Best Film Ever

Episode 271 - Million Dollar Baby (w/ BFF of the BFE: Shai Bergerfroind)

"Mo cuishle." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Liam (B-Tech Kev & Megs are off hitting the heavy bag) – as we're heading to The Hit Pit to step into the ring for a tale of grit, heartbreak, and emotional uppercuts in Million Dollar Baby (2004). Your prizefighting pair, Ian and Liam are joined by our own special trainer, BFF of the BFE: Shai Bergerfroind to teach us the ropes of this Clint Eastwood critical darling. We’re trading in our cornfields for boxing gloves and diving into our 271st episode as we discuss:

• How Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, and Morgan Freeman all deliver Oscar-worthy punches.

• Can this movie still pack a punch if you're not a boxing fan?

• Is this a sports movie or another relationship movie using sports as a backdrop?

• Was the emotional KO in the final act earned or below the belt?

• How Million Dollar Baby jabs at themes of ambition, identity, and the cost of chasing glory.

• What is the price of excellence?  What is the cost of guilt?

• How crucial is the final bell – does the ending seal the legacy?

• Did Maggie Fitzgerald get robbed by fate? What about Frankie’s corner man heartbreak?

• Who does Shai think had a vendetta against Clint Eastwood?  Who do they think Shai may have as a 2nd persona?

• Is there a certain type of viewer that just can't deal with the unexpected ending

• Whether Million Dollar Baby is the undisputed Best Film Ever.

See It or Skip It? - Disney' Snow White (2025)

FIRST 18:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 18:00: Full Spoiler Review

This week, we step into the world of fairy tales as we take a closer look at Disney’s Snow White (2025)—a bold reimagining of the classic animated film that started it all. Starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, this live-action adaptation promises to blend timeless magic with modern sensibilities and updated messaging for a new generation.

Join Ian (solo) as he questions the internal logic and soundtrack order of the film, dissects Rachel Zeigler's commentary about the film and if she's done critical damage to her own film as she was cast in a story she seems to dislike so much. Finally, Ian brings up his own princess problem and asks if Disney remakes can survive this?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the film and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

Episode 270 - Field of Dreams

(Deep Dive begins at 46:00)

"If you build it, they will come." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam & B-Tech Kev (Megs got lost walking through the cornfield) – as we step into the world of baseball, nostalgia, and ghostly whispers in Field of Dreams (1989). We’re trading in our hazmat suits for baseball gloves and diving into our 270th episode as we discuss:

• How Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, and Ray Liotta bring heart to this sentimental classic.
• Does this movie work if you're not a baseball fan?
• Was the mystical element beautifully executed or just overly sentimental?
• Which actor wasn't actually into baseball
• How Field of Dreams taps into themes of regret, reconciliation, and belief.
• Which actor was referred to as 'Richard Dreyfuss from wish.com
• Is this film overrated just because it's men talking about feelings?
• How is James Earl Jones at the heart of two of the most Mandela Effected quotes of all time?
• Did Shoeless Joe Jackson deserve better? What about Moonlight Graham?
• We've got more ghost physics to talk about
• We get really personal about our own dreams
• We talk about magical cornfields, cryptic voices, and the importance of playing catch.
• Whether Field of Dreams is the Best Film Ever.

 

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.

Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

See It or Skip It? - Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy

FIRST 40:20: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 40:20: Full Spoiler Review

We do musical theatre together.  This week we dive into the world of rom-coms this week, and take a closer look at Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, the latest chapter in the iconic, heartwarming saga of everyone's favorite single woman, now 50-something and navigating life, love, and motherhood. Starring Renée Zellweger this film promises to explore the joys and challenges of middle-aged romance with all the humor and vulnerability we've come to expect from the Bridget Jones series.

Join Ian and Liam as we step into Bridget's world again to see if the film delivers the nostalgic charm we’ve missed or if it falters in its attempt to explore the realities of aging, dating, and starting over. Can this film still capture the essence of what made the series so beloved, or does it try too hard to stay relevant in a modern world?

We'll examine the storytelling—Does the film successfully blend the humor and emotional depth of Bridget’s character with the complexity of her new life? Is it a satisfying conclusion to her journey or just another chapter that tries to recapture the past?  Does Bridget's storyline still resonate with audiences after all this time, and how has her character evolved?

We’ll also break down the film’s tone and style—Does the film manage to balance its emotional beats with the signature quirkiness of the franchise, or does it lean too heavily into sentimentality? Does it still feel fresh, or does it rely too much on nostalgia?  Do you have to have seen the other films in the series?  Do you have to have grown up with the films in real time?

Finally, we'll debate whether Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy strikes the right balance between the lighthearted and the heartfelt. Does it deliver a satisfying and meaningful update to Bridget’s story, or does it feel like an unnecessary revisit that doesn’t add much to the series?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the film and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

 

Episode 269 - Outbreak (and Five Year BFE Anniversary Musings)

(Deep Dive begins at 56:15)

"That monkey’s infected, Sam!" Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Liam (B-Tech Kev & Megs are in quarantine) – as we head to the world of deadly diseases, military cover-ups, and Dustin Hoffman yelling at Morgan Freeman in Outbreak (1995). We’re trading in our tiny law office for a hazmat suit and diving into our 269th episode as we discuss:

• How Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, and Morgan Freeman bring gravity to this viral thriller.
• Kevin Spacey might be a substandard person but he's an exceptional actor
• Did this film need a love story?
• Was Donald Sutherland the perfect villain, or just chewing the scenery?
• Which actor surprisingly didn’t capture the essence of the part for one of us.
• How realistic is Outbreak, and does it hit differently after recent real-world events?
• How this movie has the ultimate magic do-hickey
• How important is the final scene in a film?
• Did Kevin Spacey’s character deserve better? What about the monkey?
• We talk about containment protocols, rogue helicopters, and the ethics of bombing a small town.
• Just how easy is it to steal a military helicopter?
• Why does it take 3.5 hours to fly to a target to drop a bomb?
• Whether Outbreak is the Best Film Ever.

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.

Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

 

Reel Roundtable #46 - The Resties (2024)

Happy New Year! (it still counts, right?)  Another bonus episode for your listening enjoyment as we bring you another Reel Roundtable discussion.  Ian, Liam, Megan, and B-Tech Kev look back on the films they've reviewed in 2024 (with a mail-in ballot from Georgia) and have some awards to hand out in the form of The Resties.  Comments, banter, and flat out arguments can be found as we debate the worst that we saw in 2024 (A full list of award categories and eligible films are located at the bottom of these notes)

This year we're thrilled to have ballots from nine of our patrons (Shai, Foot, James DG, Hermes Auslander, Cheesy, Dirk, Ariannah, Norfolk Domus, and Richard) to help determine the winners and a couple of them cast some live tie-breaking votes.

The Awards:

• Worst Screenplay
• Worst Special Effects
• Worst Score
• Worst Song
• Worst Musical
• Worst Costume Design
• Worst Art Direction
• Worst Villain
• Least Funny Movie (That was supposed to be funny)
• Worst Plothole
• Worst Cinematography
• Worst Duo
• Most Unlikeable (for a character we’re supposed to like)
• Worst Child
• Worst Context Corner
• Worst First Watch
• Worst Fall From Grace
• Most Unnecessarily Sexualised Moment
• Worst Aged Moment
• Most Overhyped
• Second Opinion (Down)
• Biggest BFE Blunder
• Worst Supporting Actor
• Worst Supporting Actress
• Biggest Therapy Session
• Worst Actor
• Worst Actress
• Worst Film

 

Eligible Films:

• (500) Days of Summer
• 3:10 to Yuma
• A Bronx Tale
• A Patch of Blue
• Amadeus
• American Beauty
• Austin Powers in Goldmember
• Beyond the Mat
• Beverly Hills Cop
• Boyhood
• Chef
• Clerks
• Crazy Stupid Love
• Dave
• Dead Poets Society
• Dumb and Dumber
• Galaxy Quest
• Ghostbusters
• Gone Girl
• Gremlins
• Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban
• Her
• In the Heights
• Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade
• Interstellar
• Kramer v Kramer
• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
• Logan
• LOTR: The Return of the King
• Mad Max
• Moana
• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Mystic River
• Nightcrawler
• Patch Adams
• Pulp Fiction
• Say Anything
• She’s All That
• Shrek 2
• Spider-Man 2
• Star Trek
• Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
• The Fifth Element
• The Help
• The Lego Movie
• The Lion King
• The Santa Clause
• The Shawshank Redemption
• The Sixth Sense
• Trees of Peace
• Up
• When Harry Met Sally

Episode 268 - Erin Brockovich

(Deep Dive beings at 16:55)

"They're called boobs, Ed." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Megs (B-Tech Kev & Liam are off investigating contaminated water) – as we head to the world of legal battles, corporate corruption, and powerhouse performances in Erin Brockovich (2000). We’re trading in our Edinburgh flat for a tiny law office and diving into our 268th episode as we discuss:

• How Julia Roberts delivers a career-defining performance.
• The film’s balance of drama, humor, and real-world impact.
• Was Albert Finney the perfect counterbalance to Erin’s fiery personality?
• Which actor really didn't capture the essence of the part for one of us
• How accurate is the film’s portrayal of the real-life case?
• Would this movie work as well if it weren’t based on a true story?
• Does Erin Brockovich deserve to be correct every step of the way?
• Did George deserve better? What about the real life Jorge?
• We talk about love languages, princesses, and saying goodbye to a friend
• Whether Erin Brockovich is the Best Film Ever.

 

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.

Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

Episode 267 - Cinderella Man (w/ BFF of the BFE: Hermes Auslander)

(Deep Dive begins at 43:35)

"Every underdog has his day." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and BFF of the BFE from The Scuttlebutt Podcast (Megs, B-Tech Kev & Liam are off training for their next big fight) – as we step into the ring for grit, determination, and Depression-era boxing in Cinderella Man (2005). We’re swapping a grimy Edinburgh flat for Madison Square Garden and diving into our 267th episode as we discuss:

• How Russell Crowe delivers a knockout performance as James J. Braddock.
• Renée Zellweger’s role as the supportive yet strong Mae Braddock – does she get enough credit?
• Does Paul Giamatti steal the show as the passionate manager, Joe Gould?
• The realism of the boxing sequences – do they hold up in 2024?
• Is it fair to call this film a boxing film or is it something else?
• Who is the biggest villain of the movie: the Great Depression, Promoter James Johnston, Max Baer, or the system keeping Braddock down?
• Could this be Ron Howard’s most underrated film?
• We talk about hockey's Four Nations tournament and why sports make the best narratives. 
• Whether Cinderella Man is the Best Film Ever.

Catch so much more of Hermes Auslander on The Scuttlebutt Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=1bf26c4a13cd4234 (Spotify)

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.

Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

See It or Skip It? - The Brutalist (w/ BFF of the BFE: Hermes Auslander)

FIRST 37:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 37:00: Full Spoiler Review

Another Oscar week See It or Skip It has us exploring this year's Best Picture field a little deeper by diving into the striking The Brutalist (2024), now playing in select theaters. Directed by Brady Corbet and starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, this sweeping historical drama promises to blend grand ambition with intimate storytelling.

Join Ian and Hermes as we step into the austere world of The Brutalist to see if it delivers a compelling, thought-provoking portrait of art and survival or if it buckles under the weight of its own vision. Does it bring a fresh perspective to historical dramas while exploring deeper themes, or does it rely too heavily on its style without enough structural integrity?

We’ll examine the film’s storytelling—What larger themes and ideologies does it lean into? Is it a deeply personal immigrant story, a meditation on artistic resilience, or something else entirely? How does Adrien Brody’s performance anchor the film, and does he bring the emotional depth needed for such a role? And how does Felicity Jones complement or contrast him? 

