KnockBack: The Retro and Nostalgia Podcast

For school children around the world, gym class is a grueling, years-long rite of passage, and when we were growing up, it was especially arduous. Climbing ropes. Getting picked last. The dreaded Presidential Challenge. Square dancing?! Let's be honest: Gym was (and still is) complete nonsense -- a distraction from learning the fundamentals -- but it's a collective memory for most of us, and it's the perfect topic for KnockBack. So nock your arrow, pull yourself up, go watch film, and then join us for an extensive discussion about a piece of perpetual Americana: Physical education. Or the lack thereof. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you think of 'buddy cop'-style movies, Lethal Weapon likely comes to mind. The 1987 smash-hit film starring a young Mel Gibson and a relatively unknown Danny Glover is one of the archetypes of this subgenre of action, with two polar opposites finding out on the fly that they have much more in common than they think. Featuring the likes of a pre-accident Gary Busey and chock-full of zany moments that all somehow make sense in context, Lethal Weapon remains a master class in the once-dominant action genre, and a reminder of how movies can be a lot of fun, not take themselves seriously, and yet remain grounded, believable, intriguing, and engaging. So, you may be too old for 'this,' as it were, but you're never too old for KnockBack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you were around and paying attention when Lost aired on ABC, you'll already know that it was a true television phenomenon both in the United States and around the world. Indeed, when it first started running in 2004, it immediately became a 'water cooler'-type show, and it was an especially poignant time to watch something like Lost, because this was pre-streaming, pre-social media, and, for most, pre-DVR. It was appointment viewing. Otherwise, you rented or bought the DVDs when they came out, or hoped to catch a rerun or grab a bad-quality copy from online. And, most importantly, you dodged spoilers as best you could! The mysteries of the crash of Oceanic Flight 815 are at the center of what makes the show so compelling, and so as we begin our six-episode journey through what is perhaps ABC's most famous programming ever, we encourage you to watch along with us. The numbers. The hatch. The Black Rock. Ethan Rom and the Others. The beach craft. Polar bears. Needless to say, this is no ordinary island. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1994's The Shawshank Redemption is based upon a work by Stephen King, but unlike most of King's best-known work, Shawshank isn't horror-themed. At least, not in the literal sense. Instead, the movie deals with humanity, forcing viewers to see unlikable-on-paper characters through a different lens. The results are legion: An all-time famous cinema bromance, myriad theories about the work's subtext, philosophies of crime, punishment, and rehabilitation, insinuations of religiosity and heavy-handed Christian messaging, and something so ubiquitously-seen during the late-'90s and early-to-mid-'00s on cable that virtually anyone watching television at the time would have watched it multiple times through. The Shawshank Redemption is widely-considered an all-time great, and, well, we can't say we disagree. Some come on through, fresh fish, before we sing you a lullaby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steven Spielberg's 1998 film Saving Private Ryan is widely considered the greatest war movie of all-time, and honestly, it's hard to disagree. There's an absolutely obsessive level of detail in every single aspect of the production, and it gets just about everything right. See, in 1944, the world was a different place than it was today. The Allies were in an existential crisis against true evil. Brave people who barely knew anything about the world were asked to step up to the plate, and they did, sacrificing in ways we simply can't imagine. Their efforts helped shape the world today as we know it; the very least we can do is gush about The Greatest Generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We -- the Brothers Moriarty -- loved us some Ninja Gaiden in our younger years. The NES original is actually a vague reinterpretation of an arcade title by the same name that preceded it; yet, in turning Ninja Gaiden from a beat-'em-up into an action-platformer, developer Tecmo spawned a powerhouse that easily rivals other late-'80s classics. Indeed, it belongs in the conversation of best NES games, full-stop. Our investigation into Ryu Hayabusa's retro adventure doesn't only end with the first game, though, as we explore its contemporaries on the market and wax poetic about the heyday of the fictional ninja in greater media, and how Ninja Gaiden's deeply-told story gave us context, perhaps for the first time in our then-young lives, into the deeper potential of video games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2005, acclaimed American author Cormac McCarthy released one his most famous novels, a brisk read called No Country For Old Men. Set in 1980 in Texas' sprawling border region, No Country For Old Men is all about chance and consequence set amongst the backdrop of a brewing drug war that, in modern times, we know all too well. Our audience voted for us to cover this topic -- one about money, violence, love, and happenstance -- and we did so from two angles: We watched the movies, as you requested, but we also read the book, which is quite different in a number of ways. We're absolutely thrilled to talk about the Coen Brothers' award-winning film and the novel it was based upon alike. Just remember to call the coin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

