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Moderate Fantasy Violence

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.
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Now displaying: 2017
Dec 21, 2017

A double-event special today, as we tackle both Star Wars: The Last Jedi (8:16, with FULL SPOILERS) and the glorious festive season with our follow-up question: what makes a great Christmas film? (30:28)

Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Dec 7, 2017

This fortnight, we've watched all thirteen episodes of Marvel's The Punisher show on Netflix (7:56), and it sure made a mess everywhere. Plus our latest burning related issue: When is it acceptable to fake your own death? (33:51)

Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Nov 23, 2017

This is it! The fiftieth episode of Moderate Fantasy Violence! To celebrate this megaversary, there's a review of long-discussed superhero team-up Justice League (8:27), followed by Nick and Alastair taking YOUR questions (25:29).

Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com, including timestamps for individual Q&A questions.

Nov 9, 2017

Back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as we review superfun supersequel Thor: Ragnarok (7:28) with mild spoilers for early on in the film, and then ask a big, depressing question: are WE on the verge of Ragnarok? (26:32)

More detailed shownotes at ModerateFantastViolence.com

Oct 26, 2017

This fortnight, we take a big sweeping look (with spoilers) at the first five episodes of Star Trek: Discovery (8:22) and, prompted by Trek's first ever f-bomb, we ask: is there any franchise that shouldn't go full adult? (23:40)

Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Oct 12, 2017

This fortnight's main feature is long awaited (especially by Alastair) sci-fi sequel Blade Runner 2049 (6:30), followed by related topic: are humanoid robots a good idea? (24:28) And yes, we know most sci-fi films have a clear take on that.

More detailed shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Sep 28, 2017

This fortnight, we review surreal Darren Aronofsky movie mother! (6:04) and tackle a hot related talking point: should writers write about writers? (22:46)

Reasonably heavy spoilers for mother! in this podcast, by the way.

Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Sep 14, 2017

The all-new Moderate Fantasy Violence format debuts, with each episode reviewing one new release, then discussing a related topic. First up, Nick and Alastair look at the new movie adaptation of Stephen King's It (8:57) and then ask: are clowns still scary in 2017? (19:25)

Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Aug 31, 2017

Forty four, forever more! A big episode this fortnight, with Netflix's Marvel's The Defenders (6:52), the whole of Game of Thrones season 7 (24:14, full spoilers), Atomic Blonde (45:00) and Nick's recommendation from last time: Master of None (57:41).

Also: Nick defrosts his freezer mid-episode, and at one point, a huge wedge of ice falls out.

Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Aug 17, 2017

Forty-three years since the last recording! Alastair went on holiday and Nick's about to do the same, so they recorded this a few weeks back. There's brief chat about the original The Handmaid's Tale novel by Margaret Atwood and The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, a small clip from their trip to Nine Worlds, then a double recommendation: Nick suggests Daredevil: Born Again (11:06) by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, Alastair goes for classic British comedy Withnail & I (30:36).

Fuller shownotes on http://www.ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Aug 3, 2017

Is this episode the meaning of life? This time, we briefly chat Santa Clarita Diet and The Geek Feminist Revolution by Kameron Hurley, before turning to longer discussions of Dunkirk (6:26), It Comes At Night (24:37), Castlevania (34:48) and Alastair's most recent recommendation: Nathan Barley (47:06).

Fuller shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com

Jul 20, 2017

Cruising into their (podcast's) forties with dignity, Nick and Alastair tackle the new Doctor Who casting briefly (6:07), then dive full-bodied into Spider-Man: Homecoming (11:04), the Game of Thrones season 7 premiere (26:45), Preacher season 2 (41:07) and Nick's recommendation of Descender: Tin Stars (52:32).

Cruise on over to http://www.moderatefantasyviolence.com for fuller shownotes and details of how you could win some (internet) money!

Jul 6, 2017

The big 4-0! Nick and Alastair revisit some old friends and discover some new goth-synth albums in this landmark episode. Full shownotes at ModerateFantasyViolence.com, but here are timestamps for the main features:

Baby Driver: 9:51
Doctor Who series 10: 25:01
Curse Words v1: 49:22
You And Me Against The World by Apoptygma Berzerk: 58:45

Jun 22, 2017

Thirty-nine, yet also two! Nick and Alastair cover two TV shows beginning with O and ending in Black for the second time (see also: MFV #10), but first, Alastair's seen Dispossession: The Great Social Housing Swindle, a serious documentary about the housing crisis, while Nick's read some Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye comics.