We’ll also break down the film’s visual and atmospheric elements. Did the stark cinematography and production design elevate the film’s themes, or did they overshadow its emotional core? 

Finally, we’ll debate whether The Brutalist achieves its ambitious goals. Does it leave a lasting impact as a modern cinematic statement, or does it feel too detached for its own good?  Yes, it's clever but is it fair to ask a film to 'get' a movie on such an abstract level?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

See It or Skip It? - The Substance (w/ BFF of the BFE: 'The Shy Guy' Shai Bergerfroind)

FIRST 33:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 33:00: Full Spoiler Review

This week's See It or Skip It has us exploring this year's Oscar field a little deeper by diving into the mind-bending The Substance (2024), now playing on MUBI (in the US/UK). Directed by Coralie Fargeat and starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, this psychological body horror promises to push boundaries and challenge audiences with its bold, unsettling vision.

Join Ian and Shai as we step into the eerie world of The Substance to see if it delivers a chilling, thought-provoking experience or if it crumbles under the weight of its ambition. Does it bring a fresh perspective to horror while exploring deeper themes, or does it lean too heavily on shock value without enough... substance?

We’ll examine the film’s storytelling—What larger themes and ideologies does this lean into or is it just a straight up horror film? How does Demi Moore’s performance anchor the film, and does she reinvent herself in this daring role? And how does Margaret Qualley complement or contrast her, adding to the film’s psychological intensity?  And do you know whose kid she is?  Ian couldn't believe it.

We’ll also break down the film’s striking visuals and grotesque horror elements.  Did the film’s themes of identity and transformation resonate, or did they get lost in the chaos? And how does the film’s score heighten the unsettling atmosphere?  And how was this film snubbed in the cinematography category? Shai couldn't believe it.

Finally, we’ll debate whether The Substance can overcome some questions in its own internal logic. Does it deliver a profound, lasting impact, or does it leave you more confused than captivated? 

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

Episode 266 - Shallow Grave (w/ KevDog from The Podcast That Wouldn't Die)

(Deep Dive begins at 44:45)

"Some friendships are worth killing for." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Official KevDog from The Podcast That Wouldn't Die (Megs, B-Tech Kev & Liam are off trying to dispose of a suitcase full of cash) – as we head to the world of twisted morality, paranoia, and early Danny Boyle brilliance in Shallow Grave (1994). We’re swapping the peaceful Amish countryside for a grimy Edinburgh flat and diving into our 266th episode as we discuss:

• How Ewan McGregor, Kerry Fox, and Christopher Eccleston create one of the most dysfunctional trios in cinema.  Are any of them likeable?
• Danny Boyle’s energetic directing style and how it shaped his career.
• Would we call ourselves hard boyled or medium boyled
• The film’s dark humor – does it still land in 2024?
• Is Kerry Fox doomed to be the answer to an obscure trivia question
• Who is the biggest villain of the movie: greed, paranoia, or one of the three roommates?
• Would you ever trust your roommates with this much money?
• We talk about The Kansas City Chiefs getting destroyed in the SuperBowl and discuss the price of eggs
• Whether Shallow Grave is the Best Film Ever.

Check out more of Kevin on The Podcast That Wouldn't Die at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-that-wouldnt-die/id1477564319 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/4PRyIb1RwESq7YvAfnJMiX (Spotify)

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.

Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

See it or Skip It? - Captain America: Brave New World (w/ BFF of the BFE: James De Guzman)

FIRST 35:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 35:00: Full Spoiler Review

This week's See It or Skip It has us diving into the highly anticipated Captain America: Brave New World (2025), now playing in theaters. Directed by Julius Onah and starring Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford, this latest entry in the MCU marks a new chapter for the Star-Spangled Avenger.

Join Ian and James as we step into a post-Endgame world to see if Brave New World soars as a worthy successor to the Captain America legacy or if it stumbles under the weight of expectation. Does it honour Steve Rogers' past while firmly establishing Sam Wilson as his own Cap, or does it play it too safe without enough bold ambition?

We’ll examine the film’s storytelling—Does it justify its place in the MCU after so much time since Falcon and the Winter Soldier? How does Anthony Mackie fare in his first solo Captain America outing, and does he bring the same leadership and presence as Chris Evans once did? And how does Harrison Ford’s debut as Thunderbolt Ross shake up the Marvel landscape?

We’ll also break down the action and spectacle—Are the fight sequences and choreography on par with the intense, grounded combat of The Winter Soldier? Does Julius Onah bring a fresh visual style to the franchise? Did Marvel choose the right villain to challenge Sam Wilson’s Cap? 

Finally, we’ll debate whether Brave New World stands strong as a new era for the character or if it struggles to break free from Steve Rogers’ shadow. Does the film move the MCU forward in an exciting way, or is it another formulaic installment? 

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

Episode 265 - Witness (w/ Hermes Auslander)

(Deep Dive begins at 33:05)

"Some podcasts are proud and not plain" Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Hermes Auslander (Megs, B-Tech Kev & Liam are off learning Pennsylvania Dutch) – as we head to the world of Amish country, undercover cops, and barn-raising in Witness (1985). We’re trading in our Smart Tech polo shirts for traditional Amish garb and diving into our 265th episode as we discuss:

• How Harrison Ford’s performance showcases his range beyond Han Solo and Indiana Jones.
• The film’s blend of crime thriller and romance – does it work?
• In what ways was Harrison Ford the perfect actor for this role
• Which one of us REALLY hated the 3rd act
• Which actor was REALLY hated by one of us in this film
• Was this movie ahead of its time, or does it feel dated in 2024?
• Is John Book fair to Rachel in this film?  Is Rachel fair to John Book?
• Is John Book a great protector or just dragging danger into the Amish community?
• Why didn't 20th Century Fox want to make this film
• Hermes and Felix continue their blood feud
• Whether Witness is the Best Film Ever.

 

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.

Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

WWE Royal Rumble (2025) - Review & Reflections

Join Ian from Best Film Ever and Stew from The Stew World Order podcast as we break the BFE format by counting down to chaos at WWE Royal Rumble 2025 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. We discuss whether the Rumble matches delivered on surprises and storytelling—or if they were just a numbers game. Did WWE make the right call in crowning their Rumble winners? How did the championship matches shake up the road to WrestleMania? We also debate the physics of a luchador dodging an elimination, whether there's a limit on deferred gratification and the Greatest Royal Rumble's hybrid identity as both canon and non-canon. We'll answer all these questions and hand out post-event superlatives celebrating the night's best (and worst).

Catch more of Stew on his own podcast: Stew World Order at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stew-world-order/id1559913522

You can also catch him at his website where he writes about all sorts of fun things:
https://swoproductions.com/

Episode 264 - The 40 Year-Old Virgin

(Deep Dive begins at 27:45)

"You know how I know you're a BFE fan?" Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and B-Tech Kev (Megs & Liam are off improving their chest-waxing techniques) – as we head to the world of awkward firsts, questionable dating advice, and a whole lot of Kelly Clarkson-ing in The 40-Year-Old Virgin. We’re putting on our most fashionable Smart Tech polo shirts and diving into our 264th episode as we discuss:

• How Steve Carell’s breakout performance perfectly balances cringe and charm.
• The all-star supporting cast and how they elevate the comedy.
• The film's surprisingly heartfelt take on relationships.
• Does the waxing scene still hold up as one of the greatest physical comedy moments?
• Was this movie ahead of its time, or does it show its age in 2024?
• Should Andy have told Trish about his almost cheating with Beth or were they on a break?
• Is Trish a fair and understanding partner?
• How much of this movie was improvised, and does it work?
• Whether The 40-Year-Old Virgin is the Best Film Ever.

Check out our partnership with Magic Mind at www.magicmind.com/bfeJAN.

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
Hermes Auslander
James DeGuzman
Synthia
Shai Bergerfroind
Andy Dickson
Chris Pedersen
Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
Randal Silva
Nate The Great
Rev Bruce
Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
Richard
Ryan Kuketz
Dirk Diggler
Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
NorfolkDomus
John Humphrey's Right Foot
Timmy Tim Tim
Aashrey
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.

Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

Rumble Roundtable: 1988

This month, we’re stepping into the squared circle to break down the very first Royal Rumble match, which aired on January 24, 1988, on the USA Network. While it wasn’t a pay-per-view event just yet, this historic match laid the foundation for one of WWE’s most beloved annual traditions.

Join Ian and Stew as we revisit the 20-man battle royal that changed wrestling history. Does the original Rumble still hold up today, or does it feel like a rough draft of the chaos to come? Was it a revolutionary concept right out of the gate, or did WWE take a few years to truly perfect the formula?

We’ll examine the match’s key storytelling choices—Did the right man win? How did the pacing and eliminations compare to future Rumbles? Was this truly the best way to showcase future main eventers, or was it just a fun TV special with little long-term impact?

Also, our big burning questions this month: Was Jake Roberts super-over or was it the DDT that was super-over? Does Bret Hart work as a heel? Why would they put Bret in the first ironman slot as a heel.  Also, why book him as a heel in Canada?

We’ll also take a closer look at the match structure and in-ring action—Did the 20-man format feel too small? How did the action flow without entrance music and countdown clocks? Were there standout performances, or was this more about the novelty than match quality? And did WWE miss an opportunity by not putting this on pay-per-view?

Finally, we’ll debate whether this first-ever Rumble is a must-watch piece of wrestling history or if it’s more of a curiosity for hardcore fans. Was it a game-changer at the time, or just another battle royal with a fancy name? 

Catch more of Stew on his own podcast: Stew World Order at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stew-world-order/id1559913522

You can also catch him at his website where he writes about all sorts of fun things:
https://swoproductions.com/

Reel Roundtable #45 - The Besties (2024)

Happy New Year!  Another bonus episode for your listening enjoyment as we bring you another Reel Roundtable discussion.  Ian, Liam, Megan, and B-Tech Kev look back on the films they've reviewed in 2024 (with a mail-in ballot from Georgia) and have some awards to hand out in the form of The Besties.  Comments, banter, and flat out arguments can be found as we debate the best that we saw in 2024 (A full list of award categories and eligible films are located at the bottom of these notes)

This year we're thrilled to have ballots from ten of our patrons (Hermes Auslander, Richard, Aashrey, Timmy Tim Tim, Ariannah who loves BFE the most, James De Guzman, Andy Dickson, Johnny H's Right Boot, Cheesy and Rev. Bruce) to help determine the winners.

