Worth Watching

The Dr is freed from Earth at last! Also, an extended digression on the Population Bomb…We liked this one! 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

Yes, the Master is back, whether he should be or not…in any case, we liked ONE of the episodes and ONE of the guest actors, so that's something, right? 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 kept having to remind each other what happened in this one, but otherwise some good 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

Two major characters in Doctor Who canon are introduced in this story kicking off Pertwee's second season, but is the story itself 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

We wanted to compare Peter Ustinov in this classic science fiction film to the work he did in “One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing” filmed the same year…don't trust anyone over 30! 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

Since we were on the subject of food with our last couple of episodes, we couldn't help cover this, one of Ron's favorite food documentaries… 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 Our Dinosaurs is Missing turns out to be about how Won Ton soup came to the UK (spoiler!), so we decided to watch this excellent documentary about how Chinese food came to America, and how America changed Chinese food, and oh yeah, where did General Tso's chicken come from? 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 isn't one of the better good old Disney movies (one of us likes it a lot more than the other) but sometimes lesser movies make for the best discussions, and this is one of those cases. We spend a lot of time talking about the historical context, and its impact on other films — in particular, Star Wars literally owes a huge debt to Dinosaurs!And oh yeah, Jon Pertwee is in there somewhere… 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

An unusually strong season goes out with a world-ending bang in this classic story…but does it hold up for modern viewers? 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

Doctor Who meets 2001! 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 invasion is coming from inside the house! 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

Jon Pertwee's first story as the Doctor! 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 10 episode epic ends the Troughton era, and it's an amazing way to go 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

This is the last reconstruction we'll ever have to watch — yay!For a story no one ever talks about and that we knew nothing about, we were pleasantly surprised! It's a damn shame only one episode of this survived. 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

Over the years Katherine — Editor in Chief at Reason Magazine — and I have had numerous late night conversations at bars across the country, and this podcast is pretty much a recording of one of those discussions. The starting point is the Dr Who story The Seeds of Death, but the discussion is wide-ranging, philosophical, and funny. Just the way I like it. 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 Ice Warriors are back, and this time it's personal! 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 movie where the guy hangs off the clock.”Probably the best silent film comedy in history, this is the film where everything Harold Lloyd had learned in his career came together in one sublime package that leaves even modern audiences in stitches.And that clock image will be eternal.Listen in to our non-silent podcast to learn more about the film and see what we think about it! 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

Our first silent film, and if you're not very familiar with silent films this one will defy your expectations. No Charlie Chaplin pratfalls, no silly acting. This is a serious recreation of the trial of Joan of Arc, considered not only one of the best films ever made, but to have one of the best acting performances of all time. Definitely 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

Max von Sydow is a podcast favorite, so we decided to go back to his early career — the movie that put him and Ingmar Bergman on the map. As usual, Max didn't disappoint! 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 have a great discussion about the amazing, intense Whiplash — possibly the best role of JK Simmons' career? 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

Well, one of us really likes this one! 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 Dr Who story by Robert Holmes, who would become a legendary Dr Who writer. However, his first effort is often considered his weakest…what do we think? The answer may surprise you! 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

An official favorite of the podcast, with some of the most amazing villains ever! 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 do a deep dive into an 80s classic that totally stands up today…say, are you or are you not “doing it”??? 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

A fun romp with exactly zero budget! 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 the first story of Patrick Troughton's last season, will the revelation of the mighty Quarks change everything? 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 love Max von Sydow, so Ron felt it was time to introduce Guy to one of his more serious films. With gritted teeth, Guy agreed to watch a foreign film with subtitles that wasn't about samurai, and guess what, he liked it! 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 amazing film by David Cronenberg is one of Ron's “drag them to the couch” films, and he finally got an excuse to do that to Guy given that we recently watched another Ed Harris movie, “Needful Things”. (Don't tell Guy, but this is way better…)It's just one of those rare perfectly constructed films that will hopefully go down in film history.To see why, listen in! 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 were surprised by how much we liked this, and how different it was from The Omen, the film it inspired. This is horror for adults, and we find it 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

