Pop Screen: Recent Episodes
The Geek Show Podcast Network
Pop Screen is The Geek Show's new podcast tackling movies starring, about or by pop stars - and that's all genres, from rock to hip-hop, jazz to disco. Each week Graham and one of his stable of trusty co-hosts picks a pop movie and examines its history, its film-making and its music in-depth. It's an irreverent ride through an oft-misunderstood strain of cinema, from era-defining masterpieces to kitsch atrocities.
After the inevitable Christmas number one, the life of an X Factor winner isn't always easy. But Shayne Ward, of 'That's My Goal' fame - stop pretending you don't know it - had something unique to fall back on. A stint on Coronation Street gave him enough acting cred, and willing co-stars, to star in his own murder mystery series where he plays an ex-cop turned cruise ship singer with a murder to solve in every port.
Listeners, it is insane. This week, Graham is joined by Mark Harrison of Film Stories and the forthcoming First Question quiz podcast to discuss his chance discovery of a series that has become an obsession. We also talk about the strange world of straight-to-VHS soap opera spin-offs, the show's Guy Ritchie-inspired poker tournament episode, the other shows and films that could benefit from The Good Ship Murder's earworm of a theme tune, and how the show might end up doing an episode about Morrissey.
If you'd like to go on an adventure with us in mind, you can donate to our Patreon. We're currently working on a bonus episode of this very show about Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, as well as keeping our two new podcasts - They'll Love Me When I'm Dead and The Arts Hole - running. Backers also get an end-of-month round-up podcast, weekly articles about The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who, and more - follow us on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
Have you ever seen a hitman movie and thought "It's good, but it needs to be shot entirely in infra-red?" No, because no-one has - except Harmony Korine. After looking at his most famous film Spring Breakers a couple of years back, Robyn and Graham now reunite to talk about the first film from his excellently-named production company EDGELRD, a film whose strangeness is not limited to the fact that Travis Scott gives the most sensitive performance in it.
Along the way, we'll discuss Scott's unexpected role in The Odyssey, and talk about that time when Korine wanted to make a whole film of people beating him up. We'll also talk about the film's, uh, distinctive promotional roll-out, its use of generative AI and its video game influences. There's also a long detour about how great the new Boards of Canada album is. That's nothing to do with the film, it's just really good.
The old world is collapsing, but our Patreon remains strong - backers will get a bonus episode of this show every month, along with Graham's other podcast The Arts Hole, about all the silliest happenings in the world of arts and culture. There's also a review of classic franchises in They'll Love Us When We're Dead, weekly articles on The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who, and more. Follow us on Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
Has Pop Screen gone highbrow? A biopic of a classical composer isn't normally the kind of film we'd cover, but then biopics of classical composers aren't usually anything like Lisztomania. The final instalment in Ken Russell's legendary series of films about his classical music heroes, it stars Roger Daltrey from The Who as Franz Liszt, Ringo Starr as the Pope, and this is not even close to the strangest thing about it.
Join Graham and Mike as they unpick the real-life animus between Liszt and Wagner that inspired the somewhat unorthodox Nazi-vampire-zombie-Frankenstein-Thor subplot in this movie, as well as the historical phenomenon that gave the film its title - it's not just a Phoenix song! - and, of course, the chequered and glorious career of Uncle Ken. Plus: a plea for better biopics, a history of the Strauss film that forced Russell to leave the BBC, and a defence of Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights.
If you don't want to see us reduced to marrying a domineering Russian countess for money, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll get a bonus episode of this podcast every month, plus Graham's other show The Arts Hole, Mike's Twilight Zone reviews, regular essays on Doctor Who's cast and crew and the unclassifiable end-of-month podcast that is Last Night...
Follow us on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
Madness! Madness, they call them Madness, which is fair enough, because that's their name. At a very early stage in their quest to become one of Britain's most beloved bands, the Nutty Boys starred in a semi-improvised film about their formation and rise to fame. It was called Take It Or Leave It, it was surprisingly serious in tone, and it was, as Suggs put it, "the beginning and the end of our film careers".
Well, not in his case, actually - as Graham and Mark note, he had some other acting roles. But what about Take It Or Leave It? It turns out it's well worth revisiting, as a time capsule of both an iconic band in their early days and working-class London in the early '80s. We also discuss the differences between Jamaican, British and American ska, the time the band nearly made a sitcom with the writers of Blackadder, and the reason why you should never let Chas Smash use your hairdryer.
Fans of naughty boys in nasty schools will surely enjoy Graham and Mark's other podcast The Arts Hole, which is only available on our Patreon. Backers will also get a monthly bonus episode of this show, weekly articles on Doctor Who and the Twilight Zone, and our uncategorisable end-of-month miscellany Last Night... Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and Twitter for more info.
It's playtime! Pop Screen is starting a themed month on "autobiopics" - films where pop stars play themselves, but in a different context to the standard rock doc. The nearest we'll get to documentary is this film by Morgan Neville, which sees Pharrell Williams talk about his incredible career and range of star collaborators - Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z and more - through the medium of, er, Lego.
Joining regular host Graham, Mark Harrison talks about the history of "brickfilms", the Lego franchise's move from studio to studio, and the vexed question of whether 'Happy' is annoying or not. We also talk about the film's insight into creativity, the other Pharrell Williams movie directed by Michel Gondry that you'll never see, and, of course, try to imagine what he thought he was doing with that bloody hat. It's the podcast of the summer!
Our Patreon brings all the boys to the yard, and no wonder - we've just launched Graham and Mark Cunliffe's exclusive new arts and culture podcast The Arts Hole there.
You'll find that along with Patreon exclusive episodes of this show - listen to the end to find out what's next - written articles about The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who, and much more.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to find out more.
"So we're doing this, right?" The new film from David Lowery, the director of The Green Knight, is not a love story, it's not a ghost story, and a lot of people aren't sure what it is at all. We know it's definitely about a very Gaga-esque pop star played by Anne Hathaway trying to heal the wounds of the past with her estranged dress designer (Michaela Coel), and we know it's got a storming FKA Twigs cameo which qualifies it for this show. But what lies beyond these facts?
Join Graham and Robyn as they look at the many musical and cinematic inspirations Lowery and Hathaway took - from Persona to Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour! - and discuss the film's soundtrack cuts from Charli XCX, Jack Antonoff and Twigs herself. We also talk about the responses we had to the film - both emotional and stigmatic - talk about Charli's busy year at the movies, and relitigate the eternal question of whether Jack Antonoff is actually a good producer or not. Plus a bit of Billie Eilish concert film talk, if that's your bag.
If you don't want to see us doing mildly lewd Gievenchy adverts for money, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll get Graham's new culture podcast The Arts Hole, plus Rob's franchise run-down They'll Love Us When We're Dead, weekly written articles about Doctor Who and The Twilight Zone, and more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook to find out more.
It's one of the great films of the '90s, from one of the most Pop Screen-friendly directors of all time: Jim Jarmusch, a man who can't even make a little family drama without sticking Tom Waits in there. Here, he's making a Western starring Johnny Depp, Robert Mitchum, a lot of people who would go on to be very famous, and the former lead singer of the Stooges. In a dress and bonnet.
It's so good that we've redone the show's theme music in its honour this week. Join Graham and Rob as they discuss the light the film sheds on the Western genre, its place as the first of Jarmusch's offbeat genre exercises, and the film's other hidden punk rock cameo that will blow you away. Plus: the pre-wearing-wacky-hats-for-Disney-money years of Depp's career, Iggy Pop's advice to young musicians and more!
If you don't want us to have to go to the town of Machine to earn our fortune, you can donate to our Patreon where we're just about to drop an exclusive episode of this show about Michael Jackson's Ghosts. Also, Graham is about to launch his new podcast The Arts Hole, and there are weekly articles about Doctor Who, The Twilight Zone and more that you won't find anywhere else. Follow us on Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook for more.
Back to the '90s, and a time when a movie could just be, y'know, anything you wanted. The co-writer of Sid & Nancy, Abbe Wool, went to test this theory with this wilfully inconsequential road movie in which a member of X (John Doe) and a member of The Beastie Boys (Adam "Ad-Rock" Horowitz) set off to scatter the ashes of a friend of the former musician. It's really the excuse for an eclectic set of cameos, and we mean eclectic - everyone from David Carradine to Timothy Leary, Arlo Guthrie to Flea.
But what if there was something deeply profound beneath the surface? Well, we don't quite go that far, but debuting co-host Rob Spencer from Caliber 9 From Outer Space makes a good account of this as a movie of its moment. Joining him to pick over Roadside Prophets's cameos, connections and subtexts is Graham, and their conversation is as free-ranging as the movie: Patty Hearst, cinema's greatest scenes of gluttony, the wonder of Fatma Mohamed and Neil Kinnock's election broadcasts are all under consideration.
If you want to help us quit our factory jobs, you can donate to our Patreon, where we've just launched one of our new shows for 2026 - They'll Love Us When We're Dead - with an episode on the Blade franchise. Our new culture show, The Arts Hole, is coming in May, plus Pop Screen exclusives, weekly articles on Doctor Who and the Twilight Zone, and much more. Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook to find out more.
The Jimi Hendrix estate have been notably controlling of the film rights to his life story since his death at the totemic age of 27. Hollywood, though, cannot stand for a classic rock star to go un-biopicised (it's a word now), which is why in 2013 John Ridley got Andre Benjamin - yes, Andre 3000 from OutKast - to play the legendary guitarist in Jimi: All is By My Side, a film tackling Hendrix's rise to success that breaks off conveniently before he wrote any of the classic songs the film doesn't have the rights to.
Our 27 Club correspondent Aidan rejoins Graham to discuss Hendrix's musical and cinematic legacies, his famous covers of everything from Bob Dylan to the American national anthem, the perils of watching films from a location manager's perspective, and the complaints levelled against the film by Hendrix's ex Kathy Etchingham. We also discuss the fractious screenwriting career and awful op-ed writing career of John Ridley, and the research process that led to him apparently deciding a book where Hendrix shoots purple lasers from his eyes was a reliable source. No, really.
If you want to hear us tackle an even more baffling film about Hendrix, you're in luck, because this month's Patreon bonus episode of Pop Screen is all about Larry Buchanan's Down On Us. We're also gearing up to launch another Patreon-only podcast, They'll Love Us When We're Dead, looking at overlooked and dormant film franchises, as well as producing weekly articles on The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who. All of these are only available at Patreon - follow us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook to find out more.
The history of pop is as much about subcultures as it is music, and this week Pop Screen is diving into one of the most enduring (at least round co-host Mick's gaff): mod. From its origins, which were so controversial the phrase "moral panic" was coined to describe the press reaction (fact!) to the late '70s revival that gave the world The Jam, there's always been some corner of Britain where Lambretta scooters are still the main mode of transport.
Chris Green's 2021 film The Pebble and the Boy is a coming-of-age road movie that asks what the legacy of Mod is today. Join Graham and Mick as they attempt to come up with their own answer to this question, one that takes in the pop career of co-star Patsy Kensit and a quiz we will never do again. We also give an appreciation of the late Stone Roses bassist Mani, who makes a cameo here, and the unexpected way in which his old band may have swung the Gorton and Denton by-election. Maybe.
You can hear our Second Coming every month on Patreon, where we release a bonus episode of this show - the next one, about the bizarre low-budget rock conspiracy film Down On Us, is coming in April - plus weekly articles about Doctor Who and The Twilight Zone, an end-of-month podcast pot-pourri we call Last Night, and much more. Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook to find out more.
SAMMEH! Yes, finally we're getting round to Ryan Coogler's box-office-busting, Oscars-history-making period vampire gangster epic. Joe from Dreaming Machine rejoins Graham to talk about how Coogler's hit film explores the history, tradition and continued relevance of the blues, all the time mindful of our... let's say shaky status as two white guys talking about this. We want your songs, we want your stories, etc. etc.
Join us and find out which literary masterpiece might have inspired Coogler's choice of music for Remmick and his crew, which legendary folk singer was a regular at one of the cast's childhood church, and which legends of Black culture are nodded to in the film's legendary one-take musical number. We also talk about IMAX aspect ratio changes, Coogler's time with Marvel and how it may have impacted this film, and - the hot topic of the moment! - Timothee Chalamet's opinions on ballet.
If you can just let us in your house, we'll give you all kinds of rewards from our Patreon. We've just released an exclusive episode of this very episode about Roger Corman's Frankenstein Unbound, and we're about to launch two new podcast series in tandem with our regular features Last Night... - a monthly round-up of everything our critics couldn't fit in anywhere else - articles about The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who, and much more.
Follow us on Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook to learn more.
Have you seen The Bride yet? No, not Maggie Gyllenhaal's new film - we mean the 1985 film by Frank Roddam, director of Quadrophenia. Like Gyllenhaal's film, it's an attempt at a female-centred sequel to Mary Shelley's novel. Unlike Gyllenhaal's film, it has an actively deranged cast list including Quentin Crisp, Alexei Sayle, Ken Campbell, David Rapaport... and, as Dr. Frankenstein, Sting.
Join Graham and Mark as they divide Roddam's film cleanly into the bits that work and the bits that don't, which is made surprisingly easy by its two-stranded plot. We also discuss how the film compares to Poor Things, talk about Rapaport's remarkable career, reflect on the end of Sting's movie-star dreams and play a challenging game of FMK. Plus, an appreciation of Roddam's TV work, including one of the most groundbreaking documentaries ever made and Masterchef.
If you don't want to see us reduced to joining a travelling circus, you can donate to our Patreon where we're about to follow up this episode with an exclusive bonus discussion of Roger Corman's Frankenstein Unbound - and we're also about to launch two new podcasts, including Rob's They'll Love Me When I'm Dead and Graham's The Arts Hole.
None of this is available anywhere else, and the same goes for our weekly written features on classic TV SF. Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram to find out more.
It's the documentary you never knew you needed, and you do need it. Marcie Hume's chronicle of life on the road with '80s child actor Corey Feldman and his backing band of skimpily-dressed 'Angels' tracks the fallout from his infamous 2016 Today Show performance, which went viral and had the world asking questions like "Is this a sex cult?" and "No, seriously, is this a s*x cult?"
Join Jeff and Graham as they answer all these posers and more, with detours to consider Feldman's episode of Wife Swap, the different eras of his music, and Jeff's experience watching Corey's infamous 2023 Riot Fest performance. We also talk about the 'Two Coreys' years and the strange economics of '80s nostalgia. What are you waiting for? Just Go 4 It!
As we discuss on the podcast, there's another episode where we talk Corey... but to hear that you'll have to donate to our Patreon, where you'll also get exclusive access to our end-of-month round-up podcast Last Night..., weekly written articles on Doctor Who and The Twilight Zone, plus more features that we're working up for 2026. Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook for more info.
This week, Pop Screen takes you to church. On its release, Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace became the biggest-selling gospel album of all time, but it was only supposed to be half the story. Originally, it was going to accompany a concert film with the Queen of Soul going back to her roots at an LA baptist church - but that fell through for the dumbest imaginable reason.
To find out what that was, join Aidan and Graham as they discuss Amazing Grace's long road to its 2018 release, the reasons why Franklin refused to see it finished during her lifetime, the cameos from two members of the Rolling Stones and a long digression about the show Cop Rock for some reason. We also discuss what makes '60s soul and '70s fashion so appealing, and discuss our favourite secular Aretha songs.
You can say a little prayer for us, or you can donate some actual money at our Patreon, where we're about to do a bonus episode about Jesus Lizard lead yelper David Yow. We're also planning two new podcasts about movie franchises and arts and books respectively, and you can still enjoy weekly articles about The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky for more information.
Can it really be ten years since David Bowie died? This week, Pop Screen dives back into the prolific screen career of the Thin White Duke with one of his sexiest, most stylish and silliest films - Tony Scott's 1983 debut The Hunger. A story of vampirism, lesbianism and extremely '80s stylistic mannerisms, it co-stars Susan Sarandon and Catherine Deneuve.
Join Graham and Mick as they discuss the movie's place in Bowie's then-rapidly-mainstreaming career, his artiest music videos and tour promos, the film's position in the '80s neon-and-smoke-machines canon, and who - if anyone - could pull off a performance like this today. We also talk about Bowie's fabled gift for reinvention, the film's electrifying Bauhaus performance, and insult Morrissey.
If you want to hear more of this - the Bowie discussion, not the Morrissey-insulting, although... - we're prepping a bonus episode on his 1978 film Just a Gigolo. You can get that over on our Patreon, as well as weekly articles about The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who, plus our end-of-month round-up podcast Last Night... Follow us on Instagram, BlueSky and Facebook to find out more.
Another year's over, so it's time to convene an Avengers movie's worth of Geek Show contributors to answer the only question that matters: what was good this year? Did Sinners live up to the hype? What was our pick of the Oscar race? Did 28 Years Later live up to Simon's extremely exacting standards of realism for Geordie accents?
In this packed show, Graham and Rob are joined by Kat, Mike, Robyn, Aidan, Andrew, Simon and Caitlyn to talk about the first half of 2025 - everything from Nosferatu to Novocaine, Flow to Final Destination: Bloodlines. And there's also room at the end for our worst of 2025. You know what Graham's inflicted on himself for this podcast, but what film made Aidan feel like he was trapped in a room full of CGI zombies for two hours? Find out now!
The second half of this year-end review is coming on the Uncut Network in a week's time, but there'll be more Pop Screen before the month's out, including our monthly bonus episode over on Patreon. Backers will also get weekly articles on Doctor Who and The Twilight Zone, our end-of-month round-up podcast Last Night..., plus several new written and audio features we're launching in 2026. To find out more, follow us on Bluesky, Facebook or Instagram.
Roll up, roll up, and let Mark and Graham take you back to 1967, a time when the Beatles had already conquered cinema with Richard Lester. As a result, they decided to make their own film, with no script and the entire band as co-directors, then broadcast it on BBC One on Boxing Day. What could possibly go wrong?
A lot, as it turned out, although Magical Mystery Tour still has a substantial cult following and a fair bit to recommend it beyond Beatles music - there's Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band music as well. Join us as we explore the origins of the film's strangest scenes, its influences on everything from Spice World to 2000s emo bands, the lives of the supporting cast and Paul McCartney's secret life of crime. Plus: Mark talks about his television big break!
If you want to hear more of us dancing to songs that were a hit before your mother was born, we release a bonus episode of Pop Screen every month on Patreon. We're currently in the middle of refurnishing our Patreon for 2026, with some new podcasts as well as regulars like Last Night..., Dimension of Imagination and Outside the Blue Box. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more.
It's the dead of winter, so what better time to watch the frostiest of music movies - in every sense? Set in a bitterly cold early '60s New York, the Coen brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis sees Oscar Isaac's titular folk singer getting the cold shoulder wherever he goes, whether it's from his volcanically angry ex, played by Carey Mulligan, or the strange hand of fate itself.
This week, Joe from Dreaming Machine rejoins the show to decide whether this is one of the Coens' sad funny movies or one of their funny sad movies, as well as dissecting the film's real-life inspirations, the response it got from veterans of the real-life 1960s NY folk scene, and its supporting turns from Justin Timberlake and Adam Driver. Plus, we get with the modern podcast market and come up with a conspiracy theory...
If you want to give us money that isn't contingent on us recording a space-race themed novelty song, you can donate to our Patreon, where we're about to launch a whole new series of podcasts and article series for 2026, as well as continuing our ongoing Doctor Who and Twilight Zone series. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
Get yourself a couple of small beers, pop The Battle of Algiers on and enjoy a (French) 75 minutes with Graham and Simon talking about arguably THEE film of 2025 - Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. The story of a gone-to-seed revolutionary fighting to protect his daughter from a simultaneously ridiculous and plausible nemesis, it's a big-budget epic with the soul of a weird little cult political satire.
It also has tons of musicians in the cast, from an attention-grabbing role for Teyana Taylor to the drummer from Haim, and several others you might have missed. We'll guide you through all its cameos and real-life inspirations, as well as talking about what it takes - and what it cuts - from its source novel, Thomas Pynchon's Vineland. Plus, we pitch the Pop Screen New Testament...
If you want to be part of a club just as exclusive as - but substantially less right-wing than - the Christmas Adventurers, we've got a Patreon where we're about to drop an exclusive episode of this very show concerning the Kinks and the origins of a British TV classic... Plus, written articles on The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who, an end-of-month round-up podcast called Last Night... and some exciting new features coming for 2026. To find out more, follow us on Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook.
Greetings from Castbury Pod! For our latest episode, Graham is joined by new co-host Ian to discuss a Bruce Springsteen movie - but not the one you're thinking of. Yes, while Deliver Me From Nowhere is still in theatres, we're rewinding a few years to look at Gurinder Chadha's Blinded by the Light, a true story of an ordinary British Pakistani boy in 1980s Luton finding his voice through a sustained obsession with The Boss.
Part of our hero's dilemma is that, by this point in the '80s, Bruce is not cool - but when was his star at its brightest? We discuss the ups and downs of his commercial fortunes, as well as the film's well-chosen cast of young newcomers in the lead and familiar faces in support. We also pitch an Ozzy Osbourne biopic, talk about formative music fandoms we were part of - everything from Frankie Goes to Hollywood to REM! - and decide on which musical subculture deserves to have a movie made about it.
You can find Ian at https://medium.com/@smoggywood.productions - yes, this is what happens when you don't remember your blog address during the podcast. As for us, we can, as ever, be found on Patreon, where you can get a monthly bonus episode of this show as well as weekly written articles on The Twilight Zone, Doctor Who and much more. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more.
When Max Planck began his ground-breaking work on quantum theory, do you think he realised it would be used to prove Satan is a flask of slime in the basement of a San Francisco church? This is - we think - the plot of Prince of Darkness, in every way John Carpenter's weirdest film. Its bizarre plot involves precognitive dreams, clerical conspiracies and possessed homeless people, the latter of which gives us the Alice Cooper cameo required to feature it on this show.
Join Graham and Rob as they discuss the film's plentiful inspirations from Nigel Kneale, Carpenter's enduring second career as a composer and the role "supermensch" manager Shep Gordon played in getting Cooper on board. Plus a radioactively hot take from Graham on the film's possible real-world subtext...
If you'd like to fund our research into ancient evil from a dark-matter universe, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll find a monthly bonus episode of this show - the latest one is about Seed of Chucky - plus weekly articles about The X-Files, The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky to find out more.
Well, it's not Halloween without a bit of trick or treating, isn't it? Pop Screen's spooky month kicks off with an '80s teen horror that also allows us to remember one of the greats we lost this year - Ozzy Osbourne, whose short but hilarious cameo as an anti-rock preacher in Charles Martin Smith's movie allows the Black Sabbath frontman a chance to kick back at a moral panic he was then very much in the crosshairs of.
Join Aidan and Graham as they remember Ozzy's understandably baffled appearance on Geraldo Rivera's Satanism special, talk about the film's use of sitcom, teen movie and homoerotic tropes, and ponder who's going to be the cuddly dad of metal now Ozzy is gone. We also ponder how influential this film might have been on a certain Netflix series, and grudgingly talk about Gene Simmons's cameo towards the start of the film.
If you play this podcast backwards, you'll find a hidden message telling you to join our Patreon, where we're about to drop an exclusive episode on Seed of Chucky, as well as publishing weekly written reviews of The X-Files, The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who. Follow us on Facebook, Bluesky and Instagram to keep up to date!
The loneliness of eternity. The horrors of the 20th century. Nick Cave's hair. Yes, this week Pop Screen is tackling the biggest things possible with Wings of Desire, in which Wim Wenders's observations of Berlin, fondness for the poetry of Rilke and Bad Seeds fandom combined to form one of the most unlikely masterpieces of the 1980s.
Join Joe and Graham as they discuss Wenders's wayward, rewarding career and the notes of unexpected reality in this grand fantasy - from Peter Falk's supporting turn as himself to Solveig Dommartin's real-life trapeze skillz. We also talk about the film's sequels and remakes, Claire Denis's talent for novelty casting decisions, which era of Nick Cave's work appeals to us the most, and why every sufficiently highbrow artist needs their own Berlin period.
For a more sustained taste of heaven, you should donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a bonus episode of this show every month plus an end-of-month round-up podcast, Last Night..., that isn't available anywhere else. All this and weekly written articles on The X-Files, The Twilight Zone and the various things Doctor Who's cast and crew get up to away from the show in Outside the Blue Box. Follow us on Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
As impossible as it seems, there are people who can still do original things with superheroes - and it's no surprise that one of those people is Boots Riley. One part of the deliciously funky activist hip-hop act The Coup, he turned to directing with 2018's outrageous comedy Sorry to Bother You and followed it up with this singular Amazon Prime series about a reclusive giant teenager who yearns of being like his favourite superhero.
There's more to it than that, of course, and the series takes aim at the one element of superhero stories that this famously self-mocking genre rarely touches, namely their politics. As well as featuring Walton Goggins as a billionaire superhero whose attitudes are more in line with America's actual billionaire class than Batman or Iron Man, the show also gives Graham and Rob the opportunity to talk about class, disability, lost media, animation, practical effects and - in Graham's case - make a truly, truly unfortunate slip of the tongue.
Show solidarity with us by donating to our Patreon, where you can get a bonus episode of this show every month, plus a whole other podcast - the unclassifiable miscellany that is Last Night... - and weekly reviews of The X-Files, The Twilight Zone and the side-projects of Doctor Who stars in Outside the Blue Box. Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook for more info
Pavement are a scrappy, bewildering band, so it's only fair that they get a scrappy, bewildering biopic - or is it? A hybrid of documentary, spoof, situationist prank and an off-Broadway jukebox musical that somehow actually happened in reality, Alex Ross Perry's Pavements throws the ultimate slacker band into a hall of mirrors in order to ask the question: what does it mean to never sell out?
This week on Pop Screen, Graham and Simon tackle all four dimensions (it'll make sense later, probably) of Perry's film: Simon from the viewpoint of an ARP fan who wasn't previously familiar with the band, and Graham... well, you'll find out on the episode, as well as discussions of the difference between West and East Coast snark, the lost original cut of the film, the unexpected afterlife of the band in Beabadoobee songs and Spotify weirdness, and Graham's sensible opinions about New York.
There is no castration fear, but there is a Patreon where you can get a bonus episode of this show every month - we've just done Ice Cube's instantly notorious War of the Worlds - as well as weekly written reviews of The Twilight Zone, The X-Files and Doctor Who. We also have an end-of-month round-up podcast, Last Night, for everything that doesn't fit anywhere else. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
We've covered the odd world of The Comic Strip Presents... on Pop Screen before, when Mark and Graham looked at their Kate Bush-starring TV epic Les Dogs. But they also made big-screen films, the first of which featured even more pop stars - Lemmy, Paul McCartney, Shane MacGowan, Bill Wyman, Sandie Shaw, Jools Holland and more - and made even less sense.
This week, Mark and Graham reconvene to discuss Peter Richardson's Eat the Rich, it's baffling casting decisions, infectious tabloid satire and quite a lot besides. As well as the film, we also talk about Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, Richardson's unmade Comic Strip film on Boris Johnson, Fiona Richmond, the pleasures of old episodic TV, Alex Cox's beef with The Comic Strip team, and the clashing rhetorical styles of Britain's godforsaken current crop of party leaders. Listen before we're arrested!
If you want to help fund our legal defences, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll get a bonus episode of this show every month - we've just covered Amazon's instantly-notorious War of the Worlds adaptation - plus weekly written articles on Doctor Who, The Twilight Zone, The X-Files and a whole exclusive podcast - Last Night... - that you can't get anywhere else. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more.
In the middle of a not-great summer for musical icons, one death hit us particularly hard. It's Sly Stone, the mercurial, genre-hopping singer, producer and songwriter at the heart of Sly and the Family Stone, a funk Prometheus who suffered too much for bringing humanity its finest grooves. And, as it turns out, subject of a new documentary by Aamir "Questlove" Thompson, called Sly Lives!, or: The Burden of Black Genius.
Joining us for the first time in far too long is Dreaming Machine's Joe to talk about the music of Sly and Thompson alike, as well as the broad spectrum of interviewees in Questlove's film. Jam and Lewis, D'Angelo, Andre Benjamin (without his flute) - they're all here, all giving their own personal take on the movie's provocative subtitle. We also cover the early days of drum machines, Questlove's previous film Summer of Soul, the backlash cycle and Jack Antonoff. Fresh!
If you want us to take you higher, we release a monthly bonus episode on our Patreon, plus a whole extra podcast - the unclassifiable miscellany-fest that is Last Night... - that's not available anywhere else. All this and weekly written reviews of The X-Files, The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more.
Berry Gordy founded perhaps the most famous independent record label in history - Motown - co-wrote some of the most enduring hits of the soul genre and dated Diana Ross. Yet he still had an unfulfilled ambition to... produce a martial arts movie? Apparently yes, and The Last Dragon was the result. A peculiar blend of kung-fu thrills, slapstick comedy, music-industry melodrama and charmingly naïve romance, you may be surprised at how well it all works.
This week, Graham is joined - for the first time in too long! - by The Geek Show's Ben to discuss this extremely odd and thoroughly charming movie, along with the Wu-Tang Clan's love of Shaw Brothers samples, star Vanity's thoughts on Madonna, the unexpected early appearance by a very notable character actor, and so much more. It's an episode that will give you The Glow, whatever the hell The Glow is.
If you want to help us get our squeaky-voiced girlfriends a spot on a local VJ's show, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll get a bonus episode of this show every month, plus weekly written reviews of The Twilight Zone, Doctor Who and The X-Files. There's also a monthly podcast - Last Night... - covering all the viewing experiences we can't fit in anywhere else, and none of it's available anywhere else. Find out more by following us on Instagram, BlueSky and Facebook.
Hey hey! Micky Dolenz was a Monkee, and once he stopped Monkeeing around his career took him to some unusual places. Few stranger than this one-off BBC television drama, part of the Premiere strand of single plays. It's a bleak, eccentric snapshot of a now almost unrecognisable time when Hell's Angels patrolled the streets, single parenthood was a mark of shame and British television channels could afford to make shows.
In the first in a two-part look at Premiere's pop connections - which will conclude over on our Patreon - Mark Cunliffe joins us again to talk about the often grim lives of the film's cast, the strange niches they often got cast in, and their connections to everyone from Joan Collins to Saddam Hussein. We also discuss Cliff Twemlow, and Graham makes a confession that risks his career...
As noted above, we've got a sequel to this episode coming out which Rocky Horror fans won't want to miss - and you won't miss it if you join our Patreon, where you'll also find weekly articles on Doctor Who, The X-Files and The Twilight Zone, plus an end-of-month podcast (Last Night...) that rounds up the wide variety of things we've been watching recently. Follow us on Instagram, BlueSky and Facebook to find out more.
We all understand the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, so long as nobody has any follow-up questions. But did you know that the son of the guy who came up with it has several songs on the Shrek franchise soundtracks? This is Mark Oliver Everett, frontman of the band Eels, and this week's film, Parallel Worlds Parallel Lives, sees him untangle his strange quantum inheritance.
Join Graham and Jeff, long-term Eels fans both, as they discuss this movie's surprisingly accessible treatment of quantum mechanics, its links to Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, and struggle to get to grips with the double-slit experiment. We also talk about the heartwrenchingly autobiographical qualities of Eels's music, share stories from their gigs and talk about the often subversive places where their music appears in popular culture. It's not just Shrek!
God damn right, we've got a beautiful Patreon, and if you support us you can get a bonus episode of this show every month - this week Graham and Robyn are re-teaming for a second round with The Weeknd... There's also an end-of-month miscellany podcast Last Night..., as well as reviews of The Twilight Zone, The X-Files and many more features that aren't available anywhere else. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to find out more.
You can't stop the music, although a lot of people wanted to when The Village People's 1980 movie musical came out. Released in the wake of the infamous "Disco Demolition Night" in which rock fans burned disco albums, its appeal to its natural constituency was blunted by its strange tone. A film that is extremely squeamish around sexuality yet far freer with the drugs and nudity than a PG-certificate film ought to be, it's as mismatched as the band's famously eclectic stage outfits, though much less successful.
Join Graham and Film Stories's Mark Harrison as they explore Can't Stop the Music's part in the creation of the Golden Raspberry awards, the surprisingly heavily contested origin of the 'YMCA' dance, Caitlyn Jenner's acting abilities and the Village People's post-fame afterlife from bar mitzvahs to - oh yes - Presidential Inaugurations. Plus, find out which controversial film was shooting at the same time as this, and why Mark's tangents need to have a Burial soundtrack.
If you'd like to help us help Steve Guttenberg make it in the music biz, you can donate to our Patreon, where we're publishing regular reviews of The Twilight Zone and The X-Files, plus Outside the Blue Box, our series about what Doctor Who's cast and crew do in their time off. All this and a monthly bonus podcast! Find out more by following us on Instagram and Facebook.
What better time for a crossover than a comic book adaptation? This week, Graham is joined by Andrew and Mick, the two hosts of Behold!, to examine the 2024 remake of James O'Barr's cult comic The Crow. Famously the source for a 1994 film starring Brandon Lee, that star's on-set death sparked rumours that the property was cursed, rumours that can only have increased once people saw this.
Entering Pop Screen's airspace thanks to its decision to cast FKA Twigs as the hero's doomed love Shelly, the trio discuss her music and acting as well as the largely-ignored wider Crow mythology, the puzzlingly miscast films of Rupert Sanders, Bill Skarsgard's strengths and limitations as a leading man and the film's unexpected debts to Paddington 2. Also opera - the entire art form - catches some strays.
If you want to help us reach a state of eusexua, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a bonus episode every month - there's one imminent right now, dealing with the great Miles Davis. Plus monthly reviews of classic Asian genre cinema in Fantastic Asia, weekly write-ups on classic TV science fiction and a nice everything-and-the-kitchen-sink podcast to round off each month in the form of Last Night... Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
Look at our [stuff]! Yes, it's time for Pop Screen to don its neon balaclava and tackle one of the most iconic and divisive pop movies of the 2010s - Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers. With Selena Gomez and Gucci Mane in the cast, Skrillex on the soundtrack and James Franco playing a character who is legally distinct from Riff Raff, it has more showbiz connections than you'd expect from a director whose previous movie was shot on VHS and involved people in latex masks having sex with garbage bags.
Join Graham and Robyn as they discuss the film's value as a time capsule, the past and future of its mostly Disney Channel-drawn stars, Korine's journey from Kids screenwriter to EDGLRD (yes, that is the name of his streaming service) and so much more. We also hear a joke about John Landis that genuinely appalls Graham, and the police show up. Not a moment too soon.
If you want to add to the tally we've got from robbing a convenience store, we have a Patreon where you can find an exclusive bonus episode of this very show every single month, plus weekly written pieces on Red Dwarf, The Twilight Zone and The X-Files, our Fantastic Asia column on classic Asian genre cinema, and much more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
You know you're dealing with a slightly classier type of pop star movie when the director has a knighthood, and Sir Steve McQueen's Blitz is no exception. Despite getting no love at this year's Oscars - it's no Emilia Perez, eh, the Academy? - it's still an ambitious, multi-stranded tale of one boy's adventure through the underworld of World War II-era Britain. It tackles racial prejudice, community organising, McQueen's usual theme of the communal role of music and... wait, is that Paul Weller?
Maybe it was inevitable that the former frontman of the Style Council and the Jam would end up in a film where people do, indeed, end up down in the tube station at midnight. But there's more to it than that, as Weller superfan Mick points out. Rejoining the show after previously tackling the Style Council movie Jerusalem, he talks to Graham about the many near-misses of Weller's screen career, as well as the many palpable hits of McQueen's. And, since this podcast was recorded late last year we might as well say it here: RIP Rick Buckler.
If you want to help us make money without robbing the victims of the Luftwaffe, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll soon find the latest exclusive episode of this very show - one for fans of The Jesus Lizard, we'll say - plus exclusive regular articles on classic Asian genre cinema, The X-Files, Red Dwarf, The Twilight Zone and much more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to find out more.
One year ago, a very good boi and a steel-drum cover of 50 Cent became the most unexpected Oscar-season obsessions this side of Karla Sofia Gascon's tweets. It's Anatomy of a Fall, of course, and if you're thinking "Where's the Pop Screen connection?", look closer - you've got former Savages frontwoman turned "personal album"-maker and prolific collaborator Jehnny Beth playing the nanny, the real hero of the film. Real hero? Well, yeah - she saves the dog.
Join a flu-riddled Graham as he reteams with Film Stories's Mark Harrison to discover, once and for all, whether she did it or not, talk about Sandra Huller's incredible 2023, uncover what was originally going to replace that immortal Fiddy needle-drop, and discuss this thoughtful, grown-up hit in the only way men of their generation can: through Simpsons references and repurposed gags from The Day Today.
Not everyone can afford a house like the one in this film on a writer's wages, so we'd be grateful if you could back our Patreon, where you'll get a bonus episode of this very show every month, plus regular written reviews of The Twilight Zone, classic Asian genre cinema, Red Dwarf and The X-Files, and a special chaotic bonus podcast at the end of every month. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to find out more.
As soon as we heard the tragic news about David Lynch's death, we knew we had to do one of his films on Pop Screen. But which one? Most of Lynch's films feature some sort of musician cameo - and, to answer your next question, we've already done his version of Dune. But there's only one that caught the industrial, trip-hopping, nihilistic zeitgeist of the late '90s, and that's Lost Highway.
Join Graham and Rob as they discuss Lost Highway's iconic soundtrack, featuring Trent Reznor, Rammstein, David Bowie and Barry Adamson. We also talk about its on-screen cameos from Henry Rollins, Marilyn Manson - come back! - as well as the cut one from Scott Ian, and the movie's other cut scenes and multiple enigmas. Plus chat about Jack Nance, The Straight Story, and everything we'll miss about the unique Eagle Scout from Missoula, Montana. Like the Man From Another Place says, let's rock!
We recently failed to steal five hundred dollars from a sleazeball we accidentally killed with a glass coffee table, so we'd appreciate your support over on our Patreon. We're about to release an exclusive bonus episode on Masked and Anonymous, and we also post regular written reviews of The Twilight Zone, Red Dwarf, classic Asian genre cinema and The X-Files. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more.
It's suppertime! Yes, after our review of 2024 Pop Screen is back to its old tricks with a look back at 1986's Little Shop of Horrors, the horror-comedy-musical powered by an unforgettable voice performance from none other than The Four Tops's Levi Stubbs. As the "mean green. mother from outer space" Audrey II, Stubbs made Academy Awards history - but you'll have to listen to find out how...
Join Graham and Mike in their weird world as they discuss the songs and set-pieces both added to and taken from the stage musical, as well as the film's relationship with the Roger Corman film it's inspired by. We also unearth Little Shop of Horrors's unexpected connection to Kurt Vonnegut, its successfully unreal soundstage aesthetic, its cameos for everyone from John Candy to Miriam Margolyes... and THAT original ending.
If you want to keep us from being bought out by World Botanical Enterprises, you can join our Patreon where we're just about to drop an exclusive bonus episode about Better Man - yes, the Robbie Williams monkey film. You'll also find an end-of-month round-up podcast called Last Night..., Mike's Twilight Zone reviews, Graham's X-Files reviews, more written pieces about Red Dwarf and classic Asian genre cinema, and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more.
You've heard the first half of our retrospective of 2024's cinema on The Uncut Network, now Pop Screen takes over for an even more epic second half - and that's just the bit where we all argue about The Substance. Join Graham, Robyn, Rob, Kat, Simon, Mike, Faye, Aidan, Andy and - in spirit if not in person - Ygraine as they run down their favourite UK releases from July to September. Which one reminds Aidan of Robert Altman? Which one does Kat think sums up modern motherhood? And which one features hundreds - possibly thousands - of beavers?
From Oscar frontrunners like Anora to instant cult favourites like Strange Darling, from multiplex smashes like The Wild Robot to British debuts like Sky Peals, from the guts and gore of Terrifier 3 to the guts and glitz of, er, Guts and Glitz, this is your definitive guide to everything that mattered at the movies in the back end of 2024. And, at the end, our festival-going contingent give you some tips for what to look out for in 2025...
And we've got more! Over on our Patreon we're putting out weekly written reviews of classic science fiction series including The X-Files, Red Dwarf and The Twilight Zone, our series on Asian genre cinema gems is about to relaunch, there's a freeform monthly podcast - Last Night... - where we catch up with anything we've been watching recently, and a monthly bonus episode of this very show - we're about to release one on the chimp-mendous Robbie Williams biopic Better Man. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to keep up.
Marvin Gaye! Originator of conscious soul, Motown legend and surely the coolest man ever to be called "Marvin", he had the kind of raw charisma that you'd think the movies couldn't get enough of. In fact, his acting roles were few and far between, with this curious Vietnam-vets-versus-bikers B-movie the most prominent of them.
In Pop Screen's last show of 2024, Aidan returns to discuss with Graham the legacy of Roger Corman, the bitter glory of Here My Dear, director Lee Frost's super-sleazy entry onto the Video Nasties list, and why the discovery of unreleased tracks by Marvin Gaye could be bad news for a British sitcom legend. Also, after last week's cameo from Mark's dog, another animal makes an appearance...
We'll be back in a fortnight's time with our Best of 2024 show, but in the meantime you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get an exclusive episode of this show every month, plus regular written reviews of Red Dwarf, The Twilight Zone, The X-Files and classic Asian genre cinema, plus our Patreon exclusive end-of-month review Last Night... Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to find out more.
Last Christmas, we gave you a Christmas special, and this year we're doing the same because we're not very imaginative. This year, to save you from tears, we're doing Paul Feig's Wham-inspired romantic comedy Last Christmas. It was poorly received on its 2019 release, but as was generally the case with 2019 we didn't know how good we all had it. Now, it's settling in to become a Christmas favourite, with all the cheesy appeal of a Netflix or Hallmark movie filtered through two key talents - Feig and screenwriter Emma Thompson - who actually know what they're doing.
Join Graham, Mark and show favourite Dexter (Mark's dog) as they discuss George Michael's legacy, the recent documentaries about him, the connection between the former Yugoslavia and the KLF, and how this film gets the most out of its often-miscast stars Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding. Plus appreciations of supporting player Ritu Arya and Jason Statham, the latter of whom isn't in this movie but I dunno, the conversation just went that way.
If you want to help us audition for the big ice show, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a bonus episode of this show every month - the next one comes out tomorrow, and it's about Santa Claus Conquers the Martians - plus weekly articles on The Twilight Zone, Red Dwarf and The X-Files and our end-of-month miscellany podcast Last Night..., which is gearing up for its own Christmas special. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more.
The 1990s! A time when Hollywood's brightest minds were trying to solve the impossible problem of how to make a whole movie from those comic book thingies. Nowadays, they're trying to work out how to stop doing that, but that hasn't decreased the charm of things like Rachel Talalay's Tank Girl, a post-apocalyptic slice of pop feminism in which Lori Petty's titular antihero fights a scenery-chewing Malcolm McDowell while also - and there is no polite way to say this - getting it on with mutant kangaroos. One of whom is Ice-T.
It's fair to assume you won't be seeing this in Phase Whatever of Marvel, but plenty of people have sought it out since its legendarily unsuccessful initial release. On this episode, we're joined again by comics expert Andrew from Behold! podcast in order to properly assess the film's position in comic-movie history, talk about its quintessentially '90s soundtrack and tease out its connections to alt-rock icons like R.E.M., Devo and Bjork. Please note that our statement that Margot Robbie is usually well-cast was recorded before the Great Wuthering Heights Casting Disaster of 2024.
If you can forgive us for that, we'd be super-grateful if you could go over to our Patreon. In return, you get a bonus monthly episode of this show - the latest one, about House of Gucci, is a howl - as well as lots of other stuff that isn't available anywhere else: exclusive podcasts, reviews of The X-Files, Red Dwarf and The Twilight Zone, and much more. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more.
In all the annals of Hollywood flops, Heaven's Gate stands tall. Michael Cimino's follow-up to The Deep Hunter, a film beloved by seemingly everyone other than Jane Fonda at the time, it bankrupted its studio and became a byword for commercial failure. But what if we told you... it was good?
Admittedly you might not be as surprised as people once were. Since its 1980 release, Heaven's Gate has been restored and reassessed, and now Graham and Mark are teaming up to give it a few more flowers. We also pay tribute to its star, the late, lamented Kris Kristofferson, a man who practically exemplifies the concept of a solid dude. From a film about hate comes an episode about love.
It's gettin' dangerous to be poor in this country, but if you've got the money to spare we'd love to get your support over on Patreon. We're just about to launch our review of the original Twilight Zone, to add to our ongoing written series about Red Dwarf, The X-Files and classic Asian genre cinema. All this plus our end-of-month round-up podcast Last Night... - follow us at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to find out more.
Bow before the mighty Thor! That's Jon Mikl Thor, obviously, the musclebound Canadian hard rocker whose mix of riffs and strongman stunts never quite led him to rock Valhalla. Not that it stopped him trying, and Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare was his biggest swing at the big leagues. On paper, it's a canonical hard rock horror movie, right down to the not-exactly-a-stretch casting of Thor as the frontman of a rock band. In practice, it is far, far stranger than that.
Join Graham and Jeff as they discuss the film's alarmingly phallic puppets, its inexplicably long driving sequences and the insane third-act twist that seals its cult movie legend. We also discuss the twisty career of Thor himself, not least the time when he got a new manager who wanted to reshape his career path based on the channelled wisdom of the New Age entity "Seth". The '70s, everyone!
If you want to hear us talking about rock - rock! Rock! - as well as several other musical genres, you'll find a monthly bonus episode of this show on our Patreon, as well as our monthly movie round-up Last Night..., weekly reviews of The X-Files and Red Dwarf, articles on classic Asian genre cinema and much, much more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to keep up!
Phoebe Bridgers! Snail Mail! Fred Durst?! The list of Pop Screen-qualifying cast members is only the beginning of the weirdness in Jane Schoenbrun's sophomore film I Saw the TV Glow. Released in the UK after a wait almost as punishing as the film's devastating time-jumps, it's the story of two kids who really, really like a TV show. That is, if you're satisfied with a surface-level reading.
If you're not, allow Graham and Robyn to take you through the film's multitude of trans and queer readings, its nods to 1990s telefantasy classics from Buffy to Twin Peaks, its use of - and critique of the abuses of - nostalgia, its subtle coding of each time period it's set in, and of course its soundtrack, whose mix of modern artists and '90s vibes has already made it a cult classic independent of the film it's soundtracking. We also discuss Harmony Korine's short films, the weirdness of early internet video and so much more. It's for the ladies, the fellas and the people who don't give a [censored] - which, we now realise, is an acknowledgement of nonbinary identity. Who knew?
If your heart is like a claw machine, grab a subscription to our Patreon where we release an exclusive episode of this podcast every month, plus lots of other DVD bonus features: written reviews of The X-Files and Red Dwarf, classic Asian genre cinema under the microscope and even more. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out more.
It's time for Pop Screen's Halloween month, and as luck would have it one of the biggest new horror films of the year has plenty of pop connections. The final instalment in a trilogy which started with X, MaXXXine takes the story of Maxine Minx through to the '80s, and finds Halsey and Moses Sumney waiting for her there.
Join Graham and Andrew from Behold! podcast as they dive into the film's period detail, which of its supporting actors get away with their outrageous accents, and the magic of Mia Goth. We also discuss Halsey's collaboration with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Moses Sumney's enviable satellite connection, and that world-class Buster Keaton scene. It's a film with balls, alright.
Over on our Patreon, we're getting ready to drop a Patreon exclusive episode on Satan's Bed, an absolutely bizarre obscurity starring Yoko Ono with lots of strange stories attached to it. Subscribers also get monthly written reviews of classic Asian genre cinema, weekly reviews of The X-Files and Red Dwarf, and our end-of-month round-up podcast Last Night... Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to find out more.
On 13th September 1996, Tupac Shakur died in a still-unexplained killing (well, unless Eminem just blew the case wide open). It left a lot of things in limbo, including Vondie Curtis-Hall's spiky, charming directorial debut. Nobody wanted to see a crime comedy starring someone who'd just been the victim of a horrific crime, even if - as Graham and Mark unpack on this week's episode - the crime in Gridlock'd is rather more small-time than the web of corruption that got Tupac killed.
Twenty-seven years later, and Gridlock'd has a deserved cult following for its tricky but successful blend of caper comedy and angry commentary on American healthcare. Join our hosts as they explore this, plus the wonders of Thandiwe Newton's accent, the movies Tim Roth nearly starred in, the iconic '90s hits that made this risky film possible, and the timelessness of G-funk production. Plus, Graham explains Tupac's odd, involuntary role in the Kendrick-Drake feud to Mark. All eyez on this!
If you can spare us some Patreon money from your healthcare-and-smack budget this month, you'll get a wealth of riches, including our monthly what-have-you-been-watching? podcast Last Night..., weekly written reviews of The X-Files and Red Dwarf, retrospectives on classic Asian cinema and extremely niche genres, and a monthly bonus episode of this very show - we've just released our review of the new Irish rap biopic Kneecap, and it's only available on Patreon. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more.
Outside of documentaries and one unforgettable appearance on The Simpsons, The Ramones only made one film appearance - but what an appearance! Allan Arkush's chaotic, Joe Dante-scripted Rock 'n' Roll High School wasn't even meant to star da brudders, with Todd Rundgren and Cheap Trick considered for the film's musical guests. Then, one of the film's stars told producer Roger Corman there was a much hipper band whose asking price was much lower - and Corman, as ever, was sold on the second part.
In the first of September's triple-headed shows, Graham is joined by Rob and Aidan to talk about that first wave of NY punk, as well as this film and The Ramones's unexpected connections with The Beatles, John Carpenter and Frank Sinatra. We also discuss why Joe Dante's films connect so well with da yoof, the experience of feeling old when you listen to Radio 1, bands who sell a lot of t-shirts and Rob's hatred of Blink-182. Hey! Ho! Let's go!
For less than one pound ninety-nine you can subscribe to the lowest tier of our Patreon, where you'll get weekly reviews of The X-Files and our end-of-month round-up podcast Last Night... Up the amount and you can also get Red Dwarf reviews, revisits of classic Asian genre cinema and a bonus subscribers-only episode of this podcast - we're covering the Irish hip-hop biopic Kneecap this month! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
When David and Graham are on the show together, you should be on high alert for a camp catastrophe, and lord do we get it in the form of Ken Hughes's Sextette. An innuendo-stuffed sex farce starring Mae West, it could have been a smash hit if it was made in the 1930s, when she was in her forties. Instead, it was made in the 1970s, when she was 84, and the result is the vanity project to end all vanity projects.
Join us as we discuss the star-studded cast, including a relentlessly hammy Keith Moon, an unrecognisable Alice Cooper, and Ringo Starr; discuss ways in which an OAP sex comedy could actually have worked; catalogue the film's strange relationship to both Britain and the laws of physics; and talk about Sextette's unbelievable musical numbers. Plus, discover the secret of Mae West's shoes and find out how true love brought David to this highly special film. Aww.
If you want to hear our scandalous secret memoirs, well, tough. But if you sign up to our Patreon you can get a bonus episode of this show every month, plus exclusive written articles on The X-Files, cinema's most niche genres, Red Dwarf and classic Asian genre cinema. At the end of every month we've also got a fun, chaotic podcast called Last Night..., about our month's most memorable viewing, which like all this content isn't available anywhere else. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to find out more.
What was the British pop movie like before The Beatles? They were quite a lot like What a Whopper, as Graham and Mark discover this week. A featherweight farce in which a struggling writer and his bohemian friends try to fake a Loch Ness Monster sighting - just go with it, OK - it features a plethora of British comedy legends, a script by Dalek creator Terry Nation, and, as its lead, one Adam Faith.
It's easy to forget what a massive name Faith was in his heyday, and our hosts examine every aspect of his wild career, from his other acting roles in Budgie and Beat Girl through his career in financial advice to his delightful last words. We also discuss the real-life Loch Ness Monster hoaxes that may have inspired Nation's script, the tragic life of female lead Carol Leslie, the film's not-wholly-unstereotypical vision of Scotland and the state of Michael Winner's finances. It's a monster of an episode!
If you don't want to see us reduced to hoaxing cryptids to make ends meet, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a bonus episode of this podcast every month. There's a new one, about the classic blaxploitation movie Truck Turner, out in just one day's time! You also get written reviews of The X-Files, Red Dwarf and classic Asian genre cinema, and our monthly miscellany podcast Last Night... Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out more.
Get your motor running, head out on the highway... wait, it's not that Peter Fonda-starring 1960s biker movie. No, The Wild Angels came a few years before Easy Rider, and it centres around a noticeably less idealistic group of bikers. Director Roger Corman hired several real Hell's Angels to serve as extras in his film, and if you're thinking there's probably stories from that set, you're right.
