Cult Connections

Ian and Nathan review the first three episodes of season 2 of Doctor Who The Robot Revolution LuxThe Well 

Ian finds out about crop rotation in  the 31st century. The Good Seeds. Directed by Don Weiss. Written by Robert W Lenski. Guest starring Geoffrey Deuel 

Ian and Nathan are thawed out to review probably the most iconic 2nd Doctor story!The Tomb of the Cybermen (1967). Directed by Morris Barry. Written by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davies. Starring Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines and Deborah Watling 

Find out why The Trap remindds Ian of a classic Simpsons episode!The Trap. Directed by Arnold laven. Wriiten by Edward J Lakso 

Ian continues his journey through the Planet Of The Apes tv seriesEpisode two - The Gladiators. Directed by Don McDougall. Written by Art Wallace. Starring Roddy McDowell, James Naughton, Ron Harper, John Hoyt, William Smith and Marc Singer

In this bonus series Ian is going to review of the Planet Of The Apes tv series from 1974. We start with the first episode Escape From Tomorrow. 

Ian reviews the first season of the 60s sci-fi classic created by Irwin Allen 

Ian gives a review of some of the films he has watched recently, what's coming up on the show and why things have been a bit quiet lately. 

Ian and Nathan travel to 1066 via 1965 to review a story which changed Doctor Who forever!The Time Meddler (1965). Directed by Douglas Camfield. Written by Dennis Spooner. Starring william Hartnell, Maureen O'Brien, Peter Purves and Peter Butterworth 

Ian and Nathan finally kick off 2025 with a round up the festive Doctor Who treats for 2024!

Ian is joined by Mark Plant to discuss the hardhitting and unsettling Spanish cult horror. Would You Kill A Child? (1976). Directed by Narciso Ibanez Serrador. Written by Serrador and Juan Jose Plans. Starring Lewis Fiander and Prunella Ransome. 

Ian is joined by Ben Baker to discuss his new book Kiss Your Television, an affectionate, insightful and funny look at favourites and obscurities young and old. Ian and Ben share their passion for, Sapphire and Steel  Tuckers Luck and Cannon and Ball amongst many others!You can find Kiss Your Television here https://t.co/eKswySk5Ih

Ian finds himself in the Ozverse to review the new release Wicked and goes back to 1925 for a version of the original stry that started it all. Wicked (2024) Directed by John M Chu. From the book by Gregory Maguire. Stars Ariana Grande, Cynthia ErivoThe Wizard of Oz (1925). Directed by Larry Semon. Written by Larry Semon, Leon Lee and Frank Joslyn Baum. Starring Dorothy Dwan, Larry Semon and Oliver Hardy 

Ian reaches the finale episode of the flagship BBC dramaEpisode 6 - Sweet England's Pride. Directed by Roderick Graham. Written by Ian Rodger. Starring Glenda Jackson and Robin Ellis 

 Ian is joined by Dr Matt Melia to discuss one of Britain's most prolific, influential and contoversial filmmakers, Ken Russell. On this opening episode we discuss three of his trademark composer biographies as he made the transtion from the small to the big screen. Song of Summer (1968). Directed by Ken Russell. From the book by Eric Fenby. Starring Max Adrian, Christopher Gable and Maureen Pryor,Dance of the Seven Veils (1970). Directed by Ken Russell. Written by Russell and Henry Reed. Starring Christopher Gable, Judith Paris and Kenneth Colley,The Music Lovers (1971). Directed by Ken Russell. Written by Melvyn Bragg. Starring Richard Chamberlain and Glenda Jackson Matt Melia is a senior lecturer in Literature, Film and Media at Kingston University, London. He is the editor of Refocus: The Films of Ken Russell

On this epiosde Ian is joined by steve Hatton to review the first series of the cult BBC sci-fi drama. The Tripods: Sereis One (1984). Written by Alick Rowe. From the book by John Christopher. Directed by Christopher Barry and Graham Theakston. Starring John shackley, Ceri Steel and Jim Baker

How do you defeat the Spanish Armada on a BBC budget?Episode 5: The Enterprise of England. Directed by David mcWhinnie. Written by John Prebble. Starring Glenda Jackson, Peter Jeffrey, John Woodvine and Robert Hardy 

Ian and Nathan land on Androzani Minor to cover the Fifth Doctors last story. The Caves of Androzani (1984). Written by Robert Holmes. Directed by Graeme Harper. Starring Peter Davison, Nicola Bryant, John Normington and Christopher Gable. 

