Challenge Accepted

In this final episode of Challenge Accepted , Frank and Thomas Law reflect on what the show became over three years and 250-plus episodes, and why ending it now feels like the right move. They talk about the grind of weekly reviews, the fun of theme months, the lessons they're carrying forward, and how the best parts of this podcast will live on through Geek Freaks and what's next for the network....

Thomas and Frank look back on the movies and TV that defined their 2025, from why Superman hit so hard to how Marvel's three-film run landed with Thunderbolts , Fantastic Four , and Captain America: Brave New World . They also talk about the stuff that disappointed them, why TV felt like it "won" this year, and the shows they could not stop thinking about, including IT: Welcome to Derry , Alien: E...

Frank revisits Night of the Living Dead (1968) and breaks down why it still feels ahead of its time, even with a shoestring budget and simple setup. He walks through the full plot from the cemetery opening to the brutal ending, calls out the movie's "proto zombie rules" (headshots, fire, escalating panic), and digs into the constant clash between Ben and Harry Cooper over how to survive. Frank als...

In this single-player episode of Challenge Accepted , Frank bundles up with the winter classic Fargo and breaks down why this 1996 Coen Brothers film still hits so hard. From Jerry's desperate spiral and Gaear's cold brutality to Marge Gunderson's calm, quietly heroic presence, Frank walks through the story, performances, music, and snow-covered Midwest setting that make the movie timeless. He als...

In this solo episode of Challenge Accepted , Frank finally sits down with the iconic animated film Batman Mask of the Phantasm after years of calling it a major Batman blind spot. He shares his deep love for Batman The Animated Series , breaks down Bruce Timm's distinctive art style, and explores why Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill's performances still define Batman and Joker for entire generations....

In this Thanksgiving special of Challenge Accepted , Frank and Jonathan celebrate the Belchers by ranking their top Bob's Burgers Thanksgiving episodes and crowning a definitive winner. They break down why the holiday episodes hit so hard, talk about the emotional gut punches hidden inside the jokes, and revisit the wild chaos of turkeys, hoarding, broken ovens, and cursed outdoor cooking. The guy...

In this solo Thanksgiving episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank breaks down The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, the Coen Brothers' Netflix Western anthology that has quietly become one of his holiday staples. Story by story, he digs into how each vignette wrestles with death, chance, and human nature, from Tim Blake Nelson's singing gunslinger to Tom Waits' stubborn prospector and that iconic "First time...

On Challenge Accepted, we break down the Gen V Season 2 finale and how it tees up the last chapter of The Boys. We talk about the big reveal around Cipher, the season's mid-section slowdown, and why Godolkin works best when the story actually stays on campus. We dig into standout arcs for Marie, Jordan, Emma, and Sage, the villain's core weakness, and why those Starlight and A-Train beats matter....

On this episode of Challenge Accepted , Thomas welcomes critic and lifelong Ranger fan Becca Peterson (The Critic Buffet) for a fast-paced, fun deep dive into the 1995 feature film. We cover why this movie still hits for '90s kids, the charm of Ivan Ooze, the switch to ninja powers and new Zords, and how the film fits into the broader multiverse of Power Rangers stories. Becca brings great trivia,...

Frank sits down with Graveyard from Distance Nerding to revisit the cult favorite Trick 'r Treat. They unpack the film's comic-book anthology structure, Michael Dougherty's direction, how lighting and practical effects sell the Halloween vibe, and why "respecting the rules" is the movie's secret engine. The conversation widens into horror's ebb-and-flow trends, gateway recommendations, and a peek...

Frank and Thomas unpack the Peacemaker Season 2 finale, from John Cena's performance to the big-picture DCU setup. They dig into Salvation Run and Checkmate, how the metahumans vs. government angle points toward Superman, and why this episode feels more like a bridge to Season 3. Along the way, they talk Vigilante's MVP moments, Harcourt's arc, Lex Luthor's influence on Rick Flag, and whether mult...

In our last solo review before the finale, Frank breaks down Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 7, "Like a Thief in the Night." We cover how the Earth X arc reframes the team's choices, why Adebayo finally steps from reactive to proactive, the surprising nuance to Augie in a fascist world, and how Vigilante's sacrifice resets the board for the finale. We also talk about the episode's strongest character...

