Total Hollywood: Recent Episodes
New Thinking
Go behind the scenes of Tinseltown as Hollywood insiders Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit discuss the latest news from the world of showbiz. Join the conversation as they dissect the big stories of the week and review the latest releases.
Where have all the romantic comedies gone? Can and should the genre make a comeback? Rom-communists Sandro and Amy have all the answers.
Rom-coms used to be a regular part of the filmgoing experience and classics like Pretty Woman, When Harry Met Sally, Love Actually are still enjoyed today. But new entries in the genre are few and far between – this podcast finds out why. Could it be the fault of superhero movies doing so well that the profit chasing studios want to go all in on blockbusters and have fallen out of love with love stories? Or is it that society has moved on and there’s just no place any more for talks about women waiting around for a handsome prince to solve all their problems? Is the genre itself all played out because it’s so repetitious with the stories almost exclusively focused on middle-class, white, straight characters? There are hopes of a comeback – our co-hosts love the recent Lily James film What’s Love Got To Do With it – and maybe new release Book Club: The Next Chapter is something to write home about.
Listen now to this special edition of the podcast that will have you at hello.
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Blockbuster season is here and the studios are ready to pack the multiplexes with popcorn movies in the hopes of landing some elusive smash hits.
But which releases will win the hearts – and wallets – of cinemagoers and which films will fall by the wayside?
Showbiz reporters Sandro Monetti and Amy Rapeer run the rule over the contenders for the summer box office crown and share the big release dates.
They also ask the big questions such as: will The Little Mermaid sink or swim? How will Barbie fare? And do Harrison Ford and Tom Cruise still have the Midas touch?
They also wonder if The Flash or Blue Beetle will be the superhero of the summer and if the world really needs another Transformers or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie.
Along the way they share some strong opinions about Wes Anderson and Gal Gadot in what is a not to be missed summer cinema preview for film fans everywhere.
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Currently dominating the global box office, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 shows that this Marvel franchise always delivers the big bucks.
But the new film isn’t to everyone’s taste and comes with a whole host of controversies. Those are explored in this pull no punches podcast as co-hosts Sandro Monetti and Amy Rapeer assess the trilogy’s place in film history and ask: what is the legacy of Chris Pratt and co?
The two showbiz reporters discuss writer-director James Gunn who was fired from this film over historical tweets only to be reinstated and wonder: should he have got his job back?
They also debate the controversial use of an F-word in this film and ask that other big question: what is Sylvester Stallone doing in it?
Our hosts review the new movie with Amy seeing the positives but Sandro unable to get over the animal cruelty scenes.
Also discussed are the music, the mirth, the make-up, and what the future might hold for the Guardians of the Galaxy.
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One of the most significant moviemakers of the last 30 years, Quentin Tarantino, has just announced his final film. This podcast looks forward to that one while looking back on his previous work and does not shy away from the controversies of his career. Sandro Monetti thinks Tarantino is a creative genius. New co-host Amy Rapeer argues that he’s overrated. Listen to their debate and decide what you think.
In discussing his legacy, the two showbiz reporters talk about everything we associate with Tarantino films - from foot fetishes to violence, foul language to brilliant dialogue, history-altering to homages – in an audio treat for movie enthusiasts.
They rate his various movies, including Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, discuss the most memorable performances in them, and explain why he is walking away at the top.
You’ll also get insight from Hollywood about an unforgettable encounter with Samuel L Jackson and the Los Angeles cinema owned by Tarantino. In the words of the Reservoir Dogs, let’s go to work…
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The new Super Mario Bros movie has smashed box office records by having the biggest opening of any film ever based on a video game. So it’s no wonder that Hollywood is releasing a string of fresh films inspired by further classic games.
Another one is Tetris, which takes a very different approach, as you’ll learn from showbiz insiders Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit in this special episode.
From Pacman to Minecraft, the co-hosts preview all the coming attractions and review the recent releases.
They question the casting of Chris Pratt as the Italian plumber Mario in Super Mario Bros and Chris Pine in Dungeons and Dragons but praise Taron Egerton’s work in Tetris.
Then our hosts discuss their own history with gaming - Sandro describes his childhood years endlessly playing Pac-man and board games Operation and Battleship while Zorianna, who has Ukrainian heritage,was too busy for all that as her youth was largely spent protesting outside Russian embassies!
But she did find time to play with Ouija boards and you’ll learn about what spirits she summoned.
