THE NERD COLOSSEUM: Tournaments of MOVIES, TV, VIDEO GAMES, & MORE!

We embark on a fascinating journey through the history of 'Doctor Who', beginning with the First Doctor, William Hartnell.

"Christmas Vacation" and "Elf" are set to dazzle in a festive face-off of holiday movie favorites. Join us for an enthralling adventure brimming with analysis, fascinating facts, and a generous dose of holiday spirit as we delve into the enchantment and joy of these treasured cinematic gems. | The Rules of the Game: - Four Rounds, Four Categories: Our showdown is governed by a spinning wheel of chance, deciding four random categories. - Points for Prowess: Each film earns points by outshining its opponent. - The Final Verdict: After all rounds, the film with the most points progresses, while the other takes a seasonal bow. | Image and Movie Clip Credits (with thanks to the magic-makers): 'Christmas Vacation' (1989): Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, written by John Hughes, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and Randy Quaid, 97 minutes, United States, English | Warner Bros. 'Elf' (2003): Directed by Jon Favreau, written by David Berenbaum, starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, and Zooey Deschanel, 97 minutes, United States, English | New Line Cinema. 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (2000): Directed by Ron Howard, written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman, based on the book by Dr. Seuss, starring Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, and Jeffrey Tambor, 104 minutes, United States, English | Universal Pictures. 'Home Alone' (1990): Directed by Chris Columbus, written by John Hughes, starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern, 103 minutes, United States, English | 20th Century Fox. Photographs (photographers unknown): Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil Mavis Staples John Debney Logos: Rotten Tomatoes Logo: Logo of Rotten Tomatoes, a review-aggregation website for film and television. Metacritic Logo: Logo of Metacritic, a review-aggregation website for films, TV shows, music albums, video games, etc. IMDb Logo: The IMDb (Internet Movie Database) logo is a trademark of IMDb.com, Inc. or its affiliates, representing their comprehensive database of movie, TV, and celebrity information. | Fair Use Note: This podcast adheres to the fair use guidelines under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, focusing on criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. We respect copyrights and acknowledge all rights of the respective owners. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thenerdcolosseum/support

'Elf' and 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' engage in a spirited holiday showdown. Who will charm their way to the top, and who will find themselves outshined? It's a high-stakes battle in our holiday movie showdown, where only one can emerge as the ultimate festive favorite! Prepare for an engaging journey filled with insightful critiques, captivating trivia, and holiday cheer as we explore the magic and merriment of these cherished films. | The Rules of the Game: - Four Rounds, Four Categories: Our showdown is governed by a spinning wheel of chance, deciding four random categories. - Points for Prowess: Each film earns points by outshining its opponent. - The Final Verdict: After all rounds, the film with the most points progresses, while the other takes a seasonal bow. | Image and Movie Clip Credits (with thanks to the magic-makers): - 'Elf' (2003): Directed by Jon Favreau, written by David Berenbaum, starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, and Zooey Deschanel, 97 minutes, United States, English | New Line Cinema. - 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (2000): Directed by Ron Howard, written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman, based on the book by Dr. Seuss, starring Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, and Jeffrey Tambor, 104 minutes, United States, English | Universal Pictures. - 'Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas': Directed by Mark Caballero and Seamus Walsh, starring Jim Parsons, Mark Hamill, and Ed Asner, 2014, United States, English | Warner Bros. Television. - 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas!' (1966): Directed by Chuck Jones and Ben Washam, narrated by Boris Karloff, who also voices the Grinch, 26 minutes, United States, English | MGM Television. - 'Elf: The Musical': Broadway musical adaptation of the film 'Elf', music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, premiered in 2010, United States. - 'Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical': Broadway musical adaptation of Dr. Seuss's story 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas', music by Mel Marvin, book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, original production conceived and directed by Jack O'Brien, premiered in 2006, United States. - 'Christmas Vacation' (1989): Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, written by John Hughes, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and Randy Quaid, 97 minutes, United States, English | Warner Bros. - 'Home Alone' (1990): Directed by Chris Columbus, written by John Hughes, starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern, 103 minutes, United States, English | 20th Century Fox. - Rotten Tomatoes Logo: Logo of Rotten Tomatoes, a review-aggregation website for film and television. - Metacritic Logo: Logo of Metacritic, a review-aggregation website for films, TV shows, music albums, video games, etc. | Fair Use Note: This podcast adheres to the fair use guidelines under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, focusing on criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. We respect copyrights and acknowledge all rights of the respective owners. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thenerdcolosseum/support

