Fantasy for the Ages

Jim Scriven
  • 5.0 (9)
  • SCIENCE FICTION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Jim (Father) and Zach (Son) talk about their ideas and perspectives on fantasy fiction, starting with Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series but straying in various other directions as well. The generational difference in how they view what they read will become obvious (and entertaining, they hope!). Come enjoy our debates and explorations over what all these books mean, and see who you agree with.

  1. 1H AGO

    The Most Criminally Underrated Sci-Fi & Fantasy Films of the Past Five Decades!

    What are the most underrated sci-fi and fantasy movies ever made? 🤔 In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim takes a journey through five decades of speculative fiction cinema to uncover the forgotten SFF movie gems that deserved far more attention than they received. From the experimental sci-fi of the 1970s, to overlooked cult classics of the 1980s, to hidden masterpieces from the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, this list highlights films that fans now recognize as far better than their box office or early reception suggested. Some were overshadowed by blockbuster hits. Some were ahead of their time. And some were simply too weird for audiences to appreciate… until later. But today, these movies are beloved by fans and deserve to be rediscovered. So if you love science fiction and fantasy films, there’s a good chance a few of your favorite hidden gems show up on this list. And you may discover a few new ones to add to your watchlist. ⚔️ What SFF movie do YOU think is criminally underrated? Let me know in the comments! If you enjoy exploring great speculative fiction across books, films, and more, be sure to subscribe to Fantasy for the Ages and join our growing community of fans celebrating the worlds we love. Special thanks to our Patreon supporters who help keep this channel well-supported! Consider joining up, and gaining some extra perks in thanks: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #sciencefiction #fantasy #scifimovies #fantasymovies #cultclassics #hiddenmovies #underratedmovies #movieanalysis #scifi #fantasyfortheages Ways to connect with us: Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening & Explanation 1:56 - The 1970s 4:35 - The 1980s 7:12 - The 1990s 9:39 - The 2000s 12:12 - The 2010s 14:21 - Wrap-up & Conclusion ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    16 min

  2. 23H AGO

    Is The Toxic Avenger Remake COMPLETELY INSANE?

    The Toxic Avenger is back… but is the remake actually good? The 2023 remake of The Toxic Avenger finally made its way into theaters in 2025 and onto streaming, bringing the cult classic splatter-comedy back to life for a new generation. Starring Peter Dinklage, Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, and Jacob Tremblay, this outrageous reboot leans hard into gore, satire, and B-movie madness. But does it actually work? In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim dives into the radioactive chaos to break down what makes this movie fun, what doesn’t quite land, and whether this cult remake is worth your time. We’ll talk about: • The film’s wild practical effects and over-the-top violence • Peter Dinklage’s performance as the unlikely hero • How the remake compares to the original cult classic • The satire on corporate greed and environmental destruction • And the biggest things that might make some viewers skip it If you love weird superhero movies, cult horror, and splatter comedy, this one might be right up your alley. But if you’re squeamish… you might want to look away. Let’s talk about it. ⸻ 👍 Enjoying Fantasy for the Ages? Be sure to like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments. What did YOU think of The Toxic Avenger remake? And a huge thank you to our Patreon supporters for helping make this channel possible!: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #TheToxicAvenger #MovieReview #FantasyForTheAges #HorrorMovies #CultMovies #PeterDinklage #SuperheroMovies #HorrorComedy #MovieDiscussion #SciFiHorror Ways to connect with us: Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 1:39 - Film Details 3:41 - Why Jim Watched This 4:59 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 6:00 - Nine Reasons Someone Might Enjoy This Movie 9:25 - Five Reason’s You Might Want to Skip It 11:41 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 12:49 - Conclusion & Wrap-up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    13 min

  3. 2D AGO

    Horror Film? Sci-Fi Thriller? Mystery? - YES!: "Companion", a 2025 Movie

    What happens when you stumble onto a sci-fi horror thriller you knew nothing about… and it turns out to be fantastic? In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim reviews the 2025 sci-fi horror thriller Companion, directed by Drew Hancock and starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid. What started as a random movie discovery during a night stuck in a hotel room with bad Wi-Fi turned into a genuinely entertaining surprise. Jim shares a spoiler-lite review, discussing what makes the film work so well — from its clever blend of science fiction, horror, and mystery, to a cast that absolutely delivers. He also talks about why going in with very little prior knowledge made the experience even better. If you enjoy smart, twisty sci-fi thrillers with horror elements, this might be one you want to check out. In this review: • Film details and cast highlights • Why Jim decided to watch the movie • A spoiler-lite synopsis • Five reasons you might enjoy Companion • A few reasons it might not be for everyone • Jim’s final thoughts on the film Have you seen Companion yet? Did the twist work for you? Let us know in the comments! If you enjoy discussions of fantasy, science fiction, and horror across books, movies, and more, be sure to like, subscribe, and join the Fantasy for the Ages community. And a huge thank-you to our Patreon supporters for helping make this channel possible!: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #sciencefiction #scifimovies #horrormovies #moviereview #fantasyfortheages #scifihorror #thrillermovies #movietalk Ways to connect with us: Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 1:21 - Film Details 2:26 - Why Jim Watched This 3:51 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 4:42 - Five Reasons You May Enjoy This Movie 6:57 - Three Reasons You Might Not 7:36 - Final Thoughts 8:27 - Conclusion & Wrap-up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    9 min

