Dive into the latest episode of Nerd Legion as MonteCristo and DoA break down Max's surprisingly compelling Batman spinoff, "The Penguin"! Join us as we spotlight the incredible performances from Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, and explore the film's complex themes found in classic mafia tales. We’ll discuss how "The Penguin" refreshingly reimagines Oz as a captivating villain, offering viewers a unique perspective. Don't miss out on this deep dive into the world of Gotham's underbelly and see why this spinoff deserves a watch!

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We review the final episodes of Arcane Season 2!

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A long-awaited anime adaptation of Junji Ito's manga Uzumaki has finally arrived, but unfortunately with uneven results. Commissioned by Cartoon Network for Adult Swim, Uzumaki suffered serious delays in production and drama with the directors and animation studios. While the art style accurately reflects Ito's original work, the animation beyond the first episode leaves much to be desired and leads to some sequences being goofy instead of scary. For a show that took five years to release just four episodes, only the first one shows the love and care fans expected when viewing the trailers and teaser materials.

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Dive into the thrilling world of Arcane Season 2 in our latest review! Join MonteCristo and DoA as they break down the first batch of episodes, scrutinizing the stunning animation and exploring the hefty budget that brought this masterpiece to life. With their extensive history with League of Legends, these veteran hosts uncover the driving forces behind the show's success while tackling the biggest unsolved mystery lurking in Runeterra! Don't miss a minute of their expert insights!

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Get ready for an in-depth exploration as MonteCristo and DoA break down Netflix's "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance" in this episode of Nerd Legion! Join the duo as they dive into the expansive Gundam universe, dissecting the unexpected portrayal of iconic mechas and the show's narrative twists. While the review touches on some captivating elements, the duo won’t shy away from critiquing the not-so-great animation that left fans wanting more. Perfect for both seasoned Gundam lovers and newbies, this review is packed with insights. Don't miss out; tune in now and add your thoughts in the comments!

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A dense, enigmatic, and bombastic epic, John Boorman's 1981 film Excalibur brings the Arthurian romances to life in all their symbolic glory. Featuring a stellar cast, including Helen Mirren, Nicol Williamson, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Ciarán Hinds, and Gabriel Byrne, the film is an opportunity to see many lauded British and Irish actors early in their careers. Excalibur leans into the episodic and mysterious nature of the Arthurian stories, leaving it to the viewer to interpret and understand the events unfolding on screen. The film also provides a visual feast with amazing costuming, epic set-pieces, and stunning cinematography, all of which add to its larger than life feel. While challenging and, at times, confusing, Excalibur holds up well in the modern day and its ambition is second-to-none.

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Clash of the Titans continues Nerd Legion's 1980s fantasy marathon, taking us into Greek mythology (kind of) with Perseus' battles against Medusa and the Kraken. While straying very far from its source material, the film gave us Ray Harryhausen's last crack at stop-motion and effects wizardry as a capstone to a multi-decade career in Hollywood. Maggie Smith and Lawrence Olivier also add some dramatic weight as Greek gods to counter-balance the action sequences of Harry Hamlin's Perseus. A little bit silly, but still compelling, Clash of the Titans remains a fantasy classic and a must-watch for fans of the genre.

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Beloved by many who saw it in their childhoods, the Rankin/Bass musical interpretation of the Return of the King from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings epic is Nerd Legion's next film in the 1980s fantasy film marathon. Featuring music from folk legend Glenn Yarbrough and narration from the incomparable John Huston, this film represents a serious if flawed attempt to realize this iconic book. From disco orcs to a Skeletor-sounding Witch King, this interpretation of Return of the King is as silly as it is memorable.

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We kick off our review of every 1980s sword and sorcery movie, with Hawk the Slayer, a cult-classic British fantasy film directed by Terry Marcel from 1980. With charmingly terrible dialogue and special effects, this movie provides an unabashed good time with cheesy and tropey moments. Clearly inspired and derivative of Star Wars and pulp fantasy of the era, Hawk the Slayer still provides some unique moments and solid pacing. While no masterpiece, viewers should still find this film to be an incredibly fun viewing experience filled with lords of the dance, fully automatic crossbows, and glowing bouncy ball magic.

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Warcraft is a 2016 action fantasy film based on the video game series of the same name. Director Duncan Jones attempts to adapt the story from the very first Warcraft game, and ends up creating a tonally confusing film that can't decide who its target audience is. We praise most of the effects and some of the film's comedic moments, but pan the fight choreography, poor writing, and several other key aspects.

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