Unjustly Maligned

Ask him about it! Yes, it’s time to turn the tables again, and for his birthday this year, Antony hands the reins to Tony Sindelar. Together they weave an appreciation for the videogame so good, it made Antony want to write them for a living — the classic 1990 Lucasarts adventure “Loom”.

"Loom"

Tony Sindelar with Antony Johnston

Is Ringo the best drummer in the world? Ho ho, he’s not even the best drummer in… no, let’s not go there (Lennon never actually said it anyway). Instead, Andy Ihnatko joins Antony to bang a drum for Ringo Starr’s innovation, charisma, and — yes — talent on the skins.

"Ringo Starr"

Antony Johnston with Andy Ihnatko

Was making Sherlock Holmes cool really a good idea? Is Robert Downey Jr simply playing himself? And shouldn’t Watson be a bumbling lapdog? Devoted Sherlockian Eddy Webb joins Antony to discuss all this and more in Guy Ritchie’s 2009 “Sherlock Holmes” movie.

"Sherlock Holmes (2009 movie)"

Antony Johnston with Eddy Webb

Fast cars, impossibly skilled drivers, champagne groupies, loud explosions, and a complete disregard for the laws of physics. Sounds like hell? Jessica Sliwinski once thought so, but now she joins Antony to shift her appreciation for the “Fast & Furious” movies up a gear.

"The Fast & The Furious"

Antony Johnston with Jessica Sliwinski

When is a planet not a planet? When it gets downgraded after 75 years, apparently. But was Pluto’s fate a mistake by the IAU, or an example of science in action? Marcos Huerta joins Antony to talk Kuiper belt objects, the New Horizons probe, and arbitrary astronomical definitions.

"Pluto"

Antony Johnston with Marcos Huerta

After the success of its gung-ho predecessor, “Predator 2” — which expanded the mythology of the alien hunters, like “Aliens” did for its predecessor — felt like a sure thing, not the flop it turned out to be. Ed Brisson joins Antony to explain why second chances are his specialty.

"Predator 2"

Antony Johnston with Ed Brisson

Was it a “Blues Brothers” for the MTV generation, or just a nonsensical movie strung together with songs and bizarre cameos? Or… both?! Kelly Guimont joins Antony to lay down some tape talking about cult movie “Tapeheads”.

"Tapeheads"

Antony Johnston with Kelly Guimont

It promised the Earth — and an almost-infinite universe to play in — but the videogame “No Man’s Sky” launched to scathing criticism and disappointment. Matt Johnston joins Antony to explain why expectations were misguided, why players who quit early are missing out, and why being a space hobo is so relaxing.

"No Man's Sky"

Antony Johnston with Matt Johnston

The spirit of Star Trek has seen the franchise reinvented, revisited, and even rebooted, for more than 50 years — but of all its incarnations, perhaps none is so maligned as “Enterprise”. Pete Mele joins Antony to defend Captain Archer from threats on all sides.

"Star Trek: Enterprise"

Antony Johnston with Pete Mele

Listen to Antony talk more Trek with Scott McNulty on Random Trek

Hear Antony and Jason Snell talk pre- and post-BSG TV sci-fi on the very first episode

Sold as an erotic thriller, Stanley Kubrick’s least popular film “Eyes Wide Shut” is neither erotic, nor much of a thriller. But Richard Rouse III joins Antony to argue that it wasn’t just mis-sold, it was misunderstood — and has only gotten better with age.

"Eyes Wide Shut"

Antony Johnston with Richard Rouse III