Episode 161: The Chinese Intervention [The Martian; Macbeth; The Intern]
It’s Episode 161 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.
A big congratulations to Pete, as this week he proposed to his other half Jane, prompting the women of the West Midlands to cross him out in their little black books, and the podcast to indulge in a Taylor Swift-inspired celebration. The week’s reviews include “The Intern,” Nancy Meyers’ latest frothy window into the life of a working woman, and “McFarland,” the latest of many sports movies in the lengthy filmography of Kevin Costner. Cal dares to take on William Shakespeare’s story structure in his review of the latest adaptation of “Macbeth,” while many of the plot developments in “The Martian” are up for scrutiny, particularly with regard to the Chinese. Elsewhere, two composers’ birthdays get us discussing their finest works, there’s a sizeable digression about the Best Actress crop of 2003, and Pete can’t help but veer into profanity while ranting about one of the week’s scripts.
The week’s news: The career of the late John Guillermin, plus the week’s birthdays!
[5:40 -13:40]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Macbeth 19:55 – 32:25
- McFarland 32:26 – 43:19
- The Intern 43:20 – 50:54
- The Martian 50:55 – 1:05:40
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Outro Music: Britney Spears, “Oops, I Did it Again”
Episode 144: From Maasai Mara to Agent Provocateur [Avengers: Age of Ultron; The Good Lie; The Falling]
It’s Episode 144 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 there’s some festival fever, with the upcoming Cannes Film Festival generating fervour abroad, and Derby’s incarnation providing some local interest. We split the reviews segment, as Pete was there for Marvel’s huge sequel to “The Avengers” and Carol Morley’s acclaimed period drama “The Falling,” while Cal caught the gothic thriller “Stonhearst Asylum” and his favourite, Reese Witherspoon, in immigrant tale “The Good Lie.” Elsewhere, we talk about a couple of deaths in the film community, which instigates a discussion of cinematography in the early Noughties, there’s been drama on the set of the new Adam Sandler film, and the return of Greta Scacchi leads to a bit of a love-in. Tune in to discover what Xavier Dolan’s huge faux-pas might have been, which Avengers actress does not survive The Pootsition, and why Reese Witherspoon’s underwear was somewhat of an issue for Cal.
- The death of Richard Corliss
- The death of Andrew Lesnie
- Denis Villeneuve to helm Blade Runner sequel
- Further Cannes Film Festival updates
- Upcoming Derby Film Festival
[2:20 – 14:28]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- The Avengers: Age of Ultron 22:27 – 30:54
- Stonehearst Asylum 30:55 – 39:58
- The Falling 39:59 – 50:20
- The Good Lie 50:21 – 1:01:34
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Pootsition
The Garrett Gauge
Episode 112: Plenty of Fish [Lucy; Two Days, One Night]
Episode 112: Plenty of Fish
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It’s Episode 112 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 returning late from a rather heavy Bank Holiday weekend, with reviews of two films featuring mega Hollywood actresses. Luc Besson’s “Lucy” is the latest film in a prolific spell for the delectable Scarlett Johansson, while Marion Cotillard returns to her world cinema roots in the Dardennes brothers’ “Two Days, One Night,” which sees us getting personal about our own ethics. Elsewhere, we discuss the career of Richard Attenborough, some encouraging news for Scandinavian cinema, and Pete reveals his decision-making behind the decoration for his new house, a quarter of which features work by perennial podcast favourite Wong Kar-Wai. The week’s digressions include a brief lament over Amy Adams’ patchy filmography, Faye Dunaway’s destructive diva period, and Andie MacDowell’s bizarre behaviour on Twitter. We talk about the popular Ice Bucket Challenge (which we’re both snubbing), the Naomi Christie accent controversy rumbles on, and the Joe Wright rant of the week features some far from encouraging words for the men of Belgium.
- The death of Richard Attenborough
- Susanne Bier’s “Serena” to hit UK cinemas in October
- Pete’s decoration of film stills
[1:35 – 23:40]
Red Light District: This month’s pimping session, featuring discussion of “Coherence,” “Philomena,” “Symptoms,” “Thirteen At Dinner,” and “What’s Up Doc?”
[24:50 – 34:10]
- Lucy
- Two Days, One Night
[39:30 – 1:12:35]
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Olsen Factor
The Isaac Range
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 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 86: Rue De Simple [Her; Bastards; An Oversimplification Of Her Beauty]
Episode 86: Rue De Simple
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It’s Episode 86 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.
