Share

cover art for #6. The Dark Knight (2008) | Christopher Nolan Ranked

Learning British: A Film and TV Podcast

#6. The Dark Knight (2008) | Christopher Nolan Ranked

Sam and Natalia watch the most famous and acclaimed Christopher Nolan film, THE DARK KNIGHT.


THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) is the superhero-action sequel to BATMAN BEGINS. The film follows Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman), and Harvey 'Two-Face' Dent (Aaron Eckhart) as they attempt to dismantle organised crime in Gotham, until their plans are derailed by Batman's most notorious villain, the Joker (Heath Ledger).


You know what THE DARK KNIGHT is. We know what THE DARK KNIGHT is. Is it overrated? Or merely 'rated'?


Topics of conversation include whether THE DARK KNIGHT is overrated, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, Jared Leto being a better Joker than Heath Ledger, not liking THE DARK KNIGHT to be cool, popcorn flicks, meaty plots, subtitling the Batman voice, "Thiscityjustproveditselfreadytobelieveingood", Maggie Gyllenhaal versus Katie Holmes, "Like a leper!", and 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU.


Don’t forget to ⁠follow and find us on Instagram⁠ (@learningbritishfilmtv) and follow us on Reddit (r/learningbritish). 


If you would like us to read your comments on the podcast, ⁠leave us a five-star rating on APPLE PODCASTS with your comments included as part of the review⁠


‘Learning British: A Film and TV Podcast’ (or just ‘Learning British’) is a weekly show hosted by Sam Brown, a born-and-bred Brit, and Natalia Brammen, a Polish immigrant living in the UK. 


In each episode, Sam introduces Natalia to a new British film or TV show. From badly aged sitcoms to acclaimed dramas, they explore what these films and TV shows reveal about British culture, history, and identity. 


You can keep up with the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. 


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningbritishfilmtv/


YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkyWasTheRobot 


Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/learningbritish

More episodes

View all episodes

  • The Odyssey | Christopher Nolan Ranked

    24:13|
    Sam and Natalia watch and review Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY.THE ODYSSEY (2026) is a film adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek poem, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, the King of Ithaca. Sam and Natalia jump ahead in their Christopher Nolan retrospective series to find out if his new film is worth the hype. Topics of conversation include England in the FIFA World Cup, Odyseusz, iPhone faces, the singular version of Cyclopes, Cyclopiea, that stupid Helen of Troy controversy, translation, OPPENHEIMER, and what Nolan left out of THE ODYSSEY. Don’t forget to ⁠follow and find us on Instagram⁠ (@learningbritishfilmtv) and follow us on Reddit (r/learningbritish). If you would like us to read your comments on the podcast, ⁠leave us a five-star rating on APPLE PODCASTS with your comments included as part of the review⁠.  ‘Learning British: A Film and TV Podcast’ (or just ‘Learning British’) is a weekly show hosted by Sam Brown, a born-and-bred Brit, and Natalia Brammen, a Polish immigrant living in the UK.  In each episode, Sam introduces Natalia to a new British film or TV show. From badly aged sitcoms to acclaimed dramas, they explore what these films and TV shows reveal about British culture, history, and identity.  You can keep up with the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningbritishfilmtv/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkyWasTheRobot  Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/learningbritish
  • #7. Inception (2010) | Christopher Nolan Ranked

