Redshirt Cinema Club

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 [email protected] 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.
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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 [email protected] 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.
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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
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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
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...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 [email protected].
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