nerdfest Podcast: Movies, TV, Trivia and Fun!

We have lots of new movie, TV, book and even orchestral recommendations for you this week. But before that, we discuss who we'd all like to see as the next James Bond. Is it Tom Hardy? Or possibly a more outside choice? Tune in to find out!

To kick off our recommendations, Dan shares his nostalgic experiences of listening to the John Williams “Live in Vienna” concert. He also has a review of a brand new book “The Devil and the Dark Water” by Stuart Turton which we were lucky enough to be sent an advance copy of.

Jon leads our review of “Bill and Ted Face the Music” which might just emerge as the best thing of 2020.

From a brand new movie, to an absolute classic - Andy has been perusing the old blockbusters and shared his thoughts on watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for the very first time.

Peter recommends “Raised by Wolves”, Ridley Scott’s first foray into TV. It’s a sci fi drama complete with androids and colonisations that should interest any Scott fanatic.

And finally Hazel reviews Katherine Ryan’s semi-autobiographical Netflix show, “The Duchess”.

Who would be your choice for the next Bond? Send us your thoughts on Twitter or Facebook @nerdfestuk

Dan got married! Jon got a puppy! Ian grew a beard! We have lots of reasons to celebrate in this episode, so please do join us for a bit of non lockdown-related happiness!

We also have a great round of Film Buff or Film Bluff for you - including Jon’s definition of a “dedication” to Dan and his new wife. Ian has some made-up movie reviews to fool us with, Peter heads into the land of sci fi, Dan has 3 facts about the life of Buster Keaton, and Hazel treads dangerous waters with the plots of three propaganda movies, one of which she has made up from scratch (sorry Mr. Putin).

And finally Dan brings us his review of 'Tenet', whilst trying (and somewhat failing) to explain what he saw.

This episode also includes our tribute to Chadwick Boseman, one of the world’s most beloved and inspirational humans, gone too soon.

Love is in the air today, as we open the show celebrating Hazel and Andy’s minus one wedding anniversary, and Jon and Peter offer up some unusual ways on how they can celebrate it :)

Then we bring you a tonne of new recommendations for your viewing pleasure. First up is 'Lovecraft Country' which premiered recently in Sky’s ‘Watchmen’ slot. Hazel then talks about an easy binge-watch on BBC iPlayer - “Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience.”

Andy has another eclectic offering, with Ugandan film “Who killed Captain Alex”. Hear about some of the amazing action Wakaliwood can produce on a shoestring budget.

And finally Peter has two recommendations - “The Americans” and “Perry Mason” which somehow inspires Jon to perform a series of raps about Arnold Schwarzenegger...

In the second section of the show we tackle a listener question, which asks us what we’ve found most disappointing so far in nerd culture in 2020. Aside from all the cinema release postponements, this conversation takes us down some interesting paths. Some might even say it was a poignant discussion!

N.B this episode was recorded before the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman. We were incredibly devastated to hear about this and send all our thoughts to Chadwick’s family, friends, and legions of fans across the world.

Wakanda Forever. Hi

This time we answer a question from a listener about just how wrong we all are. This leads us into a fun discussion about certain films that we personally love, but need to mount a bit of a defence for to other people.

Before that we have our Film Buff or Film Buff quiz, which tests our knowledge on roles that had to be replaced mid-shoot due to an actor’s untimely death, the movie 'Almost Famous', 50s sci fi TV shows around the world, 'Star Trek', and the works of Alan Smithee.

Do send in more of your listener questions for us to tackle! @nerdfestuk on Twitter and Facebook.

A pod poem:

We hear all that’s going on, at San Diego Comic Con.

“Old Guard” and “Palm Springs” halt time’s advance, as we cross space with “The Expanse”.

A sequel to the “The Last Of Us”?

(and Hamilton’s on Disney plus!)

Join Peter, Jon, Dan and Ian for another X-Citing episode of the Nerdfest podcast!

