Shows
Movie Heaven Movie HellStar TrekThere are Klingons on the starboard side as we finish our Star Trek celebrations by looking at the orginial Star Trek films. We are joined by Clive Ashenden and Rob Wickings from The A-Z Of SFF, as we talk about the cinematic adventures of Kirk, Spock, Bones, Sulu, Chekov, Uhura and Scotty. We talk about the death and resurrection of Spock, Kirk going up against God, why is the Enterprise always in disrepair, Scotty changing the past, Checkov always getting hurt, and was Bones beamed away from a disco? The films under discussion are THE MOTION PICTURE, THE WRATH OF...2016-09-0800 minMovie Heaven Movie HellColour GradingThis week Keith is away in LA, so Simon goes solo and interviews Colour Grader Rob Wickings. We talk about Rob's career, including his work on BLACK BOOK, THE QUEEN and LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE, the tools of his trade and what is crushing the blacks. We also talk about making podcasts, as Rob hosts The A-Z Of SFF with previous guest Clive Ashenden.
Movie Heaven Movie Hell is a show where filmmakers Simon Aitken (BLOOD + ROSES, POST-ITS, MODERN LOVE) and Keith Eyles (FEAR VIEW, DRIVEN INSANE, CROSSED LINES) go through the A-Z of directors. Simon and Keith talk...2016-04-1400 minMovie Heaven Movie HellIvan ReitmanWho you gonna call? Not Keith it seems, as the ghouls have made moves on him. So Simon is joined by Clive Ashenden to talk about the director Ivan Reitman. Hailing from Canada, Ivan made his name in the States with comedies like MEATBALLS, TWINS and KINDERGARTEN COP. The films under discussion are STRIPES, GHOSTBUSTERS, SIX DAYS SEVEN NIGHTS and MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND.
Movie Heaven Movie Hell is a show where filmmakers Simon Aitken (BLOOD + ROSES, POST-ITS, MODERN LOVE) and Keith Eyles (FEAR VIEW, DRIVEN INSANE, CROSSED LINES) go through the A-Z of directors. Simon and Keith talk about their...2016-02-1100 minMovie Heaven Movie HellStephen King SpecialWe celebrate Halloween with this bumper edition podcast looking at the films of STEPHEN KING. Simon and Keith are joined by Mike Tack and Clive Ashenden to talk about their favourite and least favourite Stephen King adaptions. As there are so many adaptions of his work, we decided to look at horror films that got shown at the cinema, so we ruled out all the mini series and sequels. (Sorry) The films under discussion are THE SHINING, THE DEAD ZONE, FIRESTARTER, MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE, MISERY, THE LAWNMOWER MAN, DREAMCATCHER, and THE MIST.
Movie Heaven Movie Hell is a show where filmmakers...2015-10-2900 minMovie Heaven Movie HellClive Ashenden InterviewIn this Podcast Extra Simon talks to Clive Ashendent about his career as a filmmaker. They talk about how Clive got into filmmaking, how his student short caused a stir, making a film for 48 Hour Challenge, the lessions learnt from these kind of competitions, how training to be an actor can help with being a director and the benefits of rehearsal before a shoot.
Movie Heaven Movie Hell is a show where filmmakers Simon Aitken (BLOOD + ROSES, POST-ITS, MODERN LOVE) and Keith Eyles (FEAR VIEW, DRIVEN INSANE, CROSSED LINES) go through the A-Z of directors. Simon and Keith talk about...2015-09-2400 minMovie Heaven Movie HellJim JarmuschIn this week's episode Simon is joined by Clive Ashenden to talk about the indie filmmaker Jim Jarmusch. Just like his characters, Jarmusch has been the outsider, making films outside the studio system since 1980. He is an inspiration to us, as filmmakers, showing that films don't have to be about big picture but can be about the day to day. The films under discussion are PERMANENT VACATION, DOWN BY LAW, DEAD MAN and THE LIMITS OF CONTROL.