We reach the tragic ending of Mary, Queen of Scots in our rewatch of the vlassic BBC drama. Elizabeth R: Episode 4 - Horrible conspiracies. Directed by Roderick Graham. Written by Hugh Whitemore. Starring Glenda Jackson, Stephen Murray and Vivien Pickles. 

Ian and Nathan have dematerialised on the planet Necros for a visit to Tranquil ReposeRevelation of the Daleks (1985). Directed by Greame Harper. Written by Eric Saward. Starring Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Eleanor Bron and Clive Swift. 

It's a hey nonny no as Ian contunues his rewatch of the classic BBC drame series. Episode 3 - Shadow of the Son, Written by Julian Mitchell. Directed by Richard Martin. Starring Glenda Jackson, Michael Williams and Bernard Horsfall. 

Ian continues his rewatch of Elizabeth R. Episode two - The Marriage Game. Directed by Herbert Wise. Written by Rosemary Anne Sissons. Starring Glenda Jackson and Robert Hardy 

In this bonus series Ian reviews the BBCs flagship 70s drama Elizabeth REpisode 1 - The Lion's Cub. Directed by Claude Whatham. Written by John Hale. Starring glenda Jackson and Ronald Hines

Kicking off our new occasional  series focusing on the titles that are too obscure even for us Ian is joined by Holger Hasse to review the Eurocult short film series starring Diana RiggMinikillers (1968). Directed by Wolfgang von Chmielewski. Written by Wolfgang and Michael von Chmielewski. Starring Diana Rigg and Jose Nieto. 

Ian and Nathan travel to a deserted London to tackle conspiracy, traitors and feeble monsters. Invasion of the Dinosaurs (1974). Written by Malcolm Hulke. Directed by Paddy Russell. Starring Jon Peetwee. Elizabeth Sladen and Noel Johnson

The BLF return as Maria and Ian review the latest Star Wars tv series The Acolyte

Ian is joined by Robbie Sherman for a special crossover episode as we both celebrate three years of our respective shows. Robbie introduces Ian to the world of manga/anime series Lupin the 3rd. We chat about the series in general and take an in depth look at one recent installment. Lupin the 3rd vs. Cat's Eye (2023). Directed by Hiroyuki Seshita, Kobun Shizuno and Keisuke Ide. Voices by Kan'ichi Kurita, Keiko Toda, Ako Otsuka and Miyuki SawashiroIan also guested on Robbie's show, Conversations with Robbie Sherman to chat Lupin the 3rd: Fujiko Mine's LieYou can find Conversation with Robbie Sherman here - 

Ian reviews Carol Morley's Typist Artist Pirate King. A portriat of the British artist Audrey Amiss as she travels from London to Sunderland. A road trip through England touchig on creativity, mental health and relationships. Typist Artist Pirate King (2023). Written and Directed by Carol Morley. Starring Monica Dolan, Kelly Macdonald and Gina McKee

Ian and Nathan return to review the final four episodes of the debut season for Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor

To help celebrate turning fifty Ian asked Aaron Huggett from Zed1 podcast to review the cult zombie classic of 1974. Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1974). Directed by Jorge Grau. Written by Sandro Continenza. Starring Christina Galdo, Ray Lovelock and Arthur KennedyZed1 is Farringdon, Englands number one zombie based audio drama podcast. 

Ian and Nathan are off to Terra Alpha to confront the Kandyman and hopefully dodge the advance of The Happiness PatrolThe Happiness Patrol (1988). Directed by Chris Clough. Written by Greame Curry. Starring Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldrfed, Sheila Hancock and Lesley Glanville 

Ian and Nathan settle down to review the first four episodes of the new series of Doctor Who. Written by Russell T Davies and Steven Moffatt. Starring Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson.

