Nerd Critic

You may or may not have heard of Blumhouse Productions, but you've heard of Blumhouse Productions' productions. Today, we talk about the unique strategy the company has used to become so successful, and we're also FINALLY talking about one of their most beloved films: Get Out, Jordan Peele's writer-directorial debut and masterwork. And if one of your Nerd Critic hosts starts claiming to have been...

You know what? Sure. It's been a slow summer. But guess what else! We liked this movie. It was fun. It had good action. And while it may not have delivered the kinds of complex moral exploration we've come to expect from this franchise (...*ahem*), it sure did inspire a rich and thoughtful conversation between your favorite Nerd and Critic. Enjoy. This is a public episode. If you would like to dis...

Fooled ya! OK here's the story. We WERE going to talk about 300 (in honor of Gerard Butler's somewhat abortive career), but then we came to our senses and pivoted. HARD. Today, we finally, finally talked about one of the movies that has had the greatest impact not only on CJ and Jordan, but on nearly everyone. And we could swear that time slowed down the deeper we dove into this Christopher Nolan...

Regardless of anything, Cate Blanchett is wonderful. Join us in our appreciation. Also, come explore the absence of a question mark in the title of this movie. On Nerd Critic, we always address the most urgent issues and deliver the most meaningful insights. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack...

According to IMDb, The Shawshank Redemption is the best (or at least most popular) movie ever, and that will probably never change. How did that happen? We have some ideas. But also, we have some very positive thoughts about the movie itself. Because, while it might not be the best movie in whole past and future history of movies, it certainly is a damn good one. This is a public episode. If you w...

If you don't show up for the IP (seriously, who has even heard of this?), come for the cast. Does this movie portend adaptations of other Vertigo titles? If you didn't understand that last sentence at all, well I guess you'll just have to listen to the episode, won't you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdc...

Did you know CJ has seen ALL EIGHT of the Fast and Furious movies MULTIPLE TIMES? Jordan certainly didn’t. But it’s a good thing, because it turns out there’s no one better qualified to nerd out about these movies. Join us for an earnest (if belated) conversation about this singular, cacophonous franchise. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

Hobbs and Shaw was perhaps exactly what everyone was expecting. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is in the eye of the (literal) beholder. We were actually amazed at how much there was to talk about. (Plus: some neat announcements!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com

Featuring actual women! It's taken Nerd Critic a long time to cover Wonder Woman in an Off the Shelf episode, and it's partly because they were waiting for the right guests to come along. Cassidy Davis and Mallory Fuccella did not disappoint, and are, as expected, charming, hilarious, and insightful. You don't want to miss this episode. Support our amazing guests by checking out ADULTING! http://a...

If you haven't seen this movie yet -- and the box office numbers suggest that possibility -- you should. In today's episode, CJ and Jordan both discover that Quentin Tarantino's latest film is also their favorite of his. And, as we all know, the Nerd Critic consensus is the only one that really matters. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acces...

This week is the BIG WEEK. We haave officially launched Nerd Critic (to the) Max! Listen to the episode to understand the name. All the things you need to know will always be in our weekly newsletter… Get on it ! You can also join other Nerds & Critics in lively topical conversations every day on Facebook and Instagram . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other su...

Shownotes: This week is the BIG WEEK. We haave officially launched Nerd Critic (to the) Max! Listen to the episode to understand the name. All the things you need to know will always be in our weekly newsletter… Get on it ! You can also join other Nerds & Critics in lively topical conversations every day on Facebook and Instagram . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wi...

Jon Favreau has worn every hat -- he's an accomplished writer, director, and actor, with enough talent for all three that he could have made a career out of any of them, and that's what makes him an outstanding producer. So far, it's as an ongoing producer in the MCU that he's had perhaps the greatest impact, but even bigger things are in store. It should come as no great surprise that we are huge...

Most of the time we cover BIG movies. Sometimes we cover movies that are embiggened by their quality. And then, sometimes, we do a deep dive into movies like Stuber. Here's the thing: it's better than you'd expect. Not great, but not terrible. And for a buddy comedy, you could do a whole lot worse. PLUS: some surprisingly relevant and well-handled thematic aspirations. Come get Stuber with us. Thi...

This is one of the most beloved sub-franchises in the MCU, which is why we couldn't be more excited to get reeeeeaaal salty. Don't worry, no hate, just a lot of strong opinions and some bold and incorrigible griping, underneath of which is that strong foundation of nerd love that keeps us grounded. Shownotes: Hey, about that weekly newsletter… Get on it! You can also join other Nerds & Critics in...

You knew we were going to dive deep into the latest Peter Parker adventure. You DIDN'T know we would be featuring our very first Nerd Critic guest! After eight years of writing with the team behind Conan, and now as the associate editor at DC Universe, Dixon Gaines ( @dixontrotter ) might be the funniest nerd and the nerdiest comedian you’ve ever met. If you don't have as much fun listening to him...

The best drumming movie ever (and there are a surprising number of drumming movies), the best JK Simmons performance ever, the most outrageous and challenging depiction of a teacher/student relationship ever. Forgive our hyperbole, but we LOVE THIS MOVIE. It’s hard to stay calm about it. Shownotes: Are you on the newsletter mailing list yet? No? Get on it! You can also join other Nerds & Critics i...

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<p>This week, we had no choice but to pull Toy Story off the shelf to see if it still blows our minds. (Spoiler: it does.) Listen to us breathlessly number all the reasons Toy Story deserves to be considered one of the best animated movies EVER. Also, some starry-eyed hope (and a teeny little bit of anxiety) about the 4th installment 24 years later.</p> Shownotes: You really should rea...

<p>Did Men in Black International measure up to the original classic? Of course not! How could it? But there’s plenty to talk about anyway.</p> Shownotes: A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Nerd Critic is now on Himalaya ! Himalay is one of the cool and crazy things happening in the world of podcasting right now. We know that you guys are listening to Nerd Critic on all kinds of platforms, like Apple...

Here comes the Men In Black!!! Any movie with Will Smith at his prime is worth talking about. Especially when that movie is as good as this one. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com

It’s time for the talk. About Dark Phoenix. Hey, it’s not that bad! Okay, it’s pretty bad, but here’s a silver lining: you don’t need to worry about seeing it before diving into our episode about it. We promise it’ll be even more fun than actually watching the movie. (Not that the bar was terribly high…) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acce...

There are a lot of X-Men movies. In this episode, Jordan and CJ discuss their favorite of the franchise and arguably the best one yet. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdcritic.substack.com