Believe science. The science of the X-Men, that is! Professor Z (aka Zachary Fern) returns to the show to talk about the science of the X-Men. Both the science itself, and the 2000 book by Link Yaco and Karen Haber. Before we do that, Zach and Frank do some CorreXions from our previous episode to clarify a few points that our audience brought to our attention. After that, we talk about all sorts of X-Men: Jean Grey, Iceman, Kitty Pryde, and Rogue. What would it take for their powers to be possible in our world? There's only one way to find out. Listen now to find out how!

X-celsior! Zach Fernebok, Matt Sparacino, and Greg Twomey return to the show to talk about "X-Men '97" and the state of the nostalgia industrial complex. It's been two years since "X-Men '97" season one, and a lot has happened in Marvel and the MCU. We talk about what made season one so successful and not just a hollow cash grab. We also talk about what we love about the X-Men - especially the themes of othering and oppression. Then we get into "X-Men '97" season two. Should it have been titled X-Men '98? Probably! But, putting that aside, what did we like about it? What didn't work? And will we ever see X-Men: Love Island? Tune in now to find out!

Full spoiler warning after about 25 minutes or so! You have been warned.

Far Right Fright Nights is coming soon! Over the course of three episodes this October, we will be profiling a spine-tingling, fright-tastic ghoul of the far right. This year, Mitch Lerner and I are each selecting one ghoul to cover. But for our third episode, we want to do something a little different. That's right - we want to let you, the fans, select the topic for our third episode! Check out the Frank & Sense newsletter and our social media next week to cast your ballot for who you'd like us to cover in our third episode!

ENCORE! In two weeks, we'll be covering "X-Men '97" Season 2 (now airing on Disney+). So what better way to get ready for that episode than by revisiting this classic episode from the Frank & Sense vaults? This episode originally debuted on July 5, 2024. Check it out, and we'll see you again in two weeks for our coverage of "X-Men '97" Season 2!

X-celsior! Frank is joined by X-Men x-pert Zach Fernebok and Matt Sparacino to discuss all things X-Men. We discuss the history of the characters, the arc of the comics, the film adaptations, and the x-cellent new series "X-Men '97." We also discuss our personal history with the X-Men, who would make our X-Men Mt Rushmore, and much more. Put on your black leather (or blue and canary yellow) outfit and join us for an x-tra special episode!

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Jason Consolacion, Greg Twomey, and Ashley Arnold return to the show to talk about "Supergirl," the 2026 film about...well, Supergirl! We discuss our relationship with the character and then do a brief overview of the history of the character. We also talk through the plot of the movie, some of the (dumb) controversy around it, and the misogyny of it all. We also take some listener questions and get an exclusive interview with one of the stars of the movie! All of that plus another edition of one of our favorite games. Come learn how three is half of five!

Ali Grusell returns to the show for our very first travel episode! Frank and Ali go to Iceland, and you get to come along for the journey! It's our most Nordic episode yet. We talk Icelandic facts, like the 24 hours of daylight, the history of women leading the country, their lack of a military, their lack of crime, and, of course, PIZZA. Apologies to any Icelandic listeners for all of our pronunciations - we tried!

Check out Ali's Instagram for all of the incredible travel diaries that she made. And while you're there, check out her awesome business, Don't Sort Yourself!

Shout out to the following people/places/things for making the trip so wonderful:

• How Iceland Changed the World by Egill Bjarnason
• Reykjavik Roasters for the American breakfast
• The Big Lebowski Bar in Reykjavik. The rug really tied the room together.
• Luka, our incredible walking tour guide
• Przemek and Angie, our incredible glacier guides
• Hvammsvík, the best hot springs in Iceland
• Dill, the Michelin rated restaurant
• Padre Pizza, who made us pizzas we couldn't refuse

YAY ICELAND!!!

Today we are talking about a topic near and dear to my heart: Pointless Theatre. My guests today are Matthew Reckeweg, Patti Kalil, and Lex Davis. Matthew and Patti are the co-founding artistic directors of Pointless, and Lex and I served as chairs of Pointless for the last two years.

