Now Playing Podcast Presents: The Punisher Retrospective Series

Now Playing Podcast
Now Playing Podcast
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Film Reviews

Justice isn't blind. It's heavily armed. Frank Castle has been played by four very different actors across nearly four decades, and in this retrospective Now Playing Podcast reviews every live action Punisher adventure. From Dolph Lundgren's 1989 cult favorite, to Thomas Jane's revenge-fueled 2004 film, to Ray Stevenson's ultra-violent Punisher: War Zone, we examine each take on Marvel's deadliest vigilante. Then we finish with Jon Bernthal's return in the The Punisher: One Last Kill, the MCU special that continues Frank Castle's war on crime. Which version gets justice right, and which deserves punishment? Lock and load.

Episodes

  1. Aug 4

    Spider-Man: Brand New Day

    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!

  2. Jul 28

    The Punisher: One Last Kill

    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!

  3. 11/23/2011

    Punisher: War Zone

    Waging his one-man war on the world of organized crime, ruthless vigilante-hero Frank Castle sets his sights on overeager mob boss Billy Russoti. After Russoti is left horribly disfigured by Castle, he sets out for vengeance under his new alias:...

  4. 11/16/2011

    The Punisher

    When undercover FBI agent Frank Castle's wife and son are slaughtered, he becomes 'the Punisher' -- a ruthless vigilante willing to go to any length to avenge his family.

  5. 11/09/2011

    The Punisher

    The avenging angel of Marvel Comics fame comes brilliantly to life in this searing action-adventure thriller! Dolph Lundgren stars as Frank Castle, a veteran cop who loses his entire family to a mafia car bomb. His ex-partner believes Castle survived...

  6. 12/08/2008

    Punisher: War Zone

    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?

  • 6 Episodes

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5
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About

Justice isn't blind. It's heavily armed. Frank Castle has been played by four very different actors across nearly four decades, and in this retrospective Now Playing Podcast reviews every live action Punisher adventure. From Dolph Lundgren's 1989 cult favorite, to Thomas Jane's revenge-fueled 2004 film, to Ray Stevenson's ultra-violent Punisher: War Zone, we examine each take on Marvel's deadliest vigilante. Then we finish with Jon Bernthal's return in the The Punisher: One Last Kill, the MCU special that continues Frank Castle's war on crime. Which version gets justice right, and which deserves punishment? Lock and load.

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