Movie Heaven Movie Hell is a show where filmmakers Simon Aitken (BLOOD + ROSES, POST-ITS, MODERN LOVE) and Keith Eyles (FEAR VIEW, DRIVEN INSANE...2015-09-1700 minMovie Heaven Movie HellFrightFest Special: FrightFest 2015We continue our Film Four FrightFest coverage by looking at this year's festival. Simon, Keith, Mike Tack and Clive Ashenden talk about their thoughts on the 16th festival, the films on show in the main and discovery screens, and of course their picks for Movie Heaven Movie Hell. The films under discussion are CHERRY TREE, HELLIONS, LANDMINE GOES CLICK, THE HALLOW, SOME KIND OF HATE, RABID DOGS, NIGHT FARE, TALES OF HALLOWEEN.
Movie Heaven Movie Hell is a show where filmmakers Simon Aitken (BLOOD + ROSES, POST-ITS, MODERN LOVE) and Keith Eyles (FEAR VIEW, DRIVEN INSANE, CROSSED LINES) go through the...2015-09-1000 minMovie Heaven Movie HellFrightFest Special: Films Of FrightFests PastWe have a bumper episode for you this week as we talk about the "Woodstock Of Horror", Film4 FrightFest. In this podcast special, hosts Simon and Keith are joined by Mike Tack and Clive Ashenden to talk about the festival, their experiences of attending and to make their picks for Movie Heaven Moive Hell from previous FrightFests. The films under discussion are CHEAP THRILLS, THE DEAD OUTSIDE, EDEN LAKE, THE HILLSIDE STRANGLER, THE HORSEMAN, THE ORPHANAGE, THE PARANORMAL DIARIES: CLOPHILL and RABIES.
Movie Heaven Movie Hell is a show where filmmakers Simon Aitken (BLOOD + ROSES, POST-ITS, MODERN LOVE) and Keith...2015-08-2700 min
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasySingles Going SteadyAll good things must come to an end. After 18 months and a ton of fun, Rob and Clive have decided to shutter the Speakeasy. And what better way to finish than in the same way that we started: two blokes in a room, talking about music?
We're talking about the art and joy of the single, using the examples that mean an awful lot to us. Expect revelations of a personal nature, and insights into who we are and how we got to be that way.
Settle in. This one's gonna be emotional. 2015-02-132h 09
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe Best Of 2014Who does a best of the year show before the year's up? Not us, hombre! We've made sure 2014 is good and dead before we drop our verdict.
Join Rob and Clive. with Speakeasy playmates Graham Williams, Keith Eyles, Neil Myers, Dominic Wade and Stuart Wright in our epic exploration of the art and events that made 2014 the fourteenth year of the 21st century.
Settle in. This is gonna be a long trip.2015-01-113h 43
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe Adventures Of Whip Crackaway And Honcho The Indian BoyAs a bit of a departure from our usual fare, The Speakeasy is proud to present its first foray into radio drama. Clive and Rob are joined by friends of the podcast in a tribute and/or parody to classic 1930s horse operas. Please to enjoy the pantomimic stylings of the Speakeasy Players in...
THE ADVENTURES OF WHIP CRACKAWAY AND HONCHO THE INDIAN BOY.
Ask nicely, and we'll never do it again.
2014-12-2923 min
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe Drokk-EasyStomm! Rob and Clive are joined by long-time friend of the Speakeasy Chris Rogers to talk about one of the most iconic British comic characters of all time: Judge Dredd. We pick apart one of his most iconic tales, The Day The Law Died, and see how that story is a distillation of everything that makes the man who IS The Law so great.
Geekery and comics. It doesn't get much more Speakeasy than that!
Warning: contains gratuitous prog-sniffing.2014-11-261h 35
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe Summer Movie Sum-upClive and Rob are joined again by film-makers Maria Thomas and Simon Aitken as we revisit our May Summer Movie preview. Did we see the films we said we'd watch? Did we like the films we said we'd watch? Did we watch films we didn't say we'd watch? Did we film the watch we said we'd film?
