Games on Film

By Games on Film

A podcast celebrating video game movies. Hosted by Harry and Rory Steele. New episodes every other Tuesday.

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94 - The Matrix

Games on FilmMar 15, 2022

00:00

01:44:19

120 - Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

To mark the release of Street Fighter 6, Harry and Rory hit the streets to discover the Legend of Chun-Li! The fan favourite character gets an origin story, as she seeks to take down dadnapping crime-lord Bison and his associates Balrog and Vega, with the help of mentor Gen, and Chris "Call me Nash" Klein in hot pursuit. But the road to revenge is filled with rocket propelled grenades, pretend piano performances, and business milk. SF:TLOC-L's notorious reputation may precede it, but can it compete with the fighting franchise's first live-action film?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009), from 41:55.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

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Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

May 30, 202301:29:18

119 - Battleship

Harry and Rory get that sinking feeling as they set coordinates for their second board game movie on the podcast, boaty blockbuster Battleship! Based on the classic game of naval strategy, psychological warfare, and little plastic pegs, Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Jesse Plemons, Tadanobu Asano, Liam Neeson, and Rihanna face an army of space invaders at sea. But is Battleship a film you need to C4 yourself, or did we just H8 it? Join us as we discuss the film, and play the titular game against each other in the process!

This podcast contains SPOILERS for G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) from 16:00, and Battleship (2012) from 39:45.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

May 16, 202301:34:13

118 - Evil Dead

With the recent release of Evil Dead Rise and the Game of the Year edition of Evil Dead: The Game, Harry and Rory head on down into the cellar and carve themselves a new episode of the podcast, looking at the cult horror series and its video game spin-offs! Sam Raimi's original film trilogy, with Bruce Campbell doing battle with demonic forces resurrected through the Book of the Dead, has been a key influence on filmmakers, horror fans and video game developers, but how do Ash's digital adventures compare to the movies and subsequent TV show?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for the Evil Dead Trilogy (1981-1993), and Evil Dead: Hail to the King (2000).

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

May 02, 202301:30:51

117 - The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Harry and Rory are joined by brother and DeadEndia creator Hamish Steele as they discuss the Super Mario Bros. Movie, recorded live from Ealing Project in London! The long-awaited animated adventure from Nintendo and Illumination arrives with the promise of a more faithful adaptation than Mario and Luigi's last big-screen appearance thirty years ago. But as life-long Nintendo fans, does this new film live up to our hopes and dreams? And what do our audience think?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), during the live section, from 55:50.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Apr 18, 202301:38:32

116 - Tetris

Harry and Rory line up the new Apple TV+ original film which has just dropped: Tetris - based on the true story behind the creation, discovery and race to secure the rights of the classic puzzle game! We discuss growing up with the iconic Game Boy version and our favourite iterations since, before sorting fact from fiction in the film itself. Taron Egerton stars as Henk Rogers who travels to Moscow on behalf of Nintendo, hoping to bring Tetris to their new handheld console and meet the game's inventor Alexey Pajitnov. But he soon encounters suspicious Soviet bureaucrats, rival games publishers, and sinister KGB agents who threaten his family, his livelihood and his life. It's communism versus capitalism, waged across a boardroom battlefield - and you thought B-Type Mode was tough!

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Tetris (2023), from 38:20.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Apr 04, 202301:19:33

115 - The Last of Us (Season One)

Harry and Rory are joined by Lisa Theresa Downey-Dent for an epic conversation about season one of The Last of Us. Based on the Naughty Dog game and adapted by co-creator Neil Druckmann and Chernobyl's Craig Mazin, the hit HBO show has won plaudits from critics, fans, and newcomers, as Joel (Pedro Pascal) escorts Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across a post-apocalyptic America in the hope she may hold the key to a cure for a parasitic fungus that's infected billions, devastated the world, and created icky mushroom monsters. They look back at their experiences with the original game, discuss whether the show succeeds in adapting its story and characters, and dig into its themes of loss, violence and survival across all nine episodes.

