Screen Watching: Recent Episodes
Screen Watching
Join TV and film critics (and handsome men) Dan Barrett and Simon Foster with reviews, industry news, and recommendations of great things to check out. This podcast is a perfect example of the dangers of equipping people with knowledge and microphones.
Is the new Francis Ford Coppola film Megalopolis as absolutely bonkers as they say? Dan and Simon braved a late night first screening at IMAX in Sydney to offer some 12:30am thoughts.
Also this week:
- Wolfs (Apple TV+)
- Paris Has Fallen (SBS On Demand in Australia, and on a mix of other services internationally including Prime Video)
Oh, and also, Dan and Simon discuss the very future of this podcast as they get set to embark upon their new podcast project.
Riddle me this! What do you get when you give a The Batman (2022) supporting character his own 8-episode HBO drama?
This week on the podcast, Dan and Simon talk about the movie tie-in show The Penguin. But they also discuss new Demi Moore film The Substance, the new animated feature Transformers One, and new Netflix feature His Three Daughters.
Oh, yeah... they also talk about the dull-as Emmy Awards.
Join us this week for Simon Foster's review of Netflix's surprise hit Rebel Ridge.
Also, Dan Barrett takes a look at TV documentaries about TV shows with After Baywatch and Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos. He calls one of them 'honest'. Which one, you'll never guess. But the very fact this is a question suggests you will probably guess. And even if you are simple and can't, there's a 50/50 chance.
NOTE: It is bad marketing to call one's listeners 'simple.' Dan should know better than to have written that.
This week Dan and Simon went to the movies together and watched Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Does it live up to the hype? Do we wish Beetlejuice had just gone Hawaiian after all?
But that isn’t all for this week’s show. We also discuss:
- English Teacher (Hulu/Disney+)
- The Deliverance (Netflix)
- Terminator Zero (Netflix)
- Single White Female (online store rental)
And we do the usual birthday quiz and this week in history games.
Another big week on the podcast as we review Netflix’s new dramedy KAOSand new cinema release Bookworm.
We also argue over Fly me To The Moon.
And then we explore Development Hell - those movies that have been worked on and reworked for years and years in the light of the most recent The Crow film being released - finally.
It’s been a heavy week for streaming movies. We go deep on the American Pie wannabe Incoming (Netflix) and Prime Video’s action comedy about a lottery winner on the run from, well, everyone in Jackpot!
We also have a chat about the DNC broadcast, Alien Romulus, the Presumed Innocent finale, the final(?) episode of Evil, Homicide: Life On The Street, The Union, and The Killer (2024).
This week on the podcast:
- Reviews: Bad Monkey (Apple TV+) and Alien Romulus (In cinemas)
- Intermission: Will late night talk shows still exist in 10 years?
- What else have we been watching: Simon has a wild Superman (1978) take
- This week in history and the birthday quiz
Inspired by Jason Reitman's new behind-the-scenes of SNL film Saturday Night, Dan and SImon this week consider movies they would like to see based on real life behind the scenes activity on other TV shows. Expect some pretty offbeat suggestions.
Reviews this week include:
- The Instigators (Apple TV+)
- It Ends with Us (In cinemas)
- Borderlands (In cinemas)
After years of going on about how the Apple Vision Pro signals the future of TV and movie watching, Dan and Simon both did a demo this week. What is the verdict? Was Dan suitably impressed? Was cinema enthusiast Simon Foster swayed?
Also, the guys review some actual TV shows and movies:
- Batman: Caped Crusader (Prime Video)
- Handling The Dead (in cinemas now)
- The Decameron (Netflix)
There’s really one big title to discuss this week, for better or worse. And that’s Marvel’s latest: Deadpool & Wolverine. If you’re looking for a spoiler-filled chat, we are here for it.
The very buzzy Longlegs (in cinemas now) gets a look by Simon and Dan, along with the not-at-all buzzy Apple TV+ drama Lady In The Lake.
It’s rather nice to have interesting films and TV shows to discuss.
This week:
- Twisters (In cinemas now)
- Sunny (Apple TV+)
- Fly Me To The Moon (In cinemas now)
We also go deep in our Intermission on what we would do if we took over Paramount.
Folks... big show.
Big reviews:
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (Netflix)
- Fake (Paramount+)
- Horizon: An American Saga - Part 1 (In cinemas now)
And we talk about new Australian anti-siphoning rules, discuss cheerleaders, and other less weighty topics.
Simon is without Dan this week. Probably for the best. He rabbits on about the new Netflix movie Trigger Point for a bit. Then he tells you about three movies he is excited about coming to the cinema this year. None of those movies have space laserss or laser guns that go ‘pew’ ‘pew’ ‘pew’. Not sure why he bothered.
Folks, it is a quiet-as week for a podcast without hot takes on Inside Out 2. But we make do. Simon finally relented and watched The Bear. Spoiler: He digs it. So, we talk about that on the pod too.
Yeah, we got the reviews.
- Bad Boys 4 - in cinemas now
- Presumed Innocent - it’s on your Apple TV+
Oh, and we have the Intermission:
- What unexpected on-screen team ups would we like to see a la Deadpool x Wolverine and Alien vs Predator.
And there’s What Else Have You Been Watching and our weekly quizZes.
This week on the podcast we go all over the place talking about Simon’s adventures in Hollywood this past week and the great opportunities there are as a pop culture tourist.
We also have reviews:
- The Acolyte (Disney+)
- Hit Man (Netflix)
And we talk about Under Paris, Netflix’s new shark movie, and the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense.
The last few weeks haven’t been great for the US box office. There’s a lot of concern folks aren’t coming out to the movies anymore. The good news is that Dan and Simon have pooled their collective wisdom together with ideas on how to save US blockbuster cinema.
Because they’re generous, they are sharing their ideas on this podcast.
There’s also reviews of two, well, odd films:
- Sasquatch Sunset (coming to Australian cinemas soon)
- Showdown at The Grand (Rent/buy it digitally at the usual places)
There’s also a deep dive into what the guys have watched this week and the usual quizes.
In the spirit of watching things on screens, this week you will witness Dan and Simon reviewing:
- Atlas (Netflix)
- The 8 Show (Netflix)
- Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (In cinemas now)
The guys also take a deep look at the cinema experiences they prefer, discuss what else they have been watching, and do the usual weekly trivia games.
Yes. This is too much show.
It might be a quiet week, but Dan and Simon make the week’s reviews worth your while.
This week:
- Mother of The Bride (Netflix)
- The Way, My Way (In cinemas now)
- Doctor Who (Disney+)
Dan also discusses why the upfronts were again interesting this year. Oh, and there’s the week’s birthday and history quizzes.
There were accusations this week’s podcast was impossible to hear. Like, it was fine on Spotify, but not on other podcast platforms.
Why was that? Some people are saying the illuminati.
This version of the podcast should be better for your earholes.
Know that this week on the show we review:
- The Idea of You (Prime Video)
- Kingdom of The Planet of The Apes (In cinemas)
- Let It Be (Disney+)
And then Simon starts talking about film festivals for some reason. Yeah, I don’t get it either.
May the 4th be with you all. This week on the podcast we delve into our Star Wars dominated lives and get a heat check on how we feel about it now.
We review:
- Unfrosted (Netflix)
- A Man in Full (Netflix)
- The Veil (Hulu/Disney+)
- Fremont (In cinemas now)
We also do our weekly quizzes: This week in history and the Birthday Quiz.
This week, we settle into our armchairs to review:
- The Fall Guy (In cinemas now)
- Elsbeth (Paramount+)
- Knuckles (Paramount+)
Then Dan and Simon discuss their favourite movie stunts.
Our main reviews for this week:
- Challengers (In cinemas now)
- Fallout (Prime Video)
In our Intermission segment:
- TV and cinema can’t leave the 1950s “nostalgia” behind
What else have we been watching?
- Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon Part 2
- Bluey - The Sign
- Baby Reindeer
We put too many things into this week’s show.
Reviews:
- Civil War (in cinemas now)
- Franklin (Apple TV+)
- The Sympathizer (HBO)
- Late Night with The Devil (In cinemas now, but soon on Shudder)
Oh, and we also have a lengthy conversation about our favourite critics, a chat about Curb Your Enthusiasm ending, and much more.
This week on the ol’ Screen Watching pod.
Reviews:
- Sugar (Apple TV+)
- Origin (In cinemas)
- Ripley (Netflix)
- Monkey Man (In cinemas)
We then celebrate a mid-year Festivus with our airing of grievances.
What even is the name of the new Godzilla film? Is it Godzilla x Kong? Shouldn’t it be ‘v’? Otherwise, it is kind of like Joannie Loves Chachi, which might actually be better?
Oh, this week we review:
- Godzilla Loves Kong (in cinemas now)
- A Gentleman in Moscow (Paramount+)
- Perfect Days (In cinemas)
- Steve (martin) - a documentary in two parts (Apple TV+)
This week on the podcast we review so, so many things.
Among the titles:
- Ghostbusters: They get real chilly (in cinemas now)
- 3 Body Problem (Netflix)
- Immaculate (In cinemas now)
- Chicken Nugget (Netflix)
- X-Men 97 (Disney+)
- Road House (Prime Video)
Also, we messed up the video this week, so instead of our faces, we have a running track of classic TV commercials (without sound). Enjoy?
This week on the podcast we have a post-Oscars hangover. So, we offer a few post Oscars thoughts, then get onto the business of reviews:
- Love Lies Bleeding (In cinemas now)
- The Girls on The Bus (Max, Binge)
- Manhunt (Apple TV+)
- Millers Girl (In cinemas now)
- American Fiction (Prime Video)
It’s our big pre-Oscars show as Simon & Dan discuss the nominated films that should win.
Oh, and there’s reviews too:
- How To Have Sex (In cinemas now)
- Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent (CityTV in Canada, Binge in Australia)
- The Gentlemen (Netflix)
- Spaceman (Netflix)
Big week. Big titles.
What? You doubt these claims? Get a load of these films & TV shows up for review:
- Dune
- Shogun
- Four Daughters
And in our Intermission we talk about Peppa Pig’s Cinema Party.
This week on the podcast, you can expect the following conversational powerhouse moments:
- We discuss Zone of Interest (in cinemas now)
- We deep dive on the new Hubbl streaming device
- We begin our ninja rap with Netflix’s House of Ninjas.
Yeah, we have reviews:
- Madam Web (in cinemas now)
- The New Look (Apple TV+)
And then we dip into the mailbag for a listener question about the state of Australian movies and TV.
This week on the podcast there are room elephants discussed and some reviews.
- Force of Nature: The Dry 2
- Let’s Talk About Chu
But if you think that’s all we discuss on the podcast, well, bub, you don’t know Screen Watching.
