Raven On Podcast

What's this? A randomly recorded podcast that Stu is currently looking at thinking "Wait, I didn't record anything extra with Nat this week?!" AH HA STU! You're right! Nat's in Sydney being LOOSE-LIPPED. This is a fun chat that happened on Sun 25 Sept at "Titanic: The Movie, The Play", which is Nat's show happening in Sydney until 2 October. You should come!

It's time for a royal wedding in Westeros, and that means absolutely nothing can go wrong! Nat & Stu are back (super early, with Nat's recap to follow) to discuss all the hijinks of the Lavender Marriage between Rhaenyra and Laenor, the fallout from the Princess' secret assignation with Ser Criston Cole, and the falloff from whatever the hell disease is plaguing poor Viserys. Plus Alicent goes full FASHION. Enjoy!

Raven On is a bit late this week because GUESS WHO fractured her ankle while walking along George St in Sydney? Natalie spends the first 15 mins of this episode relaying her adventures in pavement-induced injuries and hospital visits. But eventually she and long-suffering co-host Stu get down to business to discuss episode 4 of Raven On, where everyone... basically gets down to business. Daemon's back in town and takes Rhaenyra partying, Rhaenyra calls in Ser Criston for some very personal bodyguarding, Alicent finds dissatisfaction in the marital bed, and Otto overreaches. Enjoy!

Nat & Stu are back to discuss episode 3 of HotD, "Second of His Name". They DO eventually do that, but be fair warned that they take a slight detour into Middle Earth so Stu can update Nat on the new Lord of the Rings series. Also, a decent chunk of time is devoted to possibly the funniest "We're going for a drive, kids" story, courtesy of Stu's Dad. Dads in general cop a roasting here, but it's from a place of love. You can also expect boar wars, harts-to-harts, Crabfeeder getting his crab-uppance, and more!

Get ready for the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, as Crabfeeder is starting to make his mark! Nat & Stu return to recap Episode 2 of House of the Dragon, aka "The One With All The Child Brides". Join your intrepid hosts as they examine how Viserys' personal life is being influenced by his advisers, Rhaenyra coming to grips with grief, trying to involve Dad again and then being betrayed, plus the Dragonstone stand-off between Otto and Daemon. Enjoy!

IT BEGINS! Nat & Stu are delighted to be back and diving into House of the Dragon. They begin with an overview of the hype around the show and the welcome return of event TV; and the set-up for the drama to come, with succession concerns and daddy/daughter dilemmas. The newly-dubbed Matt Daemon gets a good working out, as indeed does his butt; and there's a detailed discussion about the violence in this debut episode - too gratuitous, or basically, it's Game of Thrones, strap yourselves in? A note on recording: unfortunately our mic set-up was suboptimal, and so you will hear Stu sounding more distant than Nat. Your dynamic duo will work on getting this fixed for the next instalment! Enjoy!

The legend had it coming... but was the skewering tasty enough? Nat & Stu are joined by pun-lovin' guest Scott to dissect "Robin Hood: Men in Tights", the 1993 Mel Brooks satire of the legendary outlaw. The team discus where this film sits in the Mel Brooks-verse, it's strengths and weaknesses, and what you could do in the early 90s that you probably wouldn't do now. Enjoy!

After years promising that one day they would sit down and podcast about Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Nat & Stu finally do just that in this long-awaited for (by Nat, at least) instalment of "Robin On"! Sure, Kevin Costner doesn't have an English accent. But if you use that as your opening criticism of this brilliant film, prepare to be beaten over the head by Nat & Stu's enthusiasm for a spectacular adventure full of romance, action, and Alan Rickman being the absolute king of the drama queens. To be honest, we're surprised this podcast came in at 90 mins. They'll probably want to do a follow up with all the stuff they missed... enjoy!

With Robin Hood stories mostly relegated to TV screens in the 1980s, Nat & Stu jump ahead to 1991 to examine the first of TWO Robin Hood movies released in this year. Patrick Bergin pulls on the tights - or rather, the leather pants - in this British-made film that features a surprising number of familiar faces. Nat & Stu dive into the strange world of Robert Hode, his cross-dressing Maid Marian, a young David Morrissey, and the complete lack of a Sheriff of Nottingham. There are some weird choices in this movie, which results in some inevitable comparisons to the *other* Robin Hood film of '91, which we're sure you couldn't possible guess.

You could have smacked Nat & Stu over the head with a raven feather when they heard the news that HBO is developing a potential Jon Snow-focused Game of Thrones spin-off series. Of course, this required an emergency podcast to chat about the (virtually non-existent)details of the proposed show, the possibility of abs, and of course, the need for more Tormund Giantsbane. They also spiral off (surprise) into some other geeky territory including Doctor Who and James Bond. Enjoy!