  4. 3D AGO

    This Fantasy Has Something Most Books Don't | "Swords of the Six" - Jim's Review

    Is Swords of the Six the start of a great new epic fantasy series? In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim dives into Scott Appleton’s Swords of the Six — the opening novel in The Sword of the Dragon series. With dragons, battles, betrayal, sacrifice, and a powerful emotional core, this story delivers the kind of sweeping fantasy adventure many readers love. But what really makes this book stand out is its deeper theme: how you win matters. Victory alone isn’t the goal — staying true to what is right is. That idea runs through the entire story and gives this epic tale a surprising emotional weight. Jim shares a spoiler-lite overview, explores what makes this book compelling, and discusses why it might appeal especially to readers who enjoy fantasy with a strong moral foundation — without sacrificing the thrills of epic storytelling. If you enjoy classic-feeling epic fantasy with dragons, great prose, and meaningful themes, this may be a series worth adding to your reading list. Let us know in the comments: Have you read Swords of the Six yet? ⸻ 👍 If you enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, and horror discussions, be sure to like, subscribe, and join us here at Fantasy for the Ages! And a special thank you to our Patreon supporters for helping make the channel possible: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #fantasybooks #epicfantasy #fantasyreview #dragonfantasy #booktube #fantasyforthages #scifiandfantasy #bookreview #dragonbooks #epicfantasyseries Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Swords of the Six: https://t.ly/J2Jy5 Ways to connect with us: Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 1:42 - Book Details 2:51 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 3:53 - Nine Reasons You May Enjoy This Book 7:28 - Three Reasons It May Not Be for You 8:49 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 9:58 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    11 min

  5. 4D AGO

    The Complete SFFH Best Picture History | Rankings & Analysis

    Science fiction, fantasy, and horror rarely get invited to the Academy Awards’ biggest table. The Oscars traditionally favor historical drama, biopics, and prestige filmmaking — not spaceships, monsters, magic, or multiverses. But every once in a while, speculative fiction breaks through. In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim ranks every science fiction, fantasy, and horror film ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, from the earliest nominees of the 1930s all the way to modern blockbusters like Dune and Get Out. Along the way we’ll look at which films almost won… and the four legendary genre films that actually pulled off the impossible and won Best Picture. If you love speculative storytelling on the big screen, this is a fascinating look at how the Oscars have (occasionally) embraced the fantastic. Which of these films do you think should have won Best Picture? Let us know in the comments! 👍 If you enjoy discussions of fantasy, science fiction, and horror across books, movies, and fandom culture, subscribe to Fantasy for the Ages for reviews, rankings, debates, and deep dives into the worlds we love. Special thanks to our Patreon supporters who help keep this channel well-supported! Consider joining up, and gaining some extra perks in thanks: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #Fantasy #ScienceFiction #Horror #Oscars #AcademyAwards #BestPicture #LordOfTheRings #Dune #StarWars #MovieRanking #FantasyForTheAges Ways to connect with us: Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 1:27 - Episode Explanation 2:45 - The Nominees, Ranked 11:36 - Ranking the Four Winners 13:29 - Wrap-up & Conclusion ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    14 min

  6. 5D AGO

    Poll Results Revealed! What Did HUNDREDS of Fiction Fans Actually Pick?

    Today on Fantasy for the Ages, Jim and Zach dive into the results of several recent community polls from the channel! 🗳️ Before revealing how viewers voted, Jim presents the question and answer choices while Zach attempts to predict how the Fantasy for the Ages community responded. Sometimes he gets it right… sometimes he’s way off! Then we reveal the results and share our own thoughts on the topics. Seven poll discussions await you here. We also discuss which results surprised us the most, where we agree with the audience, and where we might disagree. 💬 Join the conversation: Which of these poll results do you agree with? Which one surprised you the most? What poll questions should we run next? Thanks to everyone who participates in the Fantasy for the Ages community polls — your votes make episodes like this possible! Special thanks to our Patreon supporters who help keep this channel well-supported! Consider joining up, and gaining some extra perks in thanks: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #FantasyForTheAges #FantasyBooks #SciFi #NerdCulture #LordOfTheRings #StarWars #BladeRunner #GameOfThrones #StrangerThings #BookTube Ways to connect with us: Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 2:26 - Episode Explanation 3:11 - The Poll Discussions 20:38 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    23 min

  7. 6D AGO

    These Brilliant Sci-Fi Novels Wouldn't Find Publishers Today!