'Christmas Vacation' and 'Home Alone' face off in an epic holiday clash. Who will laugh their way to victory and who will be left in the cold? The stakes are high as only one can advance in our cinematic tournament of holiday classics! Expect a rollercoaster of analysis, trivia, and festive fun as we dive deep into these beloved movies. | The Rules of the Game: - Four Rounds, Four Categories: Our showdown is governed by a spinning wheel of chance, deciding four random categories. - Points for Prowess: Each film earns points by outshining its opponent. - The Final Verdict: After all rounds, the film with the most points progresses, while the other takes a seasonal bow. Will the Griswolds' chaotic holiday charm or the McCallisters' ingenious antics win the day? Tune in to find out! | Image and Movie Clip Credits (with thanks to the magic-makers): - 'Christmas Vacation' (1989), directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, written by John Hughes, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and Randy Quaid, 97 minutes, United States, English | Warner Bros. - 'Home Alone' (1990), directed by Chris Columbus, written by John Hughes, starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern, 103 minutes, United States, English | 20th Century Fox - 'Elf' (2003), directed by Jon Favreau, written by David Berenbaum, starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, and Zooey Deschanel, 97 minutes, United States, English | New Line Cinema - 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (2000), directed by Ron Howard, written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman, based on the book by Dr. Seuss, starring Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, and Jeffrey Tambor, 104 minutes, United States, English | Universal Pictures - 'Vacation' (1983), directed by Harold Ramis, written by John Hughes, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and Imogene Coca, 98 minutes, United States, English | Warner Bros. - "National Lampoon," December 1980 Issue, National Lampoon, Inc., United States, English. - Photograph of John Hughes, photographer and source unknown, used under fair use guidelines for educational/critical purposes. | Fair Use Note: This podcast adheres to the fair use guidelines under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, focusing on criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. We respect copyrights and acknowledge all rights of the respective owners. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thenerdcolosseum/support

Joined by our esteemed colleagues from Alamo City Movie Talk, we're pitting two iconic horror masterpieces, "The Exorcist" (1973) and "The Shining" (1980), against each other in the Colosseum for a terrifying FINALE that will leave you breathless! Guided by the unpredictable Spinning Wheel of Chance, each movie will be subjected to judgment in four randomly chosen categories, exposing their haunting highs and ghostly lows. Together, with insights from the Alamo City Movie Talk team, we will dissect, discuss, and delve into the cinematic elements that have cemented these films as titans in the horror genre. Prepare yourself for a supernatural face-off – which film will rise above the rest? Only ONE will be crowned the Horror Heavyweights Champion in this FINALE. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thenerdcolosseum/support

We're pitting two iconic horror masterpieces, "The Shining" (1980) and "Hereditary" (2018), against each other in the Colosseum for a chilling showdown that will keep you at the edge of your seat! Guided by the capricious Spinning Wheel of Chance, each movie will face judgment in four randomly selected categories, unveiling their eerie strengths and spine-tingling weaknesses. Join us as we dissect, discuss, and dive deep into the cinematic elements that have solidified these films as immortals in the horror realm. Brace yourself for an epic battle – which film will emerge victorious? Only ONE will advance in the Horror Heavyweights Championship. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thenerdcolosseum/support

We are thrusting two iconic horror classics, "The Exorcist" (1973) and "The Ring" (2002), into the Colosseum for an epic face-off that will leave you on the edge of your seat! Guided by the whims of our unpredictable Spinning Wheel of Chance, each movie will be judged in four randomly selected categories, unveiling their strengths and weaknesses. Join us, as we dissect, discuss, and delve deep into the cinematic elements that have made these films immortal in the annals of horror. Prepare for a battle of epic proportions – may the scariest film win! Only ONE is moving forward in the Horror Heavyweights Championship. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thenerdcolosseum/support

Join us for a live, chilling prelude to "Horror Heavyweights," a collaboration between Alamo City Movie Talk and The Nerd Colosseum Podcast. We dive into iconic horror films... "The Exorcist" (1973) "The Shining" (1980) "The Ring" (2002) "Hereditary" (2018) ... and dissect their terror and allure. But this is just the start - a triad of episodes awaits where these iconic horror films will enter the Colosseum, facing off in one-on-one battles. Only ONE movie will be crowned the "Heavyweight Champion" at the end. Will you brave the fear with us? Listen if you dare!

