Send us a text We had to, it was unavoidable. Francis Ford Coppola's 40-year-long passion project has finally come to fruition and it was important that we discussed it. So here is a bonus episode. Listen as we attempt to decipher how, what and why. Just why? References That hotel Coppola owns for filmmakers Twelve Against The Gods by William Bolit…

Send us a text This week on our season finale we look at three box office and critical successes which you might not know were directed by women. In the hot seat is Kathryn Bigelow’s Point Break, Penelope Spheeris’ Wayne’s World and Mary Harron’s American Psycho. We also almost (but not quite) dodge the Blake Lively controversy and talk about the f…

Send us a text Between the weather and the state of the world, it’s been a pretty sad summer, so we’re sticking with that theme as we look at some of the best sad girls on film holiday. We discuss Charlotte Rampling in Francois Ozon’s Swimming Pool, Scarlett Johansson in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation (and Bill Murray too) and Pauline Collins …

Send us a text From Dune 2 to Deadpool and Wolverine, there have been a surprising number of hit sequels this year. So this week we’re asking the question, what makes that cinematic blue moon of a part 2 that is better than part 1? References The Strasberg school’s definition of method acting On Location with The Godfather: A Discussion with Gordon…

Send us a text Why talk about good films when we could talk about spectacularly bad ones? This week we discuss four infamous films that left their directors and studios in financial and/or reputational ruin. On the chopping block is Francis Ford Coppola’s One From The Heart, Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate, Elaine May’s Ishtar and, of course, Tom Ho…

Send us a text You honestly wouldn’t believe how many great films came out in 1999. The Matrix, Fight Club, The Blair Witch Project, The Talented Mr Ripley, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, The Sixth Sense, Notting Hill, The Mummy, Cruel Intentions, 10 Things I Hate About You. We could go on… It’s the 25th anniversary of this auspicious year and…

Send us a text From the famous speeding train of 1896 to the groundbreaking Russian Ark and iconic Berlin night-out-gone-wrong flick Victoria, this week we take you through the illustrious history of one-take movies - or should it be one-shot movies? References Hot takes: a short history of the one-shot movie in 11 attempts by Matthew Thrift for BF…

Send us a text It’s the 25th anniversary of The Mummy - I know, we can’t believe it either. How time flies. So we’re paying tribute to the first addition to the greatest ancient-history-action-adventure-thriller-franchise of all time and its somewhat uneven sequels and prequels. Topics covered include, of course, sexy mummies, Brendan Frasier at hi…

Send us a text It turns out a bodybuilding rom-com thriller was the movie we’ve been waiting for. Yes, this week we’re talking about Love Lies Bleeding, Rose Glass’ follow-up to the incredible Saint Maud, starring Kristen Stewart in the role she was made the play. References Interview with Rose Glass, and stars Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian ‘Ros…

Send us a text Game. Set. Match. (Is that right?) Two of tennis’ greatest novices tackle our most romantic sport in a battle of the ages. Which is the better tennis movie? Up-and-comer, Challengers, or seasoned champion, Wimbledon. But let’s be honest, it’s Zendaya v. Kirsten Dunst - who will win the title of most empowered woman on the court? Refe…

Send us a text This week we discuss the surprising common ground between Jonathan Glazer’s chilling examination of an Auschwitz commandant and his family, The Zone of Interest and Wim Wenders’ meandering meditation on life as a Tokyo Toilet cleaner, Perfect Days. References Interview with Jonathan Glazer on The Zone of Interest by David Canfield fo…

Send us a text Last week A24’s Civil War was released and we have mixed feelings about it. Will their biggest-budget movie to date prove itself at the box office? And is a movie about war and an American fascist leader really what we want to see right now? References ‘The Rise and Rise of A24’, The Economist (not credited) Director Alex Garland spe…

Send us a text It takes skill to capture the effortless spontaneity of a really good party scene. Relatively few nail it but when they do, they really do. This week we compile our top 5 party scenes; from teenage house parties to rave afters, with a surreal French restaurant jamboree sandwiched in the middle. References The party scene in 10 Things…

Send us a text We’re going back to the horniest years in Hollywood history for another scandalous pre-coder; Baby Face, the 1933 movie that was so shocking it solidified cinema’s censorship for the next 30 years. Watch it for free here. References Will Hays IRL You Must Remember This’ episode on Will Hays and “Pre-Code” Hollywood Wes Anderson Talks…

Send us a text ----------- If you love what we do, please like, subscribe and leave a review! Original music by James Brailsford Logo design by Abby-Jo Sheldon Follow us Email usPor James Brailsford

Send us a text It’s been out for a week but we’re not taking any chances. Here is our painstakingly spoiler-free discussion of Dune: Part Two, plus our thoughts on Madame Web and a sexy addition to the Film Pharmacy. References Denis Villeneuve on Dune: Part Two and dialogue v. cinematography for The Times ‘Dune: Part Two’ Star Stellan Skarsgard La…

Send us a text We're back with series 4 and ahead of the Oscars next weekend, we bring you a roundup of everything you need to know about this awards season. We discuss Oppenheimer's dominance, the Barbie controversy and where The Zone of Interest sits on the Salo to Up unsettling scale. Most importantly of all, our very own awards ceremony returns…

