Episode 161: The Chinese Intervention [The Martian; Macbeth; The Intern]
It’s Episode 161 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.
A big congratulations to Pete, as this week he proposed to his other half Jane, prompting the women of the West Midlands to cross him out in their little black books, and the podcast to indulge in a Taylor Swift-inspired celebration. The week’s reviews include “The Intern,” Nancy Meyers’ latest frothy window into the life of a working woman, and “McFarland,” the latest of many sports movies in the lengthy filmography of Kevin Costner. Cal dares to take on William Shakespeare’s story structure in his review of the latest adaptation of “Macbeth,” while many of the plot developments in “The Martian” are up for scrutiny, particularly with regard to the Chinese. Elsewhere, two composers’ birthdays get us discussing their finest works, there’s a sizeable digression about the Best Actress crop of 2003, and Pete can’t help but veer into profanity while ranting about one of the week’s scripts.
The week’s news: The career of the late John Guillermin, plus the week’s birthdays!
[5:40 -13:40]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Macbeth 19:55 – 32:25
- McFarland 32:26 – 43:19
- The Intern 43:20 – 50:54
- The Martian 50:55 – 1:05:40
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Outro Music: Britney Spears, “Oops, I Did it Again”
Episode 78: The Nose of the Poots [Nebraska; Frozen; Kill Your Darlings]
Episode 78: The Nose of the Poots
[Or How Everyone Should Join Us in Loving Zack Snyder Being Owned]
(Right click… save as)
Our latest episode was recorded in two parts due to a technical hitch, but hopefully you won’t be able to tell. The break allowed us to return post-Screen Actors Guild Awards announcement to give a brief run-down of our thoughts, but are we happy with the nominees? Cal had some worrying preconceptions about awards player “Nebraska,” after the (among other things) criminal voice-over in the first fifteen minutes of “The Descendants,” but did its monochrome mumblecore ways win us over? The big questions of the week are where Ethan Hawke’s 73rd film of 2013, “Getaway,” ranks on the dreaded Cage Scale, and whether Selena Gomez can manage to keep her clothes on, while some unexpected female casting in “Kill Your Darlings” threatens to shake up this week’s edition of The Watson Factor. We discuss the virtues of Disney’s “Frozen,” which has us both rapturous about one thing or another, and we take time out to consider the fragility of the Supporting Actor Oscar race, the allure of Imogen Poots’ nose, and revel in Zack Snyder being dealt a body blow by AMPAS.
The Week’s News:
- Woody Allen will not accept his Cecil B. DeMille award
- “Man of Steel” not on Oscar’s Visual Effects shortlist
- European Film Award winners
- British Independent Film Award winners
- L.A Film Critics winners
- Boston Film Critics winners
[3:10 – 17:15]
Listener Question [Alex], plus some anticipation for this week’s Golden Globe nominations
[17:20 – 24:45]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Nebraska
- Kill Your Darlings
- Getaway
[32:00 – 59:20]
Closing Segment: Our review of Disney’s “Frozen,” and discussing yesterday’s Screen Actors Guild nominees!
[59:25 – 1:18:20]
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Madonna, “Frozen”
Episode 52: Finding Our Voice [Byzantium; The Purge; Populaire]
EPISODE 52: Finding Our Voice
[1:24:35]
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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 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”
In the Mood for Podcast 