By 2011, Sony-owned developer Naughty Dog was firing out critically-acclaimed games from a machine gun. Only two years removed from near-unanimous Game of the Year Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and two years away from the even-more-unanimous Game of the Year The Last of Us, Uncharted 3 finds itself in a bit of a pickle, at least with some. After all, it wasn't directed by Amy Hennig, and many players felt it to be a weaker iteration than what preceded it. Yet, within its bounds is an absolutely stunning adventure, a wonderfully cinematic romp with the perfect balance of combat, puzzle-solving, and storytelling. Many at Naughty Dog think Uncharted 2 and 3 are only held at different levels of appreciation because of the order they were released in, and that if launched in the other direction, people would simply love 3 more than 2. Is that true? We discuss that -- and a whole lot more -- in our Uncharted 3-themed episode of KnockBack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We promised you we'd be back! A few weeks ago, we recorded an episode all about James Cameron's 1984 film The Terminator, and we figured we'd return with haste to talk about its mega-famous sequel. Launched in 1991, Judgment Day brings the co-stars of the first flick back, but turns the story on its head. This time, Arnold is a good guy, and he and Linda Hamilton act as stewards for John Connor, the all-important leader of the future resistance, after the dreaded Skynet becomes self-aware and goes haywire. Beloved to this day -- T2 is considered both one of the best sci-fi and action movies ever -- we dive into the story, setting, characters, and potential (both reached and missed) of this half-a-billion-grossing cultural phenomenon that helped further spawn and solidify an entertainment license that continues (to the chagrin of many) to this day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's been a long trek, but we've finally made it through. Here is our eighth and final episode of KnockBack dedicated to the Game of Thrones television series, in particular its eighth season. These six episodes -- four of them essentially movie-length -- are contentious. Indeed, I don't think anyone would argue that this final run was blatantly rushed and not nearly as satisfying as to be expected. But it's not so much an insult to HBO's Game of Thrones as it is a compliment. We expected more. Yet, that doesn't mean there isn't much to talk about, praise, and enjoy in this final season, and we do just that. Buckle-up for the resolution not only of Game of Thrones, but of our nearly-20-hour discussion of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let's be honest: Nintendo 64 isn't chock-full of excellent, must-play games. But it certainly had its reserve of classics, and 1998's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time -- the fifth core Zelda game -- is certainly one of them. In fact, for a not-so-small subsection of gamers, Ocarina of Time is considered one of the greatest (if not the best, outright) games of all-time. So, fresh off of recent playthroughs, we're excited to talk about it. From the jump to 3D to its amazing soundtrack, from its revolutionary Z-targeting gameplay to its rosters of memorable characters, items, weapons, and dungeons, Ocarina of Time was a masterpiece then, and it still is today. It's a reminder of Nintendo's true potential as the greatest innovator our industry has ever seen, and since it's one of the most-copied titles ever released, you also get to experience its lineage in most of what you play today. So let's get caught-up in the music, quite literally, and ping-pong between a seven-year period where things go off the rails, except for the heroics of one boy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We won't lie: The going gets a little rough from this juncture on. HBO's Game of Thrones series, by this point in its run, had far-outstripped its source material. As such, they're flying on fumes through the seven episodes of the seventh season. Released in 2017, this penultimate offering is controversial to say the least, but if anything, our problems with it amount to a backhanded compliment. The reality is: The plot, the characters, the world... they all deserved a lot more room to breathe, to reach the quality that had been met so consistently up to this point, and HBO failed in letting that happen. The result is something contentious, but not without merit. It's just a shame to think of what could have been had they really bought-in on finishing the journey as epically and strongly as they began it. And sadly, it only gets worse from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here in America -- and certainly in many other parts of the world -- swimming pools are a fundamental part of our summer tradition. Whether above-ground or inground, whether