KnockBack: The Retro and Nostalgia Podcast

It may only be about five years old, but The Last of Us: Part II is quite easily one of the greatest games of all-time. Thus, it not only deserves its own episode of KnockBack, but a seven-ish hour one, the longest show in Last Stand history to date. Divisive even before it came out -- but absolutely dripping with style, message, and storytelling -- TLoU2 is a tale about endless violence and cyclical revenge, the kind that you simply can't back away from. The deeper Ellie and Abby fall into their timeless feud, the less they gain and the more they lose. But they just can't help themselves. They refuse to. It's at the heart of what makes this game so incredibly great, and perhaps what makes it so very controversial, too. There's little else to say, other than that the Brothers Moriarty wanted to give love to one of gaming's most phenomenal adventures. Click play for the result... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2025

In 1992, Final Fantasy V came to Super Famicom in Japan, but in the west, the seminal JRPG would remain a mystery for years. In 1999 (via PS1!) English-speaking audiences would gain access to the game for the first time (unless you played fan translations via emulator, of course), and since then -- whether on GBA, PC, phones, or more recently modern consoles -- FFV has always held an interesting place in the pantheon of great Final Fantasy titles. Is it as monumental as IV, VI, or VII? Not at all. But it's still extremely special in its own right, an adventure predicated on a robust jobs system that would later help inspire the likes of Final Fantasy Tactics, jobs utilized by a small core group of protagonists that stand the test of time (and pull at your heartstrings, too). For KnockBack's triumphant return, we thought we'd get back into the Pixel Remasters where we left off, and needless to say, we've got a lot to go over. So get in your airship, or on your chocobo, or whatever mode of transportation speaks to you most, and join us for another old-school chat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2025

When a movie invokes our obscure hometown of Brookhaven, Long Island, you know we have to give that film the proper KnockBack treatment. Dagan's been smitten with Alex Garland's 2015 directorial debut Ex Machina recently, and in a strange twist-of-fate, I (Colin) have actually seen this flick, a relative rarity. Dag and I both sat down to watch it again, though, and deliver this episode of KB to you today on the tail-end. Garland's AI-focused film may be nearing its decade mark. Yet, it's somehow jumped the boundary from sci-fi to reality in the 10 or so years that have elapsed since its release. AI is no longer some future hypothetical what-if; it's happening before our very eyes. And there's no doubt that Ex Machina has a lot to say about the subject: Its creation, its development, and its very essence and nature. Can robots ever be alive? Perhaps it depends on what being alive even means. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 June 2024

It's been a while since we've covered a game on KnockBack, so we thought we'd return with a bang. Long-requested as a target of our show, The Lost Legacy is a peculiar 2017 release that fits somewhere between an expansion and a full game, and it doesn't star Nate and Sully, but rather Chloe and Nadine, an interesting pairing to be sure. Made quickly by a spin-off Naughty Dog team and received well upon launch on PS4, The Lost Legacy may have represented the most conspicuous gap in my (Colin's) history with PlayStation, but that's no longer the case. Did Dagan and I like the game, though? We did, of course... and we have a ton to say about it. So please join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2024

PJ returns to KnockBack to talk about all things skateboarding. Long Island's favorite skate rats chop it up about Tony Hawk, Supreme, injuries, favorite tricks and the infamous 'vert button'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2024

We're settling back in from Sacred Symbols 300 live in New York City, and the experience has us (The Brothers Moriarty) feeling nostalgic, which is a good thing for our retro-and-nostalgia-themed show. We're particularly sentimental about our parents, who both attended the show, and who -- at 73 years old, both -- have always come through for us, even if the path wasn't always linear, or even clear. We love making fun of our mom and dad on KnockBack; it's a staple of Dagan and Colin podcasts. But we thought we'd go in the other direction today, and talk about all the ways we love and appreciate our parents, how we think they helped form us into the people we are today, and add to the deep Moriarty lore that only grows by leaps and bounds here at Last Stand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2024