Nat & Stu's trek through Sherwood Forest continues with 1976's "Robin and Marian". It's Sean Connery wearing a sack and showing his hairy bottom more than you'd probably expect; plus Audrey Hepburn making her return to the screen after 8 years and looking just as luminous as always. Your intrepid hosts deep dive into this more serious, thoughtful, even philosophical take on the Robin Hood legend, in which Robin and Marian are reunited after 20 years of Robin's adventuring - only to find his enemy the Sheriff of Nottingham is still sitting too close to home. There's reflections on ageing, pondering the end of this film, and of course, some hot portcullis action. Enjoy!

"History doesn't remember blood. It remembers names." And here are TWO names for you, friends, Natalie & Stu! Your Westerosi wizards are back to break down the newly released House of the Dragon teaser trailer. They intended to chat for 10 minutes, but it turned into 35, and honestly, are you surprised? It's NEW GAME OF THRONES PEOPLE.

What's this? An out-of-time special episode of Who's Raven On? Why yes! The BBC gave Doctor Who fans an Easter treat... although one might argue it wasn't the finest chocolate bunny in the shop. Still, new Who is new Who, and Who Better to join Nat & Stu than Greg from the Smart Enough to Know Better podcast? Strap yourselves in for a two hour deep dive into the Sea Devils and their.... plan? ...for world domination (hint: it involves water). There's talk of Dan's OTT pirate costume, the tease of Thasmin, and the mystifying mystery of what apparently makes Yas so great. Enjoy!

Finally, the Raven Bat anthology comes to a (at least for now) close with the latest installment... The Batman! Greg from the Smart Enough to Know Better podcast joins Nat and Stu for a very deep dive into this new Gotham City with its Vengeance Man and its clubs within clubs and its weird incel Zodiac wannabe bad guy. Also Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman. MWAH. Settle in with a snack or two and chill out with this immersive Gotham-y experience. Enjoy!

Slide into nostalgia with the latest episode of Robin On as Nat & Stu take a look back at the beloved 1974 Disney classic! London correspondent and Disney expert Tom Salinsky joins your intrepid hosts as they deep dive into the House of Mouse and why its first full animated feature is not perhaps as high quality as some of its previous - and subsequent - works. There's also a LOT of chat about furries, so, you know, strap on your suit and join us for some real talk.

Welcome to 1952, and is this the blandest man to ever don the green tights? It's a big call to make, but it seems to be the consensus as Nat & Stu dive into the 1952 Disney-RKO Robin Hood co-pro, shot in England. The good news is Peter Finch is in this film as an unsmiling and quietly furious Sheriff of Nottingham. He gets crushed by a drawbridge at the end, spoilers. Your erstwhile hosts get stuck into the plot differences between this and its 1938 predecessor, as well as strange inclusion of Allan a-Dale, the welcome inclusion of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the pantslessness of Little John. Enjoy!

Pull on your tights and get that feather in your cap - it's time to begin our life in Sherwood Forest! Nat & Stu return with another capsule movie recap series, and this time it's all things Robin Hood. While there are Robin Hood films BEFORE the 1938 classic "The Adventures of Robin Hood", there's no real point starting anywhere but this BANGER featuring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. Your outlaw hosts discuss Errol Flynn as the epitome of "problematic fave", the joyous colour and sound of this Technicolour marvel, and how life on the run in Sherwood just seems like the best time ever. Enjoy!

WE'VE DONE IT... we've released the Snyder Cut! Well, the Snyder Cut-esque version of our podcast on Justice League, both the Whedon and Snyder varieties. Confused? You'll only get MORE so after listening to more than two hours of history, film critique and nostalgia. We're not kidding, stay tuned for Nat's tragic still living in the Nineties rants. Anyway, point is, we wanted to give this film/these films a go, and get a whole lot of bamboozled along the way. Definitely free free to listen in sections; or not, we won't be offended. Enjoy!

Secret password for this podcast is "Iron Man Sucks!" Yes, Natalie and Stu get a very welcome piece of absolute f***ing delight with The Lego Batman Movie. From Will Arnett's grisly tones as the Dark Knight, to the appearance of villains as obscure as the Condiment King, to the appearance of Robin and Babs Gordon - this movie is a damn joy. But where does it sit in the annals of Batman film history? Join Nat & Stu for effusive praise and meta-commentary.

Here we go, Batfans... the first appearance of Batfleck! After being let loose with Superman, director Zach Synder persuaded Warner Bros to let him create a sequel... basically so he could make a Batman movie. Nat & Stu grind their way through this often dour movie, brightened somewhat by Henry Cavill's pure beauty, and Gal Gadot's scene-stealing turn as Wonder Woman. Stay tuned to the end where they'll reveal what they're going to focus on once this Batman series is complete! Enjoy!