Nerd Legion

In this episode of Nerd Legion, we dive into a detailed discussion about Season 2 of the Star Wars series 'Andor.' Filmed together in person (or is it just green screen magic?), Monte and DoA analyze the show's characters, themes, and its impact on the Star Wars universe. Hear our thoughts on why Andor is the best Star Wars content since the original trilogy, the challenges of maintaining continui...

In this episode of Nerd Legion, we dive into 'The Sword and the Sorcerer' (1982), a surprising hit from the 1980s fantasy craze. We explore the film’s strengths, including its impressive special effects, compelling acting, and memorable cinematography. We also discuss its humorous tonal inconsistencies and the charm of its goofy yet creative elements, such as the unique three-bladed sword. Directo...

Join Nerd Legion as we revisit the iconic 1982 film, 'Conan the Barbarian' as part of our 1980s fantasy marathon. This episode delves into the movie that launched Arnold Schwarzenegger's illustrious career, exploring its lasting legacy, the craftsmanship behind its production, and its impact on the fantasy genre. From its highly atmospheric soundtrack by Basil Poledouris to its stunning sets and J...

In this episode of Nerd Legion, we dive deep into end the second season of 'Severance.' DoA and MonteCristo discuss problems with the season's pacing, major plot points, character developments, and whether the major payoffs are worth the price of the poor set-ups. We also analyze pivotal moments, including the rescue mission for Gemma led by Mark's innie and outie, and the implications of Lumon's...

Welcome back to Nerd Legion! Join us as we continue our 1980s fantasy film marathon with a review of the infamous Italian-made classic, 1982's Ator the Fighting Eagle directed by Joe D'Amato. This episode dives into the movie's hilarious plot, terrible fight scenes, and unintentionally funny moments. We discuss the strange prophecy, the bizarre love story involving adopted siblings, the laughable...

In this episode of Nerd Legion, hosts Monte and DoA take a break from their 1980s fantasy marathon to discuss 'Mickey 17,' director Bong Joon Ho's latest science fiction film. They first delve into the movie's box office struggles and introduce Bong Joon-ho's history, noting his thematic blend of class conflict, environmentalism, and existentialism. The hosts critique the film for its rich moments...

Disney's 'Dragonslayer' from 1981 is the next film in Nerd Legion's 1980s fantasy movie marathon! In this episode, they discuss the intriguing plot, standout performances, particularly by Ralph Richardson as Ulrich the Sorcerer, and the visually stunning cinematography and special effects. They also explore the film's mixed tones, underwhelming lead character, and its enduring influence on contemp...

Join hosts DoA and MonteCristo for another episode of Nerd Legion as we dive once more into our 80s fantasy marathon, discussing the animated cult classic 'Heavy Metal' from 1981. We reveal plans for upcoming reviews, including 'Dragonslayer', and share major updates about Star Wars, including Kathleen Kennedy's rumored retirement and the new Andor Season 2 trailer. Plus, we offer insights on the...

Captain America: Brave New World somehow fails to explore any interesting topics in what might be the most bland Marvel film yet released. Simply put: there is nothing "brave" about this film as it adamantly refuses to engage with interesting topics such as Captain America's role in a politically divided country, what it means to be a Black Captain America, and Sam Wilson's choice to not take the...

Netflix's second anime film version of The Witcher has dropped, this time featuring Geralt of Rivia in an adventure called Sirens of the Deep. While some Witcher fans may not be pleased by the liberties taken in this adaptation of a story by author Andrzej Sapkowski, Monte and DoA found it to be charmingly reminiscent of a quest from The Witcher series of video games. With the departure of Henry C...

Mind-bending thriller Severance season two has finally begun after an extended break, but the wait has delivered perhaps the best show currently running on television. Ben Stiller's direction and oversight of Severance as a producer has yielded an immaculately paced and intricate mystery, offering a steady drip-feed of tantalizing reveals every episode. The intrigue and insidiousness of Lumon cont...

Another Alex Kurtzman Star Trek turd has dropped on Paramount Plus and this one is called "Section 31." Originally designed as a stand-alone tv series starring Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou, the project was hacked down to a 90 minute film that might be the single worst piece of Star Trek ever created. The movie succeeds in being constantly annoying, cliched, and thoroughly unfunny throughout...

