Raven On: A Pop Culture Podcast

Nat and Stu re-start their engines for the second instalment in the Fast & Furious franchise: 2 Fast 2 Furious. Brian O'Connor is back - no longer a cop, he makes his money from what else, illegal street racing. But he's given a chance to clear his records by what else, going undercover to run cash for a drug baron. There's no Vin Diesel, but there is Tyrese. Also Ludacris. It's a rappers' delight...

Happy 2023! Nat & Stu return for the new year with a new podcast subsection analytical thingy - it's Revvin' On! Your hosts are beginning their road trip with 2001's franchise origin story "The Fast and the Furious". It's Paul Walker as an undercover cop infiltrating Vin Diesel's street-racing crew. There's cars! Nitrous! Absolutely no bras whatsoever! And a sweaty film of grease covering everyone...

One year and two months after seeing the film in the cinema, Nat & Stu finally return to do their long-promised (or long-threatened?) deep dive into the 25th Bond movie, No Time To Die. It turns out not being furious about the film's big plot twist makes the viewing experience more pleasant, as both hosts are more receptive to this film second time around. There's still a bit of confusion over the...

It's the movie that literally gave Natalie a bout of vertigo - Robin Hood 2018. That's right, it's a thing that exists. Stu joins Nat as she battles through head-spinning brought on by this batshit insane version of a Robin Hood movie that has very little to recommend it. Mendo is the Sheriff! Jamie Foxx has a metal hand! Marian wears a leather jacket and hands out soup! Robin himself seems to hav...

Nat & Stu head back to Sherwood Forest to begin wrapping up their "Robin On" subsection podcast thingy. This time, it's Big Russ' turn in the tights, with Our Cate riding shotgun as Lady Marian. There's a lengthy discussion of Russell Crowe's film history to begin with, before a dissection of why this film is a weird mess. Natalie even goes super history nerd to explain why the historical context...

Jodie Whittaker's time as The Doctor must come to a close, but not before a jam-packed 90 minute episode featuring the Master (as Rasputin, for at least some of it), the Cybermen, the Daleks, a bunch of former Doctors and 80s super companions Tegan and Ace. Hosts Nat & Stu are joined by London correspondent Tom Salinsky to try to understand exactly what happened in this story, and reflect on Thirt...

Can you believe the House of the Dragon series finale is here?!?! Nat and Stu roll up their sleeves and dive into an emotionally charged and physically intense episode - particularly for Rhaenyra Targaryen! There's another crazy birth scene, a confrontation with Otto, some classic Daemon insults, Rhaenyra being a boss, and of course, a devastating final sequence that sets up the battles to come. Y...

A tense episode capped with an explosive ending, which ensnares our intrepid co-hosts into heated debate about whether it works as a plot contrivance, or hinders future developments. There's a fun chase through Fleabottom looking for Aegon, tension between Alicent and... pretty much everybody, and some hot new twins to lust over. We also get an update on "Stu's Hot Ring", where he reflects on the...

Nat & Stu totally lose their heads with this ominous episode of HotD, in which Viserys has to find the strength to put his illness aside for the sake of getting his family to have one goddamn meal together. There's quarrels over inheritance, reputation rants flying around, kids beating the shit out of each other (again!) and some of the more concise dispute resolution we've seen. Nat & Stu also ta...

The family drama is HAPPENING this episode, as House of the Dragon takes us to Driftmark for Laena's funeral and the fallout. Nat & Stu are here to take you through it, even if Nat's viewing experience wasn't exactly ideal. There's a happy ending for Lenny & Carl, a weird bloody reunion for Rhaenyra and her uncle, and a lot of fighting kids. Plus Alicent loses her shit! Buckle up and enjoy - we ev...

Ten years may have passed, but Nat & Stu are here to get you all up to speed on the latest developments in King's Landing and places beyond. Our lead actors have changed, many children have been introduced, and the body count is sadly high with this one (including a fan favourite, cut down before his sexy, sexy time). Your hosts also discuss the ethical grey areas inhabited by Rhaenyra and Alicent...

What's this? A randomly recorded podcast that Stu is currently looking at thinking "Wait, I didn't record anything extra with Nat this week?!" AH HA STU! You're right! Nat's in Sydney being LOOSE-LIPPED. This is a fun chat that happened on Sun 25 Sept at "Titanic: The Movie, The Play", which is Nat's show happening in Sydney until 2 October. You should come!

