Film Chat

Our sole review this week is Luc Besson's ambitious sci fi yarn Valerian, a Saturday morning cartoon brought to vibrant life with bucketloads of CGI. We also ask why Michael Owen was "in hell" watching Cool Runnings, we examine James Cameron's boring-ass plans for his many Avatar sequels, and we discuss the Coen brothers' not at all boring-ass deal with Netflix. Finally, we find time for a quick chat with Valerian's dude extreme, Dane DeHaan.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's a bumper edition this week as Film Chat reviews 4 films which collectively probably cost as much to make as Christopher Nolan spends on tea a week. Danny reviews gripping documentary City of Ghosts all about a group of citizen journalists reporting on Raqqa despite constant death threats from Isis. Their courage is only matched by that of The Big Sick writer and star Kumail Nanjiani who selflessly allowed himself to be immortalised in film as a nice, normal chap who only does nice things. #InspiringThen Danny tackles the high concept but low budget British thriller The Ghoul before Sam waxes lyrical about the high concept and medium budget Egyptian thriller Clash. Plus a discussion about the controversial new project from the Game of Thrones showrunners and a lengthy examination of the most important news story of the past week (if not year), Henry Cavill's moustache.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's WAR! Non-stop war on Film Chat. Nazis try to overcome our plucky national spirit and massive IMAX cameras in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, and Woody Harrelson takes on supernaturally clever and well-rendered primates in War for the Planet of the Apes. Then those two films go head-to-head in an even more brutal WAR over which is the superior blockbuster, Michael Caine declares war on Christopher Nolan for not letting him be in Dunkirk, and Danny and I enter a dynastic blood feud over duelling claims to the same peanut M&M.Amongst all this horrible war, we pay tribute to George A Romero, dissect the trailer for The Disaster Artist, marvel at the latest crackpot film-franchise scheme, and discuss which "nine" film is the best.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's psychological chamber piece week on Film Chat as we review two films which lock their characters in one location to see what makes them tick. First off Danny reviews It Comes At Night, an inventive horror which explores the destructive power of paranoia. Then Sam reviews The Beguiled which explores the destructive power of Colin Farrell's gaelic charm. PLUS we talk about the exciting new project from young, hot director Barry Jenkins, the exciting new project from old, err acquired taste director Quentin Tarantino AND rejoice at the casting of Jodie Whittaker as The Doctor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we review Spider-Man: Homecoming, in which a rookie Spidey has to balance the demands of school, crimefighting, and a hundred nervous executives trying to reboot one franchise while continuing another. The result is surprisingly delightful. As Spider-Man is known to exclaim, "Gee-Webs!"We also talk about Mike Leigh's upcoming Peterloo movie (highbrow), the adventurous next project from the director of Embrace of the Serpent (very highbrow), and how often Andy Serkis nuts (cosmic brow).Finally we reveal Edgar Wright's original soundtrack to Baby Driver, including a brand new banger by Sam that the tin-eared director refused to use. Not cool Edgar.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week Danny reviews the gentle rom-com Hampstead starring Diane Keaton which is basically a remake of Annie Hall but with a happier ending, 500 less jokes and a chubby bearded tramp instead of Woody Allen. Then he join forces with Sam to tackle two refreshingly original films from two of cinema's most inventive directors. First up is Edgar Wright's Baby Driver which makes up for it's disappointingly non literal title by being totally rad. Then they laugh, cry, embrace veganism and develop a powerful crush on Paul Dano while discussing Bong Joon Ho's Okja. PLUS they discuss all the rumours around the trouble Han Solo movie, speculate about a Bond cinematic universe and try and work out why Andrew Garfield has adopted what is possibly the dumbest accent ever for his new film Breathe.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, we talk to Will and Maryam from the Picturehouse Living Wage Campaign about their fight to win decent pay and working benefits from the Scrooge-like cinema chain. We discuss how they got organised with their union BECTU, what it's like striking in an era of historically low union activity and job precarity, why it's necessary to fight for your rights, and what you can do to consider following their example in your own rubbish exploitative workplace. We also find time to encourage Rebel Wilson to lie to journalists and we sympathise with the director of The Mummy, Alex Kurtzman, having to explain to the media why everyone hates his awful film.Will and Maryam are part of the Picturehouse Central campaign. Follow them on Twitter @CPHLivingWage, and their fellow campaigns at: the Ritzy (@RitzyLivingWage), Hackney (@HPHLivingWage), Crouch End (@CEPHlivingwage), East Dulwich (@EDPHLivingWage), and Brighton (@UnioniseDukes)!