Gunship announced as Star Wars HasLab

At San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), Hasbro announced its Battle of Geonosis campaign for 2026 with a Star Wars HasLab.

Read the official press release:

"Star Wars The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship

The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship transports you right to the heart of the first battle of the Clone Wars on Geonosis and its aftermath. In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones™, this speedy attack ship led the rescue mission of the Jedi remaining after Count Dooku and the Separatists’ assault, setting a cascade of rockets and laser fire onto the Separatist droid army.

LAAT/i (Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry) Republic ships can be seen in epic battles scenes across Star Wars, including the animated classic Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ and its more recent counterpart, Star Wars: The Bad Batch™. The HasLab team is thrilled to bring you one of the franchise’s most recognizable and celebrated vehicles.

If funded, this ship will make the perfect tribute to one of the defining moments in the prequel trilogy. Let’s get into the details!"

Take a closer look with Hasbro designer Chris and special guest Adam from Lucasfilm's product development, who sold me on backing it.



The last Gunship toy I owned was from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, which I sold to a fellow Star Wars fan and collector a few years ago. Like many fans, I have reservations about the £449.99 price tag and tiers.

After pontificating for a few days (The Ghost is still boxed), I’ve decided to back the HasLab for now, if only to support the campaign and reach 8,000 backers. I appreciate that this is a good problem to have. Will it be another Rancor? We'll see in September.

Will you be backing the Star Wars The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship HasLab on Hasbro Pulse? What do you think of the price? What are your thoughts on crowdfunded collectables? Should it be a retail release? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro teases Tron toys at Comic-Con

Hasbro's Steve Evans teased Tron toys based on Disney's original Tron, Tron: Legacy and the upcoming Tron: Ares at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Evans handed out 3.5-inch floppy disks, which contained a teaser image.

Christmas 1982 was all about the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K, Disney's Tron and Steven Spielberg's extra-terrestrial. I wanted Tron action figures and vehicles. It looks like Hasbro is about to grant that wish this holiday season.

Which Tron toys would you like to see from Hasbro? Let me know in the comments below.

Terror of the Zygons at the BFI

To mark the imminent release of Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 13, the British Film Institute (BFI) is hosting a screening of the season opener, Terror of the Zygons. The classic Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) story features the shapeshifting Zygons, which were childhood nightmare fuel.

When oil rigs come under attack from some force able to rip them to shreds, UNIT’s Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) summons the Doctor to Scotland. The Doctor has a theory about exactly what’s causing the destruction, but it couldn’t really be the Loch Ness Monster. Could it?

The event will be held on Saturday, 20th September at midday; it will be preceded by a screening of Chris Chapman’s documentary Worlds Within, about the much-missed actor and writer Ian Marter (Harry Sullivan). Besides acting in Doctor Who, Marter penned acclaimed Target novelisations. There will be a Q&A with producer Philip Hinchcliffe after the main screening.

Tickets will go on sale on 5th August to BFI members and on 7th August to non-members.

Pre-order Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 13 now on Amazon (affiliate link).

Masters of the Universe x Transformers

Club Grayskull, which I ponied up an annual subscription to obtain He-Ro, a member-only grail action figure from my childhood, teased future Masters of the Universe (MotU) crossovers on the official forum (forums are still a thing in 2025?).

On Friday, Mattel and Hasbro announced Masters of the Universe x Transformers action figures at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). An included mini-comic will provide a backstory to the crossover, much like the original toy line!

As a fan of both toy lines since day one, I've pre-ordered Megatron Armour Skeletor and Bumblebee Armour Man-At-Arms from Mattel Creations, as I didn't want to miss out. The Fright Zone sold out in less than 30 minutes on Mattel Creations. I had the long-awaited playset in my cart, but to no avail. However, Hurricane Hordak and Despara won't be homeless for much longer as I've pre-ordered Hordak's stronghold from The Whole Shebang.

