Episode 124: The Gay in Engaging [The Imitation Game; The Drop; Life Itself]
Episode 124: The Gay in Engaging
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 122: The Lake Malfunction [Mr. Turner; Nightcrawler; The Films of 1987]
Episode 122: The Lake Malfunction
It’s Episode 122 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 going retro again, as the Red Light District is back for its monthly outing, bringing news of an amibitious take on spirituality and a French poison-pen mystery, while a BAFTA-winning Maggie Smith performance and a glorious turn by Anne Bancroft turn the discussion to the year of 1987, in which we discuss the qualities of Holly Hunter, Olympia Dukakis, Jack Nicholson, and more! Current releases reviewed include the much-delayed “Charlie Countryman,” Polish surgery procedural “Bogowie,” and Dan Gilroy’s “Nightcrawler,” which had Seydoux repercussions for Jake Gyllenhaal. After that, attention is drawn to the painterly attributes of Mike Leigh’s “Mr. Turner,” but did either of us respond to the grunts and thrusts of Cannes Best Actor winner Timothy Spall? We engage in a brief hum-a-long of the film’s score, before taking the opportunity to discuss our favourite flicks based on the lives of artists, which includes talk of a Ken Russell biopic, a Tarkovsky epic, and a rare moment of non-objectification afforded to Emmanuelle Beart. There’s time to bitch about the running times of recent films in the wake of next week’s near three-hour “Interstellar,” while there are some rare kind words about Shia LaBoeuf, and an Adidas tracksuit unexpectedly provides a retrospective Huston Problem. Elsewhere, one of this week’s performers is unfavourably compared to Danny DeVito, the appeal of Mads Mikkelsen’s blondeness is swiftly dismissed by Cal, and the very thought of Lake Bell causes Pete to malfunction.
- British Independent Film Award nominations are announced
[2:25 – 9:20]
[9:25 – 25:05]
Reviews of:
- Charlie Countryman
- Nightcrawler
- Bogowie (Gods)
[29:55 – 53:00]
Closing Segment: Our take on Mike Leigh’s biographical drama “Mr. Turner,” and discussing films based on the lives of artists!
[53:05 – 1:10:45]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: Kate Bush, “The Painter’s Link”
Episode 115: The Torvill and Dean Years [A Most Wanted Man; Pride; The Boxtrolls]
Episode 115: The Torvill & Dean Years
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It’s Episode 115 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 tops the 100-minute mark, as we take (a lot of) time out to discuss the many memorable films from 1999, revealing our top tens, and weighing in on some grandiose performances from the year. We also tackle some new releases, with Pete dishing all on the bonkers animation “The Boxtrolls” and Cal revealing how proud the LGBT community should be of “Pride”. We review Norwegian festival circuit favourite “Blind” and Anton Corbijn’s Hamburg-set thriller “A Most Wanted Man,” which features the final leading performance from Philip Seymour Hoffman. Tune in to find out what Pete has spent an excessive amount of money on this week, why Dominic West’s dancing is under scrutiny, and the sheer volume of affection extended to Rachel McAdams. Elsewhere, we discuss the unstoppable Jack O’Connell, Pete’s interruptions during Cal’s review of “Pride” leads to strikes being called, while this week’s Christie Clanger concerns the presence (or lackthereof) of Julie Delpy.
- “The Imitation Game” wins the People’s Choice award at the Toronto Film Festival
- George Clooney to receive the Cecil B. DeMille award at the Golden Globes
[3:40 – 10:45]
- A Most Wanted Man
- Pride
- Blind
- The Boxtrolls
[22:05 – 1:05:00]
Closing Segment: Our take on the cinema of 1999, featuring discussion of films such as “The Road Home,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” and “Rosetta,” and performances by Russell Crowe, Reese Witherspoon, and Cameron Diaz!
[1:05:05 – 1:45:15]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: Ravel, “Bolero”
Episode 108: Behind the Vicarage [Dawn of the Planet of the Apes; The Films of 1948]
Episode 108: Behind the Vicarage
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It’s Episode 108 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.
