Reluctant Reviews: Recent Episodes
Reluctant Reviews
Tots and Spanz, two no-nonsense Northerners reluctantly review each other's favourite films. With asides and waffle galore, sit back (or drive) and enjoy this series.
Join us as we hit record and see where the discussion goes, as we chat about our film of the week.
Spanz gives his verdict of the film Braveheart. Spanz laments the sheer number of "horse deaths", whilst Tots lists the historical inaccuracies of the film. Spanz and Tots then talk horror film quality and draw up a list of upcoming reviews.
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In this introduction to the 1995 epic Braveheart, Spanz wonders why everybody in the past was short, while Tots gets fed up with Spanz's constant interruptions. The disgruntled duo then discuss casting choices in films, before Spanz describes his preconceptions for the film as "Scottish, Mel, Battles, English are the baddies".
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During this verdict to Demolition Man, Tots attempts to make a clarification regarding Kate Winslet's character in 'The Holiday' and causes confusion. Tots then goes on to discuss Mild Green Fairy Liquid and how Wesley Snipes is clearly having a ball in the film.
Meanwhile, Spanz fluffs his lines and forgets what to say, so Tots takes the opportunity to pander to the new Canadian listeners. Spanz and Tots then discuss the upcoming Halloween Special Podcasts!
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In this introduction to the film Demolition Man, Tots distracts Spanz with 'The Holiday' a romantic-comedy film with music by Hans Zimmer. Spanz goes all professional all of a sudden, choosing to make notes to discuss some trivia.
Spanz and Tots then talk about their plans for the upcoming Reluctant Reviews Halloween Special Podcasts!
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Spanz and Tots compliment Ray Winstone's acting range, Ben Miller's comedy turn as the obnoxious new boyfriend and the feel-good factor of the film. Tots manages to confuse Donna Summers and Ann Summers, whilst Spanz offer his advertising services to an owl sanctuary. Although mixing up a possum and a porcupine might not be fantastic for his credibility.
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During this introduction for the film 'There's Only One Jimmy Grimble', Tots debuts a new German introduction with the help of his German-speaking friend, whilst Spanz throws in some Spanish (that Tots immediately mistakes for Italian). Spanz and Tots talk family football stories, with Spanz stories containing crying football fans. Spanz explains his dislike of Director's Commentaries and which books he read at Primary school.
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Tots enjoys Passenger 57's lack of 'faff', stand-out villain and calls the film a 'cracker'. Tots drops some aviation knowledge, picking out the film's inaccuracies, whilst Spanz attempts to make an entertaining podcast.
Spanz and Tots also talk 1990's film tropes and lethal peanuts.
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Spanz and Tots talk raisins, Wesley Snipes and bingeing Mel Gibson films in this hilarious introduction to the film, Passenger 57.
Listening to this podcast THERE WILL BE NO PAIN
Return every weekend for a new podcast as Spanz and Tots continue thier Reluctant Reviewssssss for your listening pleasure!
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Tots and Spanz present their verdict for The Untouchables, with a shockingly normal on-track review. Has Tot's film choice finally got Spanz's approval? Spanz thinks that Elliot Ness was a 'big drip', whilst Malone was 'unreal'. Spanz and Tots then talk upcoming films.
Come back for the next podcast to see Spanz actually picks.
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Spanz and Tots talk The Untouchables. Whilst discussing the film, they chat about Robert De Niro's clothing choices, method acting and Sean Connery's best film. Tots set the scene of the film by describing Prohibition era 1930's Chicago as 'corrupt to bits'. Spanz constantly interrupts Tots description of the film, leading Tots to announce 'they're going to fall out'.
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During this verdict for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Tots talks gothic chocolate and de-ageing software while Spanz tries to do a cockney accent. Spanz and Tots discuss unreliable narrators and dark humour in this surprisingly in-depth review. Spanz cuts in partway through the podcast as he feels it is going too nicely and lacks drama, much to Tot's dismay.
Thanks for listening! Apologies for the sniffing and sneezing, Tots is feeling under the weather.
Spanz asks Tots for his thoughts on Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street before he has watched it. Spanz picks a musical much to the surprise of Tots. The podcast goes off track once again as Tots discusses cinema interruptions and Spanz talks martial arts films and health and safety.
Spanz and Tots call each other rude, whilst constantly sniping at one another! Tots leaves the room at one point, has Spanz pushed him too far?
Thanks for listening! Apologies for the sneezing and sniffling, Tots has a cold.
Spanz and Tots talk about Armageddon. Tots misses again as Spanz doesn't enjoy the film as much as Tots hoped he would. Tots manages to drop some Star Trek trivia (at last!) and manages to mix up actors and dates of films this week. Spanz states that films about drilling are not exciting, not even with a great score.
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Spanz and Tots have big (analytic) news having 'broke' another country! They discuss television watersheds, film cuts/remastering, and finally do a premise to the film they are about to watch.
Spanz discusses cartoons whilst Tots talks grammar. Same old, same old really.
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Spanz drags a tired and traumatised Tots through the verdict, after watching the hard-hitting film. Tots truly begins to understand the premise of 'Reluctant Reviews' only seven episodes in and is extremely downbeat, having been shown a drama by Spanz.
Spanz and Tots discuss the film as best they can, without revealing major plot points to anyone who hasn't seen the film and their severe lack of knowledge about New Zealand.
Thanks for listening! Sorry that it is a bit downbeat.
Spanz and Tots discuss dog actors, pet birds and ignoring each other during this introduction to the film 'Once Were Warriors'. Starring Temura Morrison, the film is a complete mystery to Tots before he watches it.
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Spanz celebrates the dog survivor in the film but is disappointed by the film's lead actor, describing him as bland and a big piece of wood!
Spanz and tot's discuss the the gloriously over the top performance of Dafoe as the films villain. Spanz is disgusted by Tot's boat puns and cant help bringing up Star Wars (again!)
Get ready to enjoy one of Tot's favourite guilty pleasure films. Speed 2 Cruise Control. Tot's and Spanz try out their best Bale Batman voice impressions. They go on to talk about cough sweets, bad 90's films and their favourite green goblin lines.
Spanz scores another winner as Tots describes the film as 'magical'. Tots concedes he must up his game as he is now 2-0 down in Reluctant Reviews wins. Meanwhile, Spanz laments more dog deaths in films, despite their being none in the film.
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This week Spanz introduces Tots to Dragonheart. Tots thinks it is an animated film, initiating a drawn-out debate about cartoons. Tots wildly overestimates how many times England fits into Texas and gets exasperated as Spanz repeatedly asks him for his thoughts about a film he has not watched yet.
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Tots and Spanz, in an unusually downbeat review, reflect upon the harrowing film Threads. In amongst serious discussions about nuclear war, they still find time to discuss pet birds, repeatedly attempt a Yorkshire accent and desperately reach out for a global audience.
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In this week's introduction, Tots and Spanz discuss the state of Spanz's tea mugs and their favourite chocolate. Spanz once again bangs on about Star Wars and believes the podcast will go worldwide. Apologies for the awful accent attempts.
Welcome to Reluctant Reviews!
This time, Spanz and Tots discuss one of Spanz's favourite films: V for Vendetta. The introduction is once again derailed when Spanz describes a surprise swap item which came with his online delivery, leaving Tots in fits of laughter.
Tots on the other hand, thinks that hand gestures are pointless for a podcast and once again pounces on any opportunity to correct Spanz's grammar. Naturally Spanz gets his revenge by creating an entirely new word altogether.
Welcome to Reluctant Reviews!
This time, Spanz and Tots discuss one of Spanz's favourite films: V for Vendetta. The introduction is once again derailed when Spanz describes a surprise swap item which came with his online delivery, leaving Tots in fits of laughter.
Tots on the other hand, thinks that hand gestures are pointless for a podcast and once again pounces on any opportunity to correct Spanz's grammar. Naturally Spanz gets his revenge by creating an entirely now word altogether.
Spanz and Tots totally lose the plot attempting to record an introduction and review of Signs. They manage to compare Darth Vader to a Scotch Egg, argue over who is more famous-Adrian the Brickie (who Spanz's Dad knows) or Adrian Balboa, and clash over an actresses's name.
Spanz and Tots totally lose the plot attempting to record an introduction and review of Signs. They manage to compare Darth Vader to a Scotch Egg, argue over who is more famous-Adrian the Brickie (who Spanz's Dad knows) or Adrian Balboa, and clash over an actresses's name.
Join Spanz and Tots as they review one of Spanz's favourite DBZ films: DragonBall Z World's Strongest. Listen as Spanz tries to win over Tots to the magic of DBZ.
Will Tots like the film?
Why was he not allowed to watch Power Rangers when he was a kid?
Or more importantly, will he reach the driving demographic he so desperately craves?
Join Spanz and Tots as they review one of Spanz's favourite DBZ films: DragonBall Z World's Strongest. Listen as Spanz tries to win over Tots to the magic of DBZ.
Will Tots like the film?
Why was he not allowed to watch Power Rangers when he was a kid?
Or more importantly, will he reach the driving demographic he so desperately craves?
Tots and Spanz, two no-nonsense Northerners reluctantly review each other's favourite films. With asides and waffle galore, sit back (or drive) and enjoy this series.
Join us for this bumper pilot episode where we just hit record and see where the discussion goes, as we chat about our plans for the upcoming podcasts. Apologies for the unplanned intermission.