Dagan's best friend and Colin's other older brother finally arrives on the KnockBack scene to discuss skateboarding, video games, and growing up on the sometimes shady streets of Long Island. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2024

With all of the hullabaloo surrounding Arrowhead's hit PS5 and PC game Helldivers 2, we figured we'd delve into its most obvious inspiration: Starship Troopers. Most people know Starship Troopers as the 1997 Paul Verhoeven sci-fi flick, but it's actually much more than that. It all started as an award-winning novel written back in 1959 by an author named Robert Heinlein, and strangely, the film and book couldn't possibly be more different in many respects. But because the book (which is awesome) is a quick read, and the film (which is good, but not nearly as good as the book) is comparatively short, too, so we figured we'd digest both, take lots of notes, and compare and contrast the two. The result is an interesting conversation, one that asks questions like: Is the book really fascist-aligned, as often claimed? Are the bugs the victims of human aggression, and could we ever come to terms with such a race? Does the idea of earning one's citizenship actually not sound that crazy, after all? Could every human have a deathwish, deep down inside? Clearly, we've much to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2024

For this week's KnockBack, we thought we'd do something a little bit different. A major fuel source for the origins of our podcast back in 2018 was our shared love of the NES: The hardware, its games, and the community that's long surrounded it. So we thought we'd delve back into that subject matter by each constructing a Top 10 NES Games list and then trying to fuse them together, a task we almost immediately abandoned when we realized we approached our respective lists quite differently. Thus, what emerges is a robust talk about many of the games from our respective childhoods, and how we still grapple with their undeniable greatness to this day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2024

1975's Jaws is a seminal work in the thriller genre, and it was somehow delivered by an overwhelmed, overworked, and over-his-head Steven Spielberg, directing only his second theatrically-released film. With a bloated budget more than twice as high as originally anticipated -- and filmed on-location with great difficulty, sending it more than three months beyond its planned schedule -- Jaws had everything working against it. But in the cauldron, something rather revolutionary cooked. From score to acting performances to an oceanic foe that's rarely seen for technical reasons (greatly benefiting the movie!), everything works serendipitously, making Jaws one of the '70s most iconic and important films, and something we simply had to cover here on KnockBack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2024

While we certainly neither condone nor encourage underage drinking, the reality is that both of us did plenty of it in our heyday. Indeed, drinking before you're 21 in the US is basically a rite of passage for generations of young people. (And yes, the drinking age should be 18.) And while we absolutely don't endorse our past behavior, we thought we would have some fun talking about our respective introductions to drinking: Trying our first beer, going to our first party, getting drunk for the first time, and -- god forbid! -- hungover. From Bud Heavies and Mike's Hard Lemonade to tequila and scotch... well... we may have been a little over our heads. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2024

For our 'holiday' episode of KnockBack this year, we thought we'd do something special. As such, please welcome our mom to the show, BettyAnn Moriarty. The reality is this: Our mother comes up on the show constantly. In fact, if you guys are on social media, you may even interact with her. Needless to say, she's one of the most special people in our lives, and thus, we thought we'd take some time to reminisce, tell some old stories, ask probing questions about the past, and add to the extensive tome of Moriarty lore that we can all probably agree is already a little too long. Without further ado, please enjoy. And Happy New Year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 December 2023

For the Brothers Moriarty, Final Fantasy IV -- or Final Fantasy II, as we once knew it on SNES way back when -- is a uniquely nostalgic product. Upon its release in the west, we played the game together, often with me (Colin) sneaking into Dagan's room after I was 'put to bed' so I could watch him conquer the tale. Thus, we eagerly revisit this all-time JRPG classic in KnockBack style, but it's not the first time we've done so. Long-time listeners will recall that one of the very first KB offerings in 2018 was FFIV (Episode 16, in fact). But our show today is a lot different than it was then, and frankly, this is a far deeper and more comprehensive look at Squaresoft's classic than the earlier podcast, as we've both come off a fresh playthrough via the Pixel Remaster. Cecil's tale of darkness-to-light -- and the many stories of the lovable cast that surround him -- helped catapult an entire genre into the hearts of gamers worldwide. Some would even argue IV is the best Final Fantasy, full-stop. We think you could easily make that argument, yes, but such a deep topic deserves much more nuance. Three hours' worth, in fact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2023

