Redshirt Cinema Club

Super Mailbag Bros 01.06.2026 59m

Welcome back to Redshirt Cinema Club!We’re done with videogame adaptations for now, but before we move onto the next big thing it’s time to read your excellent and hilarious emails in an episode we’re calling Super Mailbag Bros. We didn’t come up with that, Shani Fox did on our Patreon chat. Well done, Shani. You’re better than us.Let us know what you think of this episode by emailing us at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub for access to two bonus episodes per month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Resident Evil (2002) 25.05.2026 1h 2m

This week on Redshirt Cinema Club it’s the turn of 2002’s Resident Evil, an adaptation of the survival horror videogame that spawned a series of actually quite successful films despite never really being that good. Kind of like Fast and the Furious but with zombies instead of cars. Did the first movie convince US, however? Is the Licker scary? And just who is Milla Jovovich supposed to be? We’ll answer at least two of those questions in this episode.Let us know what you think of this episode by emailing us at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub for access to two bonus episodes per month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) 18.05.2026 1h 13m

Today we continue our videogame adaptation season by tackling 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, an early-noughties action flick starring megastar Angelina Jolie in the lead role, alongside pre-Bond Daniel Craig, a very young and very handsome Iain Glen and also Chris Barrie from Red Dwarf. Can it be the first videogame movie we’ve watched that isn’t terrible? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pokémon: The First Movie (1998) 11.05.2026 1h 1m

This week it's time for Pokémon: The First Movie. Rob is a lifelong is a lifelong Pokéfan while Nath and Dave are bemused onlookers ready to receive a heartwarming introduction to the world of collecting, training, and trying your best. Which is a shame because what they actually get is an existential nightmare dressed as a children's adventure. What does it mean to be alive? What is the purpose of existing? And what would you do if you have to fight yourself to the death? Join us as we find out!Let us know what you think of this episode by emailing us at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub for access to two bonus episodes per month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Street Fighter (1994) 04.05.2026 1h 15m

For you, the day our episode on Street Fighter graced your village was the most important day in your life. But for us? It was Monday.Welcome back to our continuing series on video game movies, where this week we have reached the garish, often nonsensical, somehow still wonderfully entertaining Street Fighter from 1994. Several pillars of the game have been turned upside down - Guile is the main character, Ken and Ryu are low-level conmen, and Blanka wasn't even raised by eels - but thankfully Raoul Julia's M Bison is staggeringly good fun, and we have our FIRST EVER podcast guest in the shape of frequent anecdote-featurer and childhood Street Fighter enthusiast, Matt Elliott. Let us know what you think of this episode by emailing us at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub for access to two bonus episodes per month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Super Mario Bros. (1993) 27.04.2026 1h 12m

Kicking off our season on videogame adaptation we've got the notoriously awful Super Mario Bros. movie from 1993. Yes, the one that doesn't look anything like the Mario games and instead feels like if Blade Runner had dinosaurs and was directed by an idiot (or two idiots as it turns out).It does star Bob Hoskins and Dennis Hopper though, and despite the critical and commercial failure is still a film remembered fondly by many. How will it fare in the Redshirt opinion cauldron? Listen on to find out!Here's how our schedule is shaping up for the next month:- Super Mario Bros. (1993) - Monday 27th April- Tron (1982) PATREON EXCLUSIVE - Wedesday 29th April - Street Fighter (1994) - Monday 4th May- Pokémon: The First Movie (1998) - Monday 11th May- Captain's Choice (Patreon vote) - Wednesday 13th May- Tomb Raider (2001) - Monday 18th May- Resident Evil (2002) - Monday 25th May Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Neverending Mailbag 20.04.2026 1h 1m

This week we’re delving into our mailbag to mark the end of our series on 80s fantasy movies (you can tell because people only “delve” in fantasy settings) and to share your nostalgia, nit-picks, and at least one bit of trivia - about David Bowie in Labyrinth - that blew our tiny goblin minds. If you've been listening along to our journey through this decade's unique haul of fantasy films - Time Bandits, Highlander, Labyrinth, The Neverending Story, The Princess Bride, Willow - then listen in as we sort through your comments and criticisms. There's also some talk about what we'll be watching next, as we begin to formulate our Grand Videogame Adaptation Plan. Let us know what you think of this episode by emailing us at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub for access to two bonus episodes per month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time Bandits (1981) 13.04.2026 1h 11m

