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 136: The Abrupt Apology [Blackhat; Cake; Predestination]
It’s Episode 136 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.
Despite Pete’s efforts toward the contrary, this week’s episode is our longest yet, as we dig into our year-end awards, disclosing more than a little about our favourite films and performances. We also react to this past Sunday’s Academy Awards, measuring “Birdman” up against the Best Picture winners of the past and speculating about how its leading man couldn’t also sail to victory. The week’s reviews include time travel thriller “Predestination,” starring podcast favourite Ethan Hawke, Jennifer Aniston’s failed Oscar bid, “Cake,” and Michael Mann’s latest procedural drama “Blackhat,” which one of us walked out on. Meanwhile, Anna Kendrick is – quite literally – a vision, there’s an appearance from Gloria Gaynor, and Pete has an abrupt apology for one of last week’s performers after omitting her from The Pootsition.
- Kristin Stewart makes history with Cesar win
- Birdman wins the Best Picture Oscar (+ other reaction)
[4:00 – 20:53]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Blackhat 28:10 – 38:48
- Predestination 38:49 – 46:55
- Cake 46:56 – 1:00:26
Closing Segment: Revealing our top ten films of 2014, and discussing our favourite performances (in quite a bit of depth)!
[1:00:27 – 1:4]
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Episode 104: Miscarriages of Justice [The Fault In Our Stars; Jersey Boys; Miss Violence]
Episode 104: Miscarriages of Justice
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It’s Episode 104 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.
Irini M. returns this week to help us discuss our favourite films and performances from 2014 so far, leading to a disagreement about Wes Anderson, yet more discussion of Xavier Dolan, and a fierce defence of a podcast fantasy favourite. The week’s reviews see us flirt with both familiarity and contempt, as Cedric Klapisch’s trilogy-capping “Chinese Puzzle” was finally released in the UK, while not all of us were happy about the Venice trophy haul of Greek family drama “Miss Violence.” We tackle cancer flick “The Fault In Our Stars,” Cal goes it alone for Clint Eastwood’s foray into the musical genre, “Jersey Boys,” while the latest batch of non-sporting news calls for a Desplat love-in, and a discussion of everyone’s favourite Hong Kong auteur. Pete continues to liken the faults of World Cinema to Roy Hodgson’s World Cup tactics, a listener question provokes a passionate defence of Greek patriotism from Irini, and a controversial pitch for a new Jennifer Lopez rom-com provides an early FYC for next year’s compilation.
The week’s news:
- Alexandre Desplat announced as the President of the jury at this year’s Venice Film Festival
- Wong Kar-Wai’s new film is on the way
- Gerry Conlon, subject of the film “In the Name of the Father,” dies aged 60
[2:30 – 14:45]
Listener Questions from Ibbi
[14:50 – 20:35]
Preconception Corner
- The Fault In Our Stars
- Chinese Puzzle
- Miss Violence
- Jersey Boys
[33:45 – 1:14:00]
Closing Segment: 2014’s mid-year awards, in which we discuss our favourite and least favourite films and performances from the year so far!
[1:14:05 – 1:35:35]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: Alexandre Desplat, “Depart Pour La Guerre” (from “The Well Digger’s Daughter”)
Episode 96: Pfists & Trysts [Transcendence; Amazing Spider-Man 2; Labour Day]
Episode 96: Pfists & Trysts
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It’s Episode 96 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 is especially sweet for Pete, as Rebecca Hall features in two very different releases: Wally Pfister’s ambitious Sci-fi project “Transcendence,” and Patrice Leconte’s reserved romantic drama “A Promise.” Despite general dread at the prospect of Jason Reitman’s “Labour Day,” Cal managed to catch it, but did he find something of worth besides an appreciation for Diane Lane’s taste in men? We both saw “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” of which there are fairly lengthy preconceptions, and elsewhere we discuss some relationship news, an odd piece of casting, and the eclectic competition jury for this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Tune in to find out why Cal is on particularly grumpy form, how many times Pete had to recount the plot of “Transcendence” in order to perfect it, and our potentially epic plans for our upcoming 100th episode!
The Week’s News:
- Jodie foster marries her female partner
- George Clooney gets engaged
- Jessica Chastain cast as Marilyn Monroe
- A new Dad’s Army film to be made
- Cannes jury is announced
[4:45 – 16:10]
Preconception Corner
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2
- A Promise
- Labour Day
[28:05 – 59:15]
Closing Segment: Our take on Wally Pfister’s “Transcendence,” discussing debut screenwriting feats, and cinematographers-turned-directors!
[59:20 – 1:20:40]
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: The National, “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
Episode 72: Out In Left Field [Bad Grandpa; Ender’s Game; Closed Circuit]
Episode 72: Out In Left Field
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It’s Episode 72 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 leaning to the left, as the radical politics of Polish paean “Walesa, Man of Hope,” and terrorist thriller “Closed Circuit,” have conflicting degrees of success. We discuss some rather troubling casting news from this side of the ocean, before Cal dishes all on festival favourite “The Selfish Giant” and Pete reveals whether populist hit “Bad Grandpa” is worth a watch. Some probable Star Trek blasphemy gets in the way of this week’s review of “Ender’s Game,” as Cal dares to compare it to the long-running franchise, plus there’s love for Colleen Atwood, a nod to Reese Witherspoon’s scene stealing intonation in the trailer for “Rendition,” and a theory on why Alfred Hitchcock’s biggest regret is nothing to worry about.
The Week’s News:
- The death of Lou Reed
- Lorde storms the music charts
- Tom Hardy cast as Elton John
- Tim Roth cast as Sepp Blatter
- “Momuments Men” moves to 2014
- The Gotham nominations are announced
[4:10 – 11:55]
*Preconception Corner*
Reviews of:
- Closed Circuit
- Ender’s Game
- Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
- The Selfish Giant
[19:50 – 1:01:30]
Closing Segment: Our take on Andrzej Wajda’s “Walesa, Man of Hope” and discussing our first-time cinema experiences of films by Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Altman, Wong Kar-Wai, and Orson Welles [1:01:35 – 1:22:50]
The Watson Factor
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Late Night Alumni, “All or Nothing”
Episode 47: Industrial Strength [Iron Man 3; The Look of Love; The Lords of Salem]
EPISODE 47: Industrial Strength
[1:19:59]
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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 