This podcast contains SPOILERS for The Last of Us Season One (2023), from 48:30.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Mar 21, 202302:07:40

114 - Company of Heroes

To mark the release of Company of Heroes 3, the Games on Film podcast's very own band of brothers, Harry and Rory, set their sights on the Company of Heroes movie. Inspired by true events in WWII and the real-time-strategy games from which it takes its name, the late Tom Sizemore joins a mission into enemy territory in pursuit of a scientist working on a super weapon that may change the course of not just the conflict, but of history itself. Cue sniper shoot-outs, battles on a budget, and Vinnie Jones beating up Nazis.

Note - this episode was recorded following Tom Sizemore's hospitalisation and prior to his passing.

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Company of Heroes (2013), from 38.25.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

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Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Mar 07, 202301:24:12

113 - Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!

After a well-earned break, the Games on Film podcast returns with a packed preview of 2023, as Harry and Rory run down forthcoming video game adaptations and games based on films this year and beyond. And with the hugely-anticipated Super Mario Bros. Movie coming soon, we look at Mario's earliest animated adventure, Japan-only oddity The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! Plus, other rare Japanese animations, including a Mario spin on folk and fairytales, traffic and fire safety instructional videos, and an interactive Super Mario World VHS game. And a report on Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan!

This podcast contains SPOILERS, from 35:40.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Feb 21, 202301:32:13

112 - Die Hard

Yippee-Ki-Yay, Merry Christmas! Harry and Rory welcome to the party Chris Carton, author of the forthcoming A Guide to Movie Based Video Games, to discuss Die Hard...With A Video Game! They look back at the original action movie classic, its status as a festive favourite and its sequels, as well as star Bruce Willis, his career and recent retirement. They then look at highlights from John McClane's video game adventures, including key titles Die Hard Trilogy, Arcade and Vendetta, as well as Willis' appearance in PlayStation sci-fi shooter Apocalypse.

This podcast contains SPOILERS for the Die Hard films and video games (1988-2013).

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

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Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Dec 21, 202201:30:42

111 - 8-Bit Christmas

'Tis the season to be jolly, so it's time for a nostalgic Christmas comedy, as Harry and Rory are visited by the ghost of gaming past! Neil Patrick Harris narrates his childhood quest to get a Nintendo Entertainment System, but it seems the world - and his parents - are against him. For two Nintendo kids of the 80's, they discuss how much the film chimes with their own experiences, and whether it will end up in the Christmas movie canon, or is it more 8-Bah Humbug?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for 8-Bit Christmas (2021), from 36:10.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Dec 06, 202201:24:40

110 - Warcraft

Harry and Rory flee their dying world - possibly Twitter - and head with the Horde to Azeroth for the big-budget Duncan Jones-helmed Warcraft movie! Inspired by the original 1994 RTS, at the beginning of a conflict that continues to rage across sequels, expansions and the World of Warcraft MMORPG, Orcs and Humans do battle as their worlds collide. But in an age of chaos, can a peace be brokered or will dark magic and power consume them all? Still the largest grossing video game movie yet, does Warcraft make you go WoW or is it more like Borecraft?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Warcraft (2016), from 46:55.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Nov 22, 202201:33:18

109 - Ghostbusters

There's something strange in our neighbourhood, so Harry and Rory call special guest Paul Gannon from the CheapShow podcast to discuss the Ghostbusters and their video game adventures! First up, they discuss growing up with Ghostbusters and Paul's forthcoming book Ain't Afraid of No Ghost, followed by a freewheeling chit-chat about the four films of the franchise thus far, plus various cartoon, comics and merchandise spin-offs along the way. Then, they pick out video game highlights, from New Ghostbusters II on the NES to the latest release Spirits Unleashed, with particular focus on the 2009 video game reuniting the original cast. But does bustin', video game-style, make us feel good?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for the Ghostbusters films (1984 - 2021).

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Nov 08, 202201:22:51

108 - Hellraiser: Hellworld

With the release of a new Hellraiser on Hulu, Harry and Rory open up the puzzle box and unleash the eighth film in the franchise, Hellworld! But first, they discuss the original ten movies, the story's source material, attempts to turn Pinhead and pals into pixels and polygons, and Clive Barker's forays into first-person-shooters with Undying and Jericho. Then onto the main feature, in which video game geeks, including The Witcher's Henry Cavill and The Walking Dead's Khary Payton, are invited to a party hosted by Lance Henriksen inspired by their favourite horror game - only to find themselves on the receiving end of real-life Cenobites made up of more than megabytes!