Then it's down to business with the start of Orange Is The New Black season 5 (9:55), followed by a big look back at the whole of American Gods season 1 (27:18) and a little check-in with the first episode of Orphan Black's final season (43:26).

Last but definitely not least, Nick recommends Quantum & Woody (55:17) by Christopher Priest and Mark Bright, the mismatched-buddy-superhero comic that influenced much of his style, taste and sense of humour. Will Alastair dig it?

Jun 8, 2017

Thirty-eight painful coughs to go! Nick and Alastair are back (despite Nick's laryngitis struggles) to talk about their Team MFV trip to The Bugle live show and Alastair's solo jaunt to Field Day.

Not to mention their reviews of eagerly awaited inspirational superhero film Wonder Woman (8:34), monster-metaphor-mash-up movie Colossal (25:19) an episode one of The Handmaid's Tale (37:40), the depressingly relevant TV adaptation of Margaret Atwood's novel.

Finally, what did Nick think of noted sci-fi classic Blade Runner (50:16)? With his malfunctioning vocal systems, did it hit too close to home?

May 25, 2017

Thirty seven minutes in heaven! Nick and Alastair begin on a pleasingly literate note, looking back on MR Carey's The Boy On The Bridge (follow-up to his previously-praised The Girl With All The Gifts) and From Hell, classic Jack The Ripper graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell.

But the big story this fortnight is Twin Peaks: The Return (8:59), the much-anticipated new series! If that wasn't enough nostalgic reviving for one episode, Nick and Alastair also saw Alien: Covenant (28:23), the eighth film in the long-running franchise! And Mindhorn (43:19), a new British comedy about nostalgic revivals!

But our heroes step into the modern world eventually with My Dad Wrote A Porno (52:54), the popular podcast about self-published erotica.

May 11, 2017

Thirty six more chances to win! This fortnight, Nick finally watches premium telly classic Deadwood, while Alastair saw Bunch of Kunst, a documentary film about his beloved Sleaford Mods. Also: how has their Mod listening progressed since the album review in MFV #31?

Most excitingly, though, it's Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 (8:10), the first Marvel Cinematic Universe film of the year! After that, almost as anticipated, it's the first episode of American Gods (23:57), Bryan Fuller's weirdly angled TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel.

Next, Nick's taste in music takes its turn for a pasting, as they review new Gorillaz album Humanz (33:58).

Lastly, a truly inevitable recommendation section, as Alastair pitches some classic Doctor Who (47:20) - specifically, the Tom Baker story Genesis of the Daleks.

Apr 27, 2017

Thirty five, dirty lies! The recommendations section is a little recycled this time, as Nick talks the second book of Alan Moore's Jerusalem (last mentioned in MFV #30) and Alastair revisits Spaceship now it's up on BFI Player (fully reviewed in MFV #18).

But it's on to new frontiers after that, as Doctor Who (6:10) starts its first new series since the podcast began! And then The Fast And The Furious 8 (23:09), Nick's first ever encounter with this ridiculous franchise! Including a philosophical diversion as Alastair starts to wonder about how to review blockbusters!

And then another callback with the podcast's third Better Call Saul (39:06) segment to mark the start of season three. (Previously: MFV #2 and MFV #6.)

Lastly, but most importantly, what did Alastair think of Ultimate Spider-Man (50:09) by Brian Micheal Bendis and Mark Bagley, the favourite Spider-Man comic of Nick, a massive Spider-Man fan?

Apr 13, 2017

Thirty-four episodes clean and counting! Nick and Alastair kick off with talk about brief recent encounters with kid assassin comic Deadly Class, by Rick Remender and Wes Craig, and apt podcast-based crime novel Six Stories by Matt Wesolowski.

Then it's time to get down to business with Ben Wheatley's warehouse gun battle movie Free Fire (6:51), followed by a check back with highly acclaimed X-Men-related TV series Legion (20:15). Did it keep that weird quality up for the whole season? Thirdly, it's the first two issues of The Old Guard (36:31), a new comic about immortal soldiers by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez.

Lastly, what did Nick think of classic movie Run Lola Run (46:50)? And if he'd seen it at a slightly different time, would his whole opinion change?

Apr 6, 2017

Thirty-three Power Rangers is less than it takes to change a light bulb! Time to review the new Power Rangers movie, and to do this epic justice, Nick and Alastair bring in mighty morphin' mega-fan PDT, co-host of RangerPod and The Mostly Made-Up Doctor Who Episode Guide! Before getting stuck into the dinosaur meat, they quickly discuss such random intake as Designated Survivor, Ghost in the Shell (not the new one) and the recent Flash/Supergirl musical crossover episode!