At the end of the show our hosts review the all-star Dungeons and Dragons movie and, spoiler alert, describe as two hours you won’t get back.
But this show is half an hour you won’t want to miss. Happy listening.
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Keanu Reeves has been churning out hit movies since the 1980s - and he’s still at the top now as his John Wick action franchise dominates the box office.
Why do audiences love this enduring star so much? Showbiz insiders Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit, who have both interviewed him several times, set out to answer that question In this special episode.
Along the way, they discuss hits like Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Point Break, Speed, and The Matrix and how each movie has added to the Keanu legend.
Reeves is 58 but never seems to age and Sandro has a theory for that - could he really be an immortal as many on the internet have speculated?
Zorianna talks about the actor’s famous generosity and wonders if his nice guy image is largely responsible for his huge success.
At the end of the show our hosts review Keanu’s current smash, John Wick: Chapter 4, and discuss where that franchise goes from here.
At the end of the half-hour, you’ll maybe have a new appreciation for one of the most remarkable careers in movies.
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Elvis has NOT left the building. The King of Rock n’ Roll is more popular than ever on the back of the hit Elvis movie and that has prompted a string of new Presley projects in Hollywood.
In this rocking episode, showbiz insiders Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit aim to explain the enduring appeal of the showbiz icon.
They discuss the new Netflix animated series Agent Presley in which Matthew McConaughey voices Presley.
And our hosts look forward to the upcoming Priscilla Presley biopic being made by Sofia Coppola.
They also speculate if Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie will be turned into a hit stage musical just like his earlier project, Moulin Rouge.
And Zorianna reveals why she named her dog Elvis.
In the review slot this time is new Amazon series Daisy Jones and The Six which stars Elvis Presley’s granddaughter Riley Keough in the story of a feuding, fictional 1970’s rock group.
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It’s the question which has been on the lips of every 007 fan ever since Daniel Craig vacated the role. Who will be the next James Bond?
In this special episode, showbiz insiders Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit take an in depth look at the candidates and assess their chances.
You will be shaken and stirred by some of their suggestions - could an American like Elvis star Austin Butler be in the mix or even a pop star such as Harry Styles? Or is it time for a woman to take on the iconic role?
What about names who have been linked with this part for years such as Idris Elba, Richard Madden, Tom Hiddleston, Henry Cavill and Tom Hardy - have their chances gone?
Our hosts think it will more likely be a rising star like Rege-Jean Page, Paul Mescal, Henry Golding, James Norton or Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
James Bond has certainly found the winning formula with a franchise which has run for years. But which new films have the potential for multiple sequels and reboots? Sandro and Zorianna whether it could be recent surprise hit Cocaine Bear.
They review the animal on a drug-fuelled rampage movie and ask: could Cocaine Shark, Cocaine Dog and Cocaine Squirrel be far behind?
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From Iron Man to Ant Man and beyond, this special episode examines the past, present and future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
And it does so with real inside knowledge because co-host Zorianna Kit was there at the start as one of the cast members in 2008’s Iron Man.
She tells Sandro Monetti about her role alongside Robert Downey Jr in that movie and why she thinks the MCU has since become the biggest moneymaking franchise in Hollywood.
The podcasters preview the coming attractions from Marvel, sharing casting news and release plans.
Then they turn their attention to Marvel’s rivals DC and wonder if new management there can help them close the box office gap.
Finally Sandro and Zorianna review Marvel’s latest release, Ant Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.
www.newthinking.com/podcasts/total-hollywood
With the Oscars just days away, our expert hosts discuss who should win and who will win at the March 12 ceremony.
As regular listeners will know, Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit often have very different tastes in films and that’s reflected in the who should win discussion.
But when it comes to their predictions for who WILL win, they agree on the winners of five of the main six categories here.
Included in those are the big one of best picture with both predicting a big night for multiverse movie, Everything Everywhere All At Once.
But it is ‘best director' which proves the hardest category to pick – can Steven Spielberg take his third trophy in that category for The Fabelmans?
The most controversial nomination is Andrea Riseborough being in the running for best actress for To Leslie, considering so few people have seen it (the movie earned only $27,000 at the box office). Zorianna and Sandro review that film at the end of the episode.
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Justin Bieber has become the latest pop star to sell the rights to his songs for a fortune – but has he undercharged at $200 million?
Hosts Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit examine why so many singers – from Springsteen to Dylan – are suddenly selling off their music.
