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 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 45: Greek Tragedies [Oblivion; Place Beyond the Pines; Promised Land]
EPISODE 45: Greek Tragedies
[1:24:32]
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It’s Episode 45 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 sees a reprise of our infamous Divide & Conquer week, as we go it alone for six of the seven films showcased. Cal was forced to abandon Derek Cianfrance’s “The Place Beyond the Pines” due to illness, so Pete handles the Ryan Gosling vehicle himself, as well as dishing the dirt on Greek themed Brit film “Papadopoulos & Sons.” After Cal highlights the dated politics in Gus Van Sant’s “Promised Land,” he has to stem a tirade of abuse for Paul Dano with some kind words about the actor’s performance in “For Ellen,” while Pete represents for world cinema with takedowns of the Olivier Assayas-directed “Something in the Air” and Polish drama “Closed Circuit.” We finally unite for a discussion of Tom Cruise sci-fi flick “Oblivion,” in which Andrea Riseborough is besmirched, Melissa Leo’s southern drawl is mimicked, and The Huston Problem rears its ugly head. Why Olga? Why?!
Opening Segment: Discussing what constitutes an “acclaimed” film, the issue with Rotten Tomatoes, and the importance of critics [2:25 – 14:05]
*Preconception Corner*
Reviews of:
- “The Place Beyond the Pines”
- “Promised Land”
- “Papadopoulos & Sons”
- “For Ellen”
- “Something in the Air”
- “Closed Circuit”
[20:20 – 1:01:40]
Closing Segment: Our take on Joseph Kosinki’s “Oblivion,” starring Tom Cruise, and discussing age-gap relationships on film [1:01:45 – 1:17:05]
*Shag, Marry or Kill?*
*The Watson Factor*
*The Poupaud Range*
Outro Music: Whitesnake, “Still of the Night”
In the Mood for Podcast 