In this very special Groundhog Day edition of the podcast, Dan and Simon repeat all of their same conversational mistakes and opinions as they deliver their thoughts on:
- Mr & Mrs Smith
- Argylle
- Expats
- And a grab-bag of other titles.
This week on the podcast Simon & Dan go deep on:
- Masters of The Air (Apple TV+)
- In The Know (US: Peacock \ AUS: Binge)
- The Color Purple (In cinemas now)
There’s also some chatter of the Sydney Sweeney film Anyone But You - because that just makes for a good podcast.
Oh, and we have a chat about Oscars - are they still relevant?
In this week’s Intermission segment we have a chat about the best deaths on television, inspired somewhat by Dan watching a lawyer plunge to her death in an elevator shaft.
The guys also discuss the Emmy Awards this week. Were they a proper flop?
And reviews:
- The ZIron Claw (In cinemas)
- Death & Other Details (Disney+/Hulu)
ATTENTION! Screen Watching is back for another week.
This week:
- Jodie Foster leads a new season of True Detective. Is it the best one yet? (HBO, Binge)
- Nicholas Cage gets meta (yet again) in Dream Scenario (In cinemas now)
We take a deeper look into the work of Jodie Foster. Oh, and there is discussion about The Holdovers (in cinemas), Criminal Record (Apple TV+), Nighthawks (Check your grandads vhs collection, kids), and more.
Dan and Simon kickstart 2024 with more inane bickering. Oh, and they review TV shows and movies too.
Up for review:
- The Brothers Sun (Netflix)
- Ferrari (In cinemas now)
They were going to discuss the new Nicholas Cage film Dream Scenario, but got distracted. That’ll probably be next week - ignore the odd reference to it at the start of the podcast.
Oh, and the two look ahead to 2024 and offer some predictions and identify trends to watch out for.
Simon Foster and Dan Barrett talk about TV and movies on the Scren Watching podcast. It is mandatory that they release an indulgent podcast of their top 10 movies of the year. It is so indulgent that each of them offer a list of 10 each.
Understand that these are the only best movie lists you will need in 2023.
Each week on the podcast Dan and Simon offer their thoughts on the new TV shows and movies of the week. They then occasionally get into petty squabbles as they work through their thoughts.
But what happens when each come to a table to proffer their lists of the definitively best TV shows of the year? Did you expect this to be a respectful, safe space conversation?
It’s Christmas, which means the focus is on the big holiday release movies this week.
- Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon (Netflix)
- Poor Things (In cinemas)
- Society of Snow (Kind of in cinemas, but is on Netflix Jan 4)
There’s also chatter about Teri Hatcher, LA Law, and Highlander 2, among other things.
We’re edging towards Christmas, but that isn’t going to stop the reviews and baseless opinion:
- Wonka (In cinemas)
- Familia (Netflix)
- Maestro (Netflix)
- Carol & The End of The World (Netflix)
And of course we do our weekly quizzes and other nonsense.
Dan and Simon take to the microphones.
We review:
- Paul Schrader’s new film Master Gardener
- New Netflix comedy Obliterated (from the team behind Coba Kai)
- The final (?) film by Hayao Miyazaki, The Boy and The Heron
Also discussed: Grand Theft Auto VI, Godzilla Minus One, Merry Little Batman, and Norman Lear
It’s the end of the world as we know it. And we feel fine!
On the pod this week we discuss our favourite end of the world movies. Oh, and reviews:
- Bottoms (In cinemas)
- Leave The World Behind (Netflix Dec 7)
- Godzilla Minus One (In cinemas)
- Faraway Downs (Hulu/Disney+)
This week a new free streaming service launched in Australia. It’s called Brollie and it has a good collection of arthouse and cult movies. Dan and Simon offer their thoughts on the service and each choose some recommendations from the library.
Also… reviews:
Napoleon (In cinemas and soon on Apple TV+)
Fargo season 5 (SBS On Demand, or Hulu in the US)
The Royal Hotel (In cinemas now)
Squid Game: The Challenge
This week Dan and Simon are joined by a different film critic named Simon. It is Simon Miraudo who has just written the really fantastic Book of The Banned: Devilish Movies, Dastardly Censors, and the Scenes That Made Australia Sweat.
Also on the pod, we have reviews. This week:
- Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV+)
- The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (In cinemas now)
- The Curse (Paramount+)
- Saltburn
We kick off the pod with an extended chat about the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike and discuss what happens now. Then we dive into reviews:
- The Marvels - in cinemas now
- 007: Road To a Million - it’s streaming on Prime Video
- The Killer - David Fincher’s new film is on Netflix
- My Adventures with Superman - it finally arrived in Australia, streaming on Binge
This week in the Intermission Dan and Simon attempt to fix Marvel with big brain ideas.
Oh, and then there are weekly reviews of NCIS Sydney (Paramount+), Five Nights at Freddy’s (In cinemas, Peacock), Lawman: Bass Reeves (Paramount+), and Fingernails (Apple TV+).
You will be SHOCKED by our thoughts on the new Martin Scorsese film Killers of The Flower Moon (In cinemas now, but on Apple TV+ sometime soon-ish). You will be CAPTIVATED by what we have to say about Fellow Travellers (Paramount+). You’ll be (in fairness) MIDLY INTERESTED in our thoughts on Bodies (Netflix). And then you will be IN A STATE OF UNBRIDLED NOSTALGIA as we discuss the Wiggles documentary Hot Potato (Prime Video).
Mark Humphries from the TV joins Dan Barrett from Screen Watching for a very loose and casual chat about the show Upload (Apple TV+), he talks up the underrated show From (MGM+, Stan), and there’s a lengthy discussion about the changing nature of what is funny on screen nowadays.
This week on the podcast Dan and Simon review:
- Frasier (2023) - Paramount+
- Love Is In The Air - Netflix
- Shayda - In cinemas now
Inspired by the Frasier revival show, Dan and Simon discuss some of their favourite mid-weight/mediocre sitcoms of years gone by.
This week on the show, Dan flies 100% solo on the worst week possible. With no new shows of note to discuss, he discusses what he watches while laying on the couch sick this week. It is an eclectic and weird grab bag of films and TV-related fare.
Oh, and then Dan carries on and on about why late night TV is no longer any good.
I really hope you enjoy asides and digressions in the middle of a conversation about new movies and TV shows, because gosh oh golly is that what takes place in this episode where Dan is joined by Melbourne-based critic Mel Campbell.
The two discuss:
- The Creator (in cinemas now)
- CAUGH*T (Stan)
- The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (Netflix)
- While The Men Are Away (SBS On Demand)
WARNING: Podcast includes some potty language.
This week on the ol’ podcast Dan reviews the biggest TV show of the… week, I guess. The John Wick spin-off The Continental. Oh, he also talks up one of his favourite shows of the year, the new Apple TV+ show Still Up.
Simon reviews two movies that you will likely never hear mentioned again after this podcast is done: Liam Neeson‘s latest Retribution, and a horror film called It Still Lives Here.
Last weekend was the 30th anniversary of the debut of The X-Files. Your two cool podcast hosts Dan and Simon look back at the show, discuss why it was such a huge zeitgeist hit, and recount favourite episodes.
Also, we have our reviews:
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (In cinemas now)
- Blue Beetle (In cinemas now)
- The Lovers (Sky Atlantic, Binge)
- A Haunting in Venice (in cinemas now)
Screen Watching is available as audio on your favourite podcast apps, but you can also watch it as video on Spotify and YouTube.
This week on the show, there are reviews:
- Black Ops (BBC, Bings)
- Biosphere (In cinemas now)
- The Morning Show season 3 (Apple TV+)
- Theatre Camp (In cinemas now)
- Shin Ultraman (In cinemas now)
There is also the weekly Intermission chat (this week we travel time/space to interview plumbers about I love Lucy, or something), This Week in History, and the Birthday quiz.
This week we offer some thoughts on who the promising young actors are and which older actors just need to give it up.
Oh, and we offer some thoughts on the latest TV shows and movies:
- One Piece (Netflix)
- Past Lives (In cinemas now)
- Who is Erin Carter? (Netflix)
- The Equalizer 3 (In cinemas now)
This week on the podcast Simon and Dan each list their most unpopular opinions about movies. Will it get the two of them cancelled? One can only hope.
In terms of reviews, expect conversation on:
- Ahsoka (Disney+)
- Sound of Freedom (in cinemas)
- First Slam Dunk (in cinemas)
- Haunted Mansion (in cinemas)
Up for review this week:
- Heart of Stone (Netflix)
- The Chosen One (Netflix)
- Blackberry (In cinemas now)
- Mother & Son (ABC Australia)
With Strays in cinemas now too, Dan and Simon ask: “Who’s a good boy?” And go through their top 5 dogs of film & TV.
Another week, another Screen Watching.
We have the reviews:
- Asteroid City (In cinemas now)
- Strange Planet (Apple TV+)
- The Last Voyage of The Demeter (In cinemas now)
- Telemarketers (HBO, Max, Binge)
- Gran Turismo (In cinemas now)
We have the big news of the week
- Emmy Awards dated in such a way as to make the awards irrelevant
- Is the Barbenheimer effect real?
- How have the strikes screwed fan conventions
And there’s the usual On This Week in History and Birthday quizes.
This week we have the reviews of the week. We discuss:
- The Meg 2 (in cinemas)
- 61st Street (The CW, AMC+, and Stan)
- Hidden Strike (Netflix)
- Captain Fall (Netflix)
In this week’s Intermission segment, Dan deepdives into what FAST TV is and details the announced launch of Pluto TV in Australia.
Each week Screen Watching goes out with a video version. You can find that on Spotify and YouTube. As of this week there are new opening titles. How very exciting.
We have reviews this week.
- New A24 Aussie horror film Talk To Me (In cinemas now)
- Taylor Sheridan’s new TV show Special Ops: Lioness (Paramount+)
- It’s the WWII European John Wick - Sisu (In cinemas now)
- Rapid fire thoughts on Minx (s2), Futurama (s8), and new doco Glitch: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia
In our Intermission this week, Simon details the upcoming Science Fiction Film Festival he is curating across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Details and ticket bookings can be found at https://www.sydneysciencefictionfilmfestival.com.au
This week on Screen Watching, there are the usual reviews:
- Oppenheimer
- Justified: Primeval City
- Barbie
- Command Z
As a special treat, Dan also argues with SImon why he won’t see a movie based on Barbie IP.
Oh, and then Dan and Simon expose their unwatched TV and movies in their watchlists during our weekly Intermission segment.
This week Simon and Dan shamelessly rip off the Movies To Be Buried With with Brett Goldstein podcast format to discuss their own lives with film.