Let Ben and Graham tell you them: from Corman's sociological reasons for having Bruce Dern's character work at an oil refinery to the unexpected trouble he had involving a coffin and the letter "Z". And, because this is Pop Screen, we also talk about the film's musical legacy - Primal Scream are certainly fans - and its female lead Nancy Sinatra. whose career teaches us many valuable lessons. Here's one: if you're accused of being a nepo baby, why not get together with an incredibly rum country singer and release a series of duets that are so unwholesome as to sound actively diseased? All this and Frank Sinatra's prog album, discussed herein!
If you wanna get loaded, and have a good time, there are few better venues than our Patreon, where you'll find a bonus episode of this show every month, plus two exclusive podcasts concerning cult genre franchises (From the Video Aisle) and whatever we feel like (Last Night...). There's also written articles on cult Asian genre cinema, Red Dwarf and The X-Files, plus plenty more - follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
What do you get if you combine the most divisive woman in 1970s America, the least divisive woman in modern America, and a comedy legend? You get an absolute treat, at least if it goes as well as 9 to 5 did. Colin Higgins's film brings together Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin in a class-conscious romp about three women who kidnap their sexist pig of a boss and find the office runs a lot better without him. It's basically The Communist Manifesto with a thumping C&W theme song.
This week, Graham treats himself after self-harming with The Idol by getting back together with Jeff to talk about this lasting classic of early '80s Hollywood. Prepare for an in-depth comparison of the many beards of Sterling Hayden, an appreciation of Jane Fonda's shrewdly against-type performance, and our pitch for a Dolly Parton horror movie.
Patreon - what a way to make a living! Subscribe today and you can hear Graham and Aidan talking about Fred Durst's The Fanatic in an exclusive Pop Screen episode, plus our end-of-month round-up podcast Last Night..., written reviews of The X-Files and Red Dwarf, classic far eastern genre cinema reconsidered in Fantastic Asia, and more. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Ladies and gentlemen, The Weeknd. To celebrate - 'celebrate' - the first anniversary of one of the defining pop star ego trips of our age, Graham and Robyn have reconvened to look at all six - no, wait, all five - episodes of Sam Levinson's disasterpiece. If you're wondering why we won't get a third season of Euphoria until the cast are in a retirement home, forget the writer's strike - this is why.
From the twisted minds of Robyn and Graham, please enjoy discussion of: the Weeknd's remarkable anti-charisma and his future acting plans that will definitely, definitely happen, the troubled production of this show and the Amy Seimetz cut we'll never see, The Idol's strained relationship with queerness, its downright nonexistent relationship with modern pop, and much much more. Worth listening this week just for the Jojo Siwa joke, frankly.
Our exclusives are about something even more interesting than LA club owners nobody's ever heard of - classic Asian genre cinema, Red Dwarf, cult film franchises, Doctor Who, The X-Files, and whatever the hell our critics have been watching in the last month. In case your thirst for watching us suffer hasn't been sated by this episode, we've also got a Patreon exclusive episode of this show about Fred Durst's The Fanatic coming up. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Back with a vengeance! Yes, ahead of the release of Furiosa, we're looking at the Mad Max movie that features the most legendary pop star in the whole series (well, apart from the Doof Warrior): Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Initially reviled for its lighter tone and child sidekicks, the film now feels like a stepping stone to the operatic excesses George Miller has taken the franchise to in the 21st century - and Tina Turner as Aunty Entity is a piece of stunt-casting that truly works.
This week, Producer Rob rejoins the show to talk about all things Mad Max, including the series's fascinatingly improvisatory attitude towards continuity, the extent to which Max Rockatansky obeys Joseph Campbell's laws of heroism, and the absolute goldmine of memorable quotes this movie contains. It's two podcasters enter, and, er, two podcasters leave - but not before revealing this film's unexpected place in hip-hop history...
Come to our Barter Town over at Patreon, where you can exchange your money for a monthly bonus episode of the show - we've just covered every single pop star appearance on Doctor Who, from the Beatles to Billie Piper - plus written articles on classic Asian cinema, The X-Files and red Dwarf. Backers also get two bonus podcasts: the unclassifiable miscellany of Last Night... and the methodical run-through of cult franchises that is From the Video Aisle. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram to find out more
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
We've covered plenty of biopics of musical legends on this podcast, and one word has hovered unspoken in the background: Cox. Dewey Cox, that is, the legendary rocker played by John C Reilly in Jake Kasdan's Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. A musical innovator, a tortured genius, a tireless advocate for small people's rights... he didn't exist, of course, but this spoof is so beautifully observed it doesn't really matter.
Let's duet! This week, Mark Harrison of Film Stories rejoins Graham to look at the film that makes it impossible to watch any other biopic without giggling inappropriately at all the sad parts. We discuss the cameos that were cut, the gruelling promotional tour Reilly embarked on in support of the film, and which of 2024's biopics include scenes from this film played dead straight. It's a beautiful ride, alright.
If you want to buy us a sink to replace the ones we broke during our dark period, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this very show, plus two other podcasts not available anywhere else - From the Video Aisle, looking at cult favourite franchises, and the unclassifiable Last Night... We also do written articles on classic television science fiction and Asian genre films, and much more besides. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
John Singleton was 21 - 21! - when he made one of the most acclaimed debuts of the 1990s, one which led to him becoming the first African-American to get a Best Director nomination at the Oscars. It would be the perfect punchline if it was bad, but annoyingly for this deeply unserious podcast it's great: a frontline dispatch from a world plagued by violence and poverty that still feels vital, and also finds room for more humour and tenderness than you might expect.
Join Rob and Graham as they discuss this landmark film and its star Ice Cube, then perhaps the most controversial music star in America, now a reliable, familiar presence in all kinds of movies. They also discuss the film's unexpected inspiration, its heartbreaking ending and venture a cheeky but probably-accurate guess as to why there are so many movies about gentrification. Plus: hot takes on gangsta rap from early '90s political columnists that have not aged as well as this movie!
If you don't want us to be drawn into the terrible gang culture that surrounds podcasting, you can give us some money over at our Patreon, where in return you'll get a bonus episode of this show every month. We also have no less than two podcasts - Last Night... and From the Video Aisle - and we give you weekly written reviews of Red Dwarf, The X-Files and Doctor Who.
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to learn more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Sam Taylor-Johnson is about to release Back to Black, her second music biopic following 2009's Nowhere Boy. So naturally Pop Screen decided to review... her EL James adaptation? Yeah, why not, it's got Rita Ora in it. Returning co-host Joe did a lot of Ritasearch for this podcast and was delighted to remember that she only has about a minute of screentime.
Not that there's any shortage of other things to talk about when it comes to 50 Shades of Grey. Its status as a cultural phenomenon, its dubious sexual politics, its troubled production and long list of nearly-stars... all of this and more is covered in this dangerously erotic edition of Pop Screen. We also explain why Christian Grey's chauffeur is the secret hero of these movies, and reveal what the Frenchest film ever made is. It's not this one.
If you don't want us to be financially dependent on a creepy billionaire who uses us as sex slaves, you can donate to our Patreon where we're about to drop an exclusive episode on the 1994 police thriller The Glass Key, as well as publishing written reviews of Red Dwarf, The X-Files and Doctor Who every week. Patreon backers also get two whole podcasts that aren't available anywhere else: From the Video Aisle is in the middle of a Mr. Vampire retrospective, and the movie and TV miscellany that is Last Night... comes out every month as well. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more information.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
There are some pop movies that capture the appeal of an entire genre. Such was the case with Perry Henzell's The Harder They Come, a crime drama that was such a hit it essentially popularised reggae in the United States. Such things are possible only with a star of the calibre of Jimmy Cliff, plus soundtrack and screen appearances from the likes of Toots and the Maytals and Prince Buster.
This week, Aidan rejoins Graham to talk about Henzell's film, and uncover the reason why he might be the ultimate Pop Screen director. We also talk about Chris Blackwell's Island Records, whose film division was launched by this very movie. There's also discussion of the film's real-life inspiration, the "original rude boy" Ivanhoe Martin, its possible subtexts and the white-knuckle experience of watching that bus swerving all over the place during the opening credits.
If you want to keep us from plying our trade as door-to-door gardeners, you can donate to our Patreon and get a monthly bonus episode of this show, plus two exclusive podcasts not available anywhere else - From the Video Aisle, which is currently working its way through the Mr. Vampire series, and the completely unclassifiable Last Night... There are also weekly written reviews of Doctor Who, The X-Files and Red Dwarf, plus a monthly pick of a classic Asian genre film in Fantastic Asia. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for more.
www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
In 2024, Pop Screen is spending a month in Jamaica, hailing the island's mighty presence in the field of music. And to kick off, we're talking about... er, 10cc? Yes, when they said they don't like reggae, they love it, few could have expected that love would manifest itself in multi-instrumentalist Lol Creme directing a 1991 Jamaican comedy about a small-town eccentric who thinks he can talk to trees, cows and cricket balls becoming involved with a lusty German photographer. As you do.
The Lunatic is, as you can probably tell from the above synopsis, a weird old thing. Fortunately Graham and Mark Cunliffe have re-teamed in order to make it even weirder, with digressions about the original TV version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, how Small Axe got Graham through the first lockdown year, and the film's tonal similarity to the saucy seaside postcards of Donald McGill. We're not in love - but we did enjoy it.
If you'd like to throw a bit of spare change at your local village idiots, we've got a Patreon which is just about to drop an episode on the Neil Young/Devo collaboration Human Highway. We've also been covering everything from Mr. Vampire to Neighbours in our other podcasts Last Night... and From the Video Aisle, as well as writing reviews of Doctor Who, classic Asian genre films, The X-Files and Red Dwarf. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to find out more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
In 2004, the veteran Welsh rock band The Alarm pulled off an audacious hoax, releasing their single '45 RPM' under the alias of The Poppy Fields. The Poppy Fields were supposedly a new band of teenage rock stars in skinny jeans, as was the style at the time. As the song ascended the charts, Alarm mainman Mike Peters revealed the deception, kicking off a debate about ageism in the music industry.
It's a fascinating story, so fascinating that Mick has dragged himself out of his sickbed to talk to Graham about Vinyl, the 2012 film loosely based on it. We discuss its many missed opportunities, its bizarre decision to make the Mike Peters analogue more or less totally unsympathetic, and the question of whether this con would work in 2012 - which is more of a cultural gap than the eight years it is on paper. We also discuss The Alarm's long career, the rock movie baggage of star Phil Daniels, and the irony that - these days - a middle-aged heritage act is a better money-spinner than a sexy young rock band.
We don't pretend to put out a load of extra content on our Patreon - we actually do it, including a monthly bonus episode of this show (the latest one is about Priscilla), exclusive podcasts Last Night..., about anything our critics have watched this month, and From the Video Aisle, reviewing cultishly adored franchises, as well as written pieces on classic Asian genre cinema and British and American TV science fiction. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Good vibes only this week, as Mark Cunliffe of We Are Cult rejoins the podcast to talk about Cyndi Lauper's lead role in the 1988 supernatural comedy Vibes. A film so inspired by Ghostbusters that Dan Aykroyd was briefly attached to star, it has an enviable cast fronted by Lauper, Jeff Goldblum and Peter Falk. And yet, somehow, it tanked.
On this episode of Pop Screen, then, we attempt to solve the timeless Fortean mystery of why people didn't watch this at the time, taking detours to talk about the career of supporting players Julian Sands (RIP) and Steve Buscemi, consider the odd self-seriousness with which 1980s family comedies treat their paranormal mythos, try to ascertain what the worst Dario Argento film is and talk about a Winnebago full of balloons, I guess. It's one of those weeks.
Tomorrow sees the release of our latest Patreon exclusive episode, about Sofia Coppola's Priscilla. Subscribers also get two bonus podcasts a month - Last Night... and From the Video Aisle, the latter of which is prepping a Mr. Vampire retrospective - plus written reviews of classic Asian genre cinema, Doctor Who, The X-Files and Red Dwarf. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to find out more...
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Memo to you: Pop Screen is back for 2024 and we're covering one of the wildest, most controversial and most ambitious rock movies of the 1970s. Starring Mick Jagger among a motley cast of models, gangsters, boxers and one father of a national embarrassment, Performance saw Nicolas Roeg and Donald Cammell join forces for a joint debut like no other.
On this episode, Rob and Graham reunite to talk about the film's turbulent production, its difficult journey into a form Warner Brothers - who thought this was going to be like A Hard Day's Night - found acceptable, and the short but eventful life of the mysterious Donald Cammell. If you want to hear us talk more about his co-director, Rob and Graham have also covered The Man Who Fell to Earth. If you want us to talk more about Mick Jagger, well...
...there's an exclusive bonus episode of this podcast concerning Tony Richardson's Ned Kelly coming out on our Patreon very soon, where it'll join a galaxy of quality content: the franchise-reassessing podcast From the Video Aisle is about to dive into the Mr. Vampire series, our X-Files and Red Dwarf reviews are well into the golden age of those shows, and there's also the movie miscellany podcast Last Night... at the end of the month. This isn't even close to the limit of what we do: check Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Last week, our sister podcast Uncut took you through January through to June in our two-part review of 2023. Now, Pop Screen takes up the reigns with Vincent, Naomi, Rob, Graham, Kat, Simon, Mike, Oliver and James all returning to give their favourite films of the second half of the year - culminating in that all-important top ten. What will make the cut? Who did Barbenheimer on the day of release? How many diverging opinions on Saltburn can we get? And who put the Puss in Boots sequel above the new Scorsese?But it's not all about the year's big talking points and blockbusters. We also shine the spotlight on smaller films you might have missed, including The Passenger, Raging Grace, Femme, Trenque Lauquen, Smoking Causes Coughing, Eileen, How to Have Sex, Afire and many more. We'll be back in a fortnight's time with a regular Pop Screen episode on Mick Jagger's first acting role in Performance, but until then......if you want more, you can always donate to our Patreon where you'll get monthly bonus episodes of this show, exclusive podcasts about cult franchises and the wider world of movies and TV, written articles about classic Asian genre cinema, plus cult TV reviews covering The X-Files, Red Dwarf and Doctor Who. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay in touch.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Pop Screen finishes 2023 with a movie that could not be less stock to our ears - Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky's Metallica: Some Kind of Monster. Granted unprecedented levels of access to the world's biggest heavy metal band, the directors of the Paradise Lost trilogy made a raw documentary about a band somehow staying together and making an album despite unprecedented personal turmoil. The punchline: the album they make is St. Anger, perhaps the most reviled album in their back catalogue (or at least the most reviled one that doesn't feature Lou Reed).
Join Aidan and Graham for this exploration of the lifestyle and indeed deathstyle of the metal legends, including diversions to talk about Lars Ulrich's feud with Napster, which type of dad James Hetfield is and the vexed question of whether Metallica are actually good. We also discuss the band's history and former members, their decision to hire a group therapist to get them back together and, of course, that infernal snare drum sound.
If you want to keep us tapping on a tin can despite public opposition, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show, written reviews of classic SF television and Asian genre cinema, and two whole bonus podcasts that aren't available anywhere else. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to find out more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
All we want for Christmas is this: Mariah Carey's notorious film vehicle is the subject of Pop Screen's festive episode. Equally reviled and unfortunate, it's the tale of a foster child who grows up into an aspiring singer, and whose rise to fame is, shall we say, subtly patterned on Carey's own career. Its soundtrack album was released on 9/11, which stymied its commercial potential. That inspired a #JusticeforGlitter campaign many years later; the film was less fortunate.
On this year's Pop Screen Christmas special, David rejoins Graham to talk about the many unlikely couples in this film, the almost surreally undercharacterised friends of Carey's Billie, and how Carey's divorce from Tommy Mottola may have forced this film into its 1980s setting. We also discuss Carey's triple-threat legacy: her world-class voice, her current status as Queen of Christmas, and the "I don't know her" gif.
If you want to help us transcend being backing singers for... Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi? Apparently, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll find a monthly bonus episode of this show, as well as our Patreon exclusive podcasts Last Night... and From the Video Aisle, the last of which is midway through a reassessment of the V/H/S franchise. Plus written reviews of classic Asian genre cinema, Doctor Who, Red Dwarf and The X-Files. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Get ready for (a) love (-in): Graham is joined once again by the Uncut Network's Rob for a look at Iain Forsythe and Jane Pollard's massively acclaimed sort-of documentary about Nick Cave. As well as providing an intimate look at the Australian legend's creative process and history, it also features appearances from his deeply unexpected celebrity friends: Ray Winstone and Kylie Minogue, together at last!
Along the way, there's time to consider the idiosyncratic concert demands of Nina Simone, while a look back at Forsythe and Pollard's career lets us talk about The Cramps and reveal the name of God. But mostly, this is a celebration of Cave - and there's more to come, with Andrew Dominik's duology of One More Time With Feeling and This Much I Know To Be True out tomorrow on our Patreon...
If you want to put stacks of green paper in our red right hands, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get the aforementioned Pop Screen bonus episodes plus reviews of Eastern genre cinema in Fantastic Asia, our monthly movie round-up Last Night..., cult franchises discussed in From the Video Aisle and weekly reviews of Doctor Who, Red Dwarf and The X-Files. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
On this week's Pop Screen, Graham has a very important and special guest: Mark's dog! And, fine, yes, also Mark, with our favourite quizmaster and Film Stories writer coming back to talk about Russell T Davies's most personal drama. Set across the early years of the AIDS crisis, It's a Sin has a cast full of breakthrough young stars, memorable cameos from acting veterans, plus Olly Alexander, whose day job in Years and Years allows us to cover the show.
Not that we need much of an excuse to talk about it, or indeed Davies's day job showrunning Doctor Who for its imminent 60th anniversary specials. There's also space for digressions on Prime Ministerial cameos, the real-life inspirations behind the central characters, an appreciation of Erasure and why Russell T Davies must be hopping mad at Stranger Things right now. The T stands for "Thatcherism has left a legacy of death and division", by the way.
If you want to fund our dreams of leaving the Isle of Man and becoming an actor, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show - currently it's one about Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, as if you needed further incentive - plus our other podcasts Last Night... and From the Video Aisle. You'll also get weekly written reviews of Doctor Who, Red Dwarf and The X-Files, classic Asian genre cinema under the microscope in Fantastic Asia, and more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more information.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Our Halloween special is over and done with, but this week Graham faces his most terrifying challenge yet - enjoying a film about jazz. If you're going to watch one film about jazz, though, Bertrand Tavernier's 'Round Midnight is the one to watch. Its bona fides are impeccable: named after a Thelonious Monk song, starring Dexter Gordon, with a score by Herbie Hancock and inspired by the lives of Lester Young and Bud Powell.
That's a lot of jazz, and fortunately Aidan is back on the show to help Graham navigate it. But there's more to Tavernier's film than its music. It's a profoundly cinephilic film as well, with a memorable late appearance by notable Letterboxd user Martin Scorsese. Graham also gets to venture his classification system for 1980s French cinema, which won't be approved by Cahiers du Cinema any time soon but eh, it just about works.If you want to help us manage our tormented yet strangely stylish alcohol addictions, you can donate to our Patreon where we're about to drop an exclusive episode of this very podcast about Taylor Swift's Eras tour movie. We've got a lot of content that isn't available anywhere else, including reviews of underrated Asian genre films in Fantastic Asia, From the Video Aisle's new series on the V/H/S franchise, our end-of-month miscellany podcast Last Night... and weekly reviews of Red Dwarf, Doctor Who and The X-Files. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more.
www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Oh god, Graham's shining the spooky light under his face again - sounds like time for a Halloween special. And it is, with Mark Cunliffe of We Are Cult joining the show once again to talk about The Haunted House of Horror, a 1960s British horror movie with an all-bases-covered title. It's the familiar tale of a group of horny and stupid teens who go to an old house for a seance and end up beset by entities even older and more sinister than Frankie Avalon, the Beach Blanket Bingo star who plays a character described as the essence of Swinging London.
So, not entirely persuasive casting in the lead role, but there's an impressive supporting cast including Jill Haworth and Get Carter's George Sewell, who does not play one of the teens, as he was never young. Aside from exploring the varied CVs of cast and crew, Graham and Mark also appreciate the movie's surprisingly nasty kills, the reshoots that led to the ending making no sense at all, and the time when Mark accidentally went to a Chesney Hawkes concert.
If you want to keep us buying clothes at the Men's Shop, you can donate to our Patreon where Mark and Graham are about to reteam and tackle Taylor Swift's Eras concert film in a Pop Screen exclusive. You'll also find regular written reviews of classic British sci-fi television and our favourite Asian genre movies, the monthly movie miscellany podcast Last Night..., and cult franchises reviewed in From the Video Aisle. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more news.
www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Don't call it a comeback! Literally, given the number of alternative titles Pete Walker's 1978 chiller goes under. Best-known as The Comeback, stars crooner Jack Jones as crooner Nick Cooper - a stretch, then - who is all fresh from a stay in rehab and ready to record his comeback album. The process is interrupted by artistic conflicts, record industry politics, scary ghosts and a hag-masked killer armed with a sickle. Not necessarily in that order.
The first in Pop Screen's 2023 Halloween month sees Robyn Adams rejoin the show to talk about the genius of Sheila Keith, Walker's gift for an outrageous title - including some contradictory advice given to his female protagonists - and the sheer weight of classic comedy connections in this ostensibly straight-faced horror film. If you've ever wanted a slasher featuring the stars of This Is Spinal Tap, Not the Nine O'Clock News and Last of the Summer Wine, this is for you, you absolute weirdo.
If you'd like to help us detox from heroin and restart our tarnished careers, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show. The next one, about aliyah's posthumous role in Queen of the Damned, is out tomorrow. Plus a new series of reviews of Asian genre classics in Fantastic Asia, cult franchises go under the lens in From the Video Aisle, weekly reviews of Doctor Who, Red Dwarf and The X-Files, and much more. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and that which once was Twitter for more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
When we announced a month of Madonna-themed movies, we could have just looked at her acting performances, maybe a documentary or two. Instead, we felt like it was our journalistic duty to blow the lid off her steamy affair with 'Weird' Al Yankovic. That's just one of the extremely accurate facts contained in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, a merciless lampoon of biopic cliches which Weird Al superfan Jeff is back on the podcast to discuss with Graham.
The film immediately received attention for Daniel Radcliffe's insanely committed lead performance, but there's more - and not just Evan Rachel Wood's superb turn as Madonna, either. Jeff and Graham discuss which of the film's cavalcade of cameos they'd like to see a full biopic about, the film's long gestation period and how the rock biopic changed (or didn't) during production, and the critical importance of preserving the Quibi archive for future generations.
If you'd like to help us dare to be stupid, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show, as well as our movie and TV round-up podcast Last Night..., cult franchises reviewed in From the Video Aisle, weekly written reviews of Doctor Who, Red Dwarf and The X-Files, plus Unseen Asia and more.
Follow our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
This week, Pop Screen is showing you Dick. As part of our ce-e-le-bration of the fortieth anniversary of Madonna's breakthrough single Holiday, we're taking you back to 1990, when Warren Beatty became one of the few men to ever tell her what to do as he directed his then-partner in the comic book hit of the summer, Dick Tracy.
Obviously, the landscape of comic book adaptations has changed since the days when a 1930s detective strip was a box office smash and Captain America was the subject of a cheap B-movie. But has it changed for the better? This question can only be answered by bringing back Andrew of Behold! podcast, who revisits his childhood favourite film to ask: does it hold up, and why isn't it set on the moon? Plus vital detours to discuss the film's excellent make-up, Al Pacino's, uh, high-intensity villain performance, the documentary Six by Sondheim and the insane excess of a film that can afford to get Kathy Bates for, essentially, one great sight gag.
If you'd like to help us hold on to the rights for a 1930s comic strip using a series of Zoom calls - seriously, it's a thing we discuss - you can back us on Patreon, where you'll get an exclusive episode on Dangerous Game, another of the many curios in Madonna's screen career. Plus written reviews of Red Dwarf, The X-Files and classic series Doctor Who, From the Video Aisle works its way through the [Rec] series, the film and TV miscellany podcast Last Night... and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard, but Pop Screen says: welcome to our episode on Poly Styrene: I am a Cliche! Co-directed by Celeste Bell in collaboration with Paul Sng, it follows Bell's journey to explore her late mother's iconic time with the punk band X-Ray Spex, as well as her troubled life and - more important than it sounds, this - her one-of-a-kind fashion sense.
The documentary is based closely on the book Day-Glo, by Bell and Zoe Howe, and on this episode We Are Cult's Mark Cunliffe joins Graham to discuss what was left out from that text, as well as appreciate Poly Styrene's classic work with X-Ray Spex, her distance from the mainstream British punk scene, the afterlife of her band and her still-underrated solo career. We also pitch an ITV1 detective series starring Kate Bush, although we're still unsure why.
The free episodes are only part of our identity: subscribe to our Patreon and you'll also get a bonus episode on Barbie, as well as access to our other podcasts From the Video Aisle - about cult franchises past and present - and Last Night..., which is literally about what we watched last night. Both of those are only available on Patreon subscribers, as are our written reviews of classic TV science fiction serials Red Dwarf, The X-Files and Doctor Who. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more.
www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
www.wearecult.rocks
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
This week, Mark Harrison from Film Stories rejoins Pop Screen to taunt Graham about one of his most extravagantly failed predictions. Remember our The Dead Don't Die episode? Where we looked at that film's star Austin Butler's upcoming movies and decided there was no way an Elvis biopic was going to make bank in 2022? WELL...
Actually, the strangest thing is not that it made money, but that we enjoyed it. Join Mark and Graham as they discuss their mixed feelings towards Baz Luhrmann, the "crisis in media literacy" and the many ways in which Colonel Tom Parker could have been a better mother to Elvis. There's also room to talk about Parker's role in the birth of PR, the changing image of Elvis following his death in 1977, and why this was the best superhero movie of 2022. Thank you - thank you very much!
There's much more than a one for the money over on our Patreon - as well as Mark and Graham reuniting for a Patreon exclusive Pop Screen episode on Greta Gerwig's Barbie, there's reviews of Red Dwarf, The X-Files and Doctor Who, a look at Asian films that need a UK distributor, and two exclusive podcasts. From the Video Aisle is about to begin a retrospective on the found-footage horror franchise [Rec], and Last Night... is just covering anything it wants to, as usual. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads for more.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
It's our 100th episode! And what better way to celebrate than to look back at one of the great musical flops of all time, 1980's Xanadu. Starring Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly and a guy from The Warriors, it's the story of a Greek Muse sent to Earth on a mission to inspire. If she knew she was going to inspire him to make a swing dancing/roller disco fusion club, she'd have stayed on Mount Olympus.
One of the films that led to the foundation of the Golden Raspberry awards, Xanadu nevertheless has a devoted cult following, two members of which - previous co-hosts David and Jeff - are here to guide Xana-newbie Graham through this bewildering film. Is it bad? Good? So bad it's good? Only the 100th edition of Pop Screen can solve the mystery!
Making content is not quite as lucrative as this film suggests, so if you want us to keep creating you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show, our film and TV miscellany Last Night..., From the Video Aisle's retrospectives on cult franchises (currently going through the Cube sequels), Unseen Asia, reviews of Red Dwarf, The X-Files, and Doctor Who... it's a lot, and you can keep up with what's going on by following us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. it is still Twitter too, nobody's ever going to call it X. Give it up, plastic-face.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
After last week's voyage into self-importance courtesy of U2, Pop Screen tackles a film that couldn't possibly be more lightweight - the 1965 teen comedy Beach Ball. Strange, as it features one of the most tortured souls in '60s pop - Scott Walker - and one of its defining divas, Diana Ross. But this is an entry in the brief but prolific fad for beach party movies, in which mysteriously parent-free teenagers meet on the shore to date and do nothing that threatens a U certificate while listening to the drumming stylings of... exploitation film stalwart Sid Haig?!
Yes, there's some stuff that needs unpacking in here alright, and Mick from our sister podcast Behold! is on hand to help Graham unpack it. Join them as they run through the now-forgotten history of the beach party movie, discuss which of this year's summer blockbusters is most inspired by it (a clue: it's not Oppenheimer) and work out how this stacks up against the genre's avant-garde masterpiece Gonks Go Beats. It's like an endless summer, except this podcast does actually end, so it isn't.
If you'd like to help us buy our own musical instruments without having to beg the crusty old dean for money, you can donate to our Patreon where you get three exclusive monthly podcasts - a bonus episode of Pop Screen, our latest show From the Video Aisle, and the movie and TV miscellany Last Night..., plus written reviews of Asian films that need UK distribution, classic series Doctor Who and Graham's new series going through The X-Files's conspiracy episodes. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more news.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
It's a story we keep running into here on Pop Screen: a band are so big, so acclaimed, that they think "We could make a film, how could that go wrong?" and the universe then demonstrates exactly how that could go wrong. Coming just one year after their worldwide smash The Joshua Tree,
U2 decided to make Rattle & Hum, a documentary about their American tour. It earned them their first negative reviews, and caused people to reflect - for the first time, if you can believe it - that Bono was quite annoying sometimes.
And yet... you might like it all the same. Joining Graham this week, Joe from Dreaming Machine talks about his complex relationship with U2 after a mammoth revisiting of all their albums. They discuss the failures and the less-heralded triumphs of Rattle & Hum, also finding space to wonder about the Manic Street Preachers' album reissues and tell a delightful anecdote about Joe's old alarm clock.
You've given us love, now give us money money money over at Patreon, where you'll find all sorts of content not available anywhere else: a bonus monthly episode of this podcast, for one, reviews of Asian films that need UK distribution in Unseen Asia, our latest podcast From the Video Aisle, which kicks off with an episode about the Canadian SF/horror classic Cube, X-Files reviews and our monthly movie and TV round-up Last Night...
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Vampires! Undead creatures of the night who people also find really hot! If you think fancying a walking corpse is #problematic, wait until you see the actions of Vampire, the imaginatively-named vampire played by Martin Kemp in 1995's Embrace of the Vampire. In Anne Goursaud's film, he's looking to get his fangs on an underage girl before she's legal, just like [NAME REDACTED ON LEGAL ADVICE]
There are more tangents than usual on this episode, possibly so Graham and guest host Robyn Adams don't have to spend any more time talking about this deeply gross central plot. Aside from the cult-icon-heavy cast including Jennifer Tilly, Rachel True and Alyssa Milano, there's also room for conversations on Ace of Base, Charles Band's financial woes and the sex lives of the Blind Dead. You are not ready for this episode.
If you don't want us to end up living in a derelict church, you can donate to our Patreon where you get an exclusive episode of this show every month, as well as Graham's new X-Files review series, Rob's championing of Asian films that lack a British distributor in Unseen Asia, the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink podcast Last Night... and more upcoming. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Pop Screen doesn't cover much metal, and a cynical listener might counter that we're not about to start now, as we look at the 2019 Netflix film The Dirt. A biopic of Motley Crue, it offers a visceral look at sex, drugs and rock and roll, but maybe not enough into why hair metal (the stuff Americans heretically call "glam rock") remains so divisive.
To address this and so many other questions, Graham is joined by Kat from The Hollywood News to talk about their mutual soft spot for the much-maligned rock biopic genre, our feelings on the Crue and the grunge scene that essentially ended their career, and how well the film handles its many darker strands. We are gentler on Machine Gun Kelly than you might think, though there's a good Eminem diss if that's your thing.
If you want to give us a slice of your pie, you can donate to our Patreon where all sorts of things are going on - Graham is winding down his Doctor Who reviews and starting on The X-Files, Rob is championing Asian films that don't have UK distribution, our TV and film miscellany podcast Last Night... goes from strength to strength... oh yeah, and there's an exclusive episode of this show coming out tomorrow, about Rudy Wurlitzer and Robert Frank's rock road trip movie Candy Mountain. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
How do you weather the changes in a genre your band helped define? It's tricky. Run-DMC tried to rebrand with Tougher Than Leather, the title of both an album and a film directed by their producer Rick Rubin. A tough yet strangely naive premonition of the gangsta rap years to come, it also features one of Rubin's other proteges, The Beastie Boys, just as their career took off.
It's got serious time capsule value, then, so it's no wonder it prompts hosts Graham and Jeff to reflect on the odd experience of being a white hip-hop fan in the late 1980s and 90s, a time when the genre was subject to both fetishisation and moral panic from our fellow honkies. We also discuss the unexpected links this film has to movies by James Grey and Jonathan Demme, formative 'adult' cinema and the parallel universe where this film was directed by Spike Lee. Turns out we can, in fact, rock it like this.
Send your checks, thugs and, indeed, rock and roll over to our Patreon,where we have a massive bounty for subscribers including a monthly bonus episode of this podcast, reviews of Asian films that lack UK distribution, twice-weekly reviews of classic series Doctor Who, and our TV and film podcast Last Night... where Geek Show hosts get together to chew the fat about what they've been watching. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more info!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
If there's one thing pop music needs almost as much as it needs musicians, it's people who won't hear the words "Actually, that's a really bad idea". Terri Hooley was one such man. Record shop owner, record label owner and focal point for Belfast's punk scene, what he lacked in business sense he made up for in passion. Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros d'Sa's biopic Good Vibrations tells his unbelievable story.
We've got an expanded cast on the show to celebrate the film, too, with Graham joined by Directors Uncut's Rob and another regular co-host, Mark from We Are Cult. As well as the film, they also describe the odd experience of actors you love starring on shows you don't care about, discuss the films that did - and didn't - get punk right, and invent at least one new musical genre. There are some bad impersonations again, but it's definitely within the spirit of the film this time.
If you'd like to give us five hundred pounds and a photo of The Shangri-Las, why not start small by donating to our Patreon? There are three tiers, and the highest is just £3 - giving you access to Rob's reviews of Asian films that lack a UK distributor, Graham's classic series Doctor Who reviews, our joyous grab-bag of a podcast Last Night..., and a monthly bonus episode of this show. Stay tuned to the end of this podcast to find out what that is this month, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of, which is probably for the best, as Adam Ant earned a fair bit of it for his role in this post-apocalyptic action movie. The product of veteran journeyman director Lee H Katzin, it also stars Bruce Dern in a role he literally does not remember filming as the last hippie, fighting against the diminutive Man and his army of bad choirboys. No, really.
This week we're joined by the Cymreig Samurai himself, Ben Jones, as we discuss how Adam Ant's cult nearly had a very different book as their inspiration, and get the idea for a guaranteed smash-hit range of action figures. Ben also astonishes Graham with a pop movie even he hasn't heard of, and we discuss the intimate secrets of Pinocchio's anatomy. The film sends you down some strange paths, OK?
If you want to help us survive the coming apocalypse, you can donate to our Patreonwhere you get all kinds of goodies - a whole other movies and TV podcast, Last Night..., plus Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews, access to the Geek Show archives, Rob's reviews of Asian films that cry out for UK home releases, and a monthly bonus episode of this very podcast that isn't available anywhere else. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more news.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
See it! Feel it! It's finally time for Pop Screen to scale the all-time summit of the rock opera form - Ken Russell's Tommy, based on the album by The Who. Pete Townsend's achingly personal tale of a traumatised kid mistakenly hailed as a messiah, it's got a soundtrack of some of The Who's most indelible tracks and a visual style that is one hundred per cent pure, uncut Uncle Ken.
This week, Graham is joined by Mick from Behold! podcast to discuss this absolutely singular work, with its eclectic cast that includes everyone from the star of Just Good Friends to the star of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. We also discuss the real-life Acid Queen Russell would meet some years later, the possibility of a spin-off about Oliver Reed's Butlins years, and whether Rupert the Bear is friends with a wood sprite. One of those weeks, clearly.
If you want to help us afford five-foot high platform boots like Elton John's, you can donate to our Patreon. We're about to release an exclusive episode looking at Roger Daltrey's later performance in Dot Com for Murder, and we also publish regular reviews of overlooked Asian films, weekly retrospectives of classic Doctor Who and a whole other podcast, Last Night..., where hosts from across the Geek Show network tell us what they've been watching. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Patreon for more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pop-screen/message
This episode of Pop Screen is about the rivalry between '90s psych-rock revivalists The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre - and if you think that's a niche subject for a film, that's how Ondi Timoner's DiG! came across before its premiere in 2004. Yet it was immediately and rightly hailed as a classic film about rock music, the nature of genius and selling out, becoming a cult classic for audiences far outside the two bands' pre-existing fandom.
This week, Ewan from(Don't) Listen to This returns - you have to remind him about his own podcast, he does forget things - to discuss Timoner's fascinating career, how the film's take on the record industry holds up in a very different landscape nearly twenty years later, and whether it's so bad to sell out anyway. We also talk about the differences between American and British memories of the 1990s, and indulge in a treasonous fantasy about the upcoming coronation. It's all here!
If you want to help finance repairs to our sitar collection, we've got a Patreon where you can get a monthly bonus episode of this show - listen to the end to find out what the next one will be - plus exclusive content like Rob's reviews of Asian films that want for a UK distributor, our everything-and-the-kitchen-sink podcast Last Night..., and Graham's weekly Doctor Who reviews. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to find out more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
Some pop stars like to take the easy route into acting by starring opposite lightweight co-stars. And then there's Johnny Cash, whose acting debut in 1971's A Gunfight sees him playing alongside no less than Kirk Douglas, with Karen Black, Jane Alexander and a young Keith Carradine in support. It wasn't a big hit - largely because calling a Western A Gunfight is like calling an action movie A Car Chase - but it's well worth a look for fans of the Man in Black. And you have seen one bit of it, even if you don't realise it...
The man Aidan comes around to our podcast again to talk about the film's left-field ending, the state of the Western as Hollywood entered the '70s, and other Cash-centric films and TV shows, from Walk the Line to that episode of The Simpsons where Homer eats a hallucinogenic chilli. In your face, space coyote!
If you don't want to see us forced into a duel to the death to earn money, you can donate to our Patreon. We're just about to release our new Patreon exclusive episode of Pop Screen, about the tATu movie You & I, plus we've got regular pieces about Asian movies that have been overlooked by Western distributors and weekly Doctor Who reviews. Follow our Twitter, Instagram and Patreon to find out more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
The shocking death of Terry Hall at the end of 2022 sent Pop Screen back to this document of him in his prime: Dance Craze, a relentlessly energetic concert film showcasing all the greats from the first wave of British ska. As well as Hall with The Specials, there are classic performances from Madness, The Beat, The Selecter, The Bodysnatchers and Bad Manners: an unmissable line-up by anyone's standards.
Neglected for decades, Dance Craze is about to get a spiffy BFI Blu-Ray release, but before that Mick and Graham are here to discuss the legacy of Hall and The Specials, as well as this era of ska in general. We also find time to explain why 2-Tone Records was the exact opposite of Apple, imagine a parallel universe version of this film where Rhoda Dakar makes a big alteration to the set list, and explain why The Beat are kind of like a Portuguese Man o' War. Enjoy yourself, it really is later than you think.
We don't have to work, 'cause there's no, no work to do, but we do provide an awful lot of content on our Patreon including a monthly bonus episode of this podcast. The next one, about the lost tATu film You and I, is out in a fortnight - but before that, there'll be a new episode of our movie miscellany podcast Last Night..., more reviews of classic Asian cinema in Unseen Asia and Graham's randomly selected Doctor Who reviews. It's not available anywhere else, and you can find out more by following our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
Can you believe Telly Savalas, Claudia Cardinale, David Niven, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono and Mr. Bronson from Grange Hill were in the same movie once? We can't - and this is before you get to lovely old Roger Moore playing a Wehrmacht captain! It can only be Escape to Athena, one of a series of star-studded flops produced by British TV mogul Lew Grade - and this one has an ace up its sleeve in the form of future Rambo: First Blood Part II director George P Cosmatos.
It's the kind of film about a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp that always gets shown at Christmas, which is an odd state of affairs when you stop to think about it. On this episode of Pop Screen, Graham is joined once again by We Are Cult's Mark Cunliffe to discuss the evolution of the World War II movie, as well as Grade's chequered career. There's also room to debate the best screen incarnation of Philip Marlowe, reveal how Sonny Bono shaped modern Hollywood and decide which Muppet clearly inspired Elliot Gould's performance in this film.
If you don't want us to be reduced to doing striptease shows for German generals, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get more than ever for your money. The next Pop Screen Patreon exclusive, about the 2002 Britney Spears vehicle Crossroads, goes live a day after this show, while Unseen Asia is currently posing the question: why is John Woo's Hard Boiled not available in the UK? Plus Last Night..., Random Access Who, and more. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more information.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
Wilko Johnson, the Dr Feelgood guitarist with the eyes of a killer and the legs of a Riverdancer, died last November, which sent Aidan and Graham back to his previous obituary. Made as the pub rock pioneer fought an apparently terminal cancer, The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson is less a rock documentary and more a fable about life, death and the creative spirit - a typically modest affair, then, from Julien Temple.
Temple, perhaps the ultimate Pop Screen director, is not new to these shores, but our hosts quickly discover this might be the Julien Tempest film ever made. Along the way, we unpick the film's myriad allusions to cinema, poetry and astronomy, as well as discussing Temple's previous attempt at chronicling Dr Feelgood in Oil City Confidential. It's a magical film that definitely isn't just for Wilko fans.
Look, the film's about cancer so I'm not going to make a joke here, I'll cut to the chase - you get so much more on the Geek Show Patreon, from our brand new movie miscellany podcast Last Night..., to two classic Doctor Who reviews a week from Graham. There's also Unseen Asia, in which Rob champions Asian films that lack a UK distributor, and a monthly bonus episode of this very show - the last one, a spoiler special on Glass Onion, may be our best yet. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
Hey you! Pop Screen welcomes in 2023 with a dose of los paranoias as Graham and Rob tackle Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice. The only adaptation - and likely to remain that way - of a Thomas Pynchon novel, it has an all-star cast headed up by Joaquin Phoenix's stoner PI Doc Sportello, and features suitably ethereal narration from the world's coolest harpist - again, not much competition - Joanna Newsom.
On this week's Pop Screen, we tune in our doper's ESP to the karmic thermals - or something - of Anderson's unjustly maligned film. We comb the film for Thomas Pynchon's cameo, discuss its critical take on '60s nostalgia, and still find space to be rude about Hans Zimmer. The Vicenaissance starts here!
If you want to help us establish a free housing complex in the desert or whatever it is, you can donate to our Patreon. We're just about to release a spoiler-packed chat about Glass Onion, and we've just launched a new movie miscellany podcast Last Night... Plus, Graham's Doctor Who reviews, Rob's championing of Asian films that lack a UK distributor, and more. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more info!
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
This week on Pop Screen there's a new Sherrif in town. Well, just for this one single episode, anyway. This is Rob of Directors Uncut typing right now.
You can find Directors Uncut here
Pop Screen has crossed over with our sister podcast, Directors Uncut, for an epic review of 2022. You can already find part a bonus to these bonus episodes for free on our PATREON. The snake truly is eating itself with that one. This is part two of said coverage, which looks at the 10-6 from this lovely bunch of people - besides Graham and Rob, there is Naomi, Kat, James, Vincent, Oliver, Cliff and Andy. And you better believe there are a lot of films from all over the movie map up for discussion, maybe too many? No, that'd be a ridiculous thing to say in a show description. So I better not be caught saying that.
Part two of this coverage and the finale of our 2022 in-review coverage can be found on the Directors Uncut feed tomorrow. Normal service resumes on this next episode of Pop Screen.
You can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this podcast. The next one is a spoiler-packed, Janelle Monae-worshipping chat about Glass Onion. Patreons also get Rob's articles on overlooked Asian films, Graham's Doctor Who reviews, and a brand new podcast called Last Night... plus more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more information.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
The year is nearly done, but Pop Screen lingers on with an episode about Todd Haynes's documentary The Velvet Underground. Covering the turbulent career of one of the most confrontational yet influential bands of the 1960s, it's a film that's got everything from deep discussions of minimalist composition to amusing anecdotes about how their black-clad smack-addled racket played with California's hippie scene. (Spoiler alert: badly!)
This week, Graham is joined by Left Lion's Oliver Parker to discuss Haynes's unusual swerve into documentary, the legacy of Lou Reed, the, uh, distinctive singing voices of Reed and Nico, and the film's portrayal of New York and Andy Warhol's Factory. They also agonise about what the best Velvet Underground album is - don't lie, you've struggled with the answer yourself - and get a sly diss at Drake in somehow. We're still not sure how that got in there, but it was worth it.
If you want to give us The Gift - eh? eh? - of support, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this podcast. The next one is out in a fortnight, and it's a spoiler-packed, Janelle Monae-worshipping chat about Glass Onion. Patreons also get Rob's articles on overlooked Asian films, Graham's Doctor Who reviews, and more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more information.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
[drum hit] AND IIIII-EEE-AAAYYY... Yes, some songs are born Christmassy, some achieve Christmasiness, and some have Christmas thrust upon them, as is the case with Whitney Houston's cover of Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You. Arguably the best-remembered Christmas number one of the nineties, it prompted us to make a festive episode about The Bodyguard, the Lawrence Kasdan film whose soundtrack it graces.
Here's something they don't tell you: The Bodyguard is a really tonally weird film. Graham is joined this week by Film Stories' Mark Harrison to unpick its oddities, including its accelerated opening, its nods to Akira Kurosawa and Fritz Lang, and its possibly intentional in-jokes about Kevin Costner's screen persona. We also speculate on what the long-mooted remake might look like, delve into the many stars who nearly played Houston and Costner's roles, and make an unbelievable discovery about the film's cancelled sequel.
If you want to wish us joy and happiness through the medium of money, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll also get Rob's write-ups of Asian films overlooked by British distributors, Graham's Doctor Who reviews, and a bonus episode of this show. The most recent one deals with North-Eastern icon Alan Hull's haunting 1974 TV play Squire. As ever, you'll find out what we've got coming up by following us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
popscreen #moviereviews #thebodyguard #kevincostner #whitneyhouston #lawrencekasdan #garykemp #christmasnumberone #dollyparton
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
Pop Screen has confronted some horrors in its recent Halloween month, but nothing like what Graham and Mark come up against this week: Noel Edmonds. The DJ-turned-mystical guru pops up in Glitter, one of two episodes of the 1970s anthology series Second City Firsts that feature pop stars, and it's enough to send Graham into a journey into the heart of Blobbyland. But there's also the film's main star to reckon with - Toyah Wilcox, captured here just before her punk makeover, committing the ultimate sin of singing with a band called Bilbo Baggins.
Second City Firsts also dipped its toe into the pop pond with Squire, an excellent, magic-realist tale of a working-class dreamer played by Lindisfarne's Alan Hull. Which of our two hosts - the North-Easterner Graham, the North-Westerner Mark - is a Lindisfarne fan? The answer may surprise you! We also discuss the many, depressingly business-related reasons why the single television play fell from fashion, the recent British film that reminded us of Squire, the mystery of the leaping dog, and why Graham is a capitalist [EXPLETIVE DELETED].
If you want to keep us in the capitalist pig lifestyle we're accustomed to, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get Rob's reviews of unjustly overlooked Asian films, Graham's classic series Doctor Who reviews, and a monthly bonus episode of this very show - listen to the end of this episode to find out what the next one is, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more news.
popscreen #moviereviews #secondcityfirsts #toyahwilcox #alanhull #lindisfarne #phildaniels #noeledmonds #topofthepops #bbc #newcastle
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
This week, Pop Screen is taking you to Spatula City with this episode about America's pre-eminent polka-crazed pop parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic and his 1989 film UHF. Prior to this month's parody biopic Weird - in which he's played by Daniel Radcliffe, in Radcliffe's second era-defining role after Swiss Army Man - this was Al's only major motion picture. But that still leaves decades of recordings to discuss, and that's why Al superfan Jeff Pizek is back on the podcast to help bewildered Briton Graham get to the meaning of Al.
Along the way, we discuss the film's inspired casting - including a chance to appreciate the comedic skills of a couple of people who, let's say, don't get the roles they used to? For very specific reasons? - its connection to The Simpsons, its vision of small-town America, and indeed the vexed question of where UHF is actually set. Is it a small town at all? We also pose a question about Dire Straits's Money for Nothing video which we forget to answer on the podcast, so let's do it here: Steve Barron. You're welcome.
If you want to keep us making podcasts with this kind of polish and professionalism, I guess, you can donate to our Patreon where you get an exclusive episode every month. The next one comes out in early December, and it's a two-parter... You'll also get Rob's reviews of great Asian movies that have been overlooked by UK distributors, and Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pop-screen/message
Listeners, are you in the mood for some folk horror? Some folk horror with Bjork? Some, if you will, fjork horror? If so, do we have the podcast for you, as Aidan F rejoins the podcast to discuss this early entry in the Icelandic maverick's small but impeccably on-brand screen canon. Along the way, we discuss her collaborations with Robert Eggers, Matthew Barney, Peter Strickland and David Attenborough, as well as naming our favourite Bjork records.
None of this, quite rightly, overshadows the film itself, a strange, Bergmanesque drama inspired by - though not quite adapted from - a Brothers Grimm story. We salute its offbeat director Nietzchka Keene, and the equally offbeat plot summaries of her films, and delve into the history of Bjork. Includes Graham making lots of heavy weather about the difference between her debut album and her album Debut, a joke which never really gets any funnier!
We'd have a very Grimm future if it wasn't for our Patreon backers, and as a thank-you we give you a bonus episode of this show every month - the next one, about Boots Riley's Sorry to Bother You, is out tomorrow! Backers will also get exclusive reviews of Asian cinema from Rob, Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews and more. Find out more on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
popscreen #moviereviews #thejunipertree #bjork #nietzchkakeene #iceland #folkhorror #brothersgrimm #fairytale #roberteggers #thenorthman #matthewbarney #peterstrickland #davidattenborough
Listeners, are you aware that Shuhada Sadaqat - or Sinead O'Connor, as she was - once played the Virgin Mary? If that sounds like a provocative idea, you ain't seen nothing yet. Neil Jordan's The Butcher Boy is one of the darkest and most mordantly funny entries in a directorial career that's also included Interview With the Vampire and The Company of Wolves, and we've got We Are Cult's Mark Cunliffe back in to talk about every deliriously sick moment.
The story of a school bully spiralling into psychopathy against a backdrop of early '60s nuclear paranoia, it features an astonishing lead performance from Eamonn Owens and a stacked supporting cast of superb Irish thesps. (You'll never look at Milo O'Shea in the same way again) We discuss how the film defies '90s media cliches about Ireland, as well as the unusual circumstances of its funding from David Geffen. Plus a lot of chat about O'Connor's career, and an appreciation of Kris Kristofferson for offering support at the height of her post-SNL backlash.
Unlike this film, this podcast is not an uncommercial project funded by an inexplicably generous record industry mogul. It's an uncommercial project funded by you, and in return Patreon backers can get an exclusive episode every month, twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews from Graham, Rob's reviews of Asian films that have been denied UK distribution, and more. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
popscreen #moviereviews #thebutcherboy #sineadoconnor #shuhadasadaqat #neiljordan #ireland #1960s #blackcomedy #brendangleeson #stephenrea #kriskristofferson #nothingcompares
It's spooky season again on Pop Screen, and this month we're kicking off with a look at Ti West's saucy seventies slasher X, starring Kid Cudi along with Mia Goth, Brittany Snow, Martin Henderson and Mia Goth again. And since it's not a Halloween show without Directors Uncut host Rob, we've got Rob back in to talk about the film's generational politics, praise its light-touch evocation of the 1970s, and wonder if it's more of an insult to call this elevated horror or un-elevated horror.
Along the way, there's discussion of Kid Cudi's odd, ambitious acting career, the sense of imminent dread that seizes audiences every time Mia Goth appears in a film and West's projected trilogy based on this film's characters. We also pitch a new horror movie to A24 which is just an old person eating a sandwich, but shot really well. They might go for it?
If you want to keep us broadcasting from the home of a creepy old couple who don't know what we're doing yet, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll also find Rob championing Asian films that don't have a UK release, Graham reviewing classic Doctor Who serials selected at random, as well as video games chatter, early access to our YouTube content, and an exclusive monthly bonus episode of this show. The next one's out tomorrow, and it's about the Alice Cooper B-movie Monster Dog. It's from the director of Troll 2! How can you resist? Find out more on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
popscreen #moviereview #x #tiwest #pearl #maxxxine #miagoth #horror #slasher #kidcudi #hiphop #brittanysnow #jennaortega #martinhenderson
It was sixty years ago... well, not today, exactly, but soon, when the Beatles released their first single, so to celebrate Pop Screen is returning to their screen canon for the first time since our very first episode. An experimental, influential animated freak-out, Yellow Submarine was made to fill out the band's movie contract but became so, so much more (although being more than that isn't difficult. Whatever. It's good).
To celebrate, we've helpfully reminded Mick from Behold! podcast that yes, he did put his name down for this one, and brought him back on. Listen as he reveals which previous Pop Screen-endorsed movie this reminds him of - it may not be the one you think. We also uncover the strange stories that the movie's almost-Beatles-sounding voice cast have to tell, and take a look at the eye-searingly horrible concept art for Robert Zemeckis's abandoned CGI remake.