This week - we’re falling through holes in the universe and landing in Time Bandits, Terry Gilliam’s visually cacophonous 1981 adventure about a small boy careening through time with a band of thieves pursued by God and evil itself. There’s… a lot going on. It's possible that Time Bandits features the best backstory to a heist ever conceived (a band of God's minor manufacturers are sent to the repairs department for creating a very unusual tree, and use the map of all the holes in the universe ("it was a rush job, seven days...") to steal things instead of fixing the fabric of... everything. It's for absolute certain that it's another slightly-too-scary-for-kids-but-actually-great-as-an-adult adventure, and another glimpse into what Sean Connery was up to after that whole Bond deal. Did we like it? Join us to find out…Let us know what you think of this episode by emailing us at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub for access to two bonus episodes per month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Neverending Story (1984) 07.04.2026 1h 21m

A curious phenomenon emerges this week as we watch 1984's The Neverending Story.It's a favourite from Dave's childhood which Nath and Rob were convinced they'd never seen. The evidence in fact points to them both having watched the film previously and entirely forgotten what happens, which is unfortunately also true of this latest rewatch (something to do with a sad horse and a flying dog, the details are lost to us).Which is all to say that The Neverending Story has a strange energy - a tinge of Euro-weirdness, the half-logic of children elected heroes in the face of magical annihilation, and an episodic structure full of grotesque puppets and special effects. We love it! We've forgotten it. It makes us sad.Let us know what you think of this episode by emailing us at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub for access to two bonus episodes per month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labyrinth (1986) 30.03.2026 1h 4m

This week we’re losing ourselves again in the delightful maze of 80s fantasy, with Jim Henson’s extraordinary Labyrinth (which, like our very own Rob, turns 40 this year...)Think of it less like a museum of childhood traumas, and more like a fun adventure with cool puppets and a brilliant - nay, magical - dance number. Now if we only figure out how to get inside…Let us know what you think of this episode by emailing us at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub for access to two bonus episodes per month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mailbag IV: The NeverEnding Illness 23.03.2026 54m

We're back! Sort of. After a week's hiatus we're crawling out from the darkness of our plague cave with this impromptu mailbag episode - which we've decided is a good thing as there were LOTS of wonderful emails to get through. Thanks for your continuing correspondence - please keep the messages coming.Thanks for bearing with us while we've been ill - normal service will be resumed next week once we're back to full strength. Updated schedule for our 80s fantasy series below if you fancy watching along!- Labyrinth (1986) - 30th March- Highlander (1986) - 1st April (Captain and Commander bonus episode)- The NeverEnding Story (1985) - 6th April- Time Bandits (1981) - 13th April- Captain's Choice Bonus Episode - 15th April Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willow (1988) 09.03.2026 1h 1m

A new season begins, and we transition from our favourite genre (sci-fi) into our other favourite genre (fantasy) quicker than turning the corner in Waterstones' basement. Moving from Star Wars into 1988's Willow felt like the most natural step - it's directed by Ron Howard (of Solo fame), stars Warwick Davies (Wicket the ewok) and has a story dreamed up by George Lucas himself. There are other parallels, most notably the roguishly handsome Han Solo-esque swordsman Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and wonderfully crafted stop-motion monsters, but really who needs an excuse to sit through a bunch of classic 80s fantasy movies for the next few weeks? If you fancy watching along with us, here is our schedule for the next month. Consider joining our brand new 'Captain' tier on Patreon if you want to vote for what we watch on 1st April. - Willow (1988) - 9th March - Labyrinth (1986) - 16th March - Highlander (1986) - 18th March (Captain and Commander bonus episode) - The NeverEnding Story (1985) - 23rd March - Time Bandits (1981) - 30th March - Captains Choice Bonus Episode - 1st April Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Somehow, Mailbag Returned - Star Wars correspondence and rankings! 02.03.2026 54m

...of course it did.We've completed Star Wars (shut up, Ewok movies) and that can only mean one thing - an episode dedicated to listener thoughts about the series, the discussions we've had about it, and tangents that have their own root system of subtangents.Also ALSO the three of us give our personal rankings of all 11 Star Wars movies watched on the pod. Are there some surprises in there? Rob has made sure that there are.Join us!Become a member of Redshirt Cinema Club! Support us at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub to receive two bonus episodes every month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer.You can also follow us at x.com/redshirtcinema, and get in touch at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) 23.02.2026 1h 30m

We conclude our Star Wars season with 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, J.J. Abrams' second stab at the franchise having kicked off the sequel trilogy with The Force Awakens 4 years prior.Where the latter was an exercise in replaying familiar hits, Episode IX was all about course correction after the split fan reaction to The Last Jedi. Kylo Ren has his mask back, force ghost Luke likes his light sabre again and Palpatine is back. Somehow.But is the magic back? Contrary to Luke's declaration in The Last Jedi, I'm afraid this one is going to go the way you think.Join the Redshirt Cinema Club! Support us at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub to receive two bonus episodes every month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer.You can also follow us at x.com/redshirtcinema, and get in touch at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) 16.02.2026 1h 37m