With a serious dearth of new releases this week, we’ve decided to go back in time to the cinema of 1948, giving our top tens, favourite performances, and disappointments from the year, which drags out the episode to a typically strenuous length. Meanwhile, there’s a trio of deaths in the film world, and a Franco double bill, which includes nuclear romance “Grand Central” and Fanny Ardant in bourgeois drama “Bright Days Ahead.” Pete’s rundown of the latter of those threatened to be as candid as the film itself, but you’ll have to listen to find out whether its boldness had us weak at the knees, or reaching for the sick bowl. The week’s big movie is “Dawn of the Planet of Apes,” which neither of us were looking forward to, but which does give us time to ponder Mark Wahlberg’s ascent to leading man status, Gary Oldman’s recent career choices, and the absurdity of internal ape politics. Elsewhere, discover how Frieda Pinto gets the raw end of the deal, why Manohla Dargis is the Queen of the fake allegory, and why what happened behind the vicarage in Sutton Park remains a mystery.
The week’s news:
- The death of James Garner
- The death of Elaine Stritch
- The death of Tom Rolf
- “The Imitation Game” will open this year’s London Film Festival
- “Gone Girl” will open this year’s New York Film Festival
[5:15 – 15:20]
Preconception Corner
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
- Bright Days Ahead
- Grand Central
[23:30 – 52:55]
Closing Segment:Discussing our favourite films and performances from 1948, touching upon films by Alfred Hitchcock, Roberto Rossellini, and John Ford, and performances by Olivia De Havilland, Walter Huston, and Laurence Olivier!
[53:00 – 1:24:45]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: Madonna, “Lucky Star”
Episode 70: Home Truths [The Fifth Estate; Baggage Claim; Le Weekend]
Episode 70: Home Truths
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It’s Episode 70 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 epic episode is our longest yet, as we give our take on two films with radically different approaches to marriage. We found romantic comedy “Baggage Claim” a tad bonkers, but certain members of its Paula Patton-led cast won us over, while we reveal whether Roger Michell’s “Le Weekend” can shrug off its terrible title and avoid becoming another chronicle of an elderly gentleman’s libido. We have reviews of Wikileaks drama “The Fifth Estate” and Kim Ki-Duk’s twisted thriller “Pieta,” before embarking on a lengthy discussion of Oscar highs and lows from years gone by. We take your suggestions, address a listener question regarding this year’s Best Actress race, and tease next week’s report from the London Film Festival. Tune in to find out which film prompted Pete to start juggling marshmallows, which critical faux-pas caused Cal to become appalled, which famous British actress played the flute in Pete’s school orchestra, and how Willem Dafoe’s character poster for “Nymphomaniac” may have us crying out for “Body of Evidence,” despite what Julianne Moore might think.
The Week’s News:
- The Death of Mark ‘Chopper’ Read
- Character posters are released for “Nymphomaniac”
- The first Oscar screeners are sent out (“Mud”; “Stories We Tell”; “The Croods)
- Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will return to host the Golden Globes
- Golden Globe category placements: “Blue Jasmine” goes drama, while “Before Midnight” goes comedy
[1:40 – 14:30]
Listener Question: “Is there ANY WAY Cate Blanchett won’t win the Oscar for “Blue Jasmine”? [Eoin]
[14:40 – 18:55]
Reviews of:
- The Fifth Estate
- Pieta
- Baggage Claim
- Le Week-End
[27:05 – 1:09:30]
Closing Segment: Revealing our most loved and loathed Oscar lineups from years gone by, and discussing listener suggestions! With comment on 1937’s Best Actress Lineup and 1955’s list of supporting actresses, plus much more! [1:09:35 – 1:27:55]
The Watson Factor
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Javiera Mena, “Luz de Piedra de Luna”
Episode 58: Less Quality Fringe [The World’s End; Breathe In; Stories We Tell]
[1:18:30]
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- Breathe In
- The Wall
- Eden
[22:00 – 53:00]
Closing Segment: Our take on Edgar Wright’s “The World’s End,” the final film of his jokingly self-titled Cornetto Trilogy, and discussing great final films in trilogies! [53:05 – 1:08:10]
*Shag, Marry or Kill?*
*The Watson Factor*
*The Poupaud Range*
Outro Music: The Doors, “Whisky Bar”
Episode 52: Finding Our Voice [Byzantium; The Purge; Populaire]
EPISODE 52: Finding Our Voice
[1:24:35]
You can Listen online or
Download MP3
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It’s Episode 52 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.
You’ll need to forgive us this week, but we’re a little late to the party. Pete is a very weary traveller having just returned from Nice, but we’re on top form with our discussions of this week’s bevy of releases. We start off with a little news and discussion of our compilation episode, before Cal launches into a colourful review of “Byzantium,” and divulges the somewhat welcome left-wing politics in “The Purge.” “The Big Wedding” left us so bemused and bewildered that our review turns into a barnstorming takedown, and then we dish all on frothy comedy “Populaire,” which we’ve been anticipating for some time. Listen for digressions about “Vertigo,” Oscar’s Best Actor politics, and Pete’s semi-faux pas regarding Gemma Arterton, which barely made the final cut.
Opening Segment: Discussing our compilation episode and the week’s film news [1:50 – 10:40]
*Preconception Corner*
Reviews of:
- Byzantium
- The Big Wedding
- The Purge
- Populaire
[17:40 – 1:01:05]
Closing Segment: This month’s Red Light District! We pimp “10 Years,” “Compulsion,” “The Guard,” “House of Pleasures,” and “Rashomon” [1:01:10 – 1:15:20]
*Shag, Marry or Kill?*
*The Watson Factor*
*The Poupaud Range*
Outro Music: New Order, “Ceremony”
Episode 49: In for the Kill [Star Trek Into Darkness; Mud; Deadfall]
EPISODE 49: In for the Kill
[1:17:17]
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Download MP3
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It’s Episode 49 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.
Following up on last week’s listener question we take time out to discuss NBC’s Hannibal, which we have now watched all of despite Pete’s lack of enthusiasm for it last week. We discuss the show’s merits, and whether we think the network will cancel or renew it, as well as broadening the theme to offer our favourite movies about serial killers. As for the reviews, we tackle Jeff Nichols’ follow-up to “Take Shelter,” “Mud,” starring Cal’s favourite Southern gal Reese Witherspoon, and Eric Bana thriller “Deadfall,” which features some questionable accents. The ever-rugged Paul Walker lured Cal into sitting down for “Vehicle 19,” while Pete’s Asian allegiance led him to martial arts crime drama “Dragon.” And before all of that we kick off the episode by venting our thoughts about “Star Trek Into Darkness,” which neither of us was particularly looking forward to. Sit back and listen for digressions involving Terry Gilliam (yes! again!), the return of The Huston Factor, and yet more bitching about football. Don’t worry: the season’s nearly over!
*Preconception Corner*
Opening Segment: Leading off with our review of J. J. Abrams’ “Star Trek Into Darkness” starring Chris Pine and Benedict Cumberbatch [8:30 – 18:15]
Reviews of:
- “Mud”
- “Deadfall”
- “Vehicle 19”
- “Dragon”
[18:16 – 53:17]
Closing Segment: Discussing the merits of NBC’s new show “Hannibal,” speculating on its future at the network, and offering our favourite serial killer movies [53:18 – 1:10:00]
*Shag, Marry or Kill?*
*The Watson Factor*
*The Poupaud Range*
Outro Music: Arcade Fire, “Keep the Car Running”
Episode 47: Industrial Strength [Iron Man 3; The Look of Love; The Lords of Salem]
EPISODE 47: Industrial Strength
[1:19:59]
You can Listen online or
Download MP3
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It’s Episode 47 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.
As Summer is on the horizon we look ahead to the big-budget studio offerings hitting us in the next few weeks, but can we muster any enthusiasm for the prospect of another Zack Snyder or M. Night Shyamalan film? Pete opts for Michael Winterbottom’s porn biopic “The Look of Love,” while Cal tackles the popular “Bernie,” before crowing about Rob Zombie’s swag in his review of “The Lords of Salem.” And then we deal with Robert Downey Jr.’s third outing as Iron Man, which splits the camp dramatically. We lament the demise of Rene Russo and discuss the woes of Scottish transport, while Pete wonders if Kat Dennings’ rack will be a plot point in “Thor 2.” It’s all about the superheroes…
Opening Segment: Looking ahead to the next three months of summer blockbusters, including “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “After Earth,” “Man of Steel,” “World War Z,” “Pacific Rim,” “Kick-Ass 2,” “Wolverine,” and “The Lone Ranger” [4:00 – 16:50]
*Preconception Corner*
Reviews of:
- “Shell”
- “Bernie”
- “The Look of Love”
- “The Lords of Salem”
[20:40 – 57:25]
Closing Segment: Our take on Shane Black’s “Iron Man 3” and discussing jettisoned voice-overs [57:30 – 1:10:10]
*Shag, Marry or Kill?*
*The Watson Factor*
*The Poupaud Range*
Outro Music: Bjork, “Army of Me”