ALSO: Dan’s thoughts on Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning: Part One.
This week on the podcast Simon reviews the latest Mission: Impossible movie after attending a lavish media screening earlier in the week. Dan then reviews Gold Diggers (ABC Australia) and The Horror of Dolores Roach (which he watched in his house, like an everyman). Simon also reviews the new animated Netflix film Nimona, but he doesn’t disclose where he watched it.
Simon then asks Dan whether the days of the traditional media launch event are over and somehow expects that he will reply that things should stay exactly the same and that there is no better platform to launch a movie to twentysomethings than the TV news.
This week on the pod Simon reviews the new Indiana Jones film Dial of Destiny. He then chats with Dan about all things Indiana Jones as the two discuss their favourite elements of the previous Indiana Jones movies.
This week on the show Dan and Simon discuss whether superhero fatigue is really a thing.
Also, reviews:
- Transformers: Rise of The Machines (In cinemas now)
- Secret Invasion (Disney+)
- The Walking Dead: Dead CIty (US: AMC, AUS: Stan)
- I’m a Virgo (Prime Video)
- Reality (US: Max, AUS: In cinemas soon)
In this (slightly late) podcast episode Dan and Simon review some movies and TV shows:
- The Flash (in cinemas now)
- Elementals (In cinemas now)
- The Betoota Advocate Presents (Paramount+)
- You Hurt My Feelings (In cinemas now)
Yeah, it’s a bit quiet for new TV shows this week.
This week on the podcast Dan and Simon take a look at beloved movies and shows from the first 100 years of Warner Bros. They also review this week’s movies and TV shows:
- The New Boy (In cinemas now)
- The Idol (HBO | Binge)
- To Catch a Killer (In cinemas now)
- Based On a True Story (Peacock | Binge)
It is a very special episode on the podcast this week as Dan and Simon go crazy for a new Spider-Man animated film - could it be a Best Picture film? The two also talk about a new Netflix film with a very saucy title.
This week’s reviews:
- Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
- The Year I Started Masturbating
- Deadloch
- The Boogeyman
Intermission:
Dan and Simon discuss highpoints of masturbation on the screen.
This week on the podcast Dan gets his cranky pants on about just about every show and movie discussed on the podcast. And then in the Intermission Dan and Simon ask what shows need to be put out of their misery and ended ASAP.
Up for review:
- The Little Mermaid (In cinemas now)
- Gremlins: Secrets of The Mogwai (Max in the US, Binge in Aus)
- FUBAR (Netflix)
- American Born Chinese (Disney+)
- Renfield (In cinemas now)
This week Simon takes a bold stance against reviewing Fast X. And Dan says ‘Good for you, pal”.
But then they actually do review some films and TV.
- The Mother (Netflix)
- High Desert (Apple TV+)
- Limbo (In cinemas now)
- Platonic (Apple TV+)
There’s our weekly Intermission segment where we ask what families we’d follow in a Family Stallone style reality show. And then Simon starts betraying the entire premise of the segment by pitching reality shows about foreign embassies.
Oh, and there’s also mentions of Smurfs at some stage.
Expect a lot of discussion around Muppets this week on the podcast. So, so much discussion.
Reviews include:
- The Muppets Mayhem (Disney+)
- Hypnotic (in cinemas now)
- City On Fire (Apple TV+)
- Still: A Michael J Fox Story (Apple TV+)
It’s a monster week for reviews this week with one especially huge Marvel movie at the cinema and some very big titles debuting on TV. Just two notes for this episode that I (co-host Dan Barrett) think are hugely worth making mention of:
-
We review both the TV show Slip and the movie Beau is Afraid. Both involve Zoe Lister Jones and somehow Dan neglects to mention this fact during the podcast. What a fool.
-
The review for Beau Is Afraid does involve some minor-ish spoilers. So, keep that in mind. The film is a few weeks into release, so if it sounds interesting, perhaps go see it pretty soon.
This week Dan and Simon review:
- Bupkis (Peacock in the US, Binge in Australia)
- Guardians of The Galaxy vol 3 (In cinemas now)
- Silo (Apple TV+)
- Olga (In cinemas now)
- Slip (Roku Channel in the US, Binge on Australia)
- Beau Is Afraid (In cinemas now)
Dan and Simon (that’d be co-host Simon Foster) also discuss the WGA strike - what do the writers want and how will the strike impact what we see?
This week on the podcast, Dan and Simon roll up their sleeves and get busy with the reviews:
- Ghosted (Apple TV+)
- Mrs Davis (Peacock in the US, Stan in Australia)
- 80 For Brady (In cinemas now)
- Fatal Attraction (Paramount+)
- The Diplomat
In this week’s intermission, Dan and Simon go on to consider beloved movies from the past with a very specific idea they wanted to put forth and how well does it hold up today.
Food dominates this week’s pod with Dan and Simon reviewing the food and drink heavy Drops of God and Hunger. It is all the excuse they need for this week’s Intermission to be about their favourite food shows on TV.
Up for review:
- Hunger (Netflix)
- Drops of Gold (Apple TV+)
- Evil Dead Rise (In cinemas now)
- Dead Ringers (Prime Video)
- A Good Person (in cinemas now)
- Suzume (In cinemas now)
This week Simon and Dan get into a heated conversation about a poorly written Variety article that claims the box office is roaring back. Dan argues that there are still too many signs of ill-health. Oh, and then later Simon makes erroneous claims that new Jackie Chan film Ride On was a blockbuster release (Yeah, it was number one on the charts in China, but only pulled in just over $11 million).
On the podcast this week we eventually get to reviews:
- Ride On (In cinemas now)
- Marvellous Mrs Maisel s5 (Eps 1-3 on Prime Video)
- Mafia Mama (If this film actually exists and isn’t just a prank, it is in cinemas now)
- Tiny Beautiful Things (US: Hulu | International: Disney+)
It is actually too much show. There’s the HUGE reviews:
- Super Mario Bros Movie (In cinemas now)
- Beef (Netflix)
- The Pope’s Exorcist (In cinemas now)
- The Company You Keep (US ABC, Disney+ internationally)
- Air (In cinemas now, but soon-ish to Prime Video)
- Murder Mystery 2 (Netflix)
And THEN, Dan and Simon take a look ahead to the huge April to June releases ahead. What are they excited by?
Plus they do the usual quizzes and other regular business.
In a shameless bid for attention, Simon and Dan discuss movies that focus on sex. How have these movies shaped our two hapless critics as movie viewers?
They also get into the filthy business of this week’s reviews:
- Dungeons & Dragons (In cinemas now)
- The Big Door Prize (Apple TV+)
- Tetris (Apple TV+)
- Grease: Rise of The Pink Ladies (Paramount+)
Another week, another Screen Watching. This week Dan and SImon embrace thrillers with reviews of:
- John Wick 4 (in cinemas now)
- Rabbit Hole (Paramount+)
- Boston Strangler (in the US on Hulu, internationally Disney+)
- The Night Agent (Netflix)
The two also pitch spin-off TV show ideas to each other in our weekly Intermission. Which of these shows would you greenlight?
Oh, and there’s the weekly birthday quiz and This Week in History quiz.
First of all - apologies about the audio in this episode. Dan had to record via Airpods and the results were not good. It’ll be better next week.
If you persevere with us, you’ll hear our thoughts on the new Shazam film, the latest instalment of the XEU with Pearl, and TV shows Swarm, Lucky Hank, and Class of 07. If it wasn’t for the audio, it’d be a pretty good episode.
Yr ol’ favourite gumshoe podcasters Dan and Simon are back this week to solve the mystery of the HBO show that is returning after 3 long years. They also get all stabby with the latest instalment of a slasher franchise.
And in this week’s Intermission, the guys discuss the Academy Awards this coming weekend.
Reviews:
- Scream 6 (In cinemas now)
- Perry Mason s2 (HBO in the US, Binge in Australia)
- 65 (In cinemas now… but probably only this week)
- Will Trent (ABC in the US, Disney+ in Australia)
- All The Beauty and Bloodshed (in cinemas now)
We’re working on improving the video and sound of the podcast. Enjoy that as Dan & Simon discuss:
- Daisy Jones & The Six (Amazon Prime Video)
- Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (Roku in the US, Paramount+ in Australia)
- Empire of Light (In cinemas)
- True Lies (ABC in the US, Disney+ internationally)
Dan and Simon both watched Cocaine Bear. It's a story as old as time: Bear meets bag of cocaine. Bear consumes bag of cocaine. Bear goes on a murderous rampage as she looks for her next hit.
Does it bring anything new to the Bear vs drug dealer genre? You will only find out if you listen to THIS podcast. No other film sites are talking about this highly anticipated movie.
Too much show. Too willing to cram it into a pod.
This week Dan & Simon discuss the new Ant Man movie, the new Marc Maron comedy special, the latest Sarah Polley film, the newest Apple TV+ show that makes Dan ask: "Shouldn't this be a movie instead?", and two films Simon has found that Dan knows he has never heard mention of before, nor will again.
Oh, and we slam a filmmaker who gets precious about her film being screened with ads in it.
Boy oh boy is it a quiet week on the ol' TV front. Dan and Simon trawled through what was available and discussed:
- Nolly (ITVX | Binge)
- Spoiler Alert (In cinemas now)
- All Quiet on The Western Front (Netflix)
- Review rewind: The Critic (Streaming in Australia on Binge)
Dan and Simon also talk about representations of love on the screen.
What else is there to know? we Watched: Three Pines, Knock At The Cabin, Cunk on Earth, Shotgun Wedding, Paris 13th District. And then in this week's middle bit we discuss the flaws in the bid to force international streamers to pay for Australian content.
This week Simon and Dan have reviews:
- Shrinking (Apple TV+)
- Tar (Peacock / In cinemas now)
- Poker Face (Peacock / Stan)
- True Spirit (Netflix / in cinemas now)
Dan and Simon also discuss a movie about birding, the Academy Awards, and so, so much more.
Simon has returned from his Christmas holiday to the Nordics, which means Dan & Simon roll up their sleeves to discuss the important business of screen reviews. This week:
- Babylon (In cinemas now)
- The Last of Us (HBO / Binge)
- Transfusion (Stan)
- Alaska Daily (ABC in the US / Disney+ internationally)
- The Whale (In cinemas Feb)
- Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
It's an all-film special this week for no good reason.
(Actually, the reason is that Simon is travelling through chilly Nordic nations right now and we pre-recorded this back in early December).
But we also talk about the big changes we are expecting in TV and film in the year ahead. Hashtag industry talk.
It is the start of a whole new year of Screen Watching. And we are starting the year by looking back at the last one. Hopefully you’re not too tired of Best TV of 2022 lists, because we have another one for you.
