Episode 147:The Birdseye Debacle [Tomorrowland; Poltergeist; Return to Sender]
It’s Episode 147 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 much-delayed episode sees us discuss last week’s big releases at the cinema, including Brad Bird’s adventure tale “Tomorrowland,” and horror remake “Poltergeist.” We also had time to chat about Rosamund Pike’s latest twisted thriller, “Return to Sender,” and Cal reveals all about Samuel L. Jackson’s “Big Game,” which had a rather ludicrous plot setup to live up to. Simon Pegg’s recent outspoken antics may have upset comic-book geeks far and wide, but his thoughts on modern blockbusters instigate a lengthy chat about the future of the industry, while the prizes from the Cannes Film Festival dredge up longstanding observations about the festival’s politics. We may only be in June, but tune in to find out which leading performance Cal has already declared the worst of the year, which fishy figurehead Nick Nolte reminded Pete of, and which lesser-known actress emerged as the star of her film.
The week’s news: Discussing some interesting birthdays in the world of film, Simon Pegg’s assault on modern studio filmmaking, and the prizes from the Cannes Film Festival!
[3:10 – 22:00]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Poltergeist 29:28 – 38:21
- Return to Sender 38:22 – 50:07
- Big Game 50:08 – 56:39
- Tomorrowland 56:40 – 1:08:12
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 118: The Dangers of Swiping Right [Gone Girl; Life After Beth; Draft Day]
Episode 118: The Dangers of Swiping Right
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It’s Episode 118 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.
To donate to Pete’s half-marathon run, on behalf of the Midlands Arts Centre, follow this link
This week’s episode begins with an apology from Cal for last week’s drunken debacle, plus we plug Pete’s athletic abilities, and Cal tips a couple of worthwhile films playing at this year’s London Film Festival. In the wake of this week’s “Gone Girl” we dig into David Fincher’s chilly and distinguished career, before reviewing his new mystery thriller, but who was the unexpected stand-out of the cast? We tackle zombie comedy “Life After Beth,” before speculating on why The Times critic Wendy Ide may not have taken too kindly to the whole affair, while Pete left Cal to watch NFL procedural “Draft Day” alone, despite him knowing almost nothing (thank you, Mrs. Henderson) about the inner workings of the sport. Elsewhere, we conclude that Blake Lively’s impending arrival spells good news for the entire film community, Ellen Burstyn’s savvy use of social networking is too much for one of us to comprehend, and Ed Sheeran’s lyrical over-sensitivity towards hookups doesn’t go down too well. The bright side? There’s no sing-a-long.
The Week’s News:
- David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” to return for a third season in 2016!
- Steve Martin to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the AFI
- Blake Lively is pregnant
- Films to look out for ahead of this week’s London Film Festival
[6:25 – 16:15]
Opening Segment: In anticipation of “Gone Girl”: A retrospective of David Fincher’s career to date, featuring discussion of all of his films!
[16:20 – 32:45]
Preconception Corner
- Gone Girl
- Draft Day
- Life After Beth
[38:30 – 1:13:15]
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Olsen Factor
The Isaac Range
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 108: Behind the Vicarage [Dawn of the Planet of the Apes; The Films of 1948]
Episode 108: Behind the Vicarage
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It’s Episode 108 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.
With a serious dearth of new releases this week, we’ve decided to go back in time to the cinema of 1948, giving our top tens, favourite performances, and disappointments from the year, which drags out the episode to a typically strenuous length. Meanwhile, there’s a trio of deaths in the film world, and a Franco double bill, which includes nuclear romance “Grand Central” and Fanny Ardant in bourgeois drama “Bright Days Ahead.” Pete’s rundown of the latter of those threatened to be as candid as the film itself, but you’ll have to listen to find out whether its boldness had us weak at the knees, or reaching for the sick bowl. The week’s big movie is “Dawn of the Planet of Apes,” which neither of us were looking forward to, but which does give us time to ponder Mark Wahlberg’s ascent to leading man status, Gary Oldman’s recent career choices, and the absurdity of internal ape politics. Elsewhere, discover how Frieda Pinto gets the raw end of the deal, why Manohla Dargis is the Queen of the fake allegory, and why what happened behind the vicarage in Sutton Park remains a mystery.
The week’s news:
- The death of James Garner
- The death of Elaine Stritch
- The death of Tom Rolf
- “The Imitation Game” will open this year’s London Film Festival
- “Gone Girl” will open this year’s New York Film Festival
[5:15 – 15:20]
Preconception Corner
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
- Bright Days Ahead
- Grand Central
[23:30 – 52:55]
Closing Segment:Discussing our favourite films and performances from 1948, touching upon films by Alfred Hitchcock, Roberto Rossellini, and John Ford, and performances by Olivia De Havilland, Walter Huston, and Laurence Olivier!
[53:00 – 1:24:45]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: Madonna, “Lucky Star”
In the Mood for Podcast 
