Nerd Critic

CJ'S FAVORITE MOVIE. And one of Jordan's favorite TV shows. Yes, it seems like he has a lot of those, but can you blame him? It's PEAK TV, people! Anyway, the point is that CJ only has ONE favorite movie, and it's a dang good one. Watch, listen, love. How's that for a tagline? Yeah okay we'll keep trying.0:05:45 - New recommendations0:10:02 - Succession Season 10:49:04 - Sing Street 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

Our conversation about Clue leads us into a surprisingly painstaking exploration of modern comedies, and Atlanta reminds us, once again, of Donald Glover's unrelenting creative genius. It was a good week for streaming. Here's to another.0:04:52 - Recommendations0:11:35 - Clue0:36:43 - Atlanta1:14:00 - Wrapping UpDixon Gaines article about ClueDawes "5 miles away" 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

If our show had always been about TV, we would have covered The Office long ago. In this time of loneliness and desperation, a great American sitcom (based on an obscure British sitcom) seems like the perfect medicine. PLUS! A crowd-pleasing streamable movie, and one of Jordan's favorite series on Netflix.0:05:18 - New recommendations0:13:48 - Fighting with My Family0:30:00 - The End of the F***ing World0:55:09 - The Office1:27:18 - Closing Remarks 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 turns out a person can't reasonably plow through 60 episodes of an hourlong drama in a week. This is a learning experience for all of us, OK? You can trust that this week, our streaming assignment for you will be much more manageable. In the meantime, enjoy our best efforts to cover what we saw. And please feel free to skip around using the following table of contents:00:04:50 - New recommendations!00:09:07 - "About Time"00:22:39 - "Community"00:31:00 - "Breaking Bad"01:09:55 - Why you should watch "Better Call Saul"01:16:13 - Closing Remarks 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

This week, we bring you a long-awaited conversation about a much-ballyhooed TV show. But wait! There's more! Due to the massive disruption in the world of movies and theaters, we are CHANGING THE FORMAT OF OUR SHOW. Until movie theaters reopen, Nerd Critic will now be your best binge-watching companion. Take a listen to this week's special episode to get all the juicy (but still sanitary) details. 0:12:00 - Recommendations0:18:30 - The Mandalorian0:30:40 - Bojack Horseman0:50:10 - Stranger Things1:01:15 - The Big Sick1:06:15 - "Challenging" movies1:21:30 - Closing remarks 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

This movie came out nine years ago, and boy does it hold us, especially considering certain current anxieties. We start this one off with a PSA about COVID-19, and then give the full Nerd Critic treatment to one of the best disaster movies ever made. 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

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

Taika Waititi isn't the first filmmaker to find a way to explore the horrors of Nazi-Germany with the tools of comedy, but he does a fine job of it. And at the heart of the farce is a sincere and grounded story buoyed by pitch perfect performances across the board. We love this movie, and so should you. It's about time we talk about it. 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

This is the horror movie we've been waiting for, never relying on jump scares or gore, and keeping us on the edge of our seats right up to an exquisitely satisfying conclusion. Even more, it cuts deep into the thematic marrow of domestic abuse and its consequences. See it. And then come join us for a conversation. 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

Right along with Jordan, who often watches it as a joyful birthday tradition. If you've been hankering for a pure nerd-out episode, this one's for you. We also manage to dig into why this movie works so well despite its insistent lack of depth or narrative resonance. 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

Everybody loves Mr. Harrison Ford, but not everyone will love the entirely computer generated dog. That's OK! There are some real things to love about this movie, and it is, if nothing else, a fascinating study of the cross-section between live action and animation. In other words, it could have been worse. Oh, friends, it could have been so much worse. 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

We don't always have guests on our show, but when we do, we get real good ones. Like Davey Morrison! Jordan and CJ were tough sells, but with his humble wisdom, he managed to convince us both of its merits. Jordan reluctantly concedes that Scorsese's a pretty good filmmaker. 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

We've heard over and over again that you guys love to hear us fight, and we got pretty heated this time. CJ tried to make the case that criticisms against this kind of movie are unfair. You can pretty well imagine how Jordan responded. But you don't need to! You can listen! So do that. 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

We went live again, and dare we say we improved a bit? You'll have to be the judge. Regardless, we had a great time with some of our bestest fans, and now you can listen to the whole thing without having to see our dumb faces. Podcasting! 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 may not be the best of the recent DC offerings, but it's certainly, CERTAINLY not the worst. In this episode, we find plenty to nerd out about, and then wonder a while about why we didn't walk away more satisfied. 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

Check out live video here! 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

A mopey story of revenge with a dreary setup and a confusing and unsatisfying conclusion. So maybe don't worry too much about spoilers this time around, and join us for a sincere conversation about what went wrong, and what we wish had gone right with this sleepy January offering. 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

Join us tomorrow (2/4) at 8pm PST for our first live episode EVER! Here are the live stream links!Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nerdcritic/posts/471761546826918YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHUBbmLwPL32MpAV07OeyAg/live 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

A chillingly effective illustration of socio-economic reality, this might be one of the most important works of nihilism we've ever seen. But boy does the dark comedy help that bitter pill go down. 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

Without the speed-ramping (which he seems to have shelved after the embarrassing misfire that was Aladdin), all we're left with is witty dialogue, clever framing devices, his obsession with the world of crime and criminals, and an increasingly inevitable comparison... 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