vinyl, fiberglass, or concrete, whether shared, community, or private, if you live in the USA and it's summertime, chances are you will readily encounter a pool. Perhaps you're a member of one, or even own your own. Since so many of us share this experience, we figured it'd be fun to talk about our pool memories from childhood. When did we learn how to swim, and what was it like growing up with a pool in our backyard? What games did we play and toys did we use? What's the protocol at public pools versus private ones, and what about the evolution of bathing suits? My friends, this podcast is the Marco to your Polo. Please enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Cameron's 1984 sci-fi/horror flick The Terminator isn't so much under appreciated as it is oft-overlooked. After all, this film's sequel is one of the most famous action and sci-fi movies of all-time, but its predecessor is something more stayed, grounded, and thrilling. Intertwining themes of nuclear war and time travel with a very recognizable 1980s Los Angeles and a handful of wonderful performances, The Terminator does a lot of heavy lifting, not only in catapulting forward a series that still exists to this day, but in proving what science fiction can accomplish outside of the tried-and-true themes of space travel and spaceships and space battles and... space, generally. And yes: Arnold is awesome. Of course he is! So let's get you up to speed on this classic flick, starting with what year it is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For many, the sixth season of Game of Thrones is when the show begins to decline. A lot of that unfortunately has to do with the subject matter itself: We are now beyond the boundaries of George RR Martin's books (at least as he's written and released them so far). With that structure gone, and with lots of holes to fill in, places to see and go, people to meet, and events to occur, the brisk pace of Game of Thrones' sixth season is perhaps its most glaring weakness. That's because within its 10 episodes is enough content for 20 or more, a compliment to yet another high-quality HBO offering that we simply want more of. It's still wonderful television, but it's sad to think about what could have been if it was given a more proper treatment, especially as we draw closer to what is widely considered a woefully weak finale. In the meantime, though, let us analyze and contemplate, as we're wont to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No, we've not Forgotten: Our audience voted for us to record an episode of KnockBack all about Linkin Park's seminal 2000 album Hybrid Theory, and needless to say, we're pleased to provide a Cure For the Itch. At a brisk 37 minutes a change, Hybrid Theory doesn't Runaway with fluff and filler. Instead, it stays With You, bringing you One Step Closer to the record's next great moment, one that always seems to be just around the corner. In the End, many consider Linkin Park's major label debut to be one of the most iconic raprock and nu-metal albums ever, a timely offering for a music industry Crawling towards a new era of downloads, YouTube videos, and single-obsessessions. In fact, Hybrid Theory is one of the final diamond-certified albums ever, a sign of the times. So let us talk about an album that brings raw energy and High Voltage to yearning, confused, and angst-ridden teens to this day. (While we always 'stretch our legs' with opening, non-topic-related conversation, we want to warn you that our introductory conversation today veers into contemporary politics and expresses opinions you may disagree with. Should you like to skip to the content itself, fast-forward 20-25 minutes from the beginning.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The fifth season of Game of Thrones, which first aired on HBO in 2015, represents somewhat of a plateau for the critically-acclaimed show. While the first four seasons presented a steady progression in quality, intrigue, and execution, season five seems outright rushed, with too much content in too little time. It's still awesome for what it is, though, and that's perhaps where our biggest criticism becomes a blatant compliment: Because we want more, and we want it slower and more methodically, not quickly and haphazardly. Thus, George RR Martin's famous televised series descends into what becomes an increasingly controversial second half, one that's largely winged without source material, though we're not quite to that point yet. As we do in each episode, let's travel this fictional world and try to make sense of its many characters, locales, and arcs, and have some fun and enjoy some insight along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At first blush, Sam Raimi wasn't a natural fit to direct a Spider-Man film, and yet his 2002 entry into the series did awesome at the box office and is much-beloved to this day. Two years later, he -- along with Tobey Mcguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, and others -- delivered Spider-Man 2, an even better film than the original that builds wonderfully on its themes, characters, and world. Spider-Man 2 also introduces an iconic villain in the form of Albert Molina's Dr. Octopus, who many Spidey fans were glad to see reemerge, at least in passing, in the MCU. Made for an exorbitant amount of money even then ($200 million) and earning an obscene amount of profit (some four times its cost), Spider-Man 2 is still one of the most beloved superhero films ever, even if it hails from an era when the genre wasn't so well-worn and readily-accepted. So join us as we gush over and celebrate Spider-Man 2, and remember: With great power comes great responsibility... fair or not. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're halfway through George RR Martin's famous HBO fantasy series now, and some would argue that season four is the strongest Game of Thrones gets. That's high praise, of course -- the entire run (save maybe the end) is some of the best television ever produced -- but, whether you're a fan of the books or merely a lowly TV-watcher like we are, there's a whole lot to love. What's perhaps most interesting about this season (at least for us) is how different combinations of characters begin meeting, taking the wide-ranging tale into exciting new directions. As usual, it's hard to talk in too much detail here in the description without spoiling the show, but, uh... you may want to hire a food taster when you're done listening to us heap praise on one of our favorite programs ever. And we'll leave it there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our slow-and-steady voyage through the Star Wars films continues unabated this week, as we move our focus to 2005's Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (as voted on by our listeners on Patreon). Capping off a tumultuous and ill-received prequel trilogy, Episode III is widely considered the strongest effort in that specific arc. But do we, The Brothers Moriarty, agree? Not particularly. Revenge of the Sith was when Lucas ran out of runway, and as a result, we're met with a rushed film that sets the seeds of some good ideas, but barely sticks around long enough to see any of them grow. Worse yet, it ignores much of what would have made this movie shine, adding too much to a concoction already drowning in watered-down ingredients. Before you execute Order 66, however, consider giving our chat a listen, and discover what a couple of lapsed, curmudgeonly Star Wars fans think about Anakin's ultimate turn to the Dark Side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's no understatement to say that Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is perhaps the most singularly important game to ever come to a PlayStation platform, at least when taking into account the environment in which it launched. When it released in 2009, it did so at a vital time for the brand: PS3 Slim was out, its price was cut, and PlayStation had what seemed to be one last chance to best its rival and pull itself out of a dark three year period. Sony-owned Naughty Dog did a lot of the heavy lifting with the 2007 original, but Among Thieves realized the full potential of Uncharted, and is considered one of the best games of all-time to this very day. It's truly wonderful, and we are pleased to fulfill a listener vote and cover the game. So stay warm, friends. It's gonna get a little snowy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If the first two seasons of HBO's Game of Thrones didn't get your blood pumping, the third season -- which first aired in 2013 -- almost certainly will. With multiple kings (and a queen!) staking a claim and vying for power across the land, the stakes are ratcheting-up. One would-be monarch is equipped with a trio of dragons; another with more money than anyone could imagine; another with the power of fire magic, and so on. In the wake of each rest death and destruction, but it also brings us one step closer to resolution. From the Red Wedding to slave rebellions, and from the Brotherhood Without Banners to the situation North of the Wall, there is a whole lot to discuss, and there's little to waste. After all: Winter is still very much coming, and there are so many characters, arcs, and plot-points involved in this ever-darkening landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's time for us to once again go back in time, not to celebrate and discuss a movie, video game, or TV show, but rather our own childhoods. Specifically: Our bedrooms growing up. These were our fortresses of solitude, places where we can regroup, study, be alone, and generally do whatever we want. Video games. Toys. TV. Computers. And, yes, schoolwork as well. Lots happened in our childhood bedrooms, which is why we're pleased to spend some two hours talking about our fondest and funniest memories of the places where we laid our heads to rest at night as children, and spent an awful lot of time in between, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While lots of viewers obviously love the first season of Game of Thrones, it's the second season -- which first aired on HBO in 2012 -- many consider the beginning of the series' long-running and well-earned golden era. There's action all over the map: In the far-north with rumblings of 'A King Beyond the Wall,' in Winterfell and the Iron Islands, which stir with and fall victim to the spirit of raiding, across the Narrow Sea in Essos, where we discover a desert city called Qarth, and certainly at King's Landing, which is set to be invaded at any moment. There's a lot more going on, too, which is how Game of