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005), from 45.30.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Oct 11, 202201:32:60

107 - The King of Fighters

Long live the King...of Fighters? Harry and Rory jab a wireless earbud into their lugholes and enter the Tournament Dimension for the live-action adaptation of the SNK fighting game franchise. Maggie Q, Sean Faris and Bullet Train director David Leitch portray Mai, Kyo and Terry who must do battle across the multiverse, or at least the semiverse, with Ray Park's Rugal. As clans collide and flaming fists fly, they must stop his diabolical plot to steal three ancient relics, the combined power of which will give him free reign over the realms of reality. But is The King of Fighters the King of Films?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for The King of Fighters (2010), from 43:50.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Sep 27, 202201:23:25

106 - eXistenZ

To mark the UK release of Crimes of the Future, the latest offering from Canadian auteur David Cronenberg, Harry and Rory lube up their bio ports and grab their game pods to journey into his none-more-Nineties earlier work eXistenZ. Body horror and virtual reality combine as terrorists target a game developer who must save her latest immersive title from destruction by seeking answers and refuge within the game itself. We discuss what's real, what's a game, and what it all means - plus the film's bizarre promotional tie-ins with the Sega Dreamcast!

This podcast contains SPOILERS for eXistenZ (1999), from 38:10.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Sep 13, 202201:16:32

105 - It Came from the Desert

Harry and Rory grab the biggest can of bug spray they can find to discuss comedy-horror It Came from the Desert, inspired by the classic Cinemaware game. In the vein of sci-fi b-movies of the 1950s and more recent creature features, giant ants escape a secret test facility and attack a motorcycle biker party in search of booze. But can a couple of geeks who've watched too many movies - no, not your podcast hosts - stop the insect infestation before it's too late?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for It Came from the Desert (2017), from 29:20.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Aug 30, 202201:02:16

104 - Pixels

Harry and Rory are joined by Chris Carton, author of A Guide To Video Game Movies, to discuss sci-fi comedy blockbuster Pixels. Based on the viral short film of the same name, larger-than-life recreations of 80s classics pixellate everything in their path, and it's up to former video game prodigies to stop the space invaders, save the world, and most importantly prove they are better than everyone. Will Centipede, Pac-Man and Donkey Kong destroy the planet, or will Adam Sandler and chums defeat the arcade alien threat? Whoever wins, we lose...

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Pixels (2015), from 47:10.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Aug 16, 202201:40:16

103 - Resident Evil (Season One)

Once again, Harry and Rory return to Raccoon City for another Resident Evil adaptation - but wait! This time, it's for a live-action Netflix series, set in NEW Raccoon City, and Albert Wesker has twin teenage daughters, who soon uncover secrets about their father and Umbrella that will change their lives forever. With action taking place in 2022 and a post-apocalyptic 2036, in a world overrun by zombies, monsters and super-sized creatures, they tackle both timelines across the whole of Season One, unpick the critical and fandom reactions, and unravel the DNA it shares with the original game series.

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Season One of Resident Evil (2022), from 38:20.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Aug 02, 202201:42:48

102 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

With the recent release of Shredder's Revenge and the forthcoming Cowabunga Collection, Harry and Rory head down into the sewers to hang with the heroes in a half-shell, looking at their video game adventures. They discuss their history with the Turtles, the ninja panic of the 1980's, the anthropomorphic crime-fighting animal cartoon boom, and the various TMNT beat-em-ups and side-scrollers from their 8-bit heyday and beyond. Plus, an in-depth look at two episodes of the original animated series in which the Turtles do battle with video game villains: 'Leonardo Versus Tempestra' and 'Krangenstein Lives!'. Radical!

