Nerd Legion

Captain America: Brave New World somehow fails to explore any interesting topics in what might be the most bland Marvel film yet released. Simply put: there is nothing "brave" about this film as it adamantly refuses to engage with interesting topics such as Captain America's role in a politically divided country, what it means to be a Black Captain America, and Sam Wilson's choice to not take the super serum. The film goes through the same motions as most Marvel film, but without any memorable scenes. Anthony Mackie is not given an opportunity to display his acting chops since the script plays it much too safe, and the movie fails to even generate a single iota of American patriotism or optimism.

03-10

01:03:29

Netflix's second anime film version of The Witcher has dropped, this time featuring Geralt of Rivia in an adventure called Sirens of the Deep. While some Witcher fans may not be pleased by the liberties taken in this adaptation of a story by author Andrzej Sapkowski, Monte and DoA found it to be charmingly reminiscent of a quest from The Witcher series of video games. With the departure of Henry Cavill from the Netflix series, this movie uses Geralt's voice actor from the games, Doug Cockle, alongside support actors from the live-action show Joey Batey and Anya Chalotra. In spite of the occasionally over-the-top anime action, both Sirens of the Deep and Nightmare of the Wolf offer more satisfying Witcher stories than most of the episodes of the TV series and should amuse fans of the IP.Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code NL for 10% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

02-22

01:02:48

Mind-bending thriller Severance season two has finally begun after an extended break, but the wait has delivered perhaps the best show currently running on television. Ben Stiller's direction and oversight of Severance as a producer has yielded an immaculately paced and intricate mystery, offering a steady drip-feed of tantalizing reveals every episode. The intrigue and insidiousness of Lumon continues to grow, and Monte and DoA discuss their ideas and theories surrounding the show. Severance's exceptional plot, cinematography, and notable cast deserve your time and attention like few shows currently on the air.Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code NERD at https://www.shopmando.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

02-14

01:04:30

Another Alex Kurtzman Star Trek turd has dropped on Paramount Plus and this one is called "Section 31." Originally designed as a stand-alone tv series starring Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou, the project was hacked down to a 90 minute film that might be the single worst piece of Star Trek ever created. The movie succeeds in being constantly annoying, cliched, and thoroughly unfunny throughout its entire runtime and fails to even jump the shark into "so bad it's good" territory. Without Star Trek branding this film is barely recognizable as Star Trek, as it contains none of the values or vision created by Gene Roddenberry. Into the AM Anniversary Sale from January 22 - February 9 with up to 50% OFF. Get an additional 10% off with code LFN at https://ww.intotheam.com/lfnGet the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code NL for 10% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

02-07

01:21:56

Skeleton Crew concludes on Disney Plus, but where does it rank all-time among Star Wars films and TV shows? Monte and DoA discuss their affection for the show, in spite of the fact that it is almost wholly derivative of other cinematic and literary work, because the execution of its tropes is good and it spices them up with clever Star Wars flourishes. Jude Law also turns in one of the most memorable Star Wars performances in years as Ja Na Nawood and the child actors alongside him deliver as well. While the ratings may be low compared to other Star Wars shows, Skeleton Crew's short 8 episodes are well worth your time.Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code NL for 10% off your entire order.Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code NERD at https://www.shopmando.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

01-31

57:13

Dune: Prophecy delves into the past, 10,000 years prior to the original Dune series and the latest films by Denis Villeneuve. HBO Max's new series clearly apes the political intrigue of their previous shows like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, ultimately Dune: Prophecy fails in getting the audience emotionally invested in the characters. While beautifully shot and designed in the vein of Villeneuve's Dune aesthetic, the plot feels rushed and unresolved, leading to an emotionally unsatisfying conclusion in spite of strong acting.Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code NERD at https://www.shopmando.com!Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code NL for 10% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

01-25

01:09:17

MonteCristo and DoA discuss "Secret Level", an Amazon Prime Video anthology series based on video game franchises. They reveal which shorts are worth watching, which ones to skip, and their hopes for the second season of the show.EXPRESSVPN now sponsors Nerd Legion! Get THREE free months of service with our link: https://www.expressvpn.com/nerdlegionControl Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code NERD at https://www.shopmando.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