    26:51|
    Sam and Natalia spend the UK premiere of THE ODYSSEY rewatching Christopher Nolan's seventh film, INCEPTION.INCEPTION (2010) is a science-fiction action film starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb, a thief who steals information by infiltrating the dreams of his targets. The film also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Elliot Page, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy, and Ken Watanabe.Is INCEPTION as good as people remember? Sam and Natalia find out. Topics of conversation include dead wives, VENOM, Obamna, movie-movies, Barbenheimer, stupid dream rules, the humanity of THE DARK KNIGHT, the name of the main character from AVATAR, Penrose stairs, the mythological Ariadne, inconsistent logic, INCEPTION memes, Batman returns, IMAX, and Nolan's worst films. Don’t forget to ⁠follow and find us on Instagram⁠ (@learningbritishfilmtv) and follow us on Reddit (r/learningbritish). If you would like us to read your comments on the podcast, ⁠leave us a five-star rating on APPLE PODCASTS with your comments included as part of the review⁠.  ‘Learning British: A Film and TV Podcast’ (or just ‘Learning British’) is a weekly show hosted by Sam Brown, a born-and-bred Brit, and Natalia Brammen, a Polish immigrant living in the UK.  In each episode, Sam introduces Natalia to a new British film or TV show. From badly aged sitcoms to acclaimed dramas, they explore what these films and TV shows reveal about British culture, history, and identity.  You can keep up with the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningbritishfilmtv/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkyWasTheRobot  Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/learningbritish
  • The Inbetweeners Movie(s) | Learning British

    28:24|
    Sam and Natalia finish THE INBETWEENERS with the show's two film adaptations, THE INBETWEENERS MOVIE and THE INBETWEENERS 2.THE INBETWEENERS MOVIE (2011) and THE INBETWEENERS 2 (2014) are coming-of-age teen comedy films based on the E4 sitcom, THE INBETWEENERS. Written by series creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, the INBETWEENERS movies act as the de facto finale of the classic British sitcom. Will Sam and Natalia let loose in Malia and Australia, or will they be flying back home early? Topics of conversation include pre-Trump comedy, Theo James, stupid teenagers, Sixth Form, showing the disgusting bits, Donovan the bully, THE WORLD'S END, Flanderization, the exam scene, rich Surrey kids, not enjoying university, AT HOME WITH THE BUCKLEYS, and briefcase banter.Don’t forget to ⁠follow and find us on Instagram⁠ (@learningbritishfilmtv) and follow us on Reddit (r/learningbritish). If you would like us to read your comments on the podcast, ⁠leave us a five-star rating on APPLE PODCASTS with your comments included as part of the review⁠. ‘Learning British: A Film and TV Podcast’ (or just ‘Learning British’) is a weekly show hosted by Sam Brown, a born-and-bred Brit, and Natalia Brammen, a Polish immigrant living in the UK. In each episode, Sam introduces Natalia to a new British film or TV show. From badly aged sitcoms to acclaimed dramas, they explore what these films and TV shows reveal about British culture, history, and identity. You can keep up with the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningbritishfilmtv/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkyWasTheRobot Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/learningbritish
  • The Inbetweeners | Learning British

    30:57|
    Sam and Natalia take a reprieve from their Nolan series to watch and review the British cult-comedy classic, THE INBETWEENERS. THE INBETWEENERS is a British coming-of-age sitcom that aired on E4 from 2008 to 2010. The series follows the cringe-inducing misadventures of four awkward Sixth Formers: Will McKenzie (Simon Bird), Simon Cooper (Joe Thomas), Jay Cartwright (James Buckley), and Neil Sutherland (Blake Harrison). Generally considered one of Britain's best sitcoms, Sam and Natalia rewatch all three seasons to see if the show has aged like wine or aged like milk.Topics of conversation include the American INBETWEENERS remakes, Russell Brand's Bible, popular kids, Ricky Gervais versus woke, LITTLE BRITAIN and blackface, Matt Lucas, Gen Z hating Facebook, "Oooo, friends!", MISFITS, sitcoms you can't make anymore, that "I'm in me mums car, broom broom" bloke, Bebo and Myspace, classism, Benji the dog, Jay's dad, Airbenders, THE INBETWEENERS movies, Piers Morgan, "Feisty one, you are!", stressful exams, and the portrayal of women in THE INBETWEENERS.Don’t forget to ⁠follow and find us on Instagram⁠ (@learningbritishfilmtv) and follow us on Reddit (r/learningbritish). If you would like us to read your comments on the podcast, ⁠leave us a five-star rating on APPLE PODCASTS with your comments included as part of the review⁠. ‘Learning British: A Film and TV Podcast’ (or just ‘Learning British’) is a weekly show hosted by Sam Brown, a born-and-bred Brit, and Natalia Brammen, a Polish immigrant living in the UK. In each episode, Sam introduces Natalia to a new British film or TV show. From badly aged sitcoms to acclaimed dramas, they explore what these films and TV shows reveal about British culture, history, and identity. You can keep up with the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningbritishfilmtv/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkyWasTheRobot Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/learningbritish
  • Tip Toe w/ Alan Cumming and David Morrissey | Learning British

