Moderate Fantasy Violence

This fortnight, we finally catch Sinners (19:28, with midway twist spoilers from 26:33), the cinema sensation of 2025 so far, plus the latest season of Netflix's Love, Death & Robots (35:19), including the usual countdown of our favourite episodes. With bonus discussion of Homicide: Life on the Street and Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Lastly, if you still need to back Nick's SoulD #2 Kickstarter, you've got about 28 hours after this podcast drops…

This fortnight, in a change to the planned schedule, it's another Marvel double-bill with Thunderbolts* (12:36, spoilers from 25:00) and Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man season 1 (29:33, spoilers from 37:30). Elsewhere, Alastair's watched new Netflix anime Terminator Zero and Nick's read rural noir dark fantasy comic Revival, ahead of its upcoming TV adaptation. If you want to back Nick's kickstarter for the second issue of SoulD, you've got about two weeks left!

This fortnight, we're delving into the dark side of superheroics with Daredevil: Born Again (19:35), then the grimy underbelly of tech and society itself in Black Mirror season 7 (38:15). Plus bonus chat about the final season of Superman & Lois, plus the new Viagra Boys album Viagr Aboys (not a typo). Nick's latest comic is also live on Kickstarter! It's the second issue of his series SoulD with Phil Appley, about corporations selling our souls in rock form and weirdos carving them into silly statues! He'd just love it if you clicked here and checked it out.

It's all teenage death all the time this fortnight, but with very different tones, as we discuss the lurid cult-horror of Yellowjackets season 3 (18:18) and the all-too-real sadness of Netflix's Adolescence (39:34). Plus some bonus less-grim chat about acclaimed animated movie Flow and the fourth season of Apple TV sitcom Mythic Quest - including one host making a shocking on-air discovery.

This fortnight, we enter the surreal worlds of Severance season 2 (16:07) and Grand Theft Hamlet (36:22). Plus we recommend each other the also-odd movies Dog man and In Camera.

This fortnight, we cover new high-concept scifi movie Mickey 17 (22:57) and the latest season of Invincible (38:38), the scifi superhero show we've previously raved about, with spoilers from 42:48. Plus bonus chat about the play Dear England and TV show Hacks.

This fortnight, we delve into the dark side of tech with new movie Companion (20:34) and the first two volumes of technothriller comic W0rldtr33 (33:14). Plus Nick's read loads of comics from Marvel's Ultimate line, while Alastair's watched Oscar-dominating movie Anora, plus has some thoughts on the results.

This fortnight, we're heading into the bold future of Captain America: Brave New World (13:10) and the bloody past of Dexter: Original Sin (26:53, ruination-level spoilers from 38:16). Plus bonus opening chat about Prime Target and Sweetpea.

This fortnight, the superhumans threaten to go boom in new comic series The Power Fantasy (15:49), while space itself almost blows up in Star Trek: Section 31 (34:47). Also featuring some chat about The Brutalist, as part of Alastair's ongoing Oscars coverage, and Colin From Accounts. More shownotes on ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Time for Alastair's favourite time of year as we get stuck into two big Oscar-season movie releases - the new remake of Nosferatu (16:22) and A Real Pain (35:11). Plus Alastair's also seen Nickel Boys, while Nick's broken the theme by watching The Traitors season 3 (like the rest of Britain). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, some climactic cartoon chat, as we cover the final seasons of both What If? (12:44) and Star Trek: Lower Decks (28:34). Plus some bonus chat about Alan Moore's new novel The Great When and the new Robbie-Williams-as-monkey movie Better Man. Longer shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

