nerdfest Podcast: Movies, TV, Trivia and Fun!

A very special episode awaits, as we are LIVE at Nerd Fest with five incredible guests- including Diane Youdale, "Jet" from the original UK series of Gladiators, who takes us behind the scenes of the show and tells us what she thinks of the new BBC series. We also talk to Alex Forman who played Behemoth in 'Loki' season 2. He has some wonderful stories from the set, and how he was brought on for scenes he wasn’t in so the other actors could act against him. Mike Norris is a fantasy comedy author whose first novel 'Reap, Sleep, Rock, Repeat' garnered great reviews. He talks about battling imposter syndrome and writing during Covid. Rudi Jennings is the author of fantasy novel 'The Last Myon' which sold out on its first day on Amazon. He has become known for a very distinct writing style inspired by an interest in psychology and the countryside. And Ross Mullan is an actor known for playing white walkers in 'Game of Thrones' and has a CV that includes 'Dr Who' and 'Clash of the Titans'. He talks about bringing life to physical characters and finding a love for acting.

On today’s show we have our Buff or Bluff quiz where we’ll try to outfox each other with both true and made up nerd trivia. Today’s rounds include the “You wouldn’t steal a…” advert, Shakespeare facts (so sorry Dan), the 1992-2000 series of Gladiators, “versus” plot lines, and some random stuff from Peter! And, it’s that time again! It’s hats season, aka Hazel’s world famous, far too complicated Oscars sweepstake. And what’s that?! ANOTHER hat? What could it be for?

On today’s love-filled show, our nerds talk passionately about the movies and TV shows they’ve been gorging on recently- including 'All of Us Strangers', 'American Fiction', 'Mr and Mrs Smith', and 'The Holdovers'. And in the spirit of St Valentine Hazel concocts a quiz about famous romantic movie quotes as you’ve never heard them before.

That’s right it’s episode 150! To celebrate we’re bringing back some of our favourite games to play. Dan takes on Andy in Nerd Court - will 'Spider-Man No Way Home' be sent to Nerd jail? Will the judge be unbiased for a change? Will objections be raised? Plus, many hijinks were had in our game of Buff or Bluff, a game we’ve been playing since episode 1. But are there any movie facts left? Turns out, yes, as we tackle subject areas including the number 150 in film, some of the odder “What if” comics, movie locations, the plots of strange sports movies, and octopusses in film! Can we work out the truth from our nerds’ pack of lies? Thank you all so much for listening, whether you’re brand new to Nerdfest, or you’ve listened to all 150 episodes (in which case, we’re so sorry).

We’re back! For our first podcast of 2024 we chat about the films and TV shows that we’re most looking forward to. We also reveal the number one thing we most enjoyed watching over the Christmas break. To round things off, Dan has an enormously fun quiz. Know how many gallons of water it took to flood the grand staircase for Titanic? Come and play your cards right…

It’s our end of year special as Peter, Dan, Andy, Jon and Hazel each countdown their top 3 favourite things from the year. From entire TV shows to specific moments in episodes, it’s a great recap of what captured our imagination in 2023. But what claimed the top spot? Plus, Hazel has a quiz to test the nerds knowledge of what happened this year.

"Completely average size" apparently, as Dan, Jon, Andy and Peter execute their bluffs with Military precision. We have 'facts" of questionable veracity about bizarre comic book crossovers, the Cinema of North Korea, the great Napoleon, and some famous TV and movie vehicles. And Santa (Dan) comes early this year for our nerds.

For Fleurken’s sake, it’s another Nerdfest episode! This time we’re delighted to be reunited with Ian Mayor, who is a puddle of excitement about “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters”. Also we review David Fincher’s “The Killer”, sci-fi romance “Fingernails”, Palme D’or winner “Anatomy of a Fall”, the bizarre “007 Road to a Million”, and the MCU’s latest, “The Marvels.”

This week’s show is a particularly funny one. No, not funny like a clown per se… Yes, it’s time for some Wise Guys in the second instalment of our “Something old, something new” where we get to discuss a Martin Scorsese classic: Goodfellas (which, for one of our nerds, also marks a Shameful Gap). The “something new” is Loki Season 2. Which isn’t making us laugh so much as leaving us rather bewildered. Plus, we open the show with a quickfire round of recommendations, and pay tribute to one of our favourites- the great Matthew Perry.

It’s Buff or Bluff time! Can we work out the manufactured lies from this week’s lineup of entertainment facts? Our topics include “Return to Oz”, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, Dr Who baddies, and Alfred Hitchcock. Plus, with Halloween being just around the corner, we discuss some of our favourite horrifying movie experiences, including one recent hell-raising experience that resulted in the exchange of gifts between Andy and Jon.

