Review It Yourself

One of the most divisive vampire films finally gets a fair defence.

Is Queen of the Damned (2002) really one of the most unfairly criticised vampire films of the 2000s? In this special Defend It Yourself episode of Review It Yourself, host Sean is joined by co-host Sarah to make the case for the much-maligned adaptation of Anne Rice's vampire universe.

Rather than piling on the criticism, Sean and Sarah revisit Queen of the Damned with fresh eyes, discussing why its ambition, gothic style, unforgettable soundtrack and early-2000s aesthetic have earned it a loyal cult following. They explore how the film compares with other vampire favourites including Blade, The Crow and Interview with the Vampire, while examining why a film doesn't have to be perfect to be entertaining.

Expect a lively discussion covering the film's strengths, its flaws, Anne Rice's influence, vampire mythology, the performances, the rock-and-roll take on Lestat, and why taking creative risks sometimes makes for a far more memorable movie than playing it safe.

Whether you're a lifelong fan, a curious horror lover, or someone who dismissed Queen of the Damned years ago, this episode might just convince you to give it another chance.

In this episode:
Why Queen of the Damned deserves a second look
Sean and Sarah defend one of their favourite guilty pleasures
Comparing Queen of the Damned with Blade, The Crow and Interview with the Vampire
Anne Rice's vampire legacy and gothic storytelling
The film's iconic soundtrack and early-2000s style
Why ambitious films can be more enjoyable than "safe" ones
Cult movies, vampire cinema and horror nostalgia

If you enjoy honest film discussions without unnecessary waffle, subscribe to Review It Yourself, leave a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share the episode with fellow film fans. Every review helps more listeners discover the show.

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Recommend the podcast to friends who love films, horror and cult cinema.
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Before the beast awakens, discover why this divisive horror remake deserves discussion.

Sean is joined by returning co-host Sarah for an in-depth review of The Wolfman Extended Cut (2010), starring Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving. While the film was heavily criticised on release and struggled at the box office, does the extended cut reveal an underrated Gothic horror, or is it still a missed opportunity?

The conversation explores the film's haunting Victorian atmosphere, practical effects, brutal werewolf action, performances, Gothic influences, emotional storytelling, and how it compares with both the classic Universal monster movies and other werewolf favourites such as An American Werewolf in London. Sean and Sarah don't entirely agree this time, leading to one of the podcast's most interesting debates as they examine what works, what doesn't, and whether this overlooked remake deserves another chance.
If you're a fan of The Wolfman (2010), werewolf films, Universal Monsters, Gothic horror, horror remakes, Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, or in-depth film review podcasts, this episode is for you.

In this episode:
The Wolfman Extended Cut (2010) review
Differences between the theatrical and extended versions
Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins' performances
Gothic horror atmosphere and production design
Practical effects, CGI and werewolf transformations
Themes of family trauma, fate and the monster within
How it compares with classic Universal horror and modern werewolf films
Sean and Sarah's final verdicts

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Share this episode with a fellow film fan—it's one of the best ways to help the podcast grow.

Review It Yourself – Film Reviews Without the Faff. Honest, entertaining and spoiler-filled discussions covering classic films, cult favourites, blockbusters and hidden gems.
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Honour, sacrifice, and unforgettable battles—does The Last Samurai deserve modern masterpiece status?

Sean is joined by returning co-host Sarah to take a deep dive into The Last Samurai (2003), the sweeping historical epic directed by Edward Zwick and starring Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, and Timothy Spall. More than two decades after its release, does this ambitious blend of action, history, philosophy, and emotional storytelling still stand among the greatest historical dramas ever made?

From Hans Zimmer's soaring score and breath-taking cinematography to unforgettable performances and emotionally devastating moments, Sean and Sarah explore why The Last Samurai continues to inspire passionate debate. They discuss Tom Cruise's much-criticised casting, the film's portrayal of the samurai tradition, the balance between historical fact and Hollywood storytelling, and why Ken Watanabe's Oscar-nominated performance remains one of the film's greatest strengths.

Expect thoughtful analysis, plenty of laughs, spoiler-filled discussion, and a passionate defence of a film that many believe deserves far more recognition than it receives.

In this episode:

Is The Last Samurai one of Tom Cruise's finest performances?
Why Ken Watanabe steals nearly every scene.
The film's themes of honour, identity, redemption, and cultural change.
Hans Zimmer's unforgettable musical score.
Historical accuracy versus cinematic storytelling.
Favourite scenes, emotional moments, and standout performances.
Final ratings and whether this modern epic still holds up today.

