Dice Camera Action!

Wrong Lever!!!! (Altera - Emperor's New Groove)

*recorded pre-gencon (FYI) On this episode, Mat is joined by Tom from Tabletop Misfits for a delightfully chaotic pairing. First up is Altera, IV Studio's gorgeous new fantasy strategy game filled with tracks, exciting dice bag building, and stunning table presence. Then it's off to ancient Peru to revisit Disney's comedy masterpiece The Emperor's New Groove—a movie that, despite having an infamously troubled production, somehow manages to be Disney's most underrated masterpiece. The conversation bounces between clever game design, Disney animation's history and an unhealthy number of Kronk impressions. Pull the lever... it's podcast time.

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Wish Gone Wrong (Jekyll&Hyde - Obsession)

Mat is joined by Chris Preston and special guest Darren Reckner of Durdle Games. Darren has worked on Unmatched Adventures, the upcoming Super Collider, and is part of the team at Rowdy Partners, making him the perfect guest for a deep dive into trick-taking games. Together, the trio explores both Jekyll vs. Hyde and Jekyll & Hyde vs. Scotland Yard, using them as a jumping-off point for a broader discussion about what makes trick-taking games so compelling. Then they shift gears to review the breakout indie horror film Obsession, unpacking its unsettling themes, memorable moments, and why it's been generating so much buzz.

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Mad Max Thunder Vendetta: Fury Dome Warrior

Strap in. Kevin McAlexander from Blue Peg, Pink Peg joins Mat for an episode fueled by gasoline, chaos, and bad decisions. After covering a wide variety of games and movies, they take a deep dive into Thunder Road: Vendetta before settling the important question: which Mad Max film reigns supreme? Along the way you'll meet unforgettable characters like Dusty Darlene, Master Blaster, and The People Eater. Witness us!

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Gimmicks & Layers (Ruins - The Mummy 1999)

Mat is joined by Josh Bowman — game designer of Beach Day, publisher at Cake Pie Games, and host of the Tabletop Submarine podcast — for an episode full of ancient ruins, layered cards, and poorly considered archaeological decisions. Together they explore Allplay’s clever ladder-climbing shedding game Ruins before revisiting 1999’s The Mummy Evil books, layers, gimmicks and maybe the best looking cast of a movie ever?

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Fist My Bump (Anachrony - Project Hail Mary)

Mat is joined by Shawn Hoult from the YouTube channel Allies or Enemies for a sci-fi-heavy episode packed with time travel, impossible decisions, and one very lovable space engineer. We dive into the mind-bending worker-placement masterpiece Anachrony and pair it with Project Hail Mary, the story of one man desperately trying to science the apocalypse away with a little help from an unexpected friend. Along the way, we play a ridiculous game where we give board games and movies completely unnecessary subtitles, because apparently that’s what happens when you spend too much time thinking about timelines and astrophage. An episode full of time travel, questionable humour, and one very important fist bump. Good, good, good.

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Cards, Kings & Consequences - The Old King's Crown / Kingdom of Heaven

Mat is joined by Isaac Hirschfeld for an episode that gets off to a… less-than-smooth start. Some early technical difficulties quickly turn into comedy gold, setting the tone for a conversation that only gets more delirious from there. Despite running on low energy (and maybe a little too much caffeine), we dive into The Old King’s Crown and Kingdom of Heaven, exploring themes of power, leadership, and what it really takes to claim—and keep—a crown. It’s thoughtful, a little chaotic, and occasionally unhinged in the best way. Come for the medieval strategy and epic battles, stay for two very tired hosts just trying to do their best.

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Crashes, Cons & Cardboard

It’s a solo episode as Mat recaps a truly chaotic few weeks—featuring a massive snowstorm, a car wreck that took him off the road, and somehow… two board game conventions. Through it all, there were still games to be played and (more importantly) games to be bought. Mat runs down the highlights from both cons, including what hit the table, what stood out, and what made its way into the collection.

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I could eat a peach for hours - Fav 2P Games-Face/Off

Mat is joined by Jeff Madigan (The Mad Board Gamer) for an episode all about the magic of two-player games—tight decisions, head-to-head tension, and just the right amount of friendly rivalry. We break down some of our favorite 2-player experiences and what makes them shine. Then things get completely unhinged as we dive into Face/Off, the gloriously over-the-top action classic where identities are swapped, doves are in slow motion and subtlety is nowhere to be found. It’s a tale of two players, two faces, and way too much face touching—because sometimes the best matchups are strictly 1v1… even if you come out the other side as someone else. https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod

Print. Die. Repeat. (Moon Colony Bloodbath-Mickey 17)

On this episode, Mat is joined by acclaimed board game designer Daryl Andrews for a deep dive into space capitalism gone wrong. We’re pairing the chaotic survival strategy of Moon Colony Bloodbath with the existential, clone-filled corporate nightmare of Mickey 17. We talk expendable employees, hostile environments, and the implications of swapping worker placement for worker replacement. Daryl brings designer insight to the table, breaking down the mechanics behind surviving (or not surviving) on the moon, while Mat tries to determine whether it’s worse to mismanage your colony… or to be printed as Employee #17. https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod

Best of 2025!