We recorded this episode remotely due to a bout of Covid in the ranks, but still had the best of times discussing everything we’ve been enjoying recently. Recommendations this week include original sci fi movie 'The Creator', and Bob Mortimer’s first-ever novel 'The Satsuma Complex'. We also talk enthusiastically about Netflix’s adaptation of Japanese manga 'One Piece', as well as Celine Song’s fantastic feature debut 'Past Lives.' As Jon was too "busy" to write a review, Dan makes him do an epic forfeit. Plus! It’s the return of Shameful Gap, as one (or maybe two) of our nerds watches 'An American Werewolf in London' for the very first time.

We’re shaking things up at Nerdfest this week and introducing a new format: Something Old, Something New. Hazel, Jon, Peter, Dan and Ian discuss their fondest memories of an old favourite "Jurassic Park" and what makes that movie stand the test of time. Then we head into the land of "Ahsoka" and are given some much needed context on the series from Dan. Plus we have a quick-fire round of reviews of "Men", "What We Do In The Shadows", Shyamalan's "Old", "Lincoln Lawyer Season 2" and "Elemental". And finally, can you beat the team in Dan's quiz where you match the actors to their Action Hero punchlines?

It’s a quiz-tastic episode! Today’s Buff or Bluff covers topics ranging from almost-made Godzilla crossover movies, movie costumes, evil sea creatures, and films set in Las Vegas. Plus! Join in on Andy’s fun quiz, as he gives us two movies from the same year and we try to guess which made the most money. Yay Capitalism!

We're ALL in a Barbie world this week- as Jon, Peter and Andy are joined by Louise to review both halves of the Barbenheimer double bill. Plus "Evil Dead Rise" and murder mystery comedy show "The After Party", and we uncover shortages of pink paint and Prosecco.

On today’s show we talk about how excited we are for Barbenheimer, and what the repercussions of the actors’ strike might be. We then have a group discussion on Mission:Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1. Our main reviews and recommendations include going all the way back to “Prehistoric Planet” from National Treasure Sir David Attenborough. In an unfortunate segue, we then chat about asteroids in Wes Anderson’s latest, “Asteroid City.” Andy recommends “1976”, a Chilean drama set against the backdrop of the military coup. Jon then takes us into the speed force via “The Flash”, an experience he enjoyed much more than he expected (WARNING: skip if you don’t want spoilers). And finally Hazel recommends “Hijack” (although for legal purposes, it should be clear that she’s recommending the new Apple TV show, not the practice). And….we’re just so, so sorry about Jon’s song choices in this episode. Enjoy!

We give you our (spoiler free) reactions to 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.' We’re split on this one - how did you find it? Plus the first two episodes of 'Secret Invasion'- most of us are hoping it gets…less boring? Plus, we have our Buff or Bluff quiz, with topics including Indiana Jones rip off films, and some little known facts about popular songs, The Dark Knight, and Glastonbury.

Choo choo! It’s another hugely enjoyable, thought provoking and downright filthy episode of Nerdfest! It’s recommendations time, and today that includes “Reality” a very-much-based-on-a-true-story drama about a pivotal moment in U.S politics. Peter diagnoses “The Patient”; a psychological thriller series starring Steve Carrell. Andy reviews “8 Mountains” (Everest is lovely at this time of year apparently). Jon gives us an arty car boot viewpoint from Quentin Tarantino, with a review of his book, “Cinema Speculation”. And Ian Mac has a cunning plan…

We bring you our first reactions to seeing "Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse" together. Plus, it’s a Buff or Bluff episode, and that means mindgames and trickery as we try to sort the true facts from the all-out lies! Topics include the iconic Geena Davis, "Happy Days" spin offs, First Lines, Time Travel Movies, and "Spaceballs"!

Today’s show is a medley of what we have been enjoying recently, starting with "Guardians of the Galaxy 3". Andy recommends the incredible “Still: A Michael J Fox film”. Dan heads into the “Silo” to tell us about Apple’s new post-apocalyptic series. Peter is empowered to talk about Prime’s intriguing new drama “The Power”. Jon is a “Deadringer” for someone who actually recommends something good for a change. And Hazel waxes lyrical about “The Diplomat”, written and produced by a West Wing alumni. We definitely don’t spend too much time saying “diplomatic immunity” a la Lethal Weapon 2….just kidding, of course we do.

It’s all lies and deceit as we play our monthly round of Buff or Bluff. Among the topics are the repercussions of the 2008 Writer’s Strike (leading us to a rare thoughtful discussion about the current strike). We also tackle TV show crossovers, as well as “facts” about one great actor and one awful one: Viggo Mortensen, and Shia LaBeouf. And Peter tells us about the times Keanu Reeves replaced Johnny Depp in movies. Which is a trend we’d like to see often repeated. And it’s the return of our Shameful Gap feature, where one of our nerds watches an older film for the very first time. Today, that film is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Come and reminisce with us!