For this week's episode of KnockBack, we thought we'd do things a little differently. Indeed, there's no specific topic to discuss per se. Instead, we thought we'd ask each other a few random questions about our respective childhoods to see where the conversation might lead. So let's get into the nitty-gritty about Dagan's most memorable youth sports triumph, Colin's frightened remembrances of the unnecessarily scary Unsolved Mysteries theme song, the GI Joe Dagan fruitlessly hunted down around the Island for months and years, Colin's regret that he didn't realize he loved football at an earlier age, and much more. We recorded this on Thanksgiving because we love you that much. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2023

While KnockBack typically revolves around the video games, films, TV shows, and so on of the past, some of the most-popular and most-requested episodes of the show over the last six-ish years relate to Moriarty family stories. Today's release is one such episode. Using a certain recent wedding as a jumping-off point, we thought we'd go a level or two deeper and discuss the physics and chemistry of a typical family gathering in the Moriarty family, both yesterday and today. After all, endless interactions with those closest to us helped morph us into who we are, and so really, you can only know the Brothers Moriarty if you know about the many foundational elements around them, sometimes only occasionally seen at a dinner or event, but nonetheless fundamentally central to the entire story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2023

Paul Verhoeven's 1987 dystopian sci-fi film RoboCop is considered more and more of a classic the further we get from its release year. Indeed, a lot of the ongoing revision pertaining to RoboCop has to do with its subject matter: Mega-corporations, militarism, the use of police force, and a mighty thick layer of satire that heavily lampoons American culture, past and present alike. On the outside, Peter Weller's portrayal of the titular mechanized law enforcement officer is merely a piece of cinema history due to its visually-iconic protagonist. But between the seams are strings to pull at that bring audiences to deeper and darker places, taking a gory allusion to post-modernity to a whole new level. Can robots think and feel? Well, RoboCop sure can. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2023

Only a couple of months from when this episode of KnockBack launches, an Avatar-themed AAA game will launch from Ubisoft-owned studio Massive. And -- as you may already know -- I (Colin) am a fan of Massive, as I love their Division series. So when I heard they were making a Far Cry-like title that happens to be Avatar-themed, I knew I had to play it. But there was a glaring problem: I didn't know the source material. KnockBack seemed like a good place to concoct a remedy so that I could emerge from the murky waters un-posered. As such, Dagan and I sat down to watch James Cameron's smash-hit 2009 film, which neither of us had seen, and really have no familiarity with whatsoever. And while we liked what it was attempting to do, whether or not it's successful is another story entirely. Allegorically-hinged on humanity's destruction of Earth -- and drowning in freaky blue humanoids galore -- Avatar is widely-considered both the pinnacle of cultural relevance and something seemingly inconsequential. Obviously, it's neither. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2023

If you're an American gen-xer or millennial, there's a better-than-decent chance you were heavily influenced by MTV growing up. Launched in the early '80s, culturally crescendoing in the '90s, and still highly-relevant into the 2000s, MTV's brand of so-called 'music television' helped define a succession of generations' musical tastes, fashion, and the wider spectrum of entertainment full-stop. Today's episode of KnockBack is dedicated to MTV through the eyes of two people born in 1973 and 1984, both loyal viewers of the network not unlike millions upon millions of their respective contemporaries. There were the music videos, yes. And they were glorious. But there's so much more to delve into, too: Programming (120 Minutes, Headbangers Ball, TRL), spin-offs (VH1, MTV2), the rise of reality television as we know it (The Real World, Road Rules), and on and on and on. We definitely wanted our MTV. Did you? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2023