Fans have wondered where's Optimus Prime Armour He-Man and why isn't Man-At-Arms, Brawn? The designers revealed that Buzz-Off was an early concept for Bumblebee. This crossover looks fun, and there will be further action figures in the line. Arcee Armour Teela?

In related news. An Amazon exclusive Castle Grayskull (affiliate link) and Hot Wheels x Transformers Bone Shaker and Twin Mill (affiliate link) were also announced at SDCC.

What are your thoughts on Masters of the Universe x Transformers? Which action figures would you like to see? Are you a fan of toy line crossovers? Is it lazy nostalgia to fleece fans? Let me know in the comments below.

Step inside the Hasbro Pulse Booth

For Hasbro fans (myself included) who aren't at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), Hasbro Pulse has released a booth tour.

“We’re excited to return to San Diego Comic-Con with a compelling slate of product reveals and fan-driven programming across TRANSFORMERS, BEYBLADE, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and more,” said Tim Kilpin, President of Toys, Board Games, Licensing & Entertainment at Hasbro. “As we continue to focus on our ‘Aging Up’ strategy, we’re delivering premium collectibles and immersive experiences designed to resonate with our fans. From highly anticipated convention exclusives at the Hasbro Pulse Toy Store to engaging brand panels, partner collaborations and experiences throughout the city, we’re inviting fans to celebrate the passion and storytelling that define our iconic franchises.”



"Couldn’t make it to San Diego Comic-Con? Or maybe you’re here and haven’t stopped by yet? Either way – step inside the Hasbro Pulse Booth at #SDCC2025 with Emily as your guide!

From our Fanstream Studio to the latest products from Transformers, G.I. Joe Classified Series, Marvel Legends, STAR WARS, and more, this tour gives fans at home a front-row look at the full Hasbro Pulse experience.

Explore our product displays, check out the exclusive Hasbro Pulse Store, and get a closer look at the sprawling artwork by Tom Whalen that wraps around the booth.

📲 If you’re following along from home, tell us which brand or reveal you’re most excited about this weekend – and stay tuned to Hasbro Pulse for more updates from SDCC 2025!"

Which brand panels are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below.

Alien: Earth first look

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is currently underway. Go behind the scenes on the set of FX’s Alien: Earth and see what’s in store for humanity when technology and biology collide — with deadly consequences.



Read the official synopsis:

“When the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash-lands on Earth, “Wendy” (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat in FX’s “Alien: Earth.”

In the year 2120, the Earth is governed by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold. In this Corporate Era, cyborgs (humans with both biological and artificial parts) and synthetics (humanoid robots with artificial intelligence) exist alongside humans. But the game is changed when the wunderkind Founder and CEO of Prodigy Corporation unlocks a new technological advancement: hybrids (humanoid robots infused with human consciousness). The first hybrid prototype named “Wendy” marks a new dawn in the race for immortality. After Weyland-Yutani’s spaceship collides into Prodigy City, “Wendy” and the other hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined.”

The cast for Alien: Earth includes Sydney Chandler (Don't Worry Darling), Alex Lawther (Andor), Samuel Blenkin (The Sandman), Kit Young (Shadow and Bone), Essie Davis (Assassin's Creed), Adarsh Gourav (The White Tiger) and Timothy Olyphant (The Mandalorian).

The tech bros are the monsters in Noah Hawley's (Fargo) upcoming series.

Alien: Earth premieres only on Hulu and Disney+ on 13th August.

Are you looking forward to Alien: Earth? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro reveals Star Wars Comic-Con exclusive

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding the Star Wars: The Black Series San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) exclusive 2-pack featuring Anakin Skywalker & Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES ANAKIN SKYWALKER & OBI-WAN KENOBI

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $109.99 | *Availability details below)

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES includes 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the STAR WARS Galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, series, and more. This STAR WARS Hasbro action figure 2-pack is detailed to look like Anakin Skywalker & Obi-Wan Kenobi from STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH. In addition to their signature Lightsabers™, the Sith Lord and the Jedi Master come with swinging and clash effects, a two-part stand, interchangeable Force hands, and more. Designed to look like the planet Mustafar, the platform can be displayed in multiple configurations and includes an additional lava piece for posing. With exquisite features and decoration, THE BLACK SERIES embodies the quality and realism that STAR WARS devotees love (additional products each sold separately, subject to availability).