If you want to help us bring the gift of music to Pepperland, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll find a raft of new features including reviews of Asian films that lack a UK distributor, early access to our offbeat video series List-o-mania, twice-weekly reviews of classic Doctor Who and more. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more information.
popscreen #moviereviews #thebeatles #yellowsubmarine #johnlennon #paulmccartney #ringostarr #georgeharrison #animation #georgedunning
Ah-hah, hush that fuss, Pop Screen is back with Graham and Dreaming Machine's Joe to take a look at OutKast's 2006 movie vehicle Idlewild. It's not uncommon for rappers to make their big-screen debuts by playing gangsters, but as ever Andre 3000 and Big Boi found their own unique way of doing things, by setting it all in an anachronistically-scored Black bohemia in the 1930s. It's a gangster movie, it's a backstage musical, it's a Prohibition drama, it's a hip-hop film... it's so many things, in fact, that the audience were confused and stayed at home.
While not perfect, it deserved a better fate. Join Graham and Joe as they discuss the film's dynamite cast, its odd but intriguing parent album - which is, as of 2022, the last OutKast record - and the shadow that one immortal Key and Peele sketch has cast over OutKast discourse. We also consider how the band's legacy only appears to have grown since their split, and reference that weird news story from a few years back about someone spotting Andre Benjamin just wandering around an airport playing jazz flute. That was a good one.
If you'd like to help us keep crocodiles on our feet and foxfur on our back, you can donate to our Patreon, where Rob is busy starting up his regular feature spotlighting great Asian films that lack a distributor in the UK. There's also a bonus episode of this show out on Friday 9th September, where Graham and Mark Harrison review - get this! - every James Bond theme. Ever. And then some. For more updates, check out our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
moviereviews #popscreen #outkast #idlewild #andrebenjamin #antwanpatton #paulapatton #vingrhames #terrancehoward #macygray #pattilabelle #gangstermovies #musicals
This week's film is one that Graham struggles to accept really exists - which is why it's a good job Mark Harrison from Film Stories has rejoined the podcast to reassure him that this wasn't a hallucination. Did we really watch a movie where Status Quo try and foil SNL veteran Jon Lovitz's underground organ trafficking ring in an extended homage to The Deer Hunter? It appears that we did, and now you can enjoy our confusion in podcast form.
Among the many topics of discussion, we talk about Status Quo's very different reputations on both sides of the Atlantic, about their ill-fated 1990s lawsuit against Radio 1, about Lovitz's three claims to eternal fame, and about the film's mysterious attitude towards the news-gathering profession. There is also a bit about lollipops and a certain Steven Spielberg movie which made Graham laugh out loud when he was editing this, and that's never happened before. It's a good one, folks!
If you want to keep us making podcasts that make us - and hopefully other people - laugh, you can donate to our Patreon, where you get a monthly bonus episode of this very podcast. The next one also features Mark - it's a retrospective of every single Bond theme and it's coming atcha in early September. Follow us on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook and Twitter for more news about what we're doing next.
moviereviews #popscreen #bulaquo #statusquo #jonlovitz #lauraaikman #craigfairbrass #radio1 #francisrossi #rickparfitt
This week's Pop Screen is for people who like their cars fast, their movies mellow and their Californian singer-songwriters practically horizontal, as Aidan returns to the podcast to look at Monte Hellman's cult road movie Two-Lane Blacktop. A none-more-70s tale of dead-end lives on the open road, it owes something of its laid-back cool to its two lead actors: Laurel Canyon mainstay James Taylor and Beach Boys alumnus Dennis Wilson.
It would be fair to say Aidan and Graham have differing opinions on this film, but you'll have to listen to the podcast to find out who's making the case for the defence. Along the way, there's space to delve into the short, sad life of their brilliant co-star Laurie Bird and praise the timeless class of Warren Oates and Harry Dean Stanton. Also, needless to say, Beach Boys superfan Graham explains what very specific thing Dennis brought to the legendary band, and which unlikely figure offered family therapy to the Wilson brothers...
If you'd like to rescue us from our desperate existence travelling from stock-car race to stock-car race, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show - the next one, about Nick Broomfield's Kurt & Courtney, is out tomorrow! - as well as gaming deep dives, classic Doctor Who reviews, appraisals of hard-to-find Asian cinema and more. Check out our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more info.
popscreen #moviereviews #twolaneblacktop #montehellman #denniswilson #lauriebird #jamestaylor #warrenoates #harrydeanstanton #roadmovie #thebeachboys
Dust off your tinfoil hats, Pop Screen is going conspiracy barmy with this week's episode on 1983's Wavelength. A Roger Corman-produced science fiction thriller starring The Runaways' Cherie Currie as a psychic who guides her singer-songwriter friend towards a military base full of captured extraterrestrials, it's notable for a great Tangerine Dream score, striking location shooting at LA's ominous Lookout Mountain facility, and having nearly been released before Spielberg's ET before it was delayed for additional special effects work.
This week, Rob from Directors Uncut rejoins the podcast to look at this unjustly forgotten film, talk about the legacy of The Runaways and look at the many famous films that Currie was nearly in. We also end with some praise for Peter Bogdanovich and some pleasingly gratuitous slams towards an old podcast enemy...
If you want to help us make contact with another species using Moog synthesisers, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll find a monthly bonus episode of this very show, gaming deep dives from our regular co-host Archaeon, Graham's twice-weekly classic Doctor Who reviews and more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the latest.
popscreen #moviereviews #wavelength #sciencefiction #cheriecurrie #robertcarradine #therunaways #joanjett #tangerinedream #rogercorman #conspiracytheories #lookoutmountain #aliens
This is (for) hardcore (fans): in celebrating the work of singer, radio host, memoirist and Greatest Living Englishman Jarvis Cocker, we could have picked anything from a Wes Anderson film to a Harry Potter one. Instead, Graham and Ewan have reunited for a look at a true collectors item, his 1999 Channel 4 documentary series about outsider art. See Jarvis tour the world visiting houses, gardens, castles and churches made by people with no architectural training, all of which look better than that description implies.
Along the way, we'll be diving into the rest of Jarvis's screen career, including the 2014 documentary Pulp: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets, which Ewan has just covered elsewhere. We'll also be talking about the legacy of Britpop - which, yes, means Graham gets to tell the "cagoules" story again - speculating on Johnny Marr's pub habits and deciding, once and for all, what the best Pulp album is. The answer may surprise you!
If you want to help us rent a flat above a shop - something which is more aspirational than it was back in 1995 - you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll find exclusive games chatter, Asian cinema reviews, Doctor Who deep dives and episodes of this very podcast that aren't available anywhere else. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more news.
popscreen #moviereviews #jarviscocker #journeysintotheoutside #documentaries #channel4 #miniseries #outsiderart #pulp #martinwallace
This week, Pop Screen is warming up its fingers to peruse the lexicon of love with Mantrap, a short film starring ABC - but mostly their lead singer Martin Fry - and directed by Pop Screen's patron saint Julien Temple. Once again, we're joined by Gav Smith from the very fine My Favourite Film podcast, as he takes on his most challenging assignment to date - persuading Graham that early '80s synth pop is good, actually.
Along the way, we discuss the film's romantic lead Lisa Vanderpump and her later career on reality TV, the wayward career of the prolific Temple and whether The Fast Show has rendered jazz inherently 'nice'. If this strikes you as a fairly obscure choice of film even for our podcast, you're not wrong - this is the first, and no doubt last, film we'll cover that was originally released on Laserdisc...
If you don't want us to have to run away with a touring New Romantic band in order to make ends meet, you can support us on Patreon where you'll also get a plethora of articles about forgotten Asian cinema, classic Doctor Who, bonus episodes of this show and deep dives on the videogame industry. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more information.
popscreen #moviereviews #abc #mantrap #martinfry #julientemple #lisavanderpump
It's in the trees! It's coming! Yes, this week Pop Screen is gleefully hopping on board the Kate Bush bandwagon - what else were we going to do, wait for a new album or tour? - with a look at the Blessed Kate's two main acting credits. The Line, The Cross and the Curve is her now-disowned directorial debut, released to tie in with her album The Red Shoes and loosely inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale of that name. Join Graham and Mark Cunliffe of We Are Cult as they dig into its origins and its surprising guest cast, not to mention the surprisingly high number of Doctor Who and David Lynch connections. Well, it is Pop Screen.
But that's not all! In our first-ever double-bill, we also look at Les Dogs, an instalment in the British comedy anthology series The Comic Strip Presents... where Kate plays a newlywed who Peter Richardson becomes infatuated with. (Well, he's only human) A notoriously cryptic entry into a series normally defined by anarchic satire, we're pretty confident that, by the end of this episode, you will know what the hell is going on in this surreal tale of unrequited love set during what seems to be a second English Civil War. Nothing is normal when Kate Bush is involved, and that goes for Pop Screen too. Plus: find out how not to locate the Bayeux tapestry!
If you want to help us buy a new washing machine, washing machine, washing machine, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll find a raft of new features including Prob's video game chat, Rob's article series on overlooked Asian cinema, and a monthly bonus episode of this show - the next one, about the Daft Punk road movie Electroma, is out tomorrow! For now, stay tuned to our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more news.
popscreen #moviereviews #katebush #thelinethecrossandthecurve #theredshoes #mirandarichardson #peterrichardson #alexeisayle #keithallen #thecomicstrippresents #lindsaykemp #doctorwho #twinpeaks #fairytales #hanschristianandersen
Pop Screen's Bowie month ends in the only way it was ever going to: with a lot of talk about Muppets and 'packages'. Made during a critical and commercial low point in Bowie's musical career, this elaborate Jim Henson-directed fantasy nevertheless gave him one of his most celebrated screen roles - and, in its maddeningly catchy musical numbers, gave us easily the most enjoyable songs of his mid-80s lull.
This week, Archaeon rejoins the podcast to talk about traumatic childhood memories, the surprisingly lasting influence of Bowie's enormous barnet, and the screen career of his young co-star Jennifer Connelly. There are also digressions covering the limited options this movie offers for clickbait writers, the general scariness of 1980s children's films, and the real reason why we've never done a K-pop episode. Come for the crotch jokes, stay to learn which leading modern sculptor voiced one of the puppets!
If you want us to keep making podcasts where we refer to a rock legend's genitals as "non-Euclidian", you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly exclusive bonus episode of this show, extra video games coverage from Archaeon, Graham's classic Doctor Who reviews and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more news.
popscreen #moviereviews #davidbowie #labyrinth #jenniferconnelly #muppets #jimhenson #1980s #terryjones #fantasy
The centrepiece of Pop Screen's Bowie month could only be one thing: David's first, extraordinary lead role, as the alien Thomas Jerome Newton in Nicolas Roeg's trippy science fiction masterpiece. For those unfamiliar with the film, Bowie plays an extraterrestrial sent to Earth to bring water back to his home planet, funding his return trip by patenting alien technology. But the world of high finance drags him off course, as do Earthly temptations like alcohol and weird sex. Lots of weird sex.
In this week's episode of Pop Screen, Graham is joined once again by Rob from Directors Uncut to look at the many facets of this enigmatic film, and marvel at just how banjoed on cocaine Bowie was during this period of his life. There's also some talk about the recent TV series based on Walter Tevis's source novel, the unexpected actors - and one novelist - who might have taken Bowie's role, and Rip Torn's infamous appearance in Norman Mailer's Maidstone.
If you don't want us to have to patent our alien technology in order to stay on the air, you can donate to our Patreon, where backers will receive exclusive episodes of Pop Screen, early access to Directors Uncut, Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews and much more. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with what we've got planned next.
popscreen #moviereviews #davidbowie #themanwhofelltoearth #sciencefiction #nicolasroeg #candyclark #riptorn #waltertevis
Yeah, when we announced a month of David Bowie movies, you weren't expecting this one, were you? An adaptation of an obscure early Berthold Brecht play that Bowie recorded for the BBC in between Scary Monsters and Let's Dance, Baal is quite probably the most challenging artefact in his screen career - and we're including the Twin Peaks movie in that tally. But it's also thematically linked to his music in a number of interesting ways, and it paired him with a great British director - the late Alan Clarke.
On this week's episode, Graham is joined by We Are Cult's Mark Cunliffe once again to discuss the holy trinity of Brecht, Bowie and Clarke, as well as the way that Bowie's screen career took off just as his musical career was hitting a troubled patch, the secret to success on Letterboxd and the vexed question of what Alan Clarke did in the Television Centre lifts. There may also be singing. We're sorry.
If you don't want us to be reliant on handouts from Weimar-era aristocrats, you can donate to our Patreon where you'll get a monthly bonus episode, unrestricted access to our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more news.
popscreen #moviereviews #davidbowie #baal #bertholdbrecht #alanclarke #bbc #zoewannamaker
Pop Screen kicks off a special month dedicated to the films of David Bowie with perhaps his last great role, as the enigmatic inventor Nikola Tesla in Christopher Nolan's equally enigmatic thriller. A story of magic, revenge and dead wives (look, we said it was a Christopher Nolan film), it sees Bowie join a remarkable cast including Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Andy Serkis and Gil from Frasier.
On this week's show, Ewan from Cult Following joins us once more to get this Bowie celebration started, discussing the film's superhero-heavy cast as well as his favourite Bowie albums, Bowie's absence from (and return to) public life during the 21st century, Nolan's love of serious men in suits, the genius of Andy Serkis and a story about Ewan accidentally injuring himself in the shower for some reason. It's Pop Screen alright!
If you want to help us out financially in our bitter grudge match with Thomas Edison's podcast, you can donate to our Patreon. Among many other goodies you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show - and we discuss the next one on this episode... Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information.
popscreen #moviereviews #davidbowie #theprestige #christophernolan #christianbale #hughjackman #scarlettjohansson #rebeccahall #andyserkis #michaelcaine #christopherpriest #steampunk #nikolatesla
We normally use a still from the film for our episode image, but who could resist this photo from the premiere of Neill Blomkamp's Chappie? It perfectly encapsulates the bizarre appeal of the film, which assembles an enviable cast of blue-chip movie stars and reliable character actors, then has them play support to a Johnny 5/Robocop hybrid and a South African rap group, not necessarily in that order.
This week, Andrew from Behold! returns to Pop Screen to authorise the launch of the Moose, by which we mean talk about Chappie's insane tonal shifts, its wincingly misjudged ending and the chequered career of Blomkamp following his smash-hit debut District 9. There are fewer mad tangents than usual, largely because the whole film is a series of mad tangents. Get ready to go Zef! Whatever that means!
If you want to help us earn enough money to build a cute robot that can podcast for us, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show, unrestricted access to our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, Graham's classic Doctor Who reviews, and more! We're planning something very big for next month's run of episodes, so be sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to hear about it as soon as it's announced.
popscreen #moviereviews #chappie #neillblomkamp #sciencefiction #dieantwoord #devpatel #sigourneyweaver #hughjackman #district9
It's no surprise that Pop Screen keeps going back to the 1960s - in many ways, that decade saw the birth of the pop movie as a recognisable genre. That doesn't mean that every film became a classic, although the film we're looking at today became a cult classic of the most disreputable type. Famously described by Mark Kermode as "the Plan 9 from Outer Space of musicals", Robert Hartford-Davis's Gonks Go Beat mixes cheapo science fiction, musical comedy and Romeo and Juliet into a bewildering stew.
Following the attempts of an intergalactic mediator to reconcile the warring nations of Beatland and Balladisle, it has a roster of musical stars including Lulu, a pre-Cream Ginger Baker, the Nashville Teens, several other artists who are even more obscure than the Nashville Teens, and Charlie off Casualty. It almost defies description - except for the fact that Mick from our sister podcast Behold! is here, valiantly attempting to summarise the truly inexplicable.
If you appreciate our attempts to make a truly gear and with-it podcast, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get early access to our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, a bonus episode of Pop Screen every month, Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews, and more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more information.
popscreen #moviereviews #gonksgobeat #roberthartforddavis #musicals #lulu #gingerbaker #1960s #grahambond #kennethconnor #terryscott #romeoandjuliet #sciencefiction
When Graham and Sarah decided to do an episode on Never Rarely Sometimes Always, it was not a topical film. Its storyline, about a young girl crossing state lines in order to get an abortion, now puts it at the forefront of a major American news story, but there's much more to Eliza Hittman's film than being merely newsworthy. It's a haunting, measured, beautifully acted and shot film that never lets its unmistakable anger overwhelm its humanity, complete with a small but meaningful appearance from the acclaimed singer-songwriter Sharon van Etten.
Van Etten's appearance is one of two things that qualifies NRSA (as all the cool kids are calling it) for this podcast - the other is the soundtrack by Julia Holter, whose career is also discussed. Other topics of conversation include this film's superiority over a certain other, more garlanded, stab at feminist cinema from 2020, the unexpected way Hittman found her lead actress, the career of the film's cinematographer Hélène Louvart, the minor scandal involving this film's lock-out at the Academy Awards and - for some reason - confusing Werner Herzog with Wim Wenders. It might be a more serious Pop Screen than usual, but it is still Pop Screen.
If you have any money left over following the fundraiser Graham mentions on this show, why not donate to our Patreon, where you get a bonus episode of this show every month, along with lots of other goodies? This month's sees Graham and Aidan subject themselves to Sia's notorious 2021 film Music, and we'd hate that suffering to go to waste. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more news.
popscreen #moviereviews #neverrarelysometimesalways #elizahittman #sidneyflanagan #abortion #sharonvanetten #juliaholter #cinematography #oscars
Can you believe this is our first Jim Jarmusch episode? The white-haired director's habit of casting musicians means pretty much all of his films qualify for this show, with regular collaborators including Tom Waits, Iggy Pop and RZA. All of them turn up in this, his ensemble zombie comedy from 2019, along with the rather less expected name of Selena Gomez. (Gomez's presence does at least mean this is the second show in a row where we mention Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers, and no, we weren't expecting that either)
Joining us this week is Rob, from The Geek Show's other movie podcast Directors Uncut. Both he and Graham are paid-up fans of both Jarmusch and this movie, and they discuss the film's puzzlingly negative reception, its skilful use of the screen personae of stars as different as Tilda Swinton, Caleb Landry Jones and Iggy Pop, and the remarkable voice of Adam Driver. We also discuss how Rob's fondness for Iggy and Tom has survived problematic early encounters with their music, the changing fortunes of zombie movies and Caleb Landry Jones's great early screen credit.
If you'd like to help us stock up to survive the zombie apocalypse, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of Pop Screen - the next one comes out tomorrow, and it's a corker! - Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Follow our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages for more information.
popscreen #moviereviews #thedeaddontdie #jimjarmusch #zombies #horrorcomedy #tomwaits #adamdriver #billmurray #iggypop #selenagomez #chloesevigny #tildaswinton #carolkane #dannyglover #austinbutler #caleblandryjones #stevebuscemi #rosieperez #larryfessenden
We're returning to the pop landscape of the early 2000s this week, a pop landscape that had your host Graham wondering whether there was any point being a pop cartographer any more. The dominant feature of said landscape was TV talent shows, usually run by either Simon Cowell or his Salieri, Simon Fuller, the latter of whom masterminded this week's film. A modern-day beach party movie starring first-season American Idol finalists Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson, From Justin to Kelly was legendarily unsuccessful, but that doesn't mean returning co-host Jeff hasn't got a bagful of fascinating trivia about it.
Said trivia includes Guarini's history in musical theatre, the film's epic director's cut, and a subplot removed from the third act that could have led to the film getting a very different reception. We also talk about the film's odd, PG-certificate vision of teen debauchery, the possible membership of the Pennsylvania Posse, the film's inability to remember if its musical numbers are diegetic or not, and the previous CV of writer Kim Fuller. Yes relation.
If you want to help us survive as a podcast without nepotism, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show, unrestricted access to our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Check out our Facebook, Twitter and Patreon for more information.
popscreen #moviereviews #fromjustintokelly #americanidol #kellyclarkson #justinguarini #musicals #simonfuller #anikanonirose
Pop Screen is going into hardcore auteur territory this week, with a film directed by and starring the one and only Barbara Streisand. A story of hidden family secrets, illicit affairs, licit affairs, quasi-licit affairs - look, there's a lot of affairs, alright? - it was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars while Streisand was snubbed for Best Director, suggesting her music career was preventing her being taken seriously as a film-maker.
On this week's Pop Screen, Aidan and Graham discuss how fair that is, balancing the film's sentimental, sometimes dated tone against its visual beauty, surprising eagerness to confront taboos and unexpected appearance from George Carlin. We also discuss the legacy of Streisand's directorial debut Yentl, Nick Nolte's brief, perplexing reign as People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive, and the two classic Simpsons jokes this film inspired.
Every time I hear the wind, it seems to whisper the phrase "Donate to our Patreon, where you can get a monthly bonus episode of this podcast as well as Graham's Doctor Who reviews, unrestricted access to our sister podcast Directors Uncut and more". Which is a bit wordy, but who's going to argue with the wind? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more news.
popscreen #moviereviews #barbarastreisand #theprinceoftides #nicknolte #psychiatry #romancemovies #katenelligan #georgecarlin
Pop Screen is going a bit off the beaten track this week, but rewardingly so. Peter Watkins is a maverick British director whose previous film The War Game was banned on the instruction of then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson, so when he was hired by Universal to make a teen-focused rock and roll film they probably expected something insurrectionary. What they might not have expected is for Watkins to train his satirical weapons on the pop world they were hoping to tap into, in this documentary-style tale of a singer whose popularity is exploited by a totalitarian government.
The singer is played by Manfred Mann's Paul Jones, and the tunes are good enough for one of them to be covered by Patti Smith. That's just one of the many discoveries Graham and Mark make on this week's show, and they still have time for generous digressions about the voiceover in The Hateful Eight, the career of screenwriter Johnny Speight and what Volodymyr Zelenskyy might have learned from network censors.
If you'd like some more of that - whatever the hell "that" means - we have a Patreon, which offers a monthly bonus episode of this very show as well as Graham's Doctor Who reviews, advance access to our other film podcast Directors Uncut, and more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more.
moviereviews #popscreen #privilege #peterwatkins #pauljones #manfredmann #1960s #pattismith #johnnyspeight #jeanshrimpton
Can you believe this is Pop Screen's first animated film? Better late than never, as Gav Smith of My Favourite Film rejoins us to talk about Interstella 5555 - The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem. A story as epic as its frankly overlong title, it was created by Daft Punk as both a homage to the anime they loved growing up and a visual accompaniment to their classic 2001 album Discovery.
On this week's episode, Gav and Graham discuss Daft Punk's career from their house beginnings to their increasing flirtations with disco and soft rock, the strange saga of the sample on their single 'One More Time', and the fairly obvious problem with the spray-painting machine that disguises the film's blue-skinned aliens. It sounds like a lot, but it doesn't feel like Homework.
If you can forgive that pun, you'll definitely be able to cope with our Patreon, where donors get an exclusive episode of Pop Screen every month, full access to our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews, and plenty of things that don't fit in anywhere else. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more info.
popscreen #moviereviews #interstella5555 #daftpunk #musical #visualalbum #anime #leijimatsumoto #kazuhisatakenouchi #housemusic #disco #sciencefiction
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a-Moonstruck, a film which is not exactly subtle in its depiction of Italian-American culture but is at least witty, well-written and full of heart, thanks to its script by John Patrick Shanley. This week, Pop Screen closes out its Oscars month by inviting playwright Sarah Hayton back on to discuss Norman Jewison's 1987 film, which won Cher a Best Actress award. Frankly, she's so good in this you overlook the fact that her and Nicolas Cage are, on paper, the weirdest screen couple in the history of cinema.
Digressions include the infamous video for 'If I Could Turn Back Time', both of our guest hosts being surprised by Jewison's classy back catalogue, the twist ending in Shanley's last film Wild Mountain Thyme, the world-class Simpsons joke this film inspired, and disses on at least two Ridley Scott films, one of which hasn't even been shot yet.
It's certainly value for money, not least since this is a free episode. If you fancy getting even more content for even more money, you can donate to our Patreon where you get bonus episodes of this show, unrestricted access to our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, Graham's reviews of classic series Doctor Who, and more. For more on what that "more" might entail, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
popscreen #moviereviews #oscars #cher #moonstruck #romcom #nicolascage #normanjewison #olympiadukakis #johnmahoney #johnpatrickshanley
Pop Screen's Oscar month continues with one of the 21st century's biggest collectors of little bald gold men - Rob Marshall's Chicago. Among its twelve nominations and six wins was a Best Supporting Actress nomination for 1990s hip-hop stalwart Queen Latifah, who gets a solo number crammed with innuendo, but she was beaten to the win by her own cast-mate Catherine Zeta-Jones.
This week, Cliff from the Devil Times Five horror podcast joins us again to talk about his uncharacteristic love for this 1920s true-crime-inspired musical extravaganza. Topics covered include: which classic Doctor Who story does the Cell Block Tango remind Graham of? Which line in Cell Block Tango does Cliff think is a bit unfortunate? And other topics that don't relate to the Cell Block Tango, including a mini-sequel to this very episode we plan to release soon for Patreon backers...
...and if you want to know what that's all about, here's our Patreon, where you can also get a monthly bonus episode of this very show, as well as unrestricted access to our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews, and more. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news.
popscreen #moviereviews #chicago #bobfosse #reneezellwegger #catherinezetajones #richardgere #queenlatifah #kanderandebb #musicals #oscars
Pop Screen's Oscar month goes back to, er, 2021 with the film widely predicted to win Chadwick Boseman a posthumous Oscar - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Less a biopic of the titular blues singer and more a drama about temptation and (often racial) exploitation adapted from August Wilson's play, it nevertheless features a powerhouse, Oscar-nominated turn from Viola Davis as Ma Rainey.
This week, Ewan Gleadow from Cult Following returns to argue the merits and demerits of the film's obsessive fidelity to Wilson's source, the difficulties of pitching movies about jazz and blues to a modern audience and Denzel Washington's project to bring Wilson's 'Pittsburgh Cycle' to the screen. We also take a quick look at this year's Oscar nominees, discuss the unexpected film Ewan's local multiplex preferred to Licorice Pizza, and ask why people nowadays like pop stars who are quite dull.
If you enjoy hearing people get all of that out of one reasonably short movie, you can donate to our Patreon and get a monthly bonus episode of Pop Screen, as well as unrestricted access to our other film podcast Directors Uncut, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more details.
popscreen #moviereviews #maraineysblackbottom #blues #oscars #jazz #chadwickboseman #violadavis #denzelwashington #augustwilson
March is Oscar month on Pop Screen, and as luck would have it one of this year's frontrunners is absolutely made for us. A goofy, shaggy 1970s coming-of-age comedy featuring a Tom Waits cameo, the entire band HAIM and their parents - seriously, their real-life parents - it's inspired rabid devotion and some dissent for its treatment of racial prejudice, age-gap relationships and its outspoken pro-water-bed stance.
This week, Graham is joined by Mark Harrison from Den of Geek to discuss Paul Thomas Anderson's love letter to his childhood. We identify which of Bradley Cooper's lines are taken directly from real life, how Anderson first met the Haim family, the difficulties of being a visual storyteller in a box-set TV era, and whether or not Sean Penn is in on the joke of his cameo at all. Also Graham openly invites the director onto Pop Screen, which... you never know?
If you want to keep us afloat during the current gas crisis - yeah, that doesn't look like a period detail any more, does it? - you can donate to our Patreon, where you can get exclusive episodes of Pop Screen, full access to our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews, and more. We're planning even more exclusives for 2022 - follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to find out about those!
popscreen #moviereviews #licoricepizza #haim #paulthomasanderson #cooperhoffman #1970s #oscars #alanahaim #seanpenn #bradleycooper #tomwaits #mayarudolph #bennysafdie
What kind of film do you think the above image is from, listeners? If you answered "Why, a biopic of a 1960s rock band, of course", congratulations - you are Oliver Stone, and this is an episode of Pop Screen about your 1991 film The Doors. Join Doors fan Aidan and Doors, uh, not-fan Graham for an exploration of this fabulously lavish, maddeningly shallow account of Jim Morrison's life and death, which occasionally remembers there were some other guys with instruments standing behind him.
Along the way we'll discuss Aidan's tendency to turn up on 27-club episodes, the strange decline in modern conspiracy theories about pop star deaths, the odd position that The Doors has right in the middle of Stone's run of political films, and the early '90s nostalgia bonanza that saw The Doors sharing chart space with The Stone Roses and The KLF. We also talk about the film's many inaccuracies, and Ray Manzarek's amusing appearance on The Adam and Joe Show.
Hello, I love you, won't you donate to our Patreon, where you can get a bonus episode of Pop Screen every month - the next one, where Aidan returns to discuss Tony Bennett's ill-fated screen debut The Oscar, is imminent - as well as complete episodes of our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, Graham's twice-weekly classic series Doctor Who reviews, and more.
popscreen #moviereviews #thedoors #oliverstone #jimmorrison #biopic #megryan #valkilmer #kylemaclachlan #27club
Back in 2007, Wong Kar-Wai could have done anything for his first American film. What he chose to do was cast easy-jazz chanteuse Norah Jones in a road movie where she would play alongside David Straithairn, Rachel Weisz, Jude Law and Natalie Portman, and tell her not to take acting lessons because she's such a natural. Which, you must agree, is a choice! On this week's Pop Screen, Sarah and Graham discuss the resulting film, which the passing of time has not made any less befuddling. It has all of Kar-Wai's usual strengths (gorgeous cinematography, swooning romanticism, a lovingly-picked score) and a few new flaws (a script full of clonking metaphorical dialogue, an unintentionally creepy ending).
We also find the time to talk about the film-stealing cameo by Chan "Cat Power" Marshall, Portman's 2000s career, Jude Law's chequered legacy as both an actor and a spoonerism, and the Mike Flowers Pops for some reason. Kar-Wai's famously unconventional working methods are dissected at length, as is Amazon's hilariously off-base decision to try and get him to make a television series. Every year! On schedule! Hard to imagine where that went wrong, eh, listeners?
Unlike Wong Kar-Wai, we reliably produce an hour or so of improvised rambling every single week, and if you want even more there are bonus episodes of this very show available on our Patreon. Backers also get full access to our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, as well as Graham's twice-weekly reviews of classic Doctor Who, and some odds and ends we can't fit anywhere else. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more news.
popscreen #moviereviews #myblueberrynights #norahjones #wongkarwai #judelaw #catpower #jazz #rachelweisz #davidstraithairn #natalieportman
The 1960s were, depending on your viewpoint, either the best or the worst time to release a film about political assassinations, and there weren't many wilder examples than John Frankenheimer's The Manchurian Candidate. A wildly paranoid tale of a returning military veteran convinced that one of his brothers-in-arms is now a brainwashed Communist assassin, it essentially created the conspiracy thriller as we know it, and had a knockout cast including Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury and - the reason we are gathered here today - Frank Sinatra.
Geek Show head honcho Rob Simpson joins the podcast again to talk to Graham about Sinatra's legacy, his Vegas residencies and his Rat Pack friends, including much praise for Sammy Davis Jr.'s wardrobe in Sweet Charity. There's also some discussion of the very unexpected actress who could have taken Lansbury's role, the Jonathan Demme remake and its political inspirations, and the vexed question of what, exactly, this film is saying about the Cold War.
Sadly, we can't rely on government funding to hypnotise you into backing our Patreon, but why would we need to when we offer backers exclusive episodes of both this podcast and our other movie podcast Directors Uncut? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more classified information.
popscreen #moviereview #themanchuriancandidate #conspiracy #franksinatra #angelalansbury #laurenceharvey #johnfrankenheimer #henrysilva #jonathandemme #richardcondon #ratpack
Looky looky at our black booky: this week Pop Screen is looking at an artefact of the utmost early '90sness, Vanilla Ice's first and only starring vehicle Cool As Ice. Deeply influenced by the teen rebel films of the 1950s and shot by Spielberg's future DoP Janusz Kaminski, these classy influences sit uncomfortably with a story in which Kristin Minter falls in love with the Iceman after he nearly gets her killed in a horse fall.
This week, first-time host Jeff joins us to unpick the layers of this profound work of cinema, including its unexpectedly Malick-influenced romantic montage, its puzzling attitude towards the conflict of witness protection, and the clash of tones which leads to cartoon sound effects being dubbed over Ice's big action hero moment. We also discuss Vanilla Ice's brief time in the spotlight and long career tail, including his many reality TV appearances and the remarkable speed with which his record company overhauled his image into something more pop-friendly. Stop, collaborate and listen to this podcast!
If you appreciate the fact that we'll voluntarily watch movies like this for your entertainment, you can show your love at our Patreon, where you'll also get an exclusive monthly bonus episode of this very show, as well as Graham's twice-weekly reviews of classic Doctor Who and our other movie podcast Directors Uncut. This week we're looking at Fellini, and any podcast network that can bring you Eight and a Half and Cool As Ice in the same week has to be worth your money. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
popscreen #moviereviews #coolasice #vanillaice #1990s #hiphop #davidkellogg #kristinminter #candyclark #michaelgross #naomicampbell #januszkaminski
Pop Screen is 50 episodes old! To celebrate, we've got Gav Smith from the My Favourite Film podcast back in to cover one of the big names (in terms of profile, if not in height) that we haven't covered so far - Prince, and his blockbuster first movie Purple Rain. Gav is a Prince superfan, Graham a Prince ignoramus - can he be converted?
More a vehicle for the extraordinary album accompanying it than a narrative movie, Purple Rain nevertheless maintains a cult following, thanks in part to encapsulating the fascinating contradictions that Prince embodied. He could be macho and androgynous, collaborative and singular, spiritual and pervy - all of these aspects of the man are discussed on this week's show, along with digressions about Tipper Gore, the rival band in School of Rock and Morris Day's superb chat-up lines.
Sadly, we don't have Morris's silver tongue, so we're going to ask you straight up - donate to our Patreon. (Why, what did you think we meant?) You'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show, unrestricted access to our other movie podcast Directors Uncut, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more information.
popscreen #moviereviews #purplerain #prince #princeandtherevolution #morrisday #morrisdayandthetime #musicals #apollonia
Pop Screen makes another foray into the documentary realm this week, with Aidan rejoining regular host Graham to look at Brett Morgen's Kurt Cobain documentary Montage of Heck. An ambitious film rooted as much in its subject's imagination as it is the facts of his life, it was highly acclaimed as a portrait of the late Kurt Cobain, even as its strict factual accuracy was debated.
As well as Morgen's film, we'll also be discussing Nirvana's legacy across the decades, and how Cobain and the wider grunge scene reacted to his sudden megastardom. There's also choice cuts about Cheap Trick and Eels, as well as the possible world-first of a nuanced perspective on Cobain's widow Courtney Love.
If you enjoyed this podcast and want to help us avoid selling out to The Man and accepting advertising, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get full access to our other podcast Directors Uncut, as well as an exclusive monthly episode of Pop Screen and written classic Doctor Who reviews from Graham. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, too.
popscreen #montageofheck #kurtcobain #brettmorgen #documentary #hbo #nirvana #grunge #courtneylove
A pop movie is normally a chance to consolidate, rather than destroy, an image, which is why the Monkees' sole trip in front of the camera is such a strange affair. Produced by BBS Productions at the same time as they were making Easy Rider - and with the Dennis Hopper cameo to prove it - 1968's Head is a freeform collection of surrealist sketches, musical numbers and anti-war agitprop, shot through with a viciously sarcastic take on the band's status as a consumer product and co-written by Jack Nicholson. Yes, that Jack Nicholson.
It flopped hard before accruing a devoted cult following, but as The Dreaming Machine's Joe and Graham discover on this week's show, it isn't all that different to the Monkees' extremely meta television series. Along with the events of a film its director Bob Rafelson described as "fifty movies in one", there are detours to discuss how and when "manufactured" became pop's gravest slur, the extraordinary career of choreographer Toni Basil, and the film production career of the late Mike Nesmith.
Pop Screen, like the Monkees, is a meaningless consumer product designed to distract the youth from what's really going on with the military-industrial complex, and if you want to help us do that you can donate to our Patreon, where backers will receive a monthly bonus episode, Graham's Doctor Who reviews, extended cuts of our other movie show Directors Uncut and lots of other goodies that aren't available anywhere else. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
popscreen #head #moviereview #themonkees #mikenesmith #bobrafelson #petertork #davyjones #mickeydolenz #vietnamwar #jacknicholson #frankzappa #tonibasil #dennishopper
After making one of the definitive rock biopics with Sid & Nancy, Alex Cox was hired to document The Pogues, Joe Strummer and Elvis Costello as they toured Nicaragua. When it was decided that sending a bunch of rock stars to tour a country which had recently been at war was a bad idea, Cox made Straight to Hell instead, a spaghetti Western parody with Strummer as the leader of a group of bank robbers whose attempted getaway lands them in a sinister town ruled by a coffee-addicted bandit gang played by the Pogues.
It sounds like... well, it sounds like something, god knows what, and this week Mark Cunliffe of We Are Cult joins Graham to pick over the aftermath. As well as the surpassingly silly film that resulted from all this chaos, there's also room to talk about the hard-drinking British character actor Dudley Sutton, Kathy Burke's position as Greatest Living Englishwoman, and the changing fortunes of British film magazines as measured through the quality of their classified ads.
If you want to help us feed our debilitating coffee addiction, you can donate to our Patreon, where tomorrow we'll be releasing an exclusive follow-up to this episode, with Mark returning to review Julien Temple's documentary Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan. Don't forget to follow us on social media too - we're on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
popscreen #moviereview #straighttohell #alexcox #joestrummer #spaghettiwestern #thepogues #shanemacgowan #kathyburke #edwardtudorpole #courtneylove #elviscostello #gracejones
Cum on Feel the Podcazt! This week Pop Screen celebrates the festive period with a band who, without a sleigh bell in earshot, conjure up the spirit of Christmas. It can only be Slade, who got debutant director Richard Loncraine to make their one and only feature film, the oft-mistitled (not least by us) Flame, in 1975. Despite being released at the height of their popularity, it wasn't a hit - so much so that Mick, this week's co-host, heard the album a ridiculous 46 years prior to actually sitting down and watching the film.
Flame, though, has found plenty of keepers since that initially unsuccessful release, not least Mark Kermode, who described it as "the Citizen Kane of rock musicals". On this episode of Pop Screen, we discuss all aspects of the film, including its position as yet another unexpectedly downbeat 1970s British rock movie, Slade's relationship to glam rock as a movement, the fact that this was very nearly going to be a spoof of a classic science fiction franchise, the multiple comebacks Slade enjoyed in the 1980s and 1990s, and which of Loncraine's later films would be improved by Noddy Holder.
It's hard to credit it, but a podcast which frequently wanders off topic to ponder the idea of Noddy Holder in Wimbledon doesn't always pull in the sponsorship money. That's why we need YOU to donate to our Patreon, where you'll get monthly bonus episodes of Pop Screen, early access to our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
popscreen #moviereviews #slade #noddyholder #davehill #flame #sladeinflame #richardloncraine #markkermode #donpowell #jimlea #tomconti #johnnyshannon #andrewbirkin
Pop Screen is going all topical this week, eschewing our usual cult classics and reviewing a film released this year - so be warned, there are spoilers! It's Annette, an extraordinary, divisive musical by extraordinary, divisive director Leos Carax, with a full original score by extraord... you get the picture, it's Sparks, the score is by Sparks.
Join Graham and Mark as they examine this surprisingly linear but deeply eccentric film from the director of Holy Motors. Among other issues, you'll hear about the time when Rihanna was going to be in this movie, the other Sparks movie of 2021, the Mael brothers' chances at the Oscars and the unexpected autobiographical elements that we also discussed when we last talked Carax. So - may we start?
If you don't want to see us reduced to managing a singing puppet baby in order to make ends meet, you can donate to our Patreon, where backers will get a monthly bonus episode of this very show, as well as our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews, and more. Don't forget to check out our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
popscreen #moviereviews #annette #leoscarax #musicals #adamdriver #marioncotillard #sparks #ronandrussellmael #maelbrothers
We hope all our American listeners had a happy Life Day recently - if not, let this week's Pop Screen put you in the party mood. In 1978, just one year after A New Hope was released, the stars of George Lucas's original blockbuster reconvened for a bizarrely misconceived variety show that's never been officially re-released. They were joined by guests including Art Carney, Jefferson Starship and Bea Arthur in an officially licensed production that nevertheless has the same relationship to the main Star Wars universe as one of those knock-off toys you get from a dodgy market called something like Space War: Return of the Empire.
In this week's Pop Screen, glutton for punishment Archaeon returns to discuss with Graham such pressing matters as Carrie Fisher's somewhat medicated performance, the origins of the special's inexplicable focus on unsubtitled Wookie grunting, the unexpected connection to legendary country singer Gillian Welch and the justly notorious scene where Diahann Carroll turns up to provide some of what Adam and Joe once called "family-friendly erotica". We also talk a bit about the last season of Taskmaster, because, eh, we've earned a reward.
Did you enjoy listening to us suffer? If so, you're in luck - this month's bonus episode for Patreon backers is about Cats! You can get that at our Patreon, along with our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's twice-weekly reviews of classic Doctor Who, and more. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up with the latest.
popscreen #moviereview #thestarwarsholidayspecial #starwars #carriefisher #georgelucas #harrisonford #markhamill #bobafett #chewbacca #artcarney #beaarthur #jeffersonstarship #harveykorman #diahanncarroll
Shahid Mohammed, cut it with precision: this week Pop Screen is going back to the Daisy Age of hip-hop with Michael Rapaport's documentary Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. Somewhat incredibly the first ever documentary about a hip-hop band, this warts-and-all look at Tribe's history annoyed Q-Tip by focusing on the tensions between him and the late Phife Dawg. But the film as a whole is fonder and more sensitive than Rapaport's career as a social media nuisance would have you believe.
This week, My Favourite Film's Gav Smith joins us for the first time to discuss Tribe's vast musical legacy, as well as the golden age of semi-legal sampling, the film's evocative portrait of East Coast hip-hop back when it was an underground scene, and Graham's slightly delusional belief that The Love Movement isn't that bad. There's also room for digressions on The Source magazine's fall from grace, Manic Street Preachers song titles and Spike Jonze's Beastie Boys documentary.
Podcasts to go: if you want more Pop Screen, our Patreon backers get a bonus episode every month. This month's launches tomorrow, and it's about Tom Hooper's Cats, so, y'know. You also get our other movie podcast Director's Lottery and Graham's twice-weekly classic Doctor Who reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out more.
atribecalledquest #popscreen #moviereviews #hip-hop #q-tip #beatsrhymesandlife #documentary #phifedawg #michaelrapaport
Pop Screen is back, back, back with Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan (x2) as Cult Following's Ewan Gleadow rejoins Graham to talk about I'm Not There, Todd Haynes's surreal anti-biopic with six different stars embodying different aspects of Dylan's persona. There's Cate Blanchett as the controversially-electrified superstar Dylan, Christian Bale as protest-singer Dylan, Richard Gere as enigmatic roots weirdo Dylan, as well as Heath Ledger, Marcus Carl Franklin and Ben Whishaw as the other Bobs Dylan.
Graham and Ewan's first task is to unpick all this madness, as well as discuss Dylanological topics such as whether the Christian rock years are underrated or not, and why you should never, ever call him the Voice of a Generation. Somehow we still find time for digressions on Haynes's career from Poison to Dark Water, the legacy of Mike Myers and controversial opinions about Paddington Bear. Admit it, you've missed this.
If you really have missed this, you can get more of it by donating to our Patreon, where you'll find a monthly bonus Pop Screen episode, Graham's classic Doctor Who reviews, our other movie podcast Director's Lottery and even more things that aren't available anywhere else. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as well.
popscreen #moviereview #imnotthere #toddhaynes #bobdylan #cateblanchett #benwhishaw #richardgere #marcuscarlfranklin #christianbale #heathledger #folkrock
Hey you! It's time for Pop Screen to tackle one of the earliest, most expensive and most flamboyant product of the 1980s crossover between music video and cinema: Pink Floyd - The Wall. Based closely on Roger Waters's semi-autobiographical songs, director Alan Parker and animator Gerald Scarfe produced an epic fantasy of isolation, trauma, totalitarianism and grief that caused no less a figure than Steven Spielberg to mutter "what the f*** was that?" at its Cannes premiere.
This week, we're bringing the boys back home as Graham and Aidan reconvene to tackle this iconic and iconoclastic work. Topics include the album's original reception, Pink Floyd's status in the post-punk era, the unexpected cameos in the 'Young Lust' scene and the influence of Syd Barrett on the film's central character Pink, played by Bob Geldof. If you listen all the way through, there's even a cliffhanger ending...
Pop Screen is taking a fortnight's break from free episodes, but you can catch our next Patreon exclusive episode by donating here. Backers also get access to our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, which just dropped an episode about Nicholas Meyer. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to find out when we're back, and what we'll be doing...
popscreen #moviereviews #pinkfloyd #thewall #rogerwaters #bobgeldof #geraldscarfe #alanparker #sydbarrett #conceptalbum #progrock
It's the most wonderful time of the year - Halloween, obviously - and Pop Screen is convening Graham, Rob and Mick to discuss one of the all-time great horror movies featuring a pop star - David Cronenberg's Videodrome, featuring Blondie's Debbie Harry as a media psychotherapist who discovers a conspiracy to use video signals to suppress the new flesh. And what is the new flesh? We've all watched this film more than once and we're still not sure.
It might want for a coherent narrative, but it's damn good at basically everything else - not least the gore, which practically requires us to sing the praises of the film's genius make-up designer Rick Baker. Listen to the show to find out how Baker became perhaps the only person to gross out David Cronenberg, as well as what our favourite Cronenberg movies are. We also find time to discuss the movie's censorship history, praise Debbie Harry's performance, and roast her character's frankly sub-par therapy skills.
If you want to help us build a Brian O'Blivion-scale podcast library, you can donate to our Patreon, where you get a monthly bonus episode of Pop Screen, access to our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews, and more. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more news.
popscreen #moviereviews #videodrome #deborahharry #blondie #horror #bodyhorror #davidcronenberg #jameswoods #rickbaker
Since its premiere at Chicago's Cinepocalypse festival, Glenn Danzig's directorial debut Verotika has gone down in legend. Not a good legend, but then as Countess Elizabeth Bathory would tell you not all legends are good. This week on Pop Screen, Ewan Gleadow from Cult Following rejoins us to discuss Danzig's three-part magnum opus, based on stories from his own Verotik comics imprint.
Along the way we discuss the first story's strange Los Francegeles setting, the challenges of writing Tales from the Crypt-style horror shorts, Danzig's comments at the film's premiere and the diminishing returns of Satanic shock tactics. We also discuss the real body horror that's just off-screen, namely whether Glenn Danzig can escape his fate of becoming more meme than man.
If you don't want to see us reduced to starring in Verotika 2 in order to pay the rent, you can donate to our Patreon, where you can get a monthly bonus episode of this show, exclusive access to our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews and more. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
popscreen #moviereviews #glenndanzig #verotika #horror #exploitation #horroranthology #talesfromthecrypt
Well, we're certainly not pro-bellum. This week Mick from Behold! pod joins us again to look at a film that seems to have everything going for it: a pair of hotly-tipped debuting directors, a provocative, mind-bending premise, and a quality cast. Even more promisingly, that quality cast is headed up by Janelle Monae, who Graham cites as the only musician capable of filling the void left by Prince and David Bowie.
And yet Antebellum received a tepid reaction on release, and Graham and Mick are here to figure out what went wrong. Among the suspects: its gorgeous but showy visual style, its absolute forehead-slapper of a twist and - the ultimate sin - not doing right by Janelle Monae, and what she means to the culture. Yet there's also room to talk about the film's positive elements, as well as an extended detour around the Wikipedia page for the short-lived 1970s band The Normal. For some reason.
We can't possibly segue from that, so let's cut to the chase: we've got a Patreon, and if you donate to that Patreon you get loads of stuff including a monthly bonus episode of this very podcast - this month's is about Bubba Ho-Tep - our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews, and more. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
popscreen #moviereviews #bushandrentz #janellemonae #horror #antebellum #jenamalone #gaboureysidibe
A trilogy of Black horror and science fiction tales, hosted by the disembodied floating head of funk legend George Clinton? It happened! Kicking off Pop Screen's Halloween month, Geek Show kingpin Rob joins us once again to look at one of the stranger products of HBO's post-Tales from the Crypt hunt for a new anthology series - Reginald D Hudlin's Cosmic Slop.
Quickly forgotten, it was edited into a three-part feature for the home video market, and was rediscovered in the run-up to Jordan Peele's Twilight Zone reboot. Rob and Graham discuss how Cosmic Slop matches up to more modern attempts at racial commentary in genre film, as well as the lost world of pre-Sopranos HBO, George Clinton's unforgettable - no matter how hard you try - role in Flying Lotus's film Kuso, the folk horror themes of the haunting middle section and the unexpected role the first story played in the 2012 American election. Thanks, Obama!
If you want to help us keep exploring films that are every bit as obscure and whacked as Cosmic Slop, you can donate to our Patreon, where you'll get a bonus episode of Pop Screen every month, access to our other, entirely Patreon-exclusive podcast Director's Lottery, two weekly Doctor Who reviews from Graham and more. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more news about what we're doing next.
popscreen #moviereview #cosmicslop #horror #sciencefiction #georgeclinton #reginaldhudlin #funk #funkadelic #anthologyfilm #hbo
This week, Pop Screen has been thinking about a line drawn in the sand: specifically, a line drawn between the reasonable criticisms of PJ Harvey's 2016 album The Hope Six Demolition Project, and the ones that took her to task for not working out a viable model for bringing stable democracy to Afghanistan. (Yes, really) 2019's Seamus Murphy-directed documentary A Dog Called Money reopened the controversies, and it is this film that Aidan and Graham have gathered to discuss this week.
On the way, we also consider the always-surprising career of Harvey, as well as our favourite albums by her. We talk about Hope Six's status as an album that feels eerily predictive of 2016's political turmoil, and the many bizarrely-titled offcuts from the record that appear in this film and nowhere else. It's the closest we've ever got to a polemic: we really love this album, we really love this film, we really love PJ Harvey and we're sure we can convert you too.
If we were a bit savvier, we'd expend all this persuasive power on getting you to donate to our Patreon, where you can get bonus episodes of Pop Screen, exclusive access to our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news!
popscreen #moviereviews #adogcalledmoney #pjharvey #thehopesixdemolitionproject #documentary #documentaryfilms #seamusmurphy #mercuryprize
Oi! I said oi! Pop Screen has its hardest-hitting episode this week - yes, perhaps even grittier than Spice World - with Ben "Plan B" Drew's directorial debut Ill Manors. A multi-stranded tale of drug-dealing, deprivation and all-round dodginess in Forest Gate, it has its roots in Drew's 2008 short film Michelle. On release, however, it became an unexpected talking point thanks to the then-recent English riots - enough of a hot-button release for the Observer to get Lethal Bizzle and Edwina Currie to share their thoughts on it, anyway.
Since then, the film has somewhat faded from view, which is why it's our pleasure to be joined by Cliff from the Devil Times Five horror podcast to make the case for it as a great movie. Along the way we consider the film's well-chosen cast, from rising stars like Riz Ahmed and Ed Skrein through non-professionals and even a cameo from John Cooper Clarke. Graham and Cliff also chat about their divergent thoughts on British kitchen sink cinema, the age at which it becomes impossible to tell what age someone is, and Cliff's very particular favourites list.
In these tough inner cities it can be hard to survive, which is why real Gs set up a Patreon where you can find exclusive bonus episodes of Pop Screen, Doctor Who reviews, our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, and more. Don't forget to review us wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for all the latest.
popscreen #moviereviews #illmanors #bendrew #planb #rizahmed #nathalieprass #edskrein #grime #johncooperclarke
Once a reviled commercial disaster, today David Lynch's Dune is... a tolerated commercial disaster? It has its fans, it has its naysayers, so before Denis Villeneuve launches his much-anticipated adaptation of (the first half of) Frank Herbert's novel Graham and Archaeon are convening to deliver the final verdict on a film Lynch hated so much he asked for the extended cut to be credited to "Judas Booth".
Topics include Dino de Laurentiis's surprisingly decent history shepherding art-house directors into big-budget genre pieces, the film's curious position in Lynch's directorial canon, the peculiar preponderance of pug dogs, casting comparisons between Lynch and Villeneuve's Dune, and Alejandro Jodorowsky's infamous 1970s attempt to get a movie version of Herbert's novel off the ground. And, because this is Pop Screen, we also talk Sting.
