Super Fantastic Nerd Hour!

Episode 73: Mr. Robot, Mr. Robot VS. Fight Club, Top 5 Unreliable Narrators

"We’ve been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had — a mythology to call their own." Disney's announcement of new Star Wars films, theme parks, TV shows, and other goodies have us wondering — how much is too much? Do we need a new Spider-Man, a Fantastic Four reboot, more Star Trek, and another Avengers film? Where do artistic endeavors end and commercial franchises begin? Why do these stories keep repeating, despite our fatigue, and how do we keep them relevant? Special guest, geeky photographer and host of the On Taking Pictures podcast Bill Wadman.

“Hunt is the living manifestation of destiny and he has made you his mission.” We (non-spoiler) review the fifth entry into the Mission: Impossible franchise — Rogue Nation! What makes this film series unique? How does Rogue Nation compare against other summer blockbusters? What makes Tom Cruise a big film geek? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, it’s Rogue Nation VS. Ghost Protocol! We share our top 5 rogues. 0:00 - 25:54: Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (non-spoilers); 25:55 - 35:33: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Rogue Nation VS. Ghost Protocol; 35:34 - 48:26: Top 5 Rogues.

“They are as close to humans as can be, and yet still people insist that forming a relationship with them or treating them with dignity is somehow perverse.” We review Humans, AMC and Channel 4’s new science fiction drama. How does Humans explore the relationship between humanity and technology? What does it reveal about the singularity and artificial intelligence? How will society change if we create an artificial labor class? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, what’s the better exploration of AI — Humans or Ex Machina? We download our top 5 warnings to the future. 0:00 - 18:30: Humans (non-spoilers); 18:30 - 46:56: Humans (spoilers); 46:57 - 58:31: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Humans VS. Ex Machina; 58:32 - 1:25:08: Top 5 Warnings to the Future.

"This is not some cute tech like the Iron Man suit!" We review the newest edition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe — Ant-Man! After over a decade of development, multiple rewrites, and the departure of Edgar Wright, does Peyton Reed's Ant-Man work? We discuss how awesome Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, and Evangeline Lilly are in their roles, criticize the film's representation of diversity, and debate how much creativity is left at Marvel Studios. In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, what makes better use of the macroscopic perspective — Ant-Man or Honey, I Shrunk the Kids? We share our top 5 animal companions and sidekicks. 0:00 - 21:06: Ant-Man (non-spoilers); 21:07 - 38:45: Ant-Man (spoilers); 38:46 - 48:08: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Ant-Man VS. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids; 48:09 - 1:04:28: Top 5 Animal Companions and Sidekicks.

“That thing out there…that is no dinosaur.” We review the wildly successful Jurassic World! How does this 4th entry compare against Jurassic Park, The Lost World, and Jurassic Park III? Is it completely reliant on our nostalgic love of the original or does the movie have something new to offer? What about the controversy behind Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire? And how awesome is Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord..err…Owen. In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, what’s the better monster movie — Jurassic World or 2014’s Godzilla? We boldly share our top 5 stories about hubris. 0:00 - 12:39: Jurassic World (non-spoilers); 12:39 - 41:30: Jurassic World (spoilers); 41:31 - 48:34: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Jurassic World VS. Godzilla (2014); 48:35 - 1:11:40: Top 5 Hubris Stories.

“I get things are bad, but what are we doing to fix it?” We explore Disney’s Tomorrowland! Does Brad Bird’s film live up to the vision of Walt Disney’s theme park attraction? What’s the film telling us about science and imagination? Is Tomorrowland a refreshing return to Kennedy era NASA optimism or an idea that already feels outdated and simplistic? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER we debate what’s the better adaptation of a Disney attraction - Tomorrowland or Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl? Get in line for our top 5 Disney rides. Special guest, former Disney cast member and present host of YouTube’s Without a License Diana Chang. 0:00 - 32:29: Tomorrowland (non-spoilers); 32:30 - 49:23: Tomorrowland (spoilers); 49:24 - 1:02:20: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Tomorrowland VS. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl; 1:02:21 - 1:44:33: Top 5 Disney Rides.

“Oh what a day, what a lovely day!” We review George Miller’s long awaited Mad Max sequel — Fury Road! How does Fury Road honor its source material while also charting a new course for action films? Does its treatment of women make it a “feminist film”? And what’s the story behind Doof Warrior, the onesie flamethrower guitarist? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, who’s the better hero — Fury Road’s Furiosa or The Road Warrior’s Max Rockatansky? We step on the gas for our top 5 crazy vehicles. 0:00 - 26:10: Mad Max: Fury Road (non-spoilers); 26:11 - 53:40: Mad Max: Fury Road (spoilers); 53:41 - 1:03:37: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Fury Road VS. Road Warrior; 1:03:38 - 1:20:56: Top 5 Crazy Vehicles.