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles episodes 'Leonardo Versus Tempestra' (1990), from 48:40, and 'Krangenstein Lives!' (1992), from 1:02:15.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Jul 19, 202201:26:43

101 - Mortal Kombat: Annihilation

Having crowned the original 'Best Film Adaptation' in the Games on Film Awards last episode, Harry and Rory finally focus on the follow-up! Old characters return, new characters arrive, and old characters played by new actors are here too, as Outworld Emperor Shao Kahn breaks the rules of Mortal Kombat, invades Earthrealm, and bellows a lot. Can our heroes (and our hosts) find their inner animality to navigate the plot holes, contend with the dodgy VFX, and survive this sequel?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997), from 37:20.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Jun 21, 202201:24:49

100 - The Games on Film Awards

To celebrate 100 episodes of the podcast, Harry and Rory host the first ever Games on Film Awards (or GOFAs)! We take a trip through our back catalogue of video game movies and more to crown the winners in a range of categories. From Best Island to Best Villain, this bumper episode features egregious cameos, awkward acknowledgments and iconic classics of the canon. Much like any other awards ceremony, expect shocks and surprises, snubs and flubs, and the whole thing over-running far too long! Who's going to win? Who's going to lose? Join us and find out...

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Jun 07, 202202:14:18

99 - Pokémon 4Ever

Harry and Rory are joined by their brother and creator of Dead End: Paranormal Park on Netflix, Hamish Steele, as they return to the world of Pokémon for the fourth animated movie! Ash, Pikachu and 'the rest' encounter the mythical Celebi and the time-travelling Sam on their journey, but with the forest under threat from a villainous Team Rocket marauder, can they prevent an ecological disaster? More importantly, are we going to end up doing Pokémon movies forever? Plus, a peek at Pikachu's Pikaboo!

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Pokémon 4Ever (2001), from 34:35.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

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Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

May 24, 202201:29:05

98 - Choose Or Die

Harry or Rory? Watch or Discuss? Choose or Die? The new British-made America-set retro-tech horror film on Netflix! Two nerds stumble upon an old text adventure game CURS>R, offering an unclaimed jackpot prize to the one who successfully completes it. But once they have booted it up and the game begins, they find themselves trapped in a series of nightmarish life or death situations. See the film? Don't see the film? CHOOSE OR DIE!

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Choose or Die (2022).

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

May 10, 202201:35:15

97 - Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Harry and Rory are joined by comedian Sooz Kempner as they return to Green Hills for the Sonic the Hedgehog movie sequel! This time, allies and enemies from the old Mega Drive days are introduced, as Tails joins the team and Jim Carrey's Dr Robotonik returns with the blue blur's red rival, Knuckles. As they speed around the world in search of the Master Emerald, they learn the value of teamwork, the importance of family, and the existence of ice cream. But most importantly - will Rachel's dream Hawaiian wedding happen without a hitch?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), from 22:50.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Apr 26, 202201:26:50

96 - House of the Dead 2

To mark the release of The House of the Dead Remake, Harry and Rory enrol at Undead University for the follow-up to an Uwe Boll video game movie 'classic'. This time, Professor Curien's experiments lead to an outbreak of shambling students who overrun the campus, and AMS Agents Ellis and Nightingale are dispatched 29 days later (lol) to retrieve a blood sample that could stop the zombie threat once and for all. It's the Sega movie sequel everyone's talking about!

This podcast contains SPOILERS for House of the Dead 2 (2005), from 15:15.

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Apr 12, 202201:25:45

95 - The Cuphead Show!

Harry and Rory take a journey to the Inkwell Isles for the animated adventures of Cuphead and Mugman in their new Netflix show. They discuss the classic cartoons which inspired the instantly iconic indie game, and how The Cuphead Show! combines a vintage look and feel with modern sensibilities. The beverage-holding brothers face fist-flinging frogs, get spooked by graveyard ghosts, and deal with the Devil himself. But is the show as much of a challenge to get through as its notoriously difficult video game?

This podcast contains SPOILERS for Season One of The Cuphead Show! (2022).

Visit our Website: gamesonfilm.wixsite.com/podcast

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GamesOnFilmPod/

Music by David Lightfoot www.davidlightfootmusic.com

Mar 29, 202201:08:54

94 - The Matrix

Harry and Rory are joined by Edwin Davies from the Shot/Reverse Shot podcast to enter The Matrix! They look at the original film's immediate impact and subsequent legacy, and how its sequels intersected and interacted with gaming spin-offs Enter the Matrix, Path of Neo, and The Matrix Online, as well as animated anthology The Animatrix. Finally, everything is brought up to date with The Matrix Resurrections and tie-in Unreal Engine demo The Matrix Awakens. Join them as they journey down the rabbit hole to see how deep it goes...