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the weather becoming oppressively hot there is no better time to sit in a nice cool room and listen to an episode of filmchat. This week Danny reviews Dying Laughing a documentary all about the life of a stand up comic which is curiously devoid of any laughs or deaths. Then Sam joins him to review The Mummy which at least delivers on the promise of it's title even if it is total pantyhose. PLUS they discuss the latest proposed X-Men film, the totally ballin' trailer for Black Panther and Joss Whedon's surprising regressive take on Wonder Woman. In the words of filmchat superfan Manny Doran " This episode was surprising hard to edit so please listen to it!"  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, our pal James Andrewes joins us again as we review Wonder Woman. DC's latest superhero epic marks a refreshing change of direction for its franchise universe in at least two ways: it stars and is directed by a woman, and it isn't a total clusterfuck. Plus, Danny grills James and Sam with an election-themed film quiz, we wonder what a kid-friendly version of Captain Phillips would look like, and we congratulate Terry Gilliam on completing his epic, foolhardy quest to film The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.Finally, we react to a variety of different election outcomes, as we recorded the episode the night before polling day. Little did we know the result would be Christ descending on a flaming chariot and making the Earth whole again. :)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you like your films to be gentle, foreign and with a proudly humanist outlook then this is the episode of Film Chat for you. First of Danny reviews After the Storm which he was disappointed to discover wasn't a spinoff from the X-Men franchise starring Halle Berry as everyone's favourite weather controlling mutant...but a slow burn Korean family drama from acclaimed director Hirokazu Koreeda. Then he joins forces with Sam to tackle My Life as a Courgette which they were disappointed to discover wasn't the sequel to their favourite film of last year, Sausage Party...but a touching French animation about a young boy growing up in a orphanage. Plus they wonder of whether the Mcconaissence is Mcconover, have an in depth discussion of the new Dark Universe film series and speculate over what Jeff Goldblum will be doing in Jurassic World 2.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we review Colossal, a high concept comedy-drama that misfires in 1,000 thrilling ways, and the gentle Studio Ghibli animation The Red Turtle. And, in a rare foray into TV Chat, Danny talks us through the reassuringly weird first few episodes of the revived Twin Peaks.We also ask whether the sequel to Mamma Mia will feature a guy called Fernando (surely it must), and discuss the upcoming Netflix film inspired by a viral tweet. That's how films get made now, frantic zeitgeist-chasing producers scrolling through their timelines. What a world. Plus our friend Georgia drops by to tell us more about the shit horror film Frogs and gives us some high-calibre turtle facts.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's episode we review King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Guy Ritchie's knockabout take on the legendary British hero. You'll have to listen to the episode to hear our verdict but if you like to play Dark Souls while listening to Chas and Dave albums then this is the film for you. We also review Alien: Covenant the latest instalment in Ridley Scott's ongoing retirement plan/completely justified film franchise. You'll have to listen to the episode to hear our verdict but if you like Snakes of a Plane but wished it was more violent then this is the film for you. Plus we discuss the highly ironic fate of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film, Zac Efron's attempts at more dramatic acting and debut an exclusive sneak peak of the Suspiria soundtrack.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sam and Danny are joined by Film Chat pal Dougal to discuss Bee Movie, Jerry Seinfeld's bizarre and misguided attempt to make an animated children's film. Sam would have happily spent a full hour just talking about that, but we tear ourselves away to review some more recent releases: Their Finest, the war drama about some fine Brits staying jolly against the odds, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the latest splash of expensive fun to spurt of out of the relentless Marvel fun machine.Also discussed: actors who fight younger clones of themselves, David Fincher's efforts to help Brad Pitt through his divorce via a pointless studio sequel, and Dougal's ill-fated Fopp visit.