The Awards:

• Best Screenplay
• Best Special Effects
• Best Costume Design
• Best Art Direction
• Best Cinematography
• Best Context Corner Highlight
• Best Duo
• Best Villain
• Best Animated Film
• Best Voice Actor
• Best Musical
• Best Score
• Best Song or Theme
• Best Soundtrack
• Best Tearjerker
• Funniest Film
• Best BFE Moment/Rant/Quote
• Best BFE Argument
• The Steel Magnolias Award for Best Representation of Women
• Kate Beckingsale Memorial Award
• Harrison Ford Memorial Award
• Best Plot Twist (no spoilers)
• Episode of the Year
• Best First Watch
• Most Improved Viewing Experience
• Best Supporting Actress
• Best Supporting Actor
• The Frances McDormand award for Best Actress
• Best Actor
• Best Film

 

Eligible Films:

• (500) Days of Summer
• 3:10 to Yuma
• A Bronx Tale
• A Patch of Blue
• Amadeus
• American Beauty
• Austin Powers in Goldmember
• Beyond the Mat
• Beverly Hills Cop
• Boyhood
• Chef
• Clerks
• Crazy Stupid Love
• Dave
• Dead Poets Society
• Galaxy Quest
• Ghostbusters
• Gone Girl
• Gremlins
• Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban
• Her
• In the Heights
• Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade
• Interstellar
• Kramer v Kramer
• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
• Logan
• LOTR: The Return of the King
• Mad Max
• Moana
• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Mystic River
• Nightcrawler
• Patch Adams
• Pulp Fiction
• Say Anything
• She’s All That
• Shrek 2
• Spider-Man 2
• Star Trek
• Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
• The Fifth Element
• The Help
• The Lego Movie
• The Lion King
• The Santa Clause
• The Shawshank Redemption
• The Sixth Sense
• Trees of Peace
• Up
• When Harry Met Sally
  
  

Episode 263 - V for Vendetta (w/ BFF of the BFE: Synthia)

Check out our partnership with Magic Mind at www.magicmind.com/bfeJAN

Deep Dive begins at 37:00

"Remember, remember the 5th of November!" Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Liam (Megs & B-Tech Kev are off plotting revolutions elsewhere) – as we head to a dystopian future to dive into the political thriller V for Vendetta. We're also joined by a new and enigmatic revolutionary in BFF of the BFE: Synthia. We're donning our Guy Fawkes masks and questioning authority in our 263rd episode as we discuss:

• The powerful themes of rebellion, freedom, and identity at the heart of the film.
• How the performances of Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman bring emotional depth to this dystopian tale.
• The visual style and how it blends comic book origins with cinematic storytelling.
• The film's commentary on government surveillance and authoritarianism.
• If the romantic subplot was necessary (or even beneficial)
• Is this where Hermes gets his entire identity from
• What is with the links between Gordon & V?
• Do V's actions justify the means?  Isn't that also the same logic the government makes?
• Whether V for Vendetta remains as relevant today as it was upon release.
• Whether V for Vendetta is the Best Film Ever.

Check out our partnership with Magic Mind at www.magicmind.com/bfeJAN.

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey
• Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.

Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

Episode 262 - Tremors

Check out our partnership with Magic Mind at www.magicmind.com/bfeJAN

Deep Dive begins at 33:20

 

"They're under the ground!" Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Megs (Liam & B-Tech Kev weren't invited to Perfection) – as we're heading to the Nevada desert to dig into the cult classic monster mayhem of Tremors. We're dodging Graboids and figuring out how to survive in our 262nd episode as we discuss:

• This film claims to be both comedy and horror but is it either?
• We discuss the practical effects and how they hold up (save for one shot)
• Did they choose the wrong character to be the protagonist in this film?
• What makes an enjoyable horror film to the members of the pod?
• Was the romantic storyline necessary?
• Megs doesn't help her reputation of not having seen any films
• Whether Tremors is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey
• Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Episode 261 - What We Do In The Shadows

"We're werewolves, not swearwolves!" Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Megs (Liam & B-Tech Kev weren't invited in) – as we're heading to Wellington, New Zealand, to explore the undead hilarity of What We Do in the Shadows.  We're sharpening our fangs and settling the house chores in our 261st episode as we discuss:

• The brilliance of blending mockumentary style with supernatural comedy.
• How this film made vampires (and werewolves) relatable, if not downright hilarious.
• The dynamics between Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, and Nick as they navigate immortal roommate drama.
• How the film's entire identity centers around the juxtaposition of the fantastic and the mundane
• The art of creating low-budget effects that still pack a punch.
• Whether What We Do in the Shadows is the Best Film Ever.

Check out our partnership with Magic Mind at www.magicmind.com/bfeJAN

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey
• Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Episode 260 - Moneyball (w/ BFF of the BFE: Ryan Kuketz)

Now you have another reason to get into the summer spirit as we close out 2024! Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, and Megs (we've traded Liam & B-Tech Kev to Detroit) – as we're heading to Northern California to use computers and math to turn the Oakland Athletics into a winning ballclub in Moneyball.  We're joined by Best Friend of the podcast and our star trade deadline acquisition in Ryan Kuketz who picked today's film. We're avoiding jinxes and paying a dollar for Cinnamon Cokes in our 260th episode as we discuss:

• The challenges of making a film about baseball that features so little on field action
• Whether this film was accessible to non-baseball fans
• Some of the historical inaccuracies in the film. But hey, movie's gotta movie, right?
• Ian has the nerve to think that he can improve Aaron Sorkin's final script
• The chemistry between Brad Pitt (playing to type) and Jonah Hill (playing against type)
• The storytelling shortcut present in the ending of this film
• What a pivotal changing of the zeitgeist this film was in professional sports
• We see a first happen with this film
• Whether Moneyball is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey
• Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

F**k your revolution, Ian's voice is clear
F**k your revolution, Hermes goes nowhere near

See it or Skip It? - Gladiator II

FIRST 26:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 26:00: Full Spoiler Review

This week's See It or Skip It has us diving into the highly anticipated sequel Gladiator II (2024), now playing in theaters. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal, this follow-up to the 2000 epic seeks to recapture the grandeur and intensity of its predecessor.

Join Ian and Megan as we journey back to ancient Rome to see if Gladiator II stands victorious in the Colosseum of cinematic sequels or if it falls beneath the weight of high expectations. Does it honor the legacy of the original while carving out its own identity, or does it merely retread old ground without fresh ambition?

We’ll examine the film’s bold storytelling choices—Does it justify its existence nearly 25 years after the original? How does Paul Mescal fare as the new lead, and does he bring the same gravitas Russell Crowe once did? And how do Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal elevate (or overshadow) the narrative?

We’ll also explore the visual spectacle and action sequences—Does Ridley Scott still reign as the master of historical epics? Are the battle sequences and cinematography breathtaking enough to rival the Academy Award-winning original? Did the filmmakers choose the wrong character to center the film around? And does the film’s score, now helmed by a new composer, evoke the same emotional resonance as Hans Zimmer’s legendary Gladiator soundtrack?

Finally, we’ll debate whether Gladiator II benefits from its legendary namesake or if it struggles under the pressure of following such an iconic film. Does the weight of expectation help or hinder its storytelling? And, of course, we’ll discuss the one scene that Megan just can’t forgive—will you feel the same way?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

See It or Skip It - Wicked

FIRST 39:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict

AFTER 39:00: Full Spoiler Review

This week's See It or Skip It has us diving into the highly anticipated musical adaptation Wicked (2024), now playing in theaters. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jonathan Bailey, 

Join us in the magical land of Oz as we explore whether Wicked (2024) soars on its broomstick or crashes under the weight of its lofty ambitions. Does it deliver a spellbinding tale of friendship, morality, and societal expectations, or does it struggle to transition its stage-bound magic to the big screen?

We’ll delve into the controversy surrounding the viral fan-made poster—Was it intentionally hurtful, did it mislead audiences and did itovershadow the film’s official marketing? And how does our deep familiarity with the iconic musical affect our ability to judge it as a film rather than a successful stage adaptation?

Does Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba anchor the film with the emotional gravitas the story demands? Can Ariana Grande’s Glinda strike the perfect balance between charm and depth? Were these casting choices legitimate or mere stunt casting designed to draw headlines?

Finally, we’ll debate The Guardian's scathing critique of the film as “self-indulgent.” Does Wicked lean too heavily on nostalgia and grandeur at the expense of narrative cohesion? And does the film fulfill the promises it sets up in its breathtaking opening sequences, or does it falter as it nears the final curtain?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

Episode 259 - In The Heights (w/ BFF of the BFE: Juleen)

Now you have another reason to get into the summer spirit as we close out 2024! Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, and B-Tech Kev (we got separated from Liam and Megs at the club) – as we're heading to Washington Heights to pay a champagne debt in the Lin Manuel-Miranda musical theatre adaptation In The Heights. With music in the air and dreams on the line, we're joined by BFF of the BFE, Juleen as we dive into the vibrant 2021 musical. We're belting out tunes and dancing no matter how hot it gets through our 259th episode as we discuss:

• The electric energy of the film’s choreography and how it elevates the story as well as who may have had a hand in placing it there
• What practical decisions were made to adapt the stage musical to the big screen
• There's a big name in this that someone guesses once of the cast won't recognise
• A stylistic choice in the 3rd act had us questioning its inclusion. Was it a stylistic step too far?
• Ian questions whether one particular storyline could have been explored further
• We reminisce about our favorite tracks and standout performances
• We also conclude that one character is just a d!ck
• Whether In The Heights is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey
• Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

F**k your revolution, Ian's voice is clear
F**k your revolution, Hermes goes nowhere near

See It or Skip It? - Conclave (w/ Friend of the Podcast: Ryan)

FIRST 32:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict

AFTER 38:20: Full Spoiler Review

This week's See It or Skip It has us diving into the newly released papal thriller Conclave, now playing in theaters. Directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, the film takes us deep into the secretive and politically charged world of Vatican intrigue, where cardinals convene to elect the next pope under extraordinary circumstances.

Ian is prepared to be the dean of the discussion when a strange new Cardinal, Ryan turns up to direct the proceedings in a different directon.  Join us in our sequestering, as we explore whether Conclave delivers a gripping tale of power, morality, and faith, or if it struggles to engage its audience with its intense but dialogue-heavy storytelling. Does Ralph Fiennes' portrayal of the conflicted Cardinal Lomeli carry the emotional weight of the film? How do the performances of Tucci and Lithgow heighten the stakes? And does the movie strike the right balance between theological reflection and political tension?  

We’ll tackle all these questions – including whether Conclave fufills the promises it makes in the first two acts as the film approaches its climax. – as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should  should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

Episode 258 - Gremlins (& BFE Christmas Party)

Now you have another reason to love Christmas. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew fun-filled Christmas with the TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Megan, and B-Tech Kev (Georgia is off at an inventor's convention) as we review the Patreon pick for this year's Christmas review, Gremlins.  Also on tap is the BFE Christmas Party as we exchange a few gifts, open a few Christmas Cards, and meet some carolers whether they be Gremlin or not.  We're hankering for some Burger King in our 258th episode as we discuss:

• The wonders of practical effects and the appeasements made to the crew when they weren't 
• What famous actor does Megs compare Zach Galligan
• Which actor went 251 weeks without showing up on the BFE and now has been there 3 of the last 7 weeks
• A scene that left us scratching our heads about its placement
• What iconic scene was almost cut from the final film
• Liam and Kev both bring up some plotholes regarding the rules of the Gremlins
• Ian questions how certain lines made it in the script in 1984, let alone today
• We open up some presents, drink some spirits, read some Christmas cards and greet some carolers
• Whether Gremlins is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey
• Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

F**k your revolution, Ian's voice is clear
F**k your revolution, Hermes goes nowhere near

See It or Skip It? - Red One

FIRST 38:20 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 38:20 it's a full spoiler review

This week's See It Or Skip It has us diving into the brand-new Amazon Prime thriller Red One, a film that pairs Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans in an action-packed holiday adventure. Combining over-the-top stunts, Christmas magic, and plenty of jokes, Red One attempts to reimagine the holiday genre – but who exactly is it reimagining it for?

Ian is joined by his head of security, Liam, as we unpack whether Red One delivers enough thrills and holiday cheer to captivate audiences or if it leaves viewers wondering who this film is really meant to please. Is it a family-friendly romp, an edgy action-comedy, or something awkwardly caught in between? Does Dwayne Johnson’s larger-than-life charisma mix well with Chris Evans’ charm, or do they feel mismatched? And how does the film’s tone juggle Santa Claus lore, epic battles, and heartwarming moments without losing the plot?

We’ll tackle all these questions – including whether Red One truly understands its audience – as we dissect the movie and decide if you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

See It or Skip It? - Carry-On

FIRST 34:00 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 34:00 it's a full spoiler review

This week's See It Or Skip It has us diving into the brand-new Netflix thriller Carry-On, a film that sees Taron Egerton stepping into the high-stakes world of airport paranoia and suspense. Join us as we break down this intense, edge-of-your-seat story of a TSA agent blackmailed into smuggling something dangerous onto a Christmas Eve flight.

Ian is joined by Bootleg Kev as we discuss whether Carry-On delivers enough tension to keep us gripped, how Taron Egerton holds up in this darker role, how this film may have borrowed a particular action sequence aesthetic from another Taron Edgerton film, and if the plot stays airborne or crashes under the weight of its premise. Plus, Ian keeps drawing parallels to a pair of 90s action thriller classics – but which ones?

We’ll answer all these questions and more as we dissect Carry-On and then tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

Episode 257 - Galaxy Quest (w/ Friend of the Podcast: Norfolk Domus)

(Deep Dive begins at 1:06:50)

Grab your thermian communicator and a Coca-Cola and get ready for a role that's out of this world. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, and Liam, (Megs is lost in the Omega 13, Kev's hosting a session at ComicCon and Georgia’s negotiating with Sarris) as we're heading to the stars to protect our fandom in Galaxy Quest with our favourite Thermian, Norfolk Domus. We're warping through space with a dash of courage, a lot of laughs and somebody's hammer in our 257th episode as we discuss:

• How many big stars are in this film?
• Some more pre BFE lore for Ian or Liam
• Ian and Liam needs some therapy as they go toe to toe
• How can a film have both excellent CGI for the time it was made and terrible CGI for the time it was made
• We discuss whether a film that satarises a point owes it to then correct that trope
• Somebody reveals a bizarre talent as producing alien voices
• We update everyone on Mariahgeddon
• Someone settles a score as the revolution expands
• Ian finds a way to compare this film to 3:10 to Yuma (legitimately)
• Whether or not Galaxy Quest is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey
• Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

F**k your revolution, Ian's voice is clear
F**k your revolution, Hermes goes nowhere near

Episode 256 - Kramer vs. Kramer

(Deep Dive begins at 45:00)

You take one bite out of this episode and you're in big trouble! Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam and Kev (Megs is waiting in a coffee shop and Georgia is being parented by Margaret) as we're heading to New York City to fight over the custody of Liam in Kramer vs. Kramer. We're falling off of jungle gym equipment in our 256th episode as we discuss:

• Our own personal histories with divorce
• Ian and Liam needs some therapy as they go toe to toe
• We talk about Antonio Vivaldi
• We talk about how society has shifted since 1979
• Why does Ted choose Margaret as a godparent for Billy when we never see her parent her own child
• What's the deal with the nude scene in front of a child?
• Does Joanna have the worst lawyer ever?
• Is Dustin Hoffman a good actor? Is he a good man?
• Liam addresses criticism of him from Richard re: Beverly Hills Cop
• Megs joins us for the third act after filling up on coffee
• Bootleg Kev asks if we'd be better off if a parent (regardless of gender) stayed at home to raise the kids
• Whether or not Kramer vs. Kramer is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

See It or Skip It? - Moana 2 (w/ BFF of the BFE: Juleen)

FIRST 29:00 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 29:00 it's a full spoiler review

This week's See It Or Skip has us talking about the sequel to one of Disney's most beloved films of the computer animated era. Join us as we look at Moana 2 as Moana is on a quest to unite all the people of the ocean with the help of Maui, Hey Hey, Pua, but not Ron Clements, John Musker or Lin-Manuel Miranda.  Ian is joined by BFF of the BFE: Juleen as we discuss whether the original film needed a sequel, do the new songs hold up with the old ones, if they're creating a Moana Cinematic Universe and Ian keeps comparing Moana to a high-concept film of a much different genre - but which one? We'll answer all these questions on Moana 2 and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

 

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Episode 255 - Beverly Hills Cop

(Deep Dive begins at 58:30)

You may have heard of pods but have you heard of Super Pods? Get the f**k out of here! Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam and Kev (Megs and Georgia are trapped in the back of a cigarette truck) as we're heading to the Left Coast to avenge a childhood friend in Beverly Hills Cop. We're not falling for bananas in our tail pipes in our 255th episode as we discuss:

• If Oscar worthy films are Steak and Marvel is Pizza, what is Beverly Hills Cop?
• We've got an age game for the record
• We have a really hard time forgiving Axel for something in this film
• You won't believe who was initially supposed to play Axel
• We talk about where the iconic theme was originally supposed to feature in this film
• The bad guys could've won this movie about 10 times (and in the first 10 minutes too)
• One of us has a totally wrong read on this film
• Why are all 80s damsels in distress the same?
• Liam demonstrates some growth while Ian almost spits out his drink in the process
• Whether or not Beverly Hills Cop is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

WWE Survivor Series 2024: Review & Reflections

Join Ian from Best Film Ever and Stew from The Stew World Order podcast as we break the BFE format by getting ready for war in WWE Survivor Series: War Games from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We discuss whether either War Games match actually had stakes and whether both of them even had a story. Did WWE do the right thing by having a third match in the Gunther-Damian Priest rivalry? Where does the WWE go in the aftermath of tonight's event? We also discuss how a birthday hat might not sync up with the supposed danger of the stipulation and discuss the differences between a kendo stick and a baseball bat. We'll answer all these questions on Survivor Series and give out some post-event superlatives celebrating the night's best (and worst).

Catch more of Stew on his own podcast: Stew World Order at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stew-world-order/id1559913522

You can also catch him at his website where he writes about all sorts of fun things:
https://swoproductions.com/

Episode 254 - Dumb and Dumber (w/ BFF of the BFE: James DeGuzman)

(Deep Dive begins at 48:30)

Do you want to hear the most annoying sound in the world? You're in luck! Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam and Megs (Kev and Georgia are left to play with their new parakeet) as we're travelling across the American midwest to return a briefcase in Dumb and Dumber. We're sharing our backup gloves in our 254th episode as we discuss:

• What is Jim Carrey's appeal?
• Which one is dumb and which one is dumber
• Do we prefer slapstick or clever writing
• What causes things to age badly and why were we ok with them back in the day?
• Megan gets to talk about manchildren some more
• What exactly is the FBI's plan in this one?
• How this film has plot armour because its two protagonists are idiots
• Whatever happened to Lauren Holly
• James DeGuzman joins us to discuss why he's trying to dominate the Resties this year
• Whether or not Dumb and Dumber is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 253 - Moana

(Deep Dive begins at 42:10)

What can we say except you're welcome? Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian and Megs (we've left Liam, Georgia, and Kev back on the island) as we're travelling across the great sea to return the heart of Te Fiti in Moana. We're seeing how far we'll go in our 253rd episode as we discuss:

• Why the film had to have a different name in Italy
• Maui's original story design
• Which screenwriter wrote the first draft
• Whether this is the best of the computer animation era
• If there are too many non-speaking sidekicks
• What are the pacing issues in this film
• How big a draw is The Rock on the blokes
• Ian's joined by a very special guest to talk about Twitter, Tyson vs Paul and Hermes
• Whether or not Moana is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

See It Or Skip It? - The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox

This week's See It Or Skip has us talking about the sports documentary mini-series "The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox." Ian is joined by the team behind Dissecting The Dynasty: 'The Cool Cat' Ryan Kuketz and Hermes 'Have You Heard of my Revolution' Auslander. We discuss whether this film can touch the lofty standards created by The Last Dance, if they overstayed with certain talking heads and were they successful in establishing the Yankees as villains in this piece.  Also, we ask that most pesky of all questions on the BFE, did they get the pacing right?  We'll answer all these questions on The Comeback: The 2004 Boston Red Sox and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

Ep 252 - The Santa Clause

(Deep Dive begins at 56:35)

Seeing is believing but believing is seeing (both of which mean nothing in an audio-only format. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam and Kev, (we may have some elves waiting for us at the North Pole) as the reindeer are taking us to Santa's workshop in the Tim Allen Christmas mainstay, The Santa Clause. We're checking the naughty/nice list (twice) in our 252nd episode as we discuss:

• Why we're doing this film in early November
• The fallout from the battle of the KevDogs
• Tim Allen's star power in 1994
• The director's qualification for doing this film
• We talk about our own history with Santa Claus in our own lives
• How do we reconcile a protagonist that kidnaps his own child
• Is Tim Allen even bothering to act in this one?
• Someone reveals their first celebrity crush
• We talk about stepparent representation in family films
• We give our own BFE analysis of the U.S. Presidential Election
• Whether or not The Santa Clause is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 251 - 3:10 to Yuma (w/ BFF of the BFE: Hermes Auslander)

(Deep Dive begins at 1:02:40)

What does it mean to be a man?  What kind of man do you want to see in the mirror? Those are some of the questions we're asking ourselves and each other this week.. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian and Liam, (Kev, Megs, and Georgia are off chasing the wrong wagon) as we're joined by BFF of the BFE, Hermes Auslander for the FULL EPISODE as we're off on a BOYS' NIGHT while reviewing a modern western that's also a remake of a classic film. We're not gonna see the sun in our 251st episode as we discuss:

• How many episodes should we do before calling the BFE to a stop
• Why James Mangold drew so much attention to a prop never to pay it off
• We discover that geography isn't Liam's strongest subject
• Ian asks a bizarre trivia question
• We talk about the commitment to a storyline injury and which actor wasn't feeling it
• Ian is surprised by Russell Crowe's performance (but in what direction?)
• We also compare one of the actors to Georgia
• We discuss whether we can hold masculinity in a positive regard in modern pop culture
• Liam learns about the electoral college and we talk an awful lot about the U.S. election
• Whether or not 3:10 to Yuma is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Catch more of Hermes at The Scuttlebutt Podcast at:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 250 - Interstellar

(Deep Dive begins at 56:30)

If you're not afraid of death, you might be afraid of time - or our runtime at least. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, and Kevin (Megs and Georgia have been left on earth) as we go through a wormhole to Christopher Nolan's ode to the laws of time and space in Interstellar. We're raging against the dying of the light in our 250th episode as we discuss:

• We celebrate 250 episodes of the BFE
• The enigma that is Christopher Nolan
• Why live entertainment is outpricing their audiences
• Liam puts himself in the film again
• We're gonna talk about a bootstrap paradox again
• We do challenge if one of the panel actually watched the film
• We need Kevin to do some live messaging to bring this altogether
• Ian compares this to a British sci-fi show and a Pixar film
• We again discuss the greatness of a certain actor
• Liam demonstrates his excellent recall and frustrating lack of recall in the same episode
• Whether or not Interstellar is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 249 - Clerks

(Deep Dive begins at 49:30)

Unlike Dante, we are supposed to be here today. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, and eventually Megs in the third part of an ex-boyfriend trilogy in the Kevin Smith ode to New Jersey slackerdom in Clerks. We're bringing you a lasagne in our 249th episode as we discuss:

• Whether Kevin Smith is a manchild
• The crazy alternate ending this film ended up cutting
• Why does Randal have all the good lines?
• Which acts are more intimate than others?
• Megs shares a bit about her ex-boyfriend trilogy of films
• We share some horror stories about working in various jobs
• We propose that this film may have had an impact on another film reviewed by the BFE
• Liam's ego is out of control as we discuss Fantasy Football
• He's also incorrigible as soon as Megs shows up
• Whether or not Clerks is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

See It or Skip It? - Joker: Folie à Deux (w/ Andy Dickson & Norfolk Domus)

FIRST 41:15 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 41:15 it's a full spoiler review

This week's See It Or Skip has us talking about the sequel to one of 2019's most acclaimed films. Join us as we look at Joker: Folie à Deux as Arthur Fleck is joined by Lady Gaga this go around.  Ian is joined by Scotland's finest son, Andy Dickson and Norfolk's classiest export, Dom as we discuss whether the original film needed a sequel, is this film interested in moving on from the first film, if the audience for the first film is the type of film to appreciate a musical, and what Oscar winner for Best Picture Ian keeps comparing this film to. We'll answer all these questions on Joker: Folie à Deux and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