Send us a text It’s the end of the year and also our series finale so we're bringing both to a close with a deeply intellectual discussion on the ultimate New Years movie, Bridget Jones’s Diary. Plus, in anticipation of awards season, we list the films we’re most excited to see over the next couple of months. References Bridget Jones’s Diary delete…

Send us a text For our penultimate episode of the series we’re going recommendation-heavy and spoiler-free, with our top picks of festive films, hitting every point on the Grinch-to-Elf Christmas spirit scale. References The Powell and Pressburger season from Oct-Dec 2023 - catch the last few screenings now. The Red Shoes: Beyond the Mirror exhibit…

Send us a text We couldn’t resist the controversy around Ridley Scott’s new movie, so this week we’re discussing Napoleon and wading into the debate about historical accuracy and film. But what do you think? Let us know on instagram - @groovymoviespod. References Ridley Scott profile by Michael Schulman for The New Yorker Ridley Scott’s response to…

Send us a text This week we are joined by Audra and Elisa from Culture Colander. They bring an American perspective to a very British class system as we dissect Emerald Fennell’s new film Saltburn, i.e. The Talented Mr Creepley. References Listen to and follow @culturecolander Interview with Emerald Fennell and the cast of Saltburn ‘The sons and da…

Send us a text Aesthetica short film festival, the Hollywood blacklist, and one of its scripts, Todd Haynes’ new movie May December, are all up for discussion this week. Expect sweeping generalisations about short films and a tabloid-esque compare-and-contrast between May December and the real-life scandal that inspired it. References Aesthetica Sh…

Send us a text In honour of new release Fingernails, we talk dystopian romances: why they work, when they don’t, and which animal we’d like to be turned into if we didn’t find love. References Fingernails director Christos Nikou on modern dating by Lou Thomas for BFI Sheila O’Malley’s review of The Lobster Interview with Yorgos Lanthimos on The Lob…

Send us a text This week James drags us to the BFI IMAX for Gravity’s 10th year anniversary re-release, on a mission to prove that the cinematic experience is worth leaving the house for. Film Pharmacy The Full Monty (1997) dir. by Peter Cattaneo Pride (2014) dir. by Matthew Warchus ----------- If you love what we do, please like, subscribe and lea…

Send us a text With DiCaprio and De Niro in fine gurning form and Thelma Schoonmaker on the edit, the gang’s back together for Martin Scorsese’s brand new film. But is it worth the 3hr26m runtime? References Killers of the Flower Moon: Oil, Money, Murder and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann (the book the film is based on) Interview with Leonardo…

Send us a text It’s that spooky time of year and Practical Magic’s 25th anniversary. So this week we take a whistlestop tour through witch movie history to our final destination: the 90s (cinema’s hexiest decade?). References ‘Screaming, Flying, And Laughing: Magical Feminism’s witches in contemporary film, television and novels’ by Kimberly Ann We…

Send us a text To any Swifties listening - hello, welcome. To any non-Swifties, please forgive us. We couldn’t resist discussing the music-movie partnership of an era. So this week we take the opportunity to ask the question: do concert films work? We, of course, dive into Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour but also compare it with another concert movie that…

Send us a text It's the 30 year anniversary of Dazed and Confused (1993), Richard Linklater's ode to 70s adolescence. And he wasn't alone - many of the 90s greatest films were set in the last vinyl decade. Besides the dramatically pointy collars and avocado bathroom sets, what was the appeal? To answer the question, we take a closer look at Linklat…

Send us a text Inspired by new release Past Lives, this week we look at love stories about what could have been. We discusses the enduring influence of 90s clanger Sliding Doors and the indie classic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. References Past Lives director Celine Song explains ‘in-yun’ 'Break-Up' - This American Life's podcast episode…

Send us a text We return to our favourite debate: monogamy vs. polyamory. This time with love triangles as the point of entry. We discuss new release Passages' somewhat bleak version of the shape, and look back at more optimistic portrayals, including Woody Allen's Spanish holiday fantasy Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona and the pre-code shocker Design F…

Send us a text This week we take a closer look at the writers and actors strikes and what the impact will be for film-making and cinemas. We also pick our must-see movies from the Venice Film Festival. Donate here to emergency financial assistance writers, performers and people in support roles affected by the strike Donate here to SAG-AFTRA's emer…

Send us a text This week on the podcast we’re trying our hand at the greatest radio format of all time. Lily does her best (very bad) Kirsty Young impression as James' delivers his top 3 Desert Island DVDs. He also, of course, details his preferred AV set-up for shipwrecked screenings - think monkeys in tuxedos. References The lowdown on Cargo Cult…

Send us a text This week we're discussing directors who have achieved cult status: the ones you can recognise within 24 frames of a film - the Taratinos, the Hitchcocks and of course, the Nolans. We come up with rules for achieving cult of director status and question if superstar directors still have power in the era of streaming services. Referen…