For those of you who are listening who may not be familiar, Pointless Theatre is a theater company based in Washington, DC. Pointless Theatre is dedicated to creating bold, visceral, and affordable spectacles that gleefully smash the traditional boundaries between puppetry, theatre, dance, music, and the visual arts. 

This episode has been a long time in the making. Pointless was founded 16 years ago by a band of misfits and miscreants from the University of Maryland. Many of the guests you know and love from Frank & Sense are in some way a part of the Pointless collective, including Matt Sparacino, Aaron Bliden, Jay Kasten, Michael Saltzman, Zach Latta, Lee Gerstenhaber, Becca Ballinger, Ali Grusell, and Navi, just to name a few. Over the past 16 years, the company has produced more than 20 original productions. 

The scope of this episode is ambitious - from the origins of the company in a smoke-filled college group house to today, where it is evolving, once again, into something new. 

We discuss ignoring bad advice, ruthless editing, and being dumb, stubborn, and brave. We also share some tough lessons learned about the pressure to professionalize, the limitations of the nonprofit structure, and how it can impact theater companies. We also share the story behind the origin of the name Pointless, and much more!

Click here to watch the POV Waltz!

Click here to read the statement from Matthew and Patti!

Our old pals Becca Ballinger and Rebecca Wahls are back on the show to talk about Taylor Swift's most recent album, "The Life of a Showgirl!" Since the last time we talked about Taylor, she got the rights to her music back, she got engaged, and she did a podcast. (She’s welcome on our show anytime, btw!) She's done dating Hamlets and she's knocking on Wood. She's back with an album that is...interesting! We talk about the rope era of show business, different types of pens, and going to the dentist. Plus, Lady Gaga makes a special appearance!

In the final episode of Oscarspalooza 2026, Frank is joined (as always) by Matt Sparacino and Mitch Lerner as they bid a fond farewell to the year in film. It's our wrap party, and you're invited! We discuss the Oscars themselves and reveal our rankings of the 2026 Best Picture nominees. Then, Matt takes the stage to host the 2nd annual Matty Awards! We also hear some voicemails from the listeners, talk about the unceremonious firing of the Burger King, and much more. Crack open one small beer and join us for a super-sized spectacular! YAY MOVIES!

Video available on Spotify and YouTube!

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ALL ABOARD! It's time to board the train. One. Last. Time. That's right, our final Best Picture nominee episode is here, and it's the 2025 film "Train Dreams!" Matt, Mitch, and Frank have an absolutely normal conversation about this whimsical, melancholy, meditative film and do not get sidetracked by any stupid train jokes. They talk about male loneliness, the effect of being a bystander, the beauty of the outdoors, William H Macy, and so much more. And they also play a game of Famous Trains. Join us for a wild ride that definitely doesn't go off the rails!

Prepare yourself for a sinfully good time! It's time to grab a wooden stake, whiskey, and a guitar, because Matt, Mitch, and Frank are talking about Ryan Coogler's "Sinners." The boys talk about vampires, Michael B Jordan, Delroy Lindo, Ryan Coogler, ranking the seven deadly sins, a Disney Channel Original Movie, the best millennial directors, and oh so much more. It's a bloody good time, brought to you by pornvamp.com!

It's our most Norwegian episode ever as Matt, Mitch, and Frank talk about Joachim Trier's 2025 film "Sentimental Value!" We talk about generational trauma, the concept of "hygge," The Worst Person in the World, and of course the house. Plus, Frank debuts his flawless impression of Stellan Skarsgaard!

It is a podcast of great mischief! Matt, Mitch, and Frank take a trip down to Brazil as we discuss "The Secret Agent." We talk about the importance of societal memory, the process of reconstructing memory, and, of course, the hot dentist. We also learn about Mitch's partner, the hairy leg. All of that, plus Frank's flawless pronunciation of Portguese words and Brazilian names! Come join our anarcho-communist group of misfits!

