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...
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Trick ’r Treat | Sam, Scares, and Why Nonlinear Horror Still Hits | Feat. Graveyard
Challenge Accepted
Frank sits down with Graveyard from Distance Nerding to revisit the cult favorite Trick ’r Treat. They unpack the film’s comic-book anthology structure, Michael Dougherty’s direction, how lighting and practical effects sell the Halloween vibe, and why “respecting the rules” is the movie’s secret engine. The conversation widens into horror’s ebb-and-flow trends, gateway recommendations, and a peek at Graveyard’s current indie film projects. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro and guest setup 00:10 First watch reactions and why this pick works 02:03 Two-minute plot challenge and...
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Peacemaker S2E8 | Rise of Eagly | Salvation Run, Checkmate, and What It Means for Superman
Challenge Accepted
Frank and Thomas unpack the Peacemaker Season 2 finale, from John Cena’s performance to the big-picture DCU setup. They dig into Salvation Run and Checkmate, how the metahumans vs. government angle points toward Superman, and why this episode feels more like a bridge to Season 3. Along the way, they talk Vigilante’s MVP moments, Harcourt’s arc, Lex Luthor’s influence on Rick Flag, and whether multiverse storytelling still works. Timestamps & Topics 00:00 — Welcome back and life update from Thomas; setting the table for the finale chat 00:55 — James Gunn’s podcast, fathers...
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Peacemaker S2E7 | Earth X, Raw Consequences, and John Cena’s Best Performance Yet
Challenge Accepted
In our last solo review before the finale, Frank breaks down Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 7, “Like a Thief in the Night.” We cover how the Earth X arc reframes the team’s choices, why Adebayo finally steps from reactive to proactive, the surprising nuance to Augie in a fascist world, and how Vigilante’s sacrifice resets the board for the finale. We also talk about the episode’s strongest character beats, where the mechanics show, and why John Cena’s work this season stands out as his best to date. untitled Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro, episode plan, and what’s coming for...
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Twisted Metal | Why Peacock’s Car-Combat Chaos Works | Feat. Phil of Distance Nerding
Challenge Accepted
Frank is joined by Phil to break down Peacock’s Twisted Metal, from its surprisingly heartfelt character work to the tournament arc and deep cuts that longtime players will recognize. We talk John Doe’s search for identity, the show’s “happy sociopath” version of Sweet Tooth, how Season 2 levels up the stunts and car combat, and why adding new lore can actually respect the games. If you skipped this one because “cars with guns,” we make the case for why it’s worth your time. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Introductions and why Twisted Metal was the pick for this episode. 00:36...
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Peacemaker S2E6 | Earth X Reveal, Vigilante Meets Vigilante, Rising Tension
Challenge Accepted
Frank breaks down Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 6, “Ignorance Is Chris,” and why the “better world” finally shows its cracks. From the diner photo that warps, to Harcourt and Chris opening up in an interrogation room, to Vigilante meeting his Earth X counterpart, this episode clicks into place. We also hit Rick Flag Sr.’s prison visit with Lex Luthor, the Sons of Liberty twist, and the hallway tells that confirm where we are. It is a tense, funny, uneasy chapter that sets up a high-stakes sprint to the finale. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro and episode plan 00:23 Housekeeping,...
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Building Our “Hall of Fame” First 20
Challenge Accepted
Thomas and Frank kick off a running series to assemble a living “Hall of Fame” of 100 movies covered on Challenge Accepted. In this first pass, they lock in the opening 20 picks across adventure, animation, sci-fi, horror, and sports drama. Along the way they talk performance standouts, scenes that shaped their taste, and how future rewatches and listener votes could bump titles up or off the board. Timestamps and Topics 00:03:52 Big Fish and why it still wrecks us in different seasons of life 00:05:07 Hook as 90s Goonies energy and a Robin Williams showcase 00:06:49 Tombstone and the...
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The Wrestler: Grit, Heart, And The High Cost Of Obsession | Feat Jamie of Pario Magazine
Challenge Accepted
Frank is joined by Jamie, an Australian wrestling journalist and podcaster, to unpack Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler. They break down Mickey Rourke’s career-defining turn as Randy “The Ram,” why the film treats wrestling with rare respect, how indie scenes work behind the curtain, and what the movie gets right about pain, pride, and the gig life. Expect talk on blading, deathmatches, deli counters, and the bittersweet final leap. The Wrestler - CA Timestamps & Topics 00:00 Welcome and guest intro, Jamie’s magazine and The Commentary Booth 01:33 Why The Wrestler, and why it...
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.”
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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