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Fantastic Four | Marvel’s New Era Begins with Family, Heart, and Sci-Fi

Release Date: 07/25/2025

Challenge Accepted

In this final episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas Law reflect on what the show became over three years and 250-plus episodes, and why ending it now feels like the right move. They talk about the grind of weekly reviews, the fun of theme months, the lessons they’re carrying forward, and how the best parts of this podcast will live on through Geek Freaks and what’s next for the network. Thomas also shares where Sick Burn is headed, why the message matters more than the metrics, and how storytelling and vulnerability have become a core part of the work. Timestamps and Topics 00:06...

2025 Year in Review: Superman Takes the Crown, Thunderbolts Surprises, and Big 2026 Hype (Supergirl, Doomsday, Odyssey)

Challenge Accepted

Thomas and Frank look back on the movies and TV that defined their 2025, from why Superman hit so hard to how Marvel’s three-film run landed with Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, and Captain America: Brave New World. They also talk about the stuff that disappointed them, why TV felt like it “won” this year, and the shows they could not stop thinking about, including IT: Welcome to Derry, Alien: Earth, and Andor. To close it out, they shift into 2026 mode: what’s got them genuinely excited again, which upcoming releases feel like “event” movies, and how they want to evolve Challenge...

Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook

Challenge Accepted

Frank revisits Night of the Living Dead (1968) and breaks down why it still feels ahead of its time, even with a shoestring budget and simple setup. He walks through the full plot from the cemetery opening to the brutal ending, calls out the movie’s “proto zombie rules” (headshots, fire, escalating panic), and digs into the constant clash between Ben and Harry Cooper over how to survive. Frank also shares a handful of behind-the-scenes trivia, then closes by asking listeners to help pick the next holiday movie review. Timestamps and Topics 00:00:05 Welcome to Challenge Accepted and why...

Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper

Challenge Accepted

In this single-player episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank bundles up with the winter classic Fargo and breaks down why this 1996 Coen Brothers film still hits so hard. From Jerry’s desperate spiral and Gaear’s cold brutality to Marge Gunderson’s calm, quietly heroic presence, Frank walks through the story, performances, music, and snow-covered Midwest setting that make the movie timeless. He also talks about how the Fargo TV series connects back to the film, why the woodchipper scene has become legend, and how the Coens turn empty white fields into one of the most effective...

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic

Challenge Accepted

In this solo episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank finally sits down with the iconic animated film Batman Mask of the Phantasm after years of calling it a major Batman blind spot. He shares his deep love for Batman The Animated Series, breaks down Bruce Timm’s distinctive art style, and explores why Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill’s performances still define Batman and Joker for entire generations. After watching the movie for the first time, Frank gives his immediate reaction, digging into Gotham’s timeless look, the horror-inspired presentation of the Phantasm, and the emotional core of...

Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving Throwdown - Ranking The Best Holiday Episodes

Challenge Accepted

In this Thanksgiving special of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Jonathan celebrate the Belchers by ranking their top Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving episodes and crowning a definitive winner. They break down why the holiday episodes hit so hard, talk about the emotional gut punches hidden inside the jokes, and revisit the wild chaos of turkeys, hoarding, broken ovens, and cursed outdoor cooking. The guys also reveal the results of their “Turkey Brawl” social media tournament and wrap up with a few extra Thanksgiving watch recommendations to keep your holiday cozy and geeky. Bob's Burgers...

Stranger Things Seasons 1–4 Recap – Getting Ready For The Final Battle

Challenge Accepted

On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank Lourence (@franklourence79) teams up with Jonathan to walk through Stranger Things seasons 1 through 4 so you are fully refreshed before season 5 lands. The two revisit the early days in Hawkins, the rise of the Mind Flayer, the Starcourt Mall showdown, and Vecna’s terrifying curse, mixing clean plot recaps with personal memories and reactions. Along the way they talk about why the show’s ’80s nostalgia still works, how characters like Hopper, Billy, Max, and Eddie evolved, and what they hope to see in the final season. They close by sharing...

The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs | Death and Legends

Challenge Accepted

In this solo Thanksgiving episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank breaks down The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, the Coen Brothers’ Netflix Western anthology that has quietly become one of his holiday staples. Story by story, he digs into how each vignette wrestles with death, chance, and human nature, from Tim Blake Nelson’s singing gunslinger to Tom Waits’ stubborn prospector and that iconic “First time?” hanging meme. Along the way, Frank talks about why the film feels so cozy despite its bleak themes, how the Coens use digital cinematography to shape tone, and what these stories say...