The podcast empires are now divided between rival royal dynasties, so if you want to help plucky young Fremen like us make a go of it you can donate to our Patreon, where you can find bonus Pop Screen episodes, our other movie podcast Directors' Lottery, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for the latest news, too.
popscreen #moviereviews #davidlynch #dune #frankherbert #denisvilleneuve #sting #kylemachlaclan #sciencefiction #dinodelaurentiis #virginiamadsen #patrickstewart #alejandrojodorowsky
Best remembered for containing Damon Albarn's one film acting performance, as wet-behind-the-ears aspiring gangster Jason, this week's Pop Screen argues that Antonia Bird's 1997 movie Face deserves more credit. A British gangster movie made in that brief moment before Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels inspired every screenwriter in the country to write a gangster movie, it's a brutal postmortem on eighteen years of Conservative government disguised as a brutal heist-gone-wrong thriller.
Those unexpected political grace notes - including an eyebrow-raising opening cameo! - are among the topics discussed by Mark and Graham in this episode, along with the film's savvy use of genre icon Ray Winstone, the rise and fall of the Blair-era London gangland thriller, and the baptism of fire Albarn received at the hands of Quadrophenia's Phil Davis. We also praise the late, much-missed Bird and her writer Ronan Bennett, and if that sounds like we've not left much room for discussion of Blur...
...well, you're right, but that's a fine reason to donate to our Patreon where we're about to release an exclusive episode about the band's 1993 documentary Starshaped. It's the latest in our monthly Pop Screen bonuses; we've also just put out an episode of our other exclusive podcast Director's Lottery about Robert Wise, covering his films The Day the Earth Stood Still and Odds Against Tomorrow. For more information about these and other exclusives, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
popscreen #moviereviews #face #antoniabird #gangsterfilms #raywinstone #blur #damonalbarn #robertcarlyle #lenaheadey #phildavis #ronanbennett
There's always been a steady stream of British acts trying to make it in America, but the American acts trying to make it over here are a more rarefied bunch. Along with Sparks, one of the few US artists to try their hand at the notably Brit-centric early '70s glam rock scene was Suzi Quatro, who arrived with an unforgettable image, a massive bass guitar and some songs you'll know even if you don't know her name.
She's still touring today, and Liam Firmager's documentary Suzi Q tracks her from the messy dissolution of her early band The Pleasure Seekers into the 21st century. Join Graham and Mick as they discuss this, as well as the film's many parallels with another documentary about a female solo artist we covered earlier in the year. We also reveal Suzi Quatro's family connection to one of Graham and Mick's favourite TV shows. It's not Doctor Who. Not this week, at least.
That said, if you want two in-depth Doctor Who reviews from Graham every week, you could always donate to our Patreon, where you also get a monthly bonus episode of this podcast, and exclusive access to our other movie podcast Directors Lottery. Find out more by following us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
moviereview #popscreen #suziq #suziquatro #documentary #liamfirmager #glamrock
We're doing a Madonna movie! No, come back! This week, Graham and Sarah go back to the Material Girl's breakthrough moment, when her Nile Rogers-produced sophomore album Like a Virgin proved she wasn't a fluke, and Desperately Seeking Susan became one of the top five highest grossing films of 1985. But don't think this is a safe choice for a young pop star: it's a screwball comedy, a tough genre to get right, by Susan Seidelman, a director with only one, punk-inflected, previous film. And wait until you find out what film inspired Seidelman...
It was, in short, a huge gamble that paid off. On this week's show, Graham and Sarah discuss the home-made appeal of Madonna's early image, and why the desperately sought Susan was a better fit for Madonna than most of her later roles. We also discuss her directorial effort W.E., an early indicator that Oscar Isaac's talent and charisma would strongly outpace his ability to choose a good script.
If you've recently received a windfall from going through the pockets of your dead gangster boyfriend, you might consider donating to our Patreon, where you can get access to a monthly bonus episode of Pop Screen, Graham's Doctor Who reviews, a whole exclusive movie podcast - Director's Lottery - and more. Stay tuned to our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to find out what we've got planned for the future!
popscreen #moviereview #desperatelyseekingsusan #madonna #rosannaarquette #johnturturro #giancarloesposito #susanseidelman
A biopic of Brian Wilson had been mooted ever since the late 1980s, but it wasn't until 2014 that Bill Pohlad's Love & Mercy was released, with its bold time-hopping structure that allowed both Paul Dano and John Cusack to play the Beach Boys' chief songwriter. The former played Wilson as he recorded Pet Sounds and his legendary unrealised Smile project, the latter played him as he struggled to escape the control of his abusive quack therapist Eugene Landy. It sounds a bit heavy - and it is - but the soundtrack is full of the most beautiful music ever made.
On this week's episode of Pop Screen, Graham is joined by fellow Beach Boys fan Ewan to discuss the film and its clutch of impressive performances, including Bill Camp, Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti as the monstrous Landy. We also discuss the strange circumstances which led to Pet Sounds becoming the definitive Beach Boys album despite having almost no band members play instruments on it, what the best Beach Boys song is, and why Graham's answer to that question is the correct one.
Over and over the crow cries uncover our Patreon, where you'll get a monthly bonus episode of this show - this month's involves Louis Theroux! - as well as access to our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to find out more about our new shows, videos and articles.
popscreen #moviereview #loveandmercy #thebeachboys #brianwilson #pauldano #billpohlad #johncusack #elizabethbanks #paulgiamatti #billcamp #biopic #petsounds
Could the King of Pop have become the King of Cinema? Not, perhaps, on the evidence of 1988's Moonwalker, a curious, personal but deeply overbudgeted melange of music videos, live performance, claymation and a bewildering plot-line where Jackson fights back against Joe Pesci's not exactly Scorsese-worthy drug dealer by turning into a car. Critics at the time found it bizarre, self-indulgent and incoherent, and while that's not exactly wrong, its frequent songs and dance routines do remind you what an extraordinary performer Jackson was.
This week on Pop Screen, lifelong MJ fan Archaeon joins us to discuss the album - Bad - that the film was designed to promote, argue that the Smooth Criminal video is a dark-horse candidate for Jackson's best ever, and try to work out what the hell Pesci's haircut is. Other topics of discussion include possible inspirations for Spike the Rabbit, the tragic history of the Noid, the very '80s child performances and the status of Pesci's character as a back-handed 'tribute' to Jackson's then-manager Frank DiLeo.
If this podcast gave you fever like you've never, ever known, you may be interested to know you can get a bonus episode every month by donating to our Patreon, which also gives you access to our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's Doctor Who reviews, and more. Check out our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for the latest news on what we've got coming up.
popscreen #moviereview #moonwalker #michaeljackson #joepesci #1980s #claymation #noid #smoothcriminal
The director of Deliverance made a film starring the Dave Clark Five? It happened! This week, We Are Cult's Mark Cunliffe rejoins the podcast to talk about John Boorman's very uncharacteristic debut Catch Us If You Can, starring Clark as a stuntman who goes on the run with Barbara Ferris's frustrated advertising spokeswoman. Made in the shadow of A Hard Day's Night, its unsettling satire on the PR industry and strikingly direct drug references make it a precursor to the more pessimistic counterculture cinema that would emerge later in the 1960s.
Aside from discussing this prescient, underseen gem, we also talk about the Dave Clark Five's music, and how they went from being rivals to the Beatles to their current place in the popular memory. There's also space to consider the great career of John Boorman, and recommend his excellent autobiography (which contains the best Lew Grade anecdote you'll ever hear). Other burning issues include the cross-generational appeal of Yootha Joyce, the problematic wigs of Boorman's latest film Queen & Country, and whether or not Ronald Lacey ever looked young.
If you enjoyed this podcast and don't want to see us reduced to advertising Ian Meat's wares, donate to our Patreon for a monthly bonus episode, a whole extra film podcast - Director's Lottery - and much more. Stay informed about what we're doing next by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
popscreen #moviereview #catchusifyoucan #daveclarkfive #1960s #yoothajoyce #ronaldlacey #johnboorman #roadmovies #rockandroll
There aren't many pop movies of the 2010s that won an Oscar, but then there aren't many pop movies as well-crafted and emotionally devastating as Asif Kapadia's 2015 documentary Amy. A bruising look at the rise and fall of Amy Winehouse told with intimate archive footage, it's both a celebration of a unique talent and an excoriation of the culture that led to her death.
On this week's Pop Screen, Aidan joins Graham to discuss who, if anyone, the villain of the movie is, what it says about 2000s Britain that it killed its one true pop icon, and who added those wretched synth strings to Take the Box. We also celebrate Winehouse's pointed, sometimes shocking lyrics and unmistakable voice, and pour cold water on the "27 Club" mythology - without noticing the episode number for this very show...
If you'd like to help us buy a better pair of glasses so we don't make this mistake again, you can donate to our Patreon where you get a whole bonus podcast - Director's Lottery - as well as exclusive Pop Screen episodes, Graham's Doctor Who reviews, and more. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find out the full details of what we're up to next.
popscreen #moviereviews #asifkapadia #amywinehouse #documentary #backtoblack #amy
The long-awaited biopic of Sir Elton Hercules John - wait, Hercules? Yes, Hercules - was always going to be a flamboyant affair, but no-one suspected it would be a full-scale, dancing-in-the-streets musical. Yet that is exactly what director Dexter Fletcher and screenwriter Lee Hall delivered in 2019's Rocketman. This week, the Ben, the Ben, the Ben is back to help Graham make sense of the extraordinary results.
Along the way, we discuss the many names attached to the lead role before Taron Egerton came along, the film's fought-for R rating - and its somewhat shorter Russian cut - and the best bits from Elton's riotous autobiography. We also talk about Fletcher's salvage job on a certain other 1970s rock biopic, and wonder relatedly if Bryan Singer has ever actually been on a film set.
If you want to help us afford electric boots and a mohair suit, you can donate to our Patreon, where backers will get a bonus episode every month, as well as access to our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and much more stuff that isn't available anywhere else. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram either.
popscreen #moviereview #rocketman #eltonjohn #taronegerton #dexterfletcher #jamiebell #brycedallashoward #biopics #lgbt #richardmadden #glamrock
Phyllida Lloyd's 2008 film Mamma Mia! was a box-office sensation - so why are we vaulting straight over it to review its 2018 sequel? A lot of reasons, as Mark and Graham discover on this week's episode of Pop Screen. Beginning with an absolutely gonzo rendition of When I Kissed the Teacher, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again takes plenty of big, weird chances, not least the decision to pattern its plot structure on The Godfather Part II.
This new ambition can only be ascribed to a change of writer and director, the latter post filled by Ol Parker, the former by Richard Curtis, who it would be fair to say Mark and Graham have priors with. We discuss how his sensibility gels with the Mamma Mia! cinematic universe, the way the film simultaneously celebrates and lampoons its predecessor, and the ever-vexed question of whether men can sing.
As well as running this podcast, we also run a struggling restaurant on an imaginary Greek island, so we'd appreciate your Patreon donations. It's not a one-way thing: you get plenty of exclusives including our other film podcast Director's Lottery, a monthly bonus Pop Screen episode, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, either.
popscreen #moviereviews #mammamia2 #mammamia #abba #lilyjames #cher #merylstreep #olparker #colinfirth #stellanskarsgard #richardcurtis #alexadavies #jeremyirvine #amandaseyfried #dominiccooper #juliewalters #alexadavies #christinebaranski #piercebrosnan #andygarcia #musicals #fernando?
Look at the film we're covering on this week's Pop Screen. Who can say it's not beautiful? That's right, this week Graham and Ewan are reviewing True Stories, the sole directorial credit for Talking Heads frontman David Byrne. A drily comic compilation of stories inspired by Byrne's love of local tabloids, it gave John Goodman an early starring role, it gave Thom Yorke a band name and it gave Warner Bros.' marketing department a headache as they struggled to sum it up in a trailer.
It's a strange movie, but fortunately God made some people who like it that way, and it's been a consistent cult favourite. Join us to discuss the film's unusually sweet-hearted view of the suburbs, what the film says about its director, the epic nerd feud between Errol Morris and Byrne, and why you shouldn't expect a seat at David Byrne's house. Some people say this movie is the cathedral of our time. Not me.
Shopping is a feeling, and if you've been looking around for the perfect Patreon to donate to, might we suggest ours? Backers get a monthly bonus episode of this very show, access to our other film podcast Directors' Lottery, Graham's weekly Doctor Who reviews, and more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more puzzlin' evidence of what we're doing next.
popscreen #moviereviews #davidbyrne #johngoodman #truestories #talkingheads #swooziekurtz #stephentoblowsky #spaldinggray
Christina Aguilera waited ten years to make her first film, and when she did the reviews suggested she could have waited a little longer. This week, Joe and Graham look at Burlesque, which pairs Christina with one of the most accomplished (Oscar-winning!) singers-turned-actors in history, Cher. It's a strange mix of let's-put-the-show-on-here cliches, Bob Fosse lifts and discussion of local zoning laws.
Yet it wasn't as big a flop as you might remember, and its soundtrack has a bizarrely prestigious list of songwriters. Join us as we discuss Ali, Christina's character, and her strange lack of motivation, Cher's changing feelings about the film, and - of course - the truly outrageous supporting role for Kristen Bell. Once you've heard the former Veronica Mars refer to Christina Aguilera as "a slut with mutant lungs", you'll never be the same again.
If you don't want to see us reduced to putting on burlesque shows to raise money for podcasts - seriously, you don't want to see that - donate to our Patreon, where you can get exclusive Pop Screen episodes, Doctor Who reviews, our other movie podcast Director's Lottery and more. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
popscreen #moviereviews #burlesque #christinaaguilera #cher #musicals #stanleytucci #kristenbell #alancumming
On paper, Light of Day has everything going for it. One of the first films Michael J Fox made after Back to the Future, it's a gritty tale of rock 'n' roll as a blue-collar pressure vent, aptly made by the director of Blue Collar, Paul Schrader. Its supporting cast has acting royalty in the form of Gena Rowlands, rock royalty in the form of Joan Jett, and a theme song by Bruce Springsteen.
And yet... after disappointing at the box office it disappeared so thoroughly it's never released an English-language DVD release. This week on Pop Screen, Archaeon joins Graham to discuss why the film didn't connect, whether it deserves better, and the small but enjoyable screen career of Joan Jett. We also talk about the very unexpected cameo from a future alternative rock icon and Oscar-winning composer, Springsteen's long and tangled history with the film, and those old butter adverts where a little animated man plays the trombone. If you can't see how the latter is connected to this film, I'm sorry, I just can't help you.
We like to blow off steam after a tough day at the factory with a roof-raising podcast session, and if you want to help us keep doing that you can donate to our Patreon. Backers get exclusive access to our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, a monthly bonus episode of Pop Screen, two weekly Doctor Who reviews, and anything else we might choose to announce on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
popscreen #moviereview #lightofday #joanjett #michaeljfox #paulschrader #brucespringsteen #genarowlands
Pop Screen takes its first dip into the flamboyant world of Japanese director Sion Sono with Tokyo Tribe. Adapting a manga by Santa Inoue, Sono takes the characteristically weird decision to tell it in the form of a hip-hop opera, with dialogue rapped by a mixture of actors and real Japanese rappers like Young Dais. It works better than it sounds, and Geek Show head honcho Rob Simpson is here to guide Sono newbie Graham through its neon-lit wastelands.
Along the way we discuss Riki Takeuchi's colossal performance as gang boss Buppa, Sono's involvement in Nikkatsu's "pinku eiga" revival, the scene-stealing appearances by a DJing grandma, and so much more. We also wonder if we live, despite all appearances, in a golden age of maverick film-makers, and look forward to Sono's English-language debut with Nicolas Cage in Prisoners of the Ghostland.
Pop Screen makes most of its money from the murder business and deals with corrupt politicians, but if you'd like to top us up we've got a Patreon which offers bonus episodes of Pop Screen, a whole exclusive movie podcast, Doctor Who reviews and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
popscreen #moviereview #sionsono #tokyotribe #manga #musical #rikitakeuchi #rap #oldschoolhiphop #youngdais
The prospect of a Frank Zappa episode of Pop Screen is likely to get you either cheering or groaning, which is of course why we're doing it. This week, confirmed Zappa obsessive Aidan Fatkin joins regular host and Zappa dunce Graham to talk him through the jazz-rock-classical-comedy titan's career - his epic discography, exhaustive production techniques, ribald wit and many, many, seriously many battles with the forces of censorship.
We're also here, of course, to talk about his 1971 film 200 Motels, a plotless mix of skits, musical performances, animation that might be too weird for cult status. Full of sex, lies and videotape - hey, that's a catchy title! - it can be hard work but, like Zappa himself, it's a true one-off. We discuss the career of co-director Tony Palmer and his influence on rock-doc history, as well as Keith Moon playing a sexy nun, a bizarre misunderstanding over the word "pad" and Danny Baker for some reason.
If you want to keep this podcast Absolutely Free from advertising, why not donate to our Patreon? Backers will get a monthly bonus episode of Pop Screen, as well as our other movie podcast Directors' Lottery and Graham's twice-weekly Doctor Who reviews. Follow us at Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more news.
popscreen #moviereview #200motels #frankzappa #ringostarr #keithmoon #tonypalmer #mothersofinvention
Today we know Morrissey as a character on The Simpsons, but are you aware he also taught Villanelle how to do local government admin? This is just one of the revelations in Mark Gill's 2017 film England is Mine, a film about Morrissey's early life starring Jack Lowden as the indie icon-in-the-making. Released just as Morrissey exhausted the patience of his remaining fanbase by threatening to sue Der Spiegel for accurately reporting his terrible opinions, it vanished quickly - but did it deserve better?
This week, Mick Snowden of Behold! podcast joins Graham to mull that question over. They also discuss their shared love of The Smiths, including the evergreen hobby of picking out the references to old films and girl-group hits the band's lyrics and record sleeves are studded with, and share theories about why Morrissey's official Facebook page is so very, very strange.
"I've never had a job/ Because I'm too shy", and if you want to help me maintain this unsupportable lifestyle you can donate to The Geek Show's Patreon, where you'll find exclusive bonus episodes of Pop Screen, our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, the best damn Doctor Who reviews on the internet and more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to hear about what we've got coming up next.
popscreen #moviereview #englandismine #morrissey #thesmiths #jacklowden #markgill #jodiecomer #jessicabrownfindlay #johnnymarr #biopic #lindersterling
It's the film that's so punk, it annoyed even the punks - Derek Jarman's Jubilee, with its motley cast including Toyah Wilcox, Rocky Horror legend Richard O'Brien, a pre-fame Adam Ant and at least one former tightrope walker, is our subject of discussion this week. Join We Are Cult's Mark Cunliffe and regular host Graham Williamson as they discuss Jarman's influence as a film-maker, a gay rights advocate and even a gardener, as well as the film's fascinated yet critical overview of Britain's first wave of punk.
There's also room to consider the divergent careers of the film's stars, from the hugely influential original punk scene kid Pamela "Jordan" Rooke to Ian Charleson and Karl Howman: incestuous brothers in Jubilee, but the actors went on to have very different later careers. We also talk about punk's questionable, semi-ironic use of fascist and serial killer iconography, as well as the vexed question of why the British scene burned out so quickly - albeit leaving some tremendous music.
Obviously money is a deeply un-punk statist control system created by the Man to keep us down, but we still need it. If you donate to our Patreon you can get a monthly Pop Screen bonus episode, as well as access to our other film podcast Directors Lottery and Graham's classic Doctor Who reviews. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with everything we've got coming in the future!
popscreen #moviereviews #derekjarman #jubilee #timetravel #punk #1970s #pamelarooke #adamant #toyahwilcox #iancharleson #johndee
It would be fair to say that Battleship, Peter Berg's $250 million dollar Hasbro adaptation, does not arrive with the greatest of advance press. And yet, on this week's Pop Screen, our hosts are still astonished at how much goes wrong. Join Graham and Andrew (from Behold! podcast) as we anatomise the film's scanty, mostly burrito-focused characterisation, its unfortunate obsession with the acronym "RIMPAC", its unexpectedly cute alien baddies and its truly beyond-parody choice of end credits song.
But because this is Pop Screen, we talk about more than the movie. This was an inauspicious screen debut for Rihanna, so we also take some time to discuss the Barbadian R&B superstar's ability to expertly ride the wave of cultural changes, as well as her little-heralded role in putting British indie-pop out of its misery. We also wonder what she's been doing since the release of her last album in 2016, and discover a new way in which that infamous year is cursed.
Rihanna can afford to sit around posting on Instagram for five years, but we can't, which is why we genuinely appreciate your support on our Patreon. We also reciprocate your pecuniary affections with exclusive Pop Screen episodes, exclusive access to our other film podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and more. Check Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more.
popscreen #moviereview #battleship #rihanna #peterberg #liamneeson #action #sciencefiction #alexanderskarsgard
Brian De Palma is not a name commonly associated with campy rock-opera frivolity, but his 1974 film Phantom of the Paradise is closer to Rocky Horror territory than you'd expect from the Carrie auteur. A gonzo melange of Gaston le Roux, the Faust myth and the 1970s music scene before it figured out how to be cool, it's like nothing else you've ever seen before, and this week Graham joins his Directors' Lottery colleague Rob Simpson to figure it all out.
Along the way, we discuss De Palma's career, its roots in experimental hippie-era satire and its many highs and lows. We also discuss Noah Baumbach and Jake Paltrow's 2015 documentary about the director, and how it affected our understanding of this film. There's also room for some consideration of the film's star, singer-songwriter Paul Williams, a delightful anecdote about a young Guillermo del Toro and a quiz about the many, many lawsuits this film unexpectedly faced.
If you don't want to see us reduced signing our life's work away in blood to make money, you can donate to our Patreon. Donors will get exclusive access to bonus episodes of Pop Screen, Graham's Doctor Who reviews and the aforementioned Director's Lottery. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and leave a review on iTunes if you enjoyed this show.
popscreen #moviereviews #phantomoftheparadise #briandepalma #phantomoftheopera #faust #musicals #jessicaharper #1970s #paulwilliams
Before we find out if Chadwick Boseman is going to win a posthumous Oscar for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, let's take a look back at Get On Up, his previous brush with the Academy's sweet tooth for musical biopics. Widely predicted to be a frontrunner in the 2015 Oscar race, the Mick Jagger-produced biopic of James Brown walked away empty-handed. It would be one thing if it was a competitive year, but this was the year when the big winner was The Revenant, so, y'know.
What went wrong? Well, as Ben and Graham discover on this week's episode, it certainly isn't any fault of Boseman's. They anatomise his remarkable performance as the Godfather of Soul, and examine the themes and strengths that run through the actor's tragically short career. There's also room for discussion of James Brown's turbulent life, ranging from his legendary work ethic to his infamously contradictory political stances, as well as his monumental influence on hip-hop.
Showbusiness is a fickle mistress prone to wild mood swings, so if you want our eventual biopic (it's coming, right?) to be a bit more harmonious than this you can donate to our Patreon and get loads of goodies like our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, Graham's Doctor Who reviews, a monthly bonus episode of this show and more. Don't forget to follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook too.
popscreen #moviereview #getonup #funk #jamesbrown #chadwickboseman #tatetaylor #biopic #oscars #maraineysblackbottom #danaykroyd #octaviaspencer #violadavis
Pop Screen roars back, like an army of mods on scooters, with Quadrophenia. One of the definitive British cult movies, a peerless translation of an ambitious concept album and a loving tribute to a scene that, in its era, was so dangerous that the term "moral panic" was coined to describe the press reaction. It's the film that made Brighton rock.
But even this is selling Frank Roddam's film short, as Mick and Graham discover. It worked in the 1970s because it tapped into the disaffection and rage of late '70s Britain, it worked in the 1990s as part of the mass Sixties revival of Britpop, and it works now because - hey! - it's a good film, got some good tunes in it and that. All of these topics will be discussed, as well as Roddam's links to everything from one of Hollywood's legendary unproduced screenplays to Masterchef, the film's early roles for Sting, Ray Winstone and Timothy Spall, and the bit-part actor whose name had to be redacted from a song by Iggy Pop.
Want to support this non-stop flow of solid gold trivia? You can donate to our Patreon and get an exclusive bonus episode every month, as well as our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, our Doctor Who reviews and more. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to keep up with what we've got coming up!
popscreen #moviereviews #quadrophenia #thewho #mod #phildaniels #petetownsend #rogerdaltrey #keithmoon #leslieash #raywinstone #frankroddam #timothyspall #johnentwhistle #sting
What better time for a mockumentary than April Fools Day? The history of music industry mockery is long and storied, but Graham, Sarah and Mark went for a recent example - Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, a note-perfect spoof of the early 2010s style of pop-promo documentary. A flop on its initial release in 2016, time has shown that ever since this film was born, it was dope.
Join our trio of reviewers as we consider the career of The Lonely Island, the comedy hip-hop trio who created and star in the film, as well as the real-life inspirations behind some of the film's funniest jokes, how its cavalcade of cameos - everyone from Nas to Mariah Carey to Ringo Starr - matches up to real-life music documentaries, and the reasons why this film couldn't beat out the Ninja Turtles at the US box office. We also have a dramatic reading of the press release for Justin Bieber's new album, which could be taken straight from Conner4Real's dialogue.
If you want to help us earn Patrick Stewart money, you can donate to our Patreon. In return, you'll get a monthly bonus episode of Pop Screen - there's one about the Style Council out tomorrow! - as well as our other movie podcast Director's Lottery, weekly Doctor Who reviews and lots of other bonus content. Also follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
popscreen #moviereview #mockumentary #thelonelyisland #popstarneverstopneverstopping #andysamberg #saturdaynightlive
Pop Screen continues its dive into the strangest products of the 1980s trend towards long-form music videos with a lost gem of British pop surrealism - Jack Bond's It Couldn't Happen Here, starring the Pet Shop Boys. Arguably the first stumble in the relentless upwards trajectory PSB were enjoying, it's been disowned by the band and archly reappraised by Bond as "the first post-Brexit movie".
After joining Graham to review Spice World in Episode 2, Ewan Gleadow makes his Pop Screen return for this utterly befuddling film, which sees Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe embarking on an epic road trip involving existentialist ventriloquist dummies, burning men walking calmly through Kings Cross and Barbara Windsor. We also discuss the label of "irony" that hung around the band's necks for much of their early careers, their unfortunate habit of releasing anti-consumerist songs whose messages went over the heads of Thatcher's Britain, and the vexed question of what the best Pet Shop Boys album is.
If you want to help us make lots of money, but in an ironic way obviously, you can donate to our Patreon - backers get exclusive access to our other movie podcast Director's Lottery and a bonus Pop Screen episode every month. For more news about upcoming shows, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
popscreen #moviereviews #petshopboys #itcouldnthappenhere #bfi #jackbond #neiltennant #chrislowe #barbarawindsor #garethhunt
We have taken out our Invisalign, and this is the podcast: Mick Snowden of Behold! rejoins Pop Screen to review Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry. It's basically a piece of embedded journalism from the household of a very 21st-century pop star, from the day she first uploaded 'Ocean Eyes' to being tapped to write a Bond theme at the age of eighteen.
Along the way, Graham and Mick will debate whether 140 minutes is the right length of time to document a career that's still only one album long, as well as pondering the mysterious name of Billie's no-mark boyfriend "Q", appreciating the convenience of having a mother who doubles as a masseuse, sharing a personal anecdote about a Radio 2 DJ and delineating the difference between a guy who has a car and a Car Guy.
Alas, we have yet to achieve the level of success that might make Katy Perry pay attention to us, but if you want to help us get there you can donate to our Patreon and get yourself an exclusive bonus episode every month. You can also keep up to date on our plans for our future (can't wait to meet her!) on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
theworldsalittleblurry #popscreen #moviereviews #billieeilish #jamesbond #documentary #appletv #oceaneyes
This week, Mark Harrison from Film Stories and VODzilla returns to the podcast to talk all things Josie and the Pussycats! Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont's Archie Comics-derived spoof was received poorly on its initial release - yikes - twenty years ago, but with Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina revitalising the source material and Framing Britney Spears turning the world's eyes back to the turn-of-the-millennium celebrity landscape, there's no better time to reconsider its beguiling mix of vicious industry satire and affectionate character comedy.
Under consideration: the film's totally jerkin' soundtrack, the divergent future careers of the film's central trio of Rachel Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson and Tara Reid, the many reasons why it might have failed at the box office - including a Simpsons episode that coincidentally pre-empted one of its central gags - and the link between this film and Salman Rushdie that you never knew existed.
In the spirit of this film's infamously blunt product placement, we're not hiding the fact that we're begging for money at Patreon - though we do give you plenty in return, including a monthly newsletter, a bonus Pop Screen episode and a whole exclusive extra podcast. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, too.
josieandthepussycats #riverdale #archiecomics #popscreen #moviereviews #cultfilm #tarareid #framingbritneyspears #rachelleighcook #rosariodawson #alancumming #parkerposey
It is the future. 2009. A CGI Anthony Hopkins wants Emilio Estevez's body, but not in a sex way. Which badass bounty hunter does he dispatch to bring Estevez for processing in the - I swear to god, this is what it's called - "lobotomizer"? Why, Mick Jagger, of course. That's the set-up for Freejack, which despite a generous budget and a skilled production team went straight to VHS in the UK. One disappointed Blockbusters patron was Archaeon, aka Prob, who joins Graham to discuss the film this week.
We assess its many bizarre creative decisions, such as the emphasis on dune buggies as a futuristic mode of transport, the outrageous cameo from Amanda Plummer, and Jagger's singularly unthreatening henchman. We also reveal which 1980s masterpiece Jagger was almost cast in, and talk about that Dutch cartoon show about the man with the very long willy. We're not quite sure how we got onto that last one, but it's in there.
If you don't want to see us reduced to renting our bodies to computer-generated Welsh acting legends, donate to our Patreon and get a monthly bonus episode, as well as our other movie podcast Director's Lottery (this month: John Waters). Also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest.
popscreen #moviereviews #freejack #sciencefiction #mickjagger #anthonyhopkins #emilioestevez #renerusso #rollingstones #amandaplummer #newyorkdolls
The title is Buddy Holly, the star is David Essex, and the mood is pure Edward Heath. Claude Whatham's 1973 coming-of-age film might be set in the 1950s but it's really an artefact of Britain's long post-60s comedown, bleak, pessimistic and extremely brown. Remarkably, this tale of a wannabe rock star shrugging and screwing his way through a drizzly holiday camp made Essex a teen idol, and it has a slew of '50s and '60s stars supporting him: Keith Moon, Billy Fury and, as his sleazy mentor, no less a figure than Ringo Starr.
In this week's Pop Screen, Graham and Mark discuss the oft-underrated acting talents of the one-time Richard Starkey, as well as all the other issues the film brings up: the surprisingly durable stage and screen career of David Essex, the round of musical chairs that led to this being directed by the rock-sceptic Whatham, and the film's connections to the life of John Lennon. About the only thing we don't cover is the sequel, Stardust, because...
...that's our Patreon exclusive for next month, so if you want to be listening to that next week you know where to go. To stay informed about other forthcoming episodes, don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
popscreen #moviereviews #thatllbetheday #davidessex #ringostarr #billyfury #keithmoon #johnlennon #davidputtnam #1950s #stardust
This week's episode of Pop Screen is about Lorene Scafaria's Hustlers, a film whose tonal balancing act is as precarious as Jennifer Lopez's gravity-defying pole dance. A feminist movie set at a strip club, a warm-hearted caper comedy about sexual exploitation and the credit crunch, a serious crime drama with a festival's worth of pop star cameos... can anyone pull this risky job off?
Join Graham and Sarah as they discuss the film's complex feminist credentials, the musical careers of Lopez, Lizzo and Cardi B, and Scafaria's status as a potential queen of the rom-com in a Hollywood age that doesn't care for them. We also do a quiz based on Jennifer Lopez's infamous 1998 Moveline interview, so it's not all heavyweight discussion.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to help us get that schmoney, you can donate to our Patreon and get an exclusive episode every month, as well as other rewards from other Geek Show podcasts. You can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
hustlers #popscreen #moviereview #lorenescafaria #jenniferlopez #constancewu #cardib #lizzo #juliastiles #kekepalmer #lilireinhart
This week's Pop Screen is about Silibil & Brains - and if your reaction was "Who the hell are Silibil & Brains"?, allow Jeanie Finlay's fascinating 2013 documentary The Great Hip Hop Hoax to explain. Finding themselves shut out of the rap industry for their Dundee origins, they decided to pretend they were from California. Ridiculously enough, it worked, and they were groomed for stardom until, inevitably, things started to unravel.
This week's guest host is Andrew Young from Behold! podcast, helping Graham to unpick the intricacies of a story that has so much to say about the music world's quest for marketable authenticity at the expense of actual truth, as well as a time capsule of the post-Eminem early 2000s pop landscape. It is also a story that is really, really dumb.
If you don't want to see us reduced to pretending to be American in order to survive, you can become one of The Geek Show's Patreon backers, where the goodies include a monthly extra episode of Pop Screen that isn't available anywhere else. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, too.
popscreen #moviereviews #documentaryreviews #thegreathiphophoax #jeaniefinlay #hiphop #eminem
Absolute Beginners! If you were part of the British film scene in the mid-80s, you knew it as the coolest project in development: a lavish, experimental musical from punk director Julien Temple, adapted from Colin MacInnes's cult novel, with a cast including Patsy Kensit, Sade, Edward Tudor-Pole, Bruno from Strictly and - standing atop the film as though it were a giant globe - David Bowie.
Then the film came out, and nobody went to see it. A film made in the 80s about the 50s with stars from all decades, it confused people at the time, but has since amassed a noteworthy cult following. This week on Pop Screen, Graham and Mick reassess Temple's epic folly, asking: is it that bad? Which of its stars escape with their dignity intact? And have you, or anyone else you know, ever had it blue?
Sadly, the days when creative young men could live in a squat with a troupe of tap-dancing jazzbos has passed. Today, you need money to survive, and if you give a little to our Patreon you get a lot, including one exclusive Pop Screen episode per month. Don't forget to subscribe to our Facebook and Twitter as well!
popscreen #moviereview #absolutebeginners #julientemple #davidbowie #patsykensit #sade #stylecouncil #edwardtudorpole #musicals #jazz #raydavies #britishfilm
Strap in and get ready for a wild ride, because this week on Pop Screen Graham and Mark are explaining Holy Motors. No false advertising, no ironic trickery - we guarantee that a viable interpretation of Leos Carax's infamous 2012 head-scrambler will be posited as we travel through each of the bizarre tasks imposed upon M. Oscar (a truly phenomenal Denis Lavant).
And where does all that leave us? It leaves us with a heartfelt appreciation of the life and screen career of Kylie Minogue, as it should do. Come for the impenetrable arthouse, stay for the mainstream pop! Yes, this would probably have been more commercial if we did it the other way round.
If you appreciate this undertaking and don't want to see us reduced to miming sex with a CGI dragon in order to survive, please donate to our Patreon where - among other goodies - you can get an exclusive Pop Screen episode every month. For more news on what we're doing, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
holymotors #popscreen #moviereviews #leoscarax #kylieminogue #edithscob #denislavant #surrealism
Love knows no boundaries, nor does rock, and nor does Pop Screen, which journeys outside of Britain for the first time to look at Wild Zero, a delirious horror-comedy-musical road movie starring the uncompromisingly rock-oriented band Guitar Wolf. Join Graham and Rob as they try and piece together what they've just seen, a journey which involves tighty-whities, UFOs, gender identity and Link Wray's 'Rumble'. Somehow they also find the room for digressions on Adam Buxton, the beauty of Bandcamp, video nasty collectors and so much more.
Rock 'n' roll will never die, and neither will The Geek Show if you contribute to our upkeep over on Patreon. You get some treats for your money too, not least a whole monthly episode of this show that isn't available anywhere else.
popscreen #moviereviews #wildzero #guitarwolf #zombies #rockabilly #japan #musicals #adambuxton #sciencefiction
That's right, it's the Spice Girls! And they're dressed as each other! Isn't it a howl? If you do not, in fact, think it's a howl, their film Spice World might be a bit of a slog - yet despite near-universal disdain from critics it remains the all-time highest-grossing movie starring a pop band. In episode two of Pop Screen, Graham and Ewan pick their way through the film's minefield of skits, celebrity cameos and quickly-abandoned subplots. They also re-examine the film as part of its cultural moment, which means considering everything from the decline of Britpop to the out-takes from a Polaroid commercial, and ask: what is the legacy of the Spice Girls?
Most dieticians agree that the best way to spice up your life is to donate to our Patreon, where you can get an extra episode of this show every month, among other goodies. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest news about upcoming episodes, too.
spiceworld #thespicegirls #popscreen #gerihorner #melb #melc #emmabunton #victoriabeckham #moviereview
The Geek Show's new podcast about pop stars in the movies couldn't start with any other film. It's 1964, the Beatles are running away from a mob of schoolgirls, and Richard Lester is about to reinvent the rock and roll movie with A Hard Day's Night. But how did this landmark in both musical and cinematic history come to be? Join Graham and Joe for a tale involving The Goon Show, banned documentaries, working-class playwrights and a serious loophole in the Beatles' EMI contract, all somehow adding up to pop movie gold.
If you dig what you hear, why not leave a review on your podcast provider of choice to help us get some crowds of screaming fans? Or donate to our Patreon and get exclusive content, including an extra monthly episode of Pop Screen that isn't available anywhere else?
popscreen #moviereviews #thebeatles #johnlennon #paulmccartney #ringostarr #georgeharrison #aharddaysnight #richardlester #1960s #merseybeat
Tomorrow sees the launch of The Geek Show's new podcast Pop Screen. But what is a Pop Screen, and why should I listen? Not to worry, here's Graham with a quick explainer.
It's time for our Halloween special, and it's a very special Halloween special this year. Not only is it our last episode, but we're reviewing our favourite horror movies! First up, Mick nearly breaks the purpose of the show by questioning whether The Wicker Man is a horror movie or not. Then Tim brings a late-period Hammer classic out of its sarcophagus with Blood From the Mummy's Tomb. In the second half of the show, Rob opens the book on Jennifer Kent's queer cinema milestone The Babadook, and finally Graham risks the wrath of Stephen King with Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. What better companion to a quiet five months in?
Not that we plan to be gone for that long. Cinema Eclectica may be over, but we've got two - two! - new movie podcasts coming your way in 2021. Thanks so much for all your listens, shares, reviews, Question of the Week answers and so much more over the last five years, and come January we're looking forward to seeing you all again!
If you want to help us make the big changes we're currently working on, our Patreon is here. Don't forget to check in at the main site for exclusive reviews, and we'll see you in 2021!
cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #halloween #horror #thewickerman #edwardwoodward #robinhardy #christopherlee #folkhorror #britishhorror #hammerstudios #bloodfromthemummystomb #valerieleon #bramstoker #thebabadook #essiedavis #jenniferkent #theshining #jacknicholson #stanleykubrick #stephenking #shelleyduvall
Our last Director's Lottery* sees us tackle one of Graham's beloved Czechoslovak New Wave directors - Juraj Herz, the thrilling maniac behind The Cremator. We chose his 1972 Gothic fantasy Morgiana, which is less viciously political than his best-known film but equally mad, and equally replete with fish-eye lenses.
In Off the Shelf, Rob reviews Mafia Inc., a French-Canadian gangland epic by Podz. That's it, just Podz. We're perplexed too. There's also a review from Graham about Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful, documenting the controversial career of the German fashion photographer and containing the best Grace Jones interview since, well, probably since whatever the last one was. Also Rob has enjoyed a VoD horror movie, so don't let this historic event pass you by!
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.www.thegeekshow.co.uk
*for now - listen to the show for exciting news...
cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #mafiainc #morgiana #jurajherz #slovakianfilm #gothichorror #fantasy #cats #podz #helmutnewton #helmutnewtonthebadandthebeautiful #documentary #photography #fashion #gracejones #isabellarossellini
We've got a big announcement about our Director's Lottery feature this week, but for now we're rolling as usual. Last week's pick was Kinji Fukasaku, and from his ridiculously prolific career we picked Yakuza Papers vol 2: Hiroshima Death Match. If you think that's a full-on title, wait til you see the relentlessly action-packed film.
Off the Shelf sees Graham review Mubi's latest theatrical and streaming release, Malgorzata Szumowska's atmospheric cult-themed chiller The Other Lamb. For an altogether more, uh, full-bodied horror experience Studio Canal have reissued 1960's Circus of Horrors on Blu-Ray. Mick takes a look at that, and we end by finding the connection between Carl Th. Dreyer and Hammer Studios. Because of course we do.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.www.thegeekshow.co.uk
cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #battleswithouthonourandhumanity #kinjifukasaku #yakuza #meikokeji #hiroshimadeathmatch #deadlybattleinhiroshima #yakuzapapers #theotherlamb #mubi #streaming #malgorzataszumowka #raffeycassidy #michielhuisman #denisegough #circusofhorrors #antondiffring #horrormovies #studiocanal
Graham and Rob hit the road in a stolen car - figuratively, in case our mums are listening to this - to review Sam Peckinpah's 1970s crime classic The Getaway. Starring Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw, written by Walter Hill and Jim Thompson, and with didgeridoos by Quincy Jones, it's got a hell of a pedigree.
At the notably less scuzzy end of cinema, Graham reviews the inspirational activist biopic Miss Virginia, with Uzo Aduba, and we discuss historical periods and events we'd like to see more movies about. Pop Screen is coming in 2021, but Cinema Eclectica isn't going quietly - the next two Director's Lotteries have been picked, and they're amazing! Listen to find out more...
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.www.thegeekshow.co.uk
cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #thegetaway #sampeckinpah #alimacgraw #stevemcqueen #jimthompson #walterhill #uzoaduba #missvirginia #matthewmodine
This week, Mark, Rob and Graham travel back in time to ask you what films from the 80s and 90s you want to see sequels to. Since Graham normally wields a furious banhammer over any 80s nostalgia, this can only mean one thing: it's Bill and Ted Face the Music! Keanu's back, Alex is back - but should you go back?
Off the Shelf has a packed week, with Second Run's new Blu-Ray of experimental Palestinian documentary Ghost Hunting surveilled by Rob. Pausing only to insult The Devil All the Time, Mark then checks out Enola Holmes. It's a Netflix YA Millie Bobby Brown vehicle that brings Fleabag energy to Sherlock. Imagine saying that sentence to someone ten years ago, they wouldn't have a clue what you were banging on about.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.www.thegeekshow.co.uk
cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #billandtedfacethemusic #billandted #keanureeves #alexwinter #kristenschaal #samaraweaving #brigettelundypaine #ghosthunting #documentary #raedandoni #secondrun #timetravel #thedevilallthetime #enolaholmes #antoniocampo #tomholland #nostalgia #sherlockholmes #henrycavill #netflix #milliebobbybrown #samclaflin
Which movie would you put in a space capsule for aliens to watch? That's the question we've put to you this week - knowing that, for a lot of people, it would be our Film of the Week. A thematically appropriate one, too, since John Ford's Stagecoach is more than accustomed to travelling across vast, hostile territory. The film that made John Wayne a star and birthed every Western cliche ever, how well does it hold up?
In Off the Shelf, Graham takes a look at a new Blu-Ray from Eureka Masters of Cinema - Fruit Chan's Made in Hong Kong. A low-key take of aspiring neighbourhood criminals, it was the first film made in post-British-colony Hong Kong, and boy is it ever an interesting time to talk about that. Join us next week when - we can now confirm - our Film of the Week will be Bill and Ted Face the Music! Probably!
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.www.thegeekshow.co.uk
cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #johnford #stagecoach #westerns #johnwayne #eurekamastersofcinema #fruitchan #madeinhongkong #crimemovies #hongkong
Settle in for your next long, long car drive with Cinema Eclectica! This week, Rob and Graham are reviewing Charlie Kaufman's Netflix original, I'm Thinking of Ending Things. Opening up questions like "What is the nature of time?", "Are any of us truly unique?" and "What's with the pig anyway?", it gives us plenty to chew over.
Our increasingly inappropriately named Off the Shelf section sees us make two trips to the cinema, as Rob checks out the 25th anniversary of Matthieu Kassovitz's French gangland classic La Haine. A film that merely feels like it was made 25 years ago, meanwhile, is The New Mutants, the intended trilogy opener that instead marks the end of Fox's X-Men series. We've got Mick and Andrew in from our sister show 4Panel to look at that one.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.www.thegeekshow.co.uk
cinemaeclectica #filmreviews #imthinkingofendingthings #charliekaufman #netflix #jessiebuckley #jesseplemons #tonicollette #davidthewlis #matthieukassovitz #lahaine #vincentcassell #saidtaghmaoui #x-men #thenewmutants #joshboone #superhero #marvel #masiewilliams #anyataylorjoy #alicebraga
Wind up the music box and make sure you're camping on a reputable campsite, Cinema Eclectica is reviewing Johannes Nyholm's time-loop horror Koko-Di Koko-Da this week. A festival favourite that's proved more divisive among - is it insulting to say normal people? Probably - normal people, what do Graham and Rob make of it?
Off the Shelf sees Rob open another puzzle box, this time Second Run's new Blu-Ray Vitalina Varela. The latest from Portuguese auteur Pedro Costa, he finds it a forbidding place to start. It's no wonder we had confusion all up in our minds this week, a feeling we exorcised with a Question of the Week that asked what movies baffled you the most.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.www.thegeekshow.co.uk
cinemaeclectica #koko-di-koko-da #johannesnyholm #horror #vitalinavarela #secondrun #pedrocosta
Cinema Eclectica is a little different this week - and it's not just because we're risking another bad review from Covid-19 by going back into the cinema. It's because we've arranged the show backwards to accomodate our Film of the Week, Tenet - so those of you who want to go in completely cold can enjoy the rest of the show before we start discussing it in the second half.
For the rest of you, Andrew, Rob and Graham are here to review Christopher Nolan's Saviour of the Theatrical Experience™ plus a new physical release from Mubi, Kantemir Balegov's Cannes hit Beanpole. There's also a Question of the Week about comedians you think deserve a better shot at big screen glory, and a lot of references to Ghostbusters for some reason. We're still not entirely sure why.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. www.thegeekshow.co.uk
cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #tenet #beanpole #mubi #kantemirbalegov #worldwarii #johndavidwashington #christophernolan #sciencefiction #robertpattinson #elizabethdebicki #kennethbranagh #aarontaylorjohnson #michaelcaine #dimplekapadia
Another Director's Lottery week, another chance for Tim, Mick, Rob and Graham to tear the show apart over the merits (or demerits) of a classic film - this time Toshio Matsumoto's punk-as-hell queer Oedipus Rex modernisation Funeral Parade of Roses. And if you think that sentence was a lot to take on board, wait until you hear the impassioned armchair debate. That's not debate conducted from armchairs. That's debate ABOUT armchairs.
Off the Shelf has two Blu-Ray reissues from Luc Besson's '90s work, as Studio Canal offer Tim and Mick the chance to reassess The Fifth Element and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc. Were we right to be irritated by Chris Tucker's performance in the former? Or to ignore the latter entirely? Find out on Cinema Eclectica, currently plotting our first trip to the cinema since March...
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. www.thegeekshow.co.uk
cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #toshiomatsumoto #japanesenewwave #queercinema #funeralparadeofroses #lucbesson #studiocanal #thefifthelement #brucewillis #millajovovic #themessenger #joanofarc #sciencefiction #ianholm #johnmalkovich #spaceopera #dustinhoffman #christucker #fayedunaway #ginamckee #garyoldman
All aboard the Louise Brooks train for the silent cinema legend's wildest, nastiest and undeniably most hobo-packed outing: 1928's Beggars of Life. Director William Wellman was coming off the back of the first-ever Best Picture Oscar winner, Wings. Is this a worthy successor?
Off the Shelf kicks off with a sad reminder that other people have been using their lockdown time more productively than you, with Rob Savage's Zoom-shot horror Host. And we also double back to 2010 for Christopher Nolan's Inception, which is being re-released in cinemas, which are large buildings which show films on screens that are bigger than televisions. Just in case anyone had forgotten.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #beggarsoflife #williamwellman #silentmovies #robsavage #host #louisebrooks #wallacebeery #classichollywood #inception #sciencefiction #leonardodicaprio #tomhardy #josephgordonlevitt #ellenpage #kenwatanabe #cillianmurphy #marioncotillard
OK, place your bets now: how long before someone does a Brian Blessed impersonation? This week's Cinema Eclectica is headlined by Mike Hodges outrageous Flash Gordon - and if you think the director of Get Carter was an odd choice, wait until you hear who nearly directed it.
In Off the Shelf, Tim takes a look at the new VoD slasher movie Open 24 Hours, which makes a persuasive case for anyone who buys a sou'wester to be put on a police register of some kind. Mick, meanwhile, is dazzled by the time-hopping cross-cutting genius of Fish Story, released in a new Blu-Ray edition by Third Window films. Next week: hobos!
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #fishstory #yoshihiranakamura #thirdwindow #punk #sciencefiction #flashgordon #open24hours #brianblessed #mikehodges #cultmovies #timothydalton #peterwyngarde #maxvonsydow #1980s #queen #padraigreynolds #vanessagrasse #slashermovie #horror
Put on your best old lady disguise and alert your ninja secretaries! Our director's lottery came out with Georges Franju recently, which means this week Tim and Graham are watching his deliriously silly pulp oddity Nuits Rouges, aka Shadowman. Is this final film from the Eyes Without a Face director a lost treasure?
Two very different films from female directors make up this week's Off the Shelf. Graham has Film Title Poem, a Mubi exclusive from rising star of experimental animation (yes, "star" is a relative term here) Jennifer West. Sarah reviews Criterion UK's Blu-Ray of Dorothy Arzner's Dance Girl Dance, starring Lucille Ball as you've never seen her before! Unless you've seen her do burlesque before. We don't know what our listeners get up to in their private lives.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk
cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #shadowman #dorothyarzner #nuitsrouges #filmtitlepoem #jenniferwest #gertfrobe #georgesfranju #animation #mubi #criterioncollection #lucilleball #maureenohara
A tale of two action movies on this week's Eclectica. On the one hand, you have the huge Netflix-funded star vehicle The Old Guard, starring Charlize Theron and Chiwetel Ejiofor. On the other, you have the smaller, foreign-language judo film Throw Down, directed by Johnnie To and released on Blu-Ray by Eureka Masters of Cinema.
Could the smaller, less formidable opponent possibly defeat the muscular big beast? If only there was some sort of metaphor from the field of judo to help us understand this conflict. Still, other than that, we've also got a fun Question of the Week about villains you want to recast. This podcast may not be suitable for Jesse Eisenberg.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #moviereviews #cinemaeclectica #netflix #theoldguard #ginaprincebythewood #charlizetheron #kikilayne #chiwetelejiofor #action #imagecomics #superheroes #sciencefiction #martialarts #judo #johnnieto #tonyleung #throwdown #eurekamastersofcinema #louiskoo #aaronkwok
A double-bill of genre-bending horror movies this week, which makes it all the stranger that we struggled to think of recommendations to watch with our Film of the Week. Sometimes we are very dumb.
Said Film of the Week is the latest product of our Directors Lottery system, Wes Craven's The People Under the Stairs, in which the progenitor of Freddy Krueger gets flesh-ripping mad about Reaganomics. In Off the Shelf, Tim has a transatlantic counterpart with Indicator's new Blu-Ray edition of 1974's The Beast Must Die. It's a werewolf whodunnit with Peter Cushing, which is a thing we didn't know we needed but it turns out we do.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #horror #wescraven #thepeopleunderthestairs #twinpeaks #petercushing #indicator #thebeastmustdie #werewolves #charlesgrey
Cinema Eclectica is back for another round-up of the latest streaming titles, this week taking in America and Romania via Japan. First up, Rob lauds Julia Garner's performance in #MeToo drama The Assistant, then Graham is off to Tokyo with frequent flier Werner Herzog for his haunting new film Family Romance LLC. Are there Herzog impersonations in this review? Gosh, we'd hate to spoil it for you.
Finally it's back to Rob, who finds a new respect for a movement - the Romanian New Wave - that hasn't thrilled us in the past. But Corneliu Poromboiu's The Whistlers isn't your standard Romanian film, not least because its dialogue is in English, Spanish... and whistling. No, really.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #wernerherzog #corneliuporombiu #kittygreen #juliagarner #theassistant #metoo #familyromancellc #thewhistlers #neonoir #romaniannewwave #streaming
This week's podcast is a slow swan-dive from arthouse bliss into a swamp of sleaze, starting - after a Question of the Week that baits the Oscars more than Stephen Daldry - with Victor Sjöström's The Phantom Carriage. An inspiration to Ingmar Bergman and Stanley Kubrick, it still holds up nearly a century later.