It’s our big 2025 wrap-up episode! Mat and Joel team up as cohosts for a special year-end rundown of our Top 5 Movies and Top 5 Games of 2025. From cinematic standouts to tabletop obsessions, we break down what stuck with us, what surprised us, and what completely took over our free time. Of course, we couldn’t stop at five—so we’re also handing out honorable mentions and shining a spotlight on our favorite non-movie, non-game media of the year. And to make it even better, friends of the show drop in via short video messages to share their own favorites of 2025.

How to Gain your Looot (Looot-How to Train Your Dragon)

Mat is joined by game designer Danielle Reynolds for an episode that’s all about Vikings, dragons, and really funny names. Together they revisit How to Train Your Dragon—both the animated classic and its live-action counterpart—before turning their attention to Looot, a clever board game about collecting axes, gold and sheep while politely pillaging everything in sight. It’s a friendly clash of film and cardboard as the crew talks adaptation, design, and why training a dragon might actually be easier than collecting the perfect tiles. https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod

The Most Awkward of Donut Holes (Awkward Guests - Wake up Dead Man)

Mat is back in the host’s chair and Jason finally returns from a long, mysterious hiatus—just in time for an episode all about lies, logic, and confidently accusing the wrong person. This week we break down Awkward Guests, the deduction board game that turns polite conversation into weaponized information, and pair it with Netflix’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Clues are exchanged, theories are formed, and confidence is misplaced—often. Whether at the table or on the screen, we explore why solving a mystery is never as easy as it looks… especially when Jason’s been gone this long. Rian Johnson's "Q" interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyUsVMBT4cU https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod

Pax-U Recap!

Mat, Isaac and Joel get together for a Pax-U Recap and somehow discover a hidden talent for re-naming random things. https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod

In Space, No one can hear you place tiles (Planet Unknown-Alien)

Join Mat and Chris as they dive into Planet Unknown, breaking down what makes this polyomino game stand out. Then they head into deep space for a rewatch of Ridley Scott’s Alien — exploring why it still stands as one of the greatest sci-fi horror films ever made. A mix of strategy, suspense, and maybe even a little screaming… https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod

Not all heroes wear capes (Origin Story/Chronicle)

This week, Mat is joined by guest host Ryan Campbell from the Trick Talkers podcast — a true trick-taking expert — as we dive into Stonemaier’s brand new trick-taking release, Origin Story. We break down how it plays, how it fits in the trick-taking landscape, and why this one might actually feel like a “superpower draft” in card form. To pair with it, we revisit Chronicle — the found-footage superhero film where ordinary teens discover extraordinary powers… and then, predictably, use them in all the wrong ways. Card powers, psychic chaos, and a surprising amount of thematic overlap — "Do I look like a guy with a plan?"

The Island of Misfit Citizens (Citizens of the Spark - Island of Dr. Moreau

This week, Mat and Joel (aka The Diced Onion) dive deep into Citizens of the Spark, where players build cities powered by invention, teamwork, and probably some questionable safety standards. To pair with all that mad science energy, we’re watching The Island of Dr. Moreau — a movie so bonkers it makes you wonder who let the monkey have final cut? We talk about the fine line between creativity and chaos, what makes a “good” citizen, and why Marlon Brando’s ice bucket hat might just be cinema’s greatest invention. https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod

Vantage Giveaway Mini Episode!

To enter the giveaway listen to this episode and head to : https://www.instagram.com/p/DPjf6o8AOnL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

A Vantage Point with Jamey Stegmaier (Vantage - 65)

In this episode, Mat, Jason, and Jim take on Vantage, the hot new release from Stonemaier Games, and dive into the prehistoric chaos of Adam Driver’s 65. But the real highlight? A special interview with Jamey Stegmaier himself—where he not only shares insights on design and publishing but also drops a surprise announcement about a brand-new Stonemaier game. https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod

Skylines and Space Stations (Skyrise - Elysium)

Mat and Andrew are joined by guest host Tom from Tabletop Misfits to tackle a futuristic double feature. First, they review Skyrise, the city-building board game of lofty ambitions and dazzling skylines. Then, they dive into Elysium, Neill Blomkamp’s high-concept sci-fi about class divides, orbital utopias, and questionable accents. Can these visions of the future hold up under scrutiny—or do they come crashing down to earth? https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod

You got Ofrendin Me. (Ofrenda - Coco)

In this episode, Isaac and Andrew dive 6 feet deep into Ofrenda, one of Gen Con’s hottest new releases, and pair it with Pixar’s Coco. From honoring ancestors at the table to celebrating family on screen, we explore whether both the game and the movie capture themes of memory, tradition, and connection. https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod