Episode 145: The Two Toms [Far From the Madding Crowd; Unfriended; Elsa + Fred]
It’s Episode 145 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.
Our latest episode is our shortest yet, as connection problems plagued our recording, and this week’s offering of films was fairly minimal. The big question this week is whether negative preconceptions about Thomas Hardy and Thomas Vinterberg respectively, could be conquered when we sat down for period romance “Far From the Madding Crowd”. Elsewhere, we both caught geriatric romance “Elsa + Fred,” starring Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer, while Cal was in the queue for social media horror “Unfriended,” which gets us talking about the value of gimmicks. Plus: a series of listener questions leads to an inquisition into last week’s Pootsition and the advent of a new segment, there are digressions about the strength of 1964’s Best Actress and 2004’s Best Actor fields, and Pete launches an unexpectedly vicious assault on the work of Julian Jarrold.
Listener Questions [Ibbi]
[3:50 – 13:19]
Red Light District: Revealing the non-new films we’ve been catching up with in the past month, featuring discussion of “Dead Ringer,” “Middle of the Night,” The Pirate,” and “Up”
[13:20 – 19:08]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Elsa + Fred 22:45 – 31:52
- Unfriended 31:53 – 37:40
- Far From the Madding Crowd 37:41 – 47:32
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Episode 143: The Ehle Atonement [A Little Chaos; Woman In Gold; The Salvation]
It’s Episode 143 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 it’s time to go retro again, as this month’s Red Light District is a Best Actress spectacular, which gets us discussing (among other things) the women of 1948, and the testiness of Barbara Stanwyck. The week’s reviews concern Nazis, outlaws, gardeners, and wild goose chases, as we tackle Kristian Levring’s Western “The Salvation,” and courtroom drama “Woman in Gold.” Cal reveals all on the wilderness-set “Jauja,” while Alan Rickman’s sophomore effort “A Little Chaos” offered Pete a chance to atone for an earlier egregious omission. Elsewhere, there’s an unexpected shout-out to Courtney Love, Daniel Bruhl is saddled with another thankless role, and the trailer (and tagline) for Blake Lively’s latest project has us howling.
Red Light District: Revealing the non-new films we’ve been catching up with in the past month, featuring discussion of “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” “The Furies,” “Joan of Arc,” “Lady Sings the Blues,” “Three Comrades,” and “Xenia”!
[6:00 – 25:37]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- The Salvation 32:27 – 40:02
- Woman In Gold 40:03 – 50:24
- Jauja 50:25 – 54:46
- A Little Chaos 54:47 – 1:07:00
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Episode 142: Age Of Consent [The DUFF; John Wick; While We’re Young]
It’s Episode 142 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’re back after a two-and-a-half week absence with a packed lineup! As we catch up on the releases from the past fortnight, we’re reviewing five films, including the highly-anticipated new film from Christian Petzold, “Phoenix,” and Keanu Reeves’ foray into the action genre with “John Wick.” Cal reveals all about Noah Baumbach’s latest observation on the middle-classes, “While We’re Young” and Andrew Niccol’s moralistic war drama “Good Kill,” while we finish by talking about teen flick “The DUFF,” which Pete suspected that Cal would like. Elsewhere, in the wake of Thursday’s announcement of the Cannes Film Festival lineup, we assess upcoming films from Gus Van Sant, Paolo Sorrentino, and more, a listener’s rant re-instigates a costuming discussion from our last episode, and a controversial Pootsition flies narrowly close to the age of consent.
Listener question/rant [Ibbi]: Colleen Atwood vs. Sandy Powell
Cannes Film Festival: We dig into the line-up for this year’s festival, featuring films by Todd Haynes, Gus Van Sant, Jacques Audiard, and Hirokazu Koreeda!
[10:52 – 27:52]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Phoenix 34:30 – 46:00
- While We’re Young 46:01 – 52:47
- John Wick 52:48 – 1:03:12
- Good Kill 1:03:13 – 1:09:49
- The DUFF 1:09:50 – 1:23:07
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Episode 136: The Abrupt Apology [Blackhat; Cake; Predestination]
It’s Episode 136 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.
Despite Pete’s efforts toward the contrary, this week’s episode is our longest yet, as we dig into our year-end awards, disclosing more than a little about our favourite films and performances. We also react to this past Sunday’s Academy Awards, measuring “Birdman” up against the Best Picture winners of the past and speculating about how its leading man couldn’t also sail to victory. The week’s reviews include time travel thriller “Predestination,” starring podcast favourite Ethan Hawke, Jennifer Aniston’s failed Oscar bid, “Cake,” and Michael Mann’s latest procedural drama “Blackhat,” which one of us walked out on. Meanwhile, Anna Kendrick is – quite literally – a vision, there’s an appearance from Gloria Gaynor, and Pete has an abrupt apology for one of last week’s performers after omitting her from The Pootsition.
- Kristin Stewart makes history with Cesar win
- Birdman wins the Best Picture Oscar (+ other reaction)
[4:00 – 20:53]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Blackhat 28:10 – 38:48
- Predestination 38:49 – 46:55
- Cake 46:56 – 1:00:26
Closing Segment: Revealing our top ten films of 2014, and discussing our favourite performances (in quite a bit of depth)!
[1:00:27 – 1:4]
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Episode 134: The Muttley Snigger [Selma; Jupiter Ascending; Miss Julie; Shaun the Sheep]
It’s Episode 134 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 discuss the various Oscar races in the wake of the BAFTA winners, touching upon Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s amusingly reduced moniker at the ceremony, the best of the speeches, and the closeness of the Boyhood vs. Birdman Best Picture tussle. It’s a week of mixed expectations on the podcast, as we review the ethereal Jessica Chastain’s latest passion project “Miss Julie,” helmed by Pete’s favourite actress and female director Liv Ullmann, while buzz was in the gutter for the Wachowski siblings’ “Jupiter Ascending,” which Cal managed to catch this past weekend. Meanwhile, Pete’s decision to venture out for the “Shaun the Sheep Movie” was the talk of the workplace, and we finally get around to digging into the controversies surrounding Ava DuVernay’s “Selma,” starring an Oscar-snubbed David Oyelowo. It’s fair to say that the plot rundown of the week’s sole Science-fiction effort didn’t exactly go smoothly, while Pete underwent a Punjabi plight at one of this week’s screenings, and Ernest Borgnine’s infamous Brokeback bigotry gets dragged up for another airing.
- Ziyi Zhang receives a grandiose marriage proposal
- Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu wins the DGA
- BAFTA winners
[2:45 – 20:35]
Reviews of:
- Jupiter Ascending 32:40 – 44:33
- Shaun the Sheep Movie 44:34 – 54:32
- Miss Julie 54:33 – 1:06:10
- Selma 1:06:11 – 1:22:00
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Episode 132: The Virtues of Ed [A Most Violent Year; Citizenfour; Ex Machina]
It’s Episode 132 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 sees us catch up on last week’s excised news segment by discussing the line-up for the upcoming Berlin Film Festival, as well as the announcement that the Coen brothers will rule over this year’s Cannes jury. Elsewhere, we offer our thoughts on the shifting Oscar races in the wake of the PGA and SAG winners, before revealing our thoughts on the week’s releases which includes controversial nominated documentary “Citizenfour.” Cal was in the queue for Anna Karenina lovers Domnhall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander’s reunion in sci-fi flick “Ex Machina,” and he also had time to see Mark Wahlberg’s blackjack skills in Rupert Wyatt’s “The Gambler,” while we both settled down for the latest work from podcast favourites Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain, in eighties-set drama “A Most Violent Year.” Elsewhere, some random digressions test our film geek credentials, an underappreciated child performance gets us discussing the 2001 Best Actor Oscar roster, and the unexpected cosmetic virtues of a certain whistleblower tickles Cal’s fancy.
- Joel and Ethan Coen to preside over this year’s Cannes Film Festival jury
- The full line-up is revealed for this year’s Berlin Film Festival
- Birdman wins the PGA
- Screen Actors Guild award winners
[1:50 – 23:05]
Reviews of:
- Ex Machina 27:55 – 36:19
- Citizenfour 36:20 – 46:16
- The Gambler 46:17 – 55:17
- A Most Violent Year 55:18 – 1:05:52
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
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”
