101 Films You Should Have Seen

Podcast 018: Duck Soup

ian80 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:00:52 +0000

War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing? Well it does provide an amusing backdrop for Duck Soup, the Marx Brothers comedy classic. Yes, this week 101 Films takes a look at the harrowing dramatisation of the first Freedonia-Sylvania War.

Lewis and Ian discuss seeing gags for the first time, ask whether a democratic country can enforce the execution of cuckolded husbands, analyse the fine tradition of vaudeville, ponder how creepy Harpo is and disuss with all seriousness whether Lewis might be blacklisted as a communist.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 018 – Duck Soup

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Director: Leo McCarey Year of release: 1933 Studio/Distributor: Paramount Pictures Country: USA

Podcast 017: Submarine

ian80 — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:00:53 +0000

Regular listeners to 101 Films probably picture Lewis and Ian as rugged, outdoor, macho types. Women want them and men want to be them, fine examples, as they are, of manhood. They weren’t always the confident adonises they are today. There was a time, believe it or not, that Lewis and Ian were sensitive and awkward teenage boys. This week 101 Films takes Lewis and Ian back to those adolescent days as they discuss Submarine.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 017 – Submarine

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Director: Richard Ayoade Year of release: 2010 Studio/Distributor: Film4 Productions, Film Agency for Wales, Wales Creative IP Fund, Red Hour Films, Warp Films Country: UK

101 Films 2012 Valentine’s Day Special

ian80 — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:00:07 +0000

101 Films has, of course, always been about love. Lewis and Ian are constantly expressing a love for cinema, a love for weak puns and, in particular, a love for the sound of their own voices. So it’s only fitting that 101 Films celebrates this most romantic time of the year with a podcast. Yes, it’s the 101 Films 2012 Valentine’s Day Special!

Lewis and Ian discuss their favourite romantic films, wonder what happens in Heaven when someone remarries after a partner dies and manage to mess up a top ten countdown. PLEASE NOTE – the podcast is for both happy Loved couples and single McSaddos. Enjoy!

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Valentine’s Special 2012

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Just one of the many films we discuss in this podcast. Really, we talk about 30 or something.

Podcast 016: The Third Man

lewispackwood — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:00:44 +0000

The Third Man. The greatest British film ever made and the 57th best American film ever made. It also has the honour of being the 16th 101 Films You Should Have Seen (Probably) podcast. Who is The Third Man? Well you won’t find out here as Lewis and Ian go to great pains to not spoil the plot; instead they discuss Sir James Bond, Bernard Lee as Sgt. Paine, zithers getting us into dithers, Post-War Vienna being divided into Russian, American, French, British, Autobot and Decepticon sectors, and Zardoz-based youth gangs.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 016 – The Third Man

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Director: Carol Reed Year of release: 1949 Studio/Distributor: London Film Production, British Lion Films Country: UK

Podcast 015: The Day The Earth Caught Fire

ian80 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:19:05 +0000

Having a bad day? Spilt coffee over your new shoes? Neighbours playing loud music? Computer on the blink? No matter how bad your day gets, take pity on the poor inhabitants of Earth in The Day The Earth Caught Fire. In their version of the early 1960s, massive nuclear tests have sent the planet spiralling to a fiery death in the Sun, which kind of puts your bad day to shame really. Also, in this weird alternative Earth, the Daily Express is actually a well-respected, hard-news-focused quality newspaper. Strange eh?

Join us as we celebrate all things Leo McKern, swoon over the lovely Janet Munro and marvel at how simple matte paintings of ruined London actually look a darn sight better than most contemporary CGI imaginings of the apocalypse. Also, find out how queuing has a key role in the end of the world (in Britain at least). We also manage to not talk about the ending, despite that being one the things people always talk about when they discuss this film. Well done us!

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 015 – The Day The Earth Caught Fire

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Director: Val Guest Year of release: 1961 Studio/Distributor: British Lion Films (UK), Universial International Pictures (USA) Country: UK

Podcast 014: The Godfather

ian80 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:00:35 +0000

The Godfather. Probably one of the greatest films ever made. It has seeped into so much of popular culture that there are references to the film in everything from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith to The Rugrats Movie. So in this introduction to the latest 101 Films Podcast, the temptation is to make weak jokes and ‘hilariously’ misquote lines of dialogue. Well, surprisingly, that’s not going to happen here!

Instead we’ll just give you a simple overview of what Lewis and Ian talk about in Podcast 014: Marlon Brando’s performance, how fantastic the film is, Al Pacino being awesome, hats, Zardoz, the influence of gangster films on gangsters, Lewis’s Butterfly Puzzle and George Lucas. Also listen out for the brand new Trivia Quiz jingle! So c’mon, give it listen. Go on, it’s great. Really, listen, or we’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse… Ah damn it.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 014 – The Godfather

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola Year of release: 1972 Studio/Distributor: Paramount Country: USA

Podcast 013: Zardoz

ian80 — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:00:19 +0000

Are you feeling lost? Does your life feel strangely empty and without meaning? Even those confident types at 101 Films have suffered from this modern-day lack of spirituality. Well no more, for they have heard the word of God, and that word is ZARDOZ!

