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Not Actually Film Critics

Media & Entertainment Podcasts

Welcome to Not Actually Film Critics where not actual film critics critique actual films. Each week, join us as we talk about random stuff, watch movies together and review them. For every episode, we take turns picking movies that fit within a theme, which often leads us to some real hidden gems, or fun oldies that give us a blast from the past! Sometimes we will even release a sync-track of us watching the movie together, so you can sync it up to your viewing of the movie and feel like you're one of us! Follow along with our journey, and you might just discover a favorite film you've never seen before! Also, if you have a great movie pick for one of our themes, or just want to reach out to us, feel free to email us at nafilmcritics@gmail.com You can also support our podcast at https://www.patreon.com/nafc Support us on Patreon!

Location:

United States

Description:

Welcome to Not Actually Film Critics where not actual film critics critique actual films. Each week, join us as we talk about random stuff, watch movies together and review them. For every episode, we take turns picking movies that fit within a theme, which often leads us to some real hidden gems, or fun oldies that give us a blast from the past! Sometimes we will even release a sync-track of us watching the movie together, so you can sync it up to your viewing of the movie and feel like you're one of us! Follow along with our journey, and you might just discover a favorite film you've never seen before! Also, if you have a great movie pick for one of our themes, or just want to reach out to us, feel free to email us at nafilmcritics@gmail.com You can also support our podcast at https://www.patreon.com/nafc Support us on Patreon!

Language:

English


Episodes
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Electric Dreams (1984): Earworms, Lamb Cults, and Flu-Induced Delirium

4/8/2025
This week on NAFC, Zea opens the episode with her surprisingly practical tips on how to get rid of an earworm. She and Gibbs have been bonding over Cult of the Lamb, building cute little cults and sacrificing followers like it’s therapy. Meanwhile, Mox is down for the count with the flu and hasn’t done much besides cough and maybe question reality. The crew wraps it up with their latest pick for the Auto-Erotica theme: Electric Dreams. Expect synths, romance, sentient computers, and the usual NAFC blend of sarcasm, overanalysis, and unexpected feels. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:08:16

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Titane (2021): Zenshu Zenith, Creed First Impressions, and the Glory of Titane

4/1/2025
This week on NAFC, Mox and Izzy kick things off with a full deep dive into the Zenshu finale—character arcs, emotional wreckage, and all the absurd moments that somehow still hit way too hard. Zea returns with her first impressions of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, weighing in on stealth, samurai, and whether this is the shakeup the series desperately needed—or just more parkour déjà vu. Then it's time for a brand-new movie theme: Auto-Erotica. And what better way to kick it off than with Titane—a wild, body-horror fever dream about cars, identity, and… yeah, we’ll just let you listen. Buckle up. This one’s weird. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:48:56

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Severance Season 2 Finale: Trauma, Theories, and Total Breakdown

3/25/2025
Bonus episode time! It’s just Mox and Izzy this week, and they’re going full spiral over the Severance Season 2 finale. HUGE SPOILERS AHEAD. Seriously, if you’re not caught up, turn back now. The duo unpacks every twist, betrayal, and brain-melting reveal from the finale. Expect wild theories, emotional damage, and the kind of deep-dive obsession only Severance could inspire. Whether you're still processing or ready to rewatch the whole season with new eyes, this is the breakdown you didn’t know you needed. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:02:39

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Mad God (2021): Dragon Age Rage, Robocop Rampage, and the Madness of Mad God

3/25/2025
Zea’s out this week, but the rest of the NAFC crew is here to pick up the chaos. Gibbs shares his thoughts on the Severance finale (no spoilers… maybe), and gives a shoutout to the creepy slow-burn vibes of The Roottrees Are Dead. Izzy vents about his ongoing frustrations with Dragon Age: Inquisition, because nothing says fun like bad pacing and clunky mechanics. Meanwhile, Mox boots up Robocop: Rogue City and is already knee-deep in justice and cybernetic mayhem. To wrap things up, the gang dives into their final pick for the WTF Did I Just Watch theme with Mad God—a grotesque, stop-motion fever dream that left them all a little disturbed and very confused. Perfect way to close out the theme. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:10:25