What did Simon select? What did Dan choose? The tension is high in the air.
Each week on the Screen Watching podcast Dan and Simon talk about the movies and TV shows they watched that week. At the end of the year, they collate their thoughts and produce a list of what they think were the best movies. This is a really unique idea that we alone do. Hopefully you can comprehend such an idea and join us.
(Next week we do TV).
Hi,
This is our last regular podcast of 2022 - over the next two weeks you have our Best of 2022 Films and then our Best of 2022 TV podcasts. Then Simon and Dan are back with a revamped podcast with better production values, mystery boxes, dancing girls, and more.
This week on the podcast we discuss the only thing worth a darn to discuss. James Cameron’s sequel to Avatar, titled: Avatar: The Way of Water.
We discuss the movie, its ambition, and whether you will believe a whale can be depressed.
[Note: This episode was re-uploaded. Dan is learning about how to make a video podcast that actually works well technically - and Simon's quiet-ass microphone wasn't helping the previous version]
This week on the pod it is a race against time as Dan speeds through the podcast before an electrician cuts off his electricity for the day. Dan has been in the podcast game for long enough to know that electricity is pretty crucial to the podcast tech stack.
It doesn’t stop Dan and Simon from getting busy with the reviews:
- Emancipation (Apple TV+)
- God Forbid (US: Hulu, AUS: Disney+)
- Call Jane (Amazon Prime Video)
- A Spy Among Friends (UK: ITVX, AUS: Britbox)
Dan and Simon also offer some thoughts on the passing of Kirstie Alley.
This week Dan and Simon dip their toes into the world of proper video podcasting. Video will now be available on Spotify and YouTube. But for those who like audio as the good lord intended, that will continue on as always.
This week they review:
- Willow (Disney+)
- Violent Night (In cinemas now)
- Confess Fletch (Buy it now on digital)
- Troll (Netflix)
- The Flatshare (Paramount+)
What a wild episode. Dan lost his voice and still tried to do the podcast. Submit this episode for an Australian Podcast Award immediately.
The episode will include reviews:
- Welcome To Chippendales (Disney+)
- Poker Face (Stan)
- The Menu (In cinemas now)
- Leopard Skin (Stan in Australia, Peacock in the US)
- Bones and All (In cinemas now)
In a display of zero imagination or creativity, Dan and Simon use the middle bit of the show to list their favourite silent characters in TV and movies.
And then the two wrap up the show with celeb birthdays, this day in history, and all the other bits that push this podcast past 60 minutes.
Recorded: Saturday 19 Nov 2022
A huge week for reviews this week:
- Fleishman Is In Trouble (Hulu / Disney+)
- She Said (In cinemas now)
- Millie Lies Low (In cinemas now)
- Tulsa King (Paramount+)
- Stutz (Netflix)
- Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO Max / Binge)
Dan and Simon also take the time in the Middle Bit to list out their favourite movies set in New York.
Dan and Simon offer their thoughts on one of the biggest movie releases of 2022: the latest Black Panther film. The two have wildly different views on the film.
Reviews this week:
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (In cinemas now) - warning: Massive spoiler chat
- The Crown season 5 (Netflix)
- Spirited (Apple TV+)
- The Velvet Queen (In cinemas now)
The guys also offer their lists of the 5 things that Hollywood needs to stop doing. And Dan has his first reaction to the trailer for a little film called Avatar: The Way of Water.
Not all podcasts are born equal. And lucky for you, you have discovered the greatest of them all.
On this weeks pod, listen with your dropped jaw to reviews:
- White Lotus season 2 (HBO / Binge)
- Causeway (Apple TV+)
- Reasonable Doubt (Hulu / Disney+)
- Selena Gomez: Me and My Mind (Apple TV+)
Simon interviews SISSY star Aisha Dee.
Dan apologises to Simon for being very correct about the ridiculousness of delaying Bros in Australia for a star publicity tour.
And the guys spend far too long talking about Summer School, a 1987 comedy starring Mark Harmon.
Folks, on the show this week we ask questions big and small. But also we have answers for you like: Should I go and see Black Adam? What even is the new Amazon show The Peripheral?
We also interview Bros director Nicholas Stoller.
On the ol’ pod this week Dan & Simon review:
- Halloween Kills (In cinemas now)
- Significant Other (Paramount+)
- Maru (In cinemas now)
- Fire Country (CBS / Paramount+)
In this week’s Middle Bit Dan and Simon argue about the audiences interest in Hardy Boys TV shows. This is really how two grown men spend their time…
This week on the podcast Dan and Simon do the reviews:
- So Help Me Todd (Paramount+)
- Don’t Worry Darling / Amsterdam (both in cinemas now)
- This Is England (Binge)
But they spend more time arguing whether there is any value in international stars delaying a movie by a month to do a local press tour, as is the case with the box office disaster Bros.
This week on the show it is a solid week of interesting TV and movies to chat about. Among them:
- Blonde (Netflix)
- Interview with the Vampire (AMC+)
- Panhandle (Stan)
- See How They Run (in cinemas now)
- Smile (in cinemas now)
Dan also laments the ignored half-hour dramedy.
There is no bigger cultural event in all of our lives than Avatar. The good news is this week it was re-released and Simon & Dan got along to the cinema to re-experience what cinema can be.
The two also talk about the new Star Wars series Andor, which the lads both adored. Oh, other things are discussed also. Reviews. Conversations. References to the 1980s. It’s what we do on the podcast.
Also, sorry this week’s is a bit late. Dan was delayed after getting a perm and dealing with the emotional consequences of that many wolf whistles.
It is a big week on the ol’ Screen Watching podcast this week. Dan and Simon discuss the revival of Heartbreak High on Netflix, Simon offers his reviews of Ticket To Paradise and Moonrise Daydream, and Dan questions what on earth Warner Bros is doing with DC League of Superpets - why is the voice cast celebrity bloated and who on earth are these pets?
There’s also discussion about Emmy category fraud and a lack of weather event movies.
This week on the podcast Dan and Simon review the shows and movies that need to be reviewed. Nobody has a choice in any of this.
This week on the show we have reviews/chatter about new TV shows:
- The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon Prime Video)
- The Patient (FX, Disney+)
- Mike (FX, Disney+)
- The Bear (FX, Disney+)
And movies currently playing in the cinema:
- Orphan: First Kill
- Three Thousand Years of Longing
We also have a lengthy discussion on whether audiences should feel aggrieved that streaming services are removing titles from their previously always-on libraries.
I’d give you a rundown of what we are discussing this week, but just know that we do review House of The Dragon, so is there really anthing else we need to discuss herre?
This week on the podcast we have reviews of the hottest films on TV and in the cinema:
- Five Days at Memorial
- Nope
- A League of Their Own
- The Princess
And then Dan and Simon discuss their favourite depictions of aliens on the TV and movie screen. And yes, they discuss Jose Chung’s From Outer Space. It would be malpractice not to.
It is a very full week for big titles on this week’s Screen Watching. Frankly, neither Dan nor Simon were emotionally or physically prepared for it.
Reviews:
- The Resort (Stan in Aus | Peacock in the US)
- Bullet Train (in cinemas now)
- Mike Judge’s Beavis & Butthead (Paramount+)
- Thirteen Lives (Amazon Prime Video)
- Trainwreck: Woodstock 99 (Netflix)
- Prey (Disney+ in Aus | Hulu in the US)
Also this week on the show’s middle bit, Dan and Simon make a case for the greatest movie opening of all time. Their answers may surprise you. Especially Simons…
Settle in for another Screen Watching with the usual smart nonsense re: all things watching and screen.
There are a batch of interesting TV and movies to review this week, but stick around for our MIDDLE BIT this week where Dan and SImon engage in the 2022 Screen Watching Movie Remake Pitch session. Each try to get the other to greenlight their idea for movie remakes. It’s a ridiculous, fun chat.
This week on the podcast Dan and Simon talk about lost love.
Really.
They also review movies and shows:
- Where The Crawdads Sing (In cinemas now)
- I Love That For You (Paramount+)
- The Black Phone (In cinemas now)
- Hunted Australia (Channel 10)
For this week’s Middle Bit, Dan and Simon discuss lost genres they would love to see more of.
And then Dan and Simon radically overhaul the podcast with a brand new approach to the Back Bit.
[Audio glitch corrected - only seriously impacted the final 8 minutes of the podcast]
Another big show this week. The show starts with reviews:
- Resident Evil (Netflix)
- Bridge & Tunnel (Epix in the US, Stan in AUS)
- Unprecedented (Discovery+ in the US, Foxtel and Binge in AUS)
- The Old Man (FX in the US, Disney+ in AUS)
- The Phantom of The Open (In cinemas now)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge (Nintendo Switch and other gaming platforms, probably)
But then in the middle bit of the show is an extended chat about the Emmy Awards.
Oh, and there’s a weird detour mid-show where Dan and Simon inexplicably start playing the mobile web game at www.boxofficega.me
People come to Screen Watching for the reviews and this week we have them:
- Thor: Love and Thunder (It’s in cinemas now)
- Black Bird (it’s on Apple TV+)
- The Undeclared War (in the UK it was on Channel 4. In Australia we’re watching it on Stan)
- Compartment No 6 (Available to buy or rent online)
But Screen Watching offers more than just reviews. Inspired by the fan interaction of young folks wearing suits to see the latest Minions movie, we discuss fan interaction films. We briefly discuss all the expected titles: The Room, Rocky Horror, etc. But then we suggest some alternatives. What in this conversation leads Dan to suggest a horse should be murdered live in the cinema? You’ll have to listen to find out.
Oh, and we take a look at the week ahead.
What do you need to know about this episode? Life got in the way and the episode is publishing days late. I’m sorry, okay!!!! Jeez.
Oh, and we review:
- Dashcam (In cinemas now)
- The Terminal List (Amazon Prime Video)
- Ali & Ava (In cinemas now)
And then Dan and Simon discuss the top 5 movies and shows so far in 2022.
Quick podcast this week. Dan offers some thoughts on:
- Loot (Apple TV+)
- Father of The Bride (2022) (Binge, HBO Max)
- Jerry & Marge Go Large (Paramount+)
- Beavis & Butthead (Paramount+)
Has anyone heard from Simon?
As part of our community service mandated requirement to review the hottest TV shows and movies:
- Dark Winds (AMC+)
- Lightyear (in cinemas now)
- The Lazarus Project (Sky in the uk, Stan in Australia)
- Iron Chef (Netflix)
- Interceptor (Netflix)
For our middle bit:
Squid Game is being turned into a game show. Which other films and shows would make for great competition TV shows?
Want to hear two guys making ridiculous dinosaur noises and review some TV shows + movies? Well, you’re in the right place.
