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Challenge Accepted

Challenge Accepted

De: Geek Freaks
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Join hosts Thomas and Frank on their weekly podcast 'Challenge Accepted' as they take on the ultimate challenge of watching and reviewing a different movie, show, comic, or game each episode. From the latest in geek TV to classic favorites, no challenge is too big for these two friends. Tune in for their hilarious banter and insightful critiques on all things pop culture. Challenge accepted!© 2018 Arte
Episodios
  • Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook

    Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook
    Dec 20 2025

    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 this zombie classic still matters

    • 00:01:00 Why black-and-white works best here, plus where to watch it

    • 00:02:50 The setup: Barbara and Johnny head to the cemetery

    • 00:04:30 Barbara reaches the farmhouse, Ben arrives, and the house gets fortified

    • 00:06:35 The radio updates and the first "rules" start taking shape

    • 00:07:55 Basement survivors revealed and the Ben vs Harry Cooper conflict begins

    • 00:10:40 The truck plan, Molotovs, fire tactics, and the risk of leaving the house

    • 00:12:45 The truck explosion, the fallout, and tensions boil over

    • 00:14:35 Karen's bite, the TV explanation, and the night spirals into tragedy

    • 00:17:30 Johnny returns, Barbara's fate, and Ben's last stand

    • 00:18:35 The posse arrives and the ending lands like a gut punch

    • 00:19:55 Fun facts and trivia roundup

    • 00:23:10 Holiday movie suggestions, reviews, and where to send your challenges

    Key Takeaways

    • Night of the Living Dead didn't just popularize zombies, it shaped the survival logic that later movies and games keep borrowing.

    • The horror works because the tension never lets up, and most of it comes from people disagreeing under pressure, not gore.

    • Ben and Harry Cooper feel like the blueprint for the "leader vs bunker guy" argument that shows up in tons of modern zombie stories.

    • The film's simplicity is part of the magic: one main location, clear stakes, and rules that get built in real time through broadcasts.

    • The ending is still sharp because it refuses to offer comfort, even after the long night is "over."

    Memorable Quotes

    • "Black and white is the best way to watch it."

    • "This is the one that kind of set the rules that we use even to today."

    • "If you shoot them in the body, that doesn't do anything. You have to shoot them in the head."

    • "We're in this together."

    • "We are entering into the Christmas phase of the year… what holiday movie is your favorite and what one should we review?"

    Call to Action

    If you enjoyed the episode, make sure you're subscribed and drop a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It seriously helps more people find the show. Share this episode with a friend who loves horror, and post your thoughts using #ChallengeAcceptedLive.

    Links and Resources

    • GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source of all news discussed during our podcast.

    • Frank's trivia pull came from IMDb's Night of the Living Dead trivia section.

    Follow Us

    • Instagram: @challengeacceptedlive

    • TikTok: @challengeacceptedlive

    • Twitter: @CAPodcastLive

    Listener Questions

    Got a movie or show you want us to cover next, or a challenge for a future episode? Email us at ChallengeAcceptedgfx@gmail.com or message us on social. Also, send your pick for the best holiday movie so we can lock in the next review.
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    25 m
  • Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper

    Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper
    Dec 11 2025
    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 "characters" in the movie. To wrap it up, Frank previews what is coming next for Challenge Accepted, including Thomas' return and their favourite hits from 2025 and what they are excited for in 2026. Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Winter vibes and Fargo comfort viewing Frank sets the scene with Northern California fog, winter chill, and why Fargo is his go-to snowy murder mystery comfort movie. 01:00 – First time watching Fargo and pacing expectations Memories of seeing the movie young, how it felt like "just a murder show," and why the slow, deliberate pacing is part of the Coen Brothers' magic. 02:30 – Film basics and the Fargo TV series connection Release year, director credits, and how the Fargo anthology series riffs on and literally connects back to the film's events and missing money. 03:30 – Cast breakdown and three parallel storylines William H. Macy as Jerry, Frances McDormand as Marge, Steve Buscemi as Carl, Peter Stormare as Gaear, and how the film tracks three intertwining plotlines. 05:00 – Snow, accent, and music as atmosphere Why the frozen Midwest, heavy accents, and sparse score make the world feel harsh, lonely, and weirdly cozy at the same time. 06:45 – Jerry, Carl, and Gaear: three very different disasters Deep dive on Jerry's "it is in the mail" life, Carl as the talky hustler, and Gaear as a true psychopath who treats killing like flipping a switch. 12:00 – The kidnapping, first murders, and tension spike Gene's abduction, the traffic stop gone wrong, and how Jerry's shady car deals accidentally trigger a chain of violence on a lonely snowy road. 15:30 – Enter Marge Gunderson: paladin of Brainerd At 33 minutes in, Marge arrives, pregnant and no-nonsense, bringing warmth, competence, and quiet brilliance to the investigation. 18:00 – Marge's detective work and local culture The iconic interviews, the accents, Norm's duck painting, and how Marge investigates with humility, humor, and calm logic instead of macho posturing. 20:30 – Cabin tension and criminals on borrowed time Carl and Gaear stuck together with Gene at the cabin, rubbing each other the wrong way as they wait on Jerry's increasingly doomed plan. 22:30 – The parking garage drop and everything falling apart Wade steps in, the snowy rooftop showdown, shots fired, and the money suddenly spinning out of everyone's control. 25:00 – Buried money and series tie-in Carl finds out the ransom is much bigger than expected, buries most of it in the snow, and inadvertently sets up a major event for the Fargo series. 27:30 – The woodchipper and Marge's big break Marge follows the trail of the tan Sierra, stumbles on the cabin, and discovers one of cinema's most infamous images: Gaear and the woodchipper. 30:00 – "All for a little bit of money" – theme and meaning Frank unpacks Marge's final drive with Gaear, the idea of wasting lives for cash, and why her simple, content life feels like the real victory. 34:00 – Craft, cinematography, and character realism How the Coens use wide snowy shots and tight close-ups, the way performances feel lived-in, and why Jerry might be the most "real" character. 38:00 – Who should watch Fargo and rewatch value Why Fargo is perfect for people who love character-driven films and details, and maybe not ideal for pure popcorn-action fans. 39:30 – What is next for Challenge Accepted Frank teases one more solo movie, Thomas' return, their favorite movies of 2025, and what they are excited for in 2026. Key Takeaways Fargo is less about big action and more about slow-building tension, character choices, and how small lies spiral into chaos. Jerry Lundegaard is a painfully relatable kind of failure, constantly juggling bills, cutting corners, and convincing himself one more scheme will fix everything. Carl and Gaear represent two sides of criminal energy: the chatty hustler and the emotionless killer, both stuck inside a plan they can no longer control. Marge Gunderson is the moral center of the film, solving the case with patience, kindness, and competence while staying grounded in her everyday life. The snowy Midwest is practically a character: empty fields, heavy accents, and minimal music create a feeling of isolation and inevitability. The film's structure shows three storylines colliding in unexpected ways, where throwaway details from Jerry's life cause deadly problems for everyone else. ...
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    41 m
  • Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic

    Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic
    Dec 4 2025
    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 Bruce Wayne's struggle between vengeance and happiness. He connects the film to noir storytelling, classic Batman comics, and the larger DC animated universe, then closes with a fun run of trivia and behind the scenes facts that expand the appreciation for this fan favorite. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro, Challenge Accepted format, and Frank's Batman blind spots02:30 Bruce Timm's animation philosophy and the look of Batman The Animated Series04:30 Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill casting stories and why their performances are iconic06:30 Why the animated series villains work so well and why Phantasm is so intriguing07:30 First time reaction right after watching Mask of the Phantasm09:00 Gotham's design, red skies, and Shirley Walker's orchestral score11:30 Phantasm as a horror figure, camera angles, and visual storytelling18:30 Bruce Wayne at his parents' grave, the split between Bruce and Batman, and the film's central theme25:00 Joker's reveal, color palette, and his connection to Gotham's decay31:00 Phantasm as Batman's dark mirror and what happens when you lose yourself in the mask34:45 Trivia, comic influences, and fun behind the scenes details Key Takeaways Batman Mask of the Phantasm fills a huge Batman blind spot for Frank and instantly earns a place alongside the best stories from Batman The Animated Series. Bruce Timm's simple musculature, straight line and curved line design, and heavy use of shading create a timeless, stylized Gotham that still holds up today. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill's performances as Batman and Joker remain definitive, from Batman's grounded intensity to Joker's legendary, unsettling laugh. The film uses horror language for Phantasm, with low angles, unstoppable pacing, and ghostlike presence that make the character feel more like a slasher villain. Gotham's red skies, bold silhouettes, and Shirley Walker's orchestral score combine into a powerful atmosphere that instantly recalls 90s DC animation. The emotional core of the story is Bruce asking his parents' permission to be happy, showing how tied his mission is to their memory and how fragile that balance is. Phantasm works as a dark mirror of Batman, showing what happens when someone loses the "Bruce Wayne" part of themselves and falls fully into vengeance. Joker could technically be removed from the plot, yet his presence elevates the movie by contrasting with Gotham's world and quietly proving how smart and observant he really is. The film leans heavily into classic noir structure, complete with twists, flashbacks, and a tragic love story that feels very early 90s yet still emotionally sharp. Behind the scenes, the movie draws from comics like Batman Year One and Year Two, and includes fun sound and design Easter eggs that reward longtime fans. Quotes "That laugh is iconic. That is my childhood." "You forget how good this show is, and the movie by extension, until you see it again." "Phantasm is Batman. Phantasm is Batman." "If he didn't have that alley moment, we would have a villain, not a hero." "It's okay to love Batman. He is a great superhero, and we're so lucky they keep finding new ways to tell his story." Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, follow and subscribe to Challenge Accepted on your favorite podcast app so you never miss a new movie or TV challenge. Ratings and reviews help more geeks find the show, so drop a review and tell us your favorite Batman story. Share the episode on social media with the hashtag #ChallengeAcceptedPodcast and let people know why Mask of the Phantasm still hits so hard today. Links and Resources Geek Freaks Network site and news hub: GeekFreaksPodcast.com All news discussed across our podcasts comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com. Follow Us Stay connected with Challenge Accepted and the Geek Freaks Network: Challenge Accepted Instagram @challengeacceptedlive Challenge Accepted TikTok @challengeacceptedlive Challenge Accepted Twitter @CAPodcastLive Frank on Instagram @franklourence79 Listener Questions Have a movie or TV blind spot you want Frank to tackle next? Want more Batman animated content or other DC deep cuts? Send your questions, episode ideas, and recommendations to the show through our socials, and we may feature your suggestion in a future challenge. Apple Podcast Tags Batman Mask of the Phantasm, Challenge Accepted, Batman The Animated Series, Kevin ...
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    41 m
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