The Last Jedi is almost certainly the most divisive Star Wars movie ever made. A brave attempt by writer/director Rian Johnson to subvert audience expectations and take the franchise in a new direction, it's a film that impressed critics with its brave narrative choices but alienated huge sections of the fan base at the same time. The three of us watched this together at the cinema - Rob enjoyed it, Dave and Nath not so much. Will the subsequent 9 years have softened or sharpened those initial opinions? How do we all feel about that Princess Leia in space scene? And why does Kylo Ren need to take his top off? Enjoy the episode as we discuss all this and more, and please share your own hot takes over in our Patreon chat.Join the Redshirt Cinema Club! Support us at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub to receive two bonus episodes every month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer.You can also follow us at x.com/redshirtcinema, and get in touch at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) 09.02.2026 1h 30m

"This will begin to make things right."As first lines go, this is powerful stuff. An acknowledgement that what came before wasn't up to scratch. A promise that what you're about to see will bring back the old magic. But does The Force Awakens deliver where it counts? J. J. Abrams is the man with the seemingly impossible task, fresh from reviving (and then killing?) the Star Trek movie franchise, his first film in the new trilogy introduces new characters, revisits old ones, and has an evil base the size of 10 Death Stars. What more could a Star Wars fan want?Admittedly it's tough to watch this film over 10 years later without the following two movies constantly invading your mind like some kind of insidious Force Power, but that's what we've tried to do; watch The Force Awakens with fresh eyes, before conjuring equally fresh opinions. Ready to take the plunge alongside us? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Green Knight (2021) 02.02.2026 47m

The second episode of our mid-season Star Wars break sees Dave finally get his wish of making Rob watch The Green Knight - a dark fantasy retelling of a 14th-century chivalric romance directed by David Lowery and starring Dev Patel. This is unlike any Arthurian legend you've seen before - a twisted, unsettling exploration of honour and the slow, inevitable, irresistible power of nature. It features a bunch of brilliant performances from some of our favourite British actors, from Sean Harris and Ralph Ineson to Kate Dickie and the aforementioned Dev Patel.A weird, dark British fantasy - should be everything Rob likes, right? Let's find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005) 26.01.2026 48m

In a change to our scheduled programming, this week Rob has forced Dave to watch Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, the straight-to-DVD movie sequel to one of the greatest videogames of all time.When it released in 2005 this was an explosion of cutting-edge CG, an all-action burst of fan service fed to an audience ravenous for more Final Fantasy VII. More Cloud, more Sephiroth, more cool fights set to even cooler music.Watching it in 2026 those visuals are starting to creak, which means unfortunately we're actually going to have to judge this film on things like story, pacing and character. Can it stand up to such critique? Will Dave understand anything that's going on? Just what happens when the demands of fervent fandom entice talented game devs to try their hand at the whole movie-making thing? Let's find out!Join the Redshirt Cinema Club! Support us at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub to receive two bonus episodes every month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer.You can also follow us at x.com/redshirtcinema, and get in touch at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) 19.01.2026 1h 20m

We've reached the end of the prequel trilogy with 2005's Revenge of the Sith, a relentless 2.5-hour explosion of lightsabre duels, Palatine one-liners and, well, actual explosions. A film many consider the best of a bad bunch, has the 21 years since its release quietened our misgivings or does the hate still flow through us? We also discuss the very important issues of whether or not The Force works in space and if Anakin's power level would drop once all his arms and legs have come off. So take a seat, young listener. It's time to end this.Join the Redshirt Cinema Club! Support us at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub to receive two bonus episodes every month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer.You can also follow us at x.com/redshirtcinema, and get in touch at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) 12.01.2026 1h 39m

So this week we're watching Attack of the Clones. Can we be honest? It feels like we're beset on all sides by inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. And - as Mace Windows might have said in a previous life - we're trying, listeners, we're trying real hard to be the shepherd. Or at least not to go full dark side toxic fandom and spend two hours howling at the moon (wait... that's... whatever). Anyway here are the shoulder-stroking adventures of Anakincel Skywanker and two armies of synthetic soldiers that ends with a climactic battle in a giant sand bowl watched on by an audience of flying ants. Rob actually quite likes it. Join the Redshirt Cinema Club! Support us at patreon.com/redshirtcinemaclub to receive two bonus episodes every month as well as our newsletter, The Civilian Observer.You can also follow us at x.com/redshirtcinema, and get in touch at redshirtcinemaclub@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.