“What if these comic books are bleeding through from parallel worlds?” We give a spoiler-free review of Multiversity, the Eisner-nominated series from DC Comics! How is this Grant Morrison project the ultimate exploration of the past, present, and future of the DC multiverse? What is Multiversity saying about comics as art? Is it necessary reading for all or love letter to fans of comic books? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, we debate Multiversity versus Watchmen. Things get wibbly wobbly as we explore our favorite parallel universe stories. 0:00 - 26:19: Multiversity (non-spoilers); 26:20 - 42:44: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Multiversity VS. Watchmen; 42:45 - 1:04:37: Top 5 Parallel Universes.

“There is only one path to peace — your extinction.” We kickoff the summer blockbuster season by reviewing Avengers: Age of Ultron! Does Marvel Studios overcome its villain problem? What's the film saying about teamwork and artificial intelligence? Why is everyone so upset about Black Widow? How does Age of Ultron impact future Marvel films? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER — phase one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe versus phase two. We assemble our top 3 Joss Whedon moments. Special guest Lowen Baumgarten. 0:00 - 16:13: Avengers: Age of Ultron (non-spoilers); 16:14 - 52:49: Avengers: Age of Ultron (spoilers); 52:50 - 1:01:56: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: MCU Phase 1 VS. MCU Phase 2; 1:01:56 - 1:21:03: Top 3 Whedon Moments.

“What will happen to me if I fail your test?” We review Alex Garland’s new film — Ex Machina! How does it reinterpret the famous Turing Test for Artificial Intelligence? Is the film feminist or sexist? Does Alicia Vikander’s Ava have consciousness? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, who has more human AI — Ex Machina or Blade Runner? BY YOUR COMMAND, we share our top 5 robots. 0:00 - 16:54: Ex Machina (non-spoilers); 16:55 - 1:03:45: Ex Machina (spoilers); 1:03:46 - 1:14:30: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Ex Machina VS. Blade Runner; 1:14:31 - 1:34:56: Top 5 Robots.

“I’m asking for forgiveness for what I’m about to do.” Without spoilers, we review Marvel’s new TV series Daredevil! How did we get from a critically panned Ben Affleck 2003 film to a critically acclaimed 2015 Netflix series? Does this show honor Frank Miller's gritty New York City source material? What’s Daredevil’s relationship with the Marvel Cinematic Universe? In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, what’s the better criminal street drama — Daredevil or Gotham? We share our top 5 worst superhero films. 0:00 - 55:25: Netflix's Daredevil (non-spoilers); 55:26 - 1:07:11: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Daredevil VS. Gotham; 1:07:10 - 1:59:38: Top 5 Worst Superhero Movies.

“The most important thing in life will always be the people in this room, right here, right now.” We discuss the latest entry into the Fast and Furiousverse - Furious 7! What elevates this franchise above your average action film? How did it become an accidental cinematic universe? What was the impact of Paul Walker’s passing and how does the film honor his life? Plus all the reasons why Vin Diesel is so awesome. In the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER, what franchise has better team setpieces — The Fast and Furious or Mission: Impossible? We confess our top 5 guilty pleasures. 0:00 - 31:28: Furious 7 (non-spoilers); 31:29 - 50:58: Furious 7 (spoilers); 50:59 - 1:03:35: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Fast and Furious VS. Mission: Impossible;1:03:36 - 1:45:41: Top 5 Guilty Pleasures.

“Make a hawk a dove, stop a war with love, make a liar tell the truth!” We discuss Kristy Guevar-Flanagan’s documentary Wonder Women: The Untold Story of American Superheroines! How did Wonder Woman go from being one of most innovative superheroes during World War II to a powerless stereotype in the 1950s? What role did she play in the feminist movement? How did Wonder Woman influence the modern age of female superheroes and why has it taken so long to give her a feature film? Wonder Woman takes on Jean Grey in the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER! We share our top 5 female role models. 0:00 - 44:28: Wonder Women: The Untold Story of American Superheroines; 44:29 - 56:50: INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: Wonder Woman VS. Jean Grey; 56:51 - 1:36:54: Top 5 Female Role Models.

“Money gives power, well, a run for its money.” We discuss Netflix’s House of Card: Season 3! What happens to Kevin Spacey’s Frank Underwood when the power he craves remains out of his reach? Does House of Cards successfully pivot to character and policy stories? And what’s the deal with Robin Wright’s Claire Underwood this season? We caucus for our favorite Washingtonian political drama as House of Cards and The West Wing enter the INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER. It's a deliciously evil top 5 as we share our favorite anti-heroes. Special guest, policy wonk Lowen Baumgarten. 0:00 - 12:12: House of Cards: Season 3 (non-spoilers); 12:13 - 42:00: House of Cards: Season 3 (spoilers); 42:01 - 1:10:29 INFINITE CROSSOVER CHAMBER: House of Cards VS. The West Wing; 1:10:30 - 1:51:19: Top 5 Anti-Heroes.