Thrones rolls. It's dense with characters and plot. Thus, we do the best we can to not only make sense of it all, but touch on the characters, moments, and arcs that stood out to us most, from the relationship between Arya and Tywin and the drama between Jaime and Brienne to the Battle of Blackwater Bay and the reignition of a fiery old religion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While Toy Story wasn't the first 3D animated offering, it was certainly the film that proved the technique viable, desirable, and even preferable to the old ways of doing things. It also made a boatload of money, which never hurts. When it launched in theaters in late 1995, Toy Story left audiences enamored with its characters, blown-away by its visuals, and instantaneously hungry for more (it would take four years for more to arrive). At a brisk 80 minutes, Toy Story doesn't linger. Instead, it entertains relentlessly, packing amazing voice acting (Tom Hanks and Tim Allen!) and, at that point in time, the most sophisticated computer graphics the world had ever seen. Remember: This is a year -before- Super Mario 64 came out. It's really quite amazing, when you think about it. So -- as we're wont to do on this show -- we gush about Toy Story for well over two hours, get into its deep and winding history, what it means to animation and society alike, and the heavy influence it would play on entertainment, even two and a half decades-plus later. As usual, it doesn't hurt having an Emmy Award-winning animator co-hosting this show... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to HBO's mega-hit Game of Thrones -- arguably the single most famous offering in the four decade-long history of cable television -- there's so much to say. Like, tons. Infinite amounts, even. So, we've decided to tackle Game of Thrones here on KnockBack with an episode dedicated to each season, in an attempt to do some justice to something so grand. The first 10 episodes set George RR Martin's epic story (derived from his novel series A Song of Fire and Ice) into motion. We meet the Lannisters, Starks, and others who are all vying for a single throne, would-be rulers of great kingdoms steeped in history, tradition, and conflict. Game of Thrones is considered one of the best television shows ever for a reason: Because it really, truly is. It's a show that embodies the notion of "exceptional." And we're happy to celebrate it with a robust chat about the characters, settings, and story arcs that make season one hum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While Ghost in the Shell began its life as a manga in the late '80s, the 1995 animated feature film that interpreted its story is what most people are familiar with. Created by renowned artist and writer Masamune Shirow and brought to the big screen by Mamoru Oshii, Ghost in the Shell deals with surprisingly heady subject matter: Science, politics, philosophy, and morality, amongst many other themes. The future world of cyborgs and humans envisioned in this work isn't too far off the mark, either, particularly when compared to other works of cyberpunk that are much more fanciful and overtly fictional in their approach. Overall, this is perhaps what makes Ghost in the Shell so notable to so many. It feels alive and true-to-form. And it's certainly worth a deep dive right here on KnockBack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's no exaggeration to say that 2007's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune launched at the perfect time. Naughty Dog's Indiana Jones-and-Tomb Raider-inspired adventure was released exclusively on PlayStation 3 when the console was in dire straits, getting beaten badly on the market by both Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii. In fact, that era may be the lowest point ever for the entire brand. But, for the first time for many PS3 players and would-be owners, Uncharted gave them something to be truly excited about, something to point at and justify their expensive console purchase. There's no denying that Drake's Fortune is one of PlayStation's most important offerings ever, and we're glad to dedicate a couple of hours to get into all the many reasons why this wonderful game still holds up all these years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We love John Hughes here on KnockBack. The (sadly deceased) American filmmaker and writer is perhaps best-known for his work on the likes of Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller, and Home Alone. But before he got to any of those films -- and the rest of his legion of '80s masterpieces -- he undertook Sixteen Candles, which also happens to be his directorial debut after a series of writing gigs, including with National Lampoons. Starring Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall, two staples of his actor stable, Sixteen Candles is a surreal, funny, and emotional movie about a 16-year old girl whose family forgets her big day... and all that happens thereafter. However, there's a lot of weird stuff in this film, too: Implied sexual assault, casual racism, and more. All told, just where does Sixteen Candles fit in the Hughes Pantheon? Good and bad alike: Let's discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode of KnockBack is for all you pretty young things out there. In