*The STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES ANAKIN SKYWALKER & OBI-WAN KENOBI will be available for purchase exclusively at the Hasbro booth (#3213) during 2025 San Diego Comic-Con. Additional purchasing details to be announced on the official San Diego Comic-Con website. Following San Diego Comic-Con, limited quantities will be available to order on Hasbro Pulse.

Will you be adding Star Wars: The Black Series Anakin Skywalker & Obi-Wan Kenobi SDCC exclusive to your collection when available for pre-order on Hasbro Pulse? Let me know in the comments below.

Predator: Badlands hunts apex Alien

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is later this week, and 20th Century Studios has dropped an official trailer for Predator: Badlands.



Read the official synopsis:

"Predator: Badlands, which stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator (Schuster-Koloamatangi), outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary."

The film is directed by Dan Trachtenberg and produced by John Davis, Dan Trachtenberg, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, and Brent O’Connor.

Alien and Predator fans (myself included) are eating good thanks to Disney.

Will the upcoming sequel to Prey connect to Alien: Romulus and Alien: Earth to kickstart a new Alien vs. Predator (AVP) franchise with bite? There's knowing nods to both franchises and Star Wars, too! It's a refreshing premise to see the titular predator as a protagonist with a Weyland-Yutani synthetic as a companion. This is the movie I wanted to see as a college student reading Dark Horse Comics in the early nineties.

Predator: Badlands opens exclusively in cinemas on 7th November in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, Cinemark XD, 4DX, ScreenX, and premium screens everywhere.

Have you watched the official trailer for Predator: Badlands? Let me know in the comments below.

Alien: Earth's frightening flora and fauna

Alien: Earth is less than a month away, and the second official trailer teases Noah Hawley's (Fargo) spin-off series is leaning heavily into classic sci-fi movies from The Thing from Another World to Invasion of the Body Snatchers. It! The Terror from Beyond Space was an inspiration for the original Alien.



Read the official synopsis:

“When the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash-lands on Earth, “Wendy” (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat in FX’s “Alien: Earth.”

In the year 2120, the Earth is governed by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold. In this Corporate Era, cyborgs (humans with both biological and artificial parts) and synthetics (humanoid robots with artificial intelligence) exist alongside humans. But the game is changed when the wunderkind Founder and CEO of Prodigy Corporation unlocks a new technological advancement: hybrids (humanoid robots infused with human consciousness). The first hybrid prototype named “Wendy” marks a new dawn in the race for immortality. After Weyland-Yutani’s spaceship collides into Prodigy City, “Wendy” and the other hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined.”

The cast for Alien: Earth includes Sydney Chandler (Don't Worry Darling), Alex Lawther (Andor), Samuel Blenkin (The Sandman), Kit Young (Shadow and Bone), Essie Davis (Assassin's Creed), Adarsh Gourav (The White Tiger) and Timothy Olyphant (The Mandalorian).

The Alien vs. Predator (AVP) movies are also set on Earth. However, Hawley's upcoming series is much more compelling as it deals with contemporary issues of climate change, artificial intelligence (AI) and tech titans vying for control over our lives.

Alien: Earth premieres only on Hulu and Disney+ on 13th August.

Are you looking forward to Alien: Earth? Let me know in the comments below.

Fantastic Four livestream on Disney+

Disney+ will livestream the blue-carpet event for Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” offering subscribers an exclusive front-row seat to a world premiere for the first time ever. The star-studded event will unfold at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, celebrating the upcoming theatrical debut of Marvel’s First Family. The livestream kicks off on Tuesday, July 22 at 3am BST, with a full replay available to stream following the event.

