EP. 148 The D’Arce Knight

This week, Chris and Jay head to Gotham to revisit Batman Begins, which inevitably leads to a wider discussion about Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Does it still stand up as one of the best superhero sagas ever made, and where does it sit in the wider Batman universe?Jay also gives us an update on his plans to compete No Gi in Turkey, including how his style might translate when the gi comes off. We then turn our attention to matters of genuine national importance: the price of gherkins in the UK. Is the cost of living finally coming under control, or are Labour’s big promises out of touch with the British public. From Gotham to grappling, and from gherkins to government, we cover all the usual ground with our trademark lack of expertise.As always, it’s movies, BJJ, questionable economics and plenty of nonsense… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week, Chris and Jay sink their teeth into John Carpenter’s Vampires — including James Woods’ character and the all-important question: is he actually believable, or are we giving Hollywood a little too much credit?We also look back at the recent seminar with our friends at ACTJJ in Corby. Chris gets thoroughly humbled on the mats, but lives to tell the tale. Just about.Jay fills us in on his trip to the Philippines, before we somehow find ourselves discussing his upcoming flight to Riyadh and whether recent developments in the Middle East should give him cause for concern. Needless to say, international security analysis isn’t exactly our area of expertise. But that’s never stopped us before.Throw in the usual BJJ chat, questionable opinions and a few tangents, and you’ve got another episode firmly in the Better Than Average tradition.As always, it’s movies, BJJ and two blokes talking about things they probably know very little about… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

We are finally at the end of the summer holidays and Better Than Average is finally back!This week, Chris and Jay get stuck into Mystic River — a dark and divisive film that gives us a plethora of tragic and dark themes to discuss. Jay also looks ahead to his upcoming trip to ACTJJ in Corby to visit the two Juniors, while Chris finds himself at the centre of a very important investigation: who exactly is his supposed doppelgänger?Throw in the usual BJJ chat, questionable opinions and plenty of tangents, and we’re properly back in business.As always, it’s movies, BJJ, nonsense and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, we take on The Life of David Gale — definitely not Uncle Jay’s usual movie choice, and it sparks plenty of conversation. From the film itself to the bigger questions around the death penalty, there’s a lot to get into.We also relive our trip to Westminster to visit Will Stone MP, with plenty of stories from behind the scenes and the usual political detours.As always, it’s movies, politics, questionable opinions, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, we dive into a review of American Beauty and try to answer the question: does it still deserve its reputation as one of the greatest films ever made, or has time changed the way we see it?We also celebrate a huge milestone as Circle of Vigour BJJ turns one year old. We look back at everything that’s been achieved, the community that’s been built, and what the future holds for the club, starting with the big one year birthday celebration. Throw in the usual BJJ chat, a few questionable takes, and the inevitable tangents, and you’ve got another classic episode.As always, it’s grappling, movies, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week, Chris and Jay take the Better Than Average Podcast to the Houses of Parliament to catch up with friend of the show, Will Stone MP.We get a behind-the-scenes look at what life is really like as an MP, from representing constituents to navigating Westminster, as Will shares the work he’s doing to bring drone manufacturing and high-skilled jobs to Swindon.Of course, it wouldn’t be a Better Than Average conversation without Jay taking a few spectacular detours. Somehow we end up discussing the best way to fight a bear, politics in the Philippines, medical malpractice, TRT, and what it actually means to be “whipped” in Parliament (it’s probably not what you’re thinking).We also catch up on Will’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu progress, squeeze in plenty of movie chat, and get Will’s thoughts on the historic UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House before wrapping up another episode that’s equal parts insightful and completely unhinged.If you’ve ever wondered what connects Parliament, BJJ, blockbuster films, bear attacks, medical malpractice and TRT… you’re about to find out.It’s a special episode recorded in the heart of government and, as always, it’s Better Than Average.

After a six-week disappearance, Better Than Average is finally back.Chris finally gets to review The Hunger Games, sparking a surprisingly heated debate as Jay somehow manages to completely miss the point. Is it a modern classic, or are they watching two entirely different films?We also hear all about Jay’s trip to Los Angeles, from the highlights to the inevitable stories that only seem to happen when he’s abroad.To round things off, the lads break down UFC’s Freedom 250, discussing the biggest moments, standout performances, and everything else that caught their attention.As always, it’s grappling, movies, questionable takes, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Jay bags gold at Grappling Industries—but there’s a twist… very little focus on the podium pic for this one. We get into the importance (or lack of it) of the classic medal shot and what it says about the moment and the local competition scene.Chris, meanwhile, finds himself under fire after getting caught pulling a questionable “dick move” on Northern Jonny during a live Primo shoot—expect some justification… and very little remorse.On the film front, we review Role Models and clash over whether it deserves the label of a true 00s classic or if nostalgia is doing the heavy lifting.Finally, the odds swing in Chris’ favour as he lands a long-debated movie recommendation on Jay—one that’s been a source of debate for some time.As always, it’s grappling stories, film debates, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay recap the recent BJJ Seminar with Junior Silva Atleta & Luciano Araujo sharing key takeaways, standout moments, and why getting on the mats with high-level grapplers never gets old.We also dive into a review of American Pie — a film that, for better or worse, hits a little too close to home. What starts as a nostalgic look back quickly turns into a series of uncomfortable parallels with our own teenage years, questionable decisions, and the realisation that maybe some things were better left in the early 2000s.Seminars, nostalgia, and stories that probably shouldn’t be told.It’s better than warm apple pie and it’s always Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, we dive straight into a review of Rules of Attraction… a film that leaves Chris completely conflicted. Is it underrated? Over the top? A mess? A hidden gem? We genuinely can’t decide—but that doesn’t stop us from trying to bring some sense to the chaos.From there, Jay breaks down his first competition as a black belt at AJP Barcelona. From the pressure of competing at a new level to the lessons learned (especially regarding toe hold orientation), it’s an honest look at what that jump really feels like.Finally, we chat about the recent visit from James Lancaster, Mayor of Milton Keynes, and what that was like behind the scenes.As always, it’s a mix of grappling insight, questionable film analysis, and a little carnage. But, as always, it’s Better Than Average.#betterthanaveragepod #bjjpodcast #moviepodcast