This week, our focus turns to the 1969 classic THE ITALIAN JOB. After our usual opening reviews, we go on to talk about the development of the on-screen working-class criminals, British v Italians on film, and the continuing evolution of the heist genre. Next Time Our next film, much to Sam’s delight, is the 1973 crime classic (and recipient of the Best Picture Oscar, among many others) THE STING. Recent Media AGAINST ALL FLAGS (1952): George Sherman, Douglas Sirk, Errol Flynn KNIVES OUT (2019):...
Aug 17, 2020•38 min•Season 4Ep. 34
This week we discuss the landmark historical film BONNIE AND CLYDE. Our reviews are followed by discussions about how this film was a cultural jumping-off point, and how it’s filled with examples of iconoclastically pushing back against society. Next Time The next in our heist mini-series is the original THE ITALIAN JOB, from 1969. Recent Media BRIDGE OF SPIES (2015): Stephen Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance STAGED (2020): Simon Evans, Michael Sheen, David Tennant GOOD OMENS (2019): Neil Gaima...
Aug 04, 2020•32 min•Season 4Ep. 33
This week we tackle the original OCEAN’S ELEVEN — over 40 years before the Soderbergh re-make, and set in a very different time. After…mixed reviews, we talk about this film’s military roots, why the focus on friendship is a poignant one, and how this is a heist film that’s probably not about the heist. Next Time Our next heist film is the genre-defining 1967 film BONNIE AND CLYDE. Recent Media SCANDAL (2012–18):Shonda Rhimes, Kerry Washington, Henry Ian Cusick ANT-MAN (2015): Peyton Reed, Paul ...
Jul 21, 2020•30 min•Season 4Ep. 32
This week, we begin our heist movies mini-season with the 1955 French film noir RIFIFI. After our usual reviews, we get into what this film is really about — including a bit of a history lesson from Rob — as well as discussing how this film is less ‘shiny’ than many of the films it spawned, and is all the better for it. Next Time The next heist movie on our list is the original OCEAN’S ELEVEN (1960). Recent Media PARASITE (2020): Bong Joon-ho, Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-Kyun THE SPANISH MAIN (1945): ...
Jul 07, 2020•30 min•Season 4Ep. 31
In this episode, Rob and Karin dive into the 2019 release, Aniara. We recorded this back earlier in the year, but given the state of the world soon after, we held off on releasing it. Some time has passed and whilst the world isn't much better, we felt we could release it without inducing too much anxiety. But please, go into this episode knowing that this film is not a fun time... Karin is a voice actor, podcaster and drama teacher. She creates and produces Y2K, an audio drama in 54 parts about...
Jun 30, 2020•37 min
The final film in our ‘high school’ sub-season is the Olivia Wilde film from last year BOOKSMART. After some reviews, we talk about the effectiveness of films that might not be ‘for us’ as an audience, and the division of high school films into movies about nostalgia, coming of age, or romance — and this discussion leads into a retrospective on the sub-season as a whole, for which this movie serves as an excellent conclusion, in a number of senses. Next Time We begin our sub-season of ‘heist’ mo...
Jun 23, 2020•36 min•Season 4Ep. 30
This week we discuss the 2016 musical-comedy-drama-fantasy (who knows?) SING STREET. After some reviews, we talk about the ways in which this is a musical, the use of emotion on film, and how this is a creatively structured film about creative structure (this may or may not make sense). Oh, and how this is a love story, but the female lead isn’t even in the top 3 romantic protagonists. Next Time The last film of our high school miniseries is the 2019 film BOOKSMART. Recent Media SPACE FORCE (202...
Jun 01, 2020•31 min•Season 4Ep. 29
It’s the return of Sam! And we’re picking up where we left off, with a continuation of our mini-season of high school movies. This week, in a change (as explained in the episode) to the film we had been going to feature, it’s Emma Watson’s 2012 (post-HP) breakout role. After some reviews, we talk about how, refreshingly, this is a teen romance that’s actually not about its central relationship; the experiences of its female lead, both on-screen and off-; and filmed depictions of little griefs an...
May 18, 2020•40 min•Season 4Ep. 28
With Sam off being a dad, Rob ropes in some guest hosts, this week Naomi from Power Word Roll talking up a storm about the gothic horror/love story, Crimson Peak Naomi has had a fascination with the elements of story most of her life, from fairytales in her early years to film at university. Now Naomi makes audio drama podcast Power Word Roll, and helps introduce others to the power of stories the charity No More Damsels. Power Word Roll is a London actual play podcast that sounds more like a ra...
Mar 09, 2020•36 min
This week’s film is the 2007 re-boot of the anarchic ST. TRINIAN’S franchise. Post-reviews, we talk about different takes on the male gaze, on this film as a period piece, and on the way in which such films can be heightened versions of universal truths. Next Time As Rob says in the episode, who knows what next time will be? We’ll let you know as soon as we do! (Well: Sam won’t…he’ll be otherwise occupied… #prayforsam) Recent Media ZOG (2018): Max Long, Julia Donaldson, Sir Lenny Henry CHEER (20...
