From Avatars to Xenomorphs, you never know what we’ll pull out of our Nerdhat. New episodes every other Monday beginning October 13th.Support the Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2401572/subscribe

Episode List

Loving Vincent (2017)

Dec 23rd, 2025 12:00 AM

This week we close out season 6 with our review of the world's very first fully hand-painted film, "Loving Vincent." It took some 125 artists and 65,000 paintings to bring this visual feast to the table, and it does not disappoint. Let us know what you think in the comments. Message UsSupport the showJoin the other Nerdhatters in our Patreon Community! https://patreon.com/TheNerdhatPodcast?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Irreverent Medieval Comedies: The Princess Bride vs. Monty Python & the Holy Grail

Dec 2nd, 2025 12:00 AM

If you love sword fights, satire, flesh wounds, or flying cows, then this episode is for you! This week we cover two classic medieval comedies: Rob Reiner's eponymous production of "The Princess Bride" (1987) and Terry Gilliam's stab at comedy "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (1975). Which is your favorite? Let us know! This week's sources include: - "As You Wish: the Story of the Princess Bride" (2001) - "The Princess Bride' Reunion ft. Billy Crystal, Robin Wright & More | PEOPLE " (2011) - "The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure" by William Goldman (2007 edition) - "Honest Trailers | Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (2025) All screenshots, audio clips, and quotes from these films are used only for the purpose of commentary and are used in keeping with fair use laws in the United States. Message UsSupport the showJoin the other Nerdhatters in our Patreon Community! https://patreon.com/TheNerdhatPodcast?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Classic Episode: "Kevin Conroy: The Man Behind the Cowl"

Nov 24th, 2025 10:00 PM

Today we share an episode which we first published on November 23, 2022, just 13 days after the end of Kevin Conroy's valiant battle with cancer. For us and many of millennials like us, Kevin will always be our Batman. We hope you enjoy this episode honoring Kevin's life and work. Image Copyrights: Kevin Conroy, Warner Brothers Animation/DC StudiosMessage UsSupport the showJoin the other Nerdhatters in our Patreon Community! https://patreon.com/TheNerdhatPodcast?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Anime that Influenced the Matrix: Akira vs. Ghost in the Shell

Nov 11th, 2025 2:00 PM

This week we pull two classic sci-fi anime films out of our Nerdhat, both of which influenced the Wachowskis and inspired elements of the Matrix trilogy. Richard will  be pitching Mamoru Oshii's 1995 classic "Ghost in the Shell," while returning guest Elijah Miller will be advocating for Katsuhiro Ôtomo's groundbreaking 1988 film "Akira." To Peruse and Purchase Examples of Elijah's art, visit https://www.elijahmillerart.com/AI Summary*In this episode, hosts Richard Best and Elijah Miller delve into the world of anime, focusing on two iconic films: Ghost in the Shell and Akira. They explore the artistic journey of Elijah, discussing his recent projects and experiences in the art community. The conversation transitions into a detailed analysis of both films, highlighting their themes, animation styles, and cultural impacts. Richard and Elijah share their insights on character development, visual storytelling, and the significance of these films in the anime genre, culminating in a lively discussion about their personal preferences and the future of anime.Takeaways*- Elijah has experienced significant growth in his artistic career over the past two years.- Akira is a pivotal film that has influenced many aspects of modern anime and storytelling.- Ghost in the Shell explores deep philosophical questions about identity and humanity.- The animation quality of Akira is unmatched, showcasing a fluidity that is rare in modern anime.- Both films reflect societal fears and hopes regarding technology and the future.- Character development in Akira is driven by the circumstances surrounding the characters' struggles.- Elijah emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration in the art world.- Richard shares his personal connection to the themes of Ghost in the Shell.- The discussion highlights the cultural significance of anime in both Japan and the global context.- The episode concludes with a light-hearted debate about the merits of each film. *We thought it somehow appropriate to use a bit of AI assistance in creating this week's show notes. Don't worry, we didn't contract any viruses when we jacked in....Message UsSupport the showJoin the other Nerdhatters in our Patreon Community! https://patreon.com/TheNerdhatPodcast?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Women’s Stories: Persepolis (2007) vs. The Breadwinner (2017)

Oct 27th, 2025 10:00 PM

In this week's episode we focus on the stories of two young women from the other side of the world, both of whom faced the challenges of living in cultures which restricted their freedoms and threatened their lives. "Persepolis," a 2007 French feature film faces off against 2017's "The Breadwinner," both of which premiered at International film festivals, and both of which were nominated for an Oscar* in their respective years. Have you seen either of these films? If so, let us know what you think. Have you lived through something similar? We'd love to hear your stories too. *Best Animated Feature FilmMessage UsSupport the showJoin the other Nerdhatters in our Patreon Community! https://patreon.com/TheNerdhatPodcast?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Get this podcast on your phone, Free

Create Your Podcast In Minutes

  • Full-featured podcast site
  • Unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Comprehensive podcast stats
  • Distribute to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more
  • Make money with your podcast
Get Started
It is Free