From the game-changing Guardians Of The Galaxy to the tender, insightful Frank, we've got the whole gamut of the summer movie experience--summed up. 2014-10-241h 50
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe September Read-easyWho doesn't like a good book? Well, if you don't you're in the wrong place this month!
Rob and Clive share the works of literary merit that have tickled their fancy this month, in a podcast that's sure to appeal to those of you that enjoy slightly drunken rambling from two opinionated old geezers.
Pop your slippers on, pour yourself a sherry and join us as we crack open a volume or two...2014-09-261h 19
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe Film Music SpeakeasyEat My Crescendo!
This month on The Speakeasy, Rob and Clive are joined by actual honest-to-heck film composer Neil Myers. Along with adagio and strings from the mighty Keith Eyles, we highlight composers we think are unfairly overlooked, and pick out a soundtrack each that's a bit of a hidden gem.
First movement and opening titles, everyone...2014-08-251h 20
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe Blake-easy In the second part of our epic podcast on Blake's 7, we explore cliffhangers, putdowns, ask what exactly went wrong with Season 4 and share our favourite episodes of the run.
Standard by 8, we're heading for Star One...
(via the pub)2014-07-291h 36
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe Blake-easy Welcome to the first part of our gigantic overview of classic TVSF drama Blake's 7 - so big that we've had to split it in half!
Clive and Rob are joined by X&HTeam-mates Chris Rogers and Keith Eyles in an exploration of the Blake's 7 universe. In this first part we spin through the characters, costumes and the most vexed question of all... which Travis is best?2014-07-291h 23
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe Pod Of Future Cast!X-Men: Days Of Future Past. You've read the book. You've seen the film. Now hear the podcast!
Rob and Clive are joined by comic fan and Wolverine lookalike Graham Williams as we go in-depth and full-bore into the Claremont/Byrne classic. Remember: in this episode, everybody dies!*
*disclaimer: no-one dies in this episode. 2014-06-231h 36
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe May Summer PreviewAll new, kind of different: Excuses And Half Truths Presents Rob & Clive's Speakeasy!
Live from our new studio in London's trendy Clerkenwell, The Speakeasy hits its first anniversary with a fresh coat of paint and a shoeshine.
Joining our intrepid podcastanauts on this new and exciting stage in our sonic journey are long time friend of the Speakeasy Simon Aitken, and first-timer Maria Thomas. Together, they share their hopes on the upcoming summer season at the movies, and give us their picks of the films to look out for over the ne...2014-05-101h 21
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe April Speakeasy: The Age Of The Concept AlbumAs is appropriate for a podcast about the concept album, BEHOLD our most epic Speakeasy yet. Over two hours of chat as Rob, Clive and special guest writer Stuart Wright discuss that most derided of formats and find a few gems... and yes, a couple of turkeys.
Also, our 50 Second SoundCloud Challenge covers Skweee, Moombahton and other genres you never knew existed!
2014-04-192h 03
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe March WriteasyJust the two of us this month, as Clive and Rob talk about writing. We cast an eye over the fast-changing world of self-publishing, look at some short fiction mags and answer that all important question: just what does Nanowrimo stand for?
2014-03-2156 min
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe February Speakeasy: We Love Documentaries!We love documentaries, so it's only appropriate that we take the most love-drenched time of the year to talk about them.
We're joined by long-time friend of Excuses And Half Truths, Dominic Wade, and chat about the ins, outs, throughs and overs of documentary film-making.
Feel the love!2014-02-141h 09
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe January WhoseasyNow that the dust has settled post-Xmas and everyone's yakking about Sherlock, we can take that all-important bit of critical distance and talk at length about Doctor Who. Seriously, one of these days when we talk about brevity being a necessity, we're going to mean it. Not this month, though.
Rob and Clive are joined by film-maker and nu Who-hater Keith Eyles for a spin through the past and present of Doctor Who with, as befits a show with time travel at its core, the future.