Send us a text This week James tells the amazing story behind the rise of women editors in cinema and we take a closer look at three of the best: Verna Fields (Jaws), Thelma Schoonmaker (Raging Bull) and Anne V. Coates (Out of Sight). References 'The Celluloid Ceiling' - stats on behind-the-scenes women in 2022's top grossing films 'Edited By' - an…

Send us a text The Great British Summer is letting us down so we’re escaping to Italy for a cinematic holiday special. Stops on the trip include Roman Holiday, Call Me By Your Name and The Great Beauty. References Audrey Hepburn’s screen test for Roman Holiday, 1953, YouTube The making of Roman Holiday, YouTube Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman …

Send us a text This week we contemplate plot twists - what works, what doesn't work and the different purposes they can serve. And apologies, this week is spoiler heavy, so if you can, watch before listening: Psycho (1960) dir. by Alfred Hitchcock Atonement (2007) dir. by Joe Wright Parasite (2019) dir. by Bong Joon-ho References The Making of Psyc…

Send us a text Here to ride the zeitgeist as far as it will go, we're kicking off series 3 with a Barbenheimer special, having seen both films at 8:15, 18:00, and 00:20 in the same day - please excuse our zombie-ish state of being. References Todd Haynes' Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story Greta Gerwig's interview with Simon Mayo ----------- If y…

Send us a text Taking inspiration from this month's yesteryear issue of New York Magazine, for our final episode of the series, we look at cinema’s role in creating and cataloging the ‘It’ girl. Films referenced: It (1927) dir. by Clarence G. Badger Mahogany (1975) dir. by Berry Gordy Kids (1995) dir. by Larry Clark Factory Girl (2006) dir. by Geor…

Send us a text This week we consider unexpected main character-side character dynamics; the supporting parts that outshine the lead (Rizzo in Grease), characters that are both side and main at once (Pulp Fiction) and what it means when the side character was the protagonist the whole time (Fight Club). Films referenced: Grease (1979) dir. by Randal…

Send us a text There was one woman who had more influence over the look and style of Hollywood’s Golden Age than anyone else: Edith Head. This week we take a closer look at some of our favourite designs from her huge (1000-film-strong) back catalogue and take pointers from one of her self-help style guides, How To Dress For Success. Films reference…

Send us a text James has been under the weather this week, so in the spirit of self-care, we’re discussing our favourite comfort films. Films referenced: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) dir. by Michel Gondry Juno (2007) dir. by Jason Reitman Palm Springs (2020) dir. by Max Barbakow Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) dir. by Geor…

Send us a text This week we’re celebrating the genius of Ken Adam, the production designer behind cinema’s most iconic sets and the man who created the visual flare the Bond movies have become known for. Films referenced: Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) dir. by Stanley Kubrick Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (19…

Send us a text We’ve decided to do the unthinkable - willingly watch the worst films ever made (allegedly). The hit list includes Howard the Duck, Mommie Dearest and, of course, The Room, along with our own submission, the apex of Roger Moore’s career, North Sea Hijack, in an attempt to figure out what it takes to achieve cult bad status. Films ref…

Send us a text This week we get into that particular kind of surrealist madness only French cinema can capture. From the overwrought 60s stylisation of Last Year at Marienbad to modern masterpiece Holy Motors, care of 70s standouts Celine and Julie Go Boating and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie - if nothing else, we're giving tops marks for t…

Send us a text This week we discuss timelessness. How certain films manage to capture that elusive quality, through the look, characterisation and storytelling. Films referenced: Casablanca (1942) dir. by Michael Curtiz Memento (2000) dir. by Christopher Nolan Dune (2021) dir. by Denis Villeneuve Dune (1984) dir. by David Lynch Bound (1996) dir. by…

Send us a text Sometimes the story about the making of the film is even better than the final product. This week we discuss four films, via the incredible documentaries about how they were (or in some cases, weren’t) made. Films referenced: Apocalypse Now (1979) dir. by Francis Ford Coppola Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991) dir. b…

Send us a text <<>> We’ll be trying our best not to give away too many spoilers, but if in doubt, watch the films before listening. ----- In series two we're going thematic - that means more ideas, more movies, and more bad movies. To kick us off, we're talking about blank cheque films - what happens when a studio cuts a cheque and g…

Send us a text In part two we regroup to see how our Oscars predictions fared, discuss our favourites of the awards contenders and, of course, present the rest of the Groovies. ----------- If you love what we do, please like, subscribe and leave a review! Original music by James Brailsford Logo design by Abby-Jo Sheldon Follow us Email us…

Send us a text Kicking-off series 2 with part one of our Awards Season Special, a round-up of our least favourite of the awards contenders this year. Tensions rise in the fight for the bottom, Avatar v. Babylon - who will win? We also make predictions for this Sunday’s Oscars ceremony and award our very own gongs, The Groovies. ----------- If you l…

Send us a text Audra and Elisa pair up with Lily and James from Groovy Movies podcast to dissect one of the most talked about films of the year, The Whale, which stars Brendan Fraser and is nominated for multiple Academy Awards. They chat about fat representation, the struggle of stage-to-film adaptations, voyeurism, and the different manifestation…