It's time for a royal wedding in Westeros, and that means absolutely nothing can go wrong! Nat & Stu are back (super early, with Nat's recap to follow) to discuss all the hijinks of the Lavender Marriage between Rhaenyra and Laenor, the fallout from the Princess' secret assignation with Ser Criston Cole, and the falloff from whatever the hell disease is plaguing poor Viserys. Plus Alicent goes ful...

Raven On is a bit late this week because GUESS WHO fractured her ankle while walking along George St in Sydney? Natalie spends the first 15 mins of this episode relaying her adventures in pavement-induced injuries and hospital visits. But eventually she and long-suffering co-host Stu get down to business to discuss episode 4 of Raven On, where everyone... basically gets down to business. Daemon's...

Nat & Stu are back to discuss episode 3 of HotD, "Second of His Name". They DO eventually do that, but be fair warned that they take a slight detour into Middle Earth so Stu can update Nat on the new Lord of the Rings series. Also, a decent chunk of time is devoted to possibly the funniest "We're going for a drive, kids" story, courtesy of Stu's Dad. Dads in general cop a roasting here, but it's f...

Get ready for the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, as Crabfeeder is starting to make his mark! Nat & Stu return to recap Episode 2 of House of the Dragon, aka "The One With All The Child Brides". Join your intrepid hosts as they examine how Viserys' personal life is being influenced by his advisers, Rhaenyra coming to grips with grief, trying to involve Dad again and then being betrayed, plus the D...

IT BEGINS! Nat & Stu are delighted to be back and diving into House of the Dragon. They begin with an overview of the hype around the show and the welcome return of event TV; and the set-up for the drama to come, with succession concerns and daddy/daughter dilemmas. The newly-dubbed Matt Daemon gets a good working out, as indeed does his butt; and there's a detailed discussion about the violence i...

The legend had it coming... but was the skewering tasty enough? Nat & Stu are joined by pun-lovin' guest Scott to dissect "Robin Hood: Men in Tights", the 1993 Mel Brooks satire of the legendary outlaw. The team discus where this film sits in the Mel Brooks-verse, it's strengths and weaknesses, and what you could do in the early 90s that you probably wouldn't do now. Enjoy!

After years promising that one day they would sit down and podcast about Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Nat & Stu finally do just that in this long-awaited for (by Nat, at least) instalment of "Robin On"! Sure, Kevin Costner doesn't have an English accent. But if you use that as your opening criticism of this brilliant film, prepare to be beaten over the head by Nat & Stu's enthusiasm for a specta...

With Robin Hood stories mostly relegated to TV screens in the 1980s, Nat & Stu jump ahead to 1991 to examine the first of TWO Robin Hood movies released in this year. Patrick Bergin pulls on the tights - or rather, the leather pants - in this British-made film that features a surprising number of familiar faces. Nat & Stu dive into the strange world of Robert Hode, his cross-dressing Maid Marian,...

You could have smacked Nat & Stu over the head with a raven feather when they heard the news that HBO is developing a potential Jon Snow-focused Game of Thrones spin-off series. Of course, this required an emergency podcast to chat about the (virtually non-existent)details of the proposed show, the possibility of abs, and of course, the need for more Tormund Giantsbane. They also spiral off (surpr...

Nat & Stu's trek through Sherwood Forest continues with 1976's "Robin and Marian". It's Sean Connery wearing a sack and showing his hairy bottom more than you'd probably expect; plus Audrey Hepburn making her return to the screen after 8 years and looking just as luminous as always. Your intrepid hosts deep dive into this more serious, thoughtful, even philosophical take on the Robin Hood legend,...

"History doesn't remember blood. It remembers names." And here are TWO names for you, friends, Natalie & Stu! Your Westerosi wizards are back to break down the newly released House of the Dragon teaser trailer. They intended to chat for 10 minutes, but it turned into 35, and honestly, are you surprised? It's NEW GAME OF THRONES PEOPLE.

What's this? An out-of-time special episode of Who's Raven On? Why yes! The BBC gave Doctor Who fans an Easter treat... although one might argue it wasn't the finest chocolate bunny in the shop. Still, new Who is new Who, and Who Better to join Nat & Stu than Greg from the Smart Enough to Know Better podcast? Strap yourselves in for a two hour deep dive into the Sea Devils and their.... plan? ...f...

Finally, the Raven Bat anthology comes to a (at least for now) close with the latest installment... The Batman! Greg from the Smart Enough to Know Better podcast joins Nat and Stu for a very deep dive into this new Gotham City with its Vengeance Man and its clubs within clubs and its weird incel Zodiac wannabe bad guy. Also Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman. MWAH. Settle in with a snack or two and chill out...