At the end of each Dr Who season, we like to watch a movie that the current Dr was in. In this case it's The Omen, in which Troughton was a priest…we have a really interesting discussion about this whole Satanic matter! 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 Cybermen are back, with a convoluted plan worthy of Heath Ledger's Joker…And one of the characters in this story will become the next companion! 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 pipes! The pipes! The pipes are calling!See what we think about six episodes of seaweed in the pipes…and the departure of Victoria as a companion. Are we broken up about it or excited to see who comes next? 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

After seeing Max von Sydow in Flash Gordon, it was time for Guy to introduce Ron to his favorite von Sydow role in Stephen King's Needful Things…stay to the end for an extended discussion of David Lynch's career! 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

Given that Flash Gordon was the movie George Lucas originally wanted to make, and that Guy had never seen it, it was time to fix this![Note that a recording issue makes for a somewhat abrupt ending…] 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

Yeah our podcast is all about old movies and TV shows, but our origin story started out with video games. In this episode we talk about how we met through making video games, which eventually led to our fascination with Dragon's Dogma 2… 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've all been waiting our entire lives to do this episode! Now you finally get to find out what we think about the franchise known as Star Wars! 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

Andrew Heaton joins us to discuss the amazing amount of inspiration Hidden Fortress provided for Star Wars, as well as going over the film itself. Without this film, Star Wars would have been something completely different! 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 and the previous story, Enemy of the World, were rediscovered 40 years after they'd been lost. This is a story that follows up on recent The Abominable Snowmen, but takes place 30 years later. We loved Enemy of the World, how will this one stand up? 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

Lost for over 40 years, found a decade ago in war-torn Nigeria…what can I say, we both love this story! It's now an official Worth Watching favorite. Listen in to find out why! 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 definition of a “base under siege” story, this one introduces the enduring enemy The Ice Warriors (technically should be known as “The Martians”!). Does it hold up for a modern audience? We shall see! 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

Yet another lost Troughton story revived with surprisingly good animation. How well does six episodes of Yetis and Tibetan monks chasing each other around hold up for a modern audience? We shall see! 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

Finally, a fully live-action Troughton story!Does this classic Cybermen story hold up today? How did fascination with Egyptian tombs influence this story? Why do Doctor Who villains never learn that you can't make a deal with the devil? Find out all this and more! 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

High Noon influenced Outland, so we decided to go back and watch it in this context. We discuss the controversies, the qualities of the filmmaking, how it contrasts with Outland, and how to hold a gun so you can actually hit something! 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

Inspired by High Noon, with a stellar cast (Sean Connery! Peter Boyle!), coming on the heels of 2001 and Star Wars and directed by the guy who did a fine job on Capricorn One, how does this space western hold up? 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

With the third Halloween movie, John Carpenter — a favorite director of the podcast — wanted to take the franchise in a different direction, in which every year a new entry would be released that told a stand-alone story rather than just repeating the Michael Meyers thing.Turned out the public wasn't interested in Halloween without Michael, so the film wasn't a success. But as always happens with Carpenter, it gained a cult following over time, and we dive into to see if it turns out to be 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

Ron contends this movie has the most perfect 25 minute opening of any movie ever. Prove him wrong.Also, Harrison Ford with a beard. 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

At the end of a season of Doctor Who, we like to celebrate the actor by watching one of his non-Doctor films.In this case we're watching Jason and the Argonauts, a Ray Harryhausen stop motion film that has had an incredible impact on one of your hosts, actually changing his life. To see what that's about, listen in! 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

Wow, we were surprised by this one—the last story of Troughton's first season, and seemingly the last Dalek story ever—is packed full of surprises, Daleks high on acid, and for once a pretty compelling Dalek plot to force the Doctor to mess with all of human history. 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

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