    34:10|
    Sam and Natalia sit down and watch Russell T Davies' new contemporary LGBTQ+ drama, TIP TOE.TIP TOE (2026) is a limited television series released on Channel 4. It follows Leo Struthers (Alan Cumming), a bar owner on Canal Street in Manchester's gay village, who becomes embroiled in a feud with his next-door neighbour, Clive Goss (David Morrissey). The show also stars Elizabeth Berrington as Stephanie Dale, Iz Hesketh as Zee, and Paul Rhys as Melba.Sam and Natalia review all five episodes of TIP TOE.Topics of conversation include DADDY ISSUES, Alan Cumming's sexuality, toxic masculinity, DOCTOR WHO, bi-erasure, John Waters and Werner Herzog, IT'S A SIN, Richard Dawkins and the definition of binary, CUCUMBER, jumping forward in time, soap opera two-hander episodes, NOLLY, writers vs. directors, Ernest Hemingway, queer joy, ROMEO AND JULIET, social media, final episode twists, "We live in a society", Polish characters, stupid bigots, perversion of the English language, trans colours, Olly Alexander breaking the fourth wall, and the Saint George's Cross.Don’t forget to ⁠follow and find us on Instagram⁠ (@learningbritishfilmtv) and follow us on Reddit (r/learningbritish). If you would like us to read your comments on the podcast, ⁠leave us a five-star rating on APPLE PODCASTS with your comments included as part of the review⁠. ‘Learning British: A Film and TV Podcast’ (or just ‘Learning British’) is a weekly show hosted by Sam Brown, a born-and-bred Brit, and Natalia Brammen, a Polish immigrant living in the UK. In each episode, Sam introduces Natalia to a new British film or TV show. From badly aged sitcoms to acclaimed dramas, they explore what these films and TV shows reveal about British culture, history, and identity. You can keep up with the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningbritishfilmtv/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkyWasTheRobot Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/learningbritish
  • #5. The Prestige (2006) | Christopher Nolan Ranked

    29:29|
    Sam and Natalia continue their Christopher Nolan series by watching and reviewing his fifth film, THE PRESTIGE. THE PRESTIGE (2006) is a mystery-thriller following two rival magicians, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), in turn-of-the-century London. The film also stars Michael Caine as John Cutter, Scarlett Johansson as Olivia Wenscombe, Rebecca Hall as Sarah Borden, and David Bowie as Nikola Tesla.One of Sam's favourite Nolan films, will Natalia feel the magic? Topics of conversation include PRISONERS, looking up film spoilers on your phone before you've seen the movie, NOW YOU SEE ME, predicting the plot twist, DOCTOR WHO, clones, massive clues, fishbowls, Christian Nolan, two dead wives in a Nolan film, empty vessels, Katie Holmes, twins and doubles, Salieri and Mozart, homoerotic tension between Jackman and Bale, THE DARK KNIGHT, and THE INBETWEENERS (yes, really).Don’t forget to ⁠follow and find us on Instagram⁠ (@learningbritishfilmtv) and follow us on Reddit (r/learningbritish). If you would like us to read your comments on the podcast, ⁠leave us a five-star rating on APPLE PODCASTS with your comments included as part of the review⁠. ‘Learning British: A Film and TV Podcast’ (or just ‘Learning British’) is a weekly show hosted by Sam Brown, a born-and-bred Brit, and Natalia Brammen, a Polish immigrant living in the UK. In each episode, Sam introduces Natalia to a new British film or TV show. From badly aged sitcoms to acclaimed dramas, they explore what these films and TV shows reveal about British culture, history, and identity. You can keep up with the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningbritishfilmtv/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkyWasTheRobot Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/learningbritish
  • #4. Batman Begins (2005) | Christopher Nolan Ranked