If you're an older player of video games, you know that 2007 was an historically-insane year for the medium. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Super Mario Galaxy, BioShock, The Orange Box, God of War II, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, and Mass Effect -- amongst others -- all launched within 9 months of each other. And then there was Halo 3, arguably the king of them all. Halo 3 is the Xbox brand's single best-selling game by a mile, and it's an emblem of Microsoft's most successful era both commercially and critically, when it was a completely dominant force with its boot on its competitor's neck. Short and sweet at only eight hours (or so) long, Halo 3 is a thrill to play, though it does lack its predecessor's emphasis on story and lore, which is a bit of a bummer. And it of course thrived via online play via Xbox Live, which isn't at all what our podcast is about. Instead, we focus on its action movie-like campaign, which we both had a blast with. And we reminisce about a time when Microsoft nearly won the so-called Console War, before it somewhat befuddingly dropped the ball and gave the crown away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2023

Welcome back to KnockBack! This week, instead of focusing-in on a specific game, movie, TV show, or whatever, we thought we'd do another one of our reminiscing episodes instead. Thus, today, our focus is card collecting. At different stages of his childhood, Dagan collected Star Wars cards, Garbage Pail Kids, Wacky Packages, and even caught the Smurfs bug. Colin, meanwhile, went through three distinct card-collecting phases: Sports (baseball and hockey), IP (Marvel Universe and GI Joe), and outright gaming cards (Magic and Star Wars CCG). So join us as we recollect on the time-consuming, money-demanding, and strangely-addictive world of card collecting that we were both sucked into at one time, and which many of you out there are still very much involved with today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 September 2023

In 2022, we -- the Brothers Moriarty -- sat down to discuss Xbox's seminal 2001 launch offering, Halo: Combat Evolved. We loved it, and we promised that we'd get to Halo 2 one day. Well, today is that day. Released late in 2004, at the back-end of Xbox's truncated lifecycle, Halo 2 is widely-considered one of the Xbox brand's highest-quality and most important games in its two decade-plus history. And candidly, we can see why. With expert gunplay, a fun sci-fi story, and a brisk runtime reminiscent of its generation (and which we frankly long for today), Halo 2 has us not only gushing about a title one-in-three OG Xbox owners purchased -- which is an insane attach rate -- but has us longing to play Halo 3, too, which we will certainly be getting to in short order here on KnockBack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2023

As we continue our cruise through the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters here on KnockBack, we come to the enigma that is Final Fantasy III. Like Final Fantasy II, III never got a western release at the time it came to Famicom in 1990. But unlike II, which finally saw the light of day in the west late in the PSone era, we had to wait until 2006 to play Final Fantasy III in western markets, and we did so via a 3D remake on Nintendo DS with a sterile and boring aesthetic overshadowing an otherwise solid job-based title. Finally, though, we can experience it as intended, with chibi sprites and chiptunes, and we're glad we did. A prelude to beloved Final Fantasy IV -- not in story, but in substance -- Final Fantasy III is a worthy old-school JRPG, one we're pleased to present thoughts on today. What's even more exciting, though, is that we can now be unleashed on the truly amazing series entries to come... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 August 2023

There couldn't be a more appropriate film for us to cover here on KnockBack than Steven Spielberg's 1977 sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind, at least through a contemporary lens. After all, the United States government is seemingly on the cusp of spilling the beans about potentially decades-old cover-ups of encounters with alien technologies, and, well, Close Encounters deals with this very topic. Starring a young Richard Dreyfuss and scored by a still-seasoning John Williams, Close Encounters of the Third Kind is an often chaotic (but always stylish) look at just how, when, and what we could potentially be visited by from beyond our atmosphere, and all of the fright and hope alike that comes along with such a visit. Of course -- this being KnockBack -- our conversation devolves into a wider chat about aliens, spacecraft, encounters, and what we may be on the verge of learning. We simply couldn't help ourselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2023