Off the Shelf starts out well enough, with Billy Wilder's sparky post-war rom-com A Foreign Affair from Eureka Masters of Cinema. Then Rob has the interesting task of reviewing an incest-themed chainsaw-wielding Turkish action movie. That's White Fire, out on Arrow Video, before Sarah rounds off with Criterion's Blu-Ray of Female Trouble. John Waters. Divine. You know what to expect.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #johnwaters #billywilder #victorsjöström #silentfilm #thephantomcarriage #femaletrouble #aforeignaffair #whitefire #arrowvideo #criterioncollection #criterionuk #eurekamastersofcinema #marlenedietrich #jeanarthur #divine
Fans of podcasts where two people can't agree on a single film, your ship has come in, because this week Graham and Tim are reviewing Olivier Assayas's divisive Netflix original Wasp Network! Which reviewer compared it to "a Communist version of The A-Team"? And, more importantly, did they mean it as a criticism or a compliment?
Elsewhere Tim reviews Amazon Prime's low-budget SF hit The Vast of Night. Graham has classic noir from Eureka Masters of Cinema with Criss Cross - did it make him jump, jump? - and Mick drops by to review Arrow Video's reissue of Dream Demon, an 80s horror laden with before-they-were-famous appearances.
There's also a Question of the Week celebrating the late Ian Holm, and some contributions from the blackbirds nesting in Graham's back garden. Because we can all meet up outdoors now, I guess.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #bluray #netflix #amazonprime #thevastofnight #sciencefiction #waspnetwork #olivierassayas #penelopecruz #gaelgarciabernal #anadearmas #crisscross #filmnoir #eurekamastersofcinema #robertsiodmak #burtlancaster #dreamdemon #arrowvideo #horror #harleycokeliss #timothyspall #ianholm
Does anyone want a podcast about famous directors' Instagram feeds? While we workshop that, there's a lot to get through this week, not least a review of Federico Fellini's landmark film La Strada. Where does it end up in our Fellini power rankings?
After a Question of the Week about road movies, we've got a triple-bill of new streaming releases. Sarah reviews Marjane Satrapi's biopic of Marie Curie - Radioactive - while Graham has probably the least stressful time of the week with Curzon's new Italian comedy Citizens of the World. No such luck for Rob, who has a harrowing, politically-charged trip to Vietnam with Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods. Next week: wasps!
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #spikelee #marjanesatrapi #federicofellini #giannidigregorio #lastrada #anthonyquinn #neorealism #da5bloods #vietnam #delroylindo #chadwickboseman #rosamundpike #samriley #mariecurie #simonrussellbeale #anyataylorjoy #citizensoftheworld #radioactive #netflix #curzon
It's been a while since we did a B-sides show - those intermittent collections of new cinema releases that we didn't cover at the time of release. And that's largely because, er, there aren't any cinemas open - but that doesn't stop Sarah, Rob and Graham from having some films from January, February and March to consider.
For Rob, there's two of the biggest films of the year - Sam Mendes's World War One-Take epic 1917 and Leigh Whannel's revisionist take on The Invisible Man. Sarah has Michael Winterbottom's Greed, starring Steve Coogan as Not Philip Green, and true-life sexual harassment drama Bombshell. She and Graham also cover Misbehaviour, in which a frankly huge ensemble tell the story of the protests at the 1970 Miss World pageant. Give us a twirl.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #theinvisibleman #greed #1917 #bombshell #misbehaviour #nicolekidman #charlizetheron #margotrobbie #johnlithgow #metoo #foxnews #keiraknightley #elizabethmoss #jayroach #leighwhannell #sammendes #philippalowthorpe #bobhope #gregkinnear #keeleyhawes #gugumbatharaw #rhysifans #jessiebuckley #georgemackay #colinfirth #benedictcumberbatch #stevecoogan #davidmitchell #islafisher #timkey #michaelwinterbottom #philipgreen #keithrichards #aldishodge #cinemas
IRL festivals might be off this summer, but there's still We Are One - a ten-day YouTube banquet of the best of the recent festival circuit. Before we get to that, Rob's got a review of After Midnight, a new streaming release from Arrow Films. We don't want to jinx this, but this might be the rare hotly-tipped new indie horror film that Rob likes!
Our We Are One kicks off with Graham looking at some of the short films on offer, before taking on one of the breakouts of the festival: Prateek Vats's Indian satire Eeb Allay Ooo! In any other week, a comedy-drama about monkey-scaring might be the oddest film on offer. This week, however, we must reckon with Rob's attempt to review the unreviewable: Nabwana I.G.G.'s karaoke Ugandan family kung-fu opus Crazy World. It sure is.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #weareone #crazyworld #wakaliwood #kungfu #aftermidnight #arrowvideo #eeballayooo #prateekvas #nabwanaigg #christianstella #jeremygardner #bensonandmoorhead
This week's Cinema Eclectica is devoted entirely to Badaptations - those times when, in between the page and the screen, something vital goes missing. Graham's choice is 1995's The Scarlet Letter, in which one of the most introverted and spiritual of 19th-century novels is turned into a Demi Moore bonkbuster. Hester Prynne isn't the only one suffering from lack of fidelity.
Being too faithful to the source can also be an issue, as Aidan discovers when he reviews the slavishly accurate L Ron Hubbard adap Battlefield Earth. Hundreds of people worked on this film and not one of them challenged John Travolta on his outfit. Finally Rob rounds us out with World War Z, a classic case of Hollywood buying up a cult bestseller, realising it can't be turned into a PG-13 action movie, then going ahead and doing it anyway.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #badaptations #novels #thescarletletter #nathanielhawthorne #maxbrooks #battlefieldearth #worldwarz #zombies #bradpitt #mirielleenos #markforster #rogerchristian #johntravolta #barrypepper #lronhubbard #forestwhitaker #garyoldman #demimoore #rolandjoffe #joanplowright
We didn't plan this as a special, but two of our three films for review this week feature Barry Foster from the original series of Van Der Valk. See if you can guess which one doesn't as we kick off with Akira Kurosawa's 1949 Japanese film noir Stray Dog, then move on to two British films!
After we find out who's mad enough to steal Toshiro Mifune's gun, Mick reviews StudioCanal's Blu-Ray of The Family Way, a 1960s comedy-drama with Hayley Mills and her dad John. Music by some Scouse longhair called McCartney, apparently. Then Graham takes a look at Curzon Home Cinema's Merchant-Ivory restorations, challenging his own resistance to the period-drama-dominating duo with 1987's daring romance Maurice. Prime early Hugh Grant hair is involved.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #studiocanal #bfiplayer #curzonhomecinema #akirakurosawa #straydog #toshiromifune #filmnoir #maurice #merchantivory #emforster #hughgrant #jameswilby #simoncallow #rupergraves #barryfoster #billiewhitelaw #helenabonhamcarter #thefamilyway #royboulting #billnaughton #paulmccartney #hywelbennett #hayleymills #johnmills #kitchensink #1960s
Final boss of the Oscars and forever king of our hearts Bong Joon-ho gets an Eclectica special to celebrate the news that Snowpiercer is finally, finally getting a physical media release in the UK from Lionsgate. Originally shot in... what, about 1872? Shortly before the invention of cinema? It's held up well, anyway.
For the second half of the show, the hosts bring in personal favourite Bong hits, with Tim looking at his giant mutant tadpole classic The Host. For Graham, Bong became the daddy with Mother, in 2009, while Mark takes on his all-star vegetarian satire Okja. The Cannes audience's decision to boo the Netflix logo really aged well, didn't it?There's also a Question of the Week celebrating great movie vehicles, and a director's lottery for next week.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #bongjoonho #cinemaeclectica #netflix #moviereviews #tildaswinton #snowpiercer #thehost #okja #mother #koreanmovies #dystopia #jakegyllenhaal #chrisevans #jamiebell #doonabae #johnhurt #songkangho #sciencefiction #jonronson #johnhurt #octaviaspencer #pauldano #shirleyhenderson #wonbin #kimhyeja #lionsgate #alisonpill #edharris
This isn't quite Cinema Eclectica's dance special, but it gets weirdly close - with Pablo Larrain's psychosexual reggaeton epic Ema as Film of the Week, and a Question of the Week about your favourite cinematic dance scenes. The answers take in everyone from Gene Kelly and Ginger Rogers to Greta Gerwig and Adam Curtis.
Elsewhere, Rob takes a look at Fritz Lang's final film, The 1,000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse, a throw-back to his silent days now reissued on Eureka Masters of Cinema. Streaming Spotlight, meanwhile, sees Graham reviewing Adult Life Skills, the cult British comedy that's just resurfaced on Netflix. As for next week - THAT'S going to be a special...
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk#cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #ema #pablolarrain #dance #musicals #gaelgarciabernal #the1000eyesofdrmabuse #drmabuse #fritzlang #eurekamastersofcinema #eurekavideo #adultlifeskills #racheltunnard #jodiewhittaker #alicelowe #brettgoldstein #genekelly #fredastaire #gingerrogers #gretagerwig #gasparnoe #adamcurtis
Given the current waves hand around to indicate everything, streaming has quickly become an even more central part of the cinema release calendar. With that in mind, Cinema Eclectica presents its first streaming special, with interweb-based reviews from Rob, Mick and - until his Virgin Media signal collapses - Graham! (Of course this would happen on our streaming episode)
Join the gang for reviews of outrageous Netflix documentary Circus of Books from producer Ryan Murphy, weird suburbia in Lorcan Finnegan's debut Vivarium, and one-location Russian horror-comedy freakout Why Don't You Just Die! There's also a Question of the Week about your favourite Netflix originals, during which the words "Roma" and "Irishman" are honestly mentioned less times than you might expect.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #whydontyoujustdie! #kirillsokolov #horror #circusofbooks #vivarium #streaming #vod #netflix #lorcanfinnegan #rachelmason #ryanmurphy #documentary #jesseeisenberg #imogenpoots #arrowvideo
We don't review many romantic comedies on this show, but when we do... Buster Keaton's typically eccentric take on the genre is our film of the week, with Eureka's new Blu-Ray of Seven Chances under Graham, Sarah and Tim's respective microscopes.
In more characteristic features, Graham has The Wind from Arrow Video. It's a slasher from Niko Mastorakis, a man with an amazing life story and a spot on the video nasties list. Defying all conventions, on the other hand, Tim has Dreamland, a surrealist vampire neo-noir from the director of Pontypool. And Mark's Bond retrospective hits the Daniel Craig era, its final instalment... until November.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #busterkeaton #sevenchances #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #romanticcomedy #silentcomedy #eurekamastersofcinema #jamesbond #danielcraig #casinoroyale #quantumofsolace #skyfall #spectre #nikomastorakis #thewind #slasher #megfoster #wingshauser #robertmorley #steverailsback #dreamland #pontypool #stephenmchattie #juliettelewis #henryrollins
This week, Cinema Eclectica pitches its revivalist tent in the wild world of religious cinema, with Graham looking at the three films born-again exploitation movie director Ron Ormond made with fire-and-brimstone preacher Estus W Pirkle. On the other end of every possible scale, the Devil made Rob review Rosemary's Baby, Roman Polanski's classic Satanic chiller. Quite the classiest thing with a William Castle production credit, there.
Mark's Bond retrospective, this week, covers the highs and lows of Pierce Brosnan's tenure. At first he looked inwincible, then he got the keys to an invisible car. And our new feature Streaming Spotlight looks at the glut of new films diverted to online releases during lockdown - kicking off with Andrew Kötting's The Whalebone Box, out now on Mubi.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #filmreviews #romanpolanski #rosemarysbaby #miafarrow #johncassavetes #williamcastle #satanichorror #estuspirkle #ronormond #iffootmentireyouwhatwillhorsesdo #theburninghell #thebelieversheaven #bynwr #jamesbond #piercebrosnan #goldeneye #tomorrowneverdies #theworldisnotenough #dieanotherday #mubi #andrewkotting #documentary #essayfilm #psychogeography #thewhalebonebox #iansinclair #edenkotting
We at Eclectica were self-isolating before it was cool, so COVID-19 isn't going to stop us. Instead we've got another entry in our Director's Lottery series, which came out with Paolo Sorrentino and his twisty, paranoid biopic of former Italian PM Guilio Andreotti, 2008's Il Divo. What do Graham and Tim think?
Fortunately we do have some new releases to bring you, with Eclectica fave Hirokazu Kore-eda's first film outside Japan, The Truth, released to stream. Aidan takes a look at that one, and Mick has Vintage Classics' new Blu-Ray of Richard Burton's gangland thriller Villain. There's also Mark's Bond retrospective, which this week hits the brief but fascinating Dalton era.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #paolosorrentino #ildivo #guilioandreotti #toniservillo #hirokazukoreeda #thetruth #catherinedeneuve #juliettebinoche #ethanhawke #ludivinesagnier #villain #richardburton #vintageclassics #gangsterfilms #michaeltuchner #ianmcshane #nigeldavenport #jamesbond #timothydalton #thelivingdaylights #licensetokill
Not saying we planned this or anything, but this week's Film of the Week will be on Mubi by the end of the month. That's handy, isn't it? Don't expect a stress-free quarantine if you watch Bacurau, though. The Brazilian genre-hopper is ferocious, full-on and - as Rob and Graham discover - fantastic.
In the second half, Rob reviews Bernard Rose's Samurai Marathon, and we ponder which sports films need more love. There's also the third part of our Bond retrospective, with Mark looking at the ups and downs of the up-and-downiest period of the franchise, the Moore years. And finally Mick adds a touch of Magic with Second Sight's reissue of the 1978 chiller.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting ourPATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #filmreviews #bacurau #soniabraga #udokier #weirdwestern #klebermendoncafilho #samuraimarathon #amazonprime #bernardrose #martialarts #sportsmovie #magic #richardattenborough #horror #anthonyhopkins #rogermoore #jamesbond #liveandletdie #foryoureyesonly #themanwiththegoldengun #octopussy #moonraker #thespywholovedme #aviewtoakill
So, that plan to build up to No Time to Die went well, didn't it? Nevertheless, we're pressing on, with Mark reviewing George Lazenby's sole turn as Bond in the much-misunderstood On Her Majesty's Secret Service. This was worth it if only for the Dick Van Dyke anecdote.
Before that, we've got another point on the most competitive grading curve in Hollywood (well, apart from Paul Thomas Anderson) as we ask where Onward fits into Pixar's canon. Relax: this tale of two elven brothers on a quest for one more day with their dad is not Cars 2. And Mick drops by to review Eureka Video's Syncopation, a newly reissued jazz drama from Golden Age Hollywood auteur William Dieterle.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #jamesbond #onhermajestyssecretservice #onward #syncopation #pixar #chrispratt #tomholland #fantasy #julialouisdreyfus #octaviaspencer #animation #disney #thesimpsons #playdatewithdestiny #georgelazenby #dianarigg #williamdieterle #classichollywood #eurekavideo #jazz #musicals
Never one to do things the normal way, Cinema Eclectica are celebrating Valentine's Day in March with our nominations for cinema's best ever couples. It's all part of our celebration of Celine Sciamma's Portrait of a Lady on Fire, one of three new releases we review this week. Before that, it's the first part of Mark's Bond retrospective, kicking off with - what else? - the Connery era.
OK, so we don't always mix things up.
After that, Tim trips out and Cages up with Richard Stanley's comeback Colour Out of Space, Graham asks "you OK, Australia?" after seeing Justin Kurzel's True History of the Kelly Gang, and finally Sarah paints us a picture of the biggest foreign language film of the year that doesn't include a beef noodle recipe. Next week: Pixar!
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #jamesbond #seanconnery #moviecouples #portraitofaladyonfire #celinesciamma #noemiemerlant #adelehaenel #coloroutofspace #nicolascage #richardstanley #hplovecraft #horror #truehistoryofthekellygang #justinkurzel #nedkelly #petercarey #georgemackay #nicholashoult #essiedavis #russellcrowe #lgbt #alpacas
No, your eyes do not deceive you. This week our sister show Literary Loitering is taking over Cinema Eclectica, and to mark the occasion Rob, Graham, Andrew and Sarah are reviewing the latest smash blockbuster from the Lumiere brothers, Arrival of a Train at a Station.
Before that, they discuss some recent film news including the Hollywood Reporter's secret Oscar voter, a bizarrely (or brilliantly?) cast new version of Cinderella, and discover that Universal might just have cracked their monster universe. And by "cracked" we mean "broke".
Reviews include Netflix Tay doco Miss Americana, anime fantasy Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms, Celine Sciamma's trans coming-of-age drama Tomboy, and we review Harpoon again just because we can. There's also a quiz on the many weird ways movies have been retitled overseas.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #literaryloitering #oscars #hollywoodreporter #onceuponatimeinhollywood #littlewomen #cinderella #kaycannon #missyelliot #universalstudios #monstermash #lumierebrothers #silentfilm #arrivalofatrainatastation #denisshiryaev #missamericana #taylorswift #netflix #lanawilson #documentary #celinesciamma #tomboy #lgbt #maquiawhenthepromisedflowerblooms #maquia #anime #harpoon #robgrant #mariokada
Get ready for some hilariously uninformed conversation as video game ignoramus Graham tries to get his head round the new Sonic the Hedgehog movie, with Aidan to keep him on track. He's a hedgehog! And he's blue! Have you ever seen the like before?
Off the Shelf sees us thankfully closer to terra firma with two releases from Eureka Video. Aidan takes a look at their near-future dystopian political thriller Sons of Denmark, while Mick jumps in for their reissue of Arthur Penn's classic The Miracle Worker, starring Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft. There's also some chat about what video games you'd like to see filmed, a round-up of new articles on our website and some exciting news about next week's show...
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #sonicthehedgehog #videogames #games #jimcarrey #sonsofdenmark #eurekavideo #montagepictures #ulaasalim #arthurpenn #themiracleworker #pattyduke #annebancroft #helenkeller
It's the most historic movie event of the year - that's right, we've got Mark back on the podcast. He and Graham talk about the small matter of, oh I don't know, the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Ever. It's Bong Joon-Ho's Parasite and our bodies could not be more ready.
Elsewhere, Eureka video bring the druggy body horror with Bliss, and there's a double-bill of new releases with the very strange voyage of Robert Downey Jr's Dolittle and Birds of Prey, the Suicide Squad spin-off that makes you stop dreading the phrase "Suicide Squad spin-off". There's also a bit of Oscars chat which is not entirely a Laura Dern appreciation fest. Just mostly.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk#cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #oscars2020 #bongjoonho #parasite #songkangho #lauradern #eurekavideo #bliss #joebegos #horror #doramadison #dolittle #robertdowneyjr #tomholland #ralphfiennes #michaelsheen #octaviaspencer #jessiebuckley #johncena #birdsofprey #dc #harleyquinn #margotrobbie #cathyyan #jurneesmolletbell #maryelizabethwinstead #ewanmcgregor #rosieperez #aliwong #chrismessina
How many new releases is too many? We know the answer but we don't care. In this week's photo negative show Aidan spills the beans on Robert Eggers's follow-up to The VVitch, The Lighthouse. Tim, meanwhile, still can't quite believe we're getting to see Terry Gilliam's passion project The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, and Graham sees one of his favourite subgenres expertly revived in Queen & Slim, a lovers-on-the-run movie for the Beyonce era.
Before that, there's our director's lottery to attend to, in which we vault all of Tony Richardson's hits in favour of the super-rare Laughter in the Dark, a Nabokov adaptation never released on home video, starring Nicol Williamson and the late, great Anna Karina.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #tonyrichardson #laughterinthedark #nicolwilliamson #annakarina #vladimirnabokov #woodfallfilms #thelighthouse #roberteggers #thevvitch #willemdafoe #robertpattinson #themanwhokilleddonquixote #jonathanpryce #terrygilliam #adamdriver #queenandslim #danielkaluuya #jodieturnersmith #melinamatsoukas
Cream-Filled Avocado IannucciStrange, nay paranormal, events on Eclectica number 241, as our director's lottery comes out with... number 241. That's not the inexplicable bit - the inexplicable bit comes when we only realise this once the recording's stopped.
Before that, join Graham and special guest Andrew from 4Panel and Literary Loitering for a romp through Armando Iannucci's version of Victorian Britain in The Personal History of David Copperfield. Check the tags for its preposterously starry cast. In Off the Shelf, Sarah finds an Agatha Christie/folk horror crossover in Indicator Powerhouse's Blu-Ray of Endless Night, while Graham has an enjoyably unwholesome holiday with the squabbling schoolfriends of Arrow Video's new horror Harpoon.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #armandoiannucci #thepersonalhistoryofdavidcopperfield #davidcopperfield #charlesdickens #devpatel #hughlaurie #tildaswinton #petercapaldi #benwhishaw #morffydclark #benedictwong #paulwhitehouse #daisymaycooper #gwendolinechristie #aneurianbanard #darrenboyd #endlessnight #agathachristie #hayleymills #brittekland #hywelbennett #georgesanders #indicator #powerhouse #blu-ray #arrowvideo #harpoon #brettgelman #horror #folkhorror
Amish Tank Commander Sterling HaydenLast week's director's lottery came out with Kathryn Bigelow, which can only mean (checks IMDb) one of ten things. The one Graham and Tim picked was Near Dark, her vampire Western with half the cast of Aliens. Has it stood the test of time?
Question of the Week is a celebration of recent birthday boy David Lynch, leading to some predictably indulgent answers from Lynch obsessive Graham before he looks at Indicator's new Blu-Ray of the very strange all-star conspiracy thriller Winter Kills in Off the Shelf. After that, Tim checks out the Swedish sci-fi Aniara, which we find an unexpected Northern connection in.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #kathrynbigelow #neardark #billpaxton #lancehenriksen #adrianpasdar #vampires #western #horror #aniara #sciencefiction #pellakagerman #hugolilja #winterkills #indicator #powerhouse #jeffbridges #johnhuston #sterlinghayden #toshiromifune #elizabethtaylor #richardboone #joespinell #kennedyassassination #conspiracy
We'll Make It Funny In PostTense. Disturbing. Fraught with menace. But enough about the reaction to Graham's Frozen joke, this week we review the Safdie brothers' latest New York white-knuckler Uncut Gems. It's got Adam Sandler as you've never seen him before, Idina Menzel as you've never seen her before and Julia Fox, who you've never seen before.
After that there's some discussion of the Oscar nominations and a Question of the Week - I know! It's been a while! - about holiday viewing. Off the Shelf sees Graham looking at Camilla Strøm Henriksen's heartfelt family drama Phoenix, out now on Verve Pictures, while Mick gets to grips with Indicator's restoration of Curtis Harrington's Night Tide - a review which includes some surprising occult trivia. Don't bore us, get to the Horus.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, Give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. thegeekshow.co.uk #cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #nighttide #uncutgems #phoenix #adamsandler #dennishopper #martinscorsese #idinamenzel #lakeithstanfield #juliafox #safdiebrothers #curtisharrington #marjoriecameron #indicatorfilms #vervepictures #camillastrømhenriksen
Jennifer Hudson's Floating Face
Cinema Eclectica is back and refreshed for 2020, and we have such sights to show you. That Hellraiser quite isn't accidental by the way, because one of "sights" is the movie adaptation of a certain feline-based musical.
Before that though, there are two major new releases to attend to. One of them is Taika Waititi's divisive comedy "Jojo Rabbit", where the Kiwi director and international treasure plays a young boy's imaginary friend, but it's 1945 and the boy is German, so his imaginary friend is obviously Hitler. After that we have a less dicey proposition (taste-wise that is), comes with Greta Gerwig's adaptation of "Little Women". It's got an all-star cast of women of assorted sizes (as well as some token men), but what did Sarah think of it?
Finally it's Graham's turn to suit-up and dive into the deepest point of the uncanny valley, where he discovers Tom Hooper's against-type career swerve into seemingly-Lovecraftian horror, "Cats".
Jason DeRulo IS Rum Tum Tugger (he says, as though he understands any of these words).
cinemaeclectica #moviereviews #jojorabbit #taikawaititi #samrockwell #scarlettjohansson #rebelwilson #stephenmerchant #worldwarii #littlewomen #louisamayalcott #gretagerwig #emmawatson #saoirseronan #florencepugh #elizascanlen #merylstreep #lauradern #timotheechalamet #chriscooper #cats #taylorswift #francescahayward #musicals #ballet #tomhooper #andrewlloydwebber #judidench #idriselba #jamescorden #jasonderulo #ianmckellen
Our final mini episode of 2019 is actually longer than many of our normal-length efforts, and we make no apology for that because it's time for our top 5 films of 2019!
Will any of our selections match up? Who will have had time to sit through all of The Irishman? Who will use the word 'idiolect'? All of your questions will be answered! First, though, there's the small matter of counting down our least favourite films of the year. We say 'small', but this year it's quite big. Rob did not have a good year. Still, we've got high hopes for 2020!
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, Give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. thegeekshow.co.uk
Support Your Local Mobster
After the giddy daftness of last week's alternative Christmas movies, Rob, Aidan, Sarah and Graham convene for the extremely serious business of their Best of the Year lists. Counting down from 10 to 6, we find out the answer to so many burning questions. Who will have the most depressing documentaries on their list? Who's giving Netflix Originals a second chance? How long will it take Rob to get a simple pun? And who will be accused of vivisecting people? (Falsely, we insist!) There's also a run-down of the classic films we saw for the first time this year.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, Give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. thegeekshow.co.uk
The Judgment of Mr Anderson
The first of our seasonal mini-episodes has Aidan, Rob and Graham raising a glass of various nog-based beverages to unconventional Christmas movies.
Rob has the recently rediscovered French cult classic "Dial Code: Santa Claus" (or whichever one of its many titles it's going by), Graham has the pleasingly sacrilegious "The Day of the Beast", and Aidan gets scuzzy with punk rock oddity "Emerald Cities". Then there's a round-up of our favourite home releases of the year, including titles from Criterion, Second Sight, the BFI and Second Run. Join us on Christmas Eve for the first part of our countdown of the year's best new films!
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, Give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. For more check out our website over at thegeekshow.co.uk
A Right Laugh for the Dogs
We liked last week's director's lottery so much we decided to do another one, with glorious Hungarian madwoman Ildiko Enyedi coming out of the hat. Graham and Tim take a look at her 1994 film "Magic Hunter", which blends Gary Kemp, enchanted bullets, Marian apparitions and time travel into a unified tapestry of cult-ready weirdness.
In Off the Shelf has Tim covering the post-WWII survival horror "Werewolf" (which is out on Blu-Ray from Montage pictures), while Mick looks at that masterpiece of cinema and disaster of hairdressing - Eureka's new 4K restoration of "Der Golem". There's also a round-up of Christmas releases at UK cinemas, and news about our special festive minisodes ...
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, Give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. thegeekshow.co.uk
The Man With All The Southern Drawls
It may be one of precisely three films ever to top Sight & Sound's poll of the greatest movies of all time, but what you've all really been waiting for is for Vittorio de Sica's "Bicycle Thieves" to be subjected to the patented dumbass Eclectica treatment. And you're in luck because that's at the top of the show this week, before an Irishman, an Irishwoman and an Englishman torture a Deep South accent while they stroll into our second half.
Okay, it#s not much of a joke, but with a peerless line-up of new releases that has Sarah running her magnifying glass over Rian Johnston's "Knives Out", Aidan non-digitally aging as he tackles the epic running time of Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman", and Graham passing judgment on Jennifer Kent's follow-up to "The Babadook" - the brutal and chilling "The Nightingale".
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, Give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. thegeekshow.co.uk#Eclectica #Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Reviews #News #Movies #Films #MovieReviews #TGS #BicycleThieves #VittorioDeSica #TheIrishman #KnivesOut #TheBabadook #TheNightingale #JenniferKent #RianJohnson #MartinScorcese
A Nice Meander With Mike LeanderKnock knock.
Who's there?
Yes, that's right - but in the second half of the show.
First, Sarah, Graham and Aidan review show favourite Mia Wasikowska's new film "Judy & Punch". Medieval puppeteer revenge black comedy is, of course, a tough genre to pull off, so is this the way to do it?
Aidan kicks off the second half of the show with the reissue of "Tommy" - the legendary collaboration between Ken Russell and The Who. After that it's Graham's turn to get polemical with Peter Watkins's dystopian "Privilege", before Sarah rounds things off with a brand new BFI Blu-Ray of the late Milos Forman's "Hair".
The film he made called "Hair", not an actual lock of his hair. Although we'd probably review that too.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, Give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. thegeekshow.co.uk#Eclectica #Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Reviews #News #Movies #Films #MovieReviews #TGS #Tommy #Hair #JudyAndPunch #Privilege #TheWho #KenRussell #Musicals #RockOperas #EltonJohn #RogerDaltry
Mr Stewart Goes To Dawson's CreekLupita Nyong'o continues her casual dominance of all media from Marvel blockbusters to Channel 4 documentaries with this week's headline film "Little Monsters". with Rob, Aidan and Graham joining the tour bus headed for Camp Zombie before taking a detour for a typically wild ride in Off the Shelf.
Rob begins on his cinematic home turf of South Korea in "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil", while Aidan attempts to overcome his resistance to 1950s Westerns with Arrow Academy's Anthony Mann/Jimmy Stewart collaboration "The Far Country". Finally, Graham is pinned down and throttled by a legend of the documentary form - "The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On", which is out now from Second Run.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, Give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. thegeekshow.co.uk#Eclectica #Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Reviews #News #Movies #Films #Cinema #MovieReviews #TGS #LittleMonsters #TheGangsterTheCopTheDevil #TheFarCountry #TheEmperorsNakedArmyMarchesOn #LupitaNyongo #JamesStewart #Documentary
Das Foot Asylum
"Luce" is our academically-gifted film of the week, and true to form we've all been doing our homework. For Graham that means, er, watching the Film of the Week - but don't assume Mick and Tim have been sat on their hands.
A frankly gargantuan Off the Shelf sees Mick review Eureka's "Fuller at Fox" box set and Tim review Studiocanal's Blu-Ray of "Apocalypse Now: Final Cut". That's five films by one of this show's favourite directors, and every single cut of the most ambitious war film ever made. Can you handle it? We can because we're trained podcast professionals.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, Give us a 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter. thegeekshow.co.uk
Eclectica #Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Reviews #News #Movies #Films #MovieReviews #TGS #SamFuller #FullerAtFox #Luce #FixedBayonets #PickupOnSouthStreet #HellAndHighWater #HouseOfBamboo #FortyGuns #ApocalypseNow #FrancisFordCoppola #StudioCanal #Eureka
The Duran Duran of Horror
Return to the Overlook Hotel (oh, go on! It's got nice carpets!), with Mike Flanagan's "Doctor Sleep", which this week falls under the unforgiving Kubrick stares of Sarah and Rob. Prepare to find out the Cagney & Lacey/Stephen King connection you never knew existed!
Off the Shelf looks at the work of two cult 2010s directors, with Graham accepting Karyn Kusama's "The Invitation" - out on Blu-Ray from Second Sight, and Sarah learning a new word - a baleful, dispiriting new word - as she checks out Andrew Bujalski's "Support The Girls", from Bulldog.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON. Alternatively, Give us 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have, the more people can enjoy our movie chatter.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Eclectica #TGS #TheGeekShow #Patreon #CultMovies #TheShining #DoctorSleep #StephenKing #KarynKusama #TheInvitation #SupportTheGirls #AndrewBujalski // www.thegeekshow.co.uk
2019 Halloween Special: CUT! Polly Wants a Cracker!
It's our Halloween special, and the only horror film in cinemas involves a phone app that kills you. That's as good a reason as any to do "The Last Black Man In San Francisco", Joe Talbot's warmly received debut. It is not, as you may think, a remake of I Am Legend.
Proper scary stuff comes in the second half, with a trinity of movies based on the work of legendary horror authors. Rob takes a look at Robert Wise's "The Haunting", based on the novel by Shirley Jackson, and Graham has "Alucarda", based extraordinarily loosely on Sheridan le Fanu's Carmilla. It's not a true Halloween without Stephen King, and Aidan has Eureka's new edition of "The Dark Half" - but if you think that's all the Kingage we have to offer, tune in next week ...
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON - we don't hide anything behind any paywalls. Alternatively, Give us 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have on those channels, the better.
Podcast #StephenKing #GeorgeARomero #ShirleyJackson #Alucarda #Mexico #Horror #Halloween #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Eclectica #Movies #Films #TGS #TheGeekShow #TheLastBlackManInSanFrancisco #Sundance #SheridanLeFanu #TheDarkHalf #TheHaunting #Eureka #Patreon // www.thegeekshow.co.uk
The Humongous Fungus Walks Among Us
Hijinks with the international tax system! It's not the most obvious pitch, but Steven Soderbergh isn't the most obvious director, and he's a cast of stars - Streep, Oldman, Banderas, Schoenarts - to sell you on this frankly insane premise. The result, "The Laundromat", is out on Netflix - but were Graham, Aidan and Sarah buying it?
Off the Shelf has a gooey centre made of Sarah's love for "Singin' In The Rain", Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly's timeless musical comedy, back in a cinema near you. Surrounding it are two black comedies from Criterion UK. First, Graham finds nothing to sniff at in John Waters's scratch-n-sniff spoof "Polyester", then Aidan doesn't pan Paul Bartel's "Eating Raoul". Look, the puns aren't as good as usual this week, we know that. But the Tab Hunter trivia is through the roof!
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON - we don't hide anything behind any paywalls. Alternatively Give us 5 star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have on those channels, the better.
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Eclectica #Movies #MovieReviews #Films #TGS #TheGeekShow #Netflix #StevenSoderbergh #TheLaundromat #Musical #ClassicFilms #SinginInTheRain #CriterionCollection #Polyester #JohnWaters #EatingRaoul #Patreon // www.thegeekshow.co.uk
3 Seconds Less of Mickey Rourke's Buttocks
After pursuing the unexpected connection between "Doctor Dolittle" and "White Dog" (and seriously, wouldn't any connection between those two be unexpected?) Graham and Aidan tackle Chris Morris's long-awaited follow-up to "Four Lions". "The Day Shall Come" has an American setting and Anna Kendrick, but does it still have what makes Morris great?
If you've forgotten what time of year it is, Off the Shelf will remind you that it's coming up to Halloween. Aidan looks at StudioCanal's 4K restoration of Alan Parker's "Angel Heart", complete with Mickey Rourke buttock anecdotes. Graham has something even more twisted in the form of 101 Films's Blu-Ray of Ivan Nagy's "Skinner", which is one of those films with A Story behind it.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON - we don't hide anything behind any paywalls. Alternatively Give us 5 star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. The more feedback we have on those channels, the better.
Podcast #Movies #Reviews #Films #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Cinema #ChrisMorris #BrassEye #TheDayToday #FourLions #Satire #TheDayShallCome #Halloween #AngelHeart #MickeyRourke #101Films #StudioCanal #Skinner #TedRaimi #Horror #Patreon // www.thegeekshow.co.uk
100% Dinge GothamThis week Mick, Graham and Aidan take a dark voyage into the twisted mind of Batman's greatest enemy Clownface McGinty in Todd Phillips's "Joker". It's weathered all sorts of controversy - interview walk-outs, copycat violence panics, coming from the director of Due Date - but allow us the indulgence of reviewing the movie that the headlines are attached to.
In Off the Shelf, Mick takes on a triple set of Sammo Hung from Eureka - "Iron-Fisted Monk", "The Magnificent Butcher" and "Eastern Condors" - before Aidan tries to persuade us that "The Godfather Part III", pre-Phantom Menace holder of the title Most Disappointing Film Evah, is actually good.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON - we are in the process of developing some exclusive content. We can do internetting too. Alternatively Give us 5 star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast.
Podcast #Review #Movies #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #MoviePodcast #Patreon #DC #Comics #Adaptations #Joker #ToddPhillips #SammoHung #KungFu #Eureka #IronFistedMonk #TheMagnificentButcher #EasternCondors #TheGodfather #TheGodfatherPart3 #MovievReviews #Films // www.thegeekshow.co.uk
The Old White Stripes Manoeuvre
This week Rob and Graham seek out "Ready or Not", the buzzy new horror-comedy from V/H/S's Radio Silence collective. It's been hailed by the online horror community, but Rob's been burned that way many times before so does this hit the mark?
Off the Shelf sees us return to a show favourite director - the legendary Samuel Fuller - with Graham reviewing Criterion's new Blu-Ray of "The Naked Kiss". Meanwhile, Rob continues his voyage into the works of the late Agnes Varda with 1985's "Vagabond".
There's also - and I know you're all excited by this - some talk of DVD menu screens. Oh yes.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON - we are in the process of developing some exclusive content. We can do internetting too. Alternatively Give us 5 star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast.
Podcast #Reviews #Movies #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Films #MoviePodcast #ReadyOrNot #RadioSilence #SamFuller #CriterionCollection #NakedKiss #FilmNoir #AgnesVarda #FrenchNewWave #SocialRealism #Vagabond #patreon #TGS // www.thegeekshow.co.uk
Denis Lavant's Live Action CV
Limousines! Kylie! CGI rubber dragon sex! It can only be Leos Carax's "Holy Motors" getting the Eclectica treatment from Aidan, Sarah and Graham. Deep thoughts will be had about religion, cinema and literature. Less-deep thoughts will be had about Denis Lavant's old chap.
Elsewhere, there are new releases to be covered. Graham jets off with James Gray's "Ad Astra", as well as some less expensive but no less arduous travel in Werner Herzog's "Nomad". Sarah, meanwhile, reviews '70s-set crime thriller "The Kitchen" and also talks about a woman who married the Golden Gate Bridge, because any show that starts with Holy Motors isn't going to end up in a normal place.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON - we are in the process of developing some exclusive content. We can do internetting too. Alternatively Give us 5 star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. At that point we'll finally be able to lead a chorus of "one of us, one of us, one of us".
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #Eclectica #LeosCarax #HolyMotors #DenisLavant #JamesGray #AdAstra #WernerHerzog #Nomad #1970s #TheKitchen #TheGeekShow #TGS #MoviePodcast # // www.thegeekshow.co.uk
The Method Toolbox of Dustin Hoffman
Aidan and Mick saddle up and join the posse of the "Midnight Cowboy" to explore the seedy underbelly of late '60s New York. Meanwhile, "The Dogs of War" offers the intriguing proposition of an action movie that isn't an action movie, but how could such a thing be possible? We thought the answer might be found in the bosom of Buddha, but "It Was A Faint Dream". Finally, we wake up with a start to find Graham wrestling with family issues in "We The Animals".
Which makes a change from the leopards he normally wrestles.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON - we are in the process of developing some exclusive content. We can do internetting too. Alternatively Give us 5 star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. At that point we'll finally be able to lead a chorus of "one of us, one of us, one of us".
Podcasts #Films #Movies #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Eclectica #Action #TheDogsofWar #DustinHoffman #1960s #NewYork #MidnightCowboy #DirectorsLottery #1980s #Podcast #Buddhism #Japan #ArrowAcademy #WeTheAnimals #SundanceFilmFestival #Indie #TheGeekShow #ItWasAFaintDream #AkioJissoji // www.thegeekshow.co.uk
Load Bearing ClownIs it Pensive Staring Chapter Two or Creepy Spooky Fun Time With Bill Skarsgård, Chapter Two? Whatever we think of our feature film, this week, Andrew, Prob and Aidan talk the blockbuster horror release of the summer in "It: Chapter Two": The Revengening.
After that, Aidan talks about BFI's release of the Alan Pakula western, "Comes A Horseman". Following that, Andrew makes the ultimate sacrifice by watching partaking in a bit of morbid curiosity by watching "Battle Royale 2".
Is it as bad as people say? Yes, yes it is - but you'll have to tune in to find out just how much.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON - we are in the process of developing some exclusive content. We can do internetting too. Alternatively Give us 5 star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. At that point we'll finally be able to lead a chorus of "one of us, one of us, one of us".
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Eclectica #Horror #IT #StephenKing #ItChapterTwo #BFI #Western #AlanPakula #Morbid #KinjiFukusaku #Manga #Books #Adaptations #KentaFukusaku #BattleRoyale #BattleRoyale2 #Sequels #Japan #BillSkarsgård
Alien Yuppie Slugs Just Wanna Have FunIt came from beyond the stars, or at least from South of Yorkshire - which is the same thing for us. Second Sight's new Blu-Ray restoration of "Flight of the Navigator" prompts an '80s sci-fi special, with Tim tackling Randal Kleiser's children's classic while Rob covers John Sayles's "Brother From Another Planet" and Graham gets in touch with his inner coked-up yuppie for "The Hidden".
Before that, there's the not-so-small matter of last week's Director's Lottery, which came out with Richard Linklater. We plumped for his none-more-90s debut film "Slacker", paying homage to its unique meandering structure by having one of us getting lost in the internet and the others chatting about conspiracy theories for a bit.
It's a deliberate homage, honest.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON - we are in the process of developing some exclusive content. We can do internetting too. Alternatively, give us 5-star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. At that point we'll finally be able to lead a chorus of "one of us, one of us, one of us".
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Eclectica #Movies #Films #FilmReviews #Reviews #SciFi #Disney #SecondSight #Blaxploitation #TwinPeaks #TheHidden #Slacker #RichardLinklater #JohnSayles #BrotherFromAnotherPlanet #Satire #Funny #RandalKleiser
Where's My Mamma Roma in Your Pain & Glory?
This week Graham and Aidan tackle Pedro Almodóvar's new semi-autobiographical film "Pain and Glory", but even though it's one of his most garlanded films in ages, we have to wonder how much pain we're talking about, and what percentage is glorious?
Off the Shelf has a Second Run double-bill, with Aidan covering the new Blu-Ray of Karel Kachyna's paranoia-fest "The Ear", before Graham faces up to his own challenge with Marc Isaacs's cult documentary "Philip and His Seven Wives".
So three rich, complex, and challenging films - but don't worry because next week we might be able to slack off.
f you've enjoyed this podcast then please share us with your friends or leave us a rating on your podcast app of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter @TGS_TheGeekShow, or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to Patreon and give whatever you can, or you can head over to The Geek Shop and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Podcast #TheGeekShow #TGS #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Movies #Films #FilmReviews #Reviews #PedroAlmodóvar #UK #Spain #CzechNewWave #SecondRun #ArtificialEye #Curzon #TheEar #Ucho #MarkIsaac #Documentary #WorldCinema #CultDocumentary #BBC4 #PainAndGlory #KarelKachyna #PhilipAndHisSevenWives
Angel of the North Has Fallen
The radio's blasting 60's pop, Aidan's smoking Red Apples and Rob's barefoot for no adequate reason, which means it's time for a new Quentin Tarantino film.
"Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood" has provoked heated debate about its ... well, everything, really. But what's the Eclectica take?
Off the Shelf sees two Eureka releases providing very different but complimentary crime thrillers to Leo and Brad's. Rob takes a look at Martin Sheen's screen debut in 1967's "The Incident", while Aidan takes a look at Fred Schepsi's controversial Australian New Wave thriller "The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith".
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. Alternatively, you can check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. If you missed your Graham fix, we recommend his other podcast - Literary Loitering, and it's full of unhinged weirdness. There's also our Patreon, too.
Podcast #Films #Reviews #Movies #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #QuentinTarantino #Hollywood #OUATIH #OnceUponATimeInHollywood #LeonardoDiCaprio #BradPitt #Eureka #MastersOfCinema #Australia #NewWave #ChantOfJimmieBlackSmith #Ozploitation #MartinSheen #NewYork #1967 #TheIncident #DVD #BluRay #HomeVideo
They Saved Hitler's Bath
It's been 30 years since Spike Lee unleashed "Do the Right Thing" on cinemas like a bin pitched through a pizzeria window. Now, Aidan and Graham convene to give you the double truth, Ruth, about how it holds up in the modern era.
Off the Shelf sees Aidan looking at the very early (and very atypical), Robert Zemeckis film "Used Cars" - which has been reissued by Eureka - while Graham envelops this review in a duvet of Jean Cocteau reissues ("Blood of a Poet" and The "Testament of Orpheus"), from Studio Canal.
Come for the reviews, stay for the trivia about Hitler's bath.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting our PATREON - we are in the process of developing some exclusive content. We can do internetting too. Alternatively Give us 5 star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps other people find our podcast. At that point we'll finally be able to lead a chorus of "one of us, one of us, one of us".
Podcast #Review #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #SpikeLee #DoTheRightThing #JeanCocteau #UsedCars #RobertZemeckis #Eureka #StudioCanal #BloodOfAPoet #TestamentOfOrpheus #TheGeekShow #TGS #Movies #Reviews #Films #KurtRussell
Beheaded by DuckLast week's director's lottery came out with Jonathan Glazer, so this week Rob, Aidan and Graham sit down for the British maverick's sci-fi psych-out "Under the Skin". Scarlett Johansson, white transit van, Glasgow - you know the drill.
A special Off the Shelf, meanwhile, sees them taking selections from Indicator's Norman J. Warren box set, to wit "Terror", "Bloody New Year" and "Satan's Slave". What kind of exploitation is this? Everything. It's Everythingsploitation.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. We recommend 4-Panel, hey, they've taken over a few times it is about time we returned the favour. There's also our Patreon, too.
CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Films #Movies #Reviews #UnderTheSkin #JonathanGlazer #SciFi #ScarlettJohansson #Terror #BloodyNewYear #SatansSlave #NormanJWarren #Horror #Exploitation
Poundland Elvis Costello's Magic Scarf
It's the circle of life: movie comes out, makes money, sequels die, and a remake grows. Jon Favreau's "The Lion King" comes under the scrutiny of Graham and Aidan this week, as well as the general trend of Disney remakes. Are there reasons for this that aren't related to the Mouse House's share price?
On the opposite end of the blockbuster spectrum, Off the Shelf contains two small, personal projects by maverick American auteurs. Graham hangs out with Robert Altman for Eureka Masters of Cinema's "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean", while Aidan encounters the programmable artificial intelligence that is Neil Breen in "Twisted Pair".
Somehow we don't have the Breenius on our Director's Lottery list! As for who we do have, there's some exciting news ...
If you've enjoyed this podcast then please share us with your friends or leave us a rating on your podcast app of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter @TGS_TheGeekShow, or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to Patreon and give whatever you can, or you can head over to The Geek Shop and partake in some of our lovely wares. Thanks, and until next time, don't watch anything we wouldn't!
Eclectica #Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Reviews #News #Movies #Films #JonFavreau #TheLionKing #Disney #Remakes #RobertAltman #ComeBackToTheFiveAndDimeJimmyDeanJimmyDean #JamesDean #TwistedPair #NeilBreen #Cher #Beyoncé #DonaldGlover #JamesEarlJones #Chiwetel Ejiofor
The Last Of The English Tawdries
This week Graham and Tim check out Jim Jarmusch as he pioneers un-deadpan comedy with The Dead Don't Die.
Are the jokes as dusty as Jarmusch's strangely goreless zombies?
Off the Shelf sees Graham covering Border - the Mubi release which combines the two poles of modern Scandinavian cinema (bleak crime stuff and trolls), while Mick drops by for a look at the classic British horror anthology Asylum.
And if you think that's scary, wait until you hear what we're doing next week ...
If you've enjoyed this podcast then please share us with your friends or leave us a rating on your podcast app of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter @TGS_TheGeekShow, or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to Patreon and give whatever you can, or you can head over to The Geek Shop and partake in some of our lovely wares. Thanks, and until next time, don't watch anything we wouldn't!
CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #TGS #Movies #Films #Reviews #JimJarmusch #TheDeadDontDie #Border #MUBI #ScandinavianCinema #Crime #Trolls #BritishHorror #Anthologies #Asylum #BillMurray #AdamDriver #TomWaits #Horror #Folklore #Zombies
Throat Singing Of Terror!
Folk horror comes to the multiplexes this week with Ari Aster's "Midsommar", set in a Swedish pagan commune. Aster's own preferred human sacrifice ritual involves dividing podcasters in half as the try to figure out how well his movies work, so what did Graham and Aidan think of this one?
Off the Shelf, meanwhile, sees Graham embarking on a top-secret mission to review Eureka's WWII comedy-drama "The Cockleshell Heroes", while Aidan logs on for Arrow's reissue of Olivier Assayas's early-00s online grot thriller "Demonlover". Does it still have the power to sink its tentacles into audiences?
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. Alternatively, you can check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. If you missed your Graham fix, we recommend his other podcast - Literary Loitering, and it's full of unhinged weirdness. There's also our Patreon, too.
Podcast #Reviews #Movies #Films #Cinema #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #TGS #Midsommar #Horror #AriAster #Hereditary #Sweden #WWII #TheCockleshellHeroes #Demonlover #ArrowVideo #OlivierAssayas #Patreon #FolkHorror #TheWickerMan
Clovis the Action Cat
We've gone weird before, obviously, but we've never spent a whole show as far out on the fringes as we do this week. Film of the Week is Peter Strickland's "In Fabric" - the weirdest film from the director of "The Duke of Burgundy" (yeah, have a think about THAT), which Rob and Graham are beguiled and bewildered by. Not necessarily in that order.
Off the Shelf offers no stable ground either, rather the bendy floorboards of Pavel Juracek's "Case for a Rookie Hangman", which is out on Blu-Ray by Second Run. After that it's Graham's turn at the wheel, and he has the comforting mainstream familiarity of a Stephen King movie ... right?
Not when it's incest-driven were-cat yarn "Sleepwalkers", it's not.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. We recommend 4-Panel, hey, they've taken over a few times it is about time we returned the favour. There's also our patreon, too.
Movies #Films #Cinema #Reviews #BFI #SecondRun #Czech #Film4 #InFabric #PeterStrickland #StephenKing #Sleepwalkers #Bluray #Curzon #Horror #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #TGS #EuroHorror #ComedyHorror #Weird #TheDebussyFilm #TheDukeOfBurgundy #CaseForARookieHangman
The Ken Russell film that Rob referenced is "The Debussy Film" from 1965, and it features on BFI's Ken Russell: Great Composer box-set.
Angry Mr. Plow
A universally relatable tale of the inner angst of knowing you were made from a spork, "Toy Story 4" is our Film of the Week this week. The trilogy seemed to come to a perfect end nine years ago, so is this new offering worthy of another dip in the toy-box?
Off the Shelf sees Graham and Aidan get as far away from family-friendly as possible, with the former reviewing Sergey Loznitsa's absurd war movie "Donbass", which is out now from Montage Pictures. Meanwhile, Aidan checks out Indicator's 40th anniversary reissue of "Scum" and finds it's still the daddy of British prison movies.
Get your glad rags on for next week.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. Alternatively, you can check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. Or, if you prefer things lo-tech, just share us with your friends. One of Us, One of Us, One of Us - you should totally say that.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Eclectica #TGS #Geek #TheGeekShow #ToyStory4 #Pixar #Animation #Ukraine #Montage #Eureka #Donbass #Indicator #Scum #Prison #Borstal #Patreon #War #BritishCinema
Jules & Jim up a MountainAt 210 episodes old we can ask for all the things in the world, but that doesn't mean we're going to get anything for this "obvious" landmark.
Besides, Rob and Aidan have a job to do.
This week it's another of our regular Directors Lottery episodes, and the director in question for this rodeo is David Cronenberg. So what did we choose from his amazingly sticky filmography? It's none other than Big Dave's ultimate divorce movie, "The Brood".
We also have a stacked Off The Shelf section, and kicking things off is Aidan with "The Holy Mountain" (not that one), while Rob looks at a film from the director of something dark, dangerous and unholy with "The Sender". Meanwhile, Mick visits from afar with a sci-fi double in the form of "The Andromeda Strain" and "The China Syndrome".
210 episodes and we still bring you all the movies. How cool are we? All the cool, that's how cool.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. We recommend 4-Panel, hey, they've taken over a few times it is about time we returned the favour. There's also our patreon, too.
Podcast #Movies #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Films #Eclectica #DavidCronenberg #LongLiveTheNewFlesh #TheBrood #Horror #BattlefieldEarth #TheSender #ArrowVideo #SciFi #TheHolyMountain #SilentCinema #AlejandroJodorowsky #TheAndromedaStrain #TheChinaSyndrome #TheGeekShow #Geek #TGS #BFI #Eureka
Damn You 5 for £25!The uncontainable power of our sister show 4-Panel rises up and consumes us again as Mick and Andrew join Aidan to discuss "X-Men: Dark Phoenix". It's the last in a franchise that's lasted as long as two MCUs, but what's the endgame like?
Of course, before we watched films with the word 'men' in the title, we had to make do with films with 'man' in the title, and the master of those was Carol Reed. After "The Third Man", "Our Man in Havana" and "Odd Man Out" he made "The Running Man" (no Arnie!), which Mick covers for Off the Shelf, which also has Aidan covering the Canadipocalypse thriller "Def-Con 4".
Stay tuned for an exciting new mutation in our director's lottery series... (and no, it's not "The New Mutants" because that will never be released).