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Swiss Army Man (2016): Severance Spoilers, Space Opera Nostalgia, and Swiss Army Madness

3/18/2025
SPOILER WARNING! The first 45 minutes of this episode are a deep dive into the latest Severance episode, with the crew dissecting every twist, turn, and mind-breaking moment. If you're not caught up, you might want to skip ahead—or just embrace the spoilers. Outside of Severance-induced existential spirals, Mox takes a trip back to early 2000s sci-fi with Farscape, while Izzy finally wraps up Kingdom Come: Deliverance and jumps straight into Dragon Age: Inquisition, because medieval RPG suffering is apparently a lifestyle. Finally, it’s time for Zea’s movie pick in the WTF Did I Just Watch theme: Swiss Army Man. The crew unpacks this absurd, hilarious, and oddly emotional fever dream of a film, complete with farting corpses and unexpected life lessons. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:31:45

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Suspiria: Severance Spirals, Betrayal, and WTF Did We Just Watch?

3/11/2025
Izzy and Mox kick things off early with a deep dive into Zenshu, Medalist, and the latest mind-bending episode of Severance. Zea jumps in mid-conversation to share where she’s at in her Severance binge, as the crew debates how much existential dread is too much. Izzy also gives his take on Invincible Season 3, while Mox dives into Hades 2 and whether it’s living up to the hype. Meanwhile, Gibbs unknowingly walks into an ambush as his wife and childhood friends throw him under the bus for being way too trusting of people—leading to some truly questionable (and hilarious) life stories. Finally, the crew tackles Suspiria for their WTF Did I Just Watch theme. Expect confusion, horror, and the usual NAFC chaos as they try to make sense of this fever dream of a film. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:02:16:29

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Rubber: Severance, Medieval Chaos, and Killer Tires

3/4/2025
This week on NAFC, Izzy dives into Medalist and Flower and Asura before taking a detour into the brutal, historically immersive world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Expect tales of medieval hardship, poor decision-making, and questionable combat skills. Zea finally finishes the first season of Severance, and the crew eagerly waits to see if she’s fully descended into existential despair. Meanwhile, Mox shares his thoughts on The Gorge, breaking down its action, style, and whether it’s worth the watch. Finally, they wrap up with a deep dive into Rubber (2010), the absurd cult classic about a killer tire with psychic powers. Yes, you read that right. Things are about to get weird. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:21:35

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Nightmare Alley: Witchers, Sci-Fi, and One Last Dafoe Dive

2/26/2025
This week on NAFC, Izzy and Mox share their thoughts on The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep—does it do the franchise justice, or is it just another attempt to keep the hype alive? Meanwhile, Mox takes a deep dive into NeZha 2 to see if it actually lives up to the buzz or if it's all just flashy animation with no soul. The gang also gets into a discussion about cutting-edge sci-fi tech that’s happening right now—because the future is here, and we’re probably still not ready for it. Finally, they close out the Dafoe Show theme with Nightmare Alley, breaking down its noir aesthetic, psychological tension, and, of course, Willem Dafoe doing what he does best: being completely mesmerizing. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:42:50

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Shadow of the Vampire: Severance, PC Disasters, and Willem Dafoe Madness

2/19/2025
This week on NAFC, Zea finally starts watching Severance, and the gang is eager to see how long it takes before she spirals into existential dread. Meanwhile, Mox’s PC decided to betray him, sending him on a tech-fueled adventure to get it back up and running. He also catches up on the latest Captain America news and shares his thoughts on the state of the MCU. Izzy, always up to something weird, is now trying to convert his stationary bike into a power generator (because why not?) and recommends Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines to anyone who loves an underdog story. Gibbs takes a step back in time with The Jerk and Conclave, bringing his usual offbeat commentary to the mix. Finally, the crew jumps into Shadow of the Vampire as part of their ongoing Dafoe Show theme, diving deep into Willem Dafoe’s unsettling, legendary performance. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:13:12