If you enjoy in-depth movie reviews, film analysis, classic cinema discussions, and conversations about the biggest films in movie history, subscribe to Review It Yourself – Film Reviews Without the Faff for new episodes.

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Email: reviewityourselfpodcast@gmail.com

Support the podcast
If you enjoy the show, the best way to support Review It Yourself is to:

Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app.
Leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Recommend a film you'd like Sean and the team to review in a future episode by getting in touch on social media or via email.
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We wanted to love Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein—here's why we didn't.

Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein (2025) has been one of the most anticipated horror films in years—but did it live up to the hype? Join Sean and Sarah as they dive deep into this bold adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, exploring its stunning visuals, performances, themes, and where they believe the film ultimately falls short.

Despite impressive production values, practical effects, and an emotionally compelling performance from the Creature, this adaptation left us wanting more. We discuss whether the film captures the heart of Shelley's novel, if Oscar Isaac's Victor Frankenstein works, how Jacob Elordi fares as the Creature, and why Guillermo Del Toro's storytelling choices may divide audiences.

Expect an honest, spoiler-filled conversation covering the film's pacing, adaptation choices, character motivations, body horror, gothic atmosphere, and whether this version deserves its growing reputation among horror fans.

In this episode:
Our spoiler review of Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein (2025)
How faithfully it adapts Mary Shelley's classic novel
Oscar Isaac's portrayal of Victor Frankenstein
Jacob Elordi's performance as the Creature
The film's visuals, practical effects and gothic horror aesthetic
Why we think the Creature's story is the strongest part of the film
The pacing, runtime and storytelling choices
Whether this adaptation improves upon classic Frankenstein films
Our final verdict and rating

Whether you're a lifelong fan of Frankenstein, a lover of gothic horror, or simply curious about Guillermo Del Toro's latest film, this episode offers an in-depth discussion packed with analysis, criticism, and appreciation for one of horror's most enduring stories.

If you enjoy the episode, please follow, subscribe, and leave a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. It really helps more people discover Review It Yourself and supports the podcast.

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Support the Podcast
The best way to support Review It Yourself is to:

Follow the podcast on your favourite podcast app.
Leave a rating and written review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Share this episode with fellow film and horror fans.
Join the conversation on social media and let us know your thoughts on Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein (2025).
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From classic werewolves to Dancing Wolfeman—Rick London reveals all in this interview.

What happens when classic werewolf mythology meets dancing, comedy, and heartfelt storytelling? In this episode of Review It Yourself, Sean is joined by author Rick London (Ricardo Cotto) to discuss his entertaining novel The Dancing Wolfeman: Volume One, the enduring appeal of werewolf fiction, and why monster stories continue to capture readers' imaginations.

From classic Universal monsters to modern werewolf films, Rick shares the inspiration behind his unique Wolfeman character, his writing journey, and the importance of creating stories that entertain while remaining accessible to readers of all ages. The conversation also explores favourite werewolf movies, practical effects in horror cinema, publishing, book marketing, and why reviews matter so much for independent authors.

Whether you're a fan of werewolf books, horror films, monster fiction, or simply enjoy hearing authors discuss their creative process, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and plenty of laughs.

In this episode:
The inspiration behind The Dancing Wolfeman
Rick London's lifelong love of storytelling
Why werewolves remain one of horror's most enduring monsters
Favourite werewolf movies and classic monster cinema
Writing memorable characters and accessible fiction
Independent publishing and reaching new readers
Why reader reviews make such a huge difference for authors
Sean's recommendations for essential werewolf films—including Dog Soldiers and An American Werewolf in London.

About Rick London
Rick London (Ricardo Cotto) is the author of The Dancing Wolfeman series, blending humour, adventure and classic monster storytelling into an original family-friendly horror experience.

Find Rick London online:
Website: https://dancingwolfeman.com/
Book: The Dancing Wolfeman: Volume One (available through Amazon and major online book retailers)

Follow Review It Yourself
If you enjoy honest reviews, interviews with authors and filmmakers, horror, cult cinema, books and pop culture discussions, make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.
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Email: reviewityourselfpodcast@gmail.com

Support the Podcast
If you enjoyed this episode, here are the ways to support Review It Yourself:
Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform.
Leave a 5-star rating and written review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Share this episode with fellow horror fans, book lovers and werewolf enthusiasts.
Recommend the podcast on social media to help more listeners discover independent creators.

Every rating, review and share genuinely helps the podcast reach a wider audience.
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