The great American author Cormac McCarthy recently passed away at the age of 89. In his decades as a writer, he penned a dozen novels, and we've actually covered a couple of them on this show in the past: The Road (Episode #78) and No Country For Old Men (Episode #233). In ode of such an inspirational and talented creator, we thought we'd thumb through what many consider his finest work, Blood Meridian. Written in 1985 -- before McCarthy was a truly known literary quantity, but nonetheless well into his career -- Blood Meridian tells the story of The Kid, a runaway-turned-criminal inescapably caught-up in the events of the American southwest in the years leading into the Civil War. Brutal, violent, vivid, and honest, Blood Meridian is a tough read on multiple levels, and there's an incredible density of threads to pull when talking about it. Thus, we did the best we could to show thanks to Cormac McCarthy the KnockBack way, following whichever trails the conversation brings us down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2023

Sports flicks are beloved the world over for their relatable characters, uplifting stories, and remarkable endings. Disney's 1992 live-action hockey movie The Mighty Ducks is certainly no exception, though -- more than 30 years later -- there are a few bits that may not have gotten through the goalie (pardon the pun). The reality is this: The Mighty Ducks is arguably the greatest hockey movie ever, and one of the greatest children's sports films of all-time. It's also a movie that happens to be very near-and-dear to one Colin Moriarty's heart, what with his love of hockey and all. He was a third grader just beginning his youth hockey career when The Mighty Ducks hit theaters, and needless to say, it was formative. Quack. Quack. Quack! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2023

Our meandering through the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters continues with Final Fantasy II, widely considered the 'black sheep' of the traditional series. But a lot of that hinges on perception, or lack thereof. See, Final Fantasy II took forever to come to the west -- it came to Famicom in 1988 but never migrated outside of Japan until it launched on PSone in 2003 -- so the reality is, a lot of people don't have any experience with it at all. And those that do have played it in sometimes less-than-ideal circumstances, though there are some good ports and reworkings on GBA (2004) and PSP (2007) to note. This episode of KnockBack, not surprisingly, is dedicated to the beleaguered II, the odd-man-out of classic Final Fantasy. With a differentiated experience system, an easily-broken economy, and actual characters and story, it's certainly a tale of ups and downs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 June 2023

Few gaming franchises have had the staying power of Square's (and later Square Enix's) Final Fantasy. Launched in the waning weeks of 1987 in Japan, it took some two and a half years for the original title to migrate to western NES consoles, and while it sold fairly well, it still represented only a small spark that would set off a slow burn. Ultimately, that burn would turn into a raging fire -- Final Fantasies IV, VI, and VII are widely considered some of the strongest games ever made, and we are in the midst of a revitalization of the franchise series -- but humble beginnings are what this episode of KnockBack is all about. The quaint and humble JRPG that emerged from Square in the late-'80s set the stage for all that would come, and we're thrilled to dive deep into everything that makes the original Final Fantasy so interesting and so vital so many years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2023

In the summer of 2005, a comedy hit theaters that surprised audiences: The 40 Year Old Virgin. The feature directorial debut of Judd Apatow -- previously best-known as a director, producer, and writer on TV projects like Freaks and Geeks and The Critic -- the film's title doesn't exactly belie its silly nature. But that's what's so fun and endearing about it. It's far from being the perfect comedy -- it has its notable weaknesses -- but it commands your attention with snappy writing, goofy characters, and a lot of heart. Is life all about butthole pleasures? One man says no, but we'll leave that up to you to determine... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2023

It's time for us to talk about a bona fide classic! Super Mario Bros. 3 -- launched in 1988 on Japanese Famicoms and in 1990 on the NES -- is widely considered one of the greatest games of all-time. And it's true: SMB3 is a masterclass in gameplay, design, and intent. But above all else, it's fun. Really, really fun, just as fun today as it was decades ago. We're excited to gush about one of our favorite games of our youth, one rife with memories and stories to tell. Indeed, we'd argue that Super Mario Bros. 3 is so close to perfect that it's hard to present one meaningful criticism of it (outside of its lack of saving, perhaps). So grab your Tanooki Suit and report for duty in the grasslands! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2023