Episode 248 - Pulp Fiction

(Deep Dive begins at 49:30)

That is a tasty burger! Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, and KevDog on a BOYS NIGHT in the most Boys Night of films as we're heading to the underbelly of Los Angeles in search of a 5 dollar shake in Quentin Tarantino's magnum opus, Pulp Fiction. We'll be back before you can say 'blueberry pancakes' in our 248th episode as we discuss:

• What is PostModernism
• Why does this film speak so strongly to a certain generation of cinephile
• Kev has brought some treats back for everyone from his holiday in Greece
• An actor extends an impressive record
• When is a mistake not a mistake?
• What's the benefit of quickfire intertextual references?
• What is a meta-narrative and how can it be proven incorrect
• Ian might set a record for pushes of the yellow button
• We discuss one of the great soundtracks of all time and Ian explains what Columbia House was
• Whether or not Pulp Fiction is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 247 - American Beauty

(Deep Dive begins at 32:20)

We rule! Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian and Megs (Liam, Kev, and Georgia are showing an Open House) as we're heading to suburban Chicago in search of our zeal for life as we review the Sam Mendes / Alan Ball collaboration, American Beauty. We're looking for the least amount of responsibility in our 247th episode as we discuss:

• What to do when faced with a protagonist that makes decisions that we don't agree with
• Should there be a limit to what type of stories are told
• Ian kind of gives an origin story for his journey into film analysis
• We ask some questions regarding oddities in California Labour Laws
• Are we pyjama people?
• Ian's brought a sweet dessert for a BFE taste test segment
• Megan's got an interpretation that stops the pod in its tracks
• Ian continues on a theory he postulated last week and it applies equally to this film
• Whether or not American Beauty is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 246 - Gone Girl

(Deep Dive begins at 46:45)

We're so cute. I want to punch us in the face. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, and Kev (the girls are gone... or are they?) as we're heading to small town Missouri on a treasure hunt as we reconvene the BFE Book Club as we review the Gillian Flynn literary adaptation, Gone Girl. We're heading to the woodshed in our 246th episode as we discuss:

• Spectatorship and how this film plays both sides and gets away with it
• Liam again struggles with some choices made by the filmmmakers
• We discuss a legendary supporting actor who plays completely against type
• We ask where Rosamund Pike has been hiding all this time
• How many men are necessary before we can call something a BOYS NIGHT
• Ian's brought a beverage for a BFE taste test segment
• Liam claims he's never heard one of the biggest hits of the 2010s
• Someone take issue with one specific line near the end of the film
• Whether or not The Help is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 245 - The Help (w/ BFF of the BFE: Juleen)

(Deep Dive begins at 53:00)

Were you dropped on your head as an infant? Or were you just born stupid? Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian and Liam (Megs and Kev have gone to bring Georgia home) as we're heading to Jackson, Mississippi to uncover what really happens in wealthy white households in literary adaptation, The Help. This episode, we're joined by special guest author, Juleen as she brings us a film of her choosing for the deep dive treatment. We're feeding each other chocolate pie in our 245th episode as we discuss:

• Does this film suffer from the white saviour trope?
• Is unequal distribution of pay between co-stars necessarily a sign of gender inequity
• Ian shares some of his history degree as he talks American civil rights and the story of Emmett Till
• Where do Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis sit in the rankings of the great actresses of our time?
• Why did they feel the need to stuff a romantic storyline in this film and then undercook it?
• Ian again goes on about narrative sequencing and the importance of enigma establishment and deferred fulfilment
• Is the babyface turn by Alison Janney acceptable or far too easy of a rescue job?
• What character motivation floored us in leading to one of the big mysteries being solved?
• Whether or not The Help is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia
• Timmy Tim Tim

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 244 - The Shawshank Redemption (and Farewell to Georgia)

(Deep Dive begins at 27:20)

Remember folks, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies". Join your favourite ragtag fellowship of TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, KevDog, Megs and Georgia as we're beginning a 20 year journey to breaking out of prison as we review the Frank Darabont cinematic adaptation of a Stephen King short story, The Shawshank Redemption.  We're toasting one of our own as Georgia records her last live episode for a while in our 244^th episode as we discuss:

• Why does this film have the legacy it does?
• We talk about why Morgan Freeman is the voice of our generation
• Ian updates the world on the weight game
• How many things had to go right for Andy's plan to go correctly
• Does this film do enough at establishing Andy and Red as polar opposites
• We talk about how there is a way to correctly read a film if they direct us to do so
• Whether or not The Shawshank Redemption is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia
• Timmy Tim Tim

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 243 - Amadeus

(Deep Dive begins at 31:30)

We speak for all mediocrities, for we are their patron saint. Join your ragtag fellowship of TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, and Georgia (Megs and Kev are in Salzburg) as we're heading back to the last 18th century watch the rise of Wolfgang Mozart and the downfall of Antonio Salieri in the Milos Forman film Amadeus.  We're complaining about too many notes in our 243rd episode as we discuss:

• Our own knowledge bases of Mozart
• Do you have to know the story of Mozart to appreciate the film
• We've got a bit of a therapy session this week as Ian and Liam lock horns
• Is it possible to overcome a negative first impression of a film? 
• What is the price of excellence and why is there only room for one great artist of each time
• Georgia totally misses a friend of the podcast showing up in the 3rd act
• We talk about whether the film does Costanze fair in the overall narrative
• Whether or not Amadeus is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia
• Timmy Tim Tim

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

BFE Special - Fantasy Football Draft Night (The Patreon League: 2024)

Are you ready for some (fantasy) football?  We're back with our Patrons once again and invited a returning special guest to join us to fill out the field  We've got your BFE favourites - Ian, Liam, KevDog, Georgia and Megs drafting live.  We're also joined live by James DeGuzman, and Andy Dickson adding to the merriment.

It's a peak behind the curtain as you catch the BFE group just kicking it as we pretend we know what we're doing with Fantasy Football.  In between bites of Pizza and Chicken Nuggets we provide commentary on the picks by our absent drafters (Rev Bruce, Duane Smith, Kevin from The Podcast That Wouldn't Die, Stew from the SWO, Ryan Kuketz, Nate the Great, Juleen, Ensign Ian Davies, and Dirk - whether they're drafting remotely or letting the computer do the heavy lifting)

There's pizza, banter, and a behind-the-scenes perspective that might help you know your BFE peeps a little bit better.

Episode 242 - Austin Powers in Goldmember

(Deep Dive begins at 31:00)

There's two things we can't abide in this world: people who are intolerant of other people's podcasts, and the Scuttlebutt Podcast.  Join your ragtag fellowship of TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, Kevin, and Georgia (turns out Megs was a fembot all along) as we're heading back to the 1970s to rescue Austin Powers' fajha in the aptly named Goldmember.  We're discussing the challenges in writing sketch based comedic franchises in our 242nd episode as we discuss:

• Does this film peak in the opening 5 minutes?
• What is Liam's criteria for who makes a good Austin Powers actor?
• We discuss Oasis-mania of the past week in the UK
• How can this film feel so dated when it was made in 2004 compared to the more friendly remembered films of the 1990s and before
• Where does Beyonce rank amongst the other leading ladies in the Austin Powers franchises?
• We discuss the challenges of creating additional characters to be played by the same actor
• We talk about the influences on Mike Myers as well as who he may have inspired along the way
• Whether or not Austin Powers in Goldmember is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia
• Timmy Tim Tim

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 241 - Chef (w/ BFF of the BFE: James DeGuzman)

(Deep Dive begins at 36:45)

Welcome to the podcast that's not undercooked, it's molten. Join your ragtag fellowship of TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, and Georgia as we're taking this show back on the road in a beat-up food truck as we review Jon Favreau's ode to working out his own creative issues in Hollywood in the indie darling, Chef.  We're also joined by our Sous Chef: BFF of the BFE, James DeGuzman as we serve our hungry customers.  We're discussing creativity vs bankability in our 241st episode as we discuss:

• Jon Favreau's use of this film as a metaphor for his own conflicts with making big studio films in the early 2010s
• Liam gets hung up on the limited generosity of a character who really exists as a McGuffin & piece of stunt casting
• Georgia's face blindness takes another actor hostage
• Why did some of us have issues with the ending of the film
• Ian suggests that a key plot point couldn't have been done with the demographics in reverse
• We all talk about how the decision between bankability and creative fulfillment makes its way to even the most grassroots of creative adventures 
• Whether or not Chef is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia
• Timmy Tim Tim

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 240 - Monty Python's Life of Brian

(Deep Dive begins at 44:00)

We're not the messiah, we're a bunch of naughty boys (and girls).  Join your ragtag fellowship of TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, Megan, and Georgia as we're heading back to talk all things Python as we review what's arguably the connoisseur's pick of Python, in Life of Brian.  We're discussing the structure of a joke in our 240th episode as we discuss:

• How should you pronounce John Cleese's name
• What couple of scenes come off a bit hard today
• Were their any moments that were a step too far in their absurdity for our liking
• What's the difference between mocking Christianity, the personage of a religious figure or taking a joke at the nature of faith itself
• Ian talks about what he thinks is the greatest joke in the history of cinema
• What was the surprising source of funding for this film once the original financiers backed out on the eve of filming
• We talk about nudity in film and theatre and lay down our own feelings on what our own boundaries would be
• Whether or not Monty Python's Life of Brian is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia
• Timmy Tim Tim

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Reel Roundtable #44 - Brad Pitt

Another bonus episode as we bring you another Reel Roundtable discussion for your listening enjoyment.  Ian, Liam, Megan, KevDog and Georgia revisit the career of Brad Pitt.  Comments, banter, and an appreciation of acting against type can be found as we discuss:

• We again open the conversation of movie star vs. actor and where does Brad Pitt fall on both
• We look at Pitt's introduction to the 
• Georgia makes a mistake for the ages... multiple times
• We discuss whether Brad Pitt should be held in that top tier of 2000s actors and question why he's not
• We share a story about Brad Pitt adopting a certain word while filming in the UK
• Ian shares about the term 'cultural capital'
• We present the audience and BFE Top 10 lists for the best Brad Pitt Performances ever

If you have any ideas about future actors/actresses or topics for future roundtables, we’d love to hear from you.  Hit us up at @BestFilmEverPod on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  

Episode 239 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (w/ BFF of the BFE James DeGuzman)

(Deep Dive begins at 30:50)

We've got a near 5 hour long epic of an episode for the 3 plus hour epic conclusion of The Lord of the Rings trilogy in The Return of the King.  Join your ragtag fellowship of TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, and Megan, (Georgia got caught up in a spiderweb) as they're joined by our friendly guide, the greatest LOTR expert of our time, James DeGuzman, as we're heading to the black gate to create a diversion for Frodo in this majestic conclusion to a three year journey for viewers at the time and the BFE as we've reviewed them.  We're discussing how important endings are in our 239th episode as we discuss:

• The many seeming endings of ROTK
• What is Viggo Mortensen's primary skill as an actor
• How does the CGI hold up today
• Was Aragorn leading on Eowyn and did he ultimately choose the wrong girl
• Liam has a hard time understanding the motivations of a certain character
• Christopher Lee really did get shafted
• We've got a ton of returning names to our growing actor roster and someone sets a record
• Megan and James provide us extra commentary relevant to the extended versions of the films
• Whether or not The Sixth Sense is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia
• Timmy Tim Tim

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

See It or Skip It? - Twisters (w/ Best Friend of the Podcast: Andy Dickson)

FIRST 32:00 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 32:00 it's a full spoiler review

This week's See It Or Skip has us talking about the sequel that's not really a sequel and a reboot that's only kind of a reboot. Join us as we look at Twisters the sequel that much like their namesake, we didn't see coming.  Join Ian and Best Friend of the Podcast as we discuss whether this was a legacy sequel anybody wanted, how exactly does this film link to the original, what kind of bait-and-switch happens with the casting and if the story actually holds up to the slightest of breeze, let alone a tornado. We'll answer all these questions on Twisters and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

Episode 238 - The Sixth Sense

(Deep Dive begins at 32:10)

We're ready to tell you our secret now.  We see dead podcasts... only they don't know they're dead.  I'm hoping there's not a twist coming regarding our own status. Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, Megan, and Georgia (and a ghostly appearance by KevDog), as we're heading to Philadelphia and trying to avoid graveyards at all cost as we review The Sixth Sense.  Is there a surprise ending coming in our 238th episode as we discuss:

• Can Bruce Willis act?
• Where does Haley Joel Osment's performance land him in our history of child actors on the pod
• Does a film have to be rewatchable to be good
• There's a bit of a therapy session in this one
• Has M. Night Shyamalan written himself into a corner as being 'The Twist Ending Guy'
• We talk about when capital letters should be used
• We again marvel at cinematography in yet another film
• Whether or not The Sixth Sense is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia
• Timmy Tim Tim

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

WWE SummerSlam 2024: Review & Reflections

Join Ian from Best Film Ever and Stew from The Stew World Order podcast as we break the BFE format by looking at the biggest party of the summer in WWE's SummerSlam from Cleveland, Ohio. We discuss whether a Bloodline Rules match prevents fans from becoming engaged? Did WWE do the right thing by having Sami Zayn win last month? Where does the WWE go in the aftermath of tonight's event? We also discuss who has the worst finisher on the WWE roster? We'll answer all these questions on SummerSlam and give out some post-event superlatives celebrating the night's best (and worst).

Catch more of Stew on his own podcast: Stew World Order at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stew-world-order/id1559913522

You can also catch him at his website where he writes about all sorts of fun things:
https://swoproductions.com/

WWE SummerSlam 2024: Preview & Predictions

You know we love our wrestling here at the BFE (well some of us...). Join Ian from Best Film Ever and Stew from The Stew World Order podcast as we break the BFE format by looking at the SummerSlam card ahead of Saturday's big PPV card. We discuss whether Damien Priest is simply cosplaying as a world champion? What's Logan Paul done now that's embroiled him in controversy? When can injuries be blessing in disguise? Are WWE booking Sami Zayn like a classic heel? Is there a double turn coming in a major WWE programme? We'll answer all these questions on SummerSlam and then give our predictions for where we think the wins are coming on Saturday night.

 

Catch more of Stew on his own podcast: Stew World Order at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stew-world-order/id1559913522

 

You can also catch him at his website where he writes about all sorts of fun things:
https://swoproductions.com/

See It Or Skip It? - Deadpool & Wolverine

FIRST 39:15 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 39:15 it's a full spoiler review

This week's See It Or Skip It leaves us giving Maximum Effort! Join us as we look at the exercise in fan service that brings a superhero back from the dead (well, maybe not literally) in Deadpool & Wolverine. Join Ian, Liam, and Megan (make sure you nail that superhero landing) as we discuss whether the fun stuff in a film can overcome fundamental story flaws, what the impact is of intertextual nods when the audience is unable to grasp them and what impact an R rating can have on the financial success of a film. We'll answer all these questions on Deadpool & Wolverine and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

Episode 237 - Nightcrawler (w/ BFF of the BFE: Hermes Auslander)

(Deep Dive begins at 1:00:30)

If the true value of any item is what someone’s willing to pay, what does it say about our free podcast? Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam and Georgia, as we're staying in Los Angeles and waiting for the police scanner to go off in search of the best lighting in Nightcrawler, brought to us by BFF of the BFE, Hermes Auslander of the Scuttlebutt Podcast. We really hope you like long runtimes in our 237th episode as we discuss:

• The aftermath of the birthday equinox
• Everything we did in our 1 week break from recording
• Liam and Georgia's respective plays
• We do talk about world events for a bit - fair warning
• Hermes comes on board and tries to fix the mess he's made with Whiplash 2: A Nightcrawler Boogaloo
• What is it about anti-heroes that troubles some of our panel so much
• We distinguish the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath
• Is Jake Gyllenhaal a great actor?
• Whether or not Nightcrawler is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia
• Timmy Tim Tim

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 236 - (500) Days of Summer

(Deep Dive begins at 15:35)

It's always about measuring expectations so they line up with reality, am I right? Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Megan and Georgia, as we're heading to Los Angeles and violently yo-yoing between loving us and hating the world in the indie darling, (500) Days of Summer. We're doing choreographed dance sequences with animated  birds in our 236th episode as we discuss:

• The significance of the birthday equinox
• Who gets over break-ups easier, men or women
• How do peeps feel about karaoke
• Have we ever been on the hook for someone? How much responsibility does the one holding the other on the hook have to smarten the other party up
• Ian goes 5 levels deep on a seemingly nothing scene inside Ikea (where were the meatballs?)
• In what ways has this film aged terribly in just 15 years?
• We discuss the trope of the manic pixie dream girl and how realistic this really is
• What fingerprints from our last episode (When Harry Met Sally)  did we see in this film?
• Whether or not (500) Days of Summer is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia
• Timmy Tim Tim

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

See It or Skip It? - Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

FIRST 44:00 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 44:00 it's a full spoiler review

Beverly Hills, that's where we want to be! Join us as we look at the strangest named legacy sequel in memory with Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.  We discuss whether Axel Foley has reached John McClane? Which actor seemed vastly over their heads compared to their castmates? Which of the returning cast members still have it and who seems to have missed a step? Ian also shares about his viewing experience with Curb Your Enthusiasm and the tragedy of aging.  We'll answer all these questions on Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

Episode 235 - When Harry Met Sally

(Deep Dive begins at 38:25)

When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with a pod, you want the that pod to start as soon as possible Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, Megan and Georgia, as we're heading to New York City and questioning all of our friendships in the Rob Reiner directed When Harry Met Sally. We're having what she's having in our 235th episode as we discuss:

• What was the main hang-up with the casting of this film
• The reverence this film seems to have in the romcom genre
• Ian has a theory about men and women which the girls disagree with
• We discuss how one of the most famous scenes (and lines) in cinematic history came to be
• We talk about the versatility of Meg Ryan and her ubiquitous chemistry with her male co-stars
• The source material for the screenplay goes beyond meta
• Which actor ties a BFE record in  this film
• What fingerprints from this film do we see in many other romantic comedies
• Whether or not When Harry Met Sally is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• AJ from Nova Scotia

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 234 - Boyhood

(Deep Dive begins at 34:50)

The film that took twelve years to make and almost as long for us to review it.  Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, KevDog and Georgia, as we're heading back to our collective childhoods as we watch Boyhood for its 10th anniversary. We're expressing our hatred for squash in our 234th episode as we discuss:

• What risks did Richard Linklater take when making this film
• What was Ian's prediction at the end of the film
• We got some more film school as Ian talks about spectatorship and ideology
• We talk about the various barriers to engaging with this film
• The writing, acting, and directing all come under a pretty hard gaze
• Is Richard Linklater just trying to send a message to his ex-wife?
• How much does the scope of this film forgive to wrap it all up?
• Much like Mason asks, what is the point of it all, anyways?
• Whether or not Boyhood is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Andy Dickson
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Off-Script (July 2024)

It's the BFE as you've seldom heard them: all tangents and no format sheet.  We turned the mics on and let whatever came to the conversation end up on the tape.  Ian, Liam, and Georgia are cracking wise and sharing their thoughts and histories as we discuss:

• Preparations for summertime viewing, including the Olympics
• Ian cracks wise about Wimbledon
• Liam shares thoughts about American Football and how he got into it
• We set up Chicken Wing Challenge 2024
• Where would we like to visit and where would we like to avoid
• What would be the impact of Scottish Independence on the UK economy 
• Other hijinks

Episode 233 - Spider-Man 2

(Deep Dive begins at 50:30)

Intelligence is not a privilege, it's a gift. And you use it for the good of mankind . Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, Megan and Georgia, as we're heading back to New York City for Canada Day weekend to see the fusion demonstration in Spider-Man 2 for its 20th anniversary. We're discovering our love for all things science in our 233rd episode as we discuss:

• Liam is raring to talk about a completely different movie
• Georgia's very impassioned about the upcoming UK election 
• One of the BFE cast wants to replace Bill Nye as the authoritative voice of Science in pop culture
• Ian's brought a bevy of Canadian delicacies to celebrate Canada Day
• Someone drinks their first full beer
• We find plot issues all over the place on this one but does it matter?
• Whether or not Spider-Man 2 is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 232 - Trees of Peace (w/ BFF of the BFE: Juleen) - WARNING - SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER

WARNING: POTENTIALLY DIFFICULT SUBJECT MATTER IN THIS EPISODE

(Deep Dive begins at 47:45)

Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, Megan and Georgia, as we're reviewing the 2022 Netflix Original Film on the 1994 Genocide Against The Tutsi in Rwanda, Trees of Peace. We're asking some big questions in our 232nd episode as we discuss:

• Should snack foods be held accountable for hyperbolic claims of spice
• Megs shares a T-Shirt story when wearing her own merch
• Why our knowledge on the historical events was lacking and how it's hard to imagine a pre-internet era
• We also talk about how to explain faith to non-believers or lack of faith to faith believers
• What unfortunate historical parallels could we draw upon when regarding this film
• Ian compares this film to a couple of other films, one to everyone's surprise
• Ian shares a theory about why the character of Peyton was included
• We discuss whether it's essential to see yourself represented to invest in a film
• If there is a point where films should be held responsible for the visceral reactions they provoke
• Ian shares a deep cut of a song he loves from many years ago (link below)
• Whether or not Trees of Peace is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Listen to Trees by Lovehammers at https://youtu.be/0uLZCPSBl2M?si=cK7pnKfqgVpc1ouq

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 231 - The Lion King (1994)

(Deep Dive begins at 29:30)

Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase... Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, Megan and Georgia, as we're heading to Pride Rock to pay homage to the carnivores that might eat us one day in the 1994 Disney animated classic, The Lion King. We're avoiding goose-stepping hyenas in our 231st episode as we discuss:

• Ian workshops a 1 man Lion King show for the Edinburgh fringe
• What was Disney's innovative approach for the trailer
• What other Disney animated classic were most of the senior animators choosing to work on instead of the B-List "Lion King"
• What other animated film bears a striking resemblance to this film?
• What makes a great villain and considering that, is Scar a great villain?
• Ian and Liam again discuss best vs favourite and where the distinction is
• What unexpected source was the singing voice of adult Simba?
• Russell the Postie has dropped off some parcels for Ian to give out
• Whether or not The Lion King (1994) is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 230 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

(Deep Dive begins at 27:35)

Expecto patronum! Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, and Georgia (Megan's training to be a dementor) as we're joined once again by KevDog - freshly broken out of Azkaban - as we're heading to a remodeled Hogwarts while messing with the fabric of time itself in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  We're managing our mischief in our 230th episode as we discuss:

• Whether it is possible to divorce the films, and the IP, from the author of the source material.
• Whether it's fair for Potter fans to continuously harp on about the books and if judging it by its fidelity to the novel should be their approach
• How hard it is to go from precocious child to adolescent actor and which of our cast are definitely not pulling it off
• Some of the options for the new Dumbledore and Michael Gambon's approach to taking the part over from Richard Harris
• Ian has to retire his Voldemort as Dumbledore voice (or does he?)
• There's an update on Hermes and his Revolution (in musical fashion, no less)
• KevDog returns with Easter Egg Corner
• Is this the best Harry Potter film of the bunch?
• Whether or not Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 229 - Dead Poets Society

(Deep Dive begins at 30:50)

We don't watch and analyse films because it's cute. We watch and analyse films because we are members of the human race. Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, and Megan (Georgia is in detention) as we're heading to a dark cave in the middle of the night to trade snacks, play saxophone, and read from Five Centuries of Verse in the film that's crack for teachers, Dead Poets Society.  We're seizing the day in our 229th episode as we discuss:

• Just how responsible is Mr Keating for what happens to Neil
• Does the film have a happy ending. How do we know what the director wants us to think?
• Liam asks a lot of questions from a student's perspective. Ian & Megan try to answer them from a teacher's perspective
• Why did Robin Williams no-show the first day of shooting and how did Touchstone/Disney react?
• How did Disney want to change this film and who saved it from some truly terrible notes
• We ask if this is Robin Williams' finest film and/or performance
• There's a couple of hiccoughs in the signal this week
• Whether or not Dead Poets Society and the Last Crusade is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Three Act Structure: Reviewing EVERY Marvel (MCU) Property in 3 Words or Less

We usually go king sized on the BFE but perhaps brevity truly is the source of wit.  Welcome to Three Act Structure: the BFE review show where we have to pass judgment on films but this time, we can only use 3 words or less - wait, should that be 'or fewer?'

This month we're reviewing every Film and TV entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  How will films like Iron Man, Captain America, Ant-Man, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers Endgame do when we're limited to a trifecta of words.

What 3 words would you have used? Let us know on social media over at twitter.com/bestfilmeverpod

Why not help support the pod?  Check out all the possible options over at patreon.com/bfe

Episode 228 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

(Deep Dive begins at 32:30)

We belong in a museum. Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian and Liam (Georgia & Megan got lost in their own museum) as we're heading to Alexandretta in search of the Holy Grail and Henry Jones Sr in what should have been Indy's swan song, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  All we have to do is scream in our 228th episode as we discuss:

• Some of the insane pitches for this film as Liam plays "Real Pitch or Chat GPT Pitch?"
• We have a little English teaching as homonyms are on the docket today
• Is this film accessible to those not familiar with any of the previous Indy films 
• Why did Spielberg bring back so many characters from Raiders
• Just how bad is early years CGI exactly?
• We reminisce about an earlier BFE episode
• Ian continues to try and fix Logan from last week
• Whether or not Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 227 - Logan (w/ BFF of the BFE: James DeGuzman)

(Deep Dive begins at 37:30)

Don't be what they made you. Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, and Georgia (Megan's already set off for the magical Canadian border) as we're joined by BFF of the BFE, James DeGuzman in the supposed Hugh Jackman Wolverine send-off, Logan. We're bringing X-23 to the safe haven in our 227th episode as we discuss:

• More hypothetical food tasting by Georgia
• What's the backstory of Wolverine
• Is this film accessible to those not familiar with any of the X-Men films 
• Liam expresses significant goldfish energy
• We talk about breakfast cereals and chicken wings with James DeGuzman
• How did we ever watch a Wolverine film with the PG restrictions before
• Whether or not Logan is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 226 - Shrek 2 (w/ Friend of the Podcaster: KevDog)

(Deep Dive begins at 25:15)

Uh, that catnip's not ours. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcaster, Ian (Everyone else is making the near 800 mile trek to Far Far Away) as he's joined by KevDog - in boots - off to visit the shops and enjoy medieval puns in Shrek 2. We're bringing flour to The Muffin Man in our 226th episode as we discuss:

• How one of us completely missed the Northern Lights this week
• How does the energy of Shrek 2 pivot from Shrek 1
• There's quite a few shots at Disney (yet again) in this film
• Ian helps Kev out with a few North American references in the film
• Kev introduces Ian to Shrek's Karaoke party
• Is Shrek 2 one of those rare sequels that's better than the original?
• Whether or not Shrek 2 is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

BFE Mail Bag (May 2024)

We're back with another round of our Mail Call episode.  Russell the Postie has dropped off a special springtime delivery and Georgia's working in the mail room to deliver the questions from Friends of the Podcast & The Fledgling Fandom to your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting team.  Hear Ian, Liam, and Georgia answer some of your questions in our May 2024 edition.  Key questions this time include:

• How does the BFE decide which films to do?
• Which BFE concepts might come back in the near future?  Why have some of them been gone for a while?
• Who are our fantasy dream guests for the pod?
• What's the BFE origin story?
• What's the best TV we've ever seen?
• What advice would we give our younger selves?

If you have a question for the next time the mailbag is open.  Catch us on Twitter at @bestfilmeverpod and use the hashtag #AskBFE 

Episode 225 - Star Trek (w/ Friend of the Podcast: Ensign Ian Davies)

(Deep Dive begins at 34:20)

Live long and prosper. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam & Georgia (Megs is off on the USS Kelvin) as we're off to Vulcan to stop a madman in the 2009 science-fiction reboot, Star Trek and we're joined by Starfleet's finest in Ensign Ian Davies as we complete our training. We're preparing for the Kobayashi Maru in our 225th episode as we discuss:

• Salty fries once again
• What's the appeal of Star Trek and are Trekkies the original nerds?
• We ask Star Trek vs Star Wars
• Can a film be both an accessible jumping on point for new fans and still be rewarding for die-hard fans
• Felix has been commissioning some theme songs for the group
• Whether or not Star Trek is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Join Hermes in his revolution; he is trying so very hard.

Episode 224 - Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

(Deep Dive begins at 30:20)

Why do I get the feeling you're going to be the death of me? Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam & Georgia (Megs if off looking for cloners on Camino) as we're off to Naboo to protect a senator and just staring inapporpriately in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. We're ready for the adventures of Jar Jar in our 224th episode as we discuss:

• Georgia's right to comment on hypothetical fries
• Liam does an impression of Felix
• We discuss whether George Lucas knows about romance outside of seeing it in films and how that may have affected the final product
• Why is Natalie Portman so bad in this? (Although there's one element that Ian & Liam seemed to be in favour of)
• There's some more English teacher stuff happening here this week
• Ian talks about McDonalds new UK recipes
• Whether or not Star Wars: Attack of the Clones is the Best Film Ever

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Left Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Episode 223 - Dave (Nominated by BFF of the BFE: Kirsti)

(Deep Dive begins at 38:50)

It's a Tuesday and everybody listens on Tuesdays.  Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcaster, Ian & Georgia (LIam and Megan are off working Club Med) as we're off to Washington on a walking tour in the Kevin Kline/Sigourney Weaver romcom, Dave brought to us by BFF of the BFE: Kirsti.  We're collective souvenirs in our 223rd episode as we discuss:

• Why don't Brits know about this film?
• A brief history of U.S. Presidents in the late 20th Century / Early 21st century
• We talk about some 4 time female contributors and compare that against a bunch of men making their debuts
• We talk about running and what it's like to mix an artist in an athletic family
• Like everyone else, we're discussing Taylor Swift now that she's dropped her new album
• What is it about the aesthetic of the American presidency that's so appealing for films
• We talk about Hannah Waddingham's moment with the Papparazzi this week
• Whether or not Dave is the Best Film Ever

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Left Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Episode 222 - Say Anything (w/ Special Guest: Hermes Auslander)

(Deep Dive begins at 47:30)

Would you believe that someone else is to blame for the runtime on a Hermes episode?  Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcaster, Ian & Liam (Georgia, Ethan, and Megan have all won fellowships) as we're the keymaster at a Seattle house party while trying to pick-up the brainiac in the Cameron Crowe/John Cusack film Say Anything. We're joined by very special guest,  BFF of the BFE: Hermes Auslander, and we're disussing kickboxing form in our 222nd episode as we discuss: 

• What is the proper way to throw a kick at a heavy bag?
• We continue to hear the modem sound when Liam tries to access our back catalogue
• Ian shares a story of his one academic shortcoming growing up
• Hermes continues his one man revolution against the Gif of the Week game
• Ian postulates that this film isn't about Lloyd Dobler at all
• Ian tries to explain to Liam that he can't keep track of which episodes other people have missed
• The trappings of large sized products when we'd probably be satisfied with a medium sampling
• We share a story about spicy food and Meg's lack of concern when dishing out sampling
• Whether or not Say Anything is the Best Film Ever

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Left Foot

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Episode 221 - Mad Max (1979)

(Deep Dive begins at 42:30)

Get your black leathers on, shirts are apparently optional, and let's head out looking for trouble. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian and Liam (Georgia, Megs, and Ethan are chasing down rogue drivers) as we're heading to Australia in the not too distant future in the Mel Gibson film, Mad Max.  We are the nightrider in our 221st episode as we discuss:

• Whether a simple story is necessarily a bad story
• We talk about big life events this week
• Liam talks an awful lot about films we're not reviewing this week
• We discuss the Guinness Record this film had for an awfully long time
• Liam shares an origin story for Mel Gibson's career that, if true, is amazing
• What is it with the religious imagery for all of 10 minutes in this film?
• Whether or not Mad Max (1979) is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Synthia
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• Elliott

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

See It or Skip It? - WrestleMania 40: Night Two

BEFORE 53:30 is our WrestleMania 40 (Night Two) PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS

AFTER 53:30 you get our WrestleMania 40 (Night Two) FULL REVIEW

You know we love our wrestling here at the BFE (well some of us...). Join Ian from Best Film Ever and Stew from The Stew World Order podcast as we break the BFE format by looking at WrestleMania 40 (Night Two). We discuss whether The Rock is helping or hurting creative? Did WWE promise something they ultimately couldn't deliver on? What exactly is a Bloodline Rules match anyways and did the end result justify the Night One Main Event? We also discuss who has the worst finisher on the WWE roster? We'll answer all these questions on WrestleMania 40 (Night Two) and then we'll compare it to WrestleManias of the past.

Catch more of Stew on his own podcast: Stew World Order at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stew-world-order/id1559913522

You can also catch him at his website where he writes about all sorts of fun things:
https://swoproductions.com/

See It or Skip It? - WrestleMania 40: Night One

BEFORE 1:02:00 is our WrestleMania 40 (Night One) PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS

AFTER 1:02:00 you get our WrestleMania 40 (Night One) FULL REVIEW

You know we love our wrestling here at the BFE (well some of us...). Join Ian from Best Film Ever and Stew from The Stew World Order podcast as we break the BFE format by looking at WrestleMania 40 (Night One). We discuss whether The Rock is helping or hurting creative? Do we rate matches higher or lower based on our representations? What other stories besides Cody Rhodes needs finishing this year? And whether a two-night WrestleMania card is diluting the quality off matches that qualify for the event? We'll answer all these questions on WrestleMania 40 (Night One) and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

 

Catch more of Stew on his own podcast: Stew World Order at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stew-world-order/id1559913522

You can also catch him at his website where he writes about all sorts of fun things:
https://swoproductions.com/

See It or Skip It? - Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

FIRST 23:40 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 23:40 it's a full spoiler review

You know the BFE is getting up there in years when we're doing a SIOSI that's a sequel to an earlier film that we also did a SIOSI on.  Join us as we look at the sequel to a legacy sequel in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. We discuss whether Paul Rudd is being over-exposed? Are there too many characters in this film? Did we need every character back from Oklahoma in New York City? Were all the actors even trying all that hard? Which returns made us cheer and which made us groan? And whether Ghostbusters is trying to pivot from an adult based audience to a pre-teen audience. We'll answer all these questions on Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

Episode 220 - Beyond The Mat

(Deep Dive begins at 32:30)

It's WrestleMania week and the BFE are doing their annual tradition of finding something wrestling-related for the  someone asks if you're a god, you say yes. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian and Liam (Georgia, Megs, and Ethan aren't booked so they're not showing up) as we're heading from bingo halls to the Royal Rumble and everywhere in between in the Barry Blaustein documentary, Beyond The Mat.  We're wishing you a good day in our 220th episode as we discuss:

• Ian breaks down panto etiquette
• Liam plays "wrestler or hockey player?"
• We continue our discourse regarding if The Rock is really a good guy
• We talk about what the appeal is to deathmatch wrestling
• Why do wrestlers (and wrestling fans) get so bent out of shape over the word 'fake'?
• Why do wrestling fans stay somewhat closeted?
• After watching this, does Blaustein lead the audience to the same conclusion he came up with?
• Whether or not Beyond the Mat is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Lina Oberholzer
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Three Act Structure (Reviewing Box Office Champions in 3 Words or Fewer)

We usually go king sized on the BFE but perhaps brevity truly is the source of wit.  Welcome to Three Act Structure: the BFE review show where we have to pass judgment on films but this time, we can only use 3 words or less - wait, should that be 'or fewer?'

