Reviewing movies and the culture that surrounds them.
This podcast is no longer in production.
Published 23 November 2016 • 57 minutes, 53 seconds
We weren’t really that excited to hear about another Harry Potter franchise. As long-term fans, we have been burnt before by the films, and this movie didn’t exactly generate a buzz. Luckily, this set us up to be pleasantly surprised by a charming Eddie Redmayne, a creepy Colin Farrell, and a ragtag band of mostly-unknowns giving it their all.
Published 16 November 2016 • 36 minutes, 24 seconds
With the new Westworld TV show blowing up, we decided to go back to the original film, written and directed by Michael Crichton in 1973. We were pleasantly surprised by a smart sci-fi that was way ahead of its time. It was the first film to use CGI technology, four years before STAR WARS, and it has a sensitive and thoughtful take on the rise of robots and artificial intelligence. Sure, it’s slow by today’s standards, but we’re glad we made the effort. You can rent it on YouTube for a few bucks.
Published 9 November 2016 • 32 minutes, 28 seconds
We didn’t know much about this film, other than Chris Pine Western, so obviously we had to see it. While it’s got some good points (gorgeous cinematography, interesting score, adventurous direction and good acting), the film as a whole felt a bit too languid for a movie about two bank robbers being pursued by a Texas Ranger.
Published 2 November 2016 • 43 minutes, 9 seconds
We didn’t exactly go into Marvel’s latest effort with high expectations, but we were pleasantly surprised. Once you get past the whitewashing, the male-centric story and the bad accent, it’s well-made escapist fun with good actors and sterling special effects. Marvel sucks us in once again.
Published 26 October 2016 • 45 minutes, 18 seconds
Another blockbuster novel turned film, The Girl on the Train has quite a bit in common with 2014’s Gone Girl, although executed with less finesse. It has some strong points, namely the prioritising of womens’ viewpoints, a serious discussion of domestic abuse, and a great lead performance from Emily Blunt, but the structure is messy and there are plot holes big enough to drive a train through.
Published 19 October 2016 • 44 minutes, 30 seconds
SSQ favourites Dylan O’Brien and Gina Rodriguez star in this dramatisation of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster that led to the worst oil spill in US history, creating devastation in the Gulf of Mexico. We went in not expecting much, coming from the director of BATTLESHIP, but we were mistaken. The movie approaches its subject matter with compassion and humanity and largely avoids some of the more dire disaster movie clichés.
Published 12 October 2016 • 2 hours, 5 minutes
Another TV interlude as the first season of Netflix’s LUKE CAGE drops. We’re joined by our friend Jamie Butlin to talk being bulletproof, series storytelling and snake-based villains. Luke Cage’s Harlem is beautifully realised, the music is off the charts, and the acting is top notch, especially Mahershala Ali and Alfre Woodard. But while the show is extremely progressive in some aspects, it’s treatment of women isn’t great, and the pacing would have benefitted from allowing the story to breathe a little. WARNING: SPOILERS.
Published 5 October 2016 • 32 minutes, 41 seconds
Bereft of new ideas, Hollywood is re-making classic films, but with Antoine Fuqua helming, Denzel Washington in the lead and a Chris, we thought this one was worth a look. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stand up well against Seven Samurai or the 1960 Hollywood version, but it has some fun moments and a genuine commitment to re-examining some of the prejudices inherent in the myth of the wild west.
Published 28 September 2016 • 37 minutes, 41 seconds
Disney has remade its wacky 1970s adventure about a boy and his dragon with a high-profile cast and a spectacular setting. While 2010s sensibilities may be more aesthetically pleasing, the lack of wackiness made this remake quite dull. We review it, and pitch a rewrite to make it better.
Published 21 September 2016 • 33 minutes, 9 seconds
Following a weird snafu with its distribution, this animated adaptation of the classic French children’s’ book finally found an English-speaking home on Netflix. While Mel loved it and found it both beautiful and true to the source material, Katie was not charmed and found it disturbingly infantilising.