In this packed episode of Geek Freaks, Frank and Thomas unpack the latest Fantastic Four film, breaking down the performances, emotional stakes, and character portrayals, especially Vanessa Kirby's standout role. Then, Thomas shares his experience attending San Diego Comic-Con 2025 — from exclusive panels and cosplay trends to immersive brand activations. Finally, Frank interviews Cindy Mich, a veteran journalist, filmmaker, and founder of the Art is Alive Film Festival. Cindy opens up about her career, the importance of independent media, the legacy of her late partner, and her current work telling the story of Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser.
Timestamps and Topics:
00:00 Intro and the Comic-Con crash
00:18 Fantastic Four: First reactions
01:15 Vanessa Kirby’s Invisible Woman and standout moments
03:26 Emotional themes and fatherhood in the film
04:36 Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards: hit or miss?
06:33 MCU leadership and what’s next for the team
08:11 Johnny Storm’s surprising arc
09:45 Team intelligence and the Silver Surfer escape
10:11 Darker moments and MCU boldness
11:57 Final ratings and hopes for a director’s cut
13:00 Comic-Con coverage: booths, exclusives, and cosplay
15:04 Artist Alley and the return of comics to SDCC
16:06 Standout panels: Jim Lee, Patton Oswalt, George Lucas
22:26 Thomas speaks at SDCC panel on video games and mental health
27:42 Immersive brand activations: Old Spice x Superman
30:46 AMC's Fantastic Four popcorn buckets and more
31:19 Why local cons matter and tips for first-timers
34:39 Interview: Cindy Mich’s journey from radio to film festivals
36:03 Why she got into journalism
38:58 Being real in media and staying authentic
43:12 Choosing mediums: print vs radio vs TV
46:42 Art is Alive Film Festival's growth and mission
50:25 Telling Ben Lesser’s story and Holocaust remembrance
57:00 Balancing passion and loss: her late partner’s influence
01:12:47 Cindy’s advice for aspiring creatives
01:18:15 Comic and show recommendations
01:19:29 Closing thoughts
Key Takeaways:
Fantastic Four feels like a return to early MCU form, with solid performances and emotional depth, especially around themes of parenting and sacrifice.
Vanessa Kirby shines as Invisible Woman, and Pedro Pascal brings a unique (if divisive) take on Reed Richards.
Thomas shares exclusive San Diego Comic-Con highlights including immersive brand experiences and deep, impactful panels.
Cindy Mich shares insights into building trust as a journalist, embracing multiple mediums, and running a purpose-driven film festival.
The Art is Alive Film Festival doesn’t just screen films — it educates and supports indie filmmakers with real tools and exposure.
Cindy is working on a film about Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser and another film honoring her late partner, blending healing and legacy.
Quotes:
“I won’t give up my kid for the world, but I won’t give up the world for my kid either.” — Thomas, quoting Fantastic Four
“If there’s somebody you admire at a con, go talk to them. They’re there for you.” — Thomas
“You can do anything as long as you're persistent and patient.” — Cindy Mich
“My goal is to help artists be seen — not just screened.” — Cindy Mich
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Links and Resources:
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Cindy Mich's Website
Savepoint Stories
Underrated Movies Podcast
Thomas on Instagram
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Apple Podcast Tags:
Fantastic Four, Cindy Mich, San Diego Comic-Con, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Art is Alive Film Festival, Independent Film, Ben Lesser, Geek Culture, Movie Reviews, Comic-Con Panels, Indie Filmmaking, Journalism in Media