Pete finally got his wish, as our latest episode sneaks in under the hour mark, with just three films featured this week. Nevertheless, we get into fairly meaty discussions about Claire Denis’s sexually-charged “Bastards” and Terence Nance’s incredibly personal documentary “An Oversimplification Of Her Beauty,” which had both of us rather perplexed. Pete was counting on Spike Jonze’s “Her” to be the saviour of 2013’s cinematic worth, but did either or both of us get past that dead cat phone-sex convo? An odd opening news segment leads to the pimping of an underseen world cinema classic, some rare positive words about Clint Eastwood, and a chat about the spectrum of quality in Hitchcock remakes, while we lament the fall from grace of a famous child actor, discuss the President of France’s bit on the side, and ponder the beastly attributes of a certain French actor.
The Week’s News:
- The death of Gabriel Axel
- Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to host next year’s Golden Globes
- Clint Eastwood is a real-life hero
- Channing Tatum is writing “Magic Mike 2”
- Shia LaBoeuf wears paper bag to premiere of “Nymphomaniac” at Berlin; echoes Eric Cantona
[2:40 – 10:40]
Preconception Corner
- Bastards
- An Oversimplification Of Her Beauty
- Her
[15:25 – 51:15]
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Terrorvision, “Perseverance”
Episode 75: Pillow Talk [The Counsellor; The Butler; Don Jon]
Episode 75: Pillow Talk
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It’s Episode 75 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’s episode sees the return of the French quarter, as Pete ventured to a local film festival to catch his beloved Daniel Auteuil’s recent double-feature, “Marius” and “Fanny,” as well as Juliette Binoche in “Camille Claudel 1915.” Elsewhere, we’re discussing the joys of this week’s mainstream releases, including Scarlett Johansson’s womanly prowess in sexed-up comedy “Don Jon,” and the varying degrees of raunch Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz bring to Ridley Scott’s brutal thriller “The Counsellor.” We ponder the difference between BAFTA and Oscar, discuss whether voice performances should vie for awards, while a listener question forces us to address the mediocrity of some of the Academy’s Supporting Actress winners from years gone by. There are huge preconceptions about Lee Daniels’ “The Butler,” but can its depiction of the civil rights movement survive our scrutiny and mark a mature step forward for the director? Listen to find out, and enjoy musings on the absurdity of John Cusack’s fake nose , how Zooey Deschanel might have ruined one of the week’s offerings, and why Cuba Gooding Jr. and Jane Fonda really need to hang out more.
The Week’s News:
- The Honorary Oscars have been handed out
- Scarlett Johansson wins Best Actress at the Rome Film Festival for “Her”
- There’s going to be a sequel to “It’s a Wonderful Life”
[2:25 – 13:25]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- The Counsellor
- Don Jon
- Marius / Fanny
- Camille Claudel 1915
[36:40 – 1:04:55]
Closing Segment: Our take on Lee Daniels’ “The Butler,”* and discussing historical inaccuracies in films! [1:03:50 – 1:23:40]
The Watson Factor
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Rhye, “Hunger”
Episode 69: Lowering the Brow [How I Live Now; Filth; Thanks For Sharing]
Episode 69: Lowering the Brow
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It’s Episode 69 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 hit rock bottom in terms of class, as we review several films depicting trashy and/or deviant sexual behaviour. Saoirse Ronan sheds blood and taboos in her third outing this year, post-apocalyptic drama “How I Live Now,” while her once-“Atonement” co-star James McAvoy is off the leash in crazed thriller “Filth.” Elsewhere, Cal tuned in for sex addiction ensemble piece “Thanks For Sharing” and the sobering World War II-set “Emperor,” while Pete’s affection for Aubrey Plaza led him to high-school comedy “The To Do List.” Our early segments see the return of podcast favourites Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus, before we discuss James L. Brooks’ degrees of success with actresses, and Cal tries to kill off Debbie Reynolds. Listen to find out how kids favourite Peppa Pig features in this week’s episode, how many digressions concern Jennifer Connelly, and why Roger Michell really needs to stop making films about horny old men.
The Week’s News:
- Miley Cyrus’s album ‘Bangerz’ was released
- The death of Patrice Chereau
- The BFI reveal a new video-on-demand service
- Quentin Tarantino discloses his top ten of 2013 (yes… already!)
[1:20 – 9:20]
This month’s Red Light District! Featuring discussion of “I Know Who Killed Me,” “The Peach Thief,” “Postcards from the Edge,” “Robot & Frank” and “White Space” [9:25 – 20:20]
Reviews of:
- Filth
- Thanks For Sharing
- The To-Do List
- Emperor
[27:50 – 1:00:35]
Closing Segment: Our take on Kevin MacDonald’s post-apocalyptic drama “How I Live Now,” and discussing our favourite film soundtracks! [1:00:40 – 1:19:15]
The Watson Factor
The Poupaud Range
Outro Music: Christina Millian, “Dip It Low”