Then, at around 8:28, it's time to morph all the way and get stuck into Power Rangers in some detail. Could the film meet everyone's expectations? What did PDT think of epilogue comic Power Rangers: Aftershock? Is Alpha 5 still annoying? Which Ranger is the Wolverine of the franchise? All this and much, much more.

If you enjoyed PDT's appearance here, check out RangerPod and The Mostly Made-Up Doctor Who Episode Guide on iTunes, and/or follow him on Twitter as @PDTSaysThings!

Mar 30, 2017

Thirty-two tiny punches and a big stab! In a shortened episode (because they've moved the Power Rangers review to a separate special, admin fans), Nick and Alastair quickly cover some classic material, with H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu and Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited.

Then it's into less-than-classic territory with Marvel's latest Netflix/Defenders series Iron Fist (7:01), before recovering with excellent comedy-horror liberal nightmare movie Get Out (23:52).

Lastly, what did Alastair think of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (35:13)? Is it good for anyone, or did Nick's love of comedy music blind him to the truth?

Mar 16, 2017

The big three-one! Moving into the thirties with good range, as Nick and Alastair start with brief chat about the poetry of Kate Tempest and Archie-murder series Riverdale. Then it's on to new movie Elle (9:19) which, for anyone sensitive about such content, means talking a fair bit about the film's handling of rape.

If you'd rather not listen, you can skip to 25:44 and the album English Tapas by Sleaford Mods, a band Nick hadn't previously heard. Lastly, Alastair's recommendation: Heat (38:46), a 1995 crime epic with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

If you're wondering why there's only three items this episode - the fourth for the fortnight was in MFV #30, an off-schedule special where we talked Logan with guest Chris Brosnahan. It was fun, scroll back in your feed and check it out.

Mar 7, 2017

Episode thirty! We're old, but not as old as Wolverine! Logan goes full grizzle in his new movie, and Nick and Alastair celebrate by releasing an off-schedule special, and bringing on writer, occasional stand-up comedian and X-Men fan Chris Brosnahan to help deal with the dystopian misery of it all. But first, an epic recommendations three-way, taking in The Love Witch, American Horror Story, Spider-Man: The Clone Conspiracy, Jerusalem by Alan Moore and Twin Peaks. Runs longer than usual, mostly because Chris makes the mistake of getting Nick started about Spider-Man clones.

But we eventually start on our main feature: spoiler-free Logan chat at 18:40, followed by the full-fat ruinous stuff from 27:52 onwards. Is it good? In a superhero way or a proper film way? Do we know what a fight is really like? Which actor surprised us with his strong performance? Which Marvel hero did incest in the original Old Man Logan comics? All this and more! If you enjoy Chris's appearance here, you can follow him on Twitter as @ChrisBrosnahan.

Mar 2, 2017

Twenty nine episodes in a year! Yes, it's Moderate Fantasy Violence's first birthday, so Nick and Alastair allow themselves some indulgent 'Look How Far We've Come!' talk before brief recommendations of NASA movie Hidden Figures and Native American noir comic Scalped.

Then we do full-length talk-downs of Alice Lowe's pregnancy revenge thriller Prevenge (8:40), hot new urban fantasy/wizard fantasy crossover comic Curse Words (20:15) by Charles Soule and Ryan Browne, the new series of BBC horror anthology Inside No. 9 (32:13) and Nick's recommendation from last episode: the excellent (and prematurely concluded) crime comic Fell (48:54) by Warren Ellis and Ben Templesmith.

Feb 16, 2017

Twenty-eight episodes, just like there are days in February! This time, Nick and Alastair both read actual books - specifically Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway and Maus by Art Spiegelman - and one probably had a cheerier time than the other.

But at least both enjoyed The Lego Batman Movie (5:25), an exercise in joyous Batglee like no other. Good to be back on the comic adaptations for 2017.

In other franchise-sequel news, it's time for T2 Trainspotting (20:41) (and for Nick to watch the original movie). Can these Scottish heroin addicts anchor a franchise with as much panache as Batman? Sticking with superheroes and tripping out, next it's time to try X-Men-adjacent TV show Legion (36:09).

Finally, Alastair recommended Nick the Danish surreal-horror show The Kingdom (48:08). Did he like it? Will he include clips of its amazing theme tune in the show? (Yes.)

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