It’s a Brand New Day for Tom Holland now that everyone has magically forgotten Peter Parker, and Spider-Man is once again anonymously ridding New York City of criminals like Scorpion and The Hand.  But is the workaholic web-slinger turning into something socially unacceptable by suppressing his feelings? And will his genetic mutation qualify him for Xavier’s School For Gifted Youngsters if he can’t go to MIT with MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon)?  Find out if Punisher (Jon Bernthal) or Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) have any fatherly advice when you Listen Now!

Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) worries that his life has no purpose after putting down the crime family that murdered his wife and two children in an ultra-violent 2026 Marvel Television Special. Could there be One Last Kill for Punisher to perform after sitcom mom Judith Light (Who’s the Boss) sets a bounty that brings every criminal in Little Italy to the vigilante’s door?  Hide your kids, lock up your dog, and take that donut and coffee to go, as you join Justin, Arnie, and Stuart for the bloodiest street bawl ever started on Disney+.  Listen Now!

Punisher Series Episode 3

The Punisher’s attempts at a franchise continue to be shot down. While 2004’s Punisher film failed to blow up the box office, strong DVD sales convinced Lionsgate to move ahead on a sequel-only to have director Jonathan Hensleigh and star Thomas Jane drop out. But the project moved on, now a second reboot for the Marvel Knight. Ray Stevenson strapped on the skull-logo flack jacket to fight classic comic book villian Jigsaw in this ultra-violent comic adaptation. Does this third Punisher film finally hit the target, or is it yet another misfire? Listen to Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart’s final installment in the Punisher Retrospective Series to find out!

Punisher Series Episode 2

With Blade a cinematic success Artisan Entertainment brought another R-rated Marvel property to the big screen-The Punisher. Starring Thomas Jane in the title role and John Travolta as bad guy gangster Howard Saint, this adaptation remained closer to the character’s comic book portrayal, putting him in his signature skull outfit and with a story based on Garth Ennis’ acclaimed Welcome Back Frank story. But this film was punished by most critics, only to find its audience on DVD. Is this film justice for our hero, or punishment for the viewer? Listen as Jakob, Arnie, and Stuart are here to live once more, or die once more, or review once more and find out!

Punisher Series Episode 1

In 1989 the second Marvel Comics hero got his shot at big screen glory – The Punisher, a murderous vigilante who dispenses the ultimate punishment to criminals. To comic book fans, Dolph Lundgren’s portrayal of the character barely resembled the original material. Gone was the giant skull on the Punisher’s shirt, and instead of a Viet Nam war hero Frank Castle was now a police officer waging a one-man war against the mob. But is the true punishment that inflicted upon viewers of this film? On this week’s Now Playing Podcast, Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob continue their Marvel Movie retrospective with this first Punisher film, so listen to find out!

This was an early Now Playing Podcast review, shorter and spoiler-free. It was not intended to be part of our Punisher Retrospective Series.

Arnie and Marjorie take aim at Punisher: War Zone, the third big-screen attempt to bring Marvel’s skull-chested vigilante to life. This time around, Frank Castle faces off against one of his most recognizable comic-book enemies, Jigsaw, in a movie that leans harder into brutality, excess, and grindhouse-style violence than its predecessors. From both male and female perspectives, the hosts compare this reboot to the 2004 version and the earlier, still-disowned adaptation (sorry, Dolph, no redemption arc here). Is the third time finally the charm for The Punisher, or is sitting through War Zone the ultimate punishment?