If you wanted to ask your friend to play in 1990, you had to call his house phone and hope for the best. Was anyone there? Who would answer? Would your friend be available? Maybe you'll leave a message... It was a weird tradition we repeated ad nauseam, one of many peculiar and lost customs we were subjected to in our analog childhoods. And it's those traditions that are the subject of this episode of KnockBack. Wild rumors and speculation on the playground? The internet solves that for today's youth, but in our day, we believed it all. Wanted to know if you had a snow day? You had to start watching the local news the night before and into the next morning, hoping to see your school district appear in the scrolling marquee. New year teacher assignments and quarterly grades? Sent through the old-fashioned mail, easy to intercept or lose. Waiting was a rite of passage for all schoolkids. Now, youngins can know anything at any time, about everything in the world. The mystery is gone, yes, but we hope this show rekindles it for a moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2023

Let it go?! No. Embrace it! Frozen turns 10 this year, and in ode, Dagan thought it'd be a good idea to give the film the KnockBack treatment. And so we did just that. The tale of sisters Elsa and Anna is surprisingly emotional, and the film itself is chock-full of a small-but-solid cast of surrounding characters. Over the last decade, Frozen has turned into a phenomenon, and -- for little girls, especially -- it remains an iconographic piece of fiction. The ultimate question we want to get to here on KnockBack is: Does it deserve all of the accolades? You'd have to be icy to think not. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2023

It's time for we, The Brothers Moriarty, to continue our slow trek through the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thus, we've come to the third film in the seemingly never-ending run of new Marvel movies: Iron Man 2. Released in 2010, Iron Man 2 was actually in-production when Disney acquired Marvel, and while it's not the literal start of the MCU, you could call it the figurative beginning, one with a master plan, a host of characters, and a legion of spin-offs both planned and intended. This leaves Iron Man 2, at least from our perspective, as transparently interstitial. That said, it's still a fun watch full of interesting characters, and we're thrilled to discuss it here on KnockBack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2023

KnockBack is technically about anything, and we've naturally focused a great deal of our energy on video games. But there are other technologies vital to our childhoods that have nothing to do with our beloved consoles or handhelds. This episode of KnockBack is dedicated to that tech. What TVs did we grow up with? VCRs? What were our first stereo setups, and when did we finally get a Walkman? Did we have a home theater? When did computers enter the picture, and how did we interact with them? Today, we're surrounded by technology galore, but the Brothers Moriarty came up through decades where all of these various pieces were slowly being added, piece by piece. So let's put the puzzle together with some good, old-fashioned storytelling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2023

PlayStation 3's Uncharted trilogy is inarguably a vital stepping stone in the history of Sony. These three titles helped breathe life into a once-struggling console, and gave the brand amazing momentum running into the following generation. But Naughty Dog's series about a globetrotting adventurer hit a bit of a snag when PS3 turned to PS4. Partially through development, Uncharted 4 would lose its creative force and writer, Amy Hennig, leaving the half-finished projects in the hands of the two men who just delivered The Last of Us: Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley. It was going to be a hard task to make this one work. But ultimately, the team delivered in spades. Uncharted 4 is a fitting and high-quality end to Naughty Dog's Uncharted arc, visiting an older, wiser, and more reluctant Nathan Drake who's sucked back into 'the life' by his own brother, and by his own inability to let go of the past. Wonderfully paced and beautiful to look at, and with amazing performances and fun gameplay, A Thief's End is a must-play, and we're thrilled to spend a good-long time discussing it here on KnockBack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2023

