Episode 155: Rachel, Rachel [Inside Out; Mission Impossible 5; Southpaw]
It’s Episode 155 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’ve spent the past two weeks topping up the tan, but now we’re back with an episode packed full of criticism, as we turn our attention to the most anticipated film of the year, Pixar’s “Inside Out”. We also assess whether Tom Cruise has still got it, in the latest instalment in the Mission Impossible franchise, “Rogue Nation,” while Cal reviews heavy-going boxing fable “Southpaw,” and Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara in ramshackle comedy “Hot Pursuit.” Meanwhile, we turn our attention to the start of the awards season by digging into the Venice and Toronto Film Festival line-ups, touching upon (among other things) Charlie Kaufman’s return to directing and Tom Hooper’s latest piece of Oscar bait. Plus there’s news of Mads Mikkelsen’s unlikely collaboration with a pop star, Alicia Vikander’s prolific year in film continues, and Xavier Dolan’s foray into the world of voice-over acting comes as somewhat of a surprise.
The week’s news
Opening Segment: Discussing the line-up for this year’s Venice Film Festival, featuring anticipation for films from Charlie Kaufman, Atom Egoyan, and Pablo Trapero, plus we discuss some of the awards hopefuls playing at this year’s film festival in Toronto!
[3:27 – 26:05]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Southpaw 35:50 – 42:11
- Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation 42:12 – 53:42
- Hot Pursuit 53:43 – 1:00:47
- Inside Out 1:00:48 – 1:15:36
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Outro Music: Odyssey, “Inside Out”
Episode 137: The Sexual Menace [Focus; Clouds of Sils Maria; The Boy Next Door]
It’s Episode 137 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.
After last week’s epic trawl through the best of 2014, we move onto this year’s delights, sampling the A-list, B-list, and indie offerings from stateside. We review crime caper “Focus,” starring the overcharged coupling of Will Smith and Margot Robbie (the latter of which dominated most of Pete’s attention), while Jennifer Lopez’s infrequent on-screen activity of late is remedied in trashy thriller “The Boy Next Door.” Cal managed to catch queer Sundance hit “Appropriate Behaviour,” plus, off the back of Kristen Stewart’s Cesar win, we review Olivier Assayas’ Alpine foray into the world of acting, “Clouds of Sils Maria.” Elsewhere, we reveal some exciting plans for the month ahead, there’s some speculation about how J. Lo’s Tinder profile might read, and the trailer for Neill Blonkamp’s latest robot-dominated effort instigates fear, sympathy, and eventually derision.
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- The Boy Next Door 14:50 – 23:23
- Clouds of Sils Maria 23:24 – 36:26
- Appropriate Behaviour 36:27 – 45:23
- Focus 45:24 – 1:00:35
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Episode 133: Finger On the Pulse [Inherent Vice; Big Hero 6; Tangerines]
It’s Episode 133 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 back with a diverse array of films, from the artistic flourish of animated science fiction yarn “Big Hero 6,” to the war-torn meditation of Foreign Language Oscar nominee “Tangerines,” the review of which led to some rather distasteful fruit-based innuendo. Elsewhere, we were both in the queue for the second collaboration between Paul Thomas Anderson and Joaquin Phoenix, the stoner detective tale “Inherent Vice, while Cal’s long-standing perplexity with religion was tested when he sat down to watch Berlin Film Festival runner-up “Stations of the Cross.” Meanwhile, a big news segment sees us discuss the possibility that the French aren’t all that snobby, an unexpected coming out story leads us into a discussion of the 1972 Oscars, Imogen Poots is bested by the unlikeliest of characters, and Pete likens Judy Greer’s association with Jason Reitman to self-flagellation.
- Harper Lee has penned a sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird”
- The death of Geraldine McEwan
- Joel Grey comes out as gay
- Announcement of an all-female “Ghostbusters” sequel
- Cesar nominations
[2:37 – 15:43]
Reviews of:
- Tangerines 20:10 – 28:35
- Inherent Vice 28:36 – 40:58
- Stations of the Cross 40:59 – 53:48
- Big Hero 6 53:49 – 1:02:15
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Episode 130: Jardiner du Jour [Foxcatcher; Into the Woods; Predicting the Oscar Noms]
Episode 130: Jardiner du Jour
It’s Episode 130 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 only have two films this week, but the episode is jam-packed, thanks to Sunday’s Golden Globe awards and the impending Oscar nominations. We discuss the highlights from the ceremony, and the impact of recent events on all of the major Oscar races, speculating whether Jennifer Aniston can really seal the deal, and if there’s any room for manoeuvre in that seemingly locked Supporting Actress lineup. Elsewhere, negative preconceptions concerning Steve Carell are tested when we review Bennett Miller’s “Foxcatcher,” and Pete’s far-from-impressed verdict on “Into the Woods” sees Cal and Irini scrambling to defend the Disney musical. The return of the Red Light District sees us chat about the days when Leos Carax was joyful, the banality of Adolf Eichmann, and Jean-Luc Godard’s contempt for iPhones, while Pete has his own bridges to burn with social media, and none of us are quite sure how to pronounce Isabel Coixet’s name.
