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 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 116: The Decoy Tots [The Giver; Magic in the Moonlight; A Walk Among the Tombstones]
Episode 116: The Decoy Tots
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It’s Episode 116 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 super-long episode, we lament Cal’s laissez faire approach to editing, but this edition managed to sail under the ninety-minute mark fairly smoothly. The Red Light District is back, as we discuss films starring Nina Hoss and Richard Burton, a dishonest Dogme flick, plus Cal’s return to awards completion gets us analysing two Best Actress Oscar races, one of which features one of the biggest snubs of all time. New releases include baseball underdog drama “Million Dollar Arm,” of which the MVP was plain for both of us to see, and Woody Allen’s “Magic in the Moonlight,” which Pete unsurprisingly snubbed. There’s also Liam Neeson thriller “A Walk Among the Tombstones,” and Philip Noyce’s “The Giver,” which Pete managed to smear in innuendo and spend forever on divulging the plot of. Taylor Swift’s presence in the film forces both of us to admit some admiration for her lyrical hand, while her likeness to a famously jilted tennis player instigates discussion of a disastrous celebrity relationship. Elsewhere, there’s a postponed Joe Wright rant from last week, Pete’s parents’ holiday snaps struggle to emulate Michael Ballhaus, and the natural charm of one of this week’s actresses leads to a new qualification in the Olsen Factor.
The Week’s News
- Foreign Language submissions from France, Belgium, Canada, and Hong Kong
[2:25 – 8:20]
Opening Segment: This month’s Red Light District, featuring discussion of “Barbara,” “Elena,” “Mifune’s Last Song,” “Mourning Becomes Electra,” “Passion Fish,” “The Spy Who Came In From the Cold” and “Win/Win”
[8:25 – 23:15]
Preconception Corner
- Million Dollar Arm
- A Walk Among the Tombstones
- Magic in the Moonlight
- The Giver
[29:15 – 1:12:15]
Shag, Marry or Kill?
The Olsen Factor
The Isaac Range
Episode 49: In for the Kill [Star Trek Into Darkness; Mud; Deadfall]
EPISODE 49: In for the Kill
[1:17:17]
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It’s Episode 49 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.
Following up on last week’s listener question we take time out to discuss NBC’s Hannibal, which we have now watched all of despite Pete’s lack of enthusiasm for it last week. We discuss the show’s merits, and whether we think the network will cancel or renew it, as well as broadening the theme to offer our favourite movies about serial killers. As for the reviews, we tackle Jeff Nichols’ follow-up to “Take Shelter,” “Mud,” starring Cal’s favourite Southern gal Reese Witherspoon, and Eric Bana thriller “Deadfall,” which features some questionable accents. The ever-rugged Paul Walker lured Cal into sitting down for “Vehicle 19,” while Pete’s Asian allegiance led him to martial arts crime drama “Dragon.” And before all of that we kick off the episode by venting our thoughts about “Star Trek Into Darkness,” which neither of us was particularly looking forward to. Sit back and listen for digressions involving Terry Gilliam (yes! again!), the return of The Huston Factor, and yet more bitching about football. Don’t worry: the season’s nearly over!
*Preconception Corner*
Opening Segment: Leading off with our review of J. J. Abrams’ “Star Trek Into Darkness” starring Chris Pine and Benedict Cumberbatch [8:30 – 18:15]
Reviews of:
- “Mud”
- “Deadfall”
- “Vehicle 19”
- “Dragon”
[18:16 – 53:17]
Closing Segment: Discussing the merits of NBC’s new show “Hannibal,” speculating on its future at the network, and offering our favourite serial killer movies [53:18 – 1:10:00]
*Shag, Marry or Kill?*
*The Watson Factor*
*The Poupaud Range*
Outro Music: Arcade Fire, “Keep the Car Running”
In the Mood for Podcast 
