Cult Connections

Ian is joined by Dr Adrian Smith to take a look at three examples of the Peplum genre. While broadly thought of as "Sword and Sandal" films these Italian productions are known for their liberal approach to history, myth and popular folklore. Hercules (1959). Directed by Pietro Francisci. Starring Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina and Fabrizio Mioni Samson (1961). Directed by Gianfranco Parolini. Starrin...

Ian is joined by Nathan Greenaway to discuss the Sight and Sound poll topping masterpiece Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. Writen and directed by Chantal Ackerman. Starring Delphine Seyrig, Jan Decorte

Ian and Maria talk about the upcoming third season of The Madalorian and set out the Bantha Liberation Front manifesto.

Join comrades Ian and Punk as they review the first eight episodes of Star Wars The Bad Batch season two.

Three films were the lead actor is replaced for one film only to return in the next installment! Ian is joined by Patrick O'Riley to discuss The Other Fellas On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). Directed by Peter R Hunt. Screenplay by Richard Maibaum. Starring George Lazenby, Diana Rigg and Telly Savalas. Beneath The Planet of the Apes (1970). Directed by Ted Post. Written by Paul Dehn. Starrin...

Ian is joined by Nathan Greenaway to pop his 41st century space cherry and review bonkers comic book adaptation Barbarella! Barbarella (1968) Directed by Roger Vadim. Adapted from Jean Claude Forest's comic book. starring Jane Fonda, David Hemmings, John Philip Law and Anita Pallenberg

Ian is joined by Danielle Pajak to discuss the three screen versions of classic sci-fi novel Solaris. Solaris was written by Polish author Stanislaw Lem. Lem is considered an important and influential figure of 20th centrury science fiction. Published in 1961 Solaris concerns a team of scientists studying an oceanic lifeform on a distant planet. The book has been adapted three times for the screen...

Ian is joined by academic and writer Dr Adrian Smith and Krimi afficionado Holger Hasse to discuss the work of Edgar Wallace on screen. While a single podcast episode can in no way do justice to the sheer volume of adaptations of his work we cover three very different films that highlight the huge influence Wallace had on screen. Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British writer. With 170 no...

A special sitcom episode is a TV Christmas tradition. Ian is joined by Joe Higgens to take a ferry cross the Mersey for three Liverpool set shows. So what happens when we spend Christmas with The Liver Birds, Bread and Watching?

Bullseye! (1990) Find out what happens when two great British actors meet one of the country's most successful directors. Ian's joined by Mark Plant to review Michael Caine and Roger Moore in the Michael Winner directed Bullseye! We also discuss the latest Sight and Sound poll and Agnes Varda's Cleo from 5 to 7

Ian and Maria reach the conclusion of Andor Season One. WARNING May contain references to Rick Astley

It's the penultimate episode of Andor so Maria and Ian are talking equations, Bantha webs and salads!

Ian and Maria are talking fountains, the backstroke and equations.

Ian is delighted to be rejoined by Helen Carey as tackle three films by notorious Italian director Bruno Mattei. Famous for his low budget copies of the box office smashes of the day - we talk about his version of Rambo, Predator and Robocop and that's all-in-one film. Not to mention Jaws, Aliens and Terminator. So, get ready for Shocking Dark, Robowar and Cruel Jaws

Ian and Maria are talking dippy eggs, the KLF and Alan Patridge. All this and more in Andor Ep 9: Nobody's Listening

It's Andor episode 8 so Maria and Ian are talking toilets, fizzy worms and Air Jordans!

While Halloween in cinema is associated with horror movies there is a selection of films which celebrate the traditions in very different ways. Ian is joined by Pat Veil to see what Halloween has to do with E.T., Meet Me in St Louis and The Karate Kid

Ian and Maria review episode 7 of Andor so it can only mean donkey rides, electric kettles and Paul Trueman

As we reach the halfway point of the series Ian and Maria talk moustaches, English tea and Bon Jovi!

To celebrate the release of his second album and live debut Ian is joined by the Amateur Ornithologist aka Daniel Clifford. We talk about indie icon Lawrence, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and Kate Bush's only tour. .

While comic book adaptations these days are usually a sure fire hit this has not always been the case. Ian is joined by Joe Higgens to talk three adaptations of popular comic books that failed to spark at the box office. Tank Girl, Mystery Men and Hellboy

It's Andor Episode 5 so Ian and Maria obviously have to talk breakfasts, Bantha horns and The Archers

Ian is joined by Robbie Sherman as we explore the cinema of sci-fi pioneer Jack Arnold. But can This Island Earth, Creature from the Black Lagoon and The Mouse That Roared still capture our imaginations and give us the cinematic thrills we crave today?

It's Andor episode 4. Ian and Maria talk Scotland, Bantha rights, Scotland, egg nog and Scotland

It's the 26th of September and it's Ian's Silver Wedding Anniversary. He's joined by his podcast wife Raphaela Ximenes to discuss romance, first dances and bloody parlor games. Featuring Hugh Grant, John Wayne and a fair few corpses!