Episode 129: Flights of Fancy [Birdman; The Theory of Everything; Enemy]
Episode 129: Flights of Fancy
It’s Episode 129 of In the Mood for Podcast, a British-based film podcast hosted by Calum Reed of Ultimate Addict and Pete Sheppard of In the Mood for Blog.
In this episode, we turn our attention to the awards race, as this week sees the release of two films vying for Oscars, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s meditation on the theatre, “Birdman,” and spirited Stephen Hawking drama “The Theory of Everything”. We also take the opportunity to discuss the Producers Guild Award nominations and the winners from the National Society of Film Critics’ annual round of voting, touching (lightly) upon a victory for Jean-Luc Godard, and speculating about the Oscar chances of Timothy Spall, Marion Cotillard, and Rene Russo among others. Elsewhere, Pete’s improvable opinion of Denis Villeneuve is tested when Jake Gyllenhaal takes on a double role in “Enemy” and last year’s Norwegian Foreign Language Oscar entry “Kon-Tiki” finally made British shores, while some disappointing controversy about the latest Nicholas Cage film, “Dying of the Light,” threatens to overshadow the review. Meanwhile, there’s news of upheaval for the Factor and Range, Cal’s latest reading material provides a window into the Best Picture Oscar race of 1967 and Rex Harrison’s bad behaviour, and Felicity Jones’ sixties attire may finally have won over her childhood cohort.
- Mark Schultz turns his back on “Foxcatcher”
- Producers Guild Award nominations are announced
- National Society of Film Critics winners
[2:40 – 14:45]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- The Theory of Everything
- Kon-Tiki
- Dying of the Light
- Enemy
[26:00 – 1:03:10]
Closing Segment: Our take on Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s “Birdman,” discussing the Best Picture race, and our favourite films about the theatre!
[1:03:15 – 1:22:45]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: The National, “All the Wine”
Episode 45: Greek Tragedies [Oblivion; Place Beyond the Pines; Promised Land]
EPISODE 45: Greek Tragedies
[1:24:32]
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It’s Episode 45 of In the Mood for Podcast, a British-based film podcast hosted by Calum Reed of Ultimate Addict and Pete Sheppard of In the Mood for Blog.
This week sees a reprise of our infamous Divide & Conquer week, as we go it alone for six of the seven films showcased. Cal was forced to abandon Derek Cianfrance’s “The Place Beyond the Pines” due to illness, so Pete handles the Ryan Gosling vehicle himself, as well as dishing the dirt on Greek themed Brit film “Papadopoulos & Sons.” After Cal highlights the dated politics in Gus Van Sant’s “Promised Land,” he has to stem a tirade of abuse for Paul Dano with some kind words about the actor’s performance in “For Ellen,” while Pete represents for world cinema with takedowns of the Olivier Assayas-directed “Something in the Air” and Polish drama “Closed Circuit.” We finally unite for a discussion of Tom Cruise sci-fi flick “Oblivion,” in which Andrea Riseborough is besmirched, Melissa Leo’s southern drawl is mimicked, and The Huston Problem rears its ugly head. Why Olga? Why?!
Opening Segment: Discussing what constitutes an “acclaimed” film, the issue with Rotten Tomatoes, and the importance of critics [2:25 – 14:05]
*Preconception Corner*
Reviews of:
- “The Place Beyond the Pines”
- “Promised Land”
- “Papadopoulos & Sons”
- “For Ellen”
- “Something in the Air”
- “Closed Circuit”
[20:20 – 1:01:40]
Closing Segment: Our take on Joseph Kosinki’s “Oblivion,” starring Tom Cruise, and discussing age-gap relationships on film [1:01:45 – 1:17:05]
*Shag, Marry or Kill?*
*The Watson Factor*
*The Poupaud Range*
Outro Music: Whitesnake, “Still of the Night”
Episode 41: Beyond the Surface [Burt Wonderstone; The Paperboy; Welcome to the Punch]
EPISODE 41: Beyond the Surface
[1:20:23]
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It’s Episode 41 of In the Mood for Podcast, a British-based film podcast hosted by Calum Reed of Ultimate Addict and Pete Sheppard of In the Mood for Blog.
The highlight of a quiet week at the cinema is Lee Daniels’ “The Paperboy,” but will he finally impress us “Precious” skeptics with his Florida-set thriller? We discuss the controversy of that jellyfish scene, as well as other films that kicked up a fuss, for one reason or another. The rest of the releases include showbiz comedy “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” and British thriller “Welcome to the Punch.” We’re looking ahead to the next few episodes by dishing our thoughts on trailers for films out in the next month or so, including Seth Gordon’s “Identity Thief,” which one of us has already vetoed. Cal promotes a re-release of Joseph Losey’s “The Servant,” while his unflattering review of “Beyond the Hills” is hijacked by Pete’s desire to turn it into a Catholic-style remake of “Wreck-It Ralph.” Just another week, then…
Opening Segment: A trailer round-up, featuring upcoming releases “Trance,” “Spring Breakers,” “The Host,” “Identity Thief,” “Jack the Giant Slayer,” “Dark Skies,” and “Look of Love” [4:55 – 19:55]
*Preconception Corner*
Reviews of:
- “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone”
- “Welcome to the Punch”
- “Beyond the Hills”
- “The Servant” (50th anniversary re-release)
[24:30 – 53:45]
Closing Segment: Our take on Lee Daniels’ controversial “The Paperboy,” and discussing past controversies in cinema [53:50 – 1:10:35]
*Shag, Marry or Kill?*
*The Watson Factor*
*The Poupaud Range*
Outro Music: Heart, “Crazy On You”
In the Mood for Podcast 