Fuck the police and viva la revolution! From here on in, it's one podcast after another. Matt, Mitch, and Frank gather together to talk about the frontrunner for Best Picture: One Battle After Another. Crack open one small beer and join us for a conversation about PTA, Leo, Teyana Taylor, the Christmas Adventurers Club, expectations vs reality, and, of course, Frankenstein. Hail St. Nick!

Frank is joined by Matty Supreme and Mitchy Supreme to talk about the 2025 Josh Safdie film "Marty Supreme." Is it the best table tennis movie of all time? Probably. Is it also a stressful romp with a somewhat unlikable guy? You betcha! We talk Timothee, ping pong balls, Jewish identity, alternate endings, and oh so much more. Plus, we play a game of Most Supreme Elimination Challenge. Dream big, and podcast even bigger!

Hear ye, hear ye! Gather around for ye olde podcaste! Forsooth, we gather here today to discuss the tragedy of "Hamnet," the 2025 film by Chloe Zhao. Open your heart and prepare for a real witchy movie about some guy named William Shakespeare and some play called Hamlet. Plus, a special guest tells us about her experience at the LA premiere for this movie, Chloe Zhao's breathing exercises, and almost fainting during this movie. And the rest is silence!

IT'S ALIVE! Matt, Mitch, and Frank gather for possibly the most Frank episode of all time: A discussion of the 2025 film "Frankenstein." The boys talk all about this dark fairy tale from Guillermo del Toro. Topics include: The book, other Frankenstein adaptations, the gorgeous design of this film, and Frankenstein's farts. Victorrrrr!

On your mark, get set, podcast! Matt Sparacino, Mitch Lerner, Frank, and special guest Paige Kistler gather together to talk about "F1: The Movie." Buckle up, cuz this podcast is built for combat! We talk about sports movies, racing movies, and, of course, Heineken Zero. This podcast is brought to you by Heineken Zero, by the way. Crack open an ice cold refreshing Heineken Zero and start your engines! Vroom vroom baby!

Matt Sparacino and Mitch Lerner return for the first of our ten episodes on the Best Picture nominees: "Bugonia." Don't worry - Mitch is definitely not an alien! To make sure you listen to this podcast properly, and with a clear head, please be sure to chemically castrate yourself. We talk about this movie that is Greek as hell. Topics include the big three: Bees, basements, and spaceships. Let's get weird, you sickos!

The boys are back in town! Matt Sparacino and Mitch Lerner make their triumphant return for the 5th annual (!) Oscarspalooza. It's our honorable mentions episode where we are sharing a few of our favorite movies from 2025 that weren't nominated for Best Picture: Friendship, No Other Choice, 28 Years Later, Weapons, Eddington, and Avatar: Fire and Ash.

We also discuss our thoughts on movies as a whole in 2025 (I hear the new Marvel is NUTS), crying in movies, spewing bile, and much more. We also hear a few honorable mentions from our friends. If you're worried about spoilers on this episode - don't! We spare you the spoilers so that everyone can have a great time and hear about some great movies. YAY MOVIES!

Sometimes ordinary people get swept up into extraordinary events. This is one of those stories.

On October 7th, 2023, Liat Benin and her husband Aviv were kidnapped from their kibbutz in Israel and taken to Gaza. In the aftermath, Liat's family embarks on a mission to advocate for their release, while refusing to let their captivity be used to justify violence in Gaza.

Brandon and Lance Kramer are documentarians and the co-founders of Meridian Hill Pictures. They are also relatives of Liat. In the aftermath of her kidnapping, they traveled to Israel to document events as they unfolded and recorded over 400 hours of footage. The film that emerged is called Holding Liat, and it is screening across the country now.

Brandon and Lance sat down with Frank for an interview about the film and discussed having conversations around lines of difference, empathy and care, and processing grief through art.

Please visit their website for more information about the film and check out this website for tickets and showtimes.