Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Highlights this week include: "Saturday Night Fever" which is often remembered for its disco music and dance scenes, but beneath the surface, delivers a gritty social commentary on the struggles of identity, class, and masculinity in 1970s Brooklyn. “Kill Zone: Inside Gaza”, a powerful documentary that examines the toll of Israel’s military campaign on Gaza, seen through the eyes of children, journalists, and doctors. And, D-Day: Secrets of the Frontline Heroes, a compelling documentary that explores the stories of filmmakers who documented the D-Day Landings during World War II. Selections and writing is by Pat Harrington and music is from Tim Bragg. A transcript is available here

Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative viewpoint. Selections and writing is by Pat Harrington and music is from Tim Bragg. Highlights this week include: "Doctor Who: Boom" (Season 14, Episode 3) which showcases Steven Moffatt's masterful writing and Ncuti Gatwa's compelling performance, blending high-stakes suspense and thought-provoking commentary on the military-industrial complex in a minimalist, intensely gripping narrative. BBC Four dedicates a night to the renowned poet and writer Sir John Betjeman, featuring a rich line-up of documentaries, films, and discussions that explore his life, literary legacy, and deep affection for England’s landscapes and architecture. And a book review, "The Mirror," in which our very own Tim Bragg delivers a compelling dystopian narrative set in 2073, exploring a society dominated by AI and technocracy, reminiscent of "Blade Runner" and "Frankenstein," while affirming the transcendent power of human creativity and art against a backdrop of controlled reproduction, genetic engineering, and surveillance, ultimately offering a gripping critique of transhumanism. View the full transcript here

Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative viewpoint. Music is by Tim Bragg and selections and writings are by Pat Harrington. Highlights this week include: the return of Doctor Who on BBC, classic Sci-Fi, with The Day The Earth Stood Still, Storyville: Praying For Armageddon, a frightening report on the effect of Evangelists on US Middle East policy, and The Guilty Innocent, a gripping new documentary series that explores some of the biggest miscarriages of justice in history. A transcript is available here

Welcome to Culture Vulture for the 4th to the 10th of May 2024. Selections and writing is by Pat Harrington and music is from Tim Bragg. Ever wondered what it's like to be a spy in the heart of Romania? To navigate a world of secrets and shadows? This week, we dive into the thrilling world of Spy Master, the Romanian espionage drama that's been setting screens alight with its delicate dance of intrigue and betrayal. From the dark alleys of Bucharest to the hushed corridors of power, Spy Master weaves a compelling tale of loyalty, honour and the blurred lines between right and wrong. It's a masterclass in suspense, a riveting journey into the heart of darkness that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. But the world of entertainment isn't just about thrills and chills. Sometimes it's about the quiet moments of self-discovery, the journey towards understanding oneself and finding one's place in the world. And that's exactly the kind of journey we embark on with Words on Bathroom Walls, an American coming-of-age romantic drama film that explores the trials and triumphs of adolescence with unflinching honesty and poignant charm. A story of love, hope and the courage to face one's demons, Words on Bathroom Walls is a heartfelt tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, a gentle reminder of the strength that lies within us all. And finally, we turn our attention to Spacey Unmasked, a two-part documentary that offers a candid look into the life and conduct of Kevin Spacey, once one of the most admired and respected actors in the world. From his meteoric rise to fame to the shocking allegations that rocked Hollywood, Spacey Unmasked is a stark exploration of a man and a myth, a tale of talent, triumph and tragedy. So there you have it, just some of the highlights in an exciting week in the world of entertainment filled with suspense, emotion and unvarnished truth. But remember, these are just the highlights. The full guide with an even wider range of programs and shows follows. So stay tuned and immerse yourself in the captivating world of culture vulture. Keep your eyes open, your hearts engaged and your minds curious. A full transcript is available here

Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the weeks entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Selections and writing are by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. Highlights this week include: the eight part Dopesick, about the US Opioid crisis, the 2001 film A.I. Artificial Intelligence and the three parter Miriam: Death Of A Reality Star which proves that reality is really stranger than fiction. A transcript is available here

Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Music is by Tim Bragg and selections and writing are by Pat Harrington. Highlights this week include: 1973 film “Papillon" which chronicles the gripping tale of Henri Charrière (played by Steve McQueen), a safecracker unjustly imprisoned for life in French Guiana; “Dark Waters”, the 2019 American legal thriller dramatizing Robert Bilott’s case against the chemical manufacturing corporation DuPont after they contaminated a town with unregulated chemicals; and, Kurt Cobain: Moments That Shook Music, a documentary on BBC2 examining his tragic death. A transcript is available here: https://wp.me/pIv9X-s5t

Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Music is by Tim Bragg and selections and writing is by Pat Harrington. Highlights this week include “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment”, a Netflix documentary series that takes viewers inside the walls of an Arkansas detention facility to witness a radical social experiment granting incarcerated men more agency, eight episodes of Fallout on Amazon Prime based on the post-apocalyptic video game, and Defiance: Fighting The Far Right, a three part series from Channel 4. A transcript is available here

Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Selections and writing are by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. Highlights this week include: eight episodes of Ripley on Netflix, a captivating limited series that unravels the treacherous world of deceit, murder, and secrets, with Andrew Scott’s menacing charm at its core, and the 1954 classic film, On The Waterfront. A transcript is available here: https://wp.me/pIv9X-s4x

Welcome to Culture Vulture your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative viewpoint. Highlights this week include the films The Girl With A Bracelet (2019) and Gagarine (2020), and the six-part documentary Lincoln: Divided We Stand. Selections and writing are by Pat Harrington and music is from Tim Bragg. A transcript is available here

Welcome to Culture Vulture your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative viewpoint. Highlights this week include the films The Girl With A Bracelet (2019) and Gagarine (2020), and the six-part documentary Lincoln: Divided We Stand. Selections and writing are by Pat Harrington and music is from Tim Bragg.

Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative viewpoint. Writing and selections are by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. Highlights this week include: Royal Kill List, a landmark Sky HISTORY original series that chronicles King Charles II’s relentless pursuit to avenge his father’s killers, Chopper (2000) the Australian crime drama film based on the autobiographical books by criminal-turned-author Mark “Chopper” Read and Turning Point: The Bomb And The Cold War on Netflix. A transcript is available here:

Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Writing and selections are by Pat Harrington and music is by TIm Bragg. Highlights this week include: The Third Man (1949) – Directed by Carol Reed, this cinematic gem weaves intrigue, betrayal, and post-war shadows in the hauntingly atmospheric city of Vienna. Down The Tracks: The Music That Influenced Bob Dylan and, Our Dirty War: The British State & The IRA. A transcript is available here: https://countercultureuk.com/2024/02/29/culture-vulture-2-8-march-2024/

Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Highlights this week include First Ladies Of Hip-Hop, Nelson In His Own Words and Don't Look Now. Selections and writing is by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. A transcript is available here

Welcome to Culture Vulture, your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Highlights this week include the 2019 film Boiling Point, a tense and gripping drama that follows a dedicated sushi chef as he navigates the pressures and challenges of a busy London restaurant on a fateful night; "Ophelia" a film reimagining of Shakespeare's classic "Hamlet" from the perspective of the tragic character Ophelia; and "The Guard", a darkly comedic crime thriller that pairs an unorthodox Irish policeman with an uptight FBI agent to unravel a drug smuggling operation in a small coastal town. Selections and writing are by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. A transcript is available here

Welcome to Culture Vulture your guide to the week's from an alternative standpoint. Highlights this week include: Storyville: Tanja: Terrorist Or Freedom Fighter; Unsung Heroines: Danielle De Niese On The Lost World of Female Composers; and Raging Bull, a gritty and emotionally charged biographical drama that explores the turbulent life of Jake LaMotta. Selections are by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. A transcript is available here

Welcome to Culture Vulture your weekly entertainment guide from an alternative standpoint. Highlights this week include:The Company You Keep: a thought-provoking drama that delves into political activism, choices, and their consequences; Children of Men, a dystopian masterpiece dealing with societal decay, political oppression, and the consequences of infertility; and, Dark Marvels: Killing Machines, a documentary series exploring the history of diabolical inventions, from torture devices to weapons of war. Writing and selections is by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. A transcript is available here: https://wp.me/pIv9X-rQq

Welcome to Culture Vulture your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Highlights this week include: the 2020 film Gagarine, the documentary David Bowie: Love You Till Tuesday and the 1959 film Room At The Top. Selections and writing is by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. A transcript is available here: https://wp.me/pIv9X-rN8

Welcome to Culture Vulture your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Highlights this week include: The Chosen One, a thought-provoking narrative around Jodie, a 12-year-old boy with Jesus-like powers; "The Godfather" trilogy on Film4; and, The Real Spies Among Friends, a documentary on the Cambridge traitors. Selections and reviews are by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. If you like this podcast please like, share and subscribe. A transcript is available here

Culture Vulture (12-18 August 2023) Welcome to Culture Vulture your guide to the week's entertainment from an alternative standpoint. Highlights this week include: The Chosen One, a thought-provoking narrative around Jodie, a 12-year-old boy with Jesus-like powers; "The Godfather" trilogy on Film4; and, The Real Spies Among Friends, a documentary on the Cambridge traitors. Selections and reviews are by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. If you like this podcast please like, share and subscribe. A transcript is available here

Culture Vulture (5th to 11th of August 2023) Welcome to Culture Vulture. Highlights this week include: the 2011 film Contagion, George Alagiah: Mixed Britannia and Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History. Selections and writing are by Pat Harrington and music is by Tim Bragg. A transcript is available here