In our regular Buff or Bluff feature, we examine the complicated profession of bounty hunting in the Star Wars expanded universe as well as some weird and wonderful cinematic sounds, before answering a listener question on how to bring the X-Men into the MCU and who we’d cast in the key roles. Then Jon delves into his own Sack of Fun, for 82 minutes on the "Money Plane".

All that and more on this episode- SNIKT!

This week we’re answering some of your profound listener questions, such as "Which is the best cartoon TV show?", and "What's the most horrifying piece of movie tie-in merchandise you’ve ever seen?" giving us an excellent opportunity to talk about a certain pair of Pinocchio boxer shorts.

Then we have our recommendations of the week. Dan has two podcasts worthy of your time, including “Californian Century” and the “Six degrees of the song of the south” episode of “You must remember this”. Hazel celebrates the works of Ava DuVernay, including “Selma”, the excellent documentary “13th” and “When They See Us”.

Andy recommends the lockdown-themed “Staged”, featuring David Tennant and Michael Sheen trying to practice for a forthcoming theatre show. Peter reviews “Giri/Haji", a thriller set in London and Tokyo. And finally Jon, slightly grumpy that’s he’s not sat in a field surrounding by 100,000 sweaty bodies, recommends some of the most infamous Glastonbury sets from past years, currently featured on BBC iPlayer.

We then have Taking One For The Team, where one of us must endure a critically-mauled film for the benefit of the pod. In this case, it’s Dan who drew the short straw and reviews “Artemis Fowl”, originally set for a cinematic release until COVID-19 had its way and it was released on Disney Plus. Cue much hilarity as he describes all the “fowlness” inherent within it. But can Judi Dench’s appearance as a leprechaun give it a redeeming taste?

Please send us your listener questions for our next episode, by tweeting us @nerdfestuk on Twitter, or sending us on a message on our Facebook page (Nerdfest UK).

The Ians align for our latest episode! Yes, Ians Mayor and McLaughlin join Peter, Jon and Dan for a game of Buff or Bluff, encompassing everything from Aerosmith to Vin Diesel’s dog, before we squee about the many exciting things in store for Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Join us for our thoughts on 'Black Widow', 'Eternals', Jane Foster as Thor, and loads more Marvel-ous stuff!

In a masterful and suspenseful episode, we discuss five of Hitchcock’s greatest film accomplishments. Join us as we dissect 'Rear Window', 'Psycho', 'The Birds', 'Vertigo' and 'North by Northwest' and see how they hold up today. We discuss the groundbreaking shots, the cameos, the treatment of women, behind the scenes factoids, the unique sets, and much more.

Before that, we have an eclectic bunch of international recommendations to help you through the 98th week of lockdown. Peter sings the praises of 'Upload', an odd comedy set in a digital heaven. Jon reviews 'Border', a dark Swedish fantasy drama which he tries his best to excite us about without spoilering!

Hazel talks about her second-favourite film podcast, 'Film Stories'; a celebration of movie making. Then Dan, on behalf of his fiancée Amy, recommends the truly brilliant cookery/travel show 'Somebody feed Phil', the third season of which has just landed on Netflix. And finally Andy reviews 'Woman at War', an Icelandic comedy drama about an environmental activist who wants to become a mother.

Remember nerds, drama is life with all the dull bits cut out.

It’s a very special week here at Nerdfest, as not only did the brilliant 'Film Stories' magazine recommend us as their podcast of the week, but also it’s our fifth anniversary! We formed our cinema club in the pub, this time five years ago, so we open the show with a little bit of reminiscing.

Also in this episode is our Film Buff Or Film Bluff quiz, featuring true and made-up facts about directors’ credits, which famous nerdy things came first, special makeup effects director Rick Baker, and obscure connections.

And finally Dan has come up with a brilliant feature called “Getting to Nerd You”, in which he asks fellow nerds meaningful questions such as ‘What is the nerdiest thing you’ve ever done?’ And ‘Who would you invite to a Nerdfest dinner party?’

Thank you to all our listeners! We’re very grateful to each and every one of you.