Yes this week Lewis and Ian pay homage to the giant-stone-flying-head film Zardoz. Listen as they discuss just how damn weird the film is, Sean Connery in a red nappy (of course), evil penises, admiring ambition even when it fails, Zardoz’s potential as a date movie, why people went to see On The Buses films in the 70s and how something so bad can be so interesting and enjoyable. They also get a bit carried away quoting dialogue. Sorry about that. ZARDOZ!

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

Podcast 013 – Zardoz

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Director: John Boorman Year of release: 1974 Studio/Distributor: 20th Century Fox Country: United Kingdom

Podcast 012: Bubba Ho-Tep

lewispackwood — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:00:08 +0000

Imagine if Elvis was secretly alive. Imagine if JFK was also secretly alive and he was in the same old people’s home as Elvis. And JFK had been dyed black. And they had to team up to fight an ancient Egyptian Mummy that was stealing souls. That’s an impressive imagination you’ve got there.

This week Lewis and Ian watch the very unusual but pretty good Bubba Ho-Tep. They discuss Bruce Campbell’s fantastic performance, Desperate Dan and his Cow Pies, Bruce Campbell’s great performance, bad scarab-based effects, how depressing old age can be, and just how impressive Bruce Campbell’s performance was. Bruce Campbell!

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 012 – Bubba Ho-Tep

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Director: Don Coscarelli Year of release: 2002 Studio/Distributor: Silver Sphere Corporation/Vitagraph Films Country: USA

Podcast 011: The Sound of Music

lewispackwood — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:52:17 +0000

The hills are alive with the sound of montone singing and badly played ukulele – yes, this week Ian butchers a classic song from The Sound of Music, we ponder the mystery of exactly what naval captains get up to without a navy, and we wonder what happened to the lovely Liesl. Plus, we reveal the various names that The Sound of Music went by in other countries. WITH HILARIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 011 – The Sound of Music

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Director: Robert Wise Year of release: 1965 Studio/Distributor: 20th Century Fox Country: USA

101 Films 2011 Christmas Special

ian80 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:34:11 +0000

CHRISTMAS!!! Tis the Season for 101 Films to throw off the shackles of their self-imposed rules and talk about films they’ve both seen. Yep, Lewis and Ian discuss their top ten Christmas films, plus the usual nonsense including such festive topics as acid rain, Christmas lesbians, murder and what the name of the Scottish one in the X-Men was. Plus we have Christmassy editions of I’ve Got A Great Idea For A Movie and Ian’s Ukulele Challenge.

Lewis and Ian also exchange presents. See below for a picture of one of them.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films 2011 Christmas Special

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Zardoz as Interpreted by Lewis

Podcast 010: The Nightmare Before Christmas

ian80 — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:10:51 +0000

With Christmas just round the corner 101 Films gets in a seasonal mood by watching The Nightmare Before Christmas. Lewis and Ian discuss what a good un-Disney Disney film it is, what the British holiday lands might be, Tim Burton films and Edward Hands-Hands. Next week, our proper bona-fide Christmas Special!

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 010 – The Nightmare Before Christmas

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Director: Henry Selick Year of release: 1993 Studio/Distributor: Skellington Productions/Touchstone Pictures/Walt Disney Pictures Country: USA

Podcast 009: Inception

lewispackwood — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:00:24 +0000

This week we look at Inception, the slightly trippy dream heist film. Other than a very long discussion about what dreams feel like, Lewis and Ian look at some Listener Letters, shush each other, and spend much of the podcast mispronouncing the name of pretty much every single actor in Inception.

This podcast is ‘featured-up’ as well, with the another Great Idea for a Movie from Lewis and the return of Ian’s Ukulele Challenge! You lucky things you.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 009 – Inception

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Director: Christopher Nolan Year of release: 2010 Studio/Distributor: Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures/Syncopy Country: USA

Podcast 008: Tristram Shandy: A Cock And Bull Story

lewispackwood — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story has a particular resonance for 101 Films, featuring as it does two egotistical men who love the sounds of their own voices and who bicker and bumble their way through the adaptation of a novel that is confusing, meanders all over the place, and doesn’t really achieve what it sets out to do. We’ll let you draw your own parallels.