- The death of Anita Ekberg
- The death of Francesco Rosi
- The death of Samuel Goldwyn Jr
- Isabel Coixet’s new film to open Berlin Film Festival
Opening Segment: Our review of Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards, featuring reaction to the winners, the speeches, and of course the fashion!
[7:20 – 27:35]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Foxcatcher
- Into the Woods
[33:50 – 57:10]
Red Light District: Pimping the best films we’ve seen lately, featuring discussion of “Alice in the Cities,” “Beginners,” “Cleo from 5 to 7,” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” “Force Majeure,” “Goodbye to Language,” “Hannah Arendt,” “Haute Cuisine,” “The Night Is Young,” and “Trial”!
[57:20 – 1:10:50]
Closing Segment: Predicting the upcoming Oscar nominations! Will “Foxcatcher” go the way of “The Master”? Will Amy Adams make it six nominations in nine years? Will Cal have to see “The Judge”?
[1:10:55 – 1:27:15]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: Beck, “Devil’s Haircut”
Episode 111: The Moribund Monologues [The Congress; Finding Vivian Maier; Blood Ties]
Episode 111: The Moribund Monologues
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It’s Episode 111 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 pay tribute to two legends of the screen, as we discuss our favourite career highlights of Robin Williams and Lauren Bacall. The week’s releases offered few options, but we both managed to catch photographic documentary “Finding Vivian Maier” and Ari Folman’s live action/animation hybrid “The Congress,” which led us to some mighty preconceptions about Robin Wright. Pete saw the latest Simon Pegg comedy “Hector and the Search for Happiness” but only managed to come out of it with appreciation for one woman, while a surprise masculine presence in Guillaume Canet’s “Blood Ties” had Cal rather satisfied. Digressions are aplenty this week, as we take time out from the films to discuss the downfall of Gary Busey, lament Miley Cyrus’s break from acting, and list the problems that arise when normal moviegoers see foreign films. Elsewhere, an unexpected Gorillaz sing-off makes the final edit, recent dread for Daniel Radcliffe’s new film sees it excised from this month’s schedule, while a factual clanger from last week’s episode forces Cal into an apology, much to the amusement of Pete.
- David Ayer’s “Fury” to close London Film Festival
- The death of Robin Williams
- The death of Lauren Bacall
[4:45 – 21:00]
- Finding Vivian Maier
- Hector and the Search for Happiness
- Blood Ties
[32:00 – 1:02:55]
Closing Segment: Discussing Ari Folman’s “The Congress,” the career path of Robin Wright, and revealing our favourite films that are bat-shit crazy!
[1:03:00 – 1:19:30]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: A-Ha, “Take On Me”
Episode 99: The Changing of the Guard [Godzilla; Two Faces of January; In Secret]
Episode 99: The Changing of the Guard
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It’s Episode 99 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 marks the end of an era, as we announce who will take over from Emma Watson and Melvil Poupaud in our factor and range segments, so tune in to find out which delectable actor and actress will assume the baton. It’s a week of good cast lists, as the latest blockbuster incarnation of “Godzilla” managed to assemble a who’s who of Thespian talent (if you discount Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and we review period thriller “The Two Faces of January,” despite not having a clue why it’s titled as such. Cal goes it alone for “Concussion,” the sapphic answer to “Belle De Jour,” which Pete took as a cue to go into innuendo overdrive, while love triangle melodrama “In Secret” instigates fierce preconceptions about Jessica Lange. A recent death in the cinematography world leads to a digression about the best shot films of 1990, a discussion of anti-heroes turns into an analysis of category placement politics, plus the Huston problem rears its ugly head to plague one of our new replacements.
