Worth Watching

An intriguing mystery filmed at Gatwick airport, this is Ben & Polly’s swan song…does it live up to the promise? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

One of the weirder stories ever, managing to combine 1984 and Brave New World with giant intelligent crabs, this story surprised and delighted us. Check it out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

We both came into this discussion with our own conclusion, and each of us changed our mind a bit by the end. We make a lot of fun of parts of this story, but ultimately we found a number of things to like, and we had really enjoyed our discussion. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

Is this half-missing story the big one that got away? Was a 1960s children’s show ready to compete with the effects of Avatar? We give you all the answers! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

This totally lost story introduces one of the most important companions in the history of Doctor Who…does that mean you should watch it? Or is it really just best to listen to this podcast? Once you’ve listened you’ll know the answer, and it will be too late to change your mind! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visi...

We were pleasantly surprised by this Dalek story, which introduces Patrick Troughton as the Doctor and is one of the more interesting Dalek stories so far. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

We use this small appearance in a forgotten but clever British TV show to get our first sense of Patrick Troughton, our next Doctor. Along with a discussion of his life and career and our trademark digressions! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

Both of us last saw this as kids in the theatre when it first released. Neither of us knew what to expect now…so we were surprised and delighted to find a tightly plotted thriller with some great action sequences. Worth Watching! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

The first “aliens are taking over our bodies” film, and one of the childhood classics for Ron. It’s new to Guy, let’s see whether it’s still Worth Watching! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

For our last entry of things inspired by Seven Samurai, we turn to the animated series The Clone Wars (S2E17) for an amazingly faithful rendition of the story. Somehow in 20 minutes they manage to fit in probably more of the original story than anything else we’ve covered! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bett...

A Bug’s Life, Pixar’s second film, is a faithful retelling of Seven Samurai with some amusing original twists, with a dollop of Three Amigos. Come for the discussion of the film, stay for Ron’s extended discussion of what it was like to work with Steve Jobs and Pixar back in the day! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...

One of Guy’s favorite films — we explore this rather clever and delightful take on Seven Samurai, by director John Landis and the all-star cast of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Chevy Chase. There’s not much to say but “Did you see the little balls?” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

In response to Star Wars, legendary cheap-ass creator of ultra-low budget films Roger Corman put together this film, using the Seven Samurai template. We went in skeptical and were pleasantly surprised — John Boy, George Peppard, Robert Vaughn (of Magnificent Seven!), surprisingly good special effects! Does it overshadow Seven Samurai? Only one way to find out! This is a public episode. If you wou...

We start comparing Seven Samurai-inspired films with the very first, the Western classic Magnificent Seven. What does it copy and what new ideas does it introduce? Does it stand up to the original? Well it sure has an amazing cast with Yul Brynner, James Coburn, Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn and more. And an amazing soundtrack by Elmer Bernstein which we guarantee you know even if you’ve never seen...

We started by looking at Rashomon and the films it inspired, and now we’re doing Kurosawa’s absolute masterpiece, Seven Samurai. We’re joined by friend of the podcast, Andrew Heaton, host of Alienating the Audience , to determine whether this classic holds up for a modern audience! (Hint: It does.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

And now Guy presents one of his favorite films… Hoo boy, this one is dark! Can Bill Murray pull off being a complete dick without going over the top? Why is the hard as nails drink you under the table chick from Indiana Jones a saint who is helping poor people? Does this thing hold up? Only one way to find out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or g...

One of Ron’s favorite films of all time, we have a great discussion about this classic film with one of the scariest bad guys of all time. Directed by immensely talented and famous actor Charles Laughton who put his heart and soul into his first directorial effort, the initial negative reception crushed him and he never directed another film, no doubt depriving us of much great work that could hav...

Ron’s brother was in town so we decided to let him choose the movie… Gladiator is a surprisingly historically accurate Roman romp directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe. We spend a lot of time delving into what was and wasn’t historically accurate, and how well they pulled off an early CGI film… Listen in and find out what we thought of my brother’s choice! This is a public episode. I...

We’ve covered two silly Hartnell outings (Carry On Sergeant and The Mouse that Roared), so what will we think of an officially serious and socially responsible film? It seemed appropriate to end Hartnell with the kind of “legitimate” film that he considered his legacy. We love ya, Hartnell. Sorry to see you go. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or g...

It’s the last William Hartnell episode, the introduction of a classic villain, and the first regeneration, which would allow the series to continue for decades. A true Doctor Who landmark, but is it Worth Watching? Only we can say! (Listen to the end to hear a short post-Who interview with Hartnell that you won’t find on the web!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with ot...

No one ever remembers or talks about this early Doctor Who story. Is that because it’s actually bad, or just because it’s a lost story? Join us as we work to figure it out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

While there are two more stories in the Hartnell era, in many ways this is the last true Hartnell story. It’s the final one where we have all the video and Hartnell is in fine form and plays a significant role throughout. Also a good very valid science fiction concept, coupled with dorky ham-fisted robots. Then there’s the truly awful way that Dodo is issued off the stage, perhaps the worst compan...

Ever feel a bit low in energy? Tired even after a full night’s sleep? Forget the C-Pap machine, Doctor Who has the real answer — aliens are draining your life energy! Listen in to see what we think of this lost story, and discover One Weird Trick for rejuvenating your life force! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, vis...

The first Doctor Who story that takes place in the United States, this is an amusing jumble of jokes, history, and a theme song that’s played over and over and may have led to multiple suicides. Listen in and decide if this one is worth watching! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

This is our shortest episode ever — is that a reflection on the story we’re talking about? We shall see! We answer questions like “Is this yellow face?” and “Is this really tedious and not worth watching?” It’s an almost completely missing story so the answers don’t matter too much, but check it out to see what you’re not missing! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with ot...