Feb 24, 2020•33 min•Season 4Ep. 27
This week our high school season has reached the cultural zenith (no shade: it’s a culturally important film!) of MEAN GIRLS (2004). After some reviews, we talk about meta-commentaries on teenage slang, the refreshing absence of strong male characters, and why this might be a film about leaving the limitations of high school days behind. Next Time Our next film in the high school genre is the 2007 version of ST. TRINIAN’S. Recent Media ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (2019): Quentin Tarantino, Leo...
Feb 10, 2020•30 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Our focus this week is the now 21-year-old (gulp) film, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU. We follow some reviews with some discussion about the iconic status of this film, the multiple (and sometimes surprising!) similarities to Shakespeare, and the fact that it’s sometimes just good fun to put politics aside and — like Kat — enjoy yourself. ( This is a great point, and I (Sam) am wishing I made it during the episode. Damn.) Next Time The next high school film we’re watching is the 2004 movie MEAN GIR...
Jan 20, 2020•35 min•Season 4Ep. 25
10 Years!
Dec 30, 2019•40 min
Our next film in the high school genre is the 1996 horror/comedy/supernatural drama THE CRAFT. After some largely positive reviews, we talk about how this is ultimately a film about knowing your place, while also being a feminist revenge fantasy, and also discuss the way in which this film exists at the confluence of supernatural battles and teenage toxicity. Next Time The next ‘high school’ film in our series is the 1999 movie 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU. Recent Media THE BOYS (2019–): Eric Krip...
Dec 23, 2019•36 min•Season 4Ep. 24
The next film in our ‘high school’ season is Richard Linklater’s DAZED AND CONFUSED, from 1993. After perhaps contrasting reviews, we go on to talk about fragmented teenaged memories, gender, and why rites of passage are important on screen. Next Time Our next ‘high school’ film is the 1996 film THE CRAFT. Recent Media THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO (2019): Joe Talbot, Jimmy Fails, Jonathan Majors HANNIBAL (2013–15): Bryan Fuller, Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen Recommendations ARGO (2012): Ben ...
Dec 10, 2019•34 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Our film this week is the 1989 Peter Weir film (and Robin Williams vehicle) DEAD POETS SOCIETY. After our usual reviews, we talk about the aesthetics of this film and its evocative nature, how this film is not like either LOVE ACTUALLY or AVENGERS, and why high school films are often like dreams. Next Time Next time, our high school season continues with the 1993 Richard Linklater film DAZED AND CONFUSED. Recent Media MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS (2008–): Franc Roddam, Gregg Wallace, Monica Gal...
Nov 24, 2019•34 min•Season 4Ep. 22
This week sees the start of our mini-season of high school movies, beginning with the seminal John Hughes film THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985). After some reviews, we talk about how character depth is important to a film about stereotypes, why detention really doesn’t work, and whether or not being a teenager is ever about having an ending (this makes sense in context, I promise...). Next Time The next film in our high school season is 1989’s DEAD POETS SOCIETY. Recent Media FOR ALL MANKIND (2019): Ro...
Nov 10, 2019•35 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Our focus on the vampire genre ends, suitably enough, with a movie that parodies many of the tropes that have formed this season: 2014’s WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS. After a couple of short reviews of the film, we talk about everything from a focus on the humdrum nature of reality to the importance of Austin Powers, via discussions of mortality and the paradoxical fragility of vampires. How does this movie, in particular, work as a conclusion to our season of vampire films? Next Week In a bit of a...
Oct 30, 2019•30 min•Season 4Ep. 20
This week we take on the cultural and cinematic behemoth that is 2008’s TWILIGHT. After some…contrasting reviews, we have a surprisingly enjoyable (and extended: strap in, listeners!) time talking about genre mash-ups, missed moments of poignancy, the traumas of High School, and how this isn’t really a film about vampires at all. Next Week Our film next week, closing the genre of vampire movies, is the 2014 mockumentary WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS. Recent Media CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF (2019): Franc R...
Oct 06, 2019•41 min•Season 4Ep. 19
This week we take on the classic vampire/superhero/martial arts (what even is it?) film, BLADE (1998). After some glowing reviews, we talk about subcultures in the 90s, before getting onto liminality, race, class, and the various oppressed groups explored in a vampire movie like this. Next Time Our next film is the — culturally undoubtedly important, but cinematically maybe questionable (we keep fairly open minds) — behemoth that is TWILIGHT (2008). Recent Media CAMP WEDDING (2019): Greg Emetaz,...
Sep 23, 2019•41 min•Season 4Ep. 18
This week’s film is the 1988 vehicle for a young Nicolas Cage: VAMPIRE’S KISS. After some mixed reviews (this episode is basically one of us trying to persuade the other of the merits of this film…), and a little discussion of aesthetics versus narrative, we talk about misogyny, corporate greed, and the changing symbolism of vampire movies. Next Time Next up in our journey through the vampire genre is another film led by an iconic personality of modern Hollywood: the 1998 Wesley Snipes feature B...
