clarke’s new film Tenants on VOD now.

Oct 31, 20241 hr 17 minSeason 1Ep. 71

Horror Comedies

Not all spookies are for screaming. Some are for laughing too. That’s why this penultimate episode of Laser Focus’ 2024 Halloween Month celebration will focus on horror comedies. Mikey Walsh joins Kyle to figure out what even constitutes a horror-comedy and not just a horror movie with some laughs, as well as talk about some of their favorites.

Oct 24, 20241 hr 17 minSeason 1Ep. 70

Folk Horror w/ Maggie Mae Fish

Devils, witches, pagan rituals, animal masks…all the best things in life! Joining Kyle to discuss the thriving subgenre of Folk Horror is returning champion and YouTube essayist extraordinaire, Maggie Mae Fish! They talk about movies like The Blood on Satan’s Claw, The Wicker Man, The VVitch, and why they pack a wallop with audiences.

Oct 17, 20241 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 69

Dracula w/ Abigail Thorn

No Halloween season is complete without the most famous vampire of all time: Dracula. To discuss the Prince of Darkness with Kyle is House of the Dragon ’s Abigail Thorn, the writer and star of the new short film, Dracula’s Ex-Girlfriend, which is streaming exclusively on Nebula. Turns out Dracula is a pretty bad boyfriend. Who knew?

Oct 10, 202457 minSeason 1Ep. 68

Best Are You Afraid of the Dark? Episodes

Happy Nerdoween, friends! It’s our favorite time of year and once again Laser Focus will devote all of October to spookums. To start with, Kyle and Tai discuss the formative ‘90s anthology horror series, Are You Afraid of the Dark? What are the best episodes? What are the scariest monsters? And does it still hold up 35 years later?

Oct 03, 20241 hr 24 minSeason 1Ep. 67

Top 7 Batman Comics

This week, Kyle’s flying solo and riding high with his love of The Penguin and wanted to talk about his favorite Batman comics. He couldn’t choose just 5, so he went with a top 7. Do you favorites make the list?

Sep 26, 202447 minSeason 1Ep. 66

Actually Good Legacy Sequels

With the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a sequel nearly 40 years in the making, Kyle and returning champion Michael Walsh discuss the phenomenon of Legacy Sequels, what actually constitutes one, and which ones transcend their nostalgia-baiting to be actually good movies.

Sep 19, 20241 hr 25 minSeason 1Ep. 65

Formative Disney Cartoons w/ Amy Vorpahl

As an unapologetic Millennial, Kyle grew up watching old Disney cartoons on VHS. That’s why he’s so stoked to talk to his friend, GM of Geek & Sundry’s new show Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode, Amy Vorpahl, all about them! They get into all the greats, plus the weird ones from the ‘80s no one remembers. Also get a whole history of Ub Iwerks.

Sep 12, 20241 hr 21 minSeason 1Ep. 64

Kamen Rider w/ Marcosatsu

Kyle’s love of Kamen Rider, the Japanese superhero series that started in 1971, knows no bounds. And no one better to talk about it with him than YouTube’s foremost Kamen Rider authority, Marcosatsu. Together they discuss why the show is so great, and where newcomers should start.

Sep 05, 20241 hr 16 minSeason 1Ep. 63

The Rings of Power – Season 1 Refresher

Ahead of the release of season two of Prime’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Kyle welcomes Nerdist Editor-in-Chief Ro Rusak to discuss the first season. Middle-earth, elves, Numenor, men falling from the sky, and Ro’s personal best friend Adar. Tolkien it up!

Aug 29, 20241 hr 16 minSeason 1Ep. 62

Animorphs

It’s time for another plunge into nostalgia! Kyle welcomes Tai Gooden to talk about Animorphs, the ‘90s YA novel series about kids with the power to change into animals to defend the planet from an alien invasion. Additionally, they discuss all things Scholastic and reminisce about the days of book fairs and catalogues. Like a coupla olds.

Aug 22, 202458 minSeason 1Ep. 61

Good Movies You Never Need to Watch Again

Whether because it hit you too hard the first time, you’ve seen it a million times, or you’ve just outgrown the filmmaker, we all have movies we love or loved that we just don’t ever need to see again. Kyle welcomes back Michael Walsh to talk about their own lists. Get your angry comments ready now!

Aug 15, 20241 hr 27 minSeason 1Ep. 60

Batman: Caped Crusader

Kyle once again welcomes Nerdist writer Eric Diaz to talk about one of the two things they always talk about. In this case, it’s Batman, specifically the new animated series, Batman: Caped Crusader. Is it the triumphant return of Bruce Timm or does it leave people out in a cold Gotham night?

