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 142: Age Of Consent [The DUFF; John Wick; While We’re Young]
It’s Episode 142 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 after a two-and-a-half week absence with a packed lineup! As we catch up on the releases from the past fortnight, we’re reviewing five films, including the highly-anticipated new film from Christian Petzold, “Phoenix,” and Keanu Reeves’ foray into the action genre with “John Wick.” Cal reveals all about Noah Baumbach’s latest observation on the middle-classes, “While We’re Young” and Andrew Niccol’s moralistic war drama “Good Kill,” while we finish by talking about teen flick “The DUFF,” which Pete suspected that Cal would like. Elsewhere, in the wake of Thursday’s announcement of the Cannes Film Festival lineup, we assess upcoming films from Gus Van Sant, Paolo Sorrentino, and more, a listener’s rant re-instigates a costuming discussion from our last episode, and a controversial Pootsition flies narrowly close to the age of consent.
Listener question/rant [Ibbi]: Colleen Atwood vs. Sandy Powell
Cannes Film Festival: We dig into the line-up for this year’s festival, featuring films by Todd Haynes, Gus Van Sant, Jacques Audiard, and Hirokazu Koreeda!
[10:52 – 27:52]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Phoenix 34:30 – 46:00
- While We’re Young 46:01 – 52:47
- John Wick 52:48 – 1:03:12
- Good Kill 1:03:13 – 1:09:49
- The DUFF 1:09:50 – 1:23:07
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
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 