Those reviews include:
- Jurassic World: Dominion (In cinemas now)
- Ms Marvel (Disney+)
- The Janes (Foxtel/Binge/HBO Max)
- For All Mankind season 3 (Apple TV+)
- Hustle (Netflix)
- Evil season 3 (Paramount+)
Simon and Dan also talk about their favourite non-Jurassic Park dinosaur movies and TV shows.
The podcast begins this week with an apology by Simon for his actions
And then the business of reviews:
- Irma Vep (HBO in the US, Binge in AUS)
- Mothering Sunday (In cinemas now)
- From (Epix in the US, Stan in AUS)
- Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (In cinemas now)
After that, there’s the business of fantasy fan experiences. This week an LA-based Golden Girls fantasy experience was announced. It begs the question: What least-expected TV fantasy experiences would we like to see?
And we end as we do every week: By looking at the week ahead, noting anniversaries, and listing birthdays.
Some weeks are just big. And this is one of those weeks. This week on the show:
Reviews:
- Top Gun Maverick
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- The Bob’s Burgers Movie
- Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers
- Hatching
- Stranger Things 4
That’s already a lot of show. But we also have:
The Middle Bit:
Dan and Simon pick their top 3 Tom Cruise films.
Plus the two discuss upcoming previews, the death of Ray Liotta, and inexplicably the upcoming Elvis movie.
This week on the podcast there is a decidedly Japanese feel to the podcast with Dan and Simon doubling down on the local release of HBO Max show Tokyo Vice and discussing movies (and TV shows) in which Americans visit Japan.
Oh, and there’s the usual TV and movie reviews too:
- How To Please a Woman (In cinemas now)
- Night Sky (Amazon Prime Video)
- To Olivia (In cinemas now)
- The Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix)
- The Innocents (In cinemas now)
- Tokyo Vice (Paramount+ in Australia, HBO Max in the US)
This week time travel is on the mind as Dan and Simon start this week's podcast. Or did they just finish the podcast? Time is an abstract concept after all. Or is it a flat circle? Who can keep up with all that. Oh, they do reviews too.
This week:
- The Time Traveler's Wife (Binge, HBO Max)
- Firestarter (In cinemas now, Peacock)
- Conversations With Friends (Amazon Prime Video, Hulu)
- Father Stu (In cinemas now)
Also this week: Dan and Simon recount their favourite time travel movies and shows. Why do they love the genre so much?
It’s a big week for Screen Watching. Big reviews and an interview!
Reviews:
- Doctor Strange and The Multiverse of Madness (In cinemas now)
- Petite Maman (In cinemas now)
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+)
- The Offer (Paramount+)
- Bosch: Legacy (Amazon Prime Video)
- The Pentaverate (Netflix)
Interview:
Actor Emilia Fox, star of new Acorn TV series Signora Volpe. The series is about a British spy-turned-detective in the heart of Italy.
Dan and Simon have a full, full, full podcast this week. Simon reports live from the Screenwave Film Festival in Coffs Harbour.
There’s also reviews:
- Shining Girls (Apple TV+)
- Downton Abbey: A New Era (In cinemas now)
- Gaslit (Stan)
- Ithaka (Digital download)
Also: Dan offers some thoughts on the LARGE VOLUME of TV shows hitting TV between now and the end of May.
This week we revel in all things Nicholas Cage. Film critic and man about town Luke Buckmaster joins us to talk about his Nicholas Cage film ranking project The Cage Gauge.
Reviews this week:
- The First Lady
- The Northman
- We Own This City
- Barons
- The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
This week on the show Dan and Simon talk about the most important theme songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s. Yes, they talk about the song Believe It or Not.
Also, reviews:
- Outer Range (Amazon Prime Video)
- The Lost City (In cinemas)
- Roar (Apple TV+)
- The Good Boss (In cinemas)
- Servant of The People (SBS On Demand)
- Everything Everywhere All At Once (in cinemas)
This week on the podcast Simon has clearly had enough. He’s stuck with a co-host who is insistent that he hates almost everything being discussed in this week’s podcast. Poor Simon is exasperated throughout discussions of:
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (In cinemas now)
- Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
- Jimmy Saville: A British Horror Story (Netflix)
- How We Roll (Paramount+)
- Ambulance (In cinemas now).
Also, Simon talks about Cannes for some reason.
This week on Screen Watching we have an overload of big, buzzy shows and movies to talk about.
We review:
- Morbius (see it in cinemas now… before you hear any reviews)
- Moon Knight (Disney+)
- Julia (HBO Max | Binge)
- Killing it (Peacock | Stan)
- The Bad Guys (in cinemas now)
- Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (in cinemas now)
With news this week that Bruce Willis is retiring from acting for health reasons, Simon and Dan discuss their favourite Bruce Willis films over the years. And somehow Color of Night never comes up.
Listen as Dan Barrett, fresh from the sick bed, takes to the microphone alongside the fit as a fiddle Simon Foster to review the latest and greatest TV and movies.
Simon also offers some Oscars predictions. And Dan, tired and cranky, won’t entertain any of it.
Dan Barrett has just two eyes and two ears. Simon is afflicted with the same limitation. It means there’s only so much that these guys can watch in any given week. But by golly do they try.
This week on the show they watched so much:
- Minx (HBO Max | Stan)
- The Adam Project (Netflix)
- WeCrashed (Apple TV+)
- Deadly Cuts (in cinemas now)
- Halo (Paramount+) - this is more a preview chat based off the first episode
The two also do a deep dive into some of the big news stories around this week, including the Netflix crackdown on password sharing and Amazon’s purchase of MGM.
After last week’s Bat-heavy podcast, we keep it all quite a bit more sensible this week and keep the bat-business to a minimum. Instead we review:
- The Dropout (Disney+)
- Bergman Island (In cinemas now)
- How I Met Your Father (Disney+)
- Facing Monsters (In cinemas now)
- Upload (Amazon Prime Video
- The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray
Dan and Simon also discuss the greatest question of all: How long is too long? A topic both guys know quite a bit about…
This week there is a massive movie release. It is called The Batman. You probably know what it is about. This week on Screen Watching Dan and Simon throw the regular show out the window and talk about the Bat Guy.
You will hear reviews of The Batman from both Dan and Simon. You will also hear the dynamic duo discuss their five favourite moments from Batman movies and TV shows. Oh, and there will be an obligatory conversation about their favourite Catwoman on screen. Because they are gross dudes who cannot help themselves. (They’re actually lovely - don’t let Simon’s sleazy moustache suggest otherwise).
Join us at Screen Watching HQ as Dan and Simon engage in the business of the podcast - conversations about the TV and movies they have been watching this week:
- Cyrano (in cinemas now)
- Troppo (ABC / ABC iView)
- Studio 666 (in cinemas now)
- Cat Burglar (Netflix)
Join us… won’t you…
Huge week on the show. No, really. We mean it this time. Why would we lie?
This week:
- Uncharted (in cinemas now)
- Severance (Apple TV+)
- Aline (in cinemas now)
- The Marvellous Mrs Maisel (Amazon Prime Video)
- KIMI (Binge)
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Netflix)
- A Stitch in Time (in cinemas now)
There’s also an extended conversation about what makes video game adaptations generally bad.
This week on the Screen Watching podcast Dan makes lemonade out of lemons. And hot damn is it refreshing. It’s a week with not a lot happening TV-wise, so while Simon talks about Death on The Nile, Marry Me, and We Need To Talk About Cosby, Dan has just the one TV review with the second season of the delightful comedy Starstruck.
So, with some extra time up his sleeve, Dan provides a list of five shows that aren’t available in Australia that should be.
And then the guys offer some thoughts on Oscars nominations, and wrap up the week with a guide to the upcoming week in TV and movies.
The guys are back behind the microphone for in-depth chats about what they have been watching.
Reviews this week include:
- Pam & Tommy - Hulu | Disney+
- Moonfall - in cinemas now
- Suspicion - Apple TV+
- Belfast - in cinemas now
Also, a chat about Book of Boba Fett six episodes in. Were episodes 5+6 a much-needed course correction? Dan argues correctly that they are. Or was the show always rather great? This being Simon’s thoroughly incorrect viewpoint.
This week on the podcast, Dan Barrett and Simon Foster celebrate their one year anniversary/birthday of the show. They mark it by shaking things up and turning Screen Watching into a video podcast. The regular audio version will remain, but if you want to watch along via a screen, you can now do that on Spotify and YouTube.
It's still early days - we will find ways to make it more visually interesting. Probably.
On the show this week the guys review:
- The Eyes of Tammy Faye (HBO Max | In cinemas now)
- The Afterparty (Apple TV+)
- The Fallout (HBO Max | Binge)
- Trigger Point (ITV | Stan)
Here’s what you need to understand about this week’s show: It’s getting close to five days late. And the audio quality ain’t great. It’s not completely terrible, but it is a bit scratchy.
If you’re willing to look past these two issues, it’s a solid podcast.
Reviews:
- Spencer (in cinemas now)
- The Gilded Age (HBO Max in the US | Paramount+ in Aus)
- Nightmare Alley (in cinemas now)
Also, Dan and Simon discuss the gaps they have in their screen watching. You will not believe what they have not seen…
You know that TV show you used to watch all the time 20-30 years ago, but just can't seem to find it on a streaming service? That movie that you half remember and you know it by name, but you don't know where to find it? Dan and Simon have a long list of those and have a chat about some of the long lost shows and movies that have long been bothering them (for their inability to be found).
There's also reviews for:
- Scream (In cinemas now)
- Naomi (The CW | Binge)
- King Richard (In cinemas now)
- A Discovery of Witches (AMC+ | Binge)
- Help (Paramount+)
We welcome back Screen Watching for another year as we review the biggest titles released this week. Oh, and it is possible that co-host Simon Foster died mid-podcast due to COVID-related illness. Thankfully he pre-recorded some segments and we were able to finish the episode.
We review:
- Peacemaker (Binge, HBO Max)
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife (In cinemas)
- The Tender Bar (Amazon Prime Video)
- Macgruber (Stan, Peacock)
Dan and Simon say goodbye to the dumpster fire that was 2021 with a mix of reviews and a Best of 2021 movie list.
Up for review:
- Don't Look Up (Netflix)
- The Book of Boba Fett (Disney+)
- 83 (In cinemas now)
- Around The World in 80 Days (BBC1 in the UK and coming to TV soon in Australia)
- Licorice Pizza (In cinemas now)
Then Dan and Simon each present their Best of 2021 movies lists. A top 10, if you will. What were these Top 10 movies? And will there be any overlap in their lists? You gotta press play - I ain't giving you all the answers.
A monster episode of Screen Watching this week.