This week Lewis and Ian discuss how something can be post-modern before modernism existed, On The Buses, the boardgame Atmosfear, Kelly McDonald’s age, annoying members of the opposite sex and one of the UK’s great comic actors. His name? Steve Coogan (this is a reference to a joke in the podcast, so listen then read that bit again). Also we have a new feature – I’ve Got A Great Idea For A Movie. This one will run and run… Probably.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

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Podcast 008 – Tristram Shandy A Cock And Bull Story

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We’d love to hear your own film recommendations – please get in touch at 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen at gmail dot com or leave a comment on the blog.

As we mention in the podcast, the film was known as Tristram Shandy: A Cock And Bull Story in the US and Australia, but for some reason it was simply called A Cock And Bull Story in the UK. Here’s the UK poster, which looks a bit like a pantomime advert…

And here’s the US poster, which takes the odd move of doing away with the principal actors’ faces and bigging up the historial drama perspective. Which one do you prefer?

Director: Michael Winterbottom Year of release: 2006 Studio/Distributor: BBC Films/Picturehouse (US) Country: UK

Podcast 007: The Fisher King

lewispackwood — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:55 +0000

This week we’re reviewing The Fisher King, but we sound more like we’re in Twelve Monkeys: an unidentified plague has swept across 101 Films Towers, leaving Lewis and Ian as croaky, self-pitying shadows of their former selves. If you can put up with us hacking, coughing and spluttering for 40 minutes, you can enjoy our insights into why all men are selfish, why Robin Williams is good when he’s not being ‘Robin Williams’ and why Ian doesn’t seem to get on with Terry Gilliam’s films, even though he loves Monty Python. Also, why lying naked in the park is fun.

We’ve had a few good suggestions for films to cover on the podcast already, but please keep them coming in. You can leave your film recommendations as a comment on the blog, or email them to 101filmsyoushouldhaveseen@gmail.com.

In the meantime, here’s this week’s feature presentation… Click below:

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Podcast 007 – The Fisher King

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Director: Terry Gilliam Year of release: 1991 Studio/Distributor: Columbia Pictures Country: USA

Podcast 006: Dark City

lewispackwood — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:14:33 +0000

Dark City opens with a controversial voice over that reveals pretty much the entire plot in the first 30 seconds. For many, this ruins what should be a mysterious and bewildering (in a fun way) film-watching experience. So we’re not going to make the same mistake here at 101 Films. We’re not going to tell you that Lewis and Ian talk about pre-millennial angst, BBC TV dramas, The Crystal Maze, Last Thursdayism, The Matrix and, of course, boobs. Nope. Nothing like that. We’re certainly not going to tell you they liked the film. That would totally ruin things.

Instead, just sit back, relax, and enjoy our homage to the best sci-fi film ever to feature Richard O’Brien (with the possible exception of Flash Gordon).

Click below to listen directly through this site:

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Podcast 006 – Dark City

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Is there a film you love (or indeed hate) that you think it’s important for Lewis and Ian to watch? If so, please leave a message in the comments.

Director: Alex Proyas Year of release: 1998 Studio/Distributor: Mystery Clock Cinema/New Line Cinema Country: Australia/USA

Podcast 005: Chinatown

ian80 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:00:53 +0000

The boys over at 101 Films have been given a tricky case to crack – how to discuss a film’s plot without ruining it for those who haven’t seen it. Lewis and Ian do their best as they talk about the stupendous Chinatown. Listen as they witter on about Big Trouble in Little China, Command and Conquer Red Alert 3, the amazing Jack Nicholson, the many Los Angeles Infrastructure films, Batman a few times (of course) and our Mum’s favourite films. Apologies in advance, we sort of lose focus towards the end of this one.

Click below to listen directly through this site:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 005 – Chinatown

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Is there a film you love (or indeed hate) that you think it’s important for Lewis and Ian to watch? If so leave a message in the comments.

WARNING – This is the original trailer but it’s spoilerific!

Director: Roman Polanski Year of release: 1974 Studio/Distributor: Paramount Pictures Country: USA

Podcast 004: Black Cat, White Cat

ian80 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:00:36 +0000

Hey, do you like whimsical, quirky foreign films? You do? What, really? Don’t worry, the girl/boy you’re trying to impress has gone, you can be honest… You really like films like that? Wow.

101 Films takes its first, and maybe last, trip to the Former Republic of Yugoslavia and watches Black Cat, White Cat. Lewis and Ian discuss the usual nonsense including when they first bought DVD players, manure gags good and bad, Ian’s Ex-Girlfriends AGAIN, Blanka from Street Fighter, Ian’s flatmate Paul and the British quiz show 15 to 1. Plus, if you enjoyed the slight air of tension from them disagreeing about Dracula then you’ll enjoy this one.

Click below to listen directly through this site:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 004 – Black Cat White Cat

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Is there a film you love (or indeed hate) that you think it’s important for Lewis and Ian to watch? If so leave a message in the comments.

