Superman Review | The Most Comic Book Movie Ever?
Challenge Accepted
Frank and Thomas break down James Gunn’s Superman (2025), diving into why this feels like the most "comic book" movie they've ever seen. From its breakneck pacing to heartfelt performances and bold character choices, this new Superman entry sparks a lot of conversation. They cover everything from David Corenswet's grounded portrayal of Clark Kent, the surprisingly powerful Mr. Terrific, to the film’s bold approach to camp and canon. Plus, they debate whether the movie works for general audiences or if it’s best for longtime fans. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and opening thoughts 01:10 Why it...
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Superman and Lois | Still Soars Today!
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In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas revisit the pilot of Superman & Lois as hype builds for the upcoming 2025 Superman movie. They discuss the show's unique approach to the Superman mythos, focusing on Clark Kent as a father, the chemistry between Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch, and how the series compares to previous adaptations like Smallville and the Arrowverse. They break down what works, what feels fresh, and how this series set a new bar for live-action Superman storytelling. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00 – Welcome and Superman hype 00:39 – Why Thomas...
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Ironheart Ep 4-6 | Magic, Mephisto, and Mental Health
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Episode Summary: In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas break down the final three episodes of Ironheart, diving into how the show blends tech with magic, explores grief and mental health, and reintroduces Mephisto in a big way. From chaotic battles to powerful AI projections, they unpack the highs, lows, and everything in between. They discuss the MCU’s shift into deeper themes, character arcs like The Hood’s descent, Natalie’s complex identity, and the MCU’s growing use of magic as a tool for emotional storytelling. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00 Intro and spoiler...
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Ironheart Ep 1-3 | Heists, Hood, and Hellfire
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In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas break down the first three episodes of Marvel’s Ironheart, now streaming on Disney+. They discuss Riri Williams’ return from Wakanda Forever, her emotional and tech-filled journey through Chicago, and her confrontation with Parker Robbins, aka The Hood. The episode dives deep into the show's themes of grief, legacy, and identity, while teasing Mephisto's looming presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With strong performances by Dominique Thorne and Anthony Ramos, the show has potential—despite a rocky rollout and inconsistent...
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Jaws Turns 50: A Deep Dive into the Original Summer Blockbuster
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In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Thomas and Frank celebrate the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s iconic film Jaws. They revisit the movie that redefined the summer blockbuster, breaking down everything from unforgettable performances to behind-the-scenes innovations. The conversation explores the film’s themes of fear, fatherhood, trauma, and nature vs. man, while also highlighting Spielberg’s genius in turning technical failures into cinematic gold. Plus, a compelling fan theory about Chief Brody adds a whole new layer to the film. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00:00 Intro and...
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How to Train Your Dragon 2010 | After 15 Years, It Still Soars
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In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas revisit the 2010 animated hit How to Train Your Dragon, celebrating its powerful themes, stunning animation, and emotional depth. They explore what makes the original film stand out even today, how it compares to the new live-action version, and why Toothless became one of DreamWorks' most beloved characters. From world-building and sound design to the bond between Hiccup and his dragon, the duo digs into every corner of Berk and beyond. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00:00 Welcome to the show 00:00:06 Why How to Train Your Dragon still works...
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Galaxy Quest | The Perfect Sci-Fi Comedy That Still Holds Up
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In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Thomas and Frank revisit the 1999 sci-fi comedy classic Galaxy Quest. They break down why the movie has earned cult status, analyze how it parodies and celebrates Star Trek and fandom itself, and share insights from the 2019 documentary Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary. From Tim Allen’s heartfelt arc to Alan Rickman’s legendary performance and the layered comedy, the duo unpacks what makes this film timeless. They also debate whether Galaxy Quest belongs in their Top 100 Movies list and tease what's next for the franchise. Timestamps and...
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Pride & Prejudice (2005) | Two Dudes, One Darcy
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Frank and Thomas dive into Pride and Prejudice (2005) with a surprising amount of insight. After catching a recent theatrical re-release of the Jane Austen adaptation, the hosts unpack its romantic tension, cinematography, performances, and themes of societal expectations. Along the way, they reflect on Keira Knightley’s breakout role, Matthew Macfadyen’s modern take on Mr. Darcy, and how 19th-century courtship still hits in 2025. With some help from Frank’s wife and linked video essays, they make sense of the story's deeper layers—reluctantly, but respectfully. Timestamps and...
