Episode 167: The Life of Pablo [Oscar Nominations Reaction; Top Ten Films of 2016]
In the wake of the Oscar nominations, Cal and Irini are back to discuss the exciting inclusions and dastardly snubs from this year’s crop, dishing our opinions on an unfortunate Amy Adams and a crowded Best Actress race, conceding to the power of Michael Shannon, and generally shaking our heads in disapproval at Mel Gibson. Elsewhere, we each give our top ten films of 2016, which includes those from Korea, Germany, Argentina, and more! Plus there’s a lot of love for Pablo Larrain, and one of Irini’s favourites receives a less-than-enthusiastic response from Cal.
Oscar Nominations:
- Our reactions to this year’s nominees!
[1:35 – 21:00]
Top Ten Films of 2016:
- Our favourite films and performances from the year!
[21:05 – 56:55]
Intro Music: Lady Antebellum, “American Honey”
Outro Music: “Drive It Like You Stole It” (From Sing Street)
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 125: Empty and Chortleless [Paddington; Mockingjay Part I; The Homesman]
Episode 125: Empty and Chortleless
It’s Episode 125 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 catching up for lost time with two weeks’ worth of films, and a ton of news, from the sad demise of Mike Nichols to the influx of awards action, featuring discussion of Marion Cotillard’s Oscar prospects and the underachievement of Edward Norton, while Pete is particularly aghast at the NBR’s fondness for “The Lego Movie.” Reviews this week include our take on podcast favourite Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of James Brown in “Get On Up,” the less-than-popular Hilary Swank in Tommy Lee Jones’ maybe-Western “The Homesman,” and the daunting prospect of Michael Bond’s “Paddington” being adapted for the big screen. Elsewhere, Pete found time to see Antipodean vampire comedy “What We Do In the Shadows,” while Cal was the only one queuing up to see Jennifer Lawrence in the latest instalment of The Hunger Games, “Mockingjay Part I.” Meanwhile, there’s a digression about 2006’s Best Actress Oscar lineup, one of Faye Dunaway’s many camp film roles is celebrated, Kevin Spacey’s private life gets an airing, and Pete is seriously torn between allegiance and detest in anticipation for Jason Reitman’s upcoming film, which stars the one and only Judy Greer.
- The death of Mike Nichols
- Cahiers du Cinema announce their top ten
- New York Film Critics Circle awards
- National Board of Review
[2:20 – 20:10]
Preconception Corner
Reviews of:
- Get On Up
- The Homesman
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I
- What We Do in the Shadows
[27:00 – 54:10]
Closing Segment: Our take on quirky children’s tale “Paddington” and discussing our favourite cinematic female villains!
[54:15 – 1:05:55]
The Isaac Range
Outro Music: Lana Del Rey, “Blue Jeans”
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 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 
