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)
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Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook
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Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper
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Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic
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Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving Throwdown - Ranking The Best Holiday Episodes
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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
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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) | Morphin’ Time at the Movies! | Feat. Becca Peterson
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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_outlineThomas and Frank set sail for a rewatch of Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl. They talk first impressions, why the story pacing feels different today, and why Jack Sparrow still dominates pop culture. The conversation hits character arcs for Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, the film’s blend of practical effects and early CGI, sly nods to the Disneyland ride, and what modern blockbusters can learn from a character first adventure. Fun facts and a quick Hall of Fame debate wrap the voyage, plus a look ahead to Hacks and weekly Peacemaker coverage.
Timestamps and Topics
00:00 Welcome and why this pick still matters
00:49 First impressions today versus memory
01:09 Fast plot recap and shifting alliances
04:02 Pacing talk and a slow first act
05:08 Misdirection, the curse, and keeping motives straight
06:03 Cast praise for Depp, Bloom, and Knightley
06:21 Jack Sparrow as career defining performance
07:50 Cartoon energy inside a live action Disney world
09:17 Tone and the Disney magic without the gore
10:15 Family action adventure that still plays for all ages
10:59 Will Turner as the straight man with real growth
12:20 The peg and the dog dynamic between Will and Jack
14:04 Bootstrap Bill and a changing view of pirates
16:06 Set design, practical work, and ride callouts
17:48 Ship battles and why they still pop
23:06 CGI that aged well and where it shows seams
25:19 Budgets, timelines, and quality control for VFX
27:21 Jerry Bruckheimer’s fingerprints and franchise future
28:16 Would a non IP pirate movie hit today
30:37 What modern blockbusters can learn from this film
35:42 Romance that supports rather than drives the story
36:39 The trilogy era and that cliffhanger problem
40:19 Fun facts lightning round
47:50 Hall of Fame vote split
49:22 What is next Hacks S1E1 and weekly Peacemaker
50:16 Quick shout on Game Changer and why to watch
51:09 Outro and how to reach the show
Key Takeaways
• Jack Sparrow works because the comedy never undercuts danger and the character always dances on the edge
• Will Turner is the emotional core and the only character with clear growth in this film
• Practical effects enhanced by targeted CGI keep the world tactile and hold up better over time
• The movie balances action, comedy, and light romance without losing stakes
• Nods to the Disneyland ride help the setting feel lived in rather than digital
• Modern blockbusters could benefit from character first design and teamwork focused climaxes
• The sequel era of the mid 2000s chased cliffhangers that did not always serve casual viewers
Memorable Quotes
“Jack is our Bugs Bunny in this world.”
“The comedy never undercuts the danger.”
“Movies should just be fun and character first.”
“One person needs to be the peg and one person is the dog that runs around the peg.”
“I remember this more fondly than it played for me this time.”
“Practical effects with just enough CGI is the sweet spot.”
Call to Action
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Links and Resources
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Listener Questions
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Apple Podcast tags
Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl, Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Jerry Bruckheimer, Disney, movie review podcast, family adventure, practical effects, CGI, Disneyland ride, Peacemaker, Hacks HBO, Game Changer, Geek Freaks, Challenge Accepted Podcast