Episode 162: The Absence of Metaphysics [Sicario; Suffragette; The Walk; The Lobster]
It’s Episode 162 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 episode’s stacked roster sees six films reviewed, including controversial feminist drama “Suffragette” and concept horror “Circle,” as well as Cary Fukunaga’s “Beasts of No Nation,” which leads us to a discussion of Netflix and the future of film distribution. Pete would have liked to re-cast Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Lobster” with favourable enough actors to get him to watch it, but Cal didn’t mind so much, while Denis Villeneuve has to ride some significant preconceptions when we review drug thriller “Sicario.” Elsewhere, colourful hats pose a Huston Problem for Cal, and Robert Zemeckis is the flavour of the week, as Pete reviews “The Walk” and we have a chat about Back to the Future in the wake of its 30th anniversary.
The week’s news: Chris Rock to host the Oscars, plus Cal reviews “Son of Saul” and “Dheepan” from the London Film Festival!
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Beasts of No Nation 22:42 – 31:11
- Suffragette 31:12 – 37:44
- The Walk 37:45 – 45:56
- The Lobster 45:57 – 52:48
- Circle 52:49 – 56:40
- Sicario 56:41 – 1:07:15
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Outro Music: Steps, “Deeper Shade of Blue”
Episode 144: From Maasai Mara to Agent Provocateur [Avengers: Age of Ultron; The Good Lie; The Falling]
It’s Episode 144 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 there’s some festival fever, with the upcoming Cannes Film Festival generating fervour abroad, and Derby’s incarnation providing some local interest. We split the reviews segment, as Pete was there for Marvel’s huge sequel to “The Avengers” and Carol Morley’s acclaimed period drama “The Falling,” while Cal caught the gothic thriller “Stonhearst Asylum” and his favourite, Reese Witherspoon, in immigrant tale “The Good Lie.” Elsewhere, we talk about a couple of deaths in the film community, which instigates a discussion of cinematography in the early Noughties, there’s been drama on the set of the new Adam Sandler film, and the return of Greta Scacchi leads to a bit of a love-in. Tune in to discover what Xavier Dolan’s huge faux-pas might have been, which Avengers actress does not survive The Pootsition, and why Reese Witherspoon’s underwear was somewhat of an issue for Cal.
- The death of Richard Corliss
- The death of Andrew Lesnie
- Denis Villeneuve to helm Blade Runner sequel
- Further Cannes Film Festival updates
- Upcoming Derby Film Festival
[2:20 – 14:28]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- The Avengers: Age of Ultron 22:27 – 30:54
- Stonehearst Asylum 30:55 – 39:58
- The Falling 39:59 – 50:20
- The Good Lie 50:21 – 1:01:34
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
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 68: Taking No Prisoners [Prisoners; Blue Jasmine; Runner Runner]
Episode 68: Taking No Prisoners
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It’s Episode 68 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 talking “Prisoners” but not taking any, as Denis Villeneuve’s first foray into the studio system leaves at least one of us distinctly unimpressed. Pete interrupts Cal’s plot run-down of the film with his best Paul Dano impression, while we dig into the hilarity of Melissa Leo, and cite the worst performances from actors in every film this week. Elsewhere, Pete gives his take on Italy’s official Oscar submission “The Great Beauty,” which features some interesting pubic design work, and Cal responds to Pete’s abandonment of Gemma Arterton by braving Latin-set thriller “Runner Runner.” We spend ages talking about Cate Blanchett’s Oscar-tipped turn in “Blue Jasmine,” and ponder Sally Hawkins’ chances of finally getting that overdue nod. How this didn’t turn into a bitching session about 2008’s Best Actress line-up is anyone’s guess.
The Week’s News:
- Bennett Miller’s “Foxcatcher” pushed to 2014
- Foreign Language Oscar submissions: Egypt submit “Winter of Discontent”; Denmark submit “The Hunt”; Iran submit “The Past,” Cambodia submit “The Missing Picture”; Israel submit “Bethlehem”; Italy submit “The Great Beauty”
[2:20 – 14:50]
Reviews of:
- The Great Beauty
- Blue Jasmine
- Runner Runner
[22:20 – 53:00]
Closing Segment: Our take on Denis Villeneuve’s sobering drama “Prisoners,” and discussing our least favourite performances from this week’s crop of actors! [53:05 – 1:12:25]
The Watson Factor
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Blondie, “Denis”
In the Mood for Podcast 