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. We recommend 4-Panel, hey, they've taken over a few times it is about time we returned the favour. There's also our Patreon, too.#Podcast #Reviews #Movies #Films #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #XMen #DarkPhoenix #Marvel #MCU #Canada #NotThatOne #TheRunningMan #DefCon4 #SciFi #ScienceFiction #Endgame #TheGeekShow #TGS #Canuxploitation #Apocalypse #Thriller #MovieReviews #MoviePodcast #CarolReed #TheThirdMan #OurManInHavana #OddManOut #4Panel #Comics #Superheroes #Adaptations
Fritz Lang's MannequinThe show is turned upside down again this week, with three big new releases in the second half and an archive gem in the first - Sergio Martino's Poe-meets-giallo cult classic "Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key", the title of which is but the first of its delights.
As for the rest, we say 'new' releases but Sarah has a very old one - Marlene Dietrich's breakthrough "The Blue Angel" which has been newly restored and re-released. On the other hand, Aidan has László Nemes's "Sunset" - the follow-up to "Son of Saul" - and Rob has "Godzilla: King of the Monsters".
The big lizard is a big mood.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. Alternatively, you can check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. If you missed your Graham fix, we recommend his other podcast - Literary Loitering, and it's full of unhinged weirdness. There's also our Patreon, too.
Podcast #Movies #Reviews #Films #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Eclectica #SergioMartino #DirectorsLottery #Italy #Giallo #EdgarAllenPoe #YourVoiceIsALockedRoomAndOnlyIHaveTheKey #ArrowVideo #Eureka #MarleneDietrich #TheBlueAngel #LászlóNemes #Sunet #Godzilla #KingOfTheMonsters #Gamera #Mothra #Rodan #KingGhidorah #Kaiju #Monsters #TheGeekShow #Cult #Classic
Women Be Scaring
After looking at the winners and one big loser from Cannes 2019, it's time for Eclectica to return to its B-sides series where we look back at recent films that we weren't able to cover at the time of their release, and this week are "Fighting With My Family", "Birds of Passage", "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" and "Greta" are getting the spotlight.
Off the Shelf has a certain Sheen to it this week, with Charlie and Emilio's dad taking the lead in Criterion's Blu-Ray of Terrence Malick's debut "Badlands", as well as "Apocalypse Now Redux", which Graham tries to suicidally argue is the better cut. Next week we do a Godzilla: take all the Film of the Week candidates and let them fight.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. We recommend 4-Panel, hey, they've taken over a few times it is about time we returned the favour. There's also our patreon, too.
Podcast #Movies #Films #CinemaEclectica #Cinema #Reviews #TheGeekShow #Eclectica #CriterionCollection #Criterion #Badlands #Godzilla #BirdsOfPassage #WWE #Paige #FightingWithMyFamily #Wrestling #CanYouEverForgiveMe #Greta #ApocalypseNow #Redux #CannesFilmFestival
Assiety of Sassassins
It's time for "John Wick 3: Parabellum" or Wick in a Box or whatever it's called, and before Aidan and Graham adjudicate the ultra-violence like a glove-carrying Asia Kate Dillon, we've got a Question of the Week where we ask for your favourite threequels.
On the other side of that, Off the Shelf sees Graham in war correspondent mode with Eureka's "The Night of the Generals", before Aidan digs up Robert Frank and Rudy Wurlitzer's "Candy Mountain" as part of Deep Cuts. Rounding things off, Mick has the BFI's new Blu-Ray of "Room at the Top".
If you're thinking of ordering any of the books mentioned on this show, be careful, OK?
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. We recommend 4-Panel, hey, they've taken over a few times it is about time we returned the favour. There's also our patreon, too.
Podcast #Reviews #Movies #Films #Cinema #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #JohnWick #Parabellum #BFI #Eureka #TheNightOfTheGenerals #CandyMountain #RoomAtTheTop #KeanuReeves #TheGeekShow #Patreon // Until next time, keep things Eclectica!
The Beast of Estonian Craggy Island
Three misfits alone in the dark empty vastness of a cinema showing a Claire Denis movie, Aidan, Sarah and Graham gather to review the French maverick's latest epic voyage, "High Life". We realise it may sound tempting, but do not allow Juliette Binoche to show you her box.
A full Off the Shelf kicks off with Sarah covering Criterion's release of "My Brilliant Career" (thank you, I've worked hard for it), followed by Graham marvelling at Montage Pictures's truly unclassifiable "November". Heading further east (and no less crazy), Aidan takes a look at Arrow Academy's "Khrustyalov, My Car!", a film from the director of "Hard to Be a God" which caused us simultaneous hooray-yikes.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. We recommend 4-Panel, hey, they've taken over a few times it is about time we returned the favour. There's also our Patreon, too.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Cinema #CinemaEclectica # Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Estonia #SciFi# ClaireDenis #HighLife #Russia #MyBrilliantCareer #WorldCinema #November #Eureka #MontagePictures #KhrustyalovMyCar #Reviews // Until next time, keep it Eclectica!
The ADR Doggies Bite Back
Liberated from Hull, Graham settles in with Rob for a preview of perhaps the strangest sports movie ever made - Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt's "Diamantino", with its gene-tampering weirdness, lesbian drone pilots and floof bois.
It's not the last dog cameo on the show, but it's surely the best.
Off the Shelf sees Graham arguing the defence for Criterion's reissue of Edgar G Ulmer's classic noir "Detour" against a sceptical Rob, before Rob inexplicably punishes himself with Dario Argento's late-period take on Dracula - which is honestly not his best work.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. We recommend Rob's other podcast and the daddy of the network - The Geek Show, it's full of unhinged science and technology weirdness. There's also our patreon, too.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Cinema #Surreal #Comedy #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Portugal #Diamantino #Football #DarioArgento #Dracula #Dracula3D #FilmNoir #CriterionCollection #Criterion #Detour #Dogs #Horror // until next time, keep it Eclectica!
What Fresh Hull is this!?
Graham's stuck in the quantum realm, so it falls to Rob and Mick to travel way back in time through the many years they spent watching all of the movies leading up to "Avengers: Endgame".
It's already made more money than there is in the world, but did the Eclectica gang like it?
After that, it's time for Off the Shelf where Rob tries to avoid receiving death threats from his coverage of Criterion's reissue of Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ", while Mick tries to avoid issuing any death threats as he struggles through "Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich".
Precisely one of these films features David Bowie as Pontius Pilate. See if you can guess which one it is.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. Alternatively, you can check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. If you missed your Graham fix, we recommend his other podcast - Literary Loitering, and it's full of unhinged weirdness. There's also our Patreon, too.
Sorry, people from Hull. We mean no harm.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Avengers #Endgame #MCU #Marvel #Adaptations #Superheroes #Comics #PuppetMaster #TheLittlestReich #CriterionCollection #MartinScorsese #Religion #Theology #TheLastTemptationOfChrist #WillemDaFoe #RobertDowneyJunior #InfinityWar #IronMan #Thor #SpiderMan #BlackPanther #BlackWidow #Hawkeye #Hulk #DoctorStrange #Thanos // www.thegeekshow.co.uk and peace out, friends.
Surprise Johnson Insertion
This week Mick and Graham go to "Hellboy" and back (which is pretty easy given that the cinema is just a short walk away), to report on Neil Marshall's euphemistically-described troubled production.
Is it as bad as the internet's made out, or do they want to give it a big hand?
Off the Shelf sees a very different kind of folklore film in the shape of "The White Reindeer" - a Finnish vampire-witch-were-reindeer movie (it's a genre, OK?), that has been reissued on Blu-Ray by Eureka. Then Mick cleans up after another Eureka title with Lewis Teague's "Cujo", in which Stephen King shows us a very bad doggp indeed.
Next week's Eclectica has been turned into dust by a snap of Thanos's fingers, but we'll be back in two week's time for Avengers: Endgame!
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. Alternatively, you can check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. Or, if you prefer things lo-tech, just share us with your friends. One of Us, One of Us, One of Us - you should totally say that.
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Cinema #Films #Movies #Reviews #Hellboy #DarkHorse #Comics #MikeMignola #GuillermoDelToro #NeilMarshall #Horror #Fantasy #Cujo #StephenKing #Eureka #TheWhiteReindeer #Avengers #Endgame # TGS #TheGeekShow // SUPPORT US ON PATREON
The Cult of Kim Newman's Left Hand
While getting the maximum possible out of the name 'Hermann Kermit Warm', Tim and Graham head out West for a review of Jacques Audiard's English-language debut "The Sisters Brothers", and revive an old Eclectica staple with Question of the Week. While they were watching Joaquin Phoenix's ongoing battles with enunciation, 4-Panel resident Andrew was in the screen next door watching DC's latest effort to turn their fortunes around - "Shazam!"
Does it earn its exclamation mark?
Off the Shelf sees Mick beam in from next week's show to cover Second Run's blu-ray release of the landmark Czech sci-fi "Ikarie XB-1", while Graham puzzles over a mid-period Resnais in the form of Arrow Academy's "Mélo".
After that, it only remains to find out which of next week's releases reminds Producer Rob of Five Nights at Freddy's.
If you like the podcast, send some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Give us a star rating and/or review wherever you get your podcasts from. Alternatively, you can check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family. Or, if you prefer things lo-tech, just share us with your friends. One of Us, One of Us, One of Us - you should totally say that.
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Cinema #Films #Movies #Reviews #Western #JacquesAudiard #France #TheSistersBrothers #DC #MCU #Shazam #CaptainMarvel #Big #StarTrek #IkarieXB1 #VoyageToTheEndOfTheUniverse #Czech #AlainResnais #ArrowAcademy #Mélo #ScienceFiction #SciFi // PATREON
Episode 200 - Tiny Jack Nicholson in my Pocket
Things have been pretty harmonious in Eclecticaville for ... blimey ... 200 episodes!
Now that we've reached such a landmark, we thought it might be nice to risk a ruck for this special edition, and have the team cover each other's favourite movies, First up, road movie hater Rob takes a look at Aidan's beloved Hal Ashby vehicle "The Last Detail", before Aidan returns the favour by checking out Rob's pick in the form of Sam Fuller's "Shock Corridor". In the second half of the show, Producer Rob comes back on to challenge anime dunce Graham to watch Satoshi Kon's "Millennium Actress", before subjecting himself to Graham's East European obsession with Vera Chytilova's bizarre "Daisies".
We'll be back next week with the show as normal - assuming we all survive this one ...
If you like the podcast, send us some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Alternatively, we'd massively appreciate it if you gave us a star rating or review wherever you get your podcasts from or check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family.
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Cinema #Films #Movies #Reviews #Czech #CzechNewWave #Europe #SecondRun #Daisies #CriterionCollection #Criterion #TheLastDetail #HalAshby #SatoshiKon #Anime #MillenniumActress #Surreal #Animation #ShockCorridor #Exploitation #Horror #Comedy #Weird #SamuelFuller #TheGeekShow // PATREON
George Clinton's Funky Disembodied Head
Sick of articles and YouTube nonsense that describe what movies mean? Well, you'll get none of that here as, instead of all that nonsense, we dig into what could be the highlight of 2019's horror calendar - Jordan Peele's sophomore feature, "Us".
In the second half of the show we have our very own black horror special with a little bit of backbone provided by the excellent Shudder documentary "Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror". We cover the classics with "Blacula", funkadelic oddities with "Cosmic Slop", and there's also the ... erm ... yeah ... that with "Leprechaun In The Hood" before finishing on the recently rediscovered classic that is "Tales From The Hood".
Next week is the big 200. Noice.
If you like the podcast, send us some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Alternatively, we'd massively appreciate it if you gave us a star rating or review wherever you get your podcasts from or check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family.
Podcast #Movies #Films #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #JordanPeele #Us #GetOut #Horror #BlackHorror #HorrorNoire #AHistoryOfBlackHorror #GeorgeClinton #Funkadelic #TalesFromTheHood #Blacula #Shudder #CosmicSlop #HBO #LeprechaunInTheHood #Leprechaun #Exploition #Blaxploitation // PATREON
Stoner's Guide to Super-Vacuity
A series of inscrutable clues leads Ryan, Graham, Sarah and Aidan to "Under the Silver Lake", a film that makes you suspect David Robert Mitchell was definitely one of those kids who played with secret decoder rings as a child. Prepare for disagreements.
Off the Shelf kicks off with a very different new release - Adam Shankman's remake (or reboot, or de-Gibsoning), "What Men Want", followed by the Ozsploitation landmark "Next of Kin" - which has been newly released by Second Sight. There isn't a better way to close an episode than with some Jackie Chan, and Eureka have delivered the goods. Anyone fancy some "Wheels on Meals"?
If you like the podcast, send us some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Alternatively, we'd massively appreciate it if you gave us a star rating or review wherever you get your podcasts from, or check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family.
Podcast #Movies #Reviews #Films #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #ItFollows #Australia #JackieChan #Eureka #SecondSight #Horror #KungFu #Comedy #WhatMenWant #NextOfKin #Ozsploitation #WheelsOnMeals #1980s #UnderTheSilverLake #NeoNoir #FilmNoir #RomCom #TheGeekShow
The Mean Streets of Micheal Portillo
This week, Andrew, Mick and Rob witness the birth of … (hang on because we're pretty sure we can do that trailer thing in text) … a/ HER \o with "Captain Marvel". As far as we're concerned Brie Larson has always been our captain, but what about the rest of the film? Mark is also here for a look at how the actual '90s treated women in superhero movies.
Apres Marvel it's Off the Shelf, with Andrew finding the unexpected Fritz Lang-Michael Portillo link in Eureka's Blu-Ray release of "Human Desire", Rob getting into the carnival spirit of Lionsgate's "Hell Fest", and Mick unexpectedly finding an explanation of Brexit in Screenbound's new British Gothic horror "Crucible of the Vampire". It's almost too much fun!
Don't worry. We'll correct that next week.
If you like the podcast, send us some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Alternatively, we'd massively appreciate it if you gave us a star rating or review wherever you get your podcasts from, or check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family.
Podcast #Movies #Reviews #CinemaEc;ectica #Films #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #CaptainMarvel #MCU #Marvel #BrieLarson #1990s #Eureka #FritzLang #Horror #HellFest #GothicHorror #Brexit #CrucibleOfTheVampire #Comedy #FilmNoir #Comics #Superheroes #Avengers #InfinityWar #Endgame // PATREON
Bathtime for Udo
Last week Rob and Graham received a mystery phone call asking them to review Hideo Nakata's "Ring". They're not dead yet, and although the news that this is a twentieth anniversary reissue is making them feel incredibly old they still have to find out if the film still holds up.
After that it's Off the Shelf, which sees Graham challenging Rob to watch the Victorian phallic lunacy of Walerian Borowczyk's "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Miss Osbourne", then Graham gets acquainted with Richard Billingham's "Ray & Liz" before looking ahead to next week's releases.
Stay tuned for news of Indiana Jones's drunkest adventure yet!
If you like the podcast, send us some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Alternatively, we'd massively appreciate it if you gave us a star rating or review wherever you get your podcasts from, or check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family.
Podcast #Reviews #Movies #Films #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Ring #Ringu #Tartan #AsiaExtreme #ArrowAcademy #TheStrangeCaseOfDrJekyllAndMissOsbourne #Horror #RichardBillingham #RayAndLiz #Serenity #IndianaJones #WalerianBorowczyk #HideoNakata #Adaptations #Books #KoujiSuzuki
// PATREON
Algebra Lessons with Foxy Brown
It's the biggest week of the film calendar, so Aidan and Rob fulfill their obligations with a bit of an Oscars chatter before getting to the important matter of being bamboozled by the Film of the Week which, thanks to the Directors Lottery coming up with Jacques Rivette, means in their infinite wisdom they decided to fumble around with "Le Pont du Nord".
After that it's on to more solid ground with Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 4 hour long TV movie "World on a Wire". Sarcasm! We're certainly cycling uphill this week, and since that's the case what better way to end the show than with the maximalist nonsense of studio-led exploitation in "Class of 1999" (it's an odd week, alright).
Oh look! Lady Gaga!
If you like the podcast, send us some support by visiting The Geek Show and clicking on The Geek Shop tab. Alternatively, we'd massively appreciate it if you gave us a star rating or review wherever you get your podcasts from, or check out some of the other podcasts that make up The Geek Show Podcast Family.
Podcast #Movies #Reviews #Films #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Vestron #SecondSight #MastersOfCinema #Eureka #JacquesRivette #Oscars #Oscars2019 #AcademyAwards #RainerWernerFassbinder #Exploitation #SciFi #ScienceFiction #LePontDuNord #WorldOnAWire #ClassOf1999 #Fantasy // PATREON
COME SEE THE MASTODON PARADE!
Eclectica is back with "The Kid Who Would Be King" - the latest film from Joe Cornish, and in a strange turn of events, Graham and Tim's review features very few references to Adam and Joe.
We're sorry. We'll try and make up for it when we do a Jacques Rivette film next week.
After that it's our usual Off the Shelf section, which features Second Run's release of Bill Morrison's "Dawson City Frozen Time" - a film that's as much fun to watch as it is to say, and StudioCanal's reissue of the inimitable "Evil Dead 2". Don't worry, we're not the sort of hacks who are going to end the review by saying "Groovy" as we saved that for the show description.
Groovy.
Find out more over at our websiteand don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from to keep up with all things ECLECTICA.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #JoeCornish #KingArthur #TheKidWhoWouldBeKing #SecondRun #DawsonCityFrozenTime #BillMorrison #SamRaimi #EvilDead2
The John Entwistle of J-Horror
Two beams of refracted "Moonlight": the Best Picture-winning (eventually) film's writer Tarell Alvin McRaney has a new film on Netflix, "High Flying Bird", which Mark takes a look at before Aidan, Tim and Graham check out director Barry Jenkins's new work "If Beale Street Could Talk".
Meanwhile, Off the Shelf has Aidan possessed by the unearthly mind of Kiyoshi Kurosawa in Arrow Films's Blu-Ray of his SF weirdie "Before We Vanish", after which Graham inexplicably decides to watch the film that nearly derailed Jason Reitman's career, the reefer madness for the Snapchat age that is "Men, Women and Children".
Find out more over at our websiteand don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from.
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Cinema #Movies #Films #Arrow #Moonlight #IfBealeStreetCouldTalk #JasonReitman #MenWomenAndChildren #KiyoshiKurosawa #Netflix #HighFlyingBird #StevenSoderbergh #BeforeWeVanish #TarellAlvinMcRaney
Bring Out the Two Men in the Elephant Costume!
Your "Burning" desire to hear a review of the new Lee Chang-Dong film can finally be satiated, as Rob, Graham and Tim take on the adaptation of a Haruki Murakami short story is our Film Of The Week.
Capital O-Opinions will be had.
Tim kicks off our Off the Shelf section with a new Netflix release - Tony Gilroy's arts-world horror "Velvet Buzzsaw" - which is basically a Vincent Price movie with Jake Gyllenhaal. Is it better? Worse? The same, but in a different way?
After that it's time for Graham to take on BFI's re-issue of "Rogue Male" (starring Peter O'Toole), and then it's time for Rob to spends some time at the circus with Indicator's vintage slice of Joan Crawfordsploitation - "Berserk".
Burning Berserk Rogue Buzzsaw! We're pretty sure that's an early Wild Beasts song.
If you liked the show and want to see it continue then you can help in a number of ways. You can share us with your movie friends, give us a rating or review on wherever you get your podcasts or share us with your friends. The cool ones, yeah?
Podcast #Movies #Films #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Burning #Korea #BFI #Indicator #JoanCrawford #Berserk #VelvetBuzzsaw #HarukiMurakami #JakeGyllenhaal #RogueMale #PeterOToole #Reviews
Deep Purple's Oscar Beef
Burnt-out, scrappy-haired and squinting through an agonising hangover - but that's enough about Graham and Aidan as they've got to discuss Nicole Kidman's transformative turn in Karyn Kusama's grittier-than-thou cop thriller "Destroyer". Does it pack the same tooth-loosening impact as the butt of Kidman's gun?
After some discussion of the most superhero-packed set of Oscar nominations in history (primary competition for this title: none), it's time for Off the Shelf - which is a bit of a weirdo road-trip this week. First there's Graham, who finds plenty to sing about in Criterion's new Blu-Ray of David Byrne's "True Stories", and that's closely followed by Aidan who has set out his deckchair especially for Andrew Kotting's seaside travelogue "Gallivant".
Hop aboard our cinematic campervan, why don't you?
If you liked the show and want to see it continue then you can help in a number of ways. You can share us with your movie friends, give us a rating or review on wherever you get your podcasts or share us with your friends. The cool ones, yeah?
Podcast #Movies #Films #CinemaEclectica #Reviews #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Criterion #Destroyer #Gallivant #AndrewKotting #TrueStories #Oscars #Oscars2019 #KarynKusama #NicoleKidman #DavidByrne
Silent Power, Noisy Door
He's been to Director's Jail, served his Director's Probation, and is now worryingly close to being a repeat offender (according to Mick, Graham and Aidan that is). It's M. Night Shyamalan, whose trilogy-capper "Glass" is put under the magnifying lens as our Film of the Week.
A packed Off the Shelf sees Aidan stalking a highly desirable object in the form of Criterion's new Blu-ray release of the Michel Simon vehicle "Panique", before Graham breaks the silence around Second Run's new edition of the late Jan Nemec's "Diamonds of the Night". Finally, Mick points us towards Indicator's new release of William Castle's "Zotz!".
What is "Zotz!", you ask? It's hard to explain, but impossible to stop saying.
If you liked the show and want to see it continue then you can help in a number of ways. You can share us with your movie friends, give us a rating or review on wherever you get your podcasts or share us with your friends. The cool ones, yeah?
Podcast #Reviews #Movies #Films #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #SecondRun #Glass #MNightShyamalan #Criterion #Panique #WilliamCastle #Zotz #Indicator #JanNemec #DiamondsOfTheNight #Czech #Czechia #Superheroes #Unbreakable #Split #BruceWillis #JamesMcAvoy #SamuelLJackson
New Queen, Who Dis?
Eclectica is back in 2019 for an Oscar season like no other. There's a film about a famous author and one about a British monarch, but this time the more literary of the two sees Keira Knightley putting the bi in biopic for our film of the week "Colette". As for the royal film, well ... it's a Yorgos Lanthimos joint - which Graham discovers when he tackles "The Favourite".
After that things take a sharp left turn as Sarah looks at Icon Films' new release "Dog Days", which is about dogs and takes place over several days.
If you liked the show and want to see it continue then you can help in a number of ways. You can share us with your movie friends, give us a rating or review on wherever you get your podcasts or share us with your friends. The cool ones, yeah?
Podcast #Movies #Films #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #YorgosLanthimos #TheFavourite #Oscars #BAFTA #DogDays #Doggos #KeiraKnightley #Colette #AcademyAwards #Reviews #IconFilms
Welcome back to the only end-of-year review podcast hosted by people who haven't seen Roma yet (we'll get around to it).
This week, enjoy the thrilling denouement to our Best of 2018 charts, with Rob, Aidan, and Graham taking you through their picks from 5 to 1. Someone chooses an Eastern European folk horror movie, and it's not even Graham this time!
Mark also drops by with his picks of the most underappreciated movies of 2018, and there's a look ahead to Eclectica in the new year including our Favourite film to come back with and who's on first.
We'll see you all in the New Year!
If you've enjoyed this podcast then please share us with your friends or leave us a rating on your podcast app of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter @TGS_TheGeekShow, or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to Patreon and give whatever you can, or you can head over to The Geek Shop and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Thanks, and until next time, don't watch anything we wouldn't!
2018 #NewYear #Christmas #Podcast #Reviews #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Roma #EveryDay #Upgrade #HotelArtemis #AnnaAndTheApocalypse #Searching #BlacKkKlansman #TheShapeOfWater #MaryAndTheWitchsFlower #November #Ladybird #FirstReform #GhostStories #AFantasticWoman #SorryToBotherYou #SweetCountry #ThreeBillboardsOutsideEbbingMissouri #Western #Lucky #YouWereNeverReallyHere #Apostle #LetTheSunShineIn #SkateKitchen #GameNight #ColdHell #BlackPanther #TheMiseducationOfCameronPost #Films #Movies #TopTen #BestOf
The votes have been counted (which, being honest, wasn't too difficult since we're all doing our own lists), and it's time for Cinema Eclectica's Top Ten of 2018!
On this minisode, the first of two parts, we discover the hidden treasures of YouTube Red, celebrate a very British Japanese cartoon, and discover the only correct answer for the horror debate of the year - Hereditary vs A Quiet Place?
Tune in next week when Rob, Aidan, and Graham will be doing the countdown of their top five movies of 2018!
If you've enjoyed this podcast then please share us with your friends or leave us a rating on your podcast app of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter @TGS_TheGeekShow, or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to Patreon and give whatever you can, or you can head over to The Geek Shop and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Thanks, and until next time, don't watch anything we wouldn't!
Podcast #Movies #Christmas #2018InReview #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #Films #TheGeekShow #Hereditary #AQuietPlace #Horror #Anime #Youtube #Seasonal #BestOf #TopTen #MaryAndTheWitchsFlower #LeaveNoTrace #Upgrade #FacesPlaces #Suspiria #Bodied #GhostStories #Shoplifters #TheEndless #PhantomThread #JourneysEnd #YouWereNeverReallyHere #Hereditary
While Eclectica is on its holidays, enjoy the first of three weekly minisodes taking stock of 2018.
First up, Rob, Graham and Aidan discuss their favourite home video releases and unexpected discoveries of the year, and for that extra Christmas cheer … the films that have angered them most this year. As a bonus there's an elegy for the lost art of the director's commentary, and what would happen if you put David Lynch and Dario Argento into that machine from The Fly!
If you've enjoyed this podcast then please share us with your friends or leave us a rating on your podcast app of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter @TGS_TheGeekShow, or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to Patreon and give whatever you can, or you can head over to The Geek Shop and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Thanks, and until next time, don't watch anything we wouldn't!
CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Movies #Reviews #Cinema #Films #TheGeekShow #Christmas #Special #HomeVideo #Discoveries #Worst #BadFilms #DavidLynch #DarioArgento #Horror #Music #FrightFest #LastWaltz #FestivalCircuit
The fire is lit, the mulled wine has been dished out and the word of the week is 'picaresque'.
It's an Eclectica Christmas party alright, with Aidan, Sarah, Rob and Graham falling hard for Boots Riley's debut "Sorry to Bother You". Granted that's not very festive, but after a potted history of unmade Spider-Men from Mark the second half of the show will have you wishing it was January.
It's not all insane as Aidan has Bill Forsyth's "Comfort and Joy", which is a straightforward tale of Glaswegian ice cream men. Meanwhile, Graham's dealing with the birth of the bigfoot furry sex comedy in the form of Netflix's "Pottersville", and Rob brings the gift of Shatner with "Christmas Horror Story".
Stay tuned for news of our year-end shows!
If you liked the show and want to see it continue in 2019 and beyond then you can help in a number of ways. You can share us with your movie friends, give us a rating or review on iTunes, or head over to our Patreon and send us some pennies (it's the season of goodwill and all that stuff after all).
Christmas #Specials #Horror #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Cinema #Films #Movies #Podcast #SorrySoBotherYou #BootsRiley #SpiderMan #IntoTheSpiderVerse #Netflix #Pottersville #WilliamShatner #Canada #Glasgow #BillForsyth #ChristmasHorrorStory #ComfortAndJoy #IceCream
An Elvira Approved Podcast
We don't often get a British film that we can all sink our teeth into here on Cinema Eclectica, so when one finally does appear we tend to subject it to a bit of … erm … mauling. Oh dear.
The target of all this enthusiastic … nuzzling let's say (it sounds better than mauling!), is Sebastián Lelio's English language debut film, "Disobedience".
Oh dear, oh dear …
It's not all "bad" news though, as we get re-invigorated by "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark" at the midpoint of the show so we have all the power for the home stretch. After that energy boost, Aidan contends with John Schlesinger's "Yanks" while Mick does his very best to convert all of us to the Church of Ingmar Bergman using the baffling "Serpent's Egg" (yes, Elvira allowed us to find the innuendo in that one too).
But that isn't all we have for you this week, as our roving reporter Mark returns to talk about the eighth instalment in the R long-running Rocky franchise … sorry, make that "Creed II".
If you enjoy the show, share us with your friends, give us a review on your podcast app of choice, or even better head over to Patreon. The latter will help us continue producing this and many other podcasts long into 2019. Thanks and until next time with Sorry to bother you, don't watch anything we wouldn't.
Podcast #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Cinema #Movies #Films #BFI #MastersOfCinema #Eureka #Film4 #Disobedience #CreedII #Rocky #Boxing #IngmarBergman #Yanks #RichardGere #Geek #TheGeekShow #SerpentsEgg #Elvira #MistressOfTheDark #ArrowVideo
Justified Wrongness on the Internet
We've got everything from Jules Verne to Ava DuVernay this week, and Tim, Rob and Graham kick off an unusually packed show with a look at the Selma director's early film "Middle of Nowhere".
After that it's Off the Shelf, which is a veritable treasure trove of wildly diverse films, beginning with "Age of Consent" (Michael Powell's last film and Helen Mirren's first), from Powerhouse Films' Indicator series. Then it's time for a film that's hard to Google but fun to watch - Bryan Bertino's "The Monster" from Lionsgate, and closing things off is an animated feature as Czech genius Karel Zeman shows off his style in Second Run's release of "Invention for Destruction".
But that's not all! Keep listening to the end for a special surprise from Mark, as well as Graham's worst-ever pun.
If you enjoy the show, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or head on over to Patreon to stake your own claim on the dark heart of cinema (Eclectica).
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Sundance #SecondRun #AvaDuVernay #Indicator #PowerhouseFilms #StudioCanal #KarelZeman #MichaelPowell #HelenMirren #TheGeekShow #Geek #AgeOfConsent #MiddleOfNowhere #InventionForDestruction #Animation #TheMonster #TheFabulousWorldOfJulesVerne #TheDeadlyInvention
The Crumbs of Grimsby
It was a dark and stormy night, which explains why we all stayed indoors to watch "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" rather than going out to see the latest addition to the Potter-verse or whatever it's called. Mark's handling that one, so Rob and Graham are forced to check out the Coen brothers' portmanteau Western.
That's right, forced! Which film critic worth their salt would choose a film by the Coen Brothers over yet another addition to Harry Potter universe?
After that it's Off the Shelf, which this week has Rob tackling an all-star British comedy from the director of The Stepford Wives with Indicator's blu-ray release of "The Wrong Box". It's then time for Graham to settle down with the other half of equity in Robert Altman's "Gosford Park", which is available now from Arrow Academy.
It's still raining out there, but don't worry - we could be back on Netflix next week ...
Did you like the show? Well, of course, you did. So now that we've established that, you can support the show in a few ways. You can share us with your friends, you can give us a star rating or review on your podcast app of choice. Or, head to Patreon and send some pennies our way. As a super chain of supermarkets used to say - every little helps.
Podcast #Reviews #Movies #Film #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #ArrowAcademy #Netflix #Indicator #CoenBrothers #FantasticBeastsAndWhereToFindThem #FantasticBeasts #TheCrimesOfGrindelwald #HarryPotter #Westerns #RobertAltman #TheWrongBox #PeterCook #DudleyMoore #MichaelCaine #Period #Drama #Comedy #TheBalladOfBusterScruggs #GosfordPark
Examining Neil Young's Nostrils
A New Duo Emerges!
Join Aidan and Sarah as they discuss the latest film from the critically adored Steve McQueen, and what they find is that "Widows" is strangest of all beasts - an accessible film (well, accessible for Steve McQueen anyway as that guy has some bleak chops).
About half way through the show we have a rather extreme change in tone from mean streets and heists to screwball comedy as Sarah tackles the the Criterion release of "My Man Godfrey" starring William Powell. After that it's Aidan's turn on the movie rodeo, and this week he's got Scorsese in the director's chair with documentary-cum-concert movie "The Last Waltz" - which may be a little out of his comfort zone but oh well …
It's in weeks like this that we really earn our moniker of Cinema Eclectica.
Did you like what we have to offer? Of course you did, and if you want us to make more then there are a few ways you can show your appreciation. You can share us with your friends, or you can give us a rating on your podcast app of choice. Alternatively (or in addition to if you're of a mind), you can head over to our Patreon and send some pennies our way.
Until next time, stay well away from Robert Duvall's Fox Collection.
Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #SteveMcQueen #Widows #Films #Reviews #MartinScorsese #ScrewballComedy #Comedy #MyManGodfrey #MUBI #CriterionCollection #MastersOfCinema #Music #Documentary #TheLastWaltz #Podcast #Movies
Dummy Massacre!
It's a podcast that has been forty years in the making - which makes it even stranger that we ended up recording it on Bonfire Night!
This week the Eclectica gang get together for a chat about the latet Orson Welles's extremely late-period film "The Other Side of the Wind", but that's not the only late-period directorial indulgence, as Off the Shelf sees Graham take up a cudgel in defence of Terrence Malick's misunderstood "To the Wonder". Meanwhile, Aidan discovers some prime-era Hal Ashby with Warren Beatty, Julie Christie and the late Carrie Fisher starring in "Shampoo", which has been newly reissued on Blu-Ray by the Criterion Collection.
We also pitch an all-directors remake of Inside Out, because we can.
Did you like the show? Then why not share us with your friends, check out the Geek Show's YouTube Channel, or give us a rating on the podcast provider of your choice. You can also follow us on Twitter @TGS_TheGeekShow, or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to Patreon and give whatever you can. Alternatively, we have a shop up and running so head over to The Geek Shop and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Thanks, and until next time, don't watch anything we wouldn't
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Movies #Films #Netflix #CriterionCollection #Bluray #HalAshby #TerrenceMalick #Shampoo #ToTheWonder #OrsonWelles #TheOtherSideOfTheWind #TheGeekShow #Reviews #BonfireNight
Halloween 2018 Special: Party With The Supercrack
The dead have risen and they're ... well, you'll have to wait until the end of the show to find out. Leading us up to that point are Sarah, Aidan and Graham with our Film of the Week - Sam Raimi's horror classic "The Evil Dead", which is followed by some very different low budget scares in Off the Shelf.
This year's Halloween special has a 'So Bad It's Good?' theme going on, and in Aidan's case this involves the now infamous Troll 2 (the question answers itself), which leads us to ask where you might position Frank Henenlotter's "Frankenhooker" or "Legacy of Satan" (from the director of Deep Throat!), on the spectrum of good and bad? Sarah and Graham, respectively, have your scientifically ascertained answers.
OK, they're not scientifically ascertained. Or scientific. Or ascertained ...
Like the Show? Then why not send some horrific vibes to our Patreon, leave us a review on iTunes, or just share us with your friends.
Until next time, please, please, please don't watch what we've been watching.
Think of your eternal souls.
Podcast #TheGeekShow #Eclectica #Cinema #Films #Movies #Reviews #SamRaimi #Halloween #Special #Horror #TheEvilDead #BruceCampbell #BadMovies #FrankHenenlotter #Frankenhooker #Eureka #Exploitation #LegacyOfSatan #Troll2, #DeepThroat
Drug Smuggling: Tetris Edition
This week it's "Halloween" (the movie, not the day), and Graham, Aidan and slasher superfan Ryan are assessing the shape of things with David Gordon Green's new reboot ... sequel(?) ... thing? Mark is here as well to explain what the new Halloween's historic opening weekend means for horror movie casting in the future.
Off the Shelf has Aidan going ape, and coincidentally also has Arrow Video's reissue of Terry Gilliam's "Twelve Monkeys" to look at, while Graham makes a difficult voyage to get back in touch with his inner lad with Signature Entertainment's "Gangsta".
Join us next week for Halloween (the date, not the movie), when we're returning with Evil Dead (it's better than Evil Dead 2 - Rob). Yes, it's confusing, so until then, don't watch anything we wouldn't!
If you enjoyed that, why not send some good vibes our way in the form of a iTunes review? Or, if you are feeling particularly flush why not send some pennies our way via PATREON.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #Halloween #JohnCarpenter #JamieLeeCurtis #EvilDead #Blumhouse #Slasher #TerryGilliam #TwelveMonkeys #ArrowVideo #Gangsta #SignatureEntertainment #Crime #TheGeekShow #Geek #DavidGordonGreen #Horror #MichaelMyers #BruceWillis #BradPitt
Stan Lee is Fozzie Bear
Two mysterious drifters converge on a lonely podcast to cover "Bad Times at The El Royale". Drew Goddard's follow-up to "The Cabin in the Woods" has an enviable cast, but can it escape from under the big-chinned shadow of Tarantino?
This week's Off the Shelf has a theme, and that is beloved human cartoon characters. Graham explores the strange wonders of the new Blu-Ray release of Jackie Chan's "City Hunter" from Eureka, while Mark considers the parallels between Tom Hardy and Nicolas Cage - and if that whets your appetite for a spot of the old Cage rage then strap in because Ryan's doing Panos Cosmatos's instant cult film "Mandy". Yikes.
Three Movies, and all of them align with the occult in some way, shape or form - which means this is a bit of an odd week on Eclectica.
If you enjoyed the show then share it with your friends or give us a rating on your podcast provider of choice. Alternatively, you can head over to the geek show's PATREON and send some pennies our way. Ah, go on.
Until next time, don't watch anything we wouldn't.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #TheGeekShow #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #Mandy #PanosCosmatos #JackieChan #Eureka #CityHunter #DrewGoddard #BadTimesAtTheElRoyale #NicolasCage #TomHardy #TheCabinInTheWoods #Adaptations #Manga
When Life Gives you Razor Blades
It's time for another superhero(?), which means that our usual gang have been waylaid (again), and 4-Panel have stealthily taken over. Together this grizzled, rag-tag and hard-hitting team take on the might of "Venom", and like all the washed-up journalists in the Last Chance Saloon they spill ink all over the place.
After that it's over to Off The Shelf for the Thai boxing drama "A Prayer Before Dawn", the Joan Jett documentary "Bad Reputation", cheesy horror in "Night of the Creeps" (which is a favourite of someone who isn't on the show this week), and the troublesome history of cinematic Dr. Who.
If you enjoy this show, either this or any other week, you can help us in any number of ways. First, you can share us with your friends. Second, you can head over to wherever you get your podcasts and give us a rating and/or review, a good one hopefully. And finally, you can head over to our PATREON and offer up whatever pennies you can. Thanks and until next time, keep it Eclectic.
Movies #Podcast #4Panel #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #Venom #MCU #Marvel #TomHardy #DrWho #APrayerBeforeDawn #JoanJett #BadReputation #Horror #Comedy #NightOfTheCreeps #Eureka #TheGeekShow #Adaptations #Comics #Superheroes #Super Villains #Spider-Man
"Here We See The Wild Billy Connolly …"
This week we're covering Jeremy Saulnier's "Hold the Dark" - a film where the icy Alaskan atmospherics are so persuasive, Rob and Graham catch a cold out of sympathy. Fortunately we have a healthy Aidan on hand to guide them through the Blue Ruin director's latest offering on Netflix.
Off the Shelf has a diverse range of entertainment options for a dark night in, with Rob striking "gold" with the gold-painted weirdos of Teruo Ishii's "Horrors of Malformed Men" from Arrow Video. Meanwhile, Aidan checks out Indicator's latest rediscovery - "Absolution" - which stars Richard Burton and Billy Connolly, and wrapping up is Graham with Signature Entertainment's "The Captain".
Tune in next week, and remember - if we got anything wrong this week then it's the fault of the virus.
If you enjoyed this episode (which was brought to you by the kind people with the flu), then please share it with your friends, give us some kind words via the medium of an iTunes review, or head over the our PATREON and send us some pennies.
Until next time with Venom, keep it Eclectica.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #ArrowVideo #Indicator #Germany #Japan #TeruoIshii #BillyConnolly #HorrorsOfMalformedMen #Cult #Netflix #JeremySaulnier #HoldTheDark #Absolution #TheCaptain #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #RichardBurton
Alejandro Jodorowsky's Exciting Bus Journey
Are you into shame, but not in a weird sex way? If so, this is the Eclectica for you.
Prompted by the recent re-release of Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather", Rob, Aidan and Mick are looking at the original gangster saga (some of them, it turns out, for the first time), and asking what makes a favourite film anyway?
The humiliation continues in Off the Shelf with the first blow landing on Mick - who until now had never watched "Rocky". The hits keep coming as Aidan fills in a significant hole in his animation knowledge with Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-winning modern classic "Spirited Away", before Rob finally gets clobbered with "Eraserhead" - which leaves him seeing stars, amongst other things.
If you've seen it then you know what to expect. If you haven't then nothing can prepare you.
We also have some new release reviews, with Mark dropping by to assail "doyles" while talking about Paul Feig's "A Simple Favour", but then it's time for us to prepare for next week as we don our cinema survival gear and head out into the wilderness that is Netflix.
We may be some time …
If you enjoy the podcast, why not send a little help our way? You could share us with your friends, give a rating/review on iTunes, or head over to our parental Patreon and send some pennies. You can also find plenty of other interesting things that we do on our site so head over and look around.
Until next time, keep it Eclectica.
Podcast #Reviews #Films #Movies #TheGeekShow #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #ASimpleFavour #TheGodfather #Shame #ListOfShame #FrancisFordCoppola #Rocky #HayaoMiyizaki #Anime #Animation #SpiritedAway #StudioGhibli #DavidLynch #Eraserhead #PaulFeig #MarioPuzo #Adaptations #Books
Turtle or No Turtle
Graham and Aidan are in luck this week with, er, "Lucky" as Film of the Week. As the last lead role for the legendary Harry Dean Stanton, it's got pathos, humour and a very odd suggestion on what to do with a lollipop.
Shane Black has a new film out as well in the form of "The Predator", which sends Mark off on a trek through his previous blockbuster work. Meanwhile, Off the Shelf has Graham captivated by Indicator's Blu-Ray of "The Collector", while Aidan gets himself to a Nunnery with StudioCanal's 4K remaster of Jacques Rivette's once-banned "The Nun".
Save your Conjuring jokes, we've already made them.
If you liked that then you can subscribe for more, or head over to our iTunes page and give us a rating. If you really loved it then why not support us by heading over to our PATREON and send some pennies our way.
Until next time, thanks for listening. Coming next week: SHAME!
Podcast #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #Reviews #HarryDeanStanton #Indie #Lucky #FrenchNewWave #TheNun #JacquesRivette #Surreal #Comedy #ArrowFilms #TheGeekShow #StudioCanal #TheCollector #WilliamWyler #ThePradator #Indicator
Marvin Gaye's Frankenstein
All the leaves aren't quite brown yet, but the sky is definitely grey so it's the season for Aidan, Graham and Tim to revisit Wong Kar-Wai's international breakthrough hit "Chungking Express". Revitalising his career after the arduous shoot of "Ashes of Time", it's still one of the Hong Kong director's most beloved films - but how will our assembled reviewers cope with that Mamas and Papas earworm?
The public gets what the public wants though, and in this case the public wants to hear Tim going underground with Network's new Blu-Ray of cult subterranean cannibal horror "Death Line", which kick-starts Off the Shelf. After that, Aidan finds the secret to making great courtroom drama (just add Laughton!), with Eureka/Masters of Cinema's latest Billy Wilder reissue, "Witness for the Prosecution". He also challenges Graham to watch Ricky Lau's hit martial arts-horror-comedy "Mr. Vampire", which he hops to straight away.
Because the vampires hop, you see. No, seriously. They hop.
If you like the show then fire a rating our way on your podcast provider of choice, or share us with your film friends. Alternatively, you can contribute to our continued podcast effort by firing some money over to our PATREON. On the next show we've got Harry Dean Stanton's swan-song "Lucky", but until then thanks for listening, and keep it Eclectica.
Podcast #TheGeekShow #ChungkingExpress #WongKarWai #DeathLine #Horror #MrVampire #HongKong #MastersOfCinema #Network #BillyWilder #WitnessForTheProsecution #Movies #Films #CinemaEclectica #Reviews #Eclectica #Comedy #MartialArts
Drunken Sake Shenanigans
On this episode our Film of the Week is the hotly-tipped adaptation of a cult British novel about gangland youth, and although Graham is on hand to nurse Mick through his "Absolute Beginners" flashbacks, Idris Elba's directorial debut "Yardie" is a very different proposition. Bonus fact - star Aml Ameen was one of the kids on stage when Jarvis Cocker interrupted Michael Jackson's performance at the 1996 Brit Awards.
After that we have two very different films for Off the Shelf, with the first being from our new friends at Network, who have kindly supplied Graham with the long-lost grindhouse loonfest "Miss Leslie's Dolls". On the other hand Mick dons his reading glasses for Arrow's release of the samurai classic "Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji!" - which is apparently very charming for seventy four minutes then deeply disturbing for another twenty.
So it's a bit like this podcast then. Only longer.
If you enjoy the show, send us a star rating on your podcast provider of choice. Or head over to our PATREON and send some support our way. Until next time when it's another Director's Lottery, keep it Eclectica.
Podcast #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #Movies #Reviews #Films #ArrowVideo #Samurai #Grindhouse #BloodySpearAtMountFuji #Japan #Network #IdrisElba #Yardie #London #Jamaica #Gangs #CrimeMovies #AbsoluteBeginners #MissLesliesDolls
"On the Bigotry Hotline"
Graham and Sarah are in high spirits this week, which is good because the world's home entertainment companies trying to bring everyone down.
While Sarah tackles grooming in Eureka Video's "Allure" and the destruction of the countryside in the BFI's none-more-BFI documentary "Arcadia", Graham seems to have the lighter option with Criterion's "Smithereens" - but there's a sting in that particular tale, and at least one unexpected cameo.
Before all of that is our Film of the Week, "BlacKkKlansman". It's thematically just as heavy, but Spike Lee's comeback finds him in unexpectedly witty and accessible form, and as Mark discovers, even our childhood toys aren't safe from very adult concerns ...
If you enjoyed that, check out some of the other members of the geek show family. Alternatively, you can support us by giving us a 5-star review on your podcast app of choice or by sending some love to our PATREON. Until next week with either Cold War or Yardie, our local cinema never helps on this matter, keep it Eclectica.
Podcast #TheGeekShow #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #SpikeLee #Blackkklansman #Criterion #BFI #Smithereens #Punk #Arcadia #Eureka #Allure #Movies #Films #Reviews
The Millennial Retro of Slender Man
What happens when you introduce three newcomers to a well-known kung fu movie from the '90s? Join Sarah, Mick and Aidan as they get thrown into the deep end with Director's Lottery winner Tsui Hark's classic martial arts film which stars Jet Li as the legendary Wong Fei Hung - "Once upon a Time in China" (Part I, for those keeping count).
After that it's time for a run down of our other featured films, and this week Sarah joins an octogenarian Burt Reynolds for Adam Rifkin's ode to a screen legend - "The Last Movie Star". Maanwhile, Mick is thoroughly impressed and affected by the powerful Russian(ish) drama from Russia "A Gentle Creature", before Aidan joins Donald Sutherland for a brawl in a barn with a demon in "Apprentice to Murder".
We couldn't possibly end a week without some trash now, could we?
Like the Show? Check out the Patreon of The Geek Show (our parent network), and send some pennies our way. Alternatively, you can give us a 5-star rating over on iTunes. Either/or, as they're both fantastic ways that you can help little old Eclectica.
Until next time when we'll be talking about Blackkklansman, keep it Eclectica.
Podcast #Movies #Reviews #Films #Wuxia #MartialArts #JetLi #TsuiHark #OnceUponATimeInChina #China #ArrowVideo #Russia #BurtReynolds #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #AGentleCreature #ArrowFilms #ApprenticeToMurder #TheLastMovieStar
The Legend of Cedric
Graham's been practising his terrible Jason Statham impersonation for a whole week, but in the end it's Mark who covers the Stath's shark-'em-up The Meg. Rob, Aidan and Graham, meanwhile, turn their attention to Michael Lehmann's cult classic Heathers, now back in cinemas for its thirtieth anniversary. Is it still so very, or has it accrued some damage?
A full Off the Shelf sees Rob looking at an uncharacteristic film by one of his favourite directors - Hirokazu Koreeda - in Arrow Academy's new release The Third Murder, Graham goes in the slammer with Frank Sinatra and Leslie Howard in The Premium Collection's triple-format release of Von Ryan's Express, and Aidan initiates our new feature Devil's Advocate. For its first run-out, we're asking a question that could result in fisticuffs: is David Fincher's Fight Club really any good?
Apologies for the background noise this week, Rob's water tank was kicking out all sorts of noise. It shouldn't stop you from enjoying this week's packed episode. If you did, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and consider giving us a rating on iTunes. Or head over to our PATREON. Join us next week as we tackle our latest director's lottery episode, who is the director in question - you'll have to listen to find out.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #TheMeg #JasonStatham #DavidFincher #FightClub #Heathers #1980s #TheThirdMurder #ArrowAcademy #FrankSinatra #VonRyansSxpress #HirokazuKoreeda #DirectorsLottery
Paul Rudd Roulette
After a week's break the ant-icipation is growing for Graham, Mick and Andrew as they tackle Marvel's latest superhero offering - "Ant-Man and the Wasp". Will they make a big deal out of it and add to the positive buzz, belittle it with feeble size and insect puns (like the ones we're doing right now), or even do both?
After that dramatic opening which is tantamount to a 4-Panel takoever, it's time for Off the Shelf which sees the gang out on their serious nerd faces for something of a fantasy special. Mick kicks it all off with Paul Verhoven's typically tasteful "Flesh and Blood", which Graham follows-up by unearthing a skeleton from Tom Hanks' closet in the form of "Mazes and Monsters". After that it's Andrew's turn to luxuriates in the Muscovite madness of "The Last Warrior".
Then they all invent a new flavour of Kit-Kat.
A Paul Rudd Roulette, huh? Only on Eclectica. If you want to send some good vibes, give us a star rating on ITUNES. You can also send us something a little more concrete as a sign of appreciation. Head over to our PATREON, and send us some pennies. Until next time with the Meg, thanks for listening.
podcast #movies #films #moviereview #marvel #antman #antmanandthewasp #patreon #MCU #4panel #shitmovies #paulverhoeven #flesh+blood #fantasy #russia #lastwarrior #tomhanks #mazesandmonsters #eureka #mastersofcinema #arrowvideo #arrowfilm
Jeff Goldblum's Massive Tricycle
So there's this hotel over in California where you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave - largely because you're still on the member's list.
This week Aidan, Graham and Rob are booking into Drew Pearce's "Hotel Artemis" - which is an uncommon original screenplay in a summer of sequels, but does it live up to its extraordinary guest list? Oh, and if you're thinking "Hang on, Hotel Artemis wasn't the big release of last weekend", then don't worry because Mark has you covered since he went to see "Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!", specifically for the … erm … distinctive performance of Pierce Brosnan.
After that there are troubling discoveries in Off the Shelf, not least of which is Rob learning who Pitbull is via the medium of Aidan's review of "Gotti". After that we have an Arrow Video round-up, with Rob taking on '80s slasher "Doom Asylum" before Graham takes a quick look over Tale of Cinema & Woman is the Future of Man: Two Films by Hong Sang-soo, and Troy Duffy's divisive cult item "The Boondock Saints".
If you liked the show, head over to The Geek Show and see what other podcasts we have to offer or pop over to our PATREON and send some pennies our way. Both are great way's to support Cinema Eclectica.
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Movies #Films #ArrowVideo #TheBoondockSaints #DoomAsylum #Slasher #PierceBrosnan #MammaMia #HereWeGoAgain #Abba #JamesBond #007 #HotelArtemis #JodieFoster #JeffGoldblum #HongSangsoo #TaleOfCinema #WomanIsTheFutureOfMan #WillemDafoe
Grumpy Old Dictators
It's a three-man show disguised as a two-man show this week as Rob and Graham invite Mark on for an exciting new feature where we take a different look at two of last week's big releases - "The Incredibles 2" and "Skyscraper".
Before all of that though, there's a hilariously perverse piece of counter-programming thanks to our Director's Lottery, which this time has gifted us with Julia Loktev's minimalist hiking drama "The Loneliest Planet" - the box office takings of which were somewhere below the average Dwayne Johnson vehicle.
After duly dispensing those duties it's time for our photo negative show, where the usual home releases are replaced with new offerings at the cinema - and as we noted before, Mark is handling the blockbuster end of things. In the meantime, Rob and Graham have the disconcertingly cancer-themed double bill of Priscilla Cameron's debut "The Butterfly Tree" and Paul Schrader's raging comeback "First Reformed".