Over the five years we've been recording KnockBack, we've intentionally gone out of our way not to talk about A New Hope. It's an especially peculiar decision, considering the first-ever episode of KnockBack is about The Empire Strikes Back, the film that would follow it. But we wanted to get 2023 into gear with something positive and fun, a topic we can bring a lot of energy to, and we've finally succumbed: It's time to chat about 1977's original Star Wars film. But we do things a little differently, because this is probably the most-worn-out property to focus on, especially at this point. So instead of talking about the story, the main characters, and more, we discuss all we love in the negative space: The Jawas and the Sandcrawler, Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, the Imperial officers and that dope meeting room, TIE Fighter Pilots and Death Star Gunners, and on and on and on. Some may call us nothing more than mindless philosophers, but we think this is perfect fodder for a show like ours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2023

For a good duration of the average childhood, you're dressed by your parents. You have very little choice or input, and certainly no financial means to make different decisions. But then, you start to care and exercise some agency: First a little bit, then a lot more. Before you know it, the way you present yourself to the world becomes a key component of your persona, something within your control. Today's episode of KnockBack is dedicated to both eras of childhood, the helplessness of school shopping with mom and the heady days of charting your own fashion course, with tons of stories, anecdotes, and choice gear from days past. The styles, the brands, and more. As always, we go deep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 January 2023

Red Hot Chili Peppers were cruising along for nearly a decade by the time their most famous record, 1991's Blood Sugar Sex Magik, came to store shelves, the radio waves, and MTV. But it was a particular fusion of time, place, talent, and execution that propelled it to the stratosphere. Here in the US, it's a seven-times Platinum album teeming with earworm singles that explore the whole gamut of genres, from rap to funk to rock, all tied together by a renowned producer who happens to know quite a few musical styles very, very well. If you have to ask why Blood Sugar Sex Magik is so good, you've probably never listened to it. And while we could have lied, we know the secret. We're happy to give it away. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 November 2022

1973's Pink Floyd record The Dark Side of the Moon is easily one of the most famous albums of all-time, toting what is perhaps the most recognizable cover art ever concocted. Its 10 tracks (or 9, if you're old-school) tell a deeply human tale, celebrating the ups and downs of life with some of the most vivid and emotional rock lyrics ever constructed, all within a progressive rock framework that sounds like it was written and recorded yesterday. Of course, it wasn't. It's a nearly 50 year old work of art, now. That's what makes it so special, and why we're so eager to gush about the wonderful work of Gilmour, Waters, Mason, and Wright. So hit play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2022

In the history of rock, there are seminal records... and then there are the true cream of the crop. The Beatles' 1967 classic Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is very much in the latter camp, a record so mind-bending and fresh that, 55 years later, it remains one of the most-revered albums ever recorded. And when we say recorded, we mean it in the old-fashion way: Using tape reels and decks without a semblance of computer assistance, which wouldn't have even been possible ast the time. From musicianship to lyrical work to production, Sgt. Pepper's may be unrivaled even in the Beatles' very own discography of genre titans. So let's delve in, go through some of these amazing songs, and discuss the neverending legacy of what some would argue is the strongest LP ever set to vinyl, one that shook the world it entered into, and continues to morph it to this day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 November 2022

Truth be told, we (The Brothers Moriarty) went into The Cabin in the Woods totally blind. Unlike our other romps through horror fare this October, we've both never seen this film... at least until preparing to record this episode. While controversial in nature -- it is, after all, a Joss Whedon joint -- The Cabin in the Woods happens to be a well-respected horror film for one specific reason: It's really good. Turning the genre on its head, poking fun at its archetypes and tropes, and even laying a greater groundwork for the actual meaning behind horror itself, Cabin in the Woods is a clever and thought-provoking flick, and we're thrilled to give it its due here on KnockBack. So listen, before we bind you with ancient logics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2022

1974's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the prototype for the teen-and-20-something slasher films that would fill up theater marquees and video store shelves for the next 40 years. All the hallmarks are there: A set of bold and clueless antagonists, a mysterious, abandoned, and rural locale, a series of situational justifications, a mask-wearing killer, and an iconic weapon. With a brisk runtime, an air of surrealism and camp, and some incredibly strong performances (particularly in the film's second half), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a must-see for anyone interested in the genetic makeup of the horror genre as we know it, and we're thrilled to talk about it here on KnockBack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2022