Reviews. We got 'em:
- Yellowstone: 1883 (Paramount+)
- Matrix Resurrections (HBO Max and in cinemas now)
- Station Eleven (HBO Max)
- The Worst Person in The World (in cinemas now)
Best of list. We got one of those too:
- Dan and Simon's Top 10 TV shows of 2021
Interviews? Again, it's covered:
- Renate Reinsve, star of The Worst Person in The World
Yeah, this is a long podcast.
A HUGE week for HUGE titles. This week Dan and Simon review:
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (In cinemas now)
- West Side Story (In cinemas now)
- Being The Ricardos - Dan and Simon's immediate thoughts after the Australian premiere (Amazon Prime Video from Dec 21)
- Firebite (AMC+)
Firebite is an awesome Aussie vampire show from celebrated filmmaker Warwick Thornton. We interview him and his co-collaborator Brendan Fletcher.
This is a good one. Hit play.
What an episode!
Dan interviews Bebe Neuwirth. Best known for playing Lilith Crane on Cheers and on Frasier, she has had a hugely extensive career on stage and screen including roles in Jumanji, Madam Secretary, The Good Fight, Law & Order: SVU. She is one of the voice actors in the really very good animated police noir comedy musical animated show Ultra City Smiths.
Of course, there are also reviews:
- The French Dispatch (In cinemas now)
- And Just Like That (BINGE | HBO Max)
- Dear Evan Hansen (In cinemas now)
- Resident Evil: Welcome To Racoon City (In cinemas now)
- Voir (Netflix)
It's our huge 50th episode extravaganza. We celebrate with reviews and conversation about the big movie and TV releases of the week. Really mixing up that formula.
This week we dive deep on:
- Dune (In cinemas now)
- The Summit of The Gods (Netflix)
- Encanto (In cinemas now)
- Harlem (Amazon Prime Video)
- The Power of The Dog (Netflix)
It's a blockbuster week on the Screen Watching podcast this week as we have two huge new Marvel releases and a number of other anticipated movies and TV shows. Dan and Simon take a gander at:
- Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage (in cinemas now)
- Hawkeye (Disney+)
- Titane (in cinemas now)
- Ghosts UK (Stan) and Ghosts US (Paramount+)
- Anna (AMC+)
- Cry Macho (in cinemas now)
A huge week for reviews this week as Simon and Dan take a gander at:
- Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO Max | BINGE)
- Wheel of Time (Amazon Prime Video)
- Last Night in Soho (in cinemas now)
- Zola (in cinemas now)
- Mayor of Kingstown (Paramount+)
- The Pebble & The Boy (buy/rent on digital)
Simon also has a chat with director Rogue Rubin. Her film Lion Spy follows the director going undercover with the thrill killers of living things to fight the pending extinction of wild lions in Africa. Creating a false identity, she infiltrates the male dominated world of trophy hunters in Africa and puts herself at tremendous personal risk in doing so.
A huge week for reviews. Like, really, really big.
We discuss:
- YellowJackets (Paramount+)
- Home Swet Home Alone (Disney+)
- The Shrink Next Door (Apple TV+)
- No Time To Die (in cinemas now)
Simon also poses the question: Which faded stars are due a Tarantino-style comeback a la Pam Grier, John Travolta, and Robert Forster. Dan and Simon then answer that question in the most compelling segment of all time.
A big week for movies and TV this week. Dive into reviews of:
- Eternals - in cinemas now
- Head of The Class - HBO Max | BINGE
- Finch - Apple TV+
- The Many Saints of Newark - HBO Max and in cinemas now
- Red Election - SBS On Demand
Dan and Simon also have a chat about how we feel about watching blockbusters in the current age.
It's Halloween at Screen Watching HQ. So we talk about horrors both real and imagined. Up for discussion:
- Love/Life (HBO Max ~ Stan)
- Antlers (In cinemas now)
- The Chestnut Man (Netflix)
- Halloween Kills (In cinemas now)
- Fairfax (Amazon Prime Video)
- Muppets Haunted Mansion (Disney+)
Which of these horrors were real? Which imagined? You decide.
There are a lot of things to watch and your boys Dan and Simon are the guys who can tell you whether you want to open up your peepers and let certain shows or movies into them. It is the service we provide.
Up for discussion this week are new movies in the cinema: A return of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to the screen together with The Last Duel and there's also the horror smash hit Malignant.
But we also cover some of the more interesting titles this week on the small screen: The Apple TV+ huge budget sci-fi human drama Invasion. And then there are also two comedies on Paramount+: Spreadsheet and Guilty Party.
With local cinemas back open, the podcast is starting to feel whole again. It means Simon has the chance to talk about having finally been able to see Marvel's Shang Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings. He also checks out new film Lamb. In terms of streaming, SImon also got a look at the new Apple TV+ doco The Velvet Underground about the iconic band of the same name.
TV gets a look in as well with Dan checking out the new TV adaptation of I Know What You Did Last Summer (Amazon Prime Video). We won't ruin what he thought of it here. But do know that he was way more enthused by new Canadian comedy Sort Of (Stan).
Along with a look at the week ahead and the calendar observances, Dan and Simon also talk about the upcoming Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival that Simon curates. In addition to finding out about the festival, get some insights on the running of a festival like this.
A big week on the show. We interview the matriarch of American cinemas first family - Eleanor Coppola. She chats to Simon about her film Love Is Love Is Love.
There's also reviews:
- Acapulco (Apple TV+)
- V/H/S 94 (Shudder)
- One of Us is Lying (Stan | Peacock)
- The Fire Inside (In cinemas now)
Oh, and cinemas open again this Monday in Sydney. We discuss what films are playing in cinemas this week (as cinemas try and stuff three months worth of notable releases into a week).
It's a big show. Tell your friends.
A huge episode of reviews this week.
REVIEWS (03:32)
- Squid Game (Netflix)
- Riders of Justice (In cinemas now)
- Midnight Mass (Netflix)
- The Colony (In cinemas now)
- The Problem with Jon Stewart (Apple TV+)
- Nitram (In cinemas now and soon Stan)
INTERVIEW (47:02)
Seance writer-director Simon Barrett (writer of films like You're Next and The Blair Witch). Seance is streaming now on Shudder.
THE WEEK AHEAD (1:03:41)
This week's episode has gone to the pigs.
REVIEWS (03:41)
Star Wars: Visions (Disney+) Joe Bell (In cinemas now) Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol (US: Peacock - AUS: Paramount+) Pig (In cinemas now) Foundation (Apple TV+) Superhost (Shudder)THE MIDDLE BIT (39:40) The best on-screen animal/human pairings
THE WEEK AHEAD (54:53)
This week on the podcast we discuss true crime - pretty rich considering the quality of this show every week.
REVIEWS (01:55)
- Scenes From a Marriage (US: HBO | AUS: Foxtel/Binge)
- The Premise (US: FX, AUS: Foxtel/Binge)
- AINBO: Spirit of The Amazon (In cinemas now)
THE MIDDLE BIT (21:32)Interview with Melanie Laurent - Actor/Writer/Director 'The Mad Women's Ball'
THE WEEK AHEAD (31:19)
This week on the podcast we discuss true crime - pretty rich considering the quality of this show every week.
REVIEWS (01:55)
- Y: The Last Man (US: FX, AUS: Foxtel/Binge)
- Kate (Netflix)
- American Crime Story (US: FX, AUS: Foxtel/Binge)
- UFO (US: Showtime, AUS: Paramount+)
- Doogie Kamealoha MD (Disney+)
THE MIDDLE BIT (25:08)True crime movies & TV shows
THE WEEK AHEAD (38:27)
In this, the 37th episode of the podcast, we ask if 37 is too many? Wouldn't 10 be a more respectable number? And does 37 include all of those other dalliances? Just a thought...
REVIEWS (02:49)
- Streamline (In cinemas now)
- Only Murders in The Building (Disney+ Star / Hulu)
- Summer of Soul (In cinemas now)
- War of The Worlds (SBS On Demand / Epix)
- Under The Volcano (In cinemas now)
- Vigil (Foxtel / Binge / BBC)
THE MIDDLE BIT (22:32)Watching Sept 11 coverage 20 years ago - what do we recall?
INTERVIEW (30:39) Coming Home In The Dark director James Ashcroft
THE WEEK AHEAD (44:07)
Dan and Simon enter week ten of the lockdown. And then they start talking about horror. All lockdown and no play makes these guys... something... something...
REVIEWS (02:50)
- Candyman (2021) - In cinemas now
- Chapelwaite - Stan / Epix in the US)
- Motley's Law - iWonder
- Evil - Paramount+ for seasons 1+2. It also streams s1 on Stan in Australia
- Annette - In cinemas now. It streams internationally on Amazon Prime Video.
- The Bite - Paramount+ in Australia
THE MIDDLE BIT (37:59)Lingering moments in horror. What are the moments in horror shows and movies that still creep Dan and Simon the heck out?
THE WEEK AHEAD (46:02)
Dan and Simon enter week seven of the lockdown. Simon has phantom popcorn taste sensations. Dan now always knows where the TV remote is.
REVIEWS (02:32)
- The Chair (Netflix)
- Reminiscence (In cinemas now + HBO Max in the US)
- Heels (Starz / Stan)
- The Night House (in cinemas now)
- Nine Perfect Strangers (Hulu / Amazon Prime Video)
THE MIDDLE BIT (25:57)
INTERVIEW with Come Play director Jacob Chase (36:35)
THE WEEK AHEAD (48:34)
The lockdown continues. Dan needs a haircut. Simon looks like he's getting younger.
REVIEWS (02:20)Free Guy (In cinemas now)
The Newsreader (ABC TV Australia)
Reservation Dogs (FX on Hulu | Binge/Foxtel)
CODA (Apple TV+)
Miss (In cinemas now)
What If...? (Disney+)
THE MIDDLE BIT (31:24)INTERVIEW with writer/director Johnathan Hensleigh (The Ice Road)
THE WEEK AHEAD (49:26)
This week Paramount+ launched in Australia. Screen Watching hosts Dan and Simon take a look at the Australian version of the international streaming service. They ask the big questions:
- Why does the service look and feel a bit different to what other companies are offering?
- Is the library of titles any good?
- Should you subscribe?
- Is the big launch title, a Mark Wahlberg film called INFINITE, any good?
What a strange week - The Suicide Squad is a huge new Hollywood release that will only be seen in Australia this weekend in it's smallest cities as the rest of the country is in lockdown. Somehow, Simon and Dan were able to see it and have some (spoiler-free) thoughts to share.
They also deep dive into the big streaming releases of the week, talk about off-the-radar comic book movies, and Dan previews Paramount+ which launches in Australia this coming week.
