Keep off the Borderlands

Yay! I’m still alive and Movie Monday feedback is back! I share an email from Lex Mandrake of Dank Dungeons, calls from Joe Richter of Hindsightless and Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety cast. For next Movie Monday I’m sticking with 1984. The Neverending Story directed by Wolfgang Petersen is based on Michael Ende’s fantasy novel from 1979. See below for details on contacting the show. The epi...

Firstly, apologies for the delay in show notes. I’ve been laid up with a stomach bug the last few days and any kind of infection exacerbates my MS symptoms which effectively leaves me bedridden. But enough about that… As a tribute to the passing of visionary David Lynch, this month’s movie was Dune from 1985. An adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novel. This episode features contributions f...

Just here to share a little feedback from the previous episode. Featuring calls from Joe Richter of Hindsighless (podcast), Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog), and BJ Boyd of The Arcane Alienist (podcast). And a nice little bit of feedback from Yochai himself. And here a link to Kettlewright.com Honourable Mentions: Colin Green of Spikepit (YouTube), Barney Dicker of Loco...

In this episode, I reflect on my first time in the Game Master’s seat running Yochai Gal’s Cairn 2nd Edition. Here’s a link to Yochai running Rise of the Blood Olms https://youtu.be/HcY1Ytwznyk?si=SFQZf4p4fueTLyCO Games and adventures mentioned: Apocalypse World by D. Vincent Baker & Meguey Baker One Shot World, Cairn, & Rise of the Blood Olms by Yochai Gal https://yochaigal.itch.io Into the Odd,...

Welcome to the first Movie Monday of 2025. This month’s movie was Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger from 1977. Directed by Sam Wanamaker and featuring the wonderful stop-motion effects of the legendary Ray Harryhausen. This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast) James Knight, Tyr...

Here’s an episode in which I talk a little about failing to discuss RPG-related activity, I share some Movie Monday feedback regarding Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and my experience watching the 1962 Czechoslovakian film The Fabulous Baron Munchausen directed by Karel Zeman. Featuring calls from M. W. Lewis of The Worlds of MW Lewis (podcast), and Joe Richter of Hindsightless...

So, it’s the final Movie Monday of the year and not a moment too soon. This month’s movie is Terry Gilliam’s grand folly The Adventures of Baron Munchausen from 1988. This sumptuous epic fantasy flopped at the box office but let’s see how it holds up today. This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) Goblin’s Henchm...

Just here to share a late submission for the Highlander episode and respond to some Movie Monday feedback. Featuring calls from M. W. Lewis of The Worlds of MW Lewis (podcast), Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast), and Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) The movie for December is Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen from 1988. See below for details on contac...

Welcome to Movie Monday. This month’s movie was the much loved fantasy action adventure classic Highlander from 1986. Directed by Russell Mulcahy from a screenplay by Gregory Widen, Peter Bellwood, and Larry Ferguson. It stars Christopher Lambert, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown, and Sean Connery. This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety C...

A long overdue episode wherein I make excuses for my absence and respond to messages addressing my last two episodes, featuring calls from Safer of Safer Fantasy Crafting (podcast), M.W. Lewis from The World’s of MW Lewis (podcast), Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast), Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog), and Karl Rodrigues of The GMologist Presents… (podcast & YouTube)....

Welcome to a Movie Monday birthday special. This month’s movie was a real treat, John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China from 1986. This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast) Michael of Mirke the Meek (podcast) Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) Goblin’s Henchman (podcast & blog) & the Umber Bulk M. W. Lew...

This is simply an announcement about the recent removal of my YouTube channel. You can leave a 90-second audio message via  ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/KeepOffTheBorderlands You can email   ⁠spencer.freethrall@gmail.com⁠ You’ll find me in a bunch of other places here  ⁠https://freethrall.carrd.co⁠ You can also contact me on Discord by searching for FreeThrall This is a public episode. If you would...

In this episode, I respond to some feedback about feedback, some reaction to my confession in the last episode, and a little more Oz talk. Featuring calls from Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog), and M.W. Lewis from The World’s of MW Lewis (podcast). Honourable mentions: Yochai Gal of Between Two Cairns (podcast), Michael of Mirke the Meek (podcast), Mrs. Frisby and the Ra...

