This is one of those movies that people tend to sleep on, which is unfortunate, because it is not only exceptionally well-crafted, it's also VERY entertaining. We're covering it because it's a Netflix original, and the theaters are still closed. So go stream this and then come listen to us talk about it. 1:00 - Jordan gags on his name 4:27 - Above the line 7:11 - Spoiler free review 11:05 - Spoilers ahead (although, this movie isn't terribly vulnerable to spoilers, so...maybe don't worry about i...
Jun 05, 2020•42 min
This is a great movie, and this was a really fun episode, but Jordan would like to make the following important note about the recording: Apologies for the low battery fire alarm beeping in the background of this WHOLE episode. I mean what was I supposed to do? Stop recording and go replace the batteries? Instead of just continuing forward and hoping that the mic wouldn't pick it up? Well I was wrong and you can definitely hear it. The whole time. In addition the crying toddlers. Do me a favor? ...
Jun 02, 2020•52 min
The Lovebirds wastes its two best assets, Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, by letting the entire burden of comedy rest on their shoulders. We were both looking forward to this movie a lot, and it turned out to be quite the disappointment. If you're interested, watch the first act, then shut it down and check out some of the other movies we talked about in this episode. 4:00 - Discussing the names above the line 6:15 - Our spoiler-free review 8:42 - Jordan's theory about how this movie got made 11:3...
May 29, 2020•37 min
Avengers: Infinity War - TWO YEARS LATER Remember that moment in Endgame where they killed Thanos and then there was a title card that was all like, "FIVE YEARS LATER," and we were all like "WHOAH." This episode is kind of like that, but way, way less epic. OK, for real, we started Nerd Critic just over two years ago, right around the time that Infinity War came out (and partly because of it), so that should give you some idea of the importance of this film in Nerd Critic's history. We felt it w...
May 26, 2020•56 min
Stargirl misses the point of itself While Julia Hart brought a lovely, grounded aesthetic to the cinematic language, the story, the writing, and much of the acting was quite a disappointment. But hey! We found plenty of things to talk and rant about (as always). Enjoy! 3:00 - Jordan talks about having read the book many years ago 6:50 - Above the line, and some enthusiasm for Julia Hart, and Stargirl being played by actual, successful singer/songwriter Grace VanderWaal 14:20 - The spoiler free r...
May 23, 2020•54 min
We've been wanting to do this movie for so long. Was it worth the wait? Well, you'll have to listen to find out, won't you? We're so good at sales. Notes: 2:00 - On not being alone in front of a computer 4:26 - Above the line 8:10 - Spoiler free review 15:27 - Nerding out with spoilers! 24:40 - Leveling some criticism (stay in the balloon!) 44:00 - What are we talking about next week? Stargirl on Disney+ (and other stuff coming up) 46:00 - A special request: Send us an audio file of you explaini...
May 16, 2020•48 min
Extraction and our 2nd Birthversary In this latest Netflix original movie, Chris Hemsworth is a sad god of thunder. While there were serious thematic issues to unpack (and condemn), it was, nonetheless, far better couch fair than we had any right to expect. Plus: a promo for another show! And: a Nerd Critic Birthversary treat! 02:00 - Your Brain on Facts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1347915211 03:40 - Our conversation about Extraction begins 05:20 - Above the line (and particular men...
May 08, 2020•55 min
The Perks of After Life This is the last week or our experimental format, so we figured we'd earned some title gore. If you're still confused, read on! Oh, and for those of you who make it through the first few minutes of this episode, we'll just leave this right here: https://youtu.be/Juzy2YVQgw8 0:02:42 - Announcement! ...no more TV :( 0:06:00 - Talking about the Universal/AMC/Regal drama 0:11:45 - The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Netflix) 0:39:40 - After Life (Netflix) 0:57:00 - Coming next w...
May 01, 2020•59 min
We devoted fully two thirds of this episode to breathless admiration of what may be the best-written show in recent history. Can you guess which platform it's NOT on? While it was fun to pillory Jeffrey Katzenberg's exorbitantly expensive and stupidly-named pet project, it was way more fun to talk about HBO's second, and somehow even more amazing season of Succession. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcri...
Apr 27, 2020•15 min
We devoted fully two thirds of this episode to breathless admiration of what may be the best-written show in recent history. Can you guess which platform it's NOT on? While it was fun to pillory Jeffrey Katzenberg's exorbitantly expensive and stupidly-named pet project, it was way more fun to talk about HBO's second, and somehow even more amazing season of Succession. The Atlantic's review of Quibi: https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/04/quibi-vast-wasteland/609796/ 0:04:22 - New Re...
Apr 27, 2020•1 hr 26 min
CJ'S FAVORITE MOVIE. And one of Jordan's favorite TV shows. Yes, it seems like he has a lot of those, but can you blame him? It's PEAK TV, people! Anyway, the point is that CJ only has ONE favorite movie, and it's a dang good one. Watch, listen, love. How's that for a tagline? Yeah okay we'll keep trying. 0:05:45 - New recommendations 0:10:02 - Succession Season 1 0:49:04 - Sing Street This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episo...
Apr 19, 2020•1 hr 22 min
Our conversation about Clue leads us into a surprisingly painstaking exploration of modern comedies, and Atlanta reminds us, once again, of Donald Glover's unrelenting creative genius. It was a good week for streaming. Here's to another. 0:04:52 - Recommendations 0:11:35 - Clue 0:36:43 - Atlanta 1:14:00 - Wrapping Up Dixon Gaines article about Clue Dawes "5 miles away" This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcr...