Thanks for tuning in, we have plenty more new additions to the show coming soon, but until next time with Hotel Artemis keep it Eclectica. If you want to send a little support our way, you can. Head on over to our PATREON and send some pennies our way. Alternatively, you can follow us on twitter at @oieclectica.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #Pixar #FirstReformed #TheIncredibles2 #Skyscraper #TheRock #TheButterflyTree #Australia #DirectorsLottery #TheLonliestPlanet #GaelGarciaBernal #PaulSchrader #TaxiDriver #Animation #Disney #Superheroes #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow
Sexy Guernica
After some technical problems the Eclectica gang manage to find the right lever switch to send 5,000 volts through their microphones while they maniacally scream "It's alive!" as they discuss "Mary Shelley". With Elle Fanning bringing the Frankenstein author to life and Haifaa al-Mansour supplying her "Abby Normal" brainpower in the director's chair, wait ...
You know what? We've run out of Frankenstein references, so while we desperately scramble around for some new jokes we find out if the film is good or not.
A stacked-up Off the Shelf sees Aidan bellowing greetings to Second Run's Blu-Ray of Milos Forman's debut "Black Peter", and Sarah narrowly avoids the mother of all spoonerisms as she covers BFI's reissue of "The Entertainer" starring Laurence Olivier. Meanwhile, Graham offers a cold, haunted and frankly disappointed stare at Signature Films' "Dark Crimes".
It's all on the new Eclectica, now with added book recommendations (for some reason)!
Support the podcast by following us on twitter @oieclectica or send some pennies over to our PATREON. But until next time, don't watch anything we wouldn't.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #Frankenstein #MaryShelley #MilosForman #BlackPeter #SecondRun #BFI #BritishFilmInstitute #TheEntertainer #DarkCrimes #CinemaEclectica #ElleFanning #TheGeekShow #SignatureFilms #Eclectica
You Have the Right to Remain Embalmed
This week Graham embarks on a rogue operation to spy on "Sicario 2: Soldado", a mission that has been necessitated by defence cuts and CDC alerts (basically some of us were too ill or too broke to see it). After this clandestine outing Rob and Tim interrogate Graham to find out if the film lives up to its predecessor.
We'll let you decide which one is the good cop.
Meanwhile, Off the Shelf goes sniffing around the margins of late 20th Century science fiction with two titles from Second Sight. Rob takes on the first film - which sees The Re-Animator's Stuart Gordon go big-budget with "Space Truckers". After that it's time for Tim to get a good close-up of Harry Bromley-Davenport's cult sci-fi horror "Xtro".
Come for the movies, stay for the disturbingly intimate discussions of robot mating cycles and alien egg sacs.
How did you like our apples? Tasty, we hope. Want to say thanks for the dish that keeps on giving that is Eclectica? You do! Wonderful. Then please head over to our PATREON and send some pennies our way. Thanks and we will see you next time with Mary Shelley.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #TheGeekShow #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #StuartGordon #Xtro #SpaceTruckers #SecondSight #Horror #SciFi #ScienceFiction #Aliens #Sicario #Soldado #DayOfTheSoldado #StefanoSollima #Mexico #DennisHopper #MaryShelley #DenisVilleneuve
Killed By W.A.S.P.
For a Fuller podcast experience, join Ryan, Graham, and Aidan for Cinema Eclectica's Sam Fuller special, where the second half of the show is a deep dive into Indicator's new box set devoted to the great San Franciscan's work. Ryan immediately clicks (buddy-cop style), with "The Crimson Kimono", Aidan takes a trip to "Underworld USA", and Graham holds the presses for "Scandal Sheet". If you're as dedicated to the two-fisted tabloid noir auteur as we are, then this is a must-listen show!
Before all of that though, there's this little thing we do sometimes called Director's Lottery, which on this occasion offers us too much flippin' perspective on Rob Reiner's legendary debut mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap". Considering its cult following, its relationship with real rock history and (we're sorry in advance), some sing-alongs, this is the ultimate exploration of the fine line between stupid and clever.
If you want to see us turn it up to 11 then there are a few ways you can support us. You could give us a star rating on your podcast app of choice, or you could head over to our PATREON and send some pennies our way.
Until next time when we will bring you Sicario Soldado, be excellent to each other.
GlamRock #Podcast #ThisIsSpinalTap #Comedy #RobReiner #Documentary #Mockumentary #SamFuller #Indicator #FilmNoir #Crime #TheCrimsonKimono #UnderworldUSA #ScandalSheet #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Movies #Films #Reviews #Rock #Music #SpinalTap #Satire #Comedy
De-Gayed in the Final Draft
This week Ryan, Graham and Aidan must face a terrible horror that they've ignored for too long, and is now ready to harvest their souls …
But before we talk about James Corden there's Ari Aster's hit debut "Hereditary" - which has been compared to The Exorcist, The Babadook and an obscure 1960s play (although the last one is just us).
After whirling through a minority report on "Ocean's 8" faster than Sandra Bullock can rob a clothes store, Aidan and Graham discuss Paul Schrader's masterful reinvention of the biopic "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters". It's a film with some guts, which is more than you can say for its protagonist by the end of proceedings.
Stay tuned for a special show coming next week!
Thanks for checking in with Eclectica. If you enjoy what you hear, please consider heading over to our PATREON and sending a few pennies our way. It helps us to continue with the show. Thanks and we'll see you next time.
Podcast #Reviews #Movies #Films #MovieReviews #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Horror #A24 # Hereditary #IndieHorror #CriterionCollection #Mishima #ALifeInFourChapters #PaulSchrader #Oceans8 #TheExorcist #TheBabadook #AriAster
Chris Pratt's D.I.Y. S.O.S.
You've seen dinosaurs in a theme park, but what happens if they get out? Well, then the film would just be called Jurassic.
That quibble aside, J.A. Bayona's "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" makes some efforts to shake up the franchise - but will it leave Ryan, Tim and Graham similarly shaken?
Elsewhere, there's a quick trailer watch with new films from Luca Guadagnino, David Lowery and Drew Goddard, as well as reviews of Eureka films' reissue of the classic Sidney Poitier vehicle "No Way Out" and Left Films's new British folk horror "Dogged". The real horror comes at the end though, and yes, yes, there's a preview of Hereditary, but it's also musical theatre …
Have you enjoyed the show? If so, then please consider heading over to our PATREON and sending us some pennies - it'll help us continue long into the future and grow. Thanks, we'll see you next time.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #Trailers #Suspiria #TheOldManAndTheGun #BadTimesAtElRoyale #DrewGodard #Italy #FolkHorror #Racism #MastersOfCinema #Dogged #NoWayOut #FilmNoir #JurassicWorld #FallenKingdom #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow
The Revenant: The James Brown Cut
Silence!
It's a bad idea for podcasts, but as the BFI are reminding us with their re-release of GW Pabst's pre-talkie classic "Pandora's Box", it's a good idea for movies. So how will this icon of silent cinema (and the decades-old inspiration for the hairstyles of people going to 1920s-themed costume parties), fare with modern film fans?
Off the Shelf also has another classic from BFI as Aidan jogs along with their reissue of Tony Richardson's "The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner", which goes to to toe with Rob's coverage of Abdelletif Kechiche's forgotten film "Black Venus" - which is available from Arrow Academy.
So it's a show full of archive rediscoveries, but the real comeback has been saved for the end ...
Silent Cinema is a challenge but one that we will happily rise to. To help us laugh in the face of other podcasting challenges head over to our PATREON and send us some pennies. We would appreciate it and it is also the best way to support us and help us continue this podcasting lark long into the future.
Thanks!
Podcast #TheGeekShow #Eclectica #Cinema #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #Reviews #BFI #SilentMovies #ArrowAcademy #KitchenSink #SocialRealism #TheLonelinessOfTheLongDistanceRunner #BlackVenus #AbdelletifKechiche #LouiseBrooks #PandorasBox #GWPabst
Vera Drake in 4DX
In a week that includes a new Star Wars film then that's what you have to do, which is why we can't ignore the release of "Solo: A Star Wars Story". Unfortunately Graham, Aidan and Sarah are all at very different levels of the Star Wars fandom, so what will they make of it?
More importantly, who paid extra to see it in 4DX and was it worth it?
After that it's business as usual with Off the Shelf, which this week is a chamber of horrors as Graham - our resident Universal Horror superfan - breaks in to James Whale's "The Old Dark House" (now on Blu-Ray from Eureka/Masters of Cinema), for a good rummage. Meanwhile, Aidan finds out why "Death Smiles on a Murderer" in Arrow Video's re-release of the 1970s Italian Horror (given the name, it's definitely not going to be a 1980s John Hughes movie … except maybe Home Alone because that kid is obviously the bad guy from Saw).
If you enjoy our movie ramblings that are one part infectious love two parts jabbering nonsense then please follow us on Twitter @oieclectica or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to Patreon and give whatever you can. Alternatively, we have a shop up and running so head over and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Thanks and See you next week.
Podcast #Movie #Reviews #Films #Solo #StarWars #ArrowVideo #Italy #Exploitation #KlausKinski #JoeDAmato #VideoNasties #Universal #Horror #TheOldDarkHouse #LouiseBrooks #DeathSmilesOnAMurderer #JamesWhale #JohnHughes #HomeAlone #Saw #Euraka #MastersOfCinema #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #JBPriestly #Adaptations #Books #Novels
Smurf Bloody Smurf
This week we review Deadpool 2, and it's … err … we don't know actually as that brotherhood of evil comic-book and manga fans called 4-Panel take over the airwaves in a fourth-wall-breaking stunt worthy of the mutated scamp himself.
So does it live up to the original? It's not a rhetorical question this week as we genuinely have no idea.
After we wrestle back control of the show it's time for Off the Shelf, which offers more orthodox business (assuming your rabbi is very open-minded). He might be up for some '70s black comedy in Indicator's reissue of Alan Arkin's directorial debut "Little Murders", but would he jack himself in for a bit of body horror with Black Label's Blu-Ray release of David Cronenberg's "eXistenZ"?
Fortunately you don't need to ask him, or extend this tortured metaphor any further as Aidan and Graham are on the case.
If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please follow us on Twitter @oieclectica or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow and give whatever you can. Alternatively, we have a shop up and running so head over http://thegeekshow.co.uk/thegeekshop and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Thanks and see you next week.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #Deadpool2 #Deadpool #Marvel #MCU #AlanArkin #Indicator #LittleMurders #BlackComedy #DavidCronenberg #eXistenZ #Horror #Comedy #RyanReynolds #XMen #Superheroes #Cable #JoshBrolin #4Panel #TheGeekShow #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #Comics
When The Dancing Stops … Leave
Our latest Film of the Week, José Padilha's "Entebbe", is a tale of crisis, violence, revolution, and the old order breaking down - which is probably why we start off by accidentally junking the running order.
Eventually (and with far more discussion of interpretive dance and changing fashions in onscreen captions than we expected), we get to Off the Shelf and two of our favourite labels. Arrow Video unleash yet another ancient evil with "Rawhead Rex" - George Pavlou's adaptation of Clive Barker's short story of the same name which Tim takes a swing at. Meanwhile, Second Run have reissued Ivan Passer's Czech classic "Intimate Lighting", but does this orchestral comedy hit the right notes for Graham?
Stay tuned till the end for news about next week's show, where we plan the most ambitious comic book crossover event since ... erm ... two weeks ago.
If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please follow us on Twitter @oieclectica, or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow and give whatever you can. Alternatively, we have a shop up and running so head over http://thegeekshow.co.uk/thegeekshop and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Podcast #TheGeekShow #TGS #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #SecondRun #CzechCinema #CzechNewWave #ArrowVideo #CliverBarker #RawheadRex #Politics #Entebbe #Movies #Films #Reviews #News #IntimateLighting #ShortStory #Adaptation #GeorgePavlou #7DaysInEntebbe #JoséPadilha #IvanPasser
*The Best 1980s Sci-Fi Junk Never *
Sandwiching two slices of groundbreaking queer cinema in between the bread of gritty revenge drama, this week's show truly has something for everyone.
Maybe he's just able to relate to the parched atmosphere, but Graham is very taken with Warwick Thornton's outback western "Sweet Country", while Aidan is keen to make a song and dance about Sebastian Lelio's "A Fantastic Woman".
We then have two milestones as Sarah covers the first mainstream LGBT teen film - Greg Berlanti's "Love, Simon", after which Rob rounds off our B-Sides show with "You Were Never Really Here" - a new film by Lynne Ramsay that we've had to wait for, for quite a while.
If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please follow us on Twitter @oieclectica, or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show. If you want to show your support then head over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow and give whatever you can. Alternatively, we have a shop up and running so head over http://thegeekshow.co.uk/thegeekshop and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Podcast #TheGeekShow #Eclectica #Movies #Films #Reviews #BSides #WorldCinema #LoveSimon #Westerns #NewYork #YouWereNeverReallyHere #LynneRamsay #LGBT #AFantasticWoman #Crime #News #CinemaEclectica #SweetCountry #WarwickThornton #SebastiánLelio #GregBerlanti
The Ingmar Bergman Cinematic Universe
Sometimes drastic measures must be taken in order to bring balance to the universe, which is why we're making the effort to placate the spoiler-wary by moving our Film of the Week to the back of the show. So we start with Off the Shelf this week where the BFI's reissue of Ingmar Bergman's "The Touch" gives Mick a case of butterflies, and Powerhouse's Blu-ray of "Suddenly, Last Summer" has Graham probing the dark secrets of Elizabeth Taylor (steady on there chaps).
After that it's time for the most ambitious crossover event in blah, blah, comic-books, blah, ten years, blah, etc, when Thanos comes to town in "Avengers: Infinity War".
Don't worry, because although we won't tell you who lives and who dies, we will definitely tell you who amongst us liked it and who's being irritatingly contrarian.
If you've enjoyed episode of Eclectica, then please follow us on Twitter @oieclectica or on other social media by searching for The Geek Show pr Cinema Eclectica. If you want to show your support then head over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow and give whatever you can. Alternatively, we have a shop up and running so head over http://thegeekshow.co.uk/thegeekshop and partake in some of our lovely wares.Thanks.
Podcast #Reviews #Movies #Films #Marvel #MCU #Avengers #Thor #IronMan #DrStrange #IndicatorFilms #Powerhouse #BFI #TheTouch #SuddenlyLastSummer #InfinityWar #CaptainAmerica #BlackPanther #Thanos #IngmarBergman #CinemaEclecitca #Eclecitca #TheGeekShow #Comics #Superheroes #SpiderMan #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy #Adaptations #AvengersInfinityWar
Existentialism and Pizza, Dude
This week we're covering films that, in one way or another, deliver on what their titles promise.
"A Fistful of Dollars" really was made for about as much money as its name suggests, while "Neon Bull" really does feature a neon bull, and "The Passenger" really is an adaptation of the classic Iggy Pop song.
OK, we may have made that last one up, but after Sergio Leone's classic Western our Off the Shelf section goes seriously arthouse. Rob investigates Indicator's blu-ray of Michelangelo Antonioni's enigmatic masterpiece "The Passenger" (starring Jack Nicholson), and Graham saddles up for a rodeo as Second Run release "Neon Bull" for the first time ever in the UK.
We're taking a week's break after this, and when we come back? Get ready, because it's war!
If you like our unique brand of film criticism and commentary and want to show your appreciation then please follow us on social media or head over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow and give whatever you can. Alternatively, we have a shop up and running so head over http://thegeekshow.co.uk/thegeekshop and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Thanks and Peace Out.
Western #SpaghettiWestern #SergioLeone #ClintEastwood #Eclectica #Reviews #Movies #MovieReviews #Podcast #CinemaEclectica #SecondRun #Indicator #Italy #Spain #ThePassenger #NeonBull #Brazil #ArtHouse #TheGeekShow #AFistfulOfDollars #MichelangeloAntonioni #JackNicholson #Films
The Hills Have Ears
This week's Off the Shelf sees the films themselves teaching the hosts a thing or two. Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson's paranormal horror "Ghost Stories" turns the sceptical Graham into a true believer, while Aidan finds Criterion's reissue of "La Cage aux Folles" something of a drag.
You could say the films review themselves, but they don't. That's why we need to do it.
Before all of that though, there's a look at the trailer for Terry Gilliam's long, long, long-awaited The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, and our Film of the Week is John Krasinski's "A Quiet Place".
Is it worth shouting about, or should you turn a deaf ear to it?
If you love a little Eclectica in your life, then why not send some support our way by heading to http://thegeekshow.co.uk/the-geek-shop/ and partake in some of our new merchandise. Thanks x
Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #News #Trailers #TheGeekShow #AQuietPlace #GhostStories #Horror #SciFi #ScienceFiction #TerryGilliam #DonQuixote #TheManWhoKilledDonQuixote #Criterion #TheBirdCage #CriterionCollection #France #TheLeagueOfGentlemen #Podcast #Reviews #LaCageAuxFolles
All Dogs Gere to Heaven
Somewhere in the British archipelago, no years into the future (but some time in the year 2018 for those of you who are actually in the future). Four strays gather to discuss Wes Anderson's new and strange stop-motion animated movie "Isle of Dogs" - a Film of the Week that splits the pack of Tim, Sarah, Rob and Graham.
Are they, in a very real sense, good dogs?
Meanwhile, Off the Shelf has the kind of hairpin turn only Eclectica can provide as one minute Graham's marvelling at Richard Gere's fashion choices in Second Sight's Blu-Ray release of Jim McBride's "Breathless", then Rob is lost in a world of ghosts and weirdness with King Hu's "Legend of the Mountain", which is out now from Eureka. But does he enjoy it? No, seriously, does he, he's not sure ...
If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please give us on a follow on social media or head over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow and give whatever you can. Alternatively, we have a shop up and running so head over http://thegeekshow.co.uk/thegeekshop and partake in some of our lovely wares.
Podcast #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #WesAnderson #IsleOfDogs #Breathless #JeanLucGodard #SecondSight #MastersOfCinema #China #Ghosts #KingHu #LegendOfTheMountain #Movies #Reviews #Films #Eureka #RicharGere #Japan #Mythology #Legends
Oprah, Floating Benevolent Space God
This week's show tackles faith, the nature of reality and how to pronounce director's names - all areas that we're pretty confident we'll have sorted out by the time we finish our review of Ava DuVernay's "A Wrinkle in Time" where we find out if the "Selma" director finds a happy medium between indie grit and big-budget spectacle.
Also on the show, an Off the Shelf review from an unexpected and delightful source has Graham checking out Oldrich Lipský's time-travel farce "I Killed Einstein, Gentlemen", while Sarah takes BFI's release of "Queerama" out of the closet.
Did you enjoy that? We certainly did, and if you want to show your appreciation of our wry movie discussion, head over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow and support us in whatever way you can.
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #News #CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #Cinema #Eclectica #Czech #BFI #LGBT #Queerama #Documentary #DaisyAsquith #AvaDuVernay #AWrinkleInTime #Disney #Oprah #OprahWinfrey #ScienceFiction #SciFi #Religion #Theology #IKilledEinsteinGentlemen #Books #Adaptations #MadeleineLEngle
Release the Bad Doggos
We like to cover the full spectrum of cinema on this show, and any episode which begins with a Palme d'Or winner and ends with an infamously campy teen incest melodrama certainly qualifies.
The former is our Film of the Week - Ruben Östlund's "The Square", and the latter - Arrow video's Blu-Ray of "Flowers in the Attic" - has Aidan drawing the short straw. Meanwhile, Rob looks at Dick Clement's '60s Tom Courtenay spy romp "Otley", which is now on release from Indicator.
Oh, and if you're following our long-running competition to see who can come up with the most pretentious recommendations to go alongside our Film of the Week then watch out Aidan! A new challenger has appeared!
If you like what you're listening to and want to help us continue making Eclectica, then please send some pennies our way by heading over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow.
Podcast #TheGeekShow #Eclectica #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #Reviews #Indicator #PowerhouseFilms #ArrowVideo #PalmedOr #Otley #TheSquare #RubenÖstlund #Sweden #DickClement #British #London #FlowersInTheAttic #Awards #CannesFilmFestival #TheDollangangerSeries #Books #Adaptations #VCAndrews #TomCourtenay
Needs More Benedict Wong
Rob, Mick and Graham travel into unknown territory this week for Alex Garland's Netflix psych-out "Annihilation" on the day of its release. If you've ever wanted to listen as people grapple with a trippy, existential, hard science fiction film a couple of hours after watching it then you've come to the right place!
You're also in the right place for: Lionsgate's Blu-Ray re-release of Vestron Video's effects-driven '90s horror "Wishmaster", Arrow Academy's new release of Robert Altman's experimental '70s horror "Images", and "Game Night" - which is not horrific at all (and considering it's a new studio comedy, that's quite an achievement!).
If you like what you're hearing (editing swerves around technical issues included), and want to help us continue making Eclectica? Then send some pennies our way by heading over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow.
Thanks!
TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #Netflix #SciFi #ScienceFiction #AlexGarland #Annihilation #ExMachina #Arrow #ArrowAcademy #RobertAltman #VestronVideo #Lionsgate #GameNight #Comedy #Horror #Wishmaster #HotTake #Images
Real Estate Advice For Vampires
It's our 150th show, which you'd think would be a time for celebration but for Mick, Tim, Rob and Graham it's a time for deep, deep shame as they exchange their guilty pleasure movies with each other (no, not that kind).
This anniversary cavalcade of shame has Mick reassessing Kevin Costner's gigantiflop (and stealth The Shape of Water sequel), "Waterworld", while Tim rolls the twelve-sided dice in a futile attempt to avoid watching "Krull". One the other side, Rob wonders why feminist waterfall thumb-stabbing vampires never became a thing in "Byzantium", and Graham tries to review "The Visitor" - a film about which no description will suffice.
There's also a bit of Oscar chat at the end if you want to hear us talk about movies people absolutely sincerely like.
If you like this show and want to help us create another 150 episodes, then please support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow,
150thepisode #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #News #Oscars2018 #Oscars #GuiltyPleasures #Fantasy #PostApocalypse #ArrowVideo #TheVisitor #Stridulum #Italy #Vampires #NeilJordan #Byzantium #KevinCostner #Waterworld #TheShapeOfWater #Krull #LiamNeesom #KeyAndPeele #Anniversary #Reviews #AcademyAwards
Frisking Bogie's Butt
Graham and Aidan welcome a new reviewer to the show this week as Sarah comes on board to help us with our hella-tight analysis of Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird". It's an Oscar front-runner despite featuring no references to the Dunkirk evacuation whatsoever - but what did we think of it?
Off the Shelf sees Aidan taking a close-up look at Carl Theodor Dreyer's "Michael", which has now been reissued on Blu-Ray by Masters of Cinema. Meanwhile, Sarah gives a suspiciously intimate pat-down to Warner Archives's new release of the John Huston's classic "The Maltese Falcon".
Enjoy it while it lasts because there are terrible things coming next week - and we're not talking about Monster Family.
If you enjoyed the show, then head over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow and give what you can, however much that might be. Your support will enable us to continue waxing nonsensically about the magic of movies.
Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEcelctica #Eclectica #Movies #Reviews #Films #News #Oscars #Oscars2018 #LadyBird #GretaGerwig #Indie #WarnerBros #HMV #TheMalteseFalcon #JohnHuston #FilmNoir #Dunkirk #Michael #MastersOfCinema #Eureka #CarlTheodorDreyer #Germany #SilentFilm #Silent #LGBT
Abbott and Costello in Space
Forever the rabble-rousers, that's us. We're so bad, we even rebel against ourselves every now and again. We're such a smart podcast, yes we are, that this episode we say no thanks to our usual conventions and head for the shallow end where our feet touch the bottom and we can pronounce all of the words … mostly.
This week we have what may be our most stripped back show ever as Rob, Tim and Mick tackle a double feature of Marvel's latest superhero offering - "Black Panther" - and Guillermo Del Toro's obscure romance-em-up "The Shape of Water". Worry not though, as this bare-bones, devolved version of the show is just a passing fancy and we'll be back up on our hind legs again for the next show.
Do you like Eclectica and want to send a support us in some way? Then please head over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow and share some pennies - we will be forever grateful.
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Movies #4Panel #TheGeekShow #Romance #Gothic #Horror #Movies #Films #Reviews #News #Marvel #BlackPanther #Wakanda #TheShapeOfWater #GuillermoDelToro #Oscars #AcademyAwards #TheCreatureFromTheBlackLagoon #Eclectica #Hellboy #AbeSapien
Jack White's War Theremin
Which David Lynch film should Tim, Aidan and Graham review this week? A voice from between the worlds calls out 'Do "Fire Walk With Me"!' - which is the sort-of prequel to Twin Peaks that received scathing reviews upon its release. Considering that only one of us is a big fan of Twin Peaks (two, if you count our talking mynah bird), how does it look now?
While trying desperately to offer no spoilers while we find out that fandom isn't all-important. Tim isn't a huge giallo fan but he loves Arrow's reissue of "The Bird With the Crystal Plumage". On the B-Side Graham wonders if he's the target audience for "Darkest Hour" while Aidan is left to wonder if anyone is the target audience for "The Post".
Do you appreciate what we do and want to show that in some sort of gesture? As luck would have it we do have a Patreon so please check out https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow for more details.
Podcast #Movies #Films #JackWhite #Giallo #DarioArgento #ArrowVideo #DarkestHour #Oscrs #AcademyAwards #ThePost #StevenSpielberg #DavidLynch #TwinPeaks #FireWalkWithMe #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #DirectorsLottery #TheBirdWithTheCrystalPlumage #News #Reviews
Ullo John Waters, Got a New Motor
The first rule of Gothic literature is that everyone has dark secrets and no-one can be trusted - as Rob, Mick and Graham find out when the local cinemas nix their plans for "Phantom Thread" to be Film of the Week. Worry not though, as Daniel Day-Lewis' Whitby vacation is still covered, along with the more commercial Gothic stylings of Helen Mirren's new horror film. Is it for the "Winchester", or get-in-Binchester?
Off the Shelf has a Criterion special with Rob covering Jonathan Demme's "Something Wild", Mick discovering the fiftieth anniversary of "Night of the Living Dead", and Graham talking about Wes Anderson's directorial debut "Bottle Rocket". We should warn you that there are potentially controversial opinions on this episode, but we manage to evade the lynch mobs - until the very end that is …
Enjoy a good bit of Cinema Eclectica and want to give a little back? Then please support this ever-weird movie podcast by heading over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow and help however much you can.
Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #News #Reviews #JonathanDemme #CriterionCollection #GeorgeARomero #NightOfTheLivingDead #WesAnderson #BottleRocket #PTA #PhantomThread #SomethingWild #Comedy #Winchester #Horror #HelenMirren
Tom Hiddleston's Plasticine Nipples
It's an educational show this week as Aidan, Tim and Graham learn about the darkest secret of Hammer Studios and the how the director of "Some Like It Hot" prolonged the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. Before all of that there's Film of the Week - Aardman Animation's latest expertly-moulded offering "Early Man".
It's got cavemen, but does it rock?
A full Off the Shelf sees Graham discussing StudioCanal's reissue of the last in the classic Hammer Horror cycle "To the Devil A Daughter", Tim giving Eureka's "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" a thorough investigation, and Aidan discovering the Dirty Harry/Bicycle Thieves connection we never knew existed in Arrow Academy's "The Witches".
Now if you'll excuse us, we're off to Pier Paolo Pasolini's Simpsons cosplay party.
We need help to continue bringing you our unique brand of movie podcasting. Support us in whatever way you can over at https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #Movies #News #Reviews #Films #Hammer #ToTheDevilADaughter #SomeLikeItHot #BillyWilder #SherlockHolmes #StudioCanal #MastersOfCinema #ArrowAcademy #TheWitches #Aardman #EarlyMan #Animation #AardmanAnimation #ThePrivateLifeOfSherlockHolmes #ArthurConanDoyle
Breaking Your Heart (Pixar Style)
We open this week's show with one of the most unexpected recommendation sections before throwing ourselves into Pixar's newest film - "Coco". We're not crying as we type this, shut up, you are!
Sniff
Who put all that dust in here?
After that eye-watering beginning we launch into Off the Shelf with a trio of films. Aidan looks at Indicator's release of "The Border" - starring Jack Nicholson at the peak of his powers. Meanwhile, Rob gets confused about whether Jia Zhangke's "24 City" is a documentary or not and Ryan gets down and dirty with Giallo Classic "Cat O' Nine Tails".
Oh, and please don't say the words "remember me" to Rob. It's too soon for him.
Until next time, keep it Eclectica. And if you want to see us continue with podcasts like this, send some support over to www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #TheOscars #Coco #Pixar #Animation #Mexico #DayOfTheDead #Giallo #DarioArgento #ArrowVideo #JiaZhangke #24City #ArrowAcademy #JackNicholson #IndicatorFilms #Powerhouse #CinemaEclectica #CatONineTails #TheBorder #Disney #TheAcademyAwards
Putting Bosoms on the Back-Burner
It's the first regular show of 2018 and Graham is already being judgemental about the films the that Ryan and Mick are looking forward to in our New Year's Question of the Week. Can one of them get their own back by catching him out on film trivia in Off the Shelf? That, we cannot say …
What we can say is that we're reviewing Straight On Till Morning from StudioCanal and The Battle of Algiers from Cult Films, but before that comes our Film of the Week - Martin McDonagh's Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
It's Oscar-tipped McDormand performance made us Frances Ha, then Frances Shudder, then Frances Cry.
Want to support Cinema Eclectica and ensure it runs long into the future? Then head over to www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Eclectica #TheGeekShow #Cinema #Films #Movies #Francesha #FrancesMcDormand #StudioCanal #HammerHorror #Hammer #TheBattleOfAlgiers #StraightOnTillMorning #MartinMcDonagh #Oscars #AcademyAwards #ThreeBillboards #CultFilms #2018 #Reviews
It's time for our review of 2017, and with it comes the usual cliffhanging tension.
What will Rob, Graham, Aidan and Ryan pick as their films of the year? What will be the most breathtakingly perverse top ten choices? Whose voice will give out first from seasonal flu? All of these questions (and some more), will be answered in this bumper special episode.
There's also a slight return for Question of the Week as we asked our listeners for their favourite films of the last year and a round-up of our favourite home entertainment releases, as well as a trip down awful memory lane with our least favourite films of 2017.
We'll be back in a couple of weeks, or however long it takes for Ryan to recover from being reminded that Alien: Covenant was a thing.
Please support Cinema Eclectica by sending a few pennies over to https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #Movies #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #2017 #InReview #2018 #TopTen #Top10 #WorstOfTheYear #HomeVideo #WorstFilm #Criterion #SecondRun #ArrowAcademy #ArrowVideo #TheFloridaProject #TheKillingOfASacredDeer #TheHandmaiden #Okja #TheDeathOfStalin #Films #News #Reviews #BestOf2017
Merry Dick Maas Everybody!
The mince pies have been laid out, the tinsel has been put up, and the Christmas tree - well, let's not talk about the Christmas tree.
It's Cinema Eclectica's Christmas Special and we've got a festive trio of movies from around the world. From the Netherlands, Dick Maas gives us a very un-jolly Saint Nick in "Saint". From the USSR, we take flight on our skis with Gennadi Kazansky's "The Snow Queen", and from the seventh circle of hell it's Flamarion Ferrera's infamous animated special "The Christmas Tree".
But before that it's time to attend to our Film of the Week, which is James Franco's acting-directing homage to fellow multihyphenate Tommy Wiseau, "The Disaster Artist". Will any of us be able to
Like the show? Support it by sharing with your friends or heading over to patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #Reviews #DickMaas #ChristmasSpecial #Christmas #Special #Saint #SinterKlaus #TommyWiseau #TheDisasterArtist #TheRoom #FolkTale #TheChristmasTree #Animtion #Netherlands #TheSnowQueen #JamesFranco #Movies #Films #Reviews #Recommendations #News
Come Back British Folk Horror! Come Back!
Not only does British folk horror need to come back, so too does our wi-fi! We have some issues throughout the show and for that we apologise in advance. Still, we motor on like the podcast titans that we are.
We kick off the show with Masaki Kobayashi (the winner of last week's Director's Lottery), and his seminal Japanese horror "Kwaidan". After that we continue our ongoing look at the king of silent comedy - Buster Keaton - with "Steamboat Bill Jr." before finishing the show in Korea with Hoon-Jung Park's "The Tiger: An Old Hunter's Tale"
Do you like Cinema Eclectica and want to ensure it continues long into the future? Then head over to the Patreon of our parent network at https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #TheGeekShow #Movies #Films #Reviews #News #FolkHorror #DirectorsLottery #MasakiKobayashi #Japan #Korea #Kwaidan #MastersOfCinema #MinSikChoi #Eureka #TheTiger #BusterKeaton #SteamboatBillJr #CinemaEclectica #Recommendations #Horror #JapaneseHorror #HoonJungPark #ChoiMinSik #ParkHoonJung #AnOldHuntersTale #Daeho
Bright Eyes, Burning like Dracula
Cinema Eclectica is a movie podcast that cares, and this week we care a lot about Christopher Lee's eyes in "Scars of Dracula". Do they sting? They look really sore.
That's half of Off the Shelf done, but smashing into it like a telekinetically thrown knife is Rob's review of Brian De Palma's breakthrough classic "Carrie" - which is being reissued by Arrow Video. There's also a redesigned, new-fangled Film of the Week section with Nicholas Ray's pleasingly old-fangled psychological noir "In a Lonely Place".
Don't Bogart this podcast: share it with all your friends and donate to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #DirectorsLottery #NicholasRay #CriterionCollection #InALonelyPlace #ChristopherLee #Dracula #Hammer #BrianDePalma #Carrie #Movies #Films #Podcast #HammerHorror #ScarsOfDracula #Reviews #ArrowVideo
Brought To You By Vague Existential Despair
It might be Justice League week at the cinemas, but Off the Shelf sees us assembling an international super-team of maverick auteurs.
While Rob heads to Japan for Sion Sono's kill-crazy "Tag", Graham pops over to Hungary for Ildiko Enyedi's surreal love story "On Body and Soul" and Aidan takes a trip to what might possibly be Mars to put Yorgos Lanthimos' new film "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" under the microscope by Aidan.
We might be hard-up for cash (seriously - just check out the number of embarrassingly needy bids we make), but we're nowhere near as desperate as Robert Pattinson is in the Safdie brothers' new crime thriller "Good Time". Did we have a … well, you know … with it?
Like the show? Then show your support by sending some pennies our way over at www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
SionSono #IldikoEnyedi #MUBI #YorgosLanthimos #TheKillingOfASacredDeer #GoodTime #SafdieBrothers #RobertPattinson #Crime #Comedy #Reviews #Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #films #Movies #Films #Tag #OnBodyAndSoul
Tinky-Winky, LaLa, Dipsy & Edgar Allan Po
An uncharacteristic happiness and contentment falls on the show this week as Aidan, Graham and Rob discuss "Paddington 2".
Before that though, there are all the regular features - including Off the Shelf where Graham tackles Second Run's release of Otakar Vávra's historical nightmare "Witchhammer", Aidan flees the nudging piano as he reviews Indicator's reissue of Freddie Francis's "Torture Garden", and Rob talks about a book. Yes, a book! Does he know what show he's on?
After that that it's time to see if Paul King has continued to look after that bear from darkest Peru.
What would be the Hugh Grant equivalent of the McConnagheissance, anyway? The Grantidote?
Like the Show? Share it with your friends or send some pennies our way at www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
TheGeekShow #Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #Reviews #Paddington2 #Indicator #PaulKing #ArrowVideo #MeikoKaji #SecondRun #Witchhammer #PaddingtonBear #TortureGarden #ArrowBooks #Reviews #Movies #Films #Books #UnchainedMelody #TheFilmsOfMeikoKaji #TomMes
Seriously, Don't Go into the Basement
We've gathered the suspects (Ryan, Rob and Graham), in one room and it's now time to review "Murder on the Orient Express".
Before that though, Ryan tackles the tangled web of intrigue that is Warner Home Archive's triple-format release of "New Jack City", Rob watches in horror as Arrow Academy release of Amat Escalante's tentacular "The Untamed", and Graham mistakenly subjects himself to Sean Penn's Cannes turkey "The Last Face". So something for everyone there - except the last one which is something for no-one.
After that, it's all aboard for Kenneth Branagh's wild moustache ride. Does it stay on track, or go off the rails?
Like the show? Share us with your friends or send us some pennies over at www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #Reviews #Films #Movies #ArrowAcademy #WarnerBros #WarnerArchive #Cannes #SeanPenn #TheLastFace #TheUntamed #Horror #AmatEscalante #NewJackCity #MurderOnTheOrientExpress #KennethBranagh #AgathaChristie #HerculePoirot #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica
A Tale of Two Hammers
A chill fog rises in the air, an unearthly howl is heard across the moors, and Rob's wi-fi packs up.
Yes, it's our Halloween special, and after a brief stopover in Hammer territory with Indicator's reissue of "Maniac" (also known as "The Maniac"), we remember some of the horror icons that we lost this year. Graham has Tobe Hooper's "I'm Dangerous Tonight", Ryan has George A. Romero's "Season of the Witch" and Rob has Wes Craven's "The Serpent and the Rainbow".
After that, it's the end of the world as we know it (and we feel fine) with Taika Waititi's "Thor: Ragnarok".
Tag yourself I'm a three-headed gladiator.
Like the Show? Keep it going by supporting it on Patreon @ www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Thor #Ragnarok #Marvel #Horror #Halloween #WesCraven #TobeHooper #GeorgeARomero #ArrowVideo #SeasonOfTheWitch #TheSerpentAndTheRainbow #HammerHouseOfHorror #ImDangerousTonight #Maniac #TheManiac #IndicatorFilms #Reviews #Movies #Films #Superheroes
Life ... Don't Talk to Me About Life
A spectre is haunting the land - the spectre of major releases from earlier in the year that we didn't cover at the time.
On our latest B-sides episode Graham gives the royal treatment to Stephen Frears's "Victoria and Abdul", Aidan is suitably haunted by David Lowery's "A Ghost Story" and Mick is blasted into the airless vacuum of Daniel Espinosa's "Life".
After a Question of the Week where we reflect on our favourite missing-in-action actors, we move onto a new release as the proletariat finally have access to Armando Iannucci's glorious "The Death of Stalin". Anyone who doesn't listen to this episode after all that will be added to a list.
Like the show? What better way to show that than by supporting us on Patreon @ www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #Reviews #Movies #Films #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #StephenFrears #AGhostStory #Life #ArmandoIannucci #Satire #TheDeathOfStalin #VictoriaAndAbdul #BSides
The Unveiling of Little Frank
It’s carnage this week. Complete lawless misrule.
What could have caused this? Was it the orange skies? The smooth jazz playing in the background? The release of a new Michael Fassbender film?
It’s the latter, obviously, as Film of the Week "The Snowman" gets Ryan, Graham, Aidan, and new recruit Andrew ironically hot under the collar. We also discuss our favourite Fassy films in Question of the Week - and never before has the phrase “I love Shame” been said so frequently outside of certain Soho gentlemen’s establishments.
Off the Shelf provides only comparative normality, and it’s Giallo handbags at dawn for Ryan with Arrow’s "The Suspicious Death of a Minor" while Aidan goes right back to the roots of the Coen brothers with Studio Canal’s re-release of "Blood Simple". As always, we end on a look ahead to next week’s releases which gives us a chance to find out which of us is unacceptably excited about Geostorm.
Like the show? Share it with your fellow movie fans or head on over to Patreon and give whatever you can @ www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #TomasAlfredson #BloodSimple #CoenBrothers #Geostorm #Giallo #ArrowVideo #TheSuspiciousDeathOfAMinor #StudioCanal #MichaelFassbender #TheSnowman #Noir #Shame
Summoning Keanu For The Ultimate Man Date
In summary then, this week’s show is a land of contrasts.
Off the Shelf feature Ryan facing the horror of mental illness in the Ben Wheatley-produced "The Ghoul", Rob surviving the horror of ‘80s hair (and, to a lesser extent, nuclear war), in Arrow’s reissue of "Miracle Mile", and Graham lucking-out with the uncomplicated pleasure of watching Lee Marvin beat up all of California in "Point Blank".
A Question of the Week about belated sequels can only lead to one thing as Film of the Week. No, it’s not xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. It’s Denis Villeneuve’s "Blade Runner 2049" - which sharply divides opinions among the team. In Spinal Tap terms, one of us is fire, one of us is ice, and the other is like lukewarm water - but which is which?
And which one of us is a replicant?
Like the show? The please share it with your friends or support us on Patreon @ www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #Reviews #BladeRunner #ArrowVideo #LeeMarvin #TheGhoul #MiracleMile #PointBlank #California #BladeRunner2049 #DenisVilleneuve #HarrisonFord
Some of My Best Friends are Baguettes!
This week we ask the question, how French can a cannibal movie be? Fortunately we have Rob's big bag of national stereotypes to help us work this out, and it's equally fortuitous that Graham has Indicator's reissue of Arthur Penn's star-studded crime thriller "The Chase", while Aidan has Argyris Papadimitropoulos's slow-burning "Suntan" from Montage Pictures - both of which can stop him talking for a while
A Question of the Week about our favourite scores sees Ryan squeezing his mind-grapes, and the culinary horror continues with Claire Denis's anthropophagous (look it up) "Trouble Every Day". You might feel the need for a stiff drink after that - and we've got that covered too with our new drinking game.
Like the Show? Then please support us on Patreon @ www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #Films #Movies #CinemaEclectica #ClaireDenis #FrenchExtremism #Horror #IndicatorFilms #Eureka #TheChase #Suntan #TheGeekShow #Comedy #Parody #TroubleEveryDay
The Man With the Three-Bleep Name
This week our Film of the Week is Mel Brooks's comedy classic "Young Frankenstein", which leads Aidan and Graham into a dilemma - is it too obvious to recommend people watch James Whale's "Frankenstein" alongside it?
While we ponder that, there's also a three-film set of Ray Harryhausen movies (20 Million Miles to Earth, It Came From Beneath The Sea and The 3 Worlds of Gulliver), to review in Off the Shelf. But hang on, two people can't review three films in their own! We need to get Rob … from the future!
After all that frippery it's time to get down to serious business with, er, "Young Frankenstein". Did it send us Wilder with delight, or did it give us the hump?
Support our parent network, the geek show, on patreon: patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #Review #Movies #Films #RayHarryhausen #MelBrooks #GeneWilder #YoungFrankenstein #Frankenstein #Comedy #PowerHouseFilms #CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #GuilliversTravels #SciFi #ScienceFiction #The3WorldsOfGulliver #20MillionMilesToEarth #ItCameFromBeneathTheSea
Underworld Duck and a Lizard Sandwich
Inspired by the late Harry Dean Stanton, whether it's fearlessly wading into the debates over controversial new releases or creating singularly unappetising food metaphors, we don't give a duck. In Off the Shelf, Rob and Graham review a double-bill of Italian horror from Arrow with Mario Bava's "Kill Baby, Kill" (a.k.a. Curse of the Dead) and Lucio Fulci's "Don't Torture a Duckling", separated by Ryan looking at Eureka's U-certificate but no less eccentric "Journey to the Centre of the Earth".
Crikey! We're up to our film of the week and it's Darren Aronofsky's none-more-divisive "Mother!"
Which side of the widening opinion canyon will Ryan and Graham end up on?
Like the show? Then please support us on Patreon @ www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #Reviews #Patreon #LucioFulci #MarioBava #Mother #DarrenAronofsky #Horror #ArrowVideo #Eccentric #HarryDeanStaton #HenryLevin #JourneyToTheCentreOfTheEarth #Eureka #MastersOfCinema #DontTortureADuckling #KillBabyKill #CurseOfTheDead
TAG! Stephen King's It!
This week Buñuel fans Aidan and Graham get drunk on the 're-release' of "Belle de Jour", while Rob and Ryan are the designated drivers. A singular Film of the Week leads us to a diverse set of recommendations for things to watch, and there's our usual Question of the Week (which is about secret lairs and societies but don't tell anyone because they're supposed to be secret).
We also have two Minority Reports and one home video review - which does raise the question of whether it's still a Minority Report when it's the majority - but never mind. Graham has Eureka/Masters of Cinema's Blu-Ray release of Naomi Kawase's "The Mourning Forest", while Rob and Ryan go to the cinema for Taylor Sheridan's "Wind River" and Andy Muschetti's "It" respectively. Which is scarier - institutionalized racism or clowns?
That's a trick question as the answer is obviously '80s nostalgia.
Please support us on PATREON - www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #Films #Movies #Reviews #StephenKing #It #TaylorSheridan #WindRiver #LuisBuñuel #BelleDeJour #CatherineDenueve #MastersOfCinema #Eureka #NaomiKawase #HomeVideo #TheMourningForest #CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow
We Don't Talk About the Monkey Ghosts
We wait ages for Rob to return, and when he does there are the two of them! Not only that, it's a dramatic return as he struggles to get to grips with Seijun Suzuki's unclassifiable "Zigeunerweisen" - and yes he did practice his pronunciation. Clever Boy.
The rest of Team Eclectica discuss Robert Aldrich's noir-ish "The Big Knife" and a formula one documentary about a certain UK team that's simply called "Williams", before giving way to some utterly unapologetic gushing about "Day of the Jackal". This all leads to our Film of the Week, in which Ryan and Rob simultaneously agreed and disagreed about Juan Carlos Medina's "The Limehouse Golem" (we're not sure how that is possible either).
Please support us on Patreon - www.thegeekshow.co.uk/patreon
TheGeekShow #Podcast #CinemaEclectica #Surreal #RobertAldrich #ArrowVideo #ArrowAcademy #Documentary #TheLimehouseGolem #Gothic #DayOfTheJackal #Noir #Films #Movies #Zigeunerweisen #Williams #Formula1 #F1 #TheBigKnife
999: Emergency Services Number of the Beast
It’s a photo negative show this week as we cover new releases instead of our usual Off the Shelf, and have a retro title as our Film of the Week. Adding to the sense of a world turned upside-down, one of the films manages to freak-out our resident horrorphile. What could it be? Is it the trailer for Patti Cake$? (It’s not, but it could have been ...)
What this all means is there’s a double bill of Star Wars actors doing some interesting moonlighting with Adam Driver in "Logan Lucky" and John Boyega in "Detroit", before we get onto our film of the week - Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Palme d’Or-winning reincarnationsploitation "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives". There are also our recommendations to go with that film and a Question of the Week about movies that don't know if you like or not (ah, indecision). Our listeners apparently have strong opinions on the subject - which almost goes against the whole concept of the question.
Enjoy, and don’t forget to never follow your dreams!
Please support The Geek Show Podcast Network on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #ApichatpongWeerasethakul #AdamDriver #JohnBoyega #LoganLucky #Detroit #DirectorsLottery #UncleBoonmeeWhoCanRecallHisPastLives
Pinocchio Must Seek Therapy
It's a battle of the bands in Off the Shelf this week, with "The Slayer" going up against "Clash". Will the former reign in blood, or will Mohammad Diab's tale of young Egyptians fighting the law and the law winning do an, er …
… does anyone else know any good puns about The Clash? No? OK - there's more than enough classic rock and pop in our film of the week "Atomic Blonde", anyway.
There's also all the usual features, including recommendations and a Question of the Week about unfaithful adaptations. As you'd expect, it basically turns into Monty Python's Yorkshire-men sketch, with Alan Moore and Stephen King fans arguing over who's been served a worse hand by Hollywood.
Pleae support us on PATREON! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
CinemaEclectica #Comics #TheGeekShow #Podcast #Movies #Films #Reviews #AtomicBlonde #TheSlayer #Clash #MontyPython #StephenKing #AlanMoore
Valerian's Geordie Space Market
We get a guest expert in on this show, which is fortunate as one of the team reveals he's never seen a film before. Despite this handicap we press on with our review schedule with Graham unearthing the forgotten British TV movie "Mrs. Morison's Ghosts", Mick enjoying the drokk out of "Future Shock: The Story of 2000 A.D." and Aidan not able to believe that we haven't already seen Satyajit Ray's "The Music Room". Fortunately Criterion can help us out on that front.
After an intergalactic Question of the Week, we're off to the City of a Thousand Planets for Luc Besson's "Valerian" (no psychic jellyfish were harmed in the making of this film).
Please support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #Patreon #Valerian #TheCityOfAThousandPlanets #LucBesson #SciFi #2000AD #Criterion #ArrowVideo #MrsMorisonsGhosts #FutureShock #SatyajitRay #TheMusicRoom #Comics #JudgeDredd
Even David Cronenberg Has His Limits
Above all else, Cinema Eclectica wants to heal your soul.
Do you have traumatic memories of Watership Down? Ryan's review of BFI Flipside's "The Orchard End Murder" might be able to help. Is your home life confusing? It can't be as confusing as Vittorio de Sica's "Marriage, Italian Style", reviewed by Aidan. And if you're just worried that you're a bit messed up, well … we all felt a bit better about our own hang-ups after hearing Rob review "Kuso" - the debut film from Flying Lotus.
Our therapeutic odyssey culminates in one of the most sensitive and psychologically accurate motion pictures ever created - Ed Wood's "Glen or Glenda". They don't make 'em like that any more, but before you think of thanking any higher power remember that next week sees the release of "The Emoji Movie".
Please support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Reviews #FlyingLotus #Kuso #EdWood #MarriageItalianStyle #GlenOrGlenda #BFI #CultFilm #VittorioDiSica #Shudder #TheOrchardEndMurder #BFIFlipside #Movies #Films
Cinema du Eric Cartman
You know there's a new Tom Hardy film out when we bring out our silly voices to celebrate. That would be "Dunkirk" - our Film of the Week - and may we suggest some other movies to go with it? We may.
After the recommendations, there's Off the Shelf, with Aidan going one war older than Christopher Nolan with G.W. Pabst's "Westfront 1918" while Ryan and Graham team-up for a very different type of soldier in Karel Zeman's "The Fabulous Baron Munchausen" (our pronunciation has been corrected by a terrifying ghost child who has apparently invaded the studio). Finally the filmic canon is decimated by our vengeful Question of the Week before it's over to France for Nolan's new film about an old war.
And now it's time for Ryan to go to war with the internet.
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
CinemaEclectica #Podcast #TheGeekShow #Dunkirk #WWII #WorldWar2 #ChristopherNolan #SecondRun #Eureka #GWPabst #MastersOfCinema #Films #Movies #Reviews #Westfront1918 #War #TheFabulousBaronMunchausen
Beverley Hills Wicker Man
How scared are you of the internet? Not as scared as you will be after Off the Shelf takes a look at Kiyoshi Kurosawa's technophobic J-horror classic "Pulse". Elsewhere, Ryan continues his quest for a good ghost story with "The Entity", and Graham reviews four movies in one with Cult Films's reissue of "Boccaccio '70". He should get a raise for that.
Our Question of the Week takes bizarre liberties with everything from Greek mythology to Frank Herbert's Dune, before we settle down for Sofia Coppola's "The Beguiled" as Film of the Week. As if that wasn't enough, there's also an exciting new feature, though Graham's jokes remain as ancient as ever.
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #Podcast #Horror #SofiaCoppola #TheBeguiled #ArrowVideo #KiyoshiKurosawa #J-Horror #Eureka #Boccaccio70 #Japan #Pulse #TheEntity #CultFilm
Spiderman and the Spooky, Spooky House
In a change from the previously scheduled programming, we move from the landscape of a dusty post-apocalyptic horror to the skies above New York with Spiderman: Homecoming.
Away from all of the web-swinging and wall-crawling though, Rob dives into the magical world of Mamoru Hosoda's latest anime feature-film "Boy and the Beast", while Aidan travels back to 1979 to spend some time with the iconic haunted house movie "The Amityville Horror".
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #Podcast #Movies #Anime #Comics #Spiderman #Marvel #MamoruHosoda #TheBoyAndTheBeast #BakemonoNoKo #TheAmityvilleHorror #SecondSight #Films #Reviews #Discussion
The Superheroes' Fountain of Eternal Youth
This week all of your questions will be answered. What films did Aidan and Ryan enjoy at the Edinburgh Film Festival? Who is the nicest carjacker? Which Clint Eastwood film is a secret remake of a dodgy ITV sitcom?
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
That last one has some context (kind of), as our Film of the Week is Michael Cimino's debut feature "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot". Aside from that it's a plethora of new releases with Bong Joon-Ho's "Okja" from Netflix, Ceyda Torun's "Kedi" from Youtube, and, erm, Edgar Wright's "Baby Driver" from Sony TriStar (come on granddad, get with the new school).
After that it's a trip to the beginning of Michael Cimino's career, which it turns out is just a couple of films before the end.
CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #Podcast #Preview #Movies #Films #Documentaries #BabyDriver #Kedi #Okja #EIFF #EdinburghInternationFilmFestival #Netflix #Korea #Turkey #ClintEastwood #DirectorsLottery #ThunderbolyAndLightfoot
Ryan and Aidan went to Edinburgh and all we got is this podcast minisode (we don't think you'll ever get that on a t-shirt).