In this episode, I respond to a bunch of great feedback regarding my last couple of episodes. Featuring calls from Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast), Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog), and M.W. Lewis from The World’s of MW Lewis (podcast). Other movies mentions: Fight Club (1999), No Country For Old Men (2007), The Crow (1994), Annihilation (2018), The Wiz (1978), An...

This month’s movie was Walter Murch’s Return to Oz from 1985. This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) James Knight, Helen the Elf & Tyranna the Dwarf Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast) Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) Goblin’s Henchman (podcast & blog) & the Umber Bulk # Mirke the Meek (podcast) Colin Green of Spikepit (podcast & YouTube) M...

I respond to a message from Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) regarding books made into movies. Find Jason’s blog at https://nerdsrpgvarietycast.com It’s also an opportunity to remind you of the coming Movie Monday episode. This month’s movie is 1985’s Return to Oz directed by Walter Murch. See below for details on contacting the show. The episode airs on September 30th,...

Here’s a call-in episode featuring some awesome messages from Evil Jeff of Minions & Musings, Joe Richter of Hindsightless, BJ Boyd of Arcane Alienist, Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast, Michael of Mirke the Meek, and M. W. Lewis of The Worlds of MW Lewis. We cover kid’s TV (Teen Titans Go!, Bluey, Gravity Falls), sword & sorcery movies (Fire and Ice, Spine of Night), and kid's movies (Th...

As #RPGaDay2024 comes to a close, I summarise my responses to the month’s prompts. For show notes and links, please take a look at the daily Substack posts I've been sharing throughout August. The one exception is Jason Tocci’s innovative minimalist 24XX system which I didn't post about but got a mention in this episode. Find it here https://jasontocci.itch.io/24xx Please check out contributions f...

This month Ralph Bakshi’s animated dark fantasy Fire & Ice from 1983. A collaboration with renowned fantasy artist Frank Frazetta. This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast) Menion (AKA Rob) of Confessions of a Wee Tim’rous Bushi Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) M. W. Lewis of The Worlds of M. W. Lewis (podca...

Just me catching up on some feedback following my last couple of episodes. Featuring calls from Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog), B. J. Boyd aka “GameDoc” of Arcane Alienist (podcast), M. W. Lewis of The Worlds of WM Lewis (podcast), and Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast). This month’s movie is Ralph Bakshi's Fire & Ice from 1983. See below for details on contacting...

This month Don Bluth out-disneys Disney with 1982’s atmospheric animated action adventure The Secret of NIMH. Featuring the vocal talents of Elizabeth Hartman, Peter Strauss, Arthur Malet, Dom DeLuise, John Carradine, Derek Jacobi, Hermione Baddeley, Paul Shenar, Shannen Doherty, Wil Wheaton, Ina Fried, and Jodi Hicks This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) James Knight...

Last week was a rough one so I’m just trying to play catch up here. Fortunately, I have some awesome messages to share from Lex Mandrake of Dank Dungeons (YouTube) & Matthew Chiamis of Monomyth Games (itch.io), Murke the Meek (podcast), and Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast). Find Castaway here https://monomythgames.itch.io/castaway and the new solo supplement here https://monomythgames.itch.i...

A fun-packed episode right here! First some Fallout feedback from Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast), Riley of Diegetic Advancement (podcast), and Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog). Then we have a special message from Lex Mandrake of Dank Dungeons (YouTube) all about The Jim Henson Hour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8f6_k6xPkU&list=PL8Q9sP0ERTn6ED3aNVsG86w7nXiMM9J...

In a break from the regular 80s fantasy theme, to honour the work of Roger Corman who sadly passed last month, this month’s movie was 1963’s The Raven. This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast) James Knight Lex Mandrake of Dank Dungeons (YouTube) Goblin’s Henchman (podcast &...

I kick things off by responding to some messages regarding my struggles with solo play (see episode 255 “False Starts in Solo”) from Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog), MW Lewis of The Worlds of MW Lewis (podcast), and John Alan Large of The Red Dice Diaries (podcast & YouTube). As the title suggests, this episode is about the Fallout franchise, an I.P. I’m surprised I’ve...