REVIEWS (03:07)The Suicide Squad (In cinemas now & HBO Max in the US) Hacks (Stan | HBO Max) Val (Amazon Prime Video) Mr Corman (Apple TV+)
THE MIDDLE BIT (27:43)Movies based on obscure comic books and obscure movies based on well-known comic books.
THE WEEK AHEAD (43:47)
Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:
Reviews (05:50)
- Jungle Cruise (in cinemas now and Disney+)
- The Pursuit of Love (Amazon Prime Video)
- Woodstock 99 (HBO Max / Binge)
- The Toll (In cinemas)
Interview: The Misfits director Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, Deep Blue Sea, Cutthroat Island) (21:16)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (49:30)
Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:
Reviews (02:04)
- Old (in cinemas now)
- Turner & Hooch (Disney+)
- Shiva Baby (Coming to cinemas July 29 - QLD, WA, ACT, & TAS; August 5 VIC & SA; TBA in NSW)
- Masters of The Universe: Revelations (Netflix)
- Chernobyl 1986 (Netflix)
The middle segment: The best and worst M Night Shyamalan movie twists (32:01)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (42:28)
Despite a lockdown preventing cinemas this weekend from being open in Australia's two biggest markets, Sydney and Melbourne, Screen Watching, like nature, finds a way. We discuss the two biggest cinema releases this week: Space Jam 2, which finds it's way to (some) Australian cinemas after taking a left turn at Albuquerque. And Gunpowder Milkshake (which has a US release via Netflix and an Australian quasi cinema release). TV is more where things are at this week, with a look at new limited series Dr Death.
Reviews (04:41)
- Space Jam: A New Legacy (in cinemas now + HBO Max in the US)
- Dr Death (Stan / Peacock)
- Alex Ferguson: Never Give Up (Amazon Prime Video)
- Gunpowder Milkshake (In cinemas now)
- Ms Represented (ABC iView)
The middle segment: Emmy nominations 2021 - a bit more interesting than usual (24:41)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (36:54)
Cinemas are supposedly back again. But Dan and Simon are in lockdown and had to watch the biggest movie event of the past two years on their televisions. This week they talk about watching Black Widow by way of Disney+. Along with more reviews of the other big TV shows and movies of the week. They also talk about legendary Hollywood director Dick Donner who died this week. And they interview director Christine Luby, whose movie This Little Love of Mine debuted on Netflix this week.
Reviews (04:41)
- Black Widow (Disney+ and in cinemas now apparently)
- The White Lotus (HBO / Binge / Foxtel)
- The Sparks Brothers (in cinemas)
- Luxe Listings Sydney (Amazon Prime Video)
- The Tomorrow War (Amazon Prime Video)
The middle segment: Our favourite prison experiences (42:48)
Interview: Christine Luby - director of This Little Love of Mine (53:00)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (59:47)
It's the Screen Watching lockdown special. As New South Wales residents are forced to COVID lockdown, Simon and Dan come to terms with the idea of having to stay in to watch more TV and movies. Oh, such cruel fate. But before that can happen, they engage in the weekly movie review duty of their Screen Watching vows.
Reviews (02:37)
- Gossip Girl (2021) (Fox 8 / HBO Max)
- Fear Street 1994 (Netflix)
- The Good Fight (SBS on Demand / Paramount+)
- Werewolves WIthin (In cinemas now)
- Perfumes (In cinemas now)
The middle segment: Our favourite prison experiences (20:05)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (30:58)
In a bonus episode of Screen Watching, Simon Foster interviews the Writer/Director of new French movie Perfumes, Grégory Magne.
The movie is in Australian cinemas from July 1.
There's no question that the big movie of the week is In The Heights. Simon offers his thoughts on the film and we chat a bit more broadly about the failure of audiences to turn out for the well-reviewed film. We also take a look at the newest season of Bosch (but with a broader look at the series as a whole), movie Three Summers, and TV shows Tehran and Katla.
In an exciting development, we also have an interview with one of the world's most adored character actors, it's Joey Pants himself - Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos, The Matrix, The Fugitive, Sense8, The Goonies). He chats to us about his new film From The Vine.
Reviews (06:06)
- In The Heights (In cinemas now)
- Bosch (Amazon Prime Video)
- Three Summers (In cinemas now)
- Tehran (Apple TV+)
- Katla (Netflix)
Interview: Beloved character actor Joe Pantoliano (31:06)
The middle segment: The best five moments from the Indiana Jones movies (46:06)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (56:34)
What do you need to know about this week's podcast. Well, it includes reviews of movies with fast cars, documentaries with sharks, TV shows about sleeping with movie stars, and Rose Byrne getting Physical. Tell me you don't want to press play on that! I double dare you.
Reviews (01:41)
- F9 (In cinemas now)
- Physical (Apple TV+)
- Starstruck (ABC iView / BBC3 / HBO Max)
- From The Vine (In cinemas now)
- Blindspotting(Starz / Stan)
- Valerie Taylor: Playing With Sharks (In cinemas now)
Interview: Physical showrunner Annie Weisman (26:02)
The middle segment: It's 2021 - should you watch the Lethal Weapon movies? (36:42)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (46:39)
It's a TV-heavy week for the podcast as we look at new TV shows Loki, Lisey's Story, Foodie Love, and Republic of Sarah. But we haven't forgotten about movies entirely as Simon checks out a new film starring Christopher Walken - Percy vs Goliath.
This week Dan debunks the idea of The Golden Age of Television and looks at one of TV's greatest shows that streaming forgot.
Reviews (02:52)
- Loki (Disney+)
- Lisey's Story (Apple TV+)
- Republic of Sarah (The CW / Stan)
- Percy vs Goliath (In cinemas now)
- Foodie Love (HBO Max / SBS On Demand)
The middle segment: Maybe The Sopranos wasn't the dawn of the golden age of television (29:28)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (39:56)
Is Sweet Tooth set to be the new 'Stranger Things'? Dan reckons it is in with a shot. What did he think of the show? We discuss that, a whole bunch of movies, and Simon delves deep on the bloated movies made by directors drunk with power. Oh, and we chat with Whitstable Pearl star Kerry Godliman too.
Reviews (02:52)
- The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It (in cinemas now)
- Sweet Tooth (Netflix)
- Minamata (in cinemas now)
- Kung Fu (Foxtel/Binge)
- Breaking News in Yuba County (in cinemas now)
Interview: Kerry Godliman, star of Whitstable Pearl (Accorn TV). (19:48)
The new middle segment: Cinemas Greatest Follies (28:01)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (46:18)
Simon sits down with two filmmakers in a bonus episode of Screen Watching.
Andrew Levitas, director of the Johnny Depp movie Minamata (02:07)
Beth Elise Hawk, director of documentary Breaking Bread (19:13)
A big change for this week's podcast. We've dumped the news segment (if you want screen news, check out Dan's Always Be Watching newsletter each day) and in its place is a fun new middle segment. This week Dan take's us back to the 90s to look at the many sitcoms that sprung up following the success of Friends.
Reviews (02:14)
- Cruella (Disney+ / in cinemas now)
- Run The World (Stan)
- King Otto (in cinemas now)
- Brain Dead (Stan)
- Friends: The Reunion (Bings)
Interview: Miah Madden & Georgia-May Davis, stars of Dive Club. (31:05)
The new middle segment: Friends wannabe sitcoms from the 90s (43:33)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (1:02:25)
If you’re after reviews of Zack Snyder’s Army of The Dead and the third season of Master of None, you’re in the right place. Also on this podcast are reviews for Solos, a new anthology series on Amazon Prime Video. There’s also reviews of Songbird and Son of The South, which are both in cinemas this week.
We also have all the big news of the week and take a look at what’s playing in cinemas too.
Reviews (02:00)
- Army of The Dead (Netflix)
- Master of None season 3 (Netflix)
- Solos (Amazon Prime Video)
- Songbird (in cinemas now)
- Son of The South (in cinemas now)
News (21:07)
Interview: The Walrus & The Whistleblower director Nathalie Bibeau (38:13)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (50:01)
This week on the podcast Simon Foster sits down to talk with presenter Jess Hill about the SBS documentary series See What You Made Me Do.
It's a huge week for movies with not one major release this week, but two. Will audiences flock to the new Saw franchise installment Spiral? Or will they instead check out the new Angelina Jolie film Those Who Wish Me Dead? Simon and Dan checked out both films and have some differences of opinion. It's also a big week for TV with the debut of the eagerly-awaited Barry Jenkins series The Underground Railroad.
Reviews (02:59)
- Those Who Wish Me Dead (in cinemas now and HBO Max in the US)
- The Underground Railroad (Amazon Prime Video)
- Spiral (From The Book of Saw) (in cinemas now)
- Carmilla (in cinemas now)
News (28:00) What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (45:41)
Cards down on the table - it's a big week on the Screen Watching podcast. We chat with the son of Nicholas Cage - Weston Cage Coppola. He's an actor in his own right and stars in the new film Assault on Station 33.
There's also reviews, a look at the week ahead, and a deep dive into the news of the week. Join us for an extended chat about Flawless - a new technology that may render subtitles and dubbing as relics of the past. Simon and Dan have vastly different views on this.
Reviews (02:09) * Locked Down (in cinemas now & HBO Max in the US) * The Mosquito Coast (Apple TV+) * Fatale (in cinemas now) * The Girlfriend Experience (Stan / Starz in the US) * Look What You Made Me Do (SBS On Demand)
News (20:01) Interview (58:42) Assault on Station 33 star Weston Cage Coppola
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (1:05:14)
Join us this week for a very passionate discussion about the Academy Awards. Simon is an absolute fanboy. Dan is an anarchist who wants to see it all burned down. They discuss what they liked and didn't like about this year's awards. Also, the two send out into the world reviews of the big movies and TV shows of the week - it's a huge week for celebrations on screen from arthouse celebration of a cow, to YA Polish Netflix drama celebrations of nudity, to a celebration of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
That's a lot to celebrate.
Post-Game Analysis: The Oscars (01:33) Reviews (26:38)
- First Cow (in cinemas now)
- Wrath of Man (in cinemas now)
- Land (in cinemas now)
- Sexify (Netflix)
- This Way Up (Stan)
- Young Rock (Foxtel)
News (49:17)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (56:25)
Slide on yr tights and get ready to raise yr dukes, this week's Screen Watching podcast has Dan and Simon reviewing the new Mortal Kombat movie and chatting with it's director - Simon McQuiod. Dan also takes a look at the first season of Disney+'s The Falcon & The Winter Soldier following the series finale. And there's of course, more reviews, news, and a look at the week ahead.