01-12

54:56

Welcome back to Nerd Legion! In this exciting episode, MonteCristo and DoA dive deep into the far reaches of the galaxy with a review of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew! Join us as we unravel why this series shines brighter than some of the recent Star Wars projects. From nostalgic nods to 80's and 90's films, to standout performances by the cast, there's a lot to unpack. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newbie to the franchise, this discussion is packed with insights that you won’t want to miss. Hit that play button and grab your lightsaber for an exciting ride!EXPRESSVPN now sponsors Nerd Legion! Get THREE free months of service with our link: https://www.expressvpn.com/nerdlegionEnjoy the first episode of "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" with this accompanying commentary from MonteCristo and DoA! - https://soundcloud.com/lfnculture/nerd-legion-skeleton-crew-ep-1-watch-along-audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12-24

01:03:41

Dive into the latest episode of Nerd Legion as MonteCristo and DoA break down Max's surprisingly compelling Batman spinoff, "The Penguin"! Join us as we spotlight the incredible performances from Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, and explore the film's complex themes found in classic mafia tales. We’ll discuss how "The Penguin" refreshingly reimagines Oz as a captivating villain, offering viewers a unique perspective. Don't miss out on this deep dive into the world of Gotham's underbelly and see why this spinoff deserves a watch!EXPRESSVPN now sponsors Nerd Legion! Get THREE free months of service with our link: https://www.expressvpn.com/nerdlegionControl Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code NERD at https://www.shopmando.com!Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code NL for 10% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12-15

01:11:27

We review the final episodes of Arcane Season 2!Thank you to our sponsors for powering today's episode!Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code NERD at https://www.shopmando.com!Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code NL for 10% off your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12-08

01:31:03

A long-awaited anime adaptation of Junji Ito's manga Uzumaki has finally arrived, but unfortunately with uneven results. Commissioned by Cartoon Network for Adult Swim, Uzumaki suffered serious delays in production and drama with the directors and animation studios. While the art style accurately reflects Ito's original work, the animation beyond the first episode leaves much to be desired and leads to some sequences being goofy instead of scary. For a show that took five years to release just four episodes, only the first one shows the love and care fans expected when viewing the trailers and teaser materials.Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code NERD at https://www.shopmando.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12-04

51:57

Dive into the thrilling world of Arcane Season 2 in our latest review! Join MonteCristo and DoA as they break down the first batch of episodes, scrutinizing the stunning animation and exploring the hefty budget that brought this masterpiece to life. With their extensive history with League of Legends, these veteran hosts uncover the driving forces behind the show's success while tackling the biggest unsolved mystery lurking in Runeterra! Don't miss a minute of their expert insights! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11-15

01:05:12

Get ready for an in-depth exploration as MonteCristo and DoA break down Netflix's "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance" in this episode of Nerd Legion! Join the duo as they dive into the expansive Gundam universe, dissecting the unexpected portrayal of iconic mechas and the show's narrative twists. While the review touches on some captivating elements, the duo won’t shy away from critiquing the not-so-great animation that left fans wanting more. Perfect for both seasoned Gundam lovers and newbies, this review is packed with insights. Don't miss out; tune in now and add your thoughts in the comments! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11-13

01:08:04

A dense, enigmatic, and bombastic epic, John Boorman's 1981 film Excalibur brings the Arthurian romances to life in all their symbolic glory. Featuring a stellar cast, including Helen Mirren, Nicol Williamson, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Ciarán Hinds, and Gabriel Byrne, the film is an opportunity to see many lauded British and Irish actors early in their careers. Excalibur leans into the episodic and mysterious nature of the Arthurian stories, leaving it to the viewer to interpret and understand the events unfolding on screen. The film also provides a visual feast with amazing costuming, epic set-pieces, and stunning cinematography, all of which add to its larger than life feel. While challenging and, at times, confusing, Excalibur holds up well in the modern day and its ambition is second-to-none.Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code NERD at https://www.shopmando.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11-02

01:24:36

Clash of the Titans continues Nerd Legion's 1980s fantasy marathon, taking us into Greek mythology (kind of) with Perseus' battles against Medusa and the Kraken. While straying very far from its source material, the film gave us Ray Harryhausen's last crack at stop-motion and effects wizardry as a capstone to a multi-decade career in Hollywood. Maggie Smith and Lawrence Olivier also add some dramatic weight as Greek gods to counter-balance the action sequences of Harry Hamlin's Perseus. A little bit silly, but still compelling, Clash of the Titans remains a fantasy classic and a must-watch for fans of the genre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices