Episode 170: The Drive-Thru Dig [Parasite; The Irishman; Marriage Story]
It’s Episode 170 of In the Mood for Podcast!
It’s been four years, but Cal and Pete are finally back together in a bumper two-hour episode that features lots of discussion of the Oscars, and that history-making win for Bong Joon-Ho’s “Parasite”. We reveal our feelings about the film, while Pete gets his statistician head on as we detail some interesting Oscar trends that have emerged in the past decade. Elsewhere, we chat about the length (among many other things) of Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” troubling preconceptions of Renee Zelwegger are tested when we review “Judy,” while we discuss an unexpected best-in-show in “Bombshell”. Five acting nominations between “Marriage Story” and “The Two Popes” get us discussing the worthiness of this year’s crop of nominees, while a snub from times-gone-by sets us off on a digression on the 1990 Best Actor lineup. In other news, Pete finally saw the end of “Wolf of Wall Street,” Cal has a bee in his bonnet about flashbacks, and Pete saves a scathing fast food-related diss until late in the day.
Opening Segment: A quick look back at the last four years, and although Pete’s cinema going has taken a hit, he offers some of his notable watches since we last did an episode together!
[5:00 – 20:23]
Preconception Corner (including a listener question from Ibbi!)
Reviews of:
- The Irishman 39:25 – 53:46
- Bombshell 53:47 – 1:04:40
- Judy 1:04:41 – 1:14:02
- Marriage Story 1:14:03 – 1:24:38
- The Two Popes 1:24:39 – 1:31:20
- Parasite 1:31:21 – 1:40:00
Closing Segment: Discussing new Oscar trends since we started the podcast eight years ago, including acting sweeps, picture/director splits, and diversity scandals!
[1:40:01 – 1:55:27]
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Intro Music: Thin Lizzy, “The Boys are Back in Town”
Outro Music: Marmalade, “Reflections of My Life”
Episode 126: The Volumes of Proust [St. Vincent; Black Sea; Penguins of Madagascar]
Episode 126: The Volumes of Proust
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It’s Episode 126 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 is a boozy one, as Pete managed to finish a six-pack during the recording, but we still manage to talk fairly eloquently about the week’s releases, which include seaboard thriller “Black Sea” and animated spin-off “Penguins of Madagascar.” We also had quite a lot to say about intergenerational connection, as “St. Vincent” tugs at the heartstrings, while the decidedly less wholesome “Eastern Boys” leads to a Joe Wright rant and a discussion about relationships that is alarmingly close to the bone. The latest edition of the Red Light District offers a lot of positivity, as we discuss of one of Israel’s finest efforts, an unexpectedly amusing romantic comedy, and a gay Brazilian romance, while we also chat about the latest critics’ awards, which look to be heading for a “Boyhood” sweep. Kathleen Byron instigates a quickfire celebration of legendary Supporting Actress performances, Naomi Watts’ Russian chatter leaves us a bit bewildered, and Pete risks the wrath of his father by revealing a whisky faux-pas that would have connoisseurs recoiling in horror.
The Week’s News:
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association winners
- Boston Society of Film Critics winners
- British Independent Film Award winners
[3:15 – 12:55]
Red Light District: Featuring discussion of “Belle,” “I Origins,” “Just Married,” “Late Marriage,” “Maleficent,” “The Meaning of Life,” “Nick + Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” “The Small Back Room,” and “The Way He Looks”!
[13:00 – 30:40]
Preconception Corner
- Black Sea
- Eastern Boys
- Penguins of Madagascar
- St. Vincent
[37:00 – 1:28:50]
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Olsen Factor
The Isaac Range
Episode 125: Empty and Chortleless [Paddington; Mockingjay Part I; The Homesman]
Episode 125: Empty and Chortleless
It’s Episode 125 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 we’re catching up for lost time with two weeks’ worth of films, and a ton of news, from the sad demise of Mike Nichols to the influx of awards action, featuring discussion of Marion Cotillard’s Oscar prospects and the underachievement of Edward Norton, while Pete is particularly aghast at the NBR’s fondness for “The Lego Movie.” Reviews this week include our take on podcast favourite Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of James Brown in “Get On Up,” the less-than-popular Hilary Swank in Tommy Lee Jones’ maybe-Western “The Homesman,” and the daunting prospect of Michael Bond’s “Paddington” being adapted for the big screen. Elsewhere, Pete found time to see Antipodean vampire comedy “What We Do In the Shadows,” while Cal was the only one queuing up to see Jennifer Lawrence in the latest instalment of The Hunger Games, “Mockingjay Part I.” Meanwhile, there’s a digression about 2006’s Best Actress Oscar lineup, one of Faye Dunaway’s many camp film roles is celebrated, Kevin Spacey’s private life gets an airing, and Pete is seriously torn between allegiance and detest in anticipation for Jason Reitman’s upcoming film, which stars the one and only Judy Greer.
- The death of Mike Nichols
- Cahiers du Cinema announce their top ten
- New York Film Critics Circle awards
- National Board of Review
[2:20 – 20:10]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Get On Up
- The Homesman
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I
- What We Do in the Shadows
[27:00 – 54:10]
Closing Segment: Our take on quirky children’s tale “Paddington” and discussing our favourite cinematic female villains!
[54:15 – 1:05:55]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: Lana Del Rey, “Blue Jeans”
Episode 124: The Gay in Engaging [The Imitation Game; The Drop; Life Itself]
It’s Episode 124 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 the beer is flowing, and so is the innuendo, as Pete finally has the keys to his brand new house. This forces Cal into a distillation of jukebox classics, before we review the new releases, which include Michael Roskam’s “The Drop” and Roger Ebert documentary “Life Itself,” which prompts Pete to recite some of Roger Ebert’s more baffling reviews. In the wake of Alan Turing biopic “The Imitation Game” we get chatting about our favourite gay characters and icons of cinema, featuring discussion of Oscar Wilde and Billie Holiday, while Cal discloses some of the recent films he’s caught up with from earlier in the year, including a horror film about an urban archaeologist. A hefty news segment sees us discuss Angelina Jolie’s adoption of Derbyshire dialect, plus Eddie Redmayne’s fuckability sees a boost, and Fashion Police finally found a replacement for Joan Rivers. Elsewhere, the cast of Downton Abbey are out in force this week, Cal is feeling guilty for leaving Matthias Schoenaerts in the lurch, we float the possibility of a Tallulah Bankhead biopic starring Cate Blanchett, and Pete recounts a regretful dancefloor moment set to the music of Vanilla Ice.
- Chris Hemsworth voted People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive”
- Angelina Jolie’s Derby Moment
- Kathy Griffin announced as Joan Rivers’ replacement on Fashion Police
- The trailer for Kenneth Branagh’s “Cinderella” is out
[4:15 – 23:10]
Reviews of:
- The Drop
- Life Itself
[30:25 – 52:15]
Closing Segment: Our take on Oscar-tipped Alan Turing biopic “The Imitation Game,” and discussing LGBT heroes of the film world!
[52:20 – 1:13:00]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: This Mortal Coil, “Holocaust”
Episode 121: The Porky Cheese Story [Fury; Serena; The Babadook]
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It’s Episode 121 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.
We might have been delayed this week, but we’re back with four new releases, including the highly-anticipated horror film “The Babadook,” the trailer of which has been amusing us for weeks. Cal was the only one in the queue for Susanne Bier’s delayed period drama “Serena,” starring everyone’s favourite ballroom duo, while we both caught Bille August’s slow-burning mystery “Night Train to Lisbon,” although Cal saw it over a year ago! We end by discussing World War II drama “Fury,” which leads us onto calamitous film scores and the wonder of Terrence Malick. Elsewhere, we chat about the Best Picture races of 1998 and 1945, the Hibs vs. Celtic debate from our “Under the Skin” review is finally settled, and a listener question forces us to address the temperament of a certain female tennis player. We discuss why it doesn’t pay to be a fan of Ed Sheeran, Melanie Laurent is plagued with Huston problems, Pete manages to diss Carey Mulligan twice, and a sixty year-old sexpot has the potential to upset Elizabeth Olsen next week.
The Week’s News:
- Stephen Daldry’s “Trash” wins Best Film at the Rome Film Festival
- Harvey Weinstein calls for a change to production credits
- Gotham Film Award nominations are announced
[3:20 – 16:50]
Listener question: Favourite Serena Williams match? [Ibbi]
[16:55 – 22:50]
Preconception Corner
- The Babadook
- Night Train to Lisbon
- Serena
- Fury
[30:25 – 1:09:35]
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Olsen Factor
The Isaac Range
Episode 119: The Joys of Denim [’71; The Rewrite; London Film Festival]
Episode 119: The Joys of Denim
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It’s Episode 119 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.
To donate to Pete’s half-marathon run, on behalf of the Midlands Arts Centre, follow this link
We’re a little late this week, but we hope it’s worth the wait, as Cal has been to the London Film Festival, bringing news of films by Christian Petzold, Andrei Zvyagintsev, Francois Ozon, and a doozy of a performance by Reese Witherspoon. The week’s reviews consist of IRA thriller “’71,” starring everyone’s favourite young actor, Jack O’Connell, and scriptwriting comedy “The Rewrite,” which was somewhat overshadowed by Marisa Tomei’s jeans. Cal saw Susan Sarandon play Sheriff in religious serial killer drama “The Calling,” which just about escaped the dreaded “F” grade, while we also had time to discuss Stephen Frears’ BFI Fellowship, Lindsay Lohan’s theatre stint, and Michelle Pfeiffer’s history at the Oscars. Elsewhere, we argue about the main concerns of Billy Wilder’s “Sunset Boulevard,” pimp an underseen German exorcist drama, and chat about the eclectic cast of Judd Apatow’s upcoming film, the title of which greatly amuses Pete.
The Week’s News:
- Stephen Frears receives a BFI Fellowship
[5:40 – 14:30]
Opening Segment: Coverage from the London Film Festival, featuring discussion of “Leviathan,” “The New Girlfriend,” “Phoenix,” and “Wild”
[14:35 – 26:45]
Preconception Corner
- ’71
- The Calling
- The Rewrite
[34:50 – 1:04:30]
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Olsen Factor
The Isaac Range
Episode 80: The Tale of the Two Redheads [American Hustle; Walter Mitty; All Is Lost]
Episode 80: The Tale of the Two Redheads
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It’s Episode 80 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’s episode is dominated by Amy Adams, whose plunging necklines in “American Hustle” ruffled Pete’s feathers, but did we both think her strangely-accented performance was up to scratch? After Pete dismantled the plot mechanics of Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity,” seaboard adventure “All Is Lost” is the latest solo star vehicle to face the podcast’s scrutiny, while a parody of a certain film in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” had us both on the floor. Elsewhere, we discuss the regular topic of the Foreign Language Film Oscar, in the wake of the recently announced shortlist, and reveal films from world cinema that are technically eligible for bigger prizes. We’re giving our brief thoughts on the year in film before our top ten lists are announced next month, plus there are extensive thoughts on the severity of Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscar-tipped performance, and some choice words about Robert Redford’s vanity.
Opening Segment: Discussing the nine-film shortlist for the Foreign Language Oscar, general observations about Foreign Films’ troubles with eligibility, and which under-seen films are Oscar eligible this year!
[2:55 – 19:40]
Preconception Corner
- All Is Lost
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
[26:15 – 48:15]
Closing Segment: Our take on David O. Russell’s “American Hustle,” discussing 2013 films we’ve been catching up on, and our overall view of the cinematic year!
[48:20 – 1:10:30]
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Taylor Swift, “Red”