    Are some of the greatest science fiction books ever written… “unpublishable” today? In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, we explore classic sci-fi masterpieces that might struggle to get published in today’s market—not because they’re bad, but because publishing trends have changed. Classic science fiction often focused on big ideas: philosophy, sociology, religion, artificial intelligence, the future of humanity, and massive conceptual worldbuilding. Many of these stories were episodic, idea-driven, experimental in structure, or deeply philosophical—things that modern publishing sometimes finds harder to market. So what would happen if these legendary books landed on a publisher’s desk in 2026? Would editors ask for: • faster pacing? • stronger central protagonists? • fewer philosophical digressions? • clearer genre hooks? Today we’re looking at 11 classic sci-fi books and series that might not get published today—but absolutely should. These works helped shape the entire science fiction genre, influencing generations of writers, filmmakers, and readers. But would they make it through the modern publishing process today? Let’s talk about it. ⸻ 💬 Join the discussion: Which classic science fiction novel do YOU think might struggle to get published today? And which modern sci-fi might not have survived the Golden Age of science fiction? ⸻ If you enjoy thoughtful discussions of science fiction, fantasy, and horror across generations, consider subscribing to Fantasy for the Ages and becoming part of the community. And thank you to our Patreon supporters who help keep the channel going strong!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #ScienceFiction #ClassicSciFi #SciFiBooks #SpeculativeFiction #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges #Dune #Foundation #Cyberpunk #SpaceOpera #SciFiClassics #ReadingCommunity Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? The Book of the New Sun: https://t.ly/klihi A Canticle for Leibowitz: https://t.ly/tch4I Childhood’s End: https://t.ly/z0OB4 Dune Saga: https://t.ly/kHwtV The Forever War: https://t.ly/DmVBh Foundation Series: https://t.ly/IEoNh Hyperion: https://t.ly/UlIAM The Martian Chronicles: https://t.ly/-orjO Neuromancer: https://t.ly/lN79I Ringworld: https://t.ly/8I4gi Stranger in a Strange Land: https://t.ly/gXvOp Ways to connect with us: Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 1:46 - Episode Explanation 3:01 - The Eleven Sci-Fi Classics 9:05 - The Bigger Point 9:32 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    10 min

  8. MAR 8

    King Sorrow Proves Joe Hill Is Unstoppable

    What happens when a college mistake unleashes a dragon… and the consequences last for decades? In today’s episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim reviews one of the most talked-about horror novels of 2025 — King Sorrow by Joe Hill. This massive supernatural thriller blends occult horror, folklore, and modern mythology into a sweeping story that stretches across decades. Featuring unforgettable characters, shocking twists, and a dragon unlike anything you’ve seen before, King Sorrow might just be Joe Hill’s most ambitious novel yet. Jim dives into the book’s premise, its strengths and weaknesses, the themes that drive the story, and why this nearly 900-page horror epic never seems to drag. Is King Sorrow worth the hype? And how does it compare to Hill’s earlier novels NOS4A2 and The Fireman? Let’s talk about it. If you enjoy discussions about fantasy, science fiction, and horror, consider subscribing to Fantasy for the Ages and joining the conversation in the comments! If you enjoy fantasy book reviews, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and check out our Patreon to help support Fantasy for the Ages: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #JoeHill #KingSorrow #HorrorBooks #BookReview #FantasyForTheAges #SpeculativeFiction #HorrorFiction #DarkFantasy #BookTube #SFFBooks Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? The Fireman: https://t.ly/EqQPy King Sorrow: https://t.ly/rucBo NOS4A2: https://t.ly/X7CXy Ways to connect with us: Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 1:38 - Book Details 3:50 - Why Jim Read This 4:33 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 6:02 - 10 Reasons You May Enjoy This Book 8:22 - 5 Reasons It May Not Be for You 9:39 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 10:33 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    11 min
See All (913)

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Jim (Father) and Zach (Son) talk about their ideas and perspectives on fantasy fiction, starting with Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series but straying in various other directions as well. The generational difference in how they view what they read will become obvious (and entertaining, they hope!). Come enjoy our debates and explorations over what all these books mean, and see who you agree with.

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Scriven
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    913
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jim Scriven
  • Show Website
    Fantasy for the Ages