Nick Bryan & Alastair JR Ball

Moderate Fantasy Violence

Tv EN ↓ 100 episodes

Welcome to Moderate Fantasy Violence, a fortnightly podcast about pop culture and the world around it, as discussed by Nick Bryan and Alastair JR Ball. Nick will probably launch into a tangent about comics, Alastair will likely go for politics. Both are equally worthwhile.

Author

Nick Bryan & Alastair JR Ball

Category

Tv

Latest episode

Jul 2, 2026

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Episodes

MFV #245 - A rare moment in British cinema 17.07.2025

A double-bill of metallic superhero action this fortnight, as we cover the Man of Steel's return to cinemas in Superman (15:05), and the latest Marvel TV show Ironheart (36:43, with moderate spoilers from 41:59 and full-on ruinous ending spoilers from 48:11). We also discuss Japanese dark comedy movie Baby Assassins and new Apple TV scifi-comedy Murderbot.

MFV #244 - What would Wes Anderson's James Bond be like? 03.07.2025

This fortnight, we fight desperately for survival in the zombie dystopia of The Last Of Us (13:18, with spoilers for the big early-doors plot twist from 19:10) and the feral training ground of Predator: Killer of Killers (28:16). Plus bonus chat about M.R. Carey's fantasy series The Rampart Trilogy and the new album A Sober Conversation by BC Camplight.

MFV #243 - Just homo sapien actors on soundstages 19.06.2025

This fortnight, two major scifi franchises drop their second seasons on us - it's Doctor Who (18:07) and Star Wars prequel Andor (39:36)! Meanwhile, Alastair's watched classic French film Breathless, while Nick's read new Batman storyline Gotham Nocturne.

MFV #242 - Cinematic Cinema 05.06.2025

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 K...

MFV #241 - Gotta throw the nerds something 22.05.2025

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 kicksta...

MFV #240 - The oldest, saddest man in the world 08.05.2025

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...

MFV #239 - Teen Murder Special 24.04.2025

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.

MFV #238 - Do Dog Man's parents miss him? 10.04.2025

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.

MFV #237 - Enjoyment Vs Content 27.03.2025

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 .

MFV #236 - Good old fashioned violence 13.03.2025

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.

MFV #235 - Don't disrespect the comedy pervert 27.02.2025

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.

MFV #234 - In the mood for something massive? 13.02.2025

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

MFV #233 - BRING THE PAIN! 30.01.2025

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

MFV #232 - Punching three bald men 16.01.2025

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

MFV #231 - Let's get down to counting down! 02.01.2025

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...

MFV #230 - The Oscar for Oscariness 19.12.2024

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

MFV #229 - You deaded my woman! 05.12.2024

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

MFV #228 - He's turned into a giant bible! 21.11.2024

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

MFV #227 - Let There Be Balls 07.11.2024

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

MFV #226 - This is bad and you know it's bad 24.10.2024

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...

MFV #225 - Arthouse Glee 10.10.2024

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

MFV #224 - Hungry Hectare 26.09.2024

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  

MFV #223 - How bummer is your bummer? 12.09.2024

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

MFV #222 - End our long suffering 29.08.2024

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

MFV #221 - Time will destroy everything 15.08.2024

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

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