Join us as SIX iconic slasher movie killers—Jason, Michael, Chucky, Freddy, Leatherface, & Ghostface—step into the Colosseum for a scary good THREE-round brawl! We hope that you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween weekend! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

There are hundreds of vampire movies out there for viewers to sink their teeth into. In this special episode, FIVE of those vampire films will enter the Colosseum for a FANG-tastic movie showdown. You better hold on tight, spider-monkey! We decided to take the highest-grossing vampire movie from the 1980s, the 1990s, and the 2000s—and then add TWO more films of our personal choice to the mix. 1. The Lost Boys (1987) 2. Interview With The Vampire (1994) 3. Twilight (2008) 4. Underworld (2003) 5. Fright Night (1985) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

5 Family Halloween Movies. 3 Competitive Categories. Which movie or movies will be walking away with some wins? Will it be your favorite?  Find out as we look into some of the greatest family-friendly Halloween movies of all time!  OUR MOVIE CONTENDERS -  "Hocus Pocus" (1993) v. "Beetlejuice" (1988) v. "The Addams Family" (1991) v. "Casper" (1995) v. "Halloweentown" (1998) OUR CATEGORIES - (1) Most Family Friendly, (2) Spookiest/Most Menacing Character, & (3) Audience Scores   --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

You may have heard of "Batman v Superman", but are you are ready for this next match-up? Join us and our two special guest co-hosts as Tim Burton's "Batman" (1989) vs. Steven Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981) in 4 ROUNDS: 1. CAST 2. SEQUELS 3. AWARDS 4. STRONG FEMALE COUNTERPARTS --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

It's 1982 and two aliens have visited planet Earth... but traveling here from beyond the stars is where the similarity between these two visitors ends! Season 2 continues as Steven Spielberg's family-friendly “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) takes on John Carpenter's legendary, horror classic “The Thing” (1982). And we are excited to have special guest, Sammy, join us to help with this episode! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

Season Two continues on with our time travel back into the 1980s! Entering the Colosseum this episode will be… “Back To the Future” and “Return of the Jedi!” So, hang on to your flux capacitors and prepare for hyperspace as we host one of the biggest match-ups ever. Stick around for our post-blooper reel after the show! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

After a month-long summer vacation, The Nerd Colosseum is back for Season 2! We're going even further into the past as some of the top movies from the 1980s step into the arena to battle it out for the number one spot in our new tournament. Who will come out on top? Game One will be the supernatural, comedy "Ghostbusters" versus the rebellious, school skipper in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." This matchup will be the sole focus of our episode today! And please feel free to stick around after the end of our show for all our silly bloopers! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

We recently attended our BIGGEST Comic Con yet! This time we traveled to Jackson, Mississippi, to attend Mississippi Comic Con! We had such a great time interviewing attendees at our table. We talked about everything from "A New Hope" vs "Raiders of the Lost Ark"… to great Harry Potter moments… and even some animated shows and video games that truly deserve more attention. Also, we have a small announcement... Over the next month, we will be moving into a new home as well as celebrating the summer holiday with family and friends. This means that we will be taking a short break, BUT we will be back on July 31st! On July 31st, we will be starting SEASON TWO with movies that are TOTALLY 80s! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

The most popular Esports games step into the arena and battle it out through three exciting categories. Starring guest co-hosts Alina and Iliana, it's time the world knew about Esports on The Nerd Colosseum! Join us as CS GO, Fortnite, League of Legends, & Dota 2 step into the Colosseum! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

We traveled to Mobile, Alabama, to attend Mobicon! The cosplayers were awesome and there were tons of fun, exciting people to meet. From "Demolition Man"... to Ice Cube... to "Pokemon"... to "Stranger Things"... we had some great pop-culture talks! As always, we took our “spinning wheel of chance” with us to the con and played our game with many talented people. So, get ready to hear some really interesting match-ups created by our guests—some of the winners just might surprise you! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

Nobody… move… a muscle! Because once again, dinosaurs will roam the big screens as the "Jurassic World" franchise continues on with their biggest project yet — "Jurassic World: Dominion!" The Nerd Colosseum will see if life really finds a way, and take a look back at MOST ICONIC MOMENTS, AUDIENCE SCORES, and DEATHS CAUSED BY DINOS from the Jurassic Park & World films so far! Oh! And we spared no expense! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

Join us as three variants of the character Obi-Wan Kenobi step into the Colosseum for some epic… “aggressive negotiations!” We will be taking a closer look at the Jedi Master's life—and judge the actors' portrayal/variants of the famous character against three different categories. This is PREQUEL KENOBI vs. CLONE WARS KENOBI (animated) vs. ORIGINAL TRILOGY KENOBI! And we have a special guest co-host, Carlton, to help us take a look at such amazing Star Wars moments! Afterward, we share some things we hope to see in the Kenobi series on Disney+! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

