Thank you and Goodbye.
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineFrank is joined by Aaron from Fandom Portals to revisit 2021’s Mortal Kombat reboot and dig into everything from fight choreography to character arcs and deeper themes. They discuss how the film hit differently as a post-lockdown release, the smart (and messy) choices around Cole Young, and what to expect from Mortal Kombat 2. Plus, they highlight standout performances, favorite fights, and how the film balances brutal action with just the right amount of absurdity.
Timestamps and Topics:
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00:00 Introduction and guest spotlight: Aaron from Fandom Portals
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02:00 What Fandom Portals is all about and their most interesting guests
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04:59 Why Mortal Kombat was the pick for this episode
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07:13 Two-minute rundown of the 2021 film
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09:38 Remembering Mortal Kombat’s unique place during the pandemic
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13:04 The planned trilogy and where the story is headed
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14:00 Our first memories playing Mortal Kombat
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16:00 Favorite characters and button-mashing nostalgia
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18:00 Comedy and fatalities: Finding the right tone
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20:03 Breaking down Arcana and how it enhances the story
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25:12 Character depth: Cole, Raiden, and Sub-Zero’s arcs
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30:00 Legacy, trauma, and family themes in Mortal Kombat
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32:00 Highlight performances: Jessica McNamee and Josh Lawson
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38:11 Martial arts authenticity and cultural details
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41:15 The final fight: Scorpion and Cole vs Sub-Zero
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43:00 Sonya vs Kano: Underdogs, traps, and laser chaos
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46:00 Talking stereotypes and what modern adaptations can improve
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48:00 The score: Hits, misses, and video game influence
Key Takeaways:
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Mortal Kombat landed during the pandemic as a fun, communal theater experience.
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The new Arcana system brought purpose and emotional weight to the characters’ powers.
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Kano’s over-the-top personality worked thanks to Josh Lawson’s fully committed performance.
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Scorpion and Sub-Zero’s rivalry represents generational trauma, vengeance, and redemption.
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The fights were creative and often layered with emotional or thematic stakes.
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The film's costume and stunt work add more depth than it gets credit for.
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The score was ambitious but sometimes pulled focus away from the action.
Quotes:
“You don’t need a perfect movie to have a meaningful one—and this gave us something to rally around.”
“Sub-Zero was cool. Literally. He was the kid-you-didn’t-let-your-brothers-pick fighter.”
“Kano’s the guy you roll your eyes at and still want to grab a beer with.”
“The deeper themes are there if you want them—generational pain, redemption, and honoring legacy.”
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Apple Podcast Tags:
Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat movie, Mortal Kombat review, movie podcast, Challenge Accepted, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Josh Lawson, martial arts movies, video game movies, film breakdown