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Wild at Heart: Puberty, Hidden Magazines, and David Lynch Madness

2/11/2025
This week on NAFC, the gang takes a cringe-filled trip down memory lane, revisiting middle and high school memories—specifically, the awkward realities of puberty and the extreme measures they took to hide their, uh, magazine clippings. Expect plenty of secondhand embarrassment and probably a few confessions no one asked for. Mox and Izzy then do a quick review of Memoir of a Snail, breaking down its charm before the crew dives headfirst into the absolute chaos that is David Lynch’s Wild at Heart. Things get weird, things get philosophical, and by the end of it, everyone’s questioning their own sanity. Just another day at NAFC! Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:29:29

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Nosferatu: Glitches, Condors, and Jeopardy Jitters

2/4/2025
This week on NAFC, Zea’s recording might be corrupted, but trust us—she was definitely here, adding her usual flair even through the glitches. Mox kicks things off by dissecting every wild action sequence in the latest season of Castlevania Nocturne, then sharply contrasts it with the massive letdown that was the new Legend of the Condor Heroes. And because he can’t resist a trip down memory lane, he also drops some nostalgic thoughts on the indie classic Recettear. Meanwhile, Izzy, still hobbling around from his leg injury, is wading through his never-ending movie and game backlog. He’s deep into Undying—so engrossing he can’t seem to put it down—and he throws in his takes on Paddington and Smile 2. Gibbs, ever the oddball, shares his quirky viewing experience of Jeopardy, where one contestant’s last name left him uncomfortably unsettled. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more offbeat, the crew jumps headfirst into a review of Nosferatu. Expect plenty of sharp insights, awkward pauses, and the kind of banter that only NAFC can deliver. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:08:05

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Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

1/28/2025
Zea’s finally back, and she’s got fresh updates on her bearded dragon—yes, Ashley-Clawdia Flameheart is still living her best life. Izzy declares that this season’s Isekai (Red Ranger and Zenshu) is actually good for once, shocking everyone who’s kept up with his usual Isekai rants. Mox nerds out over the latest season of Severance and indulges in a Paddington Bear marathon to gear up for the newest film installment. Meanwhile, Gibbs is off in the corner playing with stuffed animals, because… why not? Before jumping into the final pick for their “It’s a Mystery” theme, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Zea shares her (often blunt) thoughts and scores on The Gift and Heretic, which she missed out on. The result is a chaotic but oddly satisfying episode that pretty much sums up NAFC in a nutshell. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:24:38

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Heretic

1/24/2025
The gang review Heretic Support us on Patreon!

Duration:02:06:52

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The Gift: Fires, Flu, and Gaming on Ultra-Wide

1/14/2025
This week on NAFC, the chaos of 2025 continues. Izzy shares what it’s been like living so close to the LA fires, while Mox battles the flu. Gibbs, on the other hand, is living his best life with a shiny new ultra-wide gaming monitor, perfect for indulging in Minesweeper and obsessively tweaking character creators. He also checks out the Netflix anime Orb and gives his initial thoughts. The crew kicks things off with a quick review of the Criterion Collection 2024 movie Flow, but the main event is a deep dive into the 2015 thriller The Gift. Expect a long discussion filled with sharp takes, surprising insights, and, of course, plenty of the usual NAFC humor. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:34:45

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Blow Out: Paint Fumes, Deckbuilders, and Criterion Chaos

1/7/2025
It’s the first NAFC episode of 2025, and we’re starting the year strong—or at least fumigated. Zea’s been inhaling paint thinner fumes all day while cleaning a tank for her bearded dragon, Ashley-Clawdia Flameheart, which might explain her quick exit mid-episode. Gibbs, as usual, had nothing exciting to share (classic Gibbs). Mox wraps up Metaphor: Refantazio and sets his sights on Guardians of the Galaxy, while Izzy falls victim to yet another rogue-like deckbuilder with Banners of Ruin. The crew then dives into a review of the Criterion Collection classic, Blow Out, unpacking its twists and turns before Zea taps out due to her inevitable headache. It’s a chaotic yet oddly on-brand start to the year! Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:26:07

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2024 Box Office Surprises, Izzy’s Year-End Movie Picks, and NAFC’s Fantasy Movie League Kickoff!