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The Last of Us Season 2 Finale | Broken Bonds and Brutal Choices
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In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas unpack the intense and divisive finale of The Last of Us Season 2. With Ellie and Abby's storylines colliding once more, the co-hosts share honest reactions on the pacing, character arcs, and controversial narrative choices. From missing emotional beats to major changes from the game, this episode offers a deep dive into what worked, what fell short, and what it all means for Season 3. They also reflect on the show's broader themes of revenge, survival, and morality, and how they compare to Joel’s legacy. Plus, they tease upcoming...
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The Last of Us | S2E6 | Joel’s Porch Confession and the Astronaut Dream
Challenge Accepted
Frank and Thomas sit down on Challenge Accepted to unpack Episode 6, “The Price.” They cover the museum space sequence, Joel’s flashback, Ellie’s growing doubts, and whether seven episodes can truly deliver the season’s emotional punch. Along the way they praise Pedro Pascal’s layered work and debate the show’s biggest changes from the game. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 | First reactions and why this feels like a return to form 01:00 | Space-museum scene and game accuracy 02:00 | Ellie’s attitude shift and Bella Ramsey’s range 04:00 | Joel’s childhood flashback and...
info_outlineThis week on Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas break down The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2—one of the most devastating and talked-about episodes of the series to date. From Joel’s brutal fate to Abby’s introduction and the fallout across Jackson, they explore how the show mirrors and diverges from the game, what it means for Ellie’s arc, and how the showrunners are reshaping fan expectations. The discussion dives into the emotional weight of the storytelling, the controversy around Abby, and why this episode might define the season.
Timestamps and Topics:
00:00 Intro and Spoiler Warning
00:24 Holding in the spoiler for years
01:28 Comparing Joel’s moment to the Red Wedding
02:01 That golf club scene
03:04 Game vs show differences in Joel’s death
04:05 Impact of Dina and Tommy being present
05:15 Ellie’s choice to keep going
06:10 Joel’s mindset and Ellie’s last words
07:14 The emotional weight and realism
08:00 Reactions from non-gamers
09:00 The gamer/non-gamer divide
10:00 HBO’s strategy with Abby and fan backlash
10:52 Ellie’s new motivation and mirroring Abby’s pain
11:37 Why Kaitlyn Dever works as Abby
13:04 What Abby’s story sets up going forward
14:15 Fan reaction to playing Abby in the game
15:04 When media earns your emotions
15:50 The game’s final song wrecks fans again
16:44 Jackson’s development and vulnerability
17:27 Zombies evolving, Walking Dead comparisons
18:22 Cordyceps hive mind and thematic depth
19:25 Real-world fungus behavior influences the show
20:36 Evolution and future zombie threats
21:11 The bloater and missing loot
22:07 Dogs join the battle
22:57 Game of Thrones-style visuals
23:44 Did the infected reach the basements?
24:05 Tommy’s potential trauma
25:02 Abby’s future arc and cult elements
25:43 More Pedro Pascal via flashbacks
26:22 Seattle and the Wolves setting up
27:02 Frank’s thoughts on The Last of Us viewership
27:50 Pedro Pascal fan reactions
28:38 Comparing Ellie and Abby to Maggie and Negan
29:25 Final thoughts on the episode’s impact
30:00 Movie of the year chat and Coogler shout-out
31:00 Zombie dogs incoming, wrap-up
Key Takeaways:
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Joel’s death was both faithful and emotionally intense, echoing the game and Red Wedding alike.
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HBO softened Abby’s introduction, aiming to create a deeper emotional understanding of her motivations.
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Ellie’s journey is now fully personal, mirroring Abby’s loss and fueling the show’s core conflict.
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The show cleverly evolves the infected into a constant threat, avoiding the pitfalls of The Walking Dead.
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Kaitlyn Dever’s performance brought layered complexity to Abby, winning over some skeptical fans.
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Jackson’s siege was visually epic, with medieval tactics meeting modern warfare.
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The Last of Us continues to blend brutal storytelling with rich worldbuilding and deep character arcs.
Quotes:
“They earned your emotions. Now you have to follow that through.” – Frank
“It just adds this heart-wrenching moment, but it makes it more real.” – Thomas
“This is our Glenn moment. We don’t know if the show survives it.” – Frank
“The hatred Abby feels is now the same thing fueling Ellie—and us.” – Frank
“Ellie keeps saying we’ll figure it out. That weight is going to stay with her forever.” – Thomas
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Listener Questions:
Have your own Last of Us reactions? Did you watch with someone who didn’t know what was coming? Message us your story or voice memo—we’ll feature it on a future episode!
Apple Podcast Tags:
The Last of Us, HBO, Pedro Pascal, Joel and Ellie, Kaitlyn Dever, Abby, video game adaptation, Challenge Accepted, TV reviews, geek culture, zombie series, HBO drama, gaming podcast, entertainment analysis