Nerd To Know Basis #286 🤓: Star Wars Land Changes, Mortal Kombat 2, Irish Horror & The Future of Cinema

📅 Air Date: 14-05-26 📻 Broadcast on Phoenix 92.5 FM This week on Nerd To Know Basis, Darragh and Cian dive into a packed discussion covering theme parks, blockbuster franchises, cult movies, horror cinema, and the changing landscape of modern filmmaking. The show begins with Darragh reporting back from California after visiting Disneyland and Galaxy’s Edge, where major changes appear to be underway in Star Wars Land. With Original Trilogy characters now appearing throughout the park and sequel-era elements quietly being reduced, the pair debate whether Disney is slowly repositioning Star Wars away from the controversial sequel trilogy and towards its more beloved legacy characters. From there, the conversation turns to movies, beginning with a surprisingly positive review of Mortal Kombat 2. Darragh explains why the sequel succeeds where the 2021 film failed, embracing the over-the-top action, fatalities, and video-game spectacle fans expect while finally delivering something that feels authentically Mortal Kombat. The pair also revisit the infamous Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and discuss why it became one of the internet's favourite "so bad it's good" movies. The discussion then shifts toward Irish horror cinema with a review of Hokum, the latest unsettling folk-horror experience from the creator of Caveat. Darragh explores how rural Ireland, folklore, guilt, and isolation combine to create a uniquely Irish horror experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Another standout recommendation is Bogonia, a bizarre high-concept sci-fi thriller starring Emma Stone. What begins as a story about conspiracy theorists kidnapping a pharmaceutical CEO evolves into something far stranger, leading to a discussion about challenging films, unconventional storytelling, and why audiences should seek out original movies that take risks. The episode closes with a broader conversation about the state of cinema. Are audiences finally moving beyond endless franchise sequels? Has the rise of independent studios and risk-taking filmmakers created a new creative boom? Darragh and Cian examine how companies like A24, streaming platforms, and audience fatigue may be reshaping the future of film. 🎧 From Star Wars speculation and theme park politics to brutal video game adaptations, Irish horror, and the future of filmmaking, this is one of the show's most film-focused episodes yet. ▶️ YouTube Chapters (Short & Punchy) 00:00 Show Intro & Weather Chaos 03:30 Star Wars Land Updates 08:00 Galaxy’s Edge & Disney Changes 14:30 Why Batuu Never Worked 20:00 The Future of Star Wars 28:00 Mortal Kombat 2 Review 35:00 Mortal Kombat Annihilation Memories 43:00 Why MK2 Actually Works 48:00 Hokum Review 54:00 Irish Horror Renaissance 58:00 Bogonia & Weird Cinema 01:05:00 Directors With Unique Voices 01:10:00 Are Franchises Dying? 01:16:00 Future of Movies Discussion 01:20:00 Final Thoughts & Plugs 🎧 Spotify Timestamps 00:00 Phoenix FM opening and introductions 03:30 Disneyland and Star Wars updates 08:00 Changes happening inside Galaxy's Edge 14:30 Why fans struggled with Batuu 20:00 Disney and the future of Star Wars 28:00 Mortal Kombat 2 review 35:00 Revisiting Mortal Kombat Annihilation 43:00 Why the new film succeeds 48:00 Hokum review and Irish horror discussion 54:00 Caveat and modern Irish horror films 58:00 Bogonia review 01:05:00 Emma Stone and auteur filmmaking 01:10:00 The return of original cinema 01:16:00 Franchise fatigue and audience trends 01:20:00 Closing thoughts 🔗 Follow & Support 🌐 Website: nerdtoknowmedia.com 📺 YouTube: Nerd To Know Media 🐦 Darragh on X: @darraghwv 🎙 Broadcast Weekly on Phoenix 92.5 FM #NerdToKnowBasis #StarWars #GalaxysEdge #MortalKombat2 #Disneyland #Hokum #IrishHorror #Bogonia #EmmaStone #Movies #FilmReview #GeekCulture #NerdToKnowMedia #PhoenixFM #StarWarsLand #MortalKombat #Cinema #A24