Ian was so taken by sci-fi drama Death Watch he had to get his thoughts out in this special mini review. Death Watch (1980). Directed by Bertrand Tavernier. From the novel by David Compton. Starring Romy Schneider, Harvey Keitel, Harry Dean Stanton, Max von Sydow and William Russel. 

Ian watches Rebel Moon so hopefully you dont have to!Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver (2024). Directed by Zack Synder. Written by Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad and Shay Hatten. Starring Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou and Ed Skrein 

Rita Tushingham burst onto the film scene with her debut role in A Taste Of Honey and established herself as an iconic face of the British New Wave. Ian is joined by film historian Melanie Williams to review three of her early roles. A Taste Of Honey (1961). Directed by Tony Richardson. Written by Shelagh Delaney. Starring Rita Tushingham, Dora Bryan, Robert Stephens, Murray Melvin and Paul Danquah. Girl With Green Eyes (1964). Directed by Desmond Davis. Written by Edna O'Brien. Starring Rita Tushingham, Peter Finch and Lynn Redgrave. The Knack...and How To Get It (1965). Directed by Richard Lester. Written by Charles Wood from the play by Ann Jellicoe. Starring Rita Tushingham, Michael Crawford, Ray Brooks and Donal DonnellyMelanie Williams is Professor of Film and Television Studies at the University of East Anglia. A historian of British cinema, her recent books include a BFI Film Classic on A Taste of Honey (2023), Transformation and Tradition in 1960s British Cinema (with Richard Farmer, Laura Mayne and Duncan Petrie, 2019), and Female Stars of British Cinema: The Women in Question (2017). She is currently writing a book about the British filmmaker Muriel Box.

Is this the darkest Star Wars has ever gone? Ian and Punk continue their review of The Bad Batch.

The Kommissar X  series was a distinctly 60s blend of action, travel, outlandish plots, lovely ladies and suave but tough heroes. I'm joined by Holger Haase to discuss it's pulp fiction origins and three of the films. Kiss Kiss, Kill Kill aka Kommissar X - Jagd auf Unbekannt (1966). Directed by Gianfranco Parolini. Starring Tony Kendall, Brad Harris and Maria PerschyDeath Trip aka Kommissar X - Drei grune Hunde (1967). Directed by Rudolf Zehetgruber. Starring Tony Kendall, Brad Harris, Olga Schoberova and Christa Linda. Kill Panther Kill aka Kommissar X - Drei blue Panther. Directed by Gianfranco Parolini. Starring Tony Kendall, Brad Harris, Corny Collins and Franco Fantasia 

It's the debut of the iconic robot companion K9 but does his first story do justice to this lovable character. The Invisible Enemy (1977). Directed by Derrick Goodwin. Written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin. Starring Tom Baker, Louise Jamieson, Michael Sheard, Frederick Jaeger and John Leeson as K9

Diana Dors was  a unique figure in British film as her blend of glamour, personality and acting talent woved both the tabloids and cinemagoing public alike. Ian is joined by Dors biographer  Anna Cale to discuss her life, legacy and, of course, three of her best films. Tread Softly Stranger (1958). Directed by Gordon Parry. Written by George Minter and Denis O'Dell from the play by Jack Popplewell. Starring Diana Dors, George Baker and Terence MorganValue for Money (1955). Directed by Ken Annakin. Written by R.F. Delderfield and William Fairchild from the book by Derrick Boothroyd. Starring Diana Dors, John Gregson and Susan Stephen. Yield To The Night (1956). Directed by J. Lee Thompson. Written by Joan Henry and John cresswell. Based on the book by Joan Henrty. Starring Diana Dors, Yvonne Mitchell and Michael Craig. Anna Cale is an arts and culture writer who specialises in classic film and television. She has written for a number of publications and websites, including Little White Lies, Film Stories and the British Film Institute, and has also appeared on Radio 4 and Channel 5. Her writing subjects are wide ranging, but she has an interest in British cinema of the 1940s, 50s and 60s, and in particular showcasing the role of strong female voices in film culture.