Sep 08, 2019•31 min•Season 4Ep. 17
This week we look at the 1973 film GANJA & HESS. After some pretty favourable reviews, we talk about the thoroughly confusing nature of the film, the idea of cinema as an immersive experience, and the different versions of the movie Bill Gunn was forced into making (and wanted to make) — all the while dancing around the idea of the ecstatic or out-of-body experience. (We don’t actually talk about it in the episode, but it seemed very appropriate as a theme for this week’s Prestige, given our...
Aug 25, 2019•35 min•Season 4Ep. 16
This week’s film is the 1963 anthology film BLACK SABBATH. In the course of our reviews, we talk about the two very different versions of the film (Italian and American), before going on to discuss the idea of cinematographic and soundscape intimacy, and lead up to a focus on some thoughts about male control in the vampire genre. Next Time Our next film is the 1973 film GANJA AND HESS. Recent Media THE GRIP OF FILM (2017): Richard Ayoade NYPD RED 3 (2015): James Patterson, Marshall Karp AMERICAN...
Aug 11, 2019•32 min•Season 4Ep. 15
This week’s film, in an enforced change to our programming, is the 1959 movie CURSE OF THE UNDEAD. After some initial reviews, we talk about the film’s use of some changes in the vampire genre to focus on ideas of ‘good versus evil’, before talking about why this meeting of the vampire genre and the Western actually does work — and implications it might have for the rest of our mini-season. Next Time Our next film is the 1963 film BLACK SABBATH. Recent Media MUDBOUND (2017): Dee Rees, Carey Mull...
Jul 28, 2019•25 min•Season 4Ep. 14
This week’s film is the unofficial sequel to last time’s movie, RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE (1943). After some not-entirely favourable reviews, we talk about the creation of a cinematic trope or stereotype, developments in film technology, and the idea of vampirism as infection — or lycanthropy as mental illness. Next Time Our next film takes our vampire genre in a Mexican direction, with EL VAMPIRO (1957). Recent Media THE CHEF SHOW (2019): Jon Favreau, Roy Choi, Annie Johnson JESSICA JONES S3 (2019)...
Jul 15, 2019•26 min•Season 4Ep. 13
The next film in our vampire sub-season is the first talkie: 1931’s DRACULA. We do some reviewing, some not-always-favourable comparison with NOSFERATU, and then talk about late-Victorian culture, temporal distance, and the fact that there are two very different sorts of vampire film. Next Time Our next film is another Bela Lugosi vehicle, from later in his career: THE RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE (1943). Recent Media GHOSTS (2019): Tom Kingsley, Lolly Adefope, Matthew Baynton VERONICA MARS (2004–06): ...
Jul 01, 2019•27 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In our first film in a new 'sub-season', we tackle the 1922 classic that kick-started the vampire film genre (no, it wasn’t absolutely the first, but it was the first ‘mainstream’ vampire movie, and has inspired so many others). We have a special guest this week, who talks to us about German Expressionism, how this film is a reflection of contemporary events, and how to get 17-year-olds interested in a silent film from the 1920s! Next Time Our next vampire film is another cornerstone of the genr...
Jun 17, 2019•34 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In our last episode of this mini-season, we have reached the end of our focus on the Martial Arts genre, with 2011’s THE RAID. After some perhaps surprising reviews, we talk about how who/where we are in life has a huge effect on our reception of the films we watch, as well as some discussions of cinematic violence and consequences. Next Time Our next mini-season is vampire films, and we kick off with 1922’s seminal NOSFERATU: A SYMPHONY OF HORROR. (It’s not the first vampire film, but it is the...
May 27, 2019•33 min•Season 4Ep. 10
The penultimate film in our Martial Arts season might be seen by some as rather loosely connected to the genre: the 2004 parkour movie DISTRICT 13. We talk a bit about the film more generally, before getting into discussions of space, class, and hierarchy (not for the first — or, I suspect — last time on the Prestige…) Next Time Our final Martial Arts film (and one Sam’s absolute favourites) is 2011’s THE RAID: www.amazon.co.uk/Raid-English-Subtitled-Iko-Uwais/dp/B00FZSB57O . Recent Media AVENGE...
May 12, 2019•30 min•Season 4Ep. 9
We continue our Martial Arts season with Rob’s favourite decade (not just in terms of Martial Arts films, nor even in terms of films…just ever): the 90s. After some reviewing, we look at Jackie Chan’s use of the world around him, the difference between Chan films and Bruce Lee vehicles, and the pleasingly anarchic quality that this movie has when it comes to other characters’ involvement. Next Time Our next film in the Martial Arts season is a potentially genre-defying one: DISTRICT 13 (2004). F...
Apr 23, 2019•30 min•Season 4Ep. 8
