This week, we review the one millionth Marvel film, Thor: Ragnarok — a breezy, colourful adventure that shows that the studio has finally developed the confidence to include jokes in its movies. We also give our verdict on Luca Guadagnino's sumptuous and incredibly horny drama Call Me By Your Name and Armando Iannucci's The Death of Stalin, which sees the veteran satirist transferring the "sweary bureaucrats" mode of comedy he honed in The Thick of It to Soviet Russia, with bizarre results. PLUS...
Oct 30, 2017•54 min
This week Film Chat sharpened its knives to deliver four career ending eviscerations of four mediocre projects that have the audacity to call themselves "films". First up Sam takes on The Party, Sally Potter's film about a bunch of middle-class twats bumming about. He didn't like it. THEN Danny reviews The Meyerowitz Stories, Noah Baumbach's film about a bunch of boring New Yorkers gazing up their own arses. He didn't care for it. THEN Sam tackles Brawl in Cell Block 99, S. Craig Zahler's film a...
Oct 25, 2017•1 hr 2 min
As Denis Villeneuve kept saying on the set of Blade Runner 2049: "It's Blade Runner time!" The much-anticipated sci-fi sequel has been hailed as a "cortex-wobbling spectacle of pure hallucinatory craziness" by the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw—but did we deem it worth of such lofty rhetoric or describe it merely as "not bad"? Tune in to find out. Plus! Sam reviews Sam the lowkey British drama Daphne, we survey the unfolding horror of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal, and we talk about som...
Oct 17, 2017•50 min
It's no secret that Film Chat were not fans of the first entry into Matthew Vaughn's laddish spy franchise but, with our minds firmly closed, we trudged to the Peckham Plex to view Kingsman 2: The Golden Circle. What we witnessed was perhaps a Film Chat first - a film that was not at all disappointing and yet utterly shit at the same time. We also report the exciting news that the filmmaking wunderkinds Lord and Miller having just been left a film about a space smuggler are gearing up to shoot a...
Oct 02, 2017•52 min
This week we review Darren Aronofsky's divisive psychological horror film mother!, a half-hearted effort by a timid hack who would've given his movie title at least three exclamation marks if he was committed to the sky-high concept. Just one "!"? Give it some welly Darren.Plus, we discuss, and give thumbs up to, the operatic Korean thriller The Villainess and social housing documentary Dispossession; we evaluate the prospects for a Watchmen TV series; and we ask why horror films love to put wom...
Sep 25, 2017•57 min
It's a podcast crossover episode as Tom and Jack from the Reel Politik podcast join us to review the Kickstarted documentary Dennis Skinner: Nature of the Beast. It's an intimate portrait of the fearsome socialist MP that really nails why he is known as the Beast of Bolsover: his lilting singing voice, his Woody Allen fandom, and his love of trees.Then we review IT, the horror smash about a gang of youths being terrorised by a demonic clown. Most audience members have gone bananas for this lates...
Sep 17, 2017•1 hr 17 min
This week we take a look at the ponderous crime thriller Wind River, which most critics seem to have liked but we thought was trite and pretentious—thus proving once and for all that we are smart and everyone else is dumb. Danny also reviews controversy-baiting terrorist drama Nocturama and finds time to teach Sam several elephant-related metaphors in the process.Plus! We mourn the death of Colin Trevorrow's Star Wars dreams, discuss Alice Lowe's high-concept follow-up to Prevenge, and marvel at...
Sep 13, 2017•53 min
It's outrageous caper week on this week's Film Chat as we review two films about working for, and sticking it to, the man. First up Sam reviews American Made the latest film from the ancient demonic entity known as Tom Cruise. You've seen this old man hang from planes (Mission Impossible 5), hang people from planes (Mission Impossible 3) but can he fly a plane? Of course he can, he's Tom Cruise. Then Sam and Danny join forces to review Logan Lucky the new film from Hollywood's hardest working re...
Sep 04, 2017•48 min
This week, Danny reviews Final Portrait, a well crafted and intelligent biopic of the sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti in which he says “fuck” a lot in a funny accent, and Sam gives us his thoughts on the indie drama Lady Macbeth, which came out ages ago but there’s no time like the present for a podcast host to explain vaguely why he didn’t like it. We also discuss the ethics of watching a film on your phone, we gawp at a tell-all interview with the director of Air Bud, and we muse on th...
Aug 30, 2017•45 min
How do you like your movies? New and spooky or old and French? Either way this episode of Film Chat has got you covered. First off we review ultra stylish French noir Le Doulos by acclaimed director Jean Pierre Melville but did we think it was merde or le merde! Tune in to find out. Then we tackle David Lowery's elegiac ghost story....A Ghost Story starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara but did we think it was merde or le merde! Tune in to find out. Plus we discuss the news that Trump is about t...
Aug 21, 2017•47 min
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...
Aug 13, 2017•40 min
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. #...
Aug 07, 2017•54 min
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...
Jul 26, 2017•52 min
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 dir...
Jul 18, 2017•52 min
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)...
Jul 12, 2017•45 min
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 ...
Jul 03, 2017•1 hr
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 Rebe...
Jun 26, 2017•42 min
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...
Jun 18, 2017•48 min
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 K...
Jun 11, 2017•42 min
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 discove...
Jun 06, 2017•44 min
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 pr...
May 30, 2017•51 min
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 Snake...
May 23, 2017•50 min
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 dis...
May 07, 2017•43 min
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 b...
May 01, 2017•41 min
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 D...
Apr 24, 2017•46 min
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). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
Apr 15, 2017•48 min
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 08, 2017•47 min
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 lov...
Apr 03, 2017•59 min
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 ...
Mar 31, 2017•51 min
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 ver...
Mar 23, 2017•44 min