In the first of a new occasional series Ian is joined by Mark Plant to celebrate the iconic British filmaker Michael Winner. This episode we cover his cinematic swansong Parting Shots. But is it a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner or a Dogs BreakfastParting Shots (1998). Directed by Michael Winner. Written by Winner and Nick Mead. Starring Chris Rea, Felicity Kendall, Diana Rigg, Bob Hoskins, Ben Kingsley, Oliver Reed 

Punk and Ian shake off their hangovers to review the mid season finale of The Bad Batch and give their thoughts on The Acolyte trailer. 

Ian and Nathan encounter the Cybermen in this classic Fifth Doctor story. Earthshock (1982). Directed by Peter Grimwade. Written by Eric Saward. Produced by John Nathan Turner. Starring Peter Davison, Matthew Waterhouse, Janet Feilding, Sarah Sutton and Beryl Reid. 

Ian is joined by author Justin Lewis to take a journey through a year of pop music. From Johnny Cash to So Solid Crew, Lulu to Rappers Delight its a diverse and whirlwind ride through the past 70 years.With entries for every day of the year, ranging from mini-essays to pithy and engaging sentences, Don't Stop the Music is a novel musical companion – a way of charting your year through the major events and tiny incidents in the lives and careers of pop stars and recording artists.Whether it be when pop became newsworthy; when future stars attended notable gigs; when that K-Pop act issued their first single; or when Elvis Presley found himself on TV singing ‘Hound Dog' to a basset hound, there are surprising and enlightening events from the history of popular music for every single day of the year. And esteemed music writer Justin Lewis has compiled them all for you, informatively and divertingly.

Ian and Punk return to review episodes four and five of Star Wars: The Bad Batch - A Different Approach and The Return.

Ian and Punk get their fingers out and review the first three episodes of The Bad Batch

Ian and Punk finally return to cover the second half of The Bad Batch

Ian and Nathan get transported into the anti-matter universe to review the first ever multi Doctor story!The Three Doctors (1972/73). Directed by Lennie Mayne. Written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin. Starring Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton and William Hartnell

British television history is littered with great sitcoms and the 1990s is no exception. However not all of them hit the mark and have faded into the comedy ether. Ian is joined by Ben Baker to review three shows from 1994 than left little cultural impact.Aint Misbehavin. Written by Roy Clarke. Starring Peter Davison and Nicola Pagett.Men of the World. Written by Daniel Peacock. Starring John Simm and David Threlfall.Honey For Tea. Written by Michael Aitkens. Starring Felicity Kendall, Nigel Le Vaillant and Leslie Philips

Ian and Nathan are on another Adventure in Time and Spain. Nathan wanted to go to Gallifrey even though it's a silly place. The Deadly Assassin (1976). Directed by David Maloney. Written by Robert Holmes. Produced by Philip Hinchcliffe. Starring Tom Baker, Bernard Horsfall, Peter Pratt and George Pravda.

Harrison Ford id one of the most recognisable names in the film industry. But sixty years before Han Solo or Indiana Jones there was another Harrison Ford who lit up the screen. Co-starring with the most popular leading ladies in a string of hit films led to this actor getting on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I'm joined by Patrick O'Riley to discuss the silent film star who's also called Harrison Ford!The Primitive Lover (1922). Directed by Sydney Franklin. Starring Harrison Ford, Constance Talmadge and Kenneth HarlanLittle Old New York (1923). Directed by Sidney Olcott. Starring Marion Davies and Harrison FordLove In High Gear (1932). Directed by Frank R Strayer. Starring Harrison Ford and Alberta Vaughan

Ian and Nathan kick off a new series looking back at the world favourite Timelord through the ages. We go back to 1966 to view one quarter of a mysterious character who made their return to the show only a few weeks ago. Its the ToymakerThe Celestial Toymaker, Episode 4 "The Final Test". Directed by Bill Sellars. Written by Brian Hayles and Donald Tosh.Starring William Hartnell, Peter Purves, Jackie Lane, Michael Gough and Peter Stephens.