Reviews (01:37) * Mortal Kombat (in cinemas now & HBO Max in the US) * Rutherford Falls (Stan / Peacock) * The United States vs Billie Holiday (in cinemas now & Hulu in the US) * Lost In London (Amazon Prime Video) * The Dissident (in cinemas now)
Post-Game Analysis: The Falcon & The Winter Soldier (21:16) Dan looks back at the first (only?) season of Marvel's latest superhero series.
Interview (25:20) Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuiod
News (36:24) What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (56:59)
Another big week for Screen Watching - we review the huge new HBO dramas Mare of Easttown starring Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce and the new Joss Whedon show The Nevers. We also check out new films The Unholy and Supernova. Oh, and there’s the new Irish comedy from Domnhall Gleason Frank of Ireland. We top that off with some news and an interview with the director of Gunda.
Reviews (02:20)
- Mare of Easttown (HBO/Foxtel/Binge)
- The Unholy (in cinemas)
- The Nevers (HBO/Foxtel/Binge)
- Supernova (in cinemas)
- Frank of Ireland (Amazon Prime Video)
News (20:35)
Interview - Gunda director Viktor Kassakovsky (33:48)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (53:37)
If you're not listening to this podcast, how the heck are you to know that the new Amazon Prime series Them is one of the absolute best new shows of the year? Dan reviews it on this week podcast and lets you know what you need to know in the most spoiler-free way possible. Consider this podcast your TV and movies north star.
News (02:14)
- Netflix spends big on Knives Out sequels
- Fox News launches a comedy show
- Jon Stewart is returning to TV on Apple TV+
- A ballet based on The Dark Crystal
- Japan's NHK has bought Aussie series The First Day
- Italy abolishes its film censorship
- Justice League star Ray Fisher speaks openly about what actually happened.
Reviews (20:44)
- Voyagers (in cinemas now)
- Them (Amazon Prime Video)
- Collective (in cinemas now)
- McDonald & Dodds (BritBox)
- Blow The Man Down (Amazon Prime Video)
Interview - Ascendant director Antaine Furlong (36:20)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (50:55)
Interview - We Don't Deserve Dogs director Matthew Saleh and producer Rose Tucker. (55:30)
Dan and Simon, influenced by watching a deliciously violent action film at the movies this week, punch up, down, left, and right in this week's podcast as they try to bring justice to the world in the most important way they know how: by talking about TV shows and movies.
News (01:13)
- Coming to Broadway - Game of Thrones: The Musical
- American Gods cancelled
- Logies and Oscars news
- Casting announcements - Obi-Wan Kenobi for Disney+ and The Dropout on Hulu (That's the series about Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes)
- The Australian Government announces SCREEN
- CSI to return to TV with CSI: Las Vegas
Reviews (19:07)
- Made For Love (HBO Max | Stan)
- Nobody (in cinemas now)
- Wakefield (ABC iView)
- The Father (in cinemas now)
- Tom & Jerry (in cinemas now)
Interview - Disclosure director Michael Bentham. (43:32)
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (57:51)
Dan and Simon, Milford Men, both, are back for another Screen Watching installment.
News (01:40)
- Disney shake-up its schedule as it pushes Black Widow back to July from May. Plus it's also going to be on Disney+
- Keanu Reeves sets his own fate with Bzrkr
- RIP George Segal
- RIP the grand dame Jessica Waters
- SBS' biggest commission - 200 episodes of an Adam Liaw cooking show.
Reviews (20:38)
- Godzilla vs Kong
- The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
- Invincible
- A Teacher
- The Last Veneer
Interview (43:47)
- Dan explains why you won't hear an interview with the director of Golden Voices Evgeny Rumanon the podcast this week - but please listen to the audio over at the Screen Watching Facebook page.
What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (45:28)
Dan and Simon enter the Hall of Justice to discuss Zack Snyder's Justice League. Is it worth both the hype and the four-hour runtime?
They also chat with the director of the very good new film The Grizzlies, Miranda de Pencier.
News (02:18)
- Avatar is ten years old - why are Dan and Simon talking about its box office again?
- RIP Yaphet Kotto
- Oscar nominations
- Killing Eve to end with season four
- Matthew McConaughey is back for more A Time To Kill (sort-of)
- Disney Plus adds classic and mostly forgotten Star Wars content.
Interview (16:50)
Simon chats with the director of The Grizzlies, Miranda de Pencier.
Reviews (31:12)
- Zack Snyder's Justice League - Streaming on Binge
- Michelle Pfeiffer's new film French Exit - In cinemas now
- UK punk music doco White Riot - In cinemas now
The Week Ahead (49:27)
It's a week heavy on news and reviews. Frankly Simon and Dan have too much to say about everything this week. What are you waiting for - stop reading and just start listening.
News (01:33)
- Oprah and Meghan and Harry and a highly engaged global audience
- RIP Kim's Convenience
- Lupita Nyong’o's YouTube Original seriesSuper Sema
- Pepe LePew faces #TimesUp
- Zack Snyder's Justice League leaks
- Disney+ passed 100 million subscribers - look out Netflix
- George Clooney and Julia Roberts are heading down under.
Reviews (22:25)
- Judas and The Black Messiah - In cinemas now
- Fisk - ABC TV (debuts Wednesday 17 March)
- Then Came You - In cinemas now
- Dealer - Netflix
The Week Ahead (44:43)
It's a jam-packed Screen Watching this week because Simon and Dan know no other way. This week expect action, excitement, romance, and thrills. What you're going to get, however, is:
News (01:18)
- Behold - RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under
- The Golden Globes ratings redefined the term 'dud
- 'ViacomCBS launch a new streaming service - Paramount+
- The Simpsons scores two more seasons
- Stan's CEO is now Nine's CEO
- A Bosch spin-off is announced... starring Bosch
Interview (13:38)
Dan speaks to Beke Lubeach, the head of DOGTV - a streaming service for dogs.
Reviews (24:30)
- Nomadland
- Coming 2 America
- The Knick
- Chaos Walking
Another interview (44:33)
Simon speaks with Lucy Campbell, the co-director of new sci-fi web series The Big Nothing.
The Week Ahead (51:47)
It's a jam-packed Screen Watching this week because Simon and Dan know no other way. This week expect action, excitement, romance, and thrills. What you're going to get, however, is:
News (01:06)
- Dan and Simon check out the new streaming service Star on Disney+
- Thoughts on the new Woody v Farrow documentary series
- Confirmation on an Australian release date for the Zack Snyder Justice League film.
- Dan gets in a special guest to discuss the new trailer for the very buzzy Kevin Can F**k Himself series
- Nik Kacevski's short Soulmate has been picked up for global distribution
- Ronald D Moore is developing a Magic Kingdom series - what does this mean for legacy (and problematic) Disney IP?
Interview (25:27)
Ocean Film Festival director Jemima Robinson talks to Simon about the 2021 lineup.
Reviews (30:46)
- Boss Level
- Blackbird
- Superman and Lois
The Week Ahead (39:57)
With Superman and Lois debuting on TV this week, Dan and Simon discuss Superman as a character of the big and small screen. They chart his evolution from comic book character through radio, movie serials, animated shows, live-action TV, and the big screen.
Strap yourselves in for another Screen Watching podcast. This week hosts Dan and Simon settle into their new podcast format and emerge out of it as absolute consummate professionals to the very end. As always, there's a lot of TV and movies to discuss:
News
(02:10)
- We've now seen the Zack Snyder Justice League trailer. Honestly - we don't know if we're excited. But we're curious.
- Disney announces 10 European originals to launch on new streaming service Star.
- Martin Scorsese has written a piece damning streaming services for a lack of curation.
Interview
(26:25)
Dan has a chat with Olivia Junkeer and Naomi Higgins about their new ABC comedy series Why Are You Like This?
Reviews
- Minari (42:25)
- Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra (47:00)
- For All Mankind (49:04)
The Week Ahead
(54:43)
Dan and Simon talk about what's hitting streaming and playing at the cinema over the upcoming week. Somehow they forgot to mention Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. This was an oversight.
With 12 February marking the Lunar New Year, Dan and Simon have a chat with China Lion's Mick Robbins about just how important the Lunar New Year is to the year's box office takings. On this week's podcast you'll also hear Simon and Dan almost come to blows over the filmography of M Night Shyamalan, along with a bunch of film reviews and some thoughts on the raft trailers broadcast during the US Super Bowl earlier this week.
Yeah - it's another very packed show.
News:
- Super Bowl trailers - Falcon and The Winter Soldier, F9, Old, and more (01:02)
- The best and worst real-life movie star romances (10:45)
- Aussies at SXSW (17:52)
Interview:
Mick Robbins from film distributor China Lion on the significance of the Lunar New Year on the box office.(21:01)
Reviews:
- Long Story Short (33:09)
- Clarice (36:04)
- Another Round (42:36)
- Synchronic (44:43)
The Week Ahead:
What TV and movies will we be watching streaming and at the cinema over the next week? (52:12)
With the 2021 Golden Globes nominations announced, Dan and Simon rip into the weirdo choices made and question why we pay attention to these nutso awards. There's also some talk about reboots following news this week of new takes on Frasier and The Wonder Years.
Nora Unkel stops by to talk about her new film A Nightmare Wakes. It's about Frankenstein writer Mary Shelley as she deals with her own real life horrors while writing the famed book.
There's also reviews of the great new Justin Timberlake film Palmer and Marvel's first TV show WandaVision
Find your way through the show this week:
News:
00:59 The Golden Globes nominations
12:20 Frasier and The Wonder Years remakes are on the horizon. Also - what remakes do we want to see?
Interview:
27:46 Director Nora Unkel tells us about her new Mary Shelley film A Nightmare Wakes
Reviews:
39:06 Palmer (Apple TV+)
43:55 WandaVision (Disney+)
The Week Ahead:
51:21 What's coming up in the next week streaming and in local cinemas?
It's the very first episode of Screen Watching and boy did we learn a lot about ourselves and each other while making it.
This week on the show:
News
- The movie release schedule is ever-changing as studios navigate COVID-19 and launching their own streaming services. (02:41)
- Disney has announced the line-up for the new streaming service Star. (13:25)
Interview
- Occupation: Rainfallis a big new Australian sci-fi special effects-driven action film. Director Luke Sparke tells us more about making this unique film. (19:05)
Reviews
- Operation: Rainfall (29:13)
- Malcolm & Marie (35:20)
- The Stand (40:09)
The Week Ahead
- TV launch dates, cinema releases, and a focus on Raiders of The Lost Ark. (44:30)
Every darn week noted film & TV critics and handsome men Dan Barrett and Simon Foster will offer reviews, industry news, and some recommendations of great things to check out. But before they can start on that important business, it is important that they release a trailer. It's how podcasts work. Press play and then join us Friday mornings for new Screen Watch podcasts.