After 6 games and 8 movies… we have finally reached the finals of our first ever movie tournament! Who will come out as the champion and take the crown as the best movie of 1999? Join us in the Colosseum as "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" vs "Toy Story 2!" --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

We recently attended New Orleans Mighty Con, where we had great opportunities to have fun pop-culture discussions with fellow convention attendees at our table. We also used our “spinning wheel of chance” with everyone we chatted with. From Pixar... to various anime... to old-school video games... to movies, it was certainly a day of variety! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

We recently attended St Tammany Collectors Con in Mandeville, Louisiana, where we had amazing opportunities to have fun pop-culture discussions with con guests! We also took our “spinning wheel of chance” with us and played our game with many talented people—including Catherine Sutherland, who is best known for playing the Pink Power Ranger in the legendary hit show "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers", "Power Rangers Zeo", "Power Rangers Turbo", and “Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie!” --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

The Nerd Colosseum is now entering the last semi-final game of our first-ever movie tournament! These two movie participants have already won their previous seasonal match-ups—BUT which one will be going HOME and which one will be moving forward to the FINAL GAME?  Let's find out! Join us as "Toy Story 2" takes on "The Sixth Sense!" --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

The Nerd Colosseum is now entering the SEMI-FINALS of our first ever movie tournament! Two of our previous winners are going head-to-head, and this match-up is sure to be a nail-biter for everyone! Join us in the Colosseum as "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" vs. "The Matrix." --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

"HALO", the celebrated video game franchise, is back! Only this time the 26th-century conflict between humanity and the alien threat (known as the Covenant) can now be experienced through streaming in "HALO The Series." In honor of this, join us as we call the notable video game franchise into the Colosseum for a very special side game event! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

TOURNAMENT 1 CONTINUES (with some new intro music)! Join us for Game 4, where a pop-culture thriller goes against revolutionized Disney animation! Who's taking home this win? Will it be the person who talks to GORILLAS or the person who talks to GHOSTS? Find out as “The Sixth Sense”  vs. “Tarzan.” --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

Batman is once again on the big screen! In this special episode, The Nerd Colosseum takes a closer look back at past "Bat-men" interpretations and ponders the question… who was the BEST Batman of them all? Join us as these Batman variants step into the Colosseum for a "BAT-tle" royal of the ages! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

A sequel goes against another sequel with "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" vs. "Toy Story 2!"  This is Game 3 of our first-ever tournament in the Colosseum, where we are having the top eight grossing movies from the year 1999 against each other—until only one movie is left standing. The movie with the most points, in the end, wins the game round—and moves forward in the tournament. The loser, unfortunately, “goes home”, booted from this season's tournament. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

Game 2 is long-awaited space opera against a classic Sandler comedy, "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" vs. "Big Daddy." This face-off will be judged on three, unique criteria that have been randomly selected by our “spinning wheel of chance.” We will use these criteria to award points to the films. The movie with the most points, in the end, wins the game round—and moves forward in the tournament. And just like our criteria, our movie contenders have been paired off for “battle” using a random generator. In life, one of your greatest motivations is to look back at where you started. And so we listened to our original first few episodes and… well… we didn't want those to be the first impression of our podcast to new listeners. So, if you're a long-time listener, we've decided to do what Hollywood loves to do, and REMAKE our original first few episodes. The categories, script, and outcome are all the same, except the quality is greatly improved and we have added in our special flair throughout the show. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support

One of your greatest motivations in life is to look back at where you started. And so we listened to our original first few episodes and… well… we didn't want those to be the first impression of our podcast to new listeners. So, if you're a long-time listener, we've decided to do what Hollywood loves to do, and REMAKE our original first few episodes. The categories, script, and outcome are all the same, except the quality is greatly improved and we have added our special flair throughout the show. For our very first tournament (Season 1), we will be pitting the top eight grossing movies from the year 1999 against each other—until only one movie is left standing.   Game One will be the blockbuster, special effect behemoths, "The Matrix" vs. "The Mummy."  This match will be the sole focus of this podcast episode.   This face-off will be judged on three, unique criteria that have been randomly selected by our “spinning wheel of chance.”  We will use these criteria to award points to films.   The movie with the most points, in the end, wins the game round—and moves forward in the tournament. And just like our criteria, our movie contenders have been paired off for “battle” using a random generator.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenerdcolosseum/support