Skeleton Crew concludes on Disney Plus, but where does it rank all-time among Star Wars films and TV shows? Monte and DoA discuss their affection for the show, in spite of the fact that it is almost wholly derivative of other cinematic and literary work, because the execution of its tropes is good and it spices them up with clever Star Wars flourishes. Jude Law also turns in one of the most memora...

Dune: Prophecy delves into the past, 10,000 years prior to the original Dune series and the latest films by Denis Villeneuve. HBO Max's new series clearly apes the political intrigue of their previous shows like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, ultimately Dune: Prophecy fails in getting the audience emotionally invested in the characters. While beautifully shot and designed in the vein of...

MonteCristo and DoA discuss "Secret Level", an Amazon Prime Video anthology series based on video game franchises. They reveal which shorts are worth watching, which ones to skip, and their hopes for the second season of the show. EXPRESSVPN now sponsors Nerd Legion! Get THREE free months of service with our link: https://www.expressvpn.com/nerdlegion Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get...

Welcome back to Nerd Legion! In this exciting episode, MonteCristo and DoA dive deep into the far reaches of the galaxy with a review of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew! Join us as we unravel why this series shines brighter than some of the recent Star Wars projects. From nostalgic nods to 80's and 90's films, to standout performances by the cast, there's a lot to unpack. Whether you're a die-hard fan or...

Dive into the latest episode of Nerd Legion as MonteCristo and DoA break down Max's surprisingly compelling Batman spinoff, "The Penguin"! Join us as we spotlight the incredible performances from Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, and explore the film's complex themes found in classic mafia tales. We’ll discuss how "The Penguin" refreshingly reimagines Oz as a captivating villain, offering viewers...

We review the final episodes of Arcane Season 2! Thank you to our sponsors for powering today's episode! Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code NERD at https://www.shopmando.com! Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code NL for...

A long-awaited anime adaptation of Junji Ito's manga Uzumaki has finally arrived, but unfortunately with uneven results. Commissioned by Cartoon Network for Adult Swim, Uzumaki suffered serious delays in production and drama with the directors and animation studios. While the art style accurately reflects Ito's original work, the animation beyond the first episode leaves much to be desired and lea...

Dive into the thrilling world of Arcane Season 2 in our latest review! Join MonteCristo and DoA as they break down the first batch of episodes, scrutinizing the stunning animation and exploring the hefty budget that brought this masterpiece to life. With their extensive history with League of Legends, these veteran hosts uncover the driving forces behind the show's success while tackling the bigge...

Get ready for an in-depth exploration as MonteCristo and DoA break down Netflix's "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance" in this episode of Nerd Legion! Join the duo as they dive into the expansive Gundam universe, dissecting the unexpected portrayal of iconic mechas and the show's narrative twists. While the review touches on some captivating elements, the duo won’t shy away from critiquing the not-so-g...

A dense, enigmatic, and bombastic epic, John Boorman's 1981 film Excalibur brings the Arthurian romances to life in all their symbolic glory. Featuring a stellar cast, including Helen Mirren, Nicol Williamson, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Ciarán Hinds, and Gabriel Byrne, the film is an opportunity to see many lauded British and Irish actors early in their careers. Excalibur leans into the episodi...

Clash of the Titans continues Nerd Legion's 1980s fantasy marathon, taking us into Greek mythology (kind of) with Perseus' battles against Medusa and the Kraken. While straying very far from its source material, the film gave us Ray Harryhausen's last crack at stop-motion and effects wizardry as a capstone to a multi-decade career in Hollywood. Maggie Smith and Lawrence Olivier also add some drama...

Beloved by many who saw it in their childhoods, the Rankin/Bass musical interpretation of the Return of the King from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings epic is Nerd Legion's next film in the 1980s fantasy film marathon. Featuring music from folk legend Glenn Yarbrough and narration from the incomparable John Huston, this film represents a serious if flawed attempt to realize this iconic book. From disco...

We kick off our review of every 1980s sword and sorcery movie, with Hawk the Slayer, a cult-classic British fantasy film directed by Terry Marcel from 1980. With charmingly terrible dialogue and special effects, this movie provides an unabashed good time with cheesy and tropey moments. Clearly inspired and derivative of Star Wars and pulp fantasy of the era, Hawk the Slayer still provides some uni...