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.

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://instagram.com/nerdist/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

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

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

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?

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!

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. 

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.

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! 

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?

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?

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!

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!

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?

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?

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. 

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*_gcl_au*MjA2NzcxNzM1Mi4xNzM2NDYxNTM1*_ga*MjA1NTk2Nzc0OS4xNzM2NDYxNTM1*_ga_5WKVY8503C*MTczNjQ2MTUzNS4xLjEuMTczNjQ2MTU3Ny4xOC4wLjA.#!/donation/checkout?c_src=2025-site-detail-cafires-footer Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is also providing food and resources to people displaced by the fires: https://www.lafoodbank.org/fire/ Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network has a great directory of on-the-ground initiatives: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1KMk34XY5dsvVJjAoD2mQUVHYU_Ib6COz6jcGH5uJWDY/htmlview?usp=sharing

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.

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.

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. 

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!

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.

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. 

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.

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! 

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.

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!

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

Kyle once again welcomes Nerdist's editor-in-chief and Star Wars field reporter Amy Ratcliffe to talk about two similar yet wildly different animated outings: the brand new Tales of the Empire and 2022's Tales of the Jedi. Why does one work so well while the other hardly works at all?