This unprecedented live experience marks a new chapter for Disney+, bringing fans closer than ever to the excitement, glamour, and behind-the-scenes action of a red-carpet film premiere. From celebrity arrivals to cast interviews and special surprises, the livestream provides Disney+ subscribers around the world exclusive access, including a special sneak peek at the film before it opens in cinemas.

The film’s cast and filmmakers will be in attendance, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, director Matt Shakman, producer Kevin Feige, executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis, and Tim Lewis, and composer Michael Giacchino, as well as a host of other talent and filmmakers.

Read the official synopsis:

"Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal."

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in cinemas on 25th July.

Will you be watching the livestream on Disney+? Are you looking forward to The Fantastic Four: First Steps? Let me know in the comments below.

Jaws at 50

50 years ago, Jaws, the granddaddy of summer blockbusters, was unleashed in cinemas, becoming a pop culture sensation.

Director Steven Spielberg's shark story, adapted from Peter Benchley’s bestselling book, is regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made. Such was the phenomenal success of Jaws that shark species were hunted to near extinction due to a moral panic. Thankfully, lessons were learned, myths dispelled, and shark conservation has prevailed on Shark Awareness Day.

While I was too young to see Jaws during its original theatrical run, it caught my childhood imagination courtesy of Ideal's The Game of Jaws and John Williams' Oscar-winning soundtrack as I flicked through the pages of a neighbour friend’s shark book before asking them countless questions about the movie - their patience was limitless.

When Jaws was first shown on television in 1981, I wasn't disappointed (traumatised, more like).

Alien and Jaws have the distinction of being the stuff of childhood nightmare fuel in the early eighties. For the next two hours, I didn't move from the edge of my seat. For context, not for the first time, I had my legs in plaster casts as part of rehabilitation following a life-changing injury.

My nerves were as frayed as the carpet beneath my feet, but I couldn't avert my eyes from the horror unfolding before me and that fella from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Richard Dreyfuss (Matt Hooper). The real villain of Jaws isn’t the great white shark; it’s capitalism as the greedy mayor, played by Murray Hamilton, tries to keep the Amity Island beaches open for the 4th of July.

In the wake of seeing Jaws on ITV, I created an effigy of the shark's head using papier-mâché for a middle school art project. It hung in my parents' garage for decades.

In an era of second screens and artificial intelligence (AI), Jaws remains a masterclass in cinematic storytelling filled with compelling characters we care about. Bruce, the mechanical shark, may have infamously broken down on set, forcing Spielberg to shoot around the titular beast. Yet, Jaws broke box office records, spawned sequels and countless imitators, but never bettered. And generations of movie fans (myself included) can't visit the seaside without hearing Williams' iconic main theme.

What are your memories of watching Jaws? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars creator coming to Comic-Con

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, is heading to San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Lucas' space opera franchise has a storied history with Comic-Con dating back to 1976.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome George Lucas to Comic-Con for the very first time,” said David Glanzer, chief communications and strategy officer of Comic-Con. “Nearly five decades ago, Star Wars made one of its earliest public appearances at our convention, along with a booth featuring Howard Chaykin’s now legendary Star Wars poster as a promotional item.

Lucas will be joined by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) and artist and Star Wars prequels production designer Doug Chiang for a panel that will explore the power of illustrated story and offer a sneak peek at the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

“Now, to have Mr. Lucas return, this time to debut the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, is a true full-circle moment. His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community, and the museum’s mission to celebrate narrative art in all its forms perfectly reflects what Comic-Con has championed from the very beginning.”

SDCC is set to run from 24th July through 27th July. I wish I were attending this year.

Are you looking forward to SDCC? Let me know in the comments below.

Disney and ITV partner in streaming wars

The Walt Disney Company and ITV have announced a strategic deal for Disney+ and ITVX.

The partnership will be billed as a “Taste of ITVX” and a “Taste of Disney+” on their respective streaming services in the UK.