Apr 10, 2020•1 hr 15 min
If our show had always been about TV, we would have covered The Office long ago. In this time of loneliness and desperation, a great American sitcom (based on an obscure British sitcom) seems like the perfect medicine. PLUS! A crowd-pleasing streamable movie, and one of Jordan's favorite series on Netflix. 0:05:18 - New recommendations 0:13:48 - Fighting with My Family 0:30:00 - The End of the F***ing World 0:55:09 - The Office 1:27:18 - Closing Remarks This is a public episode. If you would lik...
Apr 04, 2020•1 hr 29 min
It turns out a person can't reasonably plow through 60 episodes of an hourlong drama in a week. This is a learning experience for all of us, OK? You can trust that this week, our streaming assignment for you will be much more manageable. In the meantime, enjoy our best efforts to cover what we saw. And please feel free to skip around using the following table of contents: 00:04:50 - New recommendations! 00:09:07 - "About Time" 00:22:39 - "Community" 00:31:00 - "Breaking Bad" 01:09:55 - Why you s...
Mar 27, 2020•1 hr 17 min
This week, we bring you a long-awaited conversation about a much-ballyhooed TV show. But wait! There's more! Due to the massive disruption in the world of movies and theaters, we are CHANGING THE FORMAT OF OUR SHOW. Until movie theaters reopen, Nerd Critic will now be your best binge-watching companion. Take a listen to this week's special episode to get all the juicy (but still sanitary) details. 0:12:00 - Recommendations 0:18:30 - The Mandalorian 0:30:40 - Bojack Horseman 0:50:10 - Stranger Th...
Mar 20, 2020•1 hr 24 min
This movie came out nine years ago, and boy does it hold us, especially considering certain current anxieties. We start this one off with a PSA about COVID-19, and then give the full Nerd Critic treatment to one of the best disaster movies ever made. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com
Mar 16, 2020•47 min
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com
Mar 13, 2020•40 min
Taika Waititi isn't the first filmmaker to find a way to explore the horrors of Nazi-Germany with the tools of comedy, but he does a fine job of it. And at the heart of the farce is a sincere and grounded story buoyed by pitch perfect performances across the board. We love this movie, and so should you. It's about time we talk about it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com...
Mar 09, 2020•34 min
This is the horror movie we've been waiting for, never relying on jump scares or gore, and keeping us on the edge of our seats right up to an exquisitely satisfying conclusion. Even more, it cuts deep into the thematic marrow of domestic abuse and its consequences. See it. And then come join us for a conversation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com...
Mar 06, 2020•59 min
Right along with Jordan, who often watches it as a joyful birthday tradition. If you've been hankering for a pure nerd-out episode, this one's for you. We also manage to dig into why this movie works so well despite its insistent lack of depth or narrative resonance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com...
Mar 03, 2020•40 min
Everybody loves Mr. Harrison Ford, but not everyone will love the entirely computer generated dog. That's OK! There are some real things to love about this movie, and it is, if nothing else, a fascinating study of the cross-section between live action and animation. In other words, it could have been worse. Oh, friends, it could have been so much worse. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.co...
Feb 28, 2020•46 min
We don't always have guests on our show, but when we do, we get real good ones. Like Davey Morrison! Jordan and CJ were tough sells, but with his humble wisdom, he managed to convince us both of its merits. Jordan reluctantly concedes that Scorsese's a pretty good filmmaker. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com...
Feb 24, 2020•1 hr 2 min
We've heard over and over again that you guys love to hear us fight, and we got pretty heated this time. CJ tried to make the case that criticisms against this kind of movie are unfair. You can pretty well imagine how Jordan responded. But you don't need to! You can listen! So do that. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com...
Feb 22, 2020•48 min
We went live again, and dare we say we improved a bit? You'll have to be the judge. Regardless, we had a great time with some of our bestest fans, and now you can listen to the whole thing without having to see our dumb faces. Podcasting! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com
Feb 17, 2020•1 hr 8 min
It may not be the best of the recent DC offerings, but it's certainly, CERTAINLY not the worst. In this episode, we find plenty to nerd out about, and then wonder a while about why we didn't walk away more satisfied. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com
Feb 15, 2020•34 min
Check out live video here! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com...
Feb 08, 2020•1 hr 6 min
A mopey story of revenge with a dreary setup and a confusing and unsatisfying conclusion. So maybe don't worry too much about spoilers this time around, and join us for a sincere conversation about what went wrong, and what we wish had gone right with this sleepy January offering. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com...
Feb 07, 2020•34 min
Join us tomorrow (2/4) at 8pm PST for our first live episode EVER! Here are the live stream links! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nerdcritic/posts/471761546826918 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHUBbmLwPL32MpAV07OeyAg/live This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com...
Feb 03, 2020•2 min
A chillingly effective illustration of socio-economic reality, this might be one of the most important works of nihilism we've ever seen. But boy does the dark comedy help that bitter pill go down. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com
Feb 03, 2020•46 min
Without the speed-ramping (which he seems to have shelved after the embarrassing misfire that was Aladdin), all we're left with is witty dialogue, clever framing devices, his obsession with the world of crime and criminals, and an increasingly inevitable comparison... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com...
Jan 31, 2020•44 min