Aug 08, 20241 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 59

Deadpool & Wolverine

This week, hot off of a wild Comic-Con weekend and record-breaking box office performance, Marvel Studios is back (…for now). Kyle welcomes the great Hector Navarro of Heroes Reforged to discuss Deadpool & Wolverine and what it means for Marvel going forward. Is it a new beginning or a bittersweet end? Or both?

Aug 01, 20241 hr 19 minSeason 1Ep. 58

Old British Sci-Fi

If Kyle loves three things it’s old TV, British TV, and sci-fi TV. And when they’re all together? Hoo boy! Joining him to discuss old British sci-fi TV is none other than podcast pioneer and classic Doctor Who aficionado Steven Schapansky. In addition to Who, they get into Blake’s 7, Sapphire & Steel, The Prisoner, and many more.

Jul 25, 20241 hr 11 minSeason 1Ep. 57

Kyle’s Top 10 Films of 2024 (So Far)

At just a little over halfway through the year, Kyle talks you through his 10 favorite movies he has seen so far. From LONGLEGS to FURIOSA, to some things you maybe haven’t heard of, ya boy’s got ya covered. And will never call himself “ya boy” ever again.

Jul 18, 202437 minSeason 1Ep. 56

The Matrix and Franchise Sci-Fi w/Jessie Gender

This week, Kyle speaks to YouTuber and filmmaker Jessie Earl (aka Jessie Gender) about their new film IDENTITEAZE, only on Nebula, as well as the 25th anniversary of The Matrix. Jessie is a font of knowledge on the subject, and then conversation goes into Star Wars, Star Trek, and the future of franchise science fiction as a whole.

Jul 11, 20241 hr 18 minSeason 1Ep. 55

Green Lantern Comics

This week, Kyle and returning champion Eric Diaz discuss one of their favorite comics, the once-hailed, once-derided, oft-overlooked Green Lantern. What’re the best and most important runs of the comic? Who were some of the major creators? And will the upcoming HBO series give GL some live-action retribution?

Jul 04, 20241 hr 17 minSeason 1Ep. 53

Doctor Who Season One Wrap-Up

Tai Gooden returns to talk with Kyle about the recently ended Doctor Who season one (aka series 14, aka the first Disney+ one). They go episode by episode to determine the best and worst episodes, whether Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson made a good impression, and just what the hell was that Sutekh thing all about?

Jun 27, 20241 hr 35 minSeason 1Ep. 53

James Bond Franchise

The name is Anderson. Kyle Anderson. This week, he discusses the James Bond franchise with friend and filmmaker Matt Warren. They both love the movies and the books, but is it a series that really needs to continue? Is changing it worth the effort or should it go by the wayside? If you’re in Los Angeles, check out Matt’s debut sci-fi/horror flick, Delicate Arch, playing at Dances with Films festival June 28.

Jun 20, 20241 hr 33 minSeason 1Ep. 52

David Lynch w/ Maggie Mae Fish

This week, Kyle welcomes video essayist and cohost of the Lynch Pins podcast, Maggie Mae Fish, to discuss the work of the truly singular David Lynch. From the importance of Twin Peaks to the dark empathy of Mulholland Drive, Kyle and Maggie talk all things David Lynch. Find Lynch Pins wherever you get podcasts, or uncut on Nebula.

Jun 13, 20241 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 51

Ultraman

Finally! Kyle has finally found someone to talk about Ultraman with. And who better than the writer-director of the Netflix animated feature film, Ultraman: Rising ? Together they discuss why the franchise is so much fun, what led to making an Ultraman movie, and which series are best.

Jun 06, 202454 minSeason 1Ep. 50

Furiosa and the Mad Max Franchise

Hot on the heels of the release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Kyle and Michael Walsh discuss the film and the one-of-a-kind wasteland glory of the entire Mad Max franchise. And, of course, they talk about Italian rip-offs, because of course.

May 30, 20241 hr 40 minSeason 1Ep. 49

Legal Thrillers from the ‘90s

In one of our most esoteric episodes yet, Kyle welcomes back Adam Murray to discuss another genre he’s been obsessed with lately: legal and courtroom thrillers from the ‘90s. Why does this captivate him so? What movies are worth revisiting now? And what’s more exciting: Tom Cruise running or Tom Cruise shouting?

May 23, 20241 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 48

X-Men ’97 Season One

This week, hot on the heels of the finale for X-Men ’97, Kyle and returning champion Eric Diaz break down the entire season and why it might be the best X-Men media ever outside of comics. What do they hope for a season two, and how can the MCU ever hope to capture this gift to mutant fans?

May 16, 20241 hr 30 minSeason 1Ep. 47
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