As 2025 begins, one last gasp for last year, as we get together for our traditional end of year round-up episode. Witness our general thoughts and top five favourites for both film (17:33) and TV (43:29) in 2024. And for those who prefer it when we review specific things, there's also chat about Dune: Prophecy and the recent Doctor Who special Joy to the World at the very start. More shownotes and end of year review articles, including Alastair's year in film and Nick's Top Ten TV Shows, at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Time once again for one of our famous barely-festive Christmas specials, as we cover Arcane season 2 (18:50) and Blitz (32:39). Plus some bonus chat about Baby Reindeer (sounds kinda seasonal!) and Day of the Jackal (less so!). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Two big follow-ups this fortnight, with Gladiator II (16:10) and The Diplomat season 2 (27:45). Plus bonus chat about the new Linkin Park album and the Monsters graphic novel by Barry Windsor-Smith. Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, one final comic book supervillain story with The Penguin (17:26) and then a more grounded, theological story of villainy in Heretic (32:30). Plus some chat about Only Murders In The Building season 4 and the filmed version of a recent Kiss Me Kate production. See more at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

At last, our longawaited Marvel villain/anti-hero special, covering Agatha All Along (17:58 with full spoilers from 26:37) and Venom: The Last Dance (40:45). Plus some bonus TV chat about Totally Completely Fine and Reservation Dogs. Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, we're covering the fourth season of our beloved Slow Horses (17:58), plus new British scifi-comedy Timestalker (36:52), with some opening chat about neo-classic crime comic Criminal and Alastair's annual thoughts about his London Film Festival viewing. If you want to check out Nick's new comics kickstarter for SoulD, a fantasy-cyberpunk comic about coporations selling our souls and two sisters caught in the middle, head over to this link and check it out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nickbryan/sould Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, we take on two current movies: Joker: Folie a Deux (22:41, ending spoilers from 39:26) and Rebel Ridge (43:10). One has been extremely well received, the other has not. Also featuring bonus chat about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Superman & Lois season 3. Fuller shownotes on ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, we start off with Douglas is Cancelled and The Outrun, before diving into our main course reviews of Starve Acre (20:57) and The Bear season 3 (36:52). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com 

This fortnight, it's a weird world in The Umbrella Academy season 4 (14:17) and Cuckoo (33:56). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

We're off to the movies for a scare this fortnight, with latest scifi-horror sequel Alien: Romulus (15:52 with moderate spoilers throughout) and unsettling psychological media-horror I Saw The TV Glow (32:00). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

After a few episodes falling a bit behind thanks to holiday schedules, we're back on the cutting edge of media with Deadpool & Wolverine (19:59) and House of the Dragon season 2 (37:42). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, we catch up with some earlier releases (because Nick was on holiday) - it's Peacemaker Tries Hard! (15:24) from DC Comics and the Netflix movie Spaceman (26:19). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

An all-animation special this time, as we cover Scavengers Reign (15:52) and Inside Out 2 (30:35). Fuller shownotes on ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, we feel the otherworldly presences of Doctor Who (15:04) and Godzilla Minus One (39:57). Considerable spoilers for both, you have been warned. Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, we return for the second run of two podcast favourites: punk sitcom We Are Lady Parts (18:27) and crime comic Newburn (32:05). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Whole new cinematic universes branch from the ground, as we cover Max Max prequel Furiosa (16:29) and Sandman-adjacent Netflix show Dead Boy Detectives (33:20). If you're reading this within about 4 hours of the episode dropping, you can still back Nick's latest comics kickstarter The Collected Letters of Courier Z! Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, two eagerly anticipated adaptations - the millennial-nostalgia event X-Men '97 (13:36) and post-apocalyptic video game series Fallout (27:28). And remember you can still back Nick's Courier Z Kickstarter for another two weeks. Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, an exercise in extreme contrast with thoughtful historical drama Shogun (24:39) and cartoonish high school comedy Bottoms (40:18). Meanwhile, Nick is back on Kickstarter with The Collected Letters of Courier Z, a series of stories about a space-postwoman turning to crime. Check that out here. And see fuller shownotes about this episode at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, we face the horrible present-future with Civil War (18:10), then retreat into a cosy fantastical past with Renegade Nell (34:48). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

We make a mockery of our podcast name this fortnight, tackling two releases where the violence is definitely not moderate - Invincible season 2 (15:03) and Monkey Man (34:15). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Back to Nick's superhero territory this fortnight, with the second season of powers-focused sitcom Extraordinary (20:40) and the first two issues of the new Ultimate Spider-Man series (36:02) from Marvel Comics. Fuller shownotes on ModerateFantasyViolence.com

