Swords, Sorcery & Synthesizers

Ben & Claire look back on the hormone-crazed teen years of the world's greatest detective, when he battled an Egyptian death cult, flew a prototype airplane, got into swordfights with his teacher and had drug induced hallucinations, featuring some of the earliest CGI FX in cinema. All this from Barry Levinson, the director of "Rain Man" and "Good Morning Vietnam"... we kid...

In this bonus episode of the podcast, Ben & Claire talk about the trend of 80s IPs being resurrected in the 21st century. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arcadium License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH

Puppeteer and author Brian Craddock joins Ben & Claire for a discussion of the Clive Barker film, in which night creatures are the protagonists, and humans are the real monsters. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arcadium License code: CNSQW...

A group of abandoned household appliances embark on a cross-country odyssey to be reunited with their owner, in a children's film that is oddly dark at times. Ben & Claire rewatch it with adult eyes. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arc...

No light without darkness... no fans without critics... Ben approaches the fairytale pastiche "Legend" from a place of nostalgia, Claire with the critical eye of someone who saw it for the first time a week ago... can the sacred balance be preserved? Listen to their discussion and find out! To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.c...

Ben & Claire sink their teeth into "The Hunger" - which tells of a bisexual love triangle involving a scientist (Susan Sarandon) and a vampire couple (Catherine Deneuve & David Bowie). Based upon a novel by the controversial Whitley Strieber ("Communion"), this dreamily paced gothic horror film was the unlikely directorial debut of Tony Scott (better known for "Top Gun&...

"Ghost" was released in 1990, but produced in the 80s, so Ben & Claire figured it was fitting to discuss this tale of supernatural romance on the podcast. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arcadium License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH Read...

Ben & Claire list their favourite movie soundtracks, both within the realm of 80s fantasy movies and beyond. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arcadium License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH

This week, Ben & Claire explore the surreal dreamworld of "Paperhouse", where childhood trauma, terminal illness and artistic experimentation blend together in a manner both beautiful and terrifying. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy...

The 1989 movie adaptation of "Phantom", featuring reincarnation, time travel, prophetic dreams and Faustian bargains with the devil. Also featuring 80s horror icon Robert Englund in probably the closest he's ever got to a romantic leading man role. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creato...

Shock therapy! Decapitation! Talking chickens! Oh my! It is the 40th Anniversary of "Return To Oz" - so Ben & Claire take a look back at this infamously dark, surreal film, that is blamed for traumatizing many 80s children, but may be truer to the spirit of L. Frank Baum's writing than many other "Oz" movies. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative t...

Ky Garvey of the "Totally Lit" podcast joins Ben for a discussion of this classic adventure yarn. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arcadium License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH

This week Ben attempts to explain the complex and utterly bonkers lore of the "Highlander" universe to Claire - with its high concept mix of swordfights, decapitations, romance and police procedural elements, all accompanied by the immortal rocking of Queen. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for...

Ben & Claire discuss a movie that's really on brand - it's got swords, sorcery and SYNTHESIZERS (for better or for worse) To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH

This week Ben & Claire watch a movie about a teenage witch struggling to achieve a healthy work/life balance, in a world where child-labor laws are very relaxed. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH

A place where deals are made and legends are born. Claire couldn't make it on this trip, so Ben brought his brother, Kim, along for the ride. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH

Is this film a brilliant satire of action movie tropes and cultural stereotypes? Or is it just a dumb action movie full of cultural stereotypes? Ben & Claire discuss this matter and more. To provide feedback on this episode, you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH

Ben & Claire learn why it's a bad idea to summon ghosts when you're high, no matter how bored you might be at the time. If you want to provide feedback on this episode, you can send an email to: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arcadium License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH

Sleep all day, party all night. Never grow old, never die. It's fun to be a vampire. Ben & Claire find out just how much fun when they watch "The Lost Boys". If you want to provide feedback on this episode you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arcadium License code: CNS...

Ben & Claire explore a magical world full of adolescent neuroses, child abduction, stalkers in skintight pants, muppets and random singing - yeah, they truly don't make movies like this anymore. If you would like to provide feedback on this episode you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music...

Ben attempts to pitch the concept of a spiritual baseball movie to Claire. If you want to provide feedback on this episode you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arcadium License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH

The ghost with the most is back in cinemas, September 2024 - BABY!!! That being the case, Ben & Claire thought that now would be a good time to revisit "Beetlejuice" If you want to provide feedback on this podcast then you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arcadium License...

Ben & Claire explore an age undreamed of and learn what is good in life. If you want to provide feedback on this episode you can email the creative team: fantasypodcastfeedback@gmail.com Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/fantasy-arcadium License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH

Two avid fantasy movie fans reflect back upon a film in which the power of fandom saves an entire world from ruin. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) License code: CNSQWPYNXALKB3FH