In this special edition of Cinema Eclectica we join them as they discuss Terence Malick's "Song to Song", the Irish medieval thriller "Pilgrimage", Persona in Scotland with Gary Love's "The Dark Mile", mumblecore animation and former feature of our preview section in "My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea", and Kyoko Miyake's exploration of the Japanese obsession with girl bands in "Tokyo Idols".
Until next time, don't watch anything we wouldn't.
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #Reviews #Films #Movies #TerenceMalick #EdinburghInternationalFilmFestival #EIFF #Animation #SongToSong #Pilgrimage #TheDarkMile #MyEntireHighSchoolSinkingIntoTheSea #TokyoIdols #KyokoMiyake
Beachy Beachy Fun Times with the Rock
Rob and Graham go head to head after accidentally super-gluing their foreheads together.
It's a two-man show this week that starts with an uncharacteristically adorable preview before normal service resumes in Off the Shelf with the Western "One Eyed Jack's" from Arrow Academy, the Eastern "Harmonium" from Eureka/Masters of Cinema, and wherever the hell Bruno Dumont is in MUBI's "Slack Bay" - making it the Cinema Eclectica you know and love. Following our Question of the Week (about classic films you can't be bothered watching), it's time for our first ever re-release as Film of the Week - Mike Nichols' "The Graduate" which is now 50 years-old.
Will we go koo-koo-ca-choo for it?
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
News #Films #Movies #Reviews #Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #MastersOfCinema #ArrowAcademy #SlackBay #MarlonBrando #TheGraduate #DustinHoffman #Eureka #MUBI #Harmonium #OneEyedJacks
Joe Swanberg's Lens Cap
After a snap election, Cinema Eclectica agrees not to do any more strained political puns after the introduction.
Aside from that there’s some exciting news about future shows tucked away inside Ryan’s preview of "My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea", and a typically varied Off the Shelf. Graham takes us to a school for the deaf in Alexander Mackendrick’s "Mandy", Aidan takes us to a school for the death – yes! – in Ovidio G. Assonitis’ "Madhouse", and Rob reviews Asghar Farhadi's Oscar-winning "The Salesman", about which few jokes can be made.
After that the team gather to watch Woody Harrelson plays a volleyball on an island, (we think), in our Film of the Week - "Wilson", (look, I don’t do the research, I just write the previews).
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #ThegeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Films #Reviews #Previews #EIFF #ArtificialEye #Curzon #ArrowVideo #Slasher #Ealing #Mandy #Madhouse #TheSalesman #Wilson
Post-Capitalist Sesame Street
We're no longer waiting for Gadot as Patty Jenkins’ long-awaited Wonder Woman is our Film of the Week. Can she save the world, and more importantly, the DC Cinematic Universe?
We also have a question of the week about opening titles and a chat about Film 4’s new budget statement that's much more interesting than you might think (admittedly it couldn’t possibly be duller than it sounds - but it's seriously good regardless). In between those it’s another B-sides show with a genre-mangling haul of films that have been released this year including the clay-animated social realism of "My Life as a Courgette", the retro-cop spoofery of "Mindhorn", the minimalist political horror that is "Personal Shopper", and whatever the hell "Prevenge" is.
Seriously, we have arguments about this and everything.
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Movies #Reviews #Films #News #Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEcelctica #DC #WonderWoman #Mindhorn #Prevenge #AliceLowe #British #Superhero #Animation #Switzerland #BSides #MyLifeAsACourgette #PersonalShopper
Pirates of the Carry On
Witness us!
This week our Director's Lottery came up with Peter Weir's 1985 thriller "Witness", with Harrison Ford and a surprise Viggo. There's also a question about actors who have one good performance in them - and if your first thought was Adam Sandler then you should maybe give Aidan's preview a listen first.
Off the Shelf has an … erm … interesting week with Danish gross-out comedy "Klown" and a minority report about the latest "Pirates of the Caribbean" film, Salazar's Revenge (a.k.a "Dead Men Tell No Tales"). We've suffered for our art - now it's your turn!
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Reviews #Films #News #HarrisonFord #Witness #PeterWeir #PiratesOfTheCaribbean #JohnnyDepp #ArrowVideo #Klown #BlackComedy #DirectorsLottery #DeadMenTellNoTales #SalazarsRevenge
Cops Vs Goatzilla
Ever had one of those mornings? Anne Hathaway does in our Film or the Week - "Colossal" - when she finds out last night's drunken bender has somehow destroyed Seoul.
There's plenty of destruction in Off the Shelf with yakuza running amok in Kinji Fukasaku's "Cops vs Thugs", emotional devastation in Stephen Kijak's "We Are X", and serious damage to Warner Bros.'s bank balance in Guy Ritchie's "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword". Which of these directors is making a Backstreet Boys movie next? The answer may not surprise you!
We also have a preview fresh from Cannes with I Am Not A Witch (though we are apparently all Groot), and a delightfully silly Question of the Week. Titanic with kaiju sounds pretty good to us.
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcast #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #AnneHathaway #Colossal #Indie #Film #Movies #News #Reviews #Cannes #ArrowVideo #Yakuza #WeAreX #KingArthur #LegendOfTheSword #CopsVersusThugs
Neat Bourbons with Michael Fasshugger
Like the xenomorphs in the classic sci-fi horror franchise we’re changing our life cycle. This time Question of the Week bursts bloodily from the show’s chest before our Film of the Week, and the rest of the show raises a few more questions as our preview devolves into a round-table discussion that's anything but black-and-white. Meanwhile, Off the Shelf ponders who would win in a fight between a lion and a goose as Aidan covers the 1960s conservation darling "Born Free" and Ryan investigates the wartime Ealing farce "The Goose Steps Out". The answer (we note clickbaitily), may surprise you!
While we studiously ignore the question of whether “clickbaitily” is a word we get to grips with our Feature Presentation - Ridley Scott's "Alien: Covenant".
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
Podcasts #TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #Movies #Reviews #Films #Alien #Covenant #RidleyScott #BornFree #EalingStudios #TheGooseStepsOut #Prometheus #Horror #SciFi #ElsaTheLion
The Frasier Crane of Brain Eating Monsters
Shame on us!
This week we reveal the classic films that we haven't seen, and look forward to the future classics that you'll be too busy to catch at this year's Cannes Film Festival. After that it's two very different dishes in a gourmet Off The Shelf, with Frank Henenlotter's "Brain Damage" (which is best watched on an empty stomach), and Juzo Itami's "Tampopo" (you'll never look at eggs the same way again). Seeing us out is classic film-noir from the inventor of the genre - John Huston's "The Asphalt Jungle".
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
TheGeekShow #Podcast #CinemaEclectica #News #Movies #Films #Reviews #JohnHuston #Criterion #Japan #Cult #FrankHenenlotter #BrainDamage #TheAsphaltJungle #MarilynMonroe #Tampopo
Getting Sent to ELO rehab
This week starts with a bit of déjà vu as we discover everyone's favourite sequels in Question of the Week. After that we dive straight in and say hello to some sailors in "Letter to Brezhnev", then Aidan reviews the Dickens out of Walter Hill's "Hard Times" (apparently that's a highbrow literary joke - don't expect any more of those).
This week starts with a bit of déjà … no! We won't do it!
Instead we'll just find out if our Film of the Week - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - can live up to the expectations of comic book fans and raccoon fanciers everywhere.
Support us on Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thegeekshow
TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #News #Movies #Reviews #Films #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy #Marvel #CharlesDickens #LetterToBrezhnev #BFI #MastersOfCinema #WalterHill #HardTimes #JamesGunn
Herbie's Bananarama
This week we're a duo for only the second time ever, but one of us struggles to keep his composure in the latest and sleaziest Question Of The Week.
Moving on as seamlessly as possible we look at a trio of movies including the dreamlike horror classic "Phantasm", the holier-than-thou historical biopic "Ludwig" and the latest from show favourite Park Chan Wook - the deceptively layered and stunning "The Handmaiden".
We're taking a break after this episode, but we will return in two weeks full of beans and with Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 in tow.
News #Reviews #Films #Movies #CinemaEclectica #TheGeekShow #Phantasm #ArrowVideo #ParkChanWook #TheHandmaiden #Ludvig #ArrowAcademy
Moon-Faced Super Mario
We span the wheel of directors and out popped William Friedkin, so this week we take a look at the ever-growing cult of 1977's "Sorcerer" (a.k.a. Wages of Fear).
We also discuss one location movies, Fellini's final hurrah in "The Voice of the Moon", Elio Petri's never-ending quest for the most awkward film titles in the business with "Property is no Longer a Theft" before finishing with the inimitable Takashi Miike and his "Dead or Alive" trilogy. Also, we apologise in advance if you leave this week's show with an image involving Fellini and Tarantino rattling away in your brain. Sorry.
TheGeekShow #CinemaEclectica #News #Reviews #Movies #Films #Sorcerer #WagesofFear #TakashiMiike #WilliamFriedkin #DeadorAlive #ArrowAcademy #PropertyisNoLongeraTheft #LaProprietàNonèPiùunFurto #TheVoiceoftheMoon #LaVoceDellaLuna #FredericoFellini #ElioPetri
Extreme Wolf Dentistry with the Shaw Brothers
This week's show is all about action!
After an explosive Question of the Week we move onto Off the Shelf featuring the anarcho-feminist bomb-heaving action of Second Run's new release "My Twentieth Century", the retro rubbery gore of British indie horror "The Void", and, erm, a very different kind of action in a church pew in Criterion's reissue of John Waters's filth odyssey "Multiple Maniacs". Is 'distracting the vicar' more or less dirty than it sounds? We'll leave you to decide while we crouch behind piles of rubble for our Film of the Week, "Free Fire" - Ben Wheatley's glorious ode to violence against both people and fashion.
www.thegeekshow.co.uk
news #reviews #movies #films #cinemaeclectica #thegeekshow #secondrundvd #brielarson #freefire #benwheatley #thevoid #horror #criterion #johnwaters
The Luis Buñuel Drinking Game
The wanderer returns.
After a month away Rob is back, and what a week to return! We kick things off with another trip to Korea with Kim Jee Woon's spy thriller "Age of Shadows", and then everything gets delightfully weird as it seems to be genital week for off the shelf, beginning with Bunuel's "Phantom of the Liberty". The meat in this nonsensicapalooza pie is the Spanish splatter film "Pieces" before we reach the finale of this weird show - Alejandro Jodorowsky's "Endless Poetry". There are no words …
thegeekshow.co.uk
movies #films #news #reviews #cinemaeclectica #thegeekshow #ageofshadows #kimjeewoon #aljandrojodorowsky #luisbunuel #artificialeye #curzon
Oh, Oh, Dean Israelite
We're back with a new platform and some very old features including the long-awaited return of Director's Lottery (this times it's Otto Preminger's "Anatomy of a Murder"), and a new set of B-sides. Join us as we dive into Viola Davis' Oscar-winning performance in "Fences", Janelle Monáe's utterly winning character in "Hidden Figures", Liam Neeson's wooden (literally), performance in "A Monster Calls" (he plays a tree), and capping it all off is Jordan Peele's much-anticipated directorial debut "Get Out" (just so you know, we'd have voted for it to be film of the week a second time if we could).
www.thegeekshow.co.uk
films #movies #reviews #news #cinemaeclectica #thegeekshow #getout #satire #ottopreminger #jordanpeele #liamneeson #denzelwashington
Northumberland Noir (Hunting the Wild Tosserlad)
Not so much a podcast, more an epic odyssey as we head into the wilderness.
After traversing the outer reaches of Producer Rob's comic collection we hail our slime-mould overlords in the bizarre documentary "The Creeping Garden", before embarking on a Norwegian safari with "Troll Hunter" - with time left for, erm … Northumberland and Roman Polanski's early classic "Cul-de-Sac". After that, it's our berserk Feature Presentation with that old man "Logan" (he keeps on rolling along).
www.thegeekshow.co.uk
movies #reviews #films #cinemaeclectica #marvel #xmen #logan #criterioncollection #documentary #surreal #arrowacademy
Four Minutes in Bollywood
This week we treat ourselves to a relaxing spa weekend and say hello to Jason Isaacs with our film of the week.
Before that, we check out psychedelic Czech vampire coming-of-age drama (it's a genre), "Valerie and Her Week of Wonders", and roll a six-sided dice for retro horror "Beyond the Gates". After subjecting those to an auditor's level of scrutiny it's time to book into Chateau Creepy for Gore Verbinski's "A Cure for Wellness".
www.thegeekshow.co.uk
movies #films #reviews #cinemaeclectica #thegeekshow #acureforwellness #horror #secondrundvd #czech
Footloose by-the-Sea
There are an awful lot of people plying their trade in film land - some of whom are real, and not made up at all.
This week we negotiate that minefield with film-noir classic "Mildred Pierce", Cuban new-wavisms with "Memories of Underdevelopment", and history picked from the life of Thomas More in "A Man for all Seasons". With time and technology conspiring against us, we finish off with the wonderful Oscar nominee "Moonlight".
www.thegeekshow.co.uk
movies #films #reviews #cinemaeclectica #thegeekshow #moonlight #oscars #cuba #filmnoir #criterioncollection #mastersofcinema
Batsploitation
This week we've shrunk to a threesome and decide to offset the cream of the BAFTAs crop with some 1970s exploitation.
First it's the turn of Roger Corman & Vincent Price with the "Tower of London" before we transition into a hundred super-colourful costume changes with Blaxploitation's one and only "Willie Dynamite". Our Feature Presentation is the much anticipated "Lego Batman Movie".
www.thegeekshow.co.uk
movies #films #reviews #cinemaeclectica #thegeekshow #batman #legobatman #blaxploitation #williedynamite #arrowvideo
Run Gunners and Misused Colons
After the party of episode 100 comes the hangover as Ryan, Tim, Aidan and Graham head to Room 101 for the worst cinema has to offer.
From misbegotten video game adaptations (are there any other kind?), with "Hitman" and dubious documentaries with "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed", to a trip to see the wizard, the not-so-wonderful "The Wizard of Gore".
If you're one of those strange people who insist on only watching films that are good then we also have our Feature Presentation - Maren Ade's acclaimed German comedy "Toni Erdmann".
movies #films #reviews #cinemaeclectica #thegeekshow #tonierdmann #room101 #badmovies
Ruth Negga's Eyebrow Game
100 episodes, it's been quite the ride.
Join us for our centenary episode as we ignore convention and recommend each other something in the spirit of the festivities. Featured films are Castaway on the Moon, My Scientology Movie, Orson Welles's The Trial, Barton Fink and a controversial Question of the Week.
Here's to the next 100.
www.thegeekshow.co.uk
movies #films #reviews #cinemaeclectica #thegeekshow #100thepisode #korea #louistheroux #orsonwelles #thecoenbrothers
Pinnacle of Mount Woody
Never one to be accused of being political, this week we had no choice in the matter.
Join us as we talk movie presidents and Pablo Larrain's American debut, Jackie, Breaking that up we have a big old chat about Woody Allen with a specific focus on Zelig, Stardust Memories, and a Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy.
Skeletor's Leaning Tower of Rocks
2017 is here and we are too. All hail Skeletor.
As with the start of any new year, we are going on a diet and cutting down on all that excess fat - which means one simple thing, welcome to a new look Eclectica. Join us for Criterion's Black Orpheus, Valhalla Rising, Martin Scorsese's Silence and our feature presentation - La La Land.
A Very Star Wars Christmas Special
Christmas is a-coming and here we have our annual special episode. We take this opportunity to look at films that look at the 25th December with a slight skew in their gaze. Films include Blast of Silence, Krampus, Three Wishes for Cinderella and Santa's Slay. Our final film of 2016 is Star Wars: Rogue One.
See you all in 2017.
It's that time of the year again, that's right, it's time for us to consider all the films that we have seen in 2016 and pit them against one another in gladiatorial combat. Join us for the winners, losers and feasts aplenty. Or, to put it another way, join us for our review of 2016 where we look at the great films that make up our top 10's, pick out some choice cuts from the year in home video and rant about the worst of the worst.
BIFAs, Barbies and Brexit
This week's episode marks the beginning of yet another awards season. When will they ever end? Elsewhere on the show, we looked at Steve Martin's Roxanne, skateboarding doc Lords of Dogtown, Tom Hank's latest attempt at being a real human boy in Sully and the Adam West film, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders. Our feature is Disney's second major film of the year - Moana.
Opening a can of Kevin Smith
We have our 2nd ever photo-negative show, featuring loads of new releases from all over the world. The choice cuts where Kurosawa's Creepy, Botswanan drama United Kingdom, Robert Zemeckis's Allied and the hysteria-laden Korean horror, The Wailing. Sticking with South Korea, Kim Jee-Woon was the target of this week's directors lottery - and with that, we looked at his gonzo western, The Good, The Bad, The Weird.
High Voltage: Carlos Danger
The weather was as bad as Carlos Danger this week, as such the audio quality is fairly inconsistent. This week saw the return of the director's lottery, before that though we looked at the politically hilarious documentary Weiner, Early John Carpenter classic Assault on Precinct 13 before giving into peer pressure with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them. Kim Ki-Duk was the director of choice and for our feature presentation we looked at 3-Iron.
www.thegeekshow.co.uk
Understanding Forest Whitaker
We have a new voice on the show this week and another ill one just to balance it out. Films featured where Voice without a Shadow, Michael Madsen double bill(not that one)Into Eternity and the Visit, Twilight's Last Gleaming and surreal anime Saint Young Men. We should do more anime. Our feature presentation is Denis Villeneuve's thoughtful science fiction - Arrival.
Smackhead School Reunion
All hail our new Lizard overlord. On this week's episode, we have a rather eventful trailer watch and Question of the week. Off the shelf featured the Sophia Loren starring Two Women, Werner Herzog's volcano doc Into the Inferno and Euro depress 'em up Aloys. This week's feature presentation is Nocturnal Animals.
A Big Bag Of Halloween Camp
It's our Halloween special! As ever, we do away with conventions to bring you something a little different, so we present to you "Screams around the World". Films included this week escalate a little, we have Haxan and Frontier(s) before going off the deep end with Dracula in Pakistan and the legendarily weird J-Horror, Hausu. Our Feature Presentation is the highly acclaimed Korean Zombie Film - Train to Busan.
Adam Curtis's Hypnotoad
This week's title was brought to you by Letterboxd user Ned Gilmore and this week's featured film is a streaming title - all the rules are being broken today. We look at De Palma's Body Double as a new Label is launched, silent cold doc The Epic of Everest and Frankenheimer oddity 52 Pickup. Our feature presentation was Adam Curtis' new film Hypernormalisation.
Anti-Social Surrealism
This week on the show we trade Rob's, for technical reasons, of course. We look at Zulawski's baffling final film Cosmos, notorious video nasty The Burning and Murnau's The Grand Duke's Finances. Our Feature Presentation doubled up and mutated a second Werner Herzog-shaped head as we looked at the German eccentrics new documentary Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World, and John Michael McDonagh's latest War on Everyone.
A Seaworthy Vessel Of Scuzz
Between the madness of being a bit ill and accidental necrophilia, it's something of an eventful show this week. This week we look at Billy Wilder's Fedora, art-house oddity Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?, 80s High Camp Horror in Vamp and the doubly divisive Love & Friendship. Our film of the week is Sundance favourite, Swiss Army Man.
Mecha Hitler Vs Cyber Churchill
As we travel the country this week, we learn that the big news has been following us. Conspiracy! Also, we look at Robert Aldrich's The Flight of the Phoenix, Kubrick's Paths of Glory, and the accidental creation of the oddest of double bill's in Second Run's Electra, My Love and Otto Preminger's musical Carmen Jones. Our feature presentation was the surprise package that was The Girl with All the Gifts.
Time Skips and Road Trips
On this highly mobile, near-fatal episode we take a look at Jacques Tourneur's "Cat People", Paul Newman and Orson Welles in "The Long Hot Summer", Stanley Kramer's "The Secret of Santa Vittoria" and cult British Horror "Psychomania". After that, we hand over to our past selves for our Feature Presentation - Taika Waititi's "Hunt For The Wilderpeople".
The Cinema Politika Threshold
We are doing it backwards, this time out. Off the Shelf is in the theatre as we look at 4 new releases: Kubo and the Two Strings, Hell or High Water, Anthropoid and Don't Breathe. Our film of the week was the latest outing for the director's lottery with Jean Cocteau and his definitive adaptation of Beauty and the Beast - or La Belle et la Bete.
Studying for my BA in Lettuce
On this week's show we look at Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto, Alex Cox's Sid and Nancy, Werner Rainer Fassbinder double bill Fox and His Friends & Chinese Roulette, and a car crash of a finale - Alex Proyas' Gods of Egypt. Our film of the week is the decisive Sausage Party.
Things are going in a Grave Robbing direction
On this extended edition we see the return of B-sides, featuring films such as Tickled, Star Trek Beyond, Evolution, Childhood of a Leader and Everyone Wants Some. Films that could've been the film of the week but were beaten to the punch by something else.
Elsewhere, we have all the normal features such a News, Trailer Talk and our Weekly preview. Our off the shelf films come in the shape of Tarkovsky's Stalker, Conversation Pieces, Cry of the City and Shohei Imamura's Black Rain.
It's a Bus of Love, all right!?
This week we have another director's lottery on our hands, the winner was Sam Wood - we decided to join the Marx Brothers for a Night at the Opera. Elsewhere on the show, we are covered by surreal Scandanavian black comedy Men & Chicken, lilting Japanese drama Sweet Bean, Fritz Lang wartime Noir Hangmen Also Die and the newest addition to the Second Run Stable - People of the Mountains. Let's not forget this week's mammoth Question of the Week which isn't TOO offensive.
... And featuring, Seagulls!
We are still in a transitionary phase, we still have a few niggling issues that we are ironing out week by week. Elsewhere on the show we have the good, the very bad and the weird. We have the weird represented by Giallo the Bloodstained Butterfly, the good comes in Kubrick's classic Dr Strangelove and lost 1970s comedy starring Peter Falk and Alan Alda in The In-Laws before finishing on the bad with Microwave Massacre. This week's headline act was shark 'em-up, The Shallows.
Crude Doodles on the Virtual Whiteboard
This week we debut as an online show, so the sound quality is a work in progress.
We launch a new feature this week. Elsewhere it's business as usual only with an added sprinkling of Tarkovsky in Solaris and Mirror. Sandwiching those two is Jason Bourne and Female Prisoner Scorpion: 701. Our film of the week is DC's newest - Suicide Squad.
Mean Streets of Camelot
With Question of the Week, Trailer Watch and all the regulars - this week marks the end of an era. We looked at Alex Ross Perry's acclaimed Queen of Earth, obscure oddity Taking Tiger Mountain and Turkish Horror Baskin before capping the show off with Spielberg's' adaptation of Roald Dahl's The BFG.
What's in the BAG!?
There's a lot of bags full of exotic goods this week. We play host to some of British cinema's finest eccentrics with Julien Temple's Absolute Beginners and Ken Russell's Crime of Passion. The counter-programming with the Taviani Brothers Kaos and the latest entry into the Police Story franchise with Lockdown. Our film of the week was the latest addition to the director's lottery - Cecil B DeMille's Cleopatra.
Neon Demon vs Dayglo Cenobite
his week, we return from the badlands of the director's lottery and sink our teeth into a bout of Neon Demon vs the Dayglo Cenobite. We had a minority report on the new Ghostbusters - spoiler, it's actually good, before heading into Off the Shelf complete with Book review. Then we set off for Play On! Shakespeare in Silent Film, Ron Howard's Cocoon and Around China with a Movie Camera. We do eclectic well. Our film of the week was the aptly titled and surprisingly divisive Neon Demon.
Don't eat the Furry Tomatoes
Turns out as something of an Arrow Special this week. Starting with classic Western the Ox-bow Incident before going full cult with Jack Hill's the Swinging Cheerleaders, unknown 80s slasher Satan's Blade and finishing with creature feature parody with return of the killer tomatoes. Our film of the week another director lottery title with Tobe Hooper's Lifeforce.
The Ultimate 1980s Bingo Card
This week, our directors lottery has its 2nd outing and we couldn't be happier with the result. In off the shelf we look at 1993 existential noir Suture, Tarkovsky's legendary debut Ivan's Childhood, Pasolini's Pigsty and intense political documentary Citizenfour. Our Featured film and 2nd director of choice was Joe Dante with his 1987 film, Innerspace.
Well made, but nauseating...
This week, we had more from the long AWOL minority report for Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Cemetery of Splendor before diving into business as usual - or near enough. Off the Shelf featured Koreeda Hirokazu's Our Little Sister, Richard Loncraine's Richard III, 1987 film A Month in the Country before finishing with an Eclectica exclusive in Lowlife Love. Our feature presentation was Matteo Garrone's Tale of Tales.
Nice to Eat you to Eat you Nice
Weird revelations aplenty on this week's Eclectica. Join us as we look at Frankenheimer's subversive classic Seconds, forgotten early Altman in The Cold Day in the Park, Alan Clarke's dense folk minefield Penda's Fen and one of the films lost under the radar releases from 2014 - 99 Homes. Our film of the week was Hiromasa Yonebayashi's Anime When Marnie was There.
Werner Herzog, King of the Internet
This week, its official, Werner Herzog is the king of the internet. In off the Shelf, we look at Michael Mann's Thief, 1976 Horror The Premonition, Peter Watkins' docudrama Edvard Munch and Cristi Puiu's debut Stuff and Dough. Our feature film was Shane Black's The Nice Guys.
De Niro, Slalom Skier
This week that skiing gag takes on a whole new complexion. In off the Shelf, we hear some things we'd never thought we would, some brilliant and others horrifying. Starting off the with sole normal duck before going full odd is Flame & Citron, the trio following that are the Witch who came from the Sea, The Night Evelyn Came out of the Grave, and Novecento [1990]. Our film of the week was Duncan Jones' video game adaptation Warcraft.
The Musical Special
We've talked about it for it a long time and this week it is here - our musical special. True to classic Eclectica form, though, it was never going to go like other musical specials. With a brief discussion of A Hologram for the King, we dedicated the whole show to all things rhythmic. Off the Shelf features 1960s rock 'n roll with Expresso Bongo, affectionately silly parody in the producers before going full Eclectica with Frank Zappa's 200 Motels and South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker's Cannibal the Musical.
Carry On Punk Rocking
In off the shelf, this week we look at Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Journey to the Shore, Gothic Horror Whistle and I'll Come to you, powerful Glenn Campbell documentary I'll be me and forgotten 1980's Horror Malatesta's Carnival of Blood. Our feature presentation was the much anticipated Green Room from Jeremy Saulnier.
Richard Briers' Tickling Adventure
We set out the director randomizer for its first-ever outing, the winner a Mr Dario Argento. With a smaller cast than usual, this week we set our sails to classic-era Hollywood with a detour to a Post-Apocalyptic British countryside. We started off with the Criterion Collection title, It happened one night, before returning with BIFA winning the Survivalist and finishing with German Silent Film The Last Command. Our feature presentation from Dario Argento's filmography is video nasties classic Tenebrae.
The Biscuits for Movies Initiative
This week, everything can be justified if you're rewarded with biscuits. In off the Shelf, we had new and classic Miike with Yakuza Apocalypse, Shakespearean epics from Japan with Kurosawa's Ran, an essay film from Grant Gee in Innocence of Memories. We also have a minority report on Captain America: Civil War. The main event and our feature presentation was our first ever foreign language headline act - the Oscar-winning Son of Saul.
The Internet has no Dog hands
This week we absolutely refuse any second-hand gags, bad Producer Rob. In off the shelf, we had all the best stuff from the 1980s; ridiculous action with the Zero Boys and crazy practical effects and gore from The Bride of ReAnimator. Otherwise, we had forgotten Stellan Skarsgaard picture In Order of Disappearance and gaming documentary Enter the Battlefield— Life on the Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour. Our film of the Week was Don Cheadle's Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead.
Criterion Collection Special
A special of a very different kind this week as we celebrate the UK debut of Criterion Collection. We have news, the question of the week and a trailer of the week all before off the Shelf becomes decidedly Criterion flavoured with Tootsie, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Speedy and Only Angels Have Wings. Our Feature Presentation is the Alan Rickman's final picture - political war movie, Eye in the Sky.
Golden-Era Crazy Eyes
Back to Golden Age in more ways than one this week. Off the Shelf sees us delve into Golden Era Hollywood and BBC with Bengal Brigade, Sam Bass and Calamity Jane, Back to God's country and a continuation of last week's look at Peter Watkins BBC docs with the award-winning Culloden. Our feature presentation was Midnight Special.
Themes and Roundabouts
Another go on the merry-go-round of trailers and films that never fully joined club Eclectica. Off the Shelf featured Italian neo-realism with Rocco and his Brothers, forgotten David Lean in The Sound Barrier, lesser Ealing in Pink String and Sealing Wax before closing out with the controversial Peter Watkins documentary The War Game. We also revisit some Second Run titles, Batman and an Apocalypse bunker.
Disney Deniers
This week we discover that Disney Deniers exist and are among us. In a change from the regularly scheduled programming we turn out a Disney special, with on the shelf dropped for a celebration of all things from the house of mouse. We look at the Fox and the Hound, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Atlantis: The Lost Empire and the lost oddity of a Disney Short, Salvadore Dali's Destino. Our Feature Presentation is the wonderful Zootopia or Zootropolis - we just can't keep up.
Walesploitation
We collect our podcast pension this week and just to keep up will all you whippersnappers we change things up. It's a Brave New World of Extreme Violence Modern Art and European Cowboys. Off the Shelf featured Nic Roeg's Eureka, Wim Wenders the American Friend sandwiching Evil Aliens and Iranian short doc, the House is Black. This week's feature presentation is Ben Wheatley's adaptation of J.G Ballard's High-Rise.
Hard-Boiled Teletubbies
This week we have a narrator, that's cinema Eclectica - forever breaking new grounds. We also see the return of Aidan making for a full-strength off the shelf. Rob got messed up with the World of Kanako, Graham got classy with Shooting Stars (not that one), Ryan got done in the kitchen with a candle holder in Five Dolls for an August Moon and Aidan closed out with Samuel Fuller's White Dog. Our film of the week was the terrifying (the) Witch.
Pre-School Audition
This week we discover that the witch is actually the most serious episode of Scooby-Doo ever. In off the shelf, we look at blaxploitation icon Pam Griers in Sheeba Baby, Swedish Surrealism in Songs from the Second Floor and new horror icon Goodnight Mommy. Our film of the week was the lavish ode to Hollywood in Hail, Caesar!
Post-Oscar S&M Tea Party
This week, we look over this year's Oscar ceremony and its lame-duck cousin - the Razzies. In a classy bit of counterprogramming, off the shelf unfolds with Graham tackling Absurd Czech New Wave comedy, the amazingly titled Tomorrow I’ll Wake Up and Scald Myself with Tea, Rob waxes lyrical about Panahi's Tehran Taxi and Ryan revisits one of his favourites in Miike's Audition. Film of the Week continues the alternative theme with Sacha Baron Cohen's Grimsby.
Dai Impossible, Welsh Superspy
This week we are down a Ryan but gain a surprising amount of Comic trivia along the way. In off the Shelf, we continue our look at the filmography of Vera Chytilova with Second Run's release of Something Different, Rob looked at the baffling Marxist crow of a film that is Pasolini's Hawks and Sparrows before Aidan subjected himself to the outright horror that is Bula Quo. Our film of the week was John Hillcoat's Triple 9 - a very misleading title for us Brits.
Wrong Kind of Calendar Girls
This week we have no news to contend with so instead we grapple with the BAFTAs. In off the shelf, we look at space documentary For all Mankind, British horror romance Nina Forever, Samuel Fuller war movie Fixed Bayonets before closing on the legendary 90s action picture, John Woo's Hard Boiled. Film of the Week is Deadpool.
Mummies Aren't Daddies
This week on the show we learn about the birds and bees of Monster Movies. In off the Shelf, we looked at Third Window's Uzumasa Limelight, Classic Ealing comedy the Lavender Hill Mob and Godard's Band of Outsiders. We also have a ringer. Our film of the week was Jay Roach's Trumbo.
The Dark Christ Rises!
This week we create our very own religion… honest. In off the shelf, we looked at acclaimed sci-fi indie darling Coherence, the Korean Naval War with The Admiral: roaring currents, early Paweł Pawlikowski documentary Serbian Epics before climaxing on sexy times with Wild Orchid. Our film of the week is the Oscar-Nominated Spotlight.
Lucio Fulci: The Weird Jesus of Gore
This week we are replaced by glamorous actors having a bath.
In off the shelf, we discussed The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Short Doc. Interview with a Cannibal, Ernst Lubitsch's Design for Living and the titular Fulci's City of Living Dead. Film of the week the Big Short and it proved to be very divisive, at least with one person.
Great White Terry Crews' of the Antarctic
We peruse the Oscar nominations this week before poking the geriatric bear with a stick. Off the Shelf included Escape from 'Liberty' Cinema and Hiroshima Mon Amour before a tonal 180 in which the show truly earns its name with Montage of Heck and Deathgasm. Our film of the week is Iñárritu's The Revenant (we didn't have to spell check that name or anything).
Never Go Full Tarantino
This week none of us were as malicious as we expected, turns out we must like each other or something. In off the Shelf, we looked over last week's recommendations. Rob with Mulholland Drive, Aidan with Spring, Graham and I Live in Fear with Ryan closing it out with Kuroneko. Film of the Week was Quentin Tarantino's epically epic Hateful Eight.
... We're Back.
It's our first show of 2016, which means this is officially our first anniversary. In this feature-length edition we looked at the worst of the past 12 months, well, we ranted and raved. More importantly, though, we counted down our individual favourites of the year, which included some predictable hitters and some big surprises too. Our film of the week was David O. Russell's Joy.
A Very Merry Second Run Special
We don't do podcasts like other children so the same was true of our Christmas special. We took the chance to use the last episode of 2015 to look at the recent release from Second Run with Loves of a Blonde, Larks on a String and the Party and the Guests. In the slot usually dedicated to the film of the week we looked at alternative Christmas films with Trading Places and Rare Exports, pretty normal, right? well, the other two weren't, we will leave them too as a little Christmas present from Cinema Eclectica to you.
Until we see you all again in 2016, have a very merry.
Adam West's Space Monkey
This week in off the Shelf we have a full house, Ryan completes his Hellraiser odyssey, Aidan looks at classic Western Shane, Rob faces into the void that is Robinson Crusoe on Mars before being brought back to reality with Graham and Andrew Kotting's By Our Selves. Film of the Week was a triple threat in Black Mass, Carol and Bridge of Spies.
Pete Best of the Apocalypse
This week on the show we go full fan-theory, brave waters indeed. Off the Shelf features a Body Horror Masterclass in Videodrome, Jules Dassin's totally not a western, Thieves Highway, Wong Kar Wai's The Grandmaster and a surprise aided by Gambling. Surely that has to be a first? Our film of the week was a double header in The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2 & The Dressmaker for all those non-Hunger Games people.
Gaspar No-Way!
This week we catch up with the latest episode of Hollywood's constant ploy to outdo itself in the craps-stakes. In off the shelf, we have as mixed a bag as ever. We continue to look at Arrow's recent box set with Hellbound - Hellraiser 2 and Second Run's latest All My Good Countrymen. Jumping to Eastern climes we have a classic double bill in Mizoguchi's Chikamatsu Monogatari and King Hu's Dragon Inn. Our film of the week was Danny Boyle's latest with his unconventional biopic, Steve Jobs.
Hell comes to Brooklyn
This week on the show we realise that not all advertising is evil, some of it is actually quite hilarious. In on the shelf we have an almighty round of 180s, Rob looked at Kurosawa's Rashomon, Ryan at 80s Horror classic Hellraiser, Aidan with A Letter to Three Wives and Graham closed out with a minority report on He Named me Malala. Our film of the weekly was the delightful Brooklyn.
This week we go rogue because the Bond takeover has disrupted normal service. With Spectre consuming all of the releases we decided to change the rules, and instead of our usual "Off the Shelf" and "Film of the Week" we take to the opportunity to do something different. Join us for a look back as some of the titles from previous episodes, recommendations from listeners, and the greatest of all segue combinations.
Our featured movies are Turbo Kid, Knights of Badassdom, Shaolin Soccer and the original Godzilla from 1954
A Messed Up Italian H-H-H-Halloween
This week the news devolves into Rob making noises. Off the Shelf is a Halloween-themed affair, this week, as we go all-Italian with Dario Argento's "Phenomena", Mario Bava's "Black Sunday" and a notorious double-bill of "Zombie Flesh Eaters" and "Cannibal Holocaust". Our Film of the Week is the latest offering from the Bond franchise - "Spectre".
Radioactive Baby Bruce (Willis)
This week we turn something hideous into a shaven-headed beauty. Off the Shelf is predictably unpredictable with the African chase film "The Naked Prey", Tobe Hooper's big crocodile feature "Eaten Alive", and the long-lost silent movie "A Daughter of Destiny". Our Film of the Week is Guillermo Del Toro's sumptuous gothic romance "Crimson Peak".
Shin'ya Tsukamoto, Body Horror Sweetheart
It's the big 4-0, and we have an Amicus/Hammer double with "The Skull" and "The Man Who Could Cheat Death", the latest instalment in our ongoing effort to cover Shinya Tsukamoto's filmography with "Snake of June", and the 1960's African social drama "Black Girl". After all of that, we head to Mexico in our Film of the Week, "Sicario".
Evil-Penis Gun-Spew Stonehead Time
This week on the show we were besieged by an almighty armada of gremlins forcing us to re-record for the first time ever.
As a means of apology, we beefed up the show into a bumper edition. We had two films of the week, Justin Kurzel's Macbeth and Ridley Scott's The Martian. Breaking those bad boys up is Jules Dassin's Night and the City, the Town that Dreaded Sundown and the one, the only Zardoz.
Sid James and a Japanese Ghost Walk into a Bar
On this week's mammoth slate of movies, Off the Shelf includes the overlooked Robert Altman feature "3 Women", Raymond Bernard's staggeringly authentic adaptation of "Les Miserables", and a genre twofer - "Maggie" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and proof of the resurgent Korean New Wave in "The Chaser".
In lieu of our usual Film of the Week, we also cover the beautiful "Song of the Sea", Abel Ferrara's "Pasolini", Robert Carlyle's directorial debut "The Legend of Barney Thomson" and the almost-indescribable "Hard to be a God" - four smaller-scale features that deserve a more recognition.
The Made-Up Words Club
This week doesn't need a dictionary… because we ARE the dictionary. Off the Shelf is top-filled with the usual oddities - Samuel Fuller's noir Pick-Up on South Street, Woody Allen's maligned Curse of the Jade Scorpion, M. Night Shyamalan's latest attempt to salvage his career (a.k.a. The Visit), and Second Run's first-ever foray into theatrical releases with Pedro Costa's Horse Money. We finish off the show's eclectic line-up with our Film of the Week - Baltasar Kormákur's Everest.
The Mixing Desk is POWER!
This week we get unnecessarily vengeful about a children's Christmas film. Off the Shelf features Nagisa Oshima's Cruel Story of Youth and Haskell Wexler's Medium Cool - both from Masters of Cinema. Meanwhile, Ryan delves into the underrated Sympathy for Lady Vengeance and Graham takes on Pop Goes the Easel - Ken Russell's portrait of artists Peter Blake, Derek Boshier, Pauline Boty, and Peter Phillips. Our Film of the Week is Legend - the Tom Hardy delivery vehicle based on the story of notorious London gangsters the Kray twins.
Late Night Spooky Noise Fight Club
In a typically eccentric Off the Shelf, we look at Housebound - the 2014 festival hit from Australia, Korean student drama Bleak Night, the long lost BFI Flipside title Requiem for a Village, and the British gangster thriller Age of Kill - which may have been the result of losing a drunken bet. The elaborately titled Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is our Film of the Week.
Dyer Consequences
On this week's show, we have a good old butcher's at 2015's blockbuster season. Off the Shelf features a typically diverse bunch of movies, with Rob covering Rabies - Israel's first-ever horror film, Ryan going back to high school with Salute! Sun Yat-Sen and Graham having the unenviable double-bill with Dyer consequences - Robert Cavanagh's Pimp and Ray Cooney's Run for your Wife. Our Film of the Week is the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton.
Apply some Hardy on that VVitch
Childhood memory smasher, Eclectica, Present. Our off the Shelf section has an eccentric bunch with Rob covering the Taiwanese film Exit and pronouncing everything wrong, and Ryan enjoying rage-house icon Bronson. Both movies were book-ended by a Graham twofer - a collection of shorts by Richard Massingham and Second Run's Dragon's Return. The acclaimed documentary The Wolfpack is our Film of the Week.
Zorro's Fabulous U.N.C.L.E
This week Producer Rob introduced us to the early 1980's swashbuckling comedy Zorro: The Gay Blade starring George Hamilton. Honestly, it's real - look it up. That opened the traps up for Off the Shelf in which we feature the legendary documentary Man With A Movie Camera, anarchic zombie-comedy Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead and the much anticipated Monty Python reunion in Absolutely Anything. Our Film of the Week is the reboot of the classic 1960's spy TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Q*bert's Sex Noises
We return with the most suggestively titled episode yet. In off the Shelf, we saw and conquered a ménage à trois that included Adam Sandler's Pixels, Sion Sono's manic epic Love Exposure, and the catastrophic 'making of' Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr Moreau. Our Film of the Week is Joel Edgerton's feature-length debut The Gift.
A Spot of Lovely Sleaze, Gromit
This week on Off the Shelf we have a trifecta of messed up movies and work our way down the ladder of sleaze from the relativity presentable Aguirre, Wrath of God to Borowczyk's Immoral Tales - with a stop-off at Snowtown along the way. The counterpoint to all of this is the absolutely lovely Film of the Week - Pixar's Inside Out.
Underground, Overground, Xenomorphs Free
We destroy more childhood favourites this week - you have been warned. Our packed "Off the Shelf" section features the 2009 cult horror The Loved Ones, the Iranian new-wave classic The Apple, and Anand Patwardhan's gripping nuclear documentary War & Peace. After that, we calm down and return to Earth with the inimitable Ginger in Beware of Mr Baker. Our Film of the Week is the climactic part of Marvel's phase 2 in Ant-Man.
Wrong Cackles and the Python of Loneliness
Instead of getting lost in all of the news from San Diego's Comic-Con we decided to keep the show relatively normal … well, as normal as it gets around here anyway. We have a fairly eccentric "Off the Shelf" section with reviews for Happiness of the Katakuris, Asif Kapadia's documentary about Amy Winehouse - simply titled "Amy", Walerian Borowczyk's Blanche, and Fuku-Chan of Fukufuku Flats from Third Window. Our Film of the week is Dear White People - Justin Simien's controversial satire about race relations.
Yuzna and a Spoonful of Corporate Silliness
In this week's "Off the Shelf" we take a look United Passions - the controversial FIFA movie with the questionable existence, Magic Mike XXL, Satoshi Kon's anime thriller Perfect Blue, and the 1980's cult-monster Society. Our Film of the Week is the overly-marketed, nonsensical Terminator Genisys.
Sexy Funny Games with Sad Keanu
This week we're neck-deep in a crazy heatwave - which makes for a much looser show because of all the melting brains.
Our featured movies in our "Off The Shelf" section are Samuel Fuller's Forty Guns, Frank Borzage's lost film-noir Moonrise and Eli Roth's latest confusing effort Knock Knock. All of that leads us to our fantastically fun Film of the Week - John Maclean's Slow West.
Groucho Mutant Ninja Turtles
Any time we get the news that can give us the inspiration for an episode where we can cite Groucho Ninja Mutant Turtles - we know it's generally going to be a good week.
In "Off The Shelf" we take a look at Albert Serra and Second Run's Story of My Death, "Mr Hammer Horror" Terence Fisher's Hounds of the Baskervilles and Tom Hardy's solo road trip feature Locke, and our Film Of The Week is the much-maligned and misunderstood Mr Holmes.
Things went a little bit Kryten
After getting lost in the deep, dark shrubbery that is the news (and thus making this one of our longest shows so far), we dive straight into the still waters of "Off the Shelf" with an eclectic mix of silver-screen goodness.
On this episode Ryan looks at The Legend is Born: Ip Man, P-Rob blatantly makes stuff up with the Japanese animated kid's movie Welcome To The Space Show, and Graham investigates Joshua Oppenheimer's The Look of Silence. After that, things get prehistoric with Jurassic World.
Grit, Filth & Ron Perlman
This episode sees us go rogue once more. We get right into things with two trailers of the week before diving into a vast collection of titles - both old and new. In "Off the Shelf" we take a look at the Oscar-nominated Argentinian movie Wild Tales, Elia Kazan's Wild River and South Korean murder-mystery Tell Me Something. All of that forms a nice lead-in to the second meeting of the B-Sides Club - and this time we're featuring The Falling, A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night and Studio Ghibli's latest release - The Tale of Princess Kaguya.
Death by the Grapes
On this week's episode we take a look at Peter Bogdanovich's Paper Moon, eccentric French auteur-extraordinaire Jean Rollin's Lost in New York, the underappreciated Miyazaki gem Porco Rosso and, well… dumb internet nonsense leads us to Kung Fury. Our Film of the Week is Man Up - the latest in a string of interesting romantic comedies.
Hey, Hey - Man Tears!
It's a slow news week because Cannes has rolled around again, but we give it the old college try anyway. In "Off the Shelf" we discuss Fritz Lang's silent classic Frau Im Mond before discovering the strange wonders of Second Run's Polish Cinema Collection Volume 3. We also try to navigate Juno Mak's conflicted and slightly confusing Rigor Mortis, but things definitively head to weirdsville in our Minority Report - Sion Sono's baffling Bollywood-style Hip-Hop Yakuza musical Tokyo Tribe.
We round things off with our Film of the Week - Brad Bird's science fiction yarn Tomorrowland: A World Beyond.
Words or Sound Effects, that is the Question
This week we're pondering the ultimate question - should we do a version with just noises and sound effects? In "Off the Shelf" we take a look at Mario Bava's Blood and Black Lace, Charles Burnett's Killer of Sheep and the Shaw Brothers historical fight-'em-up - King of Fists and Dollars. All of that is little more than foreplay though, as we heap universal adulation upon our Film of the Week - Mad Max: Fury Road.
Again and Again, until they get it Space Jam
This week we change all of the roles, but still, somehow manage to do … stuff. Our featured home entertainment releases in Off the Shelf are Down by Law, Fellini's Satyricon, The Railway Man and Playing It Cool. We also have a rare "Minority Report" review from Graham about Far From The Madding Crowd before ending proceedings with our Film of the Week - Chris Rock's Top Five.
There's only one Tilda Swinton
On this week's episode, there are some dark, disturbing revelations. In our Off the Shelf section, we take a look at Sidney Lumet's 1970's classic Network, a box set featuring the work of Chris Marker, the rather alarming soap-opera-like Be My Baby, and the silent movie icon Intolerance. Our Film of the Week this time is Unfriended (spoiler - nowhere near as bad as we dared imagine).
Not Chick flick Eclectica
This week's episode features one of the most anticipated releases of the last few years - which means heated and very divisive opinions are on the cards. With a full cast of unsupportive characters, Off the Shelf enjoys Nikkatsu in Massacre Gun, glam-rock musicals in Phantom of the Paradise, classic Brit gangster flicks in The Long Good Friday, and a surprising found footage piece with Afflicted.
Our film of the Week is Joss Whedon's [The] Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Hello! Is it Me your talking to!?
We have all the pronunciations this week - including the good, the bad and the …? Nope, can't finish that sentence. In our Off the Shelf section, we take a look at The Offence from Masters of Cinema, Some Beasts - the highly anticipated critical darling of the festival circuit, and A Good Marriage - the latest in a never-ending line of Stephen King adaptations. Our Film of the Week is a Danish western called The Salvation which stars Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green and former football star Eric Cantona.
Hello! Is it Me your talking to!?
On this episode, we find our best idea for a fantasy movie yet and launch a new occasional feature. All in a day's work for us here at Geek Show Towers. We also take a look at the surprising trio of Kon-Tiki, Fruit of Paradise and The Last Horror Movie, before settling down with the Film of the Week - John Wick.
Up your Gory Alley
Confusion is in the air this week on Cinema Eclectica with the announcement of a Play-Doh movie and the existence of the Zombie Chicken sub-basement genre. We take a look at The Duke of Burgundy, Mark of the Devil and Day of Anger in Off the Shelf, and as a special treat, we dive into Book of the Dead: The Complete History of Zombie Cinema.
Ryan takes a few minutes to talk about Fast & Furious 7 before we discuss the winner of that particular honour - Noah Baumbach's While We're Young.
And BOOM goes the Herzog!
On this week's episode there are some verbal fisticuffs for the trailer of the week, and we discuss Kevin Smith's Tusk, Himizu, The Killers, Like Water for Chocolate and the irreplaceable Werner Herzog's Invincible in Off the Shelf. For our film of the week, we opted for the small indie sci-fi hit The Signal starring Laurence Fishburne and a boatload of wibbly shenanigans (and thereby avoiding the most racist film of last week).
Say 'No' to Young Guns
This week we go rogue once again, featuring not one but two trailers of the week (how crazy are we!). In Off the Shelf we take a look at The Manchurian Candidate, Han Gong-Ju and A Most Violent Year, and we close the show with our Film of the Week - The Voices.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Mark Rylance
This week we give the "Film of the Week" a big old miss, and instead of covering Liam Neeson's latest outing we discuss action cinema's ageing heroes. We also have some action-packed news and in Off the Shelf we find out more about Kumiko: The Treasure Hunter, Traps, The Killing, Red River, Killer's Kiss and Isn't Anyone Alive?
Barbie with Evil Dead Trees
Double figures, Baby!
This week we actually have news to work with, which we duly use as an excuse to fly off into glorious tangents. In addition to our flights of fancy we discuss we discuss Resnais swansong Life of Riley, The Mill and the Cross, Clown, Sullivan's Travels and The Land of Hope and our film of the week is the movie that really isn't a remake of Short Circuit (honest) - Chappie.
Improvised Synth
This week on Eclectica we go free form, with that we've also added the loveliest news story we've covered so far on the show.
In the Off the Shelf section, Owen faces a baptism of fire with his review the beloved Time Bandits. Meanwhile. Rob gets to grips with the enjoyably daft Comedy of Terrors, and rounding out the section is Graham with the forgotten Peter Weir movie The Last Wave. Our film of the week is the horror hit of the festival circuit - It Follows.
We Need More One-Armed Push-Ups
The peak of the awards season is here and we need more one-armed push-ups (Go Jack Palance!). As well talking about the Oscars in our own distinctive way, we take a look at Spring in a Small Town, The Turning, Back to 1942, and Shoah in our off the shelf section - and our film of the week is Blackhat.
The First Meeting of the B-Sides Club
This week we forcibly ejected 50 Shades of Grey, and instead opted to give the "other guys" a chance. The first meeting of the B-Sides Club. In Off the Shelf we looked at Spione, Enemy, Sake Bomb, Shanghai 13 and For Love's Sake. We ended the show by covering The Theory of Everything, Big Hero 6 and The Kingsman.
Honking Gilliam
On this week's show, we talk about the BAFTAs, kicking off awards season. In off the shelf, we continue to look at the work of Shinya Tsukamoto with Kotoko, silent masterpiece Metropolis and the notorious Blue Velvet. Our film of the week, the look at the Wachowski's latest Jupiter Ascending. Now if you'll excuse us we are off to torture more celebrities into animal puns.
Vice & Selfies in the Yabba
This week we break all the rules and anger the Great Internet Overlord. We also manage to cram in reviews of Kinetta, Bitter Lake, Diary of a Lost Girl, Greatful Dead, Wake in Fright, and The Children's Book of Cinema. Our film of the week is Inherent Vice. That's right. We have a book review on a movie show - no rules!
Georgian Meltdown Gardens
This week a slip of the tongue took on almost biblical proportions. Elsewhere. in off the Shelf, we discuss Tokyo Fist, Bullet Ballet, Out of this World: Little Lost Robot, and Ganja & Hess. Our film of the week is Ex-Machina. Now, if you'll excuse us we have loads of outtakes to enjoy.
NSFW Trains
Movie Rush is no more. Long live movie rush! With this newly monikered edition of the show we look at The Lust of Angels, Woman in Black 2, I’m All Right Jack and our film of the week is Whiplash. Now if you'll excuse, we are off to practice saying our name in front of the mirror.
Space Bowie
Today we are joined by the League of Extraordinarily Cosmic Bowie, at least in spirit. On this week's show we talk about Annie, Buy Bling Get One Free, Unbroken, The Interview, The Intimidation Game and our first ever feature presentation in Foxcatcher.
The Geek Show podcast network launch their very own movie podcast, focusing in on both new releases and the pick of home video. On this first edition of the show, we look back at the best and worst films of 2014, as well as the first major talking point of 2015 - Birdman.
F.K.A - Movie Rush