A big episode for Alastair this week, as we cover his annual Oscar predictions audio extravaganza, and the new Dune movie (16:11, with hard spoilers from 25:24), plus bonus piracy with Our Flag Means Death season 2 (36:52, spoilers from 43:34). Fuller shownotes on ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Some seasonal February moments of dark intensity this fortnight, in The Iron Claw (12:19) and the new Mr & Mrs Smith series (26:37). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

We're covering two separate ends of the movie spectrum this fortnight, with thoughtful current Oscar-contending movie American Fiction (15:40) on one side, and last year's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (29:38) on the other. Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, 2024 begins in earnest with Oscar-nominated film Poor Things (14:07) and new Marvel show Echo (28:06). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

As is traditional, the first episode of a new year is spent mopping up some leftovers from the end of the previous one, with What If... season 2 (12:49) and Slow Horses season 3 (31:17). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

The new year 2024 has begun, and that can only mean one thing - time for Moderate Fantasy Violence to talk about the previous one! Nick and Alastair assemble to look back on the movies (9:47) and TV shows (35:47) of 2023, both giving a broad overview chat, then running down their top 5 favourites each. Fuller shownotes (and full-length year-end summary articles) at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Time for our festive late-2000s nostalgia special, as we cover the Doctor Who 60th anniversary Fourteenth Doctor specials (11:38) and the new Scott Pilgrim Takes Off anime (36:36). Fairly liberal spoilers for both, so recommend watching them before listening if you're heavily invested in either property. Especially the Scott Pilgrim one. Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, there's all kinds of sinister things happening at the universities, as we cover polarising dark academia movie Saltburn (13:49) and edgy superkids-at-uni show Gen V (37:05), a spin-off from The Boys. Fair warning - we manage not to explicitly spoil Saltburn, but do heavily imply the nature of the ending. You may want to see the film first if you feel strongly. Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Right into the state-of-Marvel discourse this week with The Marvels (14:55, post-credits mega-spoilers from 25:29) and Loki season 2 (33:38, ending spoilers from 39:30). Don't say we're not relevant. Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Back to regular programming this fortnight, with the final series of Ghosts (12:10), the well-received BBC haunted house sitcom, and future-house scifi movie Foe (23:42). Fuller shownotes on ModerateFantasyViolence.com

It's our double-centennial episode! And to mark this frankly unnecessary amount of podcasting, we recommend more of our all-time favourites, with Nick bringing popular comic series Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye (15:08) and Alastair supplying cult movie The Royal Tenembaums (32:52). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

A robot rampage this fortnight, as we cover new scifi movie The Creator (11:40) and latest Star Wars streaming show Ahsoka (24:33). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, we're battling romance itself in Love Everlasting (12:43) and capitalism in How To Blow Up A Pipeline (23:34). Heavy stuff. Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Intense times this fortnight, as we dive back into the hellish kitchen of The Bear's second season (14:14 with a few unlabelled spoilers, sorry), then a more literal underworld in Damn Them All. (31:44)

This fortnight, we're both away in the lofty world of demons and angels in Good Omens 2 (12:27, ending spoilers from 23:01) and down in the dirty world of secret agents in Old Dog (29:55). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

It's the return of the Netflix movie double-bill this fortnight, with They Cloned Tyrone (12:08) and Extraction 2 (23:47). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

To our own surprise, we manage to cover burning-hot new movie Oppenheimer (13:29), along with some thoughts from Alastair about Barbie, along with latest Marvel mini-series Secret Invasion (28:32). Fuller shownotes on ModerateFantasyViolence.com

This fortnight, we're heading into the criminal underworld with Nimona (15:09) and then the literal underground with Silo season 1 (24:54). Fuller shownotes on ModerateFantasyViolence.com

We travel all across the different sides of America this episode, with the dark underbelly in Poker Face (13:56) and an altogether more whimsical angle in Asteroid City (26:52). Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com