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It is insightful European human drama week on Film Chat. First off Danny dissects French donor transplant drama Heal the Living with surgical precision. Then Sam err..lectures us about the merits of Romanian film Graduation..academically? Whatever, they're both great. PLUS we discuss the trailer for the anticipated sequel to Film Chat whipping boy Kingsman, wonder if Will Smith is really the man to judge the quality of films given the last 10 films he's made AND debut some exclusive never heard before audio of Tom Hardy's recent act of everyday heroism.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we review an old and boring film, Oscar-winning classic One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Jack Nicholson acts wacky in an asylum, yada yada yada. No explosions. We also review a new and exciting film, The Fast & The Furious 8, which by contrast is brilliant. Many explosions. Danny and Sam also do some fantasy casting for an upcoming reboot of Labyrinth, talk about how sexy and normal it is to cry buckets in films, and venture briefly into the twisted mind of M Night Shyamalan. Also Danny DeVito canvasses for Jeremy Corbyn.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode we review Park Chan Wook's The Handmaiden which features our two favourite movie tropes, girl on girl action and amateur dentistry. Then we tackle acclaimed coming of age/body horror, Raw which was so good it caused Danny's brain to shut down briefly. We also discuss the news that Jude Law has been cast as young Dumbledore, give all the info on the latest Ron Howard project and question which way Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen leans (politically speaking).  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Film Chat is serving up another three-course reviewing banquet this week: the James Baldwin documentary I Am Not Your Negro (which is ace), Pablo Larraín's unconventional biopic Neruda (also ace), and cyberpunk blockbuster Ghost in the Shell (poopfest). Plus! We adopt a thrillingly stilted manner to talk about Joss Whedon making a Batgirl film; we apply to join the Transformers writers' room; and we hear Danny roar.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this super bumper edition of Film Chat we review four thematically identical films. First up Danny takes aim at Ben Wheatley's Free Fire. He's made a film set in a house, a film set in a field and a film set in block of flats but can the British auteur make a film set in a warehouse? Yes. THEN Sam slashes his way through the colonial adventure drama, The Lost City of Z for which Robert Pattinson grew a beard that is even bigger than his fan base. THEN Danny tackles the lovingly crafted and lovecraftian The Void, a low budget siege horror movie where most of the budget went on tentacles. AND THEN Danny AND Sam join forces to examine the most talked about film of the week, or indeed any week, Revolution: New Art for a New World - a documentary about Russian revolutionary art. You're welcome.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Apologies for the lax Film Chat service lately! Some technical weasels and gremlins have been clogging up our efforts to transfer to premier podcasting platform Acast, and it's caused a couple of delays. Don't worry though, a team of expensive nerds is working on the problem and we've been assured it will all be sorted soon. Until then, here is the latest chat! Consisting of reviews of a trio of independent films -- lyrical coming-of-age documentary All This Panic, arthouse torture porn The Eyes of My Mother, and mockumentary thriller Operation Avalanche. Something for everyone, except explosion fans. Not many explosions. We also discuss whether Robert Downey Jr. will make a good Dr. Dolittle, we talk about fairy tales' backwards attitudes to interracial marriage, and we spend a surprisingly long time discussing racial purity, in the sort of tangent you have to save until episode 111 if you want to keep any listeners whatsoever.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Danny reviews not one but two documentaries; Gleason, all about former football star Steve Gleason's ongoing battle with ALS and Uncertain, all about an American town in the middle of nowhere. If you like to cry for 90 minutes and then stare at beautiful shots of nature for another 90 minutes then this is the double bill for you! We also, being the woke, white, middle class guys that we are, check out Jordan Peele's inventive horror film Get Out. It's no Eat Pray Love but it's still very good. We also wonder how they could possibly reboot The Matrix seeing as it has already sorta come true and report on the last uncompleted film of genius film director/frozen peas salesman Orson Welles.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.