late-1982, Michael Jackson -- already world-renowned both with his family band The Jackson 5 and via his solo vehicles -- released his most seminal work, the three-times Diamond certified record Thriller. While its title track may be what's most remembered these days, it's interesting to look back to the early-'80s, when Thriller (the song) was released sixth (!) when it comes to singles. From Billie Jean and Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' to Beat It and Human Nature, Thriller provides banger after banger, a fusion of pop sensibilities with a rock-and-roll backbone. Yes: Michael Jackson is today a controversial figure, even reviled in some corners. But we wanted to look at this album through a historically relevant lens, and examine the music for music's sake. We hope you enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The culmination of Sci-Fi's reimagined Battlestar Galactica series is exceptional. Airing between 2008 and 2009 and interrupted by the Writer's Strike, its final season may be one of the greatest runs of programming in television history. Religious, spiritual, scientific, and above all else human, BSG wraps up with a satisfying conclusion that forces us to confront difficult questions about our heroes, villains, and perhaps most of all about ourselves. Humanity versus Cylon is a distraction. It's all about sentience. Choice. And breaking the cycle that, if anything, provides nothing but predictable outcomes. And that, in and of itself, may be unchangeable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wes Anderson's filmography is pocked with remarkable films, and 1998's Rushmore is undoubtedly one of them. Starring Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray, Rushmore is -- in our estimation -- a movie all about dealing with pain: The pain of growing up, the pain of loss, the pain of emptiness. But, in traditional Anderson form, Rushmore's melancholy is accompanied by copious wit and humor that balances everything out, delivering something perhaps far greater than the sum of its individual parts. So take dead aim at the rich boys, friends. But not before you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's just no denying it: The gaming series Halo and the Xbox console are intrinsically linked, and will be forever. Indeed, Microsoft went and bought Halo mid-development to become its maiden console's killer app, and... well... it worked... because Xbox was unlikely to survive without it. Two decades-plus later, Halo remains one of the most important console franchises in the world, and yet, it all began innocuously enough with a 2001 product subtitled Combat Evolved. While far from the first FPS on console, there's no doubt that Halo -- through control, story, LAN, and more -- set the precedent for the next more-than 20 years of console-based shooting, which, as we well know, is now big, big business. We may just have the esteemed Halo to thank for that, and so, we welcome a conversation all about it here on KnockBack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So many of our remembrances are centered on our 'home territory' of Long Island, and the places where we would later call home, from Boston to Philadelphia to California. But what about the times we left, specifically for vacation with our family or friends? This week's episode of KnockBack is dedicated to those leisure-filled days and weeks of yore, when we had nothing to do and no expectations, but lots of funny and ridiculous stories to tell. We hope you enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back in the late '70s, Ridley Scott and Dan O'Bannon released the seminal sci-fi horror movie Alien. It took more than half a decade to get a sequel off the ground, however, this time manned by none other than auteur James Cameron. It's with Aliens, with an S, that the quiet horror franchise-to-be became an action franchise with horror elements, and while it was a somewhat divisive move, there's no doubt that Aliens -- finally launched in 1986 -- is one of the best-regarded and most influential sci-fi and action movies ever made. So let's head back to LV-426, friends. The Xenomorphs aren't nearly done with humanity yet, and there's so much to discuss en route. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may not be familiar with the concept of Shovelry, but veterans of 2014's smash-hit indie darling Shovel Knight will know all about it. Kickstarted nearly a decade ago by a new team called Yacht Club Games and launched to massive commercial and critical success, Shovel Knight is an ode to the NES era, taking liberal amounts of inspiration from the likes of DuckTales, Mega Man, Castlevania, Ninja Gaiden, Faxanadu, Zelda II, Super Mario Bros. 3, and more. Yet, it's also a adventure that can act as an excellent gateway for younger players into the days of yore. Shovel Knight is one of the greatest old-school-style romps ever crafted, full stop, and we're thrilled to talk about it on KnockBack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We love music, and we don't focus on it enough here on KnockBack. We're endeavoring to change that, starting now. Music is tied up so intimately with nostalgia that it barely merits further explanation. Yet, for all of us, songs and time, songs and people, songs and a moment or an