    32:31|
    Prepare for back-to-back BATMAN BEGINS as Sam and Natalia continue their Christopher Nolan retrospective. BATMAN BEGINS (2005) is a superhero-action film which tells the origin story of Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) becoming the titular icon. Following the death of his parents, Bruce Wayne fights to stop Ra's al Ghul (Liam Neeson) and the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) with the help of his butler, Alfred (Michael Caine), and his childhood friend, Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes).Made partly in response to Joel Schumacher's critically panned BATMAN & ROBIN, BATMAN BEGINS started Nolan's successful DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY. But does the first film in the franchise hold up? Topics of conversation include bad performances, the economics of being Batman, Joel Schumacher's BATMAN & ROBIN, the acclaim of THE DARK KNIGHT, awful dialogue, what DC Comics stands for, why women don't like Christopher Nolan, writing dissertations on Thanos, writing dissertations on DOCTOR WHO, insect-based superheroes, Tim Burton, The Joker, mute mothers, MARTHAAAAA, loving justice, films over two hours, Hugh Jackman, LES MIS, Tom Hooper in director's jail for CATS, and THE PRESTIGE. Don’t forget to ⁠follow and find us on Instagram⁠ (@learningbritishfilmtv) and follow us on Reddit (r/learningbritish). If you would like us to read your comments on the podcast, ⁠leave us a five-star rating on APPLE PODCASTS with your comments included as part of the review⁠.  ‘Learning British: A Film and TV Podcast’ (or just ‘Learning British’) is a weekly show hosted by Sam Brown, a born-and-bred Brit, and Natalia Brammen, a Polish immigrant living in the UK.  In each episode, Sam introduces Natalia to a new British film or TV show. From badly aged sitcoms to acclaimed dramas, they explore what these films and TV shows reveal about British culture, history, and identity.  You can keep up with the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningbritishfilmtv/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkyWasTheRobot  Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/learningbritish
  • Misfits | Learning British

    40:21|
    Sam and Natalia watch and review the E4 classic, MISFITS.MISFITS is a science fiction dramedy TV show which follows a group of young offenders sentenced to work at a community service centre. After the titular misfits -- Nathan (Robert Sheehan), Simon (Iwan Rheon), Kelly (Lauren Socha), Alisha (Antonia Thomas), and Curtis (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) -- acquire supernatural powers based on their personalities, they must come together to fight the odd forces surrounding them.Initially acclaimed during its first two seasons, MISFITS lost its cultural cachet following the widely publicised departure of Robert Sheehan. Is MISFITS as good as people remember? Or was Robert right to leave? Sam and Natalia find out.Topics of conversation include THE BOYS, American superheroes, why Robert Sheehan left MISFITS, Ramsay Bolton, DOCTOR WHO, nostalgia, This Group of Teenagers Don't Fit In, outdated language, shows you couldn't make today, Flanderization, Joseph Gilgun as Rudy, the male loneliness epidemic, Toby Whithouse's BEING HUMAN, character archs, UNBREAKABLE, the milk guy, Nathan's departure, greyscaling phones, Curtis becomes a feminist, Dustin Hoffman in TOOTSIE, revolving cast doors, and why season four and five are so bad.Don’t forget to ⁠follow and find us on Instagram⁠ (@learningbritishfilmtv) and follow us on Reddit (r/learningbritish). If you would like us to read your comments on the podcast, ⁠leave us a five-star rating on APPLE PODCASTS with your comments included as part of the review⁠. ‘Learning British: A Film and TV Podcast’ (or just ‘Learning British’) is a weekly show hosted by Sam Brown, a born-and-bred Brit, and Natalia Brammen, a Polish immigrant living in the UK. In each episode, Sam introduces Natalia to a new British film or TV show. From badly aged sitcoms to acclaimed dramas, they explore what these films and TV shows reveal about British culture, history, and identity. You can keep up with the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningbritishfilmtv/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkyWasTheRobotReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/learningbritish