12/31/2024
Episode Description: Izzy and Mox wrap up the year with a snarky and insightful review of the entertainment industry’s biggest moments in 2024. From box office surprises to a countdown of this year’s top money-makers, they’ve got all the juicy details. Izzy shares her thoughts on Red One and Carry-On, while the duo speculates (and bickers) over which 2025 films will rake in the big bucks, kicking off NAFC's first-ever Fantasy Movie League—because predicting blockbusters is way more fun than sticking to resolutions. We’ll be posting our spreadsheet with all our predictions, and we want to hear from you, too! Drop your 2025 box office bets in an email to nafilmcritics@gmail.com Happy New Year from your favorite jaded nerds! Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:27:40

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The Wiz: Tifa Mods, Anime Endings, and Gibbs the Black Ally

12/24/2024
It’s our final NAFC episode of the year, and the crew is ready to kiss 2024 goodbye—while also clinging to some of its highlights. They break down their favorite anime of the year in a whirlwind round-up, all while making slightly questionable jokes about which shows they actually finished. Of course, 2025 is on the horizon, so the discussion naturally turns to what they're most excited about—Final Fantasy Tifa mods, anyone? Because nothing says “fresh year” like questionable gaming add-ons. But it’s not all snark and cynicism this time. They’re keeping it (almost) wholesome as they wrap up the show with a review of The Wiz, proving there’s room for both modern gaming chaos and classic movie musicals in this final celebration of 2024. If you thought they couldn’t juggle that many topics in one episode, you clearly haven’t been listening to NAFC long enough. See you in 2025! Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:33:10

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The Red Turtle: Lost Episodes, Secret Levels, and VGAs

12/17/2024
After a four-week hiatus—thanks a lot, Gibbs—we’re back on NAFC! The gang had a mysterious “lost episode,” so brace yourselves for a slightly annoyed (but mostly amused) crew returning to form. They dive headfirst into Amazon’s Secret Level, dissecting what makes this show such a big deal for gamers and why it may—or may not—deserve the hype. Then it’s on to the Video Game Awards 2024, where the crew picks apart nominations, winners, losers, and those awkward acceptance speeches. Finally, the team jumps into their “second” pick for the Found Family theme: The Red Turtle. Expect a thoughtful review that attempts to blend the heartfelt nature of the movie with the crew’s usual brand of sarcasm and offbeat commentary. It’s good to be back! Support us on Patreon!

Duration:02:11:00

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Full Arcane Review

12/10/2024
Mox, Gibbs, and Izzy dive deep into Arcane in its entirety. Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:09:37

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The Hallow: Movie Marathons, Penguin Praise, and The Hallow

11/19/2024
In this episode of NAFC, Mox goes on a cinematic binge, watching three movies in one day. He shares his thoughts on Gladiator 2 and Venom: The Last Dance, offering his trademark hot takes. Izzy, on the other hand, has been hooked on Shogun Showdown, and the group dives into what makes the game so addictive. They also break down the Paul vs Tyson event streaming on Netflix—because, of course, that’s a thing now. Gibbs wraps up the season of The Penguin and absolutely loves it. This sparks a group discussion on the possibility of a continued shared TV and movie universe for Batman and The Penguin. Finally, the crew closes out the episode with a deep dive into their review of The Hallow. Expect plenty of laughs, debates, and maybe even a scare or two! Support us on Patreon!

Duration:01:20:42