Frank is joined by Phil to break down Peacock's Twisted Metal, from its surprisingly heartfelt character work to the tournament arc and deep cuts that longtime players will recognize. We talk John Doe's search for identity, the show's "happy sociopath" version of Sweet Tooth, how Season 2 levels up the stunts and car combat, and why adding new lore can actually respect the games. If you skipped th...

Frank breaks down Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 6, "Ignorance Is Chris," and why the "better world" finally shows its cracks. From the diner photo that warps, to Harcourt and Chris opening up in an interrogation room, to Vigilante meeting his Earth X counterpart, this episode clicks into place. We also hit Rick Flag Sr.'s prison visit with Lex Luthor, the Sons of Liberty twist, and the hallway tell...

Thomas and Frank kick off a running series to assemble a living "Hall of Fame" of 100 movies covered on Challenge Accepted. In this first pass, they lock in the opening 20 picks across adventure, animation, sci-fi, horror, and sports drama. Along the way they talk performance standouts, scenes that shaped their taste, and how future rewatches and listener votes could bump titles up or off the boar...

Frank is joined by Jamie, an Australian wrestling journalist and podcaster, to unpack Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler. They break down Mickey Rourke's career-defining turn as Randy "The Ram," why the film treats wrestling with rare respect, how indie scenes work behind the curtain, and what the movie gets right about pain, pride, and the gig life. Expect talk on blading, deathmatches, deli counter...

Frank and Jen break down Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 4, from the wild Michael Rooker cameo to that portable-dimension device that might not be what it seems. They dig into the alternate Earth, what it reveals about Chris, Keith, and Auggie, and why Adebayo might be the real center of the 11th Street Kids. The conversation hits possible DCU ties like Creature Commandos, Mr. Terrific, Blue Beetle,...

We invited Reena from the "Better Call Daddy" podcast to rewatch Dirty Dancing and dig into why this 1987 classic still hits today. We talk about Baby's coming of age from a woman's point of view, Johnny's arc from hired talent to self-worth, the film's frank treatment of abortion, and that complicated father-daughter dynamic. Along the way, Reena shares personal stories that mirror Baby's bravery...

Frank sits down with James from Distance Nerding to unpack Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2. They get into the portal arc and what it means for Chris as a character, why Eagly quietly steals the episode, and how James Gunn uses running gags like bird blindness to build heart under the humor. The conversation hits Economos wrestling with anxiety and loyalty, Harcourt's guard-up spiral, Maxwell Lord se...

Episode Summary Frank breaks down the Season 2 premiere of Peacemaker with a clear eye on tone, pacing, and character arcs. He digs into how the show turns a once unlikable lead into someone worth rooting for, why the loneliness under the jokes hits harder this year, and how the new multiverse twist sets up real emotional stakes. You will hear thoughts on the Justice Gang cameo, the revamped intro...

Thomas and Frank set sail for a rewatch of Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl. They talk first impressions, why the story pacing feels different today, and why Jack Sparrow still dominates pop culture. The conversation hits character arcs for Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, the film's blend of practical effects and early CGI, sly nods to the Disneyland ride, and what modern blo...

Episode Summary Thomas and Frank revisit Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 1 Episode 1 and explain why it works for both new and longtime fans. We cover Pike's headspace after Discovery, Spock and TPring's engagement, how Order One becomes the Prime Directive, and how a single battle accidentally kickstarts a warp arms race on another world. We also dig into the show's look, the crew dynamic, ca...

Frank and Thomas take on James Gunn's The Suicide Squad and dig into why this 2021 reboot stands out as one of DC's strongest entries. They break down the movie's balance of chaos and heart, the bold creative risks Gunn took, and how it set the stage for Peacemaker and the DCU's future. From standout performances to behind-the-scenes choices, they explore how this film redefined what a comic book...

Frank is joined by Aaron from Fandom Portals to revisit 2021's Mortal Kombat reboot and dig into everything from fight choreography to character arcs and deeper themes. They discuss how the film hit differently as a post-lockdown release, the smart (and messy) choices around Cole Young, and what to expect from Mortal Kombat 2 . Plus, they highlight standout performances, favorite fights, and how t...