Gen V Season 2 | The Boys’ Campus War, Wins, and What’s Next

Challenge Accepted

On Challenge Accepted, we break down the Gen V Season 2 finale and how it tees up the last chapter of The Boys. We talk about the big reveal around Cipher, the season’s mid-section slowdown, and why Godolkin works best when the story actually stays on campus. We dig into standout arcs for Marie, Jordan, Emma, and Sage, the villain’s core weakness, and why those Starlight and A-Train beats matter. We also highlight the effects work, tributes woven into the story, and what we expect to carry over into The Boys. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 — Welcome and gut reactions to the finale 00:37...

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) | Morphin’ Time at the Movies! | Feat. Becca Peterson

Challenge Accepted

On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Thomas welcomes critic and lifelong Ranger fan Becca Peterson (The Critic Buffet) for a fast-paced, fun deep dive into the 1995 feature film. We cover why this movie still hits for ‘90s kids, the charm of Ivan Ooze, the switch to ninja powers and new Zords, and how the film fits into the broader multiverse of Power Rangers stories. Becca brings great trivia, from casting changes to Sentai influences, and shares why the movie’s core message still lands. Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – 01:10 | Cold open, show intro, and guest welcome; Becca’s...

More Episodes

On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas dive deep into Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel's latest take on its original superhero team. They unpack what makes this version click—from the emotional dynamics between the characters to the classic comic book roots baked into the plot. They also debate Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, celebrate Vanessa Kirby’s commanding performance as Sue, and break down what that end credits Doom reveal means for the future of the MCU. This one’s packed with takes, comic knowledge, and that signature CA banter.

Timestamps and Topics:

00:00 Intro and first reactions
00:34 Emotional tone and visual impact
01:17 The family dynamic and what Marvel nailed
02:06 Comparing Fantastic Four and Superman’s reboots
03:13 Marvel’s tonal shift and 60s sci-fi inspirations
04:07 Spoiler alert and space travel discussions
05:24 Comic nods: Galactus, Mole Man, Red Ghost
07:00 The return of recurring villains in the MCU
10:06 Deep character breakdown: Sue, Reed, Johnny, Ben
13:40 Ben and Reed’s friendship complexity
18:09 Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards—does it work?
24:02 Franklin Richards and the film’s emotional core
27:10 Comic comparisons and MCU differences
30:32 CGI highs and lows
35:00 Galactus' design and introduction
37:00 Final battle and team synergy
41:04 Stretching powers and future potential
46:49 Mid and post-credit scene breakdowns
51:00 Multiverse theories and TVA links
55:02 Final thoughts and sequel hopes

Key Takeaways:

Vanessa Kirby shines as Sue Storm, grounding the film with emotion and authority.
This Fantastic Four reboot captures the sci-fi spirit of the comics while carving out a fresh MCU tone.
Johnny Storm is finally more than comic relief—he’s passionate, intelligent, and layered.
Pedro Pascal delivers a solid performance, but debate remains whether he feels like Reed.
Galactus and Silver Surfer bring scope and threat, with visual set pieces built for IMAX.
The mid-credits Doom reveal got the loudest cheer in the theater—for good reason.

Memorable Quotes:

“This is the first time in a long time I walked out of a Marvel movie wanting a sequel—not the next MCU thing. Just more of this.”
“Sue Storm runs this team. Period.”
“I don’t think Pedro was Reed. I think Pedro played someone like Reed.”
“They didn’t just adapt a comic—they brought 60s sci-fi to life.”
“Galactus wasn’t just big. He was felt—especially in IMAX.”

Call to Action:
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Links and Resources:
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Twitter: @CAPodcastLive
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Listener Questions:
What’s your take on Pedro Pascal’s Mr. Fantastic? Are you ready for Doctor Doom to shake up the MCU? Let us know and we might read your responses on a future episode.

Apple Podcast Tags:
Fantastic Four, Marvel Review, MCU Phase 6, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Galactus, Silver Surfer, Sue Storm, Reed Richards, Marvel Reboot, Doctor Doom, Marvel End Credits, Comic Book Movies, Challenge Accepted, Marvel 2025

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