Beginning in the 1960s, a string of psychological-driven horror movies were released to great fanfare. A seminal film that perfectly fits the mold is none other than 1976's The Omen, starring the beloved Gregory Peck. The Omen is unique, even amongst psychological thriller and horror fare, in that it's also political. Not deeply so; it's certainly not partisan in nature. Rather, it focuses on how the supernatural can interface with the levers of power, and the disastrous potential consequences that could follow. If anything, our biggest complaints about The Omen are shared by many: It's brisk in its runtime, and it can be a little melodramatic, too. But that aside, it's chock-full of great performances, a promising narrative, and a truly spooky synopsis that asks whether the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost can be countered by the Devil, the Anti-Christ, and the False Prophet. Book of Revelation fans, get ready! It's your time to shine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2022

There's something about the time The Exorcist came to theaters, in that it almost certainly made the experience a hell of a lot more frightening than it would be today. When this film launched in December of 1973, one can imagine going to see it, being completely horrified, and then sitting at home. No internet, no cable TV, no phone to keep you busy. Just whatever's over the air and your landline, and hopefully no intrusive thoughts. Based on a novel released a couple of years prior, The Exorcist is a world-class example of Catholic horror told through the eyes of a tortured family that seems to have it all and a troubled priest who knows more than he should. What makes it so scary is that, like so many works of religious-themed horror, it feels like it could happen, at least in some sense. And, well, our recent viewing has left us with much to say on the matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2022

While 1977's Stephen King novel The Shining preempts (and obviously inspired) the film that would come three years later in 1980, it's the movie and not the book that's most well-regarded. That's primarily due to auteur Stanley Kubrick, who delivered a film adaptation of King's horror story for the ages, one readily celebrated and obsessed over to this day. Drawing from a unique, one-of-a-kind aesthetic, rich use of color, sound, and symbolism, and exacting expectations from cast and crew, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is a tentpole in the long history of cinema, the realization of something both profound and unsettling, not only on-screen, but entering real life, too. That's what makes art art, though, and what makes it so easy to celebrate The Shining as the true expression of brilliance it is, even if it's uncomfortable and, at times, outright frightening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 October 2022

Learning the value of a dollar is a fundamental lesson for all fully-functioning young people. While some parents choose the allowance route (with chores mandatory or not), many teens are eager to score a part-time gig as soon as they're legally allowed (and often before they're not). Today's episode of KnockBack is dedicated to our earliest forays into the world of gainful employment. Dagan worked as a produce guy, at a skateshop, and even at a bagel store. Colin cleaned stables, made egg sandwiches, and landscaped in the hot sun. Naturally, there are stories to tell and memories to re-experience. And, perhaps most importantly, this gives us a great opportunity to remember some of the characters we've worked with along the way, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 October 2022

1989's Lethal Weapon 2 is one of the most beloved buddy-cop (and action) movies of all-time, and for good reason. A trio of excellent performances from the likes of Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, and Joe Pesci set the stage for two hours well-spent, another ride through 1980s Los Angeles full of crime, violence, and of course a never-ending stream of jokes. From straightjackets to nailguns, from tow truck chase scenes and Apartheid-era racists, Lethal Weapon 2 is a wild ride, and we're excited to talk about it in detail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2022

Hey yourself. The reality on the other side of 'The Hatch' has finally been revealed, but really, such an answer only multiplied the mystery. Lost's second season, which first aired on ABC in 2005 and 2006, is widely considered the strongest run of episodes in its six season arc. In all actuality, it's hard to even explain much more without spoiling the show, what with its riddles upon riddles and all. So we'll keep it short. The Others, the Numbers, the Tail, the Dharma Initiative. It's all here. And we're eager to discuss it all with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 September 2022

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

Transcribed - Published: 12 September 2022

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

Transcribed - Published: 5 September 2022

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

Transcribed - Published: 29 August 2022