Starting 16th July, a curated, and regularly refreshed selection of hit shows and movies from Disney+ and ITVX will be available to viewers on both platforms. The agreement showcases ITV and Disney’s world-class content to each other's complementary audiences, extending reach and allowing more viewers to discover Disney+ and ITVX.

Joe Earley, President, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment commented: “We are proud of this innovative collaboration with ITV, which will allow us to bring Disney+ customers some of the UK’s favorite and buzzworthy shows and encourage ITVX viewers to discover some of Disney+’s award-winning series and blockbuster films.”

It will allow Disney+ viewers to watch the likes of ITV‘s Love Island, Mr Bates vs The Post Office or Spy Among Friends, and vice versa: ITV audiences can watch the first season of FX’s The Bear or Lucasfilm’s Andor alongside other hit Disney movies.

Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, ITV said: “Disney are fantastic partners with a brilliant breadth of content. This mutually beneficial alliance allows us to show our complementary audiences a specially selected collection of titles, regularly updating, that gives a flavour of the range in our respective offerings. For us, this deal means even more great content for viewers on ITVX, and even more opportunity for viewers to find and enjoy our distinctive titles and services.”

Lucasfilm and ITV have a storied history. Star Wars premiered on ITV in 1982, and I remember recording it off-air on my parents' Panasonic VCR. I will follow this development with great interest.

What are your thoughts on the Disney and ITV deal? Is it a good idea? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Icons Transformers Soundwave

Today, the LEGO Group, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, reveals the LEGO Icons TRANSFORMERS Soundwave model set (10358), an immersive building experience crafted for adult fans. This collectable set captures the essence of the iconic Decepticon Soundwave and his loyal cassette companions in a detailed and dynamic LEGO brick interpretation.

The LEGO Icons Soundwave set invites builders to build a highly detailed version of the legendary TRANSFORMERS character. With 1,505 pieces, the set features posable joints, a working cassette bay, and seamless conversion between robot and cassette player modes - without disassembly. Pressing Soundwave’s play button activates specially recorded voice and sound effects, offering an interactive, first-ever twist with sound.

Accompanying Soundwave are two buildable cassette companions: Ravage and Laserbeak, that convert into miniature cassette tapes, fitting snugly into Soundwave’s chest compartment. Accessories including a rocket pod, laser blaster, and darts, add to the set’s action-packed authenticity. A display plaque showcasing Soundwave’s power statistics makes this a perfect centrepiece for home or office display. This new set adds a villainous Decepticon to the existing the LEGO Icons TRANSFORMERS lineup, which also includes the LEGO Icons Optimus Prime set and the LEGO Icons Bumblebee set.

LEGO Icons Transformers Soundwave is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding LEGO Icons Transformers Soundwave to your collection? Which LEGO Icons Transformers sets would you like to see in the future? Let me know in the comments below.

Tron in Dolby Vision

Christmas 1982, I unwrapped a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K and saw Disney's Tron.

The story of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a gifted computer programmer who gets transported onto the Game Grid by the Master Control Program (MCP), captured my 10-year-old imagination.

From then on, I was hooked on computers and their creative possibilities. Over the decades, I've owned a ZX Spectrum, ZX Spectrum+, Commodore 64 and Apple Macintosh computers.

On 3rd July, Disney showcased a special screening of Tron in Dolby Vision as part of the series Bathed in Light: Saturated Colors in Cinema. The cult sci-fi movie, written and directed by Steven Lisberger from a story by Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird, has been fully restored ahead of the release of Tron: Ares in cinemas later this year.

The Tron franchise is synonymous with innovative visual effects and soundtrack soundscapes, featuring award-winning composers such as Wendy Carlos, Daft Punk, and now Nine Inch Nails (NIИ).

Hopefully, fans (myself included) of the original Tron will be able to watch the dazzlingly restored movie on Disney+.