This month we're reviewing the global box office champion from 1977 to 2023.  How will films like Star Wars, Back To The Future, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, The Avengers and Barbie do when we're limited to a trifecta of words.

What 3 words would you have used? Let us know on social media over at twitter.com/bestfilmeverpod

Why not help support the pod.  Check out all the possible options over at patreon.com/bfe

Episode 219 - Ghostbusters (1984)

(Deep Dive begins at 25:20)

If someone asks if you're a god, you say yes. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, Megan and Georgia (Ethan's locked out of his apartment) as we're heading to New York City and craving Marshmallows in the Dan Aykroyd/Ivan Retiman penned megahit, Ghostbusters, on account of its 40th anniversay.  We ain't afraid of no ghosts in our 219th episode as we discuss: 

• The generational aspect to comedy
• Why is nostalgia something we guard so closely?
• We've got a couple of food related queries
• Ian talks about the iconography of the Ghostbusters franchise
• Georgia tries to compare this to Star Wars
• We do a soft celebration of the 4 year anniversary of the BFE
• Whether or not Ghostbusters is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Lina Oberholzer
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Dissecting The Dynasty - Week Five: Breaking Point & End Game

Are you ready for some football?  Ian from Best Film Ever is joined by fellow Patriots fan, Ryan Kuketz and Pats hater Hermes Auslander from The Scuttlebutt Podcast to focus on all things Foxboro as we close the playbook on Apple TV's "The Dynasty" with episode breakdowns for "Breaking Point" and "End Game".  We discuss all things NFL, The New England Patriots, and our own nostalgia as we tackle the following from Episodes 9 & 10:

• Why does the doc skip out on key moments like The Philly Special and "On to Cincinnati?"
• When Jimmy G gets traded is that when Robert Kraft should've made the move?
• Does it feel like the documentary was unfairly skewed to make Bill Belichick the villain?
• Does Robert Kraft get enough challenge for not leading his organisation?
• We discuss taking a knee during the national anthem and presenting the Patriots as "Team Trump"
• We reflect on the stories of football, the world and our own lives that the documentary forces us to take a look at
• For each episode Apple gives us we're giving out game balls, calling audibles, pointing out who fumbled, inquiring what was the highlight of the night, and starting this week, we check our programmes for who just declared as eligible, much to our surprise
• We're also giving out some end of year hardware as we wrap up the series

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Episode 218 - Up

(Deep Dive begins at 43:40)

We have just met you and we already love you. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasters, Ian, Liam, Georgia, and eventually Megan (Ethan's run off with some balloons and an air blower) as we're heading, well, up in the Pixar animated film, Up.  We're looking to invest in talking collars for our 218th episode as we discuss: 

• What is it that makes this film such a tearjerker
• Is this a kids film by default?  Does Pixar ever go another direction?
• Is the plot regarding Kevin and Charles Muntz stupid
• Who is Charles Muntz a caricature of?
• We talk a lot about shapes
• Ian and Hermes appear in the Coda to keep talking about Mystic River 
• Whether or not Up is the Best Film Ever

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Lina Oberholzer
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Dissecting The Dynasty - Week Four: Under Pressure & Score To Settle

Are you ready for some football?  Ian from Best Film Ever is joined by fellow Patriots fan, Ryan Kuketz and Pats hater Hermes Auslander from The Scuttlebutt Podcast to focus on all things Foxboro as we review Week Four from Apple TV's "The Dynasty" with episode breakdowns for "Under Pressure" and "Score To Settle".  We discuss all things NFL, The New England Patriots, and our own nostalgia as we tackle the following from Episodes 7 & 8:

• What's the deal with the NFL letting teams have access to their own balls and then crying foul when they're tampered with?
• Jimmy G is drafted.  Should that have been the succession plan at that moment or did deflategate make Brady untradeable to the Patriots fanbase?
• Why does the documentary sidestep the appeal and subsequent re-suspension in favour of a cleaner but incorrect timeline?
• Jacoby Brissett was a thing... right?
• Ian's never heard the Vladimir Putin Patriots ring story
• We talk about the grieving process you go under when your team loses
• Is the win against the Falcons the greatest win of all time?
• For each episode Apple gives us we're giving out game balls, calling audibles, pointing out who fumbled, inquiring what was the highlight of the night, and starting this week, we check our programmes for who just declared as eligible, much to our surprise

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Episode 217 - Mystic River (w/ BFF of the BFE: Hermes Auslander)

(Deep Dive begins at 48:20)

The runtime on this is entirely on Hermes!  Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcaster, Ian (Georgia, Ethan, Megan and Liam have run off to Vegas) as he's shipping up to Boston in the neo-noir Clint Eastwood film, Mystic River. We're joined by BFF of the BFE: Hermes Auslander and we're getting hit over the head with red herrings in the multiple Oscar Winning Films.  We're asking for a Sprite in our 217th episode as we discuss: 

• Which members of the cast and crew have been massive black holes for the BFE so far
• Ian compares this film to another noir film about finding any film to provide an answer
• Which member of the cast had us talking about a surprising amount of range
• Hermes has a solo challenge on the age game
• Ian comes up with a theory on what this film is really about 
• Whether or not Mystic River is the Best Film Ever

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Lina Oberholzer
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

BFE Oscar Preview Special (2024)

And the Oscar goes to... BFE with our coverage of the 2024 Academy Awards.  Join Ian and BFF of the BFE Hermes Auslander as we discuss all things Oscar in our preview special just in time for the big awards show.  We talk snubs, flubs and films we'd like to sub as we separate those who should win from those who should be glad just to be nominated.  

We break down this year's panel of categories while also discussing the relevance of the Academy and whether or not they're recognizing the industry as it stands or whether they're shaping a different narrative. 

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

 

Dissecting The Dynasty: Week Three - Torn & At All Costs

Are you ready for some football?  Ian from Best Film Ever is joined by fellow Patriots fan, Ryan Kuketz and Pats hater Hermes Auslander from The Scuttlebutt Podcast to focus on all things Foxboro as we review Week Three from Apple TV's "The Dynasty" with episode breakdowns for "Torn" and "At All Costs".  We discuss all things NFL, The New England Patriots, and our own nostalgia as we tackle the following from Episode 3

• Is Matt Cassel's success the beginning of the end for Tom Brady's relationship with Bill Belichick?
• Did the documentary oversell Matt Cassel's running ability just a touch?
• Tom Brady's decision to go from reactive to preventative with his rehab case
• What was the appeal of Aaron Hernandez and does this documentary oversell his skill level?
• Should we hold either Bill Belichick or Robert Kraft responsible for what happened with Aaron Hernandez
• Which member of the Patriot dynasty is nowhere to be found in Aaron Hernandez's episode
• How long did it take for Rob Gronkowski to get in trouble once drafted by the Patriots
• How long can your overlook issues against your culture if there's enough talent
• Is The Patriot Way a real thing or just Foxboro hubris?
• For each episode Apple gives us we're giving out game balls, calling audibles, pointing out who fumbled, inquiring what was the highlight of the night, and starting this week, we check our programmes for who just declared as eligible, much to our surprise

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Episode 216 - Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

(Deep Dive begins at 30:05)

It's Been Emotional. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew: Ian, Megan, and Georgia (Ethan and Megan are off buying fertilizer) as we tackle Guy Ritchie's debut gangster film, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. We're shooting people with air guns in our 216th episode as we discuss:

• Guy Ritchie and if his films are essentially comedies masquerading as Gangster films
• We argue exactly how Jason Statham's name is pronounced
• Liam and Georgia discuss cockney rhyming slang
• The thespian talents of Vinnie Jones are highly debated
• You won't believe where we've seen some of these actors before
• Apparently Liam doesn't like Northerners
• Whether or not Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Lina Oberholzer
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

See It or Skip It? - American Fiction

FIRST 32:20 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 30:45 it's a full spoiler review

I'd argue we're likely done with the Oscar frontrunners now but we couldn't miss out on the Jeffrey Wright fronted Best Picture nominated American Fiction, and so we are giving it the See It or Skip It treatment. We discuss counter-stereotypes and anti-stereotypes and when does allyship overpower the voices that matter? Should Jeffrey Wright be discussed in the Best Actor shortlist? What is the unique angle for this film on this year? Where have we seen Monk's brother before? Now that we've seen the frontrunners, where do we sit with The Oscar categories this year? We'll answer all these questions on American Fiction and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

Dissecting The Dynasty: Week Two - Borrowed Time & Spygate

Are you ready for some football?  Ian from Best Film Ever is joined by fellow Patriots fan, Ryan Kuketz and Hermes Auslander from The Scuttlebutt Podcast to focus on all things Foxboro as we review Week One from Apple TV's "The Dynasty".  We discuss all things NFL, The New England Patriots, and our own nostalgia as we tackle the following from Episode 2

• The build-up to the first Patriots win and when is it called a Dynasty?
• Is Tony Kornheiser the most incorrect man in all of sports?
• Randy Moss enters the documentary and steals the show
• We watch the Patriots move from heroes to villains in one easy motion
• One major character from Week One just disappears without any closure
• There's some big names we weren't expecting to show up.  Apple's got some clout
• We share our favourite NFL half-time shows and Ian & Ryan share about their first SuperBowl parties
• Someone on the panel explains why they can't help but be an agitator and the joy that comes from it
• For each episode Apple gives us we're giving out game balls, calling audibles, pointing out who fumbled, inquiring what was the highlight of the night, and starting this week, we check our programmes for who just declared as eligible, much to our surprise

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Episode 215 - Her

(Deep Dive begins at 33:55)

The past is a story that we tell ourselves, or so I was told by my Operating System.  Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew: Ian, Megan, and Georgia (Liam and Ethan are on dates with their phones at the beach) as we tackle the Spike Jonze Sci-Fi film about loving your technology and your technology loving you right back, Her.  We're questioning the very nature of existence in our 215th episode as we discuss: 

• Joaquin Phoenix and why some viewers struggle with watching his films
• Where Spike Jonze was inspired when coming up with the film's colour pallette
• Georgia and Megan teach Ian some young hip slang
• We talk about the ripple effects this film has for the actors lives involved
• Ian wants to talk about modern-day narcissism 
• We discuss whether it's better to have a plot driven film or a character driven film
• Ian calls out someone for copyright infringement
• Skynet puts a couple of the BFE in their place
• Whether or not Her is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Lina Oberholzer
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

See It or Skip It? - Maestro

FIRST 30:45 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 30:45 it's a full spoiler review

Leonard Bernstein says that a work of art should not answer questions, it should provoke them; I'd say we've done Leonard Bernstein proud as we gave his biopic, fronted by Bradley Cooper, Maelstro, the See It or Skip It treatment. What was our background knowledge