event, these are the connections we simply cannot escape. Here are 10 songs we love that also remind us of happiness or pain from times gone. Indeed, they may represent the only tangible connection we have to some of the topics we discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In between seasons three of four of Sci-Fi's reimagined Battlestar Galactica series came a standalone movie. It's called Razor, and -- as the name suggests -- it focuses on the trials and tribulations of the Battlestar Pegasus, which we were introduced to in season two. Pegasus is commanded by an icy officer named Cain, who does whatever's necessary to survive. But Razor shows us a different side of Cain, and gives us insight into how she and her ship lived through the Cylon assault on their home colonies. We're also introduced to Cain's protégé, Kendra Shaw, who -- much like Starbuck and Adama -- acts as Cain's surrogate daughter. And so we spool up our FTL drives once more, this time to go just ever-so-slightly into the past, which will hopefully illustrate some of what's yet to come with our journey through BSG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back in 1978, something truly horrifying happened. Following the worldwide, blockbuster success of the original Star Wars in 1977 (which we now lovingly refer to as A New Hope), audiences waited for what was next. And while The Empire Strikes Back arrived in 1980 and set the world ablaze, there were a few stops along the way, and one of them was almost impossibly ill-advised, in hindsight. The Star Wars Christmas Special aired only one time that holiday season, and it's widely-considered to be the single worst piece of Star Wars anything, ever. (Colin contends it's arguably the worst piece of entertainment ever created.) Not even the original movie's cast and some timely guest stars could save this coke-addled variety show. It's no wonder -- apart from its Boba Fett cartoon -- that it's been completely disowned and disavowed. And yet, we couldn't help ourselves. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Surprise! For our 200th episode, we decided to cover one of the most-requested topics from our audience since we began KnockBack some four years ago. Avatar: The Last Airbender came to Nickelodeon in 2005, and its first season immediately raised the bar of what could be expected from a 21st century Nick that helped define the previous 20 years of children and teen television content. Full of heart and soul, beautifully animated, and charming to the max, Avatar is undeniably appealing and worth your attention. We're very pleased to finally talk about it here on KnockBack, and we hope you enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Choice A or Choice B? We're met with this conundrum over and over again in life, and yet, there are certain choices that are far more consequential than others. This episode of KnockBack is dedicated to such forks in the road, where two or more options are presented, and whichever choice you make will resonate far beyond that point in time, perhaps for the rest of your life. From jobs and living situations to education and the start and stop of relationships, these are 10 moments from the lives of the Brothers Moriarty that -- if a different path was taken -- would have likely meant this very show wouldn't exist at all. How meta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone knows that Kill Bill was originally intended as one epic-length film, but Miramax ultimately convinced writer and director Quentin Tarantino to do things their way. The result is a second installment that's quite different from its first. Depending on how you look at things, of course, that may be a good thing. 2004's Kill Bill: Volume 2 is a far less violent, far more cerebral offering that exchanges swordplay for dialogue, but the same themes transcend both films and remain at their beating heart: Revenge, rage, and love. Indeed, the two parts fit together kind of like Yin and Yang, a perhaps not-all-that-inappropriate reference considering the film's deep Asian-inspired roots. Can you survive the Five Point Palm-Exploding Heart Technique? Unlikely. Thankfully, though, it's quite safe to hit play, sit back, and listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If the blood-fueled havoc of Kill Bill reminds us anything, it's that "revenge is never a straight line." Quentin Tarantino's 2003 flick -- his fourth written-and-directed film -- was originally intended to be one long, four hour-ish movie, but they wisely split it in two. Thus, in Volume 1, we're left to consume the first half of the story, all about a nameless Bride fueled by a mother's rage. Full of memorable characters and performances, exceptional cinematography, an epic soundtrack and score, and a full embrace of its nerdy and sometimes-obscure influences, Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a must-see movie for its wonderful style alone. So listen to the podcast, and let us know what you think. If you still feel raw about it, we'll be waiting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The third entry in the Metal Gear Solid franchise is the first game to take us backwards in time. While the original two adventures took place slightly ahead of their release window, MGS3 takes place 40 years prior