Director: Emir Kusturica Year of release: 1998 Studio/Distributor: Focus Features (US), Arthaus Filmverleih (Germany) Country: France, Germany, Former Republic of Yugoslavia

Podcast 003: Dracula (1958)

ian80 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:00:59 +0000

“Yes? Can I help you? Lost you say? And in the middle of Transylvania and in such a terrible storm! Of course you may come in. This is Castle 101 Films. Warm yourselves by the fire. I will prepare some food. No, no, no, it is quite alright, my Masters will insist that you stay for their dinner… I mean dinner. Where are they? It is still early for my Masters, they work at night. I must say sir your wife is very beautiful, she reminds me of one of the master’s previous lady friends. He will wish to… meet her. Where are you going? No stay, I insist. You must stay, STAY FOREVER HAHAHAHAHAHAH.”

It’s the 101 Films You Should Have Seen Halloween Special Podcast! Lewis and Ian clamber out of their coffins to watch the 1958 Hammer Horror version of Dracula. Gasp as they discuss the terrible accents, shiver as The Young Ones comes up, whimper when they end up talking about Pancake Day, tut when one of Ian’s Ex-Girlfriends makes an appearance and, most terrifyingly of all, cry when they look at the differences between book and film. Plus, you want to hear some cheesy sound effects? Then boy you’re in for a treat.

Click below to listen directly through this site:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 003 – Dracula 1958

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Is there a film you love (or indeed hate) that you think it’s important for Lewis and Ian to watch? If so leave a message in the comments.

Director: Terence Fisher Year of release: 1958 Studio/Distributor: Hammer Film Productions Country: UK

Podcast 002: Annie Hall

ian80 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:00:59 +0000

Despite the approaching winter and the chilly mornings 101 Films is feeling in a romantic mood this week. And in the mood to consider how ultimately most relationships fail and even the strongest of loves can fade… Ahhh, love!

This week Lewis and Ian turn their attention to one of the great writer/actor/directors of the last 40 years (well, he was great for at least 20 of those years), Woody Allen and one of his most well regarded films, Annie Hall. Lewis and Ian discuss New York in the 70s, Manic Pixie Dream Girls, falling in and out of love and, of course, everyone’s favourite Will Smith vehicle, Independence Day.

Click below to listen directly through this site:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

101 Films Podcast 002 – Annie Hall

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Is there a film you love (or indeed hate) that you think it’s important for Lewis and Ian to watch? If so leave a message in the comments.

Director: Woody Allen Year of release: 1977 Distributor: United Artists Country: USA

Podcast 001: Top Gun

ian80 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:01:40 +0000

Here we go then, the first proper 101 Films You Should Have Seen Podcast. After much discussion the boys decided to discuss a film Ian had never seen. That’s right, he had somehow gone through his entire adolescence without seeing Top Gun. TOP GUN!?! I know, how is that even possible?

Well he’s watched it now. Listen as Lewis and Ian discuss what the problem is with the US Navy’s air conditioning system, why Maverick isn’t a good pilot, why Nuns on the Run is a great film and how it’s almost too homoerotic even for them. Also for your pleasure we have the first round of the 101 Films Trivia Quiz and the Ian’s Ukulele Challenge. You lucky things you.

Click below to listen directly through this site:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

Podcast 001: Top Gun

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Enjoy!

Director: Tony Scott Year of release: 1986 Distributor: Paramount Pictures Country: USA

Podcast 000: Introduction to 101 Films You Should Have Seen… Probably

ian80 — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:46:24 +0000

It’s here! It’s here! The long-awaited sequel to 101 Video Games That Made My Life Slightly Better! Well, almost. On Thursday 13th October our new series of podcasts begins. To whet your appetite we have a short introduction to the podcasts: a trailer if you will. As you’ll have guessed from the new title, we’ve followed in the footsteps of Street Fighter, Resident Evil, House of the Dead and Super Mario Brothers and turned from video games to films. And if our conversion is as half as successful as some of those films, then boy you’re in for a treat!

So join us on our new journey every Thursday. We’ll try to get through it a bit quicker and a bit more regularly than the last one. Before we start here’s a short introduction, a trailer if you will.

Click below to listen to the intro podcast directly through this site:

Or download and listen on your MP3 player of choice:

Podcast 000: Introduction to 101 Films You Should Have Seen… Probably

OR subscribe on iTunes by clicking on the link below:

Enjoy.

Lewis and Ian: The Boys are Back

Welcome, stranger

ian80 — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:55:07 +0000

Welcome to 101 Films You Should Have Seen, the new blog/podcast from the chaps behind 101 Video Games That Made My Life Slightly Better (http://101videogames.wordpress.com/).

Pop back soon on Thursday 13th October for the first podcast in our series of 101.

It’ll be good, promise.

Lewis & Ian.