What are your memories of watching Tron? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Star Wars UCS AT-ST announced

LEGO has announced exciting Star Wars sets available on 1st August. The sets include the UCS AT-ST Walker.

Inspire memories of the epic battles of Endor with the LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series AT-ST Walker building set for adults (75417).

A great Star Wars gift for men and women, this build-and-display model captures many authentic features of the All Terrain Scout Transport vehicle, from its distinctive legs to the top hatch, which opens to reveal the highly detailed 2-person cockpit. Customise your display by rotating the ‘head’ of the AT-ST, opening and closing the shutters over the viewports and adjusting the laser cannons. This collectable brick-built Star Wars vehicle comes with an information plaque and a unique LEGO Star Wars minifigure of an AT-ST Driver (with the Imperial crest printed on its arms) to complete a dramatic centrepiece.

This set offers an immersive, rewarding and creative challenge, and the large-scale AT-ST Walker model kit makes a fine addition to any fan’s LEGO Star Wars UCS collection.

Discover LEGO Star Wars on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding the LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series AT-ST Walker building set to your collection this August? What other LEGO Star Wars UCS sets would you like to see in the future? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 13

It's Throwback Thursday and BBC Studios has today announced that the next release in the hugely popular Doctor Who: The Collection range will be...

Season 13!

Read the official synopsis:

"In his second season, Tom Baker’s Doctor really hits his stride, with faithful companion Sarah-Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) by his side. Together they cross time and space to do battle with the Zygons, the biomechanoid Loch Ness monster, the fearsome Sutekh and his robot mummies, vengeful renegade Time Lord Morbius, an anti-matter creature on a distant planet, the scheming Kraals and the terrifying Krynoids."

Dad and I still discuss Baker's seminal second season as the titular Time Lord, which forever cemented my fandom. From shapeshifting Zygons to the bubbling brain of Morbius, Doctor Who was a Saturday teatime staple that would find infamy with Mary Whitehouse. During lockdown, my tweet concerning this fan-favourite season was published in the pages of the official Doctor Who Magazine (DWM).

All episodes have been newly remastered from the best available sources – these classic adventures have never looked or sounded so good on home media. Including never-before-released footage from Mathshow, Disney Time and more.

Pre-order Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 13 now on Amazon (affiliate link).

What are your memories of watching season 13? Let me know in the comments below.

Return to Oz

Before Wicked, there was Return to Oz.

Disney's dark fantasy fairytale sequel to The Wizard of Oz, directed by Walter Murch with an uncredited assist from George Lucas (Star Wars) and Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), was released 40 years ago and formed part of a childhood cinematic collective of stylistically similar movies including The Neverending Story, The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth (the latter two directed by Muppet creator Jim Henson).

Although Return to Oz, based on L. Frank Baum’s early novels, Ozma of Oz and The Marvelous Land of Oz, passed me by at the cinema for reasons unknown. I vividly remember the Wheelers appearing on Blue Peter as instant nightmare fuel for Dorothy (Fairuza Baulk) and friends to evade.

Murch's movie forgoes the Technicolor trappings of the beloved MGM musical starring Judy Garland in favour of muted tones in a twisted tale of psychiatric wards, disembodied heads, talking clockwork toys and an exploration of childhood trauma, which many (myself included) can relate to.

David Shire's sumptuous soundtrack deserves special mention for its haunting orchestrations, which transcend the movie's shortcomings. My friend, Professor Michael Williams, lent me his copy of Bay Cities' CD release when we were in college together. Subsequently, the fine folks at Intrada released a remastered album years after the CD went out of print, which is available to stream - I'm listening to it as I write - on Apple Music.

A box office bomb, Return to Oz embodies a darker and riskier creative chapter of family fare from the House of Mouse, which also includes The Black Hole and The Black Cauldron. It became a cult classic on home media and the subject of critical analysis with fellow media students at college.

Return to Oz is streaming on Disney+.

What are your memories of watching Return to Oz? Let me know in the comments below.