Warning: contains gratuitous use of a sonic sc...2014-01-141h 29
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe X(&HT)Mas Bonus Speakeasies: SlayrideAs our Xmas gift to you, dearest Listenership, here is the second of our bonus Speakeasies. Clive and I are reading each other's stories from last year's Zombie Christmas anthology, The Dead Files Vol. 3. (pick it up at Amazon for the zombie fan in your life).
This time around, Clive is reading my story of the best Christmas Day ever: Slayride.
2013-12-1914 min
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe X(&HT)Mas Bonus Speakeasies: The PromiseAs our Xmas gift to you, dearest Listenership, here is the first of two bonus Speakeasies. Clive and I are reading each other's stories from last year's Zombie Christmas anthology, The Dead Files Vol. 3, available at Amazon for that perfect stocking filler. First up, I'm reading Clive's tale of Christmas shopping hell: The Promise.2013-12-1615 min
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe December Music Speakeasy: Cover VersionsIn a bare-faced attempt to up the ante, Rob and Clive invite The Little Unsaid, AKA John Elliott, into Studio 2A for some musical shenanigalia. John performs a new song, and covers tracks by Nick Cave and Atoms For Peace.
John also joins us for a robust discussion on the merits of and surprising facts around the world of the cover version. Rob and Clive reveal the music blogs they can heartily recommend (and the ones that they'll cheerfully never go near again) and guest sound engineer Alex Purkiss shows us up with a radical uptick in...2013-12-111h 18
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe November Film SpeakeasyNovember. Cold, damp, and once you're past the Halloween/Bonfire Night twofer, there's nothing to look forward to until Christmas. Oh well, let's go to the pictures.
Clive and Rob are joined by film-maker Simon Aitken, who braves the 50 Second Flash Film Challenge. We consider the vexed question of remakes, reboots and *shudder* re-imaginings, and the Dice Of Fate is pointing us at music blogs.
Grab yourself a pumpkin spice latte and join us!2013-11-131h 01
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe Spookeasy SpecialIt's a bonus Spookeasy for Halloween!
Rob is joined by X&HTeam-mate and horror film aficionado Simon Aitken in teasing out the best movies to watch this All Hallow's Eve. From gore to scares to cheese, we've got you covered. Light a pumpkin lantern, settle under your safest coverlet and join us for a spooky Speakeasy special!2013-10-2627 min
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe October Funnybook SpeakeasyWe love comics. We read comics. And in this edition of the Speakeasy, we talk about comics. At length.
We review the best new books that The Dice Of Fate allowed us to look at in Spetember, and take an extensive look at the career and works of Frank Miller: the good, the bad and the very, very ugly.
Plus we amp up the geeky with a D100 and generally do what we do. Read along, whydoncha?
Hootin' Holleration! It's the Funnybook edition of the X&HT S...2013-10-031h 38
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe August Speakeasy: Film EditionIn the August Speakeasy, Rob and Clive are talking film. A lot. It’s our longest podcast ever and it’s jampacked full of goodness!
In our Fifty Second Flash Film Fest, we cram nine film reviews into under 8 minutes.
Clive gives us the lowdown on no-budget film-making, and shares some behind the scenes stories on his latest short, Acceptance.
Of course, we have all the recommendations for movies to see this month, and a heads-up for the greatest horror film festival on the planet: Frightfest!
2013-09-181h 16
Excuses And Half Truths presents Rob & Clive's SpeakeasyThe September Speakeasy: Music EditionHere we are and here we are and here we go…
AROOGAH! The September Speakeasy gets musical on your asses.
Our Fifty Second Flash Tracks Challenge is the fastest way of grabbing the info you need about the music we think you should be listening to RIGHT DARN NOW.
Rob reveals his secret past and present as a Big Country fan, and the boys unfeasibly decide to bring 20-sided dice into Studio 2 to sex things up a bit.
It can’t end well.2013-09-1851 min