And why are investment companies and hedge funds competing with record companies for these rights? With licensing deals proving so lucrative, our hosts consider whether it’s time to start their own band.
From new music to new technology, Sandro and Zorianna also consider the impact AI is having on Hollywood.
It’s already making huge changes with artificial intelligence able to improve scripts, shots, and so much more, and the industry is having to decide whether to embrace or avoid these advances. Our hosts wonder how long it will be before a robot is nominated for an Oscar.
In the movie review slot, Sharper sees Julianne Moore and Sebastian Stan playing manipulative schemers. Is this latest addition to the con artists genre a cut above the rest?
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Could Tom Brady be the next Tom Cruise? Now that he’s retired from the NFL, the American football icon might have a future in movies, according to Total Hollywood co-hosts Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit.
They were impressed by the surprisingly dramatic and charismatic acting performance he gives in a brief appearance in the recent film 80 For Brady, a movie which has little else to recommend it judging by their review.
Maybe Brady should rethink his planned future as a football commentator because he certainly has the looks, athleticism, and presence to take on Tom Cruise type roles.
Talking of screen newcomers, the episode opens with a discussion about which rising young stars in Hollywood have got the talent to have long-lasting careers of the kind enjoyed by Leonardo Di Caprio and Natalie Portman.
Our hosts pick out Timothee Chalamet, Anya Taylor Joy, Zendaya, Florence Pugh and Paul Mescal as their fab five.
None of those are nepo-babies - the offspring of famous stars who are now famous themselves - and Sandro and Zorianna also debate how important family connections really are when it comes to making it big.
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A sci-fi series from the Game of Thrones showrunners and a Marvel series starring Olivia Colman are among the big new TV shows of 2023 most anticipated by your co-hosts Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit. Some recycled ideas are also in the mix with a Fatal Attraction weekly series, a Bridgerton prequel and yet another drama about the Watergate scandal all coming soon. The two showbiz insiders discuss and debate which one of these shows might be the biggest hit of the year and which, if any, will make it to awards consideration. Zorianna and Sandro also take you behind the scenes of recent awards shows and parties to say which stars they have enjoyed meeting most on the celebrity circuit. And they are in firm agreement that no awards will be forthcoming for one of the worst new shows of 2023, giving a bad review to the Scooby-Doo prequel series, Velma.
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In the battle to be 2023’s box office champion, ‘Indiana Jones’ takes on fellow icons ‘Barbie,’ ‘Willy Wonka,’ and ‘The Little Mermaid.’ But could surprise contender ‘Cocaine Bear’ shock them all and become the surprise hit of the year? See what your co-hosts Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit think in this episode of Total Hollywood.
Drawing on their insight and expertise, the showbiz insiders select the upcoming Christopher Nolan and Leonardo Di Caprio movies as strong contenders in the awards race a year from now.
They also call on Hollywood to make biopics about Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Cyndi Lauper to add to already in-development projects on Boy George, Bob Dylan, and the Bee Gees.
The episode ends with a review of the new horror hit ‘M3GAN’ about a hi-tech doll with murder on her mind. Our hosts thought it was hilarious – but are there enough scares mixed with all the mirth?
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Music’s ultimate ceremony, The Grammy Awards, is coming up on February 5, and this year’s contest sees a showdown between two superstars. Adele and Beyonce will battle it out for the top prizes—and not for the first time. In their previous Grammy battle, Adele emerged as the big winner. But will the rematch see a different result? Might Harry Styles crash the party and take the top honors?
Your hosts, Hollywood insiders Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit, preview that clash of the titans and set up the race to win the Oscar for best song from a motion picture. Rihanna is a leading contender for her song from Wakanda Forever, and it’s a big few weeks for RiRi with her Superbowl half-time show also on the horizon.
Also debated in this episode are calls for the Oscars and other major award shows to merge the best actor and actress categories into one gender-neutral award. Is such a change inevitable—or even needed?
In the movie review slot this week, your hosts discuss Babylon, the Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie “epic” about the golden age of Hollywood. Is it a stunning triumph or an overlong disaster? Sandro and Zorianna definitely don’t agree!
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Can Will Smith mount a successful comeback after slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars? Who will succeed him as this year’s Best Actor winner? And is the new Tom Hanks movie worth seeing? Discussing all this and more are your co-hosts Sandro Monetti and Zorianna Kit.