Episode 163: The Spirit of Fellini [Spectre; Youth; The Last Witch Hunter]
It’s Episode 163 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 return with a lively episode, featuring (sorry!) not a great deal of positivity, but we try and make the best of a bad situation regardless. There’s two helpings of Michael Caine, firstly in the supernatural Vin Diesel vehicle “The Last Witch Hunter,” and then in Paolo Sorrentino’s “Youth,” which had to ride some heavy preconceptions about its director’s historic use of music. Elsewhere, Cal reviews gambling affair “Missisippi Grind” and we turn our attention to “Spectre,” the latest film in a recent purple patch for the James Bond franchise. Other issues which emerge include Taylor Swift’s legal problems, the history of curses in the game of baseball, and laughable accents of Jude Law past. We assess the history of BIFA Best Actress winners, there’s speculation about Judi Dench’s fondness for Vin Diesel, and the writing’s on the wall for Sam Smith as we dig our claws into his latest assault on the eardrums.
The week’s news:
- Ricky Gervais to host the Golden Globes
- British Independent Film Award nominations
[3:48 – 17:15]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- The Last Witch Hunter 25:37 – 35:08
- Youth 35:09 – 46:50
- Mississippi Grind 46:51 – 54:08
- Spectre 54:09 – 1:16:22
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Outro Music: Neil Diamond, “Forever In Blue Jeans”
Episode 156: The King James Clobber [Trainwreck; The Gift; Beyond the Reach]
It’s Episode 156 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 this week with laments of last week’s disastrous attempted episode, and some devastating news from the film world, as we say goodbye to a much beloved cinematic canine. We chat about Aaron Sorkin’s latest project and Edward Norton’s controversial comments about the Academy Awards, plus this month’s Red Light District brings rapturous word about a French model-turned-actress and some rare positivity concerning Neil Diamond. The week’s reviews include Judd Apatow-helmed “Trainwreck,” desert-set thriller “Beyond the Reach,” Nanni Moretti’s meditiative drama “Mia Madre,” and Joel Edgerton’s directorial debut, “The Gift,” plus Jeremy Irvine’s physique wins points from Cal, Tilda Swinton’s stylist wins points from Pete, and LeBron James’ appearance in one of the week’s films wins (off-the-court) points all round.
The week’s news
Opening Segment: This month’s Red Light District, featuring discussion of “Blind Date,” “Death of a Salesman,” “Empire of Passion,” “The Jazz Singer,” “Love in the Afternoon,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “That Is the Dawn,” and “Walk on the Wild Side”!
[10:46 – 27:10]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- The Gift 38:13 – 50:49
- Beyond the Reach 50:50 – 1:00:12
- Mia Madre 1:00:13 – 1:06:00
- Trainwreck 1:06:01 – 1:18:03
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Outro Music: Lana Del Rey, “Ride”
Episode 131: The Oxford Issue [American Sniper; Whiplash; Wild]
It’s Episode 131 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 was so jam-packed that we had to cut the entire news segment, but don’t worry, we’ll get around to that in our next episode. Instead, we react to last week’s Oscar nominations with theories on everything from the race row, to the surprise Marion Cotillard inclusion, to the unexpected haul for “American Sniper”. We also review Clint Eastwood’s latest delight, as well as other nominated films, including musical drama “Whiplash,” and soul-searching adventure “Wild,” starring Cal’s favourite, Reese Witherspoon. We’re on board with a wine-quaffing Kevin Kline in Parisian jaunt “My Old Lady,” and Pete dishes all on Alicia Vikander’s received pronunciation in wartime romance “Testament of Youth,” which featured too much Oxford reverence for his liking. Elsewhere, Bradley Cooper’s fuller face is up for scrutiny, there’s an unexpected bit of advocacy from Jane Fonda, and Sienna Miller’s dark locks threaten to steal the gold in The Pootsition.
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- American Sniper 10:40 – 22:24
- Whiplash 22:25 – 37:21
- My Old Lady 37:22 – 45:50
- Testament of Youth 45:51 – 54:40
- Wild 54:41 – 1:07:23
Closing Segment: Our reaction to the Oscar nominations, featuring discussion of the snubs, the race row, and the quality of the nominees as a whole!
[1:07:24 – 1:27:12]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: Kristina Train, “Dark Black”
Episode 109: All About the Bantz [Hercules; Joe; The Films of 1977]
Episode 109: All About the Bantz
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It’s Episode 109 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 let the reviews take a back seat, as we focus on festival fare and classic cinema. Podcast stalwart Irini M. is back with us to discuss the line-up for this year’s Venice Film Festival (which she will be attending) but abandons us after half an hour, forcing Pete to turn to poetry for consolation. We take (a lot of) time out to discuss the year that was 1977, talking about the year’s critics prizes, Oscar winners, and our personal top tens, leading to digressions about a classic catfight between Shirley MaClaine and Anne Bancroft, and a disappointing gay denial from Cal’s student days. Elsewhere, we chat about David Gordon Green’s “Joe,” sci-fi adventure “Earth to Echo,” and mythological action film “Hercules,” which Pete’s piano pupil was conspicuously absent from. Tune in to discover which Hong Kong director (no – not that one) got Pete and Irini excited, how the approach to casting of Luis Bunuel and Pier Pasolini was beyond liberal, and why the party island of Ibiza will force a mini-podcast hiatus.
The Week’s News:
- The trailer for Liv Ullmann’s “Miss Julie” is released
Opening Segment: Discussing the recently-announced lineup for this year’s Venice Film Festival, featuring films from Roy Andersson, Ramin Bahrani, and Andrew Niccol!
[3:55 – 20:40]
Listener Questions [Ibbi]
[20:45 – 29:35]
Preconception Corner
Classic Segment: Discussing our favourite films and performances from 1977, touching upon films by William Friedkin, Paul Verhoeven, and Fred Zinnemann, and performances by Richard Burton, Vanessa Redgrave, and Quinn Cummings! Plus much more!
[38:35 – 1:16:55]
- Joe
- Earth to Echo
- Hercules
[1:17:00 – 1:34:05]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: Miley Cyrus, “Party in the U.S.A”
Episode 91: Serial Offenders [Starred Up; About Last Night; The Rocket]
Episode 91: Serial Offenders
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It’s Episode 91 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.
Pete makes plans to search for Caroline Dhavernas this week, as he jets off to her homestead of Canada for a family wedding, but before that we have news of a seriously enticing new sitcom, a musical comeback of epic proportions, and we remember a couple of great contributors to the world of cinema. We also talk quite a bit about football, touching on last week’s “Under the Skin,” Celtic vs. Hibs controversy, but if you’re sick of us banging on about sport, you might want to skip the first ten minutes. This week’s films include blomantic comedy “About Last Night,” touching Australian tale “The Rocket,” and British thriller “Starred Up,” the latter of which Cal managed to get through the entirety of thinking that Rupert Friend was actually Orlando Bloom. Meanwhile, we head on a litany of digressions, some of which concern the best uses of Rita Hayworth, the career of the Dardennes brothers, and our favourite portrayals of alcoholics. Dig in.
Introduction and news
This month’s Red Light District: Featuring discussion of “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” “The Emperor’s New Groove,” “Robot & Frank,” “Sherman’s March,” and “The Westerner”
[12:00 – 24:00]
Preconception Corner
- About Last Night
- Starred Up
- The Rocket
[33:45 – 1:16:00]
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Kim Wilde, “Cambodia”
Episode 75: Pillow Talk [The Counsellor; The Butler; Don Jon]
Episode 75: Pillow Talk
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It’s Episode 75 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 the return of the French quarter, as Pete ventured to a local film festival to catch his beloved Daniel Auteuil’s recent double-feature, “Marius” and “Fanny,” as well as Juliette Binoche in “Camille Claudel 1915.” Elsewhere, we’re discussing the joys of this week’s mainstream releases, including Scarlett Johansson’s womanly prowess in sexed-up comedy “Don Jon,” and the varying degrees of raunch Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz bring to Ridley Scott’s brutal thriller “The Counsellor.” We ponder the difference between BAFTA and Oscar, discuss whether voice performances should vie for awards, while a listener question forces us to address the mediocrity of some of the Academy’s Supporting Actress winners from years gone by. There are huge preconceptions about Lee Daniels’ “The Butler,” but can its depiction of the civil rights movement survive our scrutiny and mark a mature step forward for the director? Listen to find out, and enjoy musings on the absurdity of John Cusack’s fake nose , how Zooey Deschanel might have ruined one of the week’s offerings, and why Cuba Gooding Jr. and Jane Fonda really need to hang out more.
The Week’s News:
- The Honorary Oscars have been handed out
- Scarlett Johansson wins Best Actress at the Rome Film Festival for “Her”
- There’s going to be a sequel to “It’s a Wonderful Life”
[2:25 – 13:25]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- The Counsellor
- Don Jon
- Marius / Fanny
- Camille Claudel 1915
[36:40 – 1:04:55]
Closing Segment: Our take on Lee Daniels’ “The Butler,”* and discussing historical inaccuracies in films! [1:03:50 – 1:23:40]
The Watson Factor
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Rhye, “Hunger”
Episode 54: Nice Guys Finish First [Man of Steel; Stuck in Love; Admission]
Episode 54: Nice Guys Finish First
[1:18:45]
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It’s Episode 54 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 took place after dark, as technical issues prevented the recording from going ahead as scheduled. We braved sleep deprivation in the early hours to bring you a loaded review of Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel,” which neither of us were particularly enthralled to visit. Cal sat down for “Admission,” starring comedic stalwarts Tina Fey and Paul Rudd, before embarking on the shady world of sex tourism in Ulrich Seidl’s “Paradise: Love.” Pete welcomed the return of Jennifer Connelly in ensemble piece “Stuck in Love,” and we offer you a special segment where we “fix” past injustices at the Oscars, featuring a mammoth conundrum from the 1970s. Listen to hear who Christopher Doyle is offending this week, yet more discussion about Michael Shannon’s facial hair, and why Amy Adams is responsible for Pete’s well-being. And it has nothing to do with sinks.
Opening Segment: The week’s film news, plus a special segment where we talk about overdue wins at the Oscars, and attempt to “fix” past injustices [3:00 – 16:15]
*Preconception Corner*
Reviews of:
- Admission
- Stuck in Love
- Paradise: Love
[21:20 – 52:00]
Closing Segment: Our take on Zack Snyder’s Superman reboot “Man of Steel,” and a little chat about tenacious casting coups [52:05 – 1:08:40]
*Shag, Marry or Kill?*
*The Watson Factor*
*The Poupaud Range*
Outro Music: Spin Doctors, “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues”
In the Mood for Podcast 