The week’s news:
- “Grace of Monaco” trashed at Cannes
- Broadchurch wins three BAFTAs
- The death of Malik Bendjelloul
- The death of Gordon Willis
[4:20 – 10:55]
Preconception Corner
- The Two Faces of January
- In Secret
- Concussion
[19:40 – 52:50]
Closing Segment: Our take on Gareth Edwards’ “Godzilla,” and discussing the history of anti-heroes in cinema!
[52:55 – 1:13:00]
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Shout Out Louds, “1999”
Episode 98: Winners & Losers [Bad Neighbours; The Wind Rises; Next Goal Wins]
Episode 98: Winners & Losers
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It’s Episode 98 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 starts out sporty, as we look ahead to next month’s World Cup, and celebrate the release of new underdog football film “Next Goal Wins” by revealing our favourite documentaries about sports. After that, we get onto the week’s other releases, which include the amusingly re-titled comedy “Bad Neighbours” and Hayao Miyazaki’s period swansong “The Wind Rises,” which prompts a discussion of the greatest biopics ever made, and a face-off between “The Pianist” and “Schindler’s List”. With only three films, we have plenty of time to anticipate next week’s double-dose of Elizabeth Olsen, and venture on a host of digressions, discussing the quality of the cinema of 2004, and what exactly constitutes a “performance piece.” Elsewhere, Pete uncorks a rather vicious burn on Hailee Steinfeld, Zac Efron makes Cal feel guilty and shallow, and there’s a proposed overhaul of the segments which may see Emma and Melvil banished from the podcast. Scandal!
Opening Segment: Discussing our favourite sports documentaries, and high benchmarks for sports films in general!
[8:45 – 16:55]
Preconception Corner
- Next Goal Wins
- Bad Neighbours
[24:20 – 47:10]
Closing Segment: Our take on Hayao Miyakazi’s “The Wind Rises,” and discussing our favourite biopics, with some other random asides!
[47:15 – 1:16:00]
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Conchita Wurst, “Rise Like a Phoenix”
Episode 97: Continental Drift [Tracks; A Thousand Times Good Night; Blue Ruin]
Episode 97: Continental Drift
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It’s Episode 97 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.
Dubbed “Mr. D+” by Pete, Cal hopes for a better run of films this week, as our slate of continent-spanning sober dramas force us to tone things down a little. We review Erik Poppe’s “A Thousand Times Good Night,” starring the ever-exemplary Juliette Binoche, but is the moral-heavy family crisis at the film’s centre worthy of her abilities? It’s been eight months since Pete saw and liked John Curran’s “Tracks” at Venice, but does Cal feel the same way about the Aussie desert quest’s quality? Elsewhere, Pete caught up with Paddy Considine-led British thriller “Honour,” while Cal opted for American indie revenge pic “Blue Ruin,” plus a listener question leads to a slew of digressions about the Cannes Film Festival’s history of politics and prize-giving. Tune in to hear our thoughts on the biggest Oscar snub of the 1980s, which Terrence Malick film receives a radical re-evaluation from Pete, and why a foolish display of canine companionship gets Cal all self-righteous.
The Week’s News:
- The death of Bob Hoskins
- A sequel to “Spring Breakers” is announced
- Cal’s been reading a Cannes-related book
Listener Question: “What are your thoughts on “Clean,” and specifically Maggie Cheung?” [Ibbi]
[7:55 – 13:10]
Opening Segment: The return of the Red Light District, featuring discussion of “Chaotic Ana,” “Into the Night,” “Safety Not Guaranteed,” “The Search for Bridey Murphy,” “To the Wonder,” and “Youth Without Youth”
[13:15 – 26:45]
Preconception Corner
- A Thousand Times Good Night
- Blue Ruin
- Honour
- Tracks
[29:55 – 1:02:25]
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Faye Wong, “Dream Person”
Episode 90: Celtic Confusion [Under the Skin; The Past; The Zero Theorem]
Episode 90: Celtic Confusion
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It’s Episode 90 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.
The podcast is back after a fortnight’s absence with some St. Patrick’s day cheer, but will we be cheering in response to this week’s films? Asghar Farhadi fans may want to beware, as we review French language drama “The Past,” while those who helped kick-start a movie adaptation of TV show “Veronica Mars” will have to deal with a fresh take on the crime caper. Pete’s seen another quirky Tilda Swinton film this week in Terry Gilliam’s “The Zero Theorem,” before Cal reveals whether the second half of Lars Von Trier’s “Nymphomaniac” lived up to the educational might of the first. Jonathan Glazer’s shady “Under the Skin” gets us discussing (among other things) why meeting Scarlett Johansson in a nightclub is a very bad omen, and which football team’s fans bears the brunt of her seduction. The usual digressions occur, as we’re forced to address the original Huston Problem, Pete’s trepidation for an upcoming Dostoyevsky adaptation, and which TV shows we’d love to see a big-screen version of. We offer a quick lesson on grammatical composition, the Earth threatens to fall off its axis when Cal associates Katy Perry with Bjork, and Cillian Murphy throws a spanner in the works of this week’s Watson Factor. It’s all about the Celts.
Introduction and news
Preconception Corner
- The Past
- Veronica Mars
- The Zero Theorem
- Nymphomaniac: Part II
[13:40 – 51:20]
Closing Segment: Our take on Jonathan Glazer’s “Under the Skin,” and discussing films set in Glasgow
[51:25 – 1:07:10]
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Beach Boys, “Caroline No”
Episode 85: The Saldana Situation [Lone Survivor; Out of the Furnace; 2013 Catch Up]
Episode 85: The Saldana Situation
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It’s Episode 85 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 back to a fairly lengthy running time, when the week’s slate reaches a lofty seven films, as we catch up on 2013 films we missed. The jury’s out as to whether Pete will agree with Cal’s affection for “The Spectacular Now,” “Short Term 12” and “Museum Hours,” and whether Cal will share Pete’s disdain for “The Place Beyond the Pines” and admiration for “The Wall.” We also take the time out to discuss a couple of Friday’s cinema releases as Cal tackles raucous war drama “Lone Survivor,” and Pete deals with the blue-collar criminality in “Out Of The Furnace.” We mourn the recent passing of Philip Seymour Hoffman with a discussion of our favourite performances of his, and mull over some recent Oscar controversy. Tune in to find out how Zoe Saldana may have unwittingly spawned a new segment for the show, why Pete is (wrongly) outraged over a previous episode’s Poupaud ruling, and which Latin singer bears the brunt of our displeasure. All this, plus a random bout of singing leads to a Dolly Parton number closing out the podcast. Yes, again.
The Week’s News:
- The deaths of Maximillian Schell and Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Kristin Scott-Thomas Is Done With Films
- Oscar nomination for “Alone Yet Not Alone” rescinded
- Cesar nominations announced
[4:30 – 19:00]
Preconception Corner
- Lone Survivor
- Out Of The Furnace
[27:55 – 47:40]
Closing Segment: Catching up with 2013 films, with comment on “Museum Hours,” “The Place Beyond the Pines,” “Short Term 12,” “The Spectacular Now” and “The Wall”
[47:50 – 1:13:50]
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Dolly Parton, “Jolene”
Episode 73: Smooth Digressions [Philomena; Enough Said; Turbo]
Episode 73: Smooth Digressions
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It’s Episode 73 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’ve got plenty of material for you this week, as we bring you five films, a healthy news segment, and an epic Preconception Corner. Having already achieved the Sheppard seal of approval, Cal caught up with Stephen Frears’ “Philomena,” plus we tackle the Romanian Oscar hopeful “Child’s Pose,” and well-received animated film “Turbo.” As Awards Season hots up, we assess where the finalists for the Best Animated Feature Oscar all stand, and look at the nominees for France’s distinguished Louis Delluc prize. There’s a mini faux-pas regarding James Gandolfini during this week’s review of “Enough Said,” while only one of us managed to sit through all of booze-filled comedy “Drinking Buddies.” Listen to hear which former Oscar nominee’s family member contacted Cal this week, which sitcom scarred Pete’s early cinema-going days, and how anticipation of cartoon snails somehow evolves into a rant about a certain British radio station. You couldn’t make it up.
The Week’s News:
- Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel” will open next year’s Berlin Film Festival
- “Renoir” snubbed by the Louis Delluc Prize committee
- Pete’s going to another film festival
- Cal has a story about a former Oscar nominee
[2:30 – 15:40]
*Preconception Corner*
Reviews of:
- Philomena*
- Enough Said*
- Child’s Pose
- Drinking Buddies
[25:00 – 1:02:00]
*Listener questions are addressed at the end of each review
Closing Segment: Our take on Dreamworks’ “Turbo” plus a discussion of the finalised list of entries for the Animated Feature Oscar, and an analysis of the race! [1:02:15 – 1:20:25]
The Watson Factor
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Santana feat. Rob Thomas, “Smooth”
In the Mood for Podcast 
