Nerd Lunch

Michael, Rob, Evan, and Pax continue their ramble through various topics spurred by what they've been watching and thinking about. Discussions include big, spoilery discussions of Ted Lasso's second season and the first of Only Murders in the Building as well as deep thoughts about holiday travels, the importance of Thanksgiving, and celebrity crushes. 

Loungers Michael, Rob, Evan, and Pax gather again for another drifting discussion about what they've been listening to and reading. Big topics this time include superheroes Daredevil and Jason Todd, listening through musicians' discographies, and when it's appropriate to start celebrating Christmas.

Everyone loves Robin Hood and we're no exceptions. Michael and Rob welcome Pax, Sue London, and - making his podcasting debut - Sue's husband Devin for the first in a series of episodes about the legendary merry man. Starting with the panel's experience with the Robin Hood legend in general, the conversation then moves to the classic 1938 film The Adventures of Robin Hood. Starring of course Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, and Claude Rains.

On the last episode, where our MCU panel talked about Iron Man 3, Michael mentioned that he and William Bruce West had a conversation about the same movie for Michael's former Christmas movie podcast. Even though they did talk about how Iron Man 3 works in some Christmas themes, most of the conversation was about the movie in general. So for that reason, and  because William Bruce West is awesome, we thought you might enjoy hearing that discussion.

The AfterLunch MCU Panel - Lizzie, Pax, Rob, and Michael - reconvene to talk about the final film in Marvel's Iron Man trilogy: how it builds on themes from the previous films and whether or not it flows well into what came later. And of course, there are its controversial villains, kid sidekick, and whether or not that ending works super well.

Michael's back with another short, solo episode, this time about the second James Bond novel, Live and Let Die. Listen to how it differs from the film while also influencing other Bond movies like License to Kill and For Your Eyes Only. 

We hope you haven't finished eating all your Halloween candy yet, because Michael and Rob are joined by Joanna from Bloody Popcorn and new guest Ron Ankeny to determine once and for all, Sweet 16 bracket-style, what the ultimate Halloween treat is. Whether it's what you pass out to trick-or-treaters or what you serve at your Halloween party, it's the season for sweets. And you bet there's some discussion of other Halloween traditions along the way.

After a brief intermission, the AfterLunch Loungers finish their wandering conversation with thoughts on horror movies, DC superhero shows, acting better than you feel, and relationships with technology.

We're trying something different with the latest After Dinner Lounge conversation. Rather than drop another 3+ hour conversation on you, we're splitting it into two, smaller chunks. In this part, Michael, Rob, Evan, and Pax talk about what they've been listening to and reading, with the conversation meandering into Dracula comics, film canon, murderbots, and Nerd Lunch's lost Brenda Starr episode.

David asks Erik, Michael, and Dave to find the hidden connection between Fargo, Jingle All the Way, and Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back. If you haven't seen one or more of the movies, feel free to skip to the discussions of your choice: 00:01:24 - Review of Fargo (1996) 00:13:03 - Review of Jingle All the Way (1996) 00:32:09 - Review of Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998) 00:51:05 - Guessing the Connection

Michael goes solo this episode to talk about the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale. 

Michael, Rob, Evan, and Pax gather in the library for another rambling discussion about what they've been listening to, reading, watching, and thinking about, including breakfast cereals, megamixes, musical theatre, and bad office jargon.

Michael and Rob welcome back Chad Young and Jeff Somogyi for another few rounds of throwing improbable contestants into battles and arguing about who would emerge victorious. If our panel can stay on topic, that is.

In the first of a series of James Bond episodes, Michael and Rob are joined by Karen Flieger to talk about Bond's first screen appearance in 1954's Climax! TV adaptation of Casino Royale. How watchable is "Card Sense" Jimmy Bond's team up with Clarence Leiter to take down Peter Lorre? Grab a seat at the table and we'll be glad to deal you in.

Michael, Rob, Evan, and Pax convene for another meandering conversation about what they've been listening to, reading, watching, and thinking about. As always, recommendations abound and lead into other discussions, this time about perfect albums, anticipation for Shang Chi, method acting, and V’Ger's eternal question.

September 9, 2021 is the 10th anniversary of the very first episode of the Nerd Lunch Podcast.  The original Nerds get back together to talk about it.  And maybe make a quick Movie Menu.

The AfterLunch MCU panel wraps up Phase 1 with an in-depth discussion of the improbably excellent Marvel mash-up film, The Avengers. Among the many important topics are Iron Man's hubris, Black Widow's agency, Hawkeye's archery technique, and Captain America's costume.   

AfterLUNCH's 50th episode coincided with Michael's road trip south to see a bunch of friends he hasn't seen in a long time (and one he's never met face-to-face before). Some of them grew up in the South, some transplanted there, and some transplanted away from there, so Michael talks to them about Southern living and what movies, TV shows, and books best represent it. 

Following up on some discussions in the After Dinner Lounge episodes, Michael and Evan welcome Evan's daughter Sarah to talk about favorite manga and anime. Some of the manga discussed are: Black Butler Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Moriarty the Patriot Bungo Stray Dogs Silver Spoon Akira Samurai 7 Anne Freaks Children of the Sea A Silent Voice And anime like: Jujutsu Kaisen Death Parade Yuri on Ice Cowboy Bebop Grave of the Fireflies The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Mary and the Witch’s Flower Your Name And of course, the films of Hayao Miyazaki

Back on Episode 35, we sexified some stories for the CW. On this episode, we do the opposite as Michael and Rob welcome Karen Flieger and Adam Pope to turn material for grown-ups into kid-friendly fare.