to its 2004 launch, and within is a captivating Cold War-slash-alternate history tale about the Soviet Union, some American (and other foreign) agents, and a vaunted, nuclear-armed super weapon that will change the face of warfare forever. Infused with memorable characters and dialogue, revamped combat, and a deeply geopolitical tale, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is considered by many fans of the series to be its best entry. Do the Moriarty Brothers agree? As usual, there's only one way to find out: Hit play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1982's Poltergeist is a fascinating film to examine. It's a Steven Spielberg horror production that also wasn't, a movie with what was essentially a 'shadow director,' allowing Spielberg to navigate around contractual issues with ET, which he (also) directed, and which came to theaters at nearly the same time. But production curiosities aside, Poltergeist is akin to the collision of two Spielberg pictures -- Jaws and The Goonies -- a sometimes dire and scary while at other times upbeat and even funny adventure about a house built on an old graveyard... and the consequences therein. Is the house clean? Well, not exactly. Yet, the TV beckons... and so does this episode of KnockBack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our return to Battlestar Galactica brings us to what many consider the show's weakest season, and that's certainly a valid perspective. But the reality is that, while season three took some weird turns and bottlenecked the show with some frustrating one-offs that felt more procedural and drama, it's still full of emotional moments, excellent acting, and a continuation of a core plot that finds our fledgling band of human survivors still seeking Earth, fleeing from their Cylon pursuers who are always only a step behind. We've said many times: Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction show, but it's more than that. It's a show about philosophy, religion, and existentialism, and that all comes out in droves during this contentious season. So jump your ships into orbit and hit play. And don't pay any attention to that music you may be hearing in the background... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While it's true that we ain't afraid of no ghosts, it's also true that we're not very fond of them, either. They are, after all, undead apparitions that seem to play by their own set of rules, and, well, it's time that they were busted. Thus, we queued up 1984's classic comedy Ghostbusters to draw some inspiration. With lots of brilliant minds involved -- Ivan Reitman, Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, and others -- you'd think Ghostbusters would be a runaway hit. And for many audiences, it certainly was. But the Brothers Moriarty have a slightly different take: Primarily that Ghostbusters has all of the makings of something truly great, but doesn't fully take advantage of any of its components. Please don't try to trap us with your proton pack before you listen, though, for you may just find that you agree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While it's true that the first rule of Fight Club is not to talk about Fight Club, we felt like a two hour podcast of silence wouldn't be very enticing. Thus, we're willing to break the sacred code to present to you a discussion all about David Fincher's 1999 film based upon Chuck Palahniuk's 1996 novel. The story revolves around an unnamed man played by Edward Norton who encounters a man named Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt. The result is an introspective, Generation X-infused movie that focuses a spotlight on the hopelessness deep inside all of us, one that comes out in fits of consumerism, despair, and even violence. It's that latter word that's the true focus of Fight Club, though: The battering life can deliver all of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We, the Moriarty Brothers, are grown-ass men with houses, but that wasn't always the case. In our younger days, we -- like so many! -- lived in apartments, townhouses, and even entire homes with roommates, and such experiences are obviously rich for storytelling. So allow us to delve into our college years and early professional lives, and tell you about some of our living situations, from the mundane to the ridiculous... and regale you with tales of the amazing, lame, and otherwise unforgettable people we bunked with along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Way back when, anime made its way to western audiences primarily via three important films: Akira, Ghost in the Shell, and today's topic, Ninja Scroll. Released in Japan in the summer of 1993, Ninja Scroll quickly meandered west, where it garnered a substantial hardcore audience during the VHS era and into the DVD era. That's especially strange, since -- back in its native country -- Ninja Scroll wasn't much of a hit at all. That wasn't true outside of Japan's borders, however, where nearly 30 years later, it's still considered an all-time great and a seminal piece of Japanese culture. So let's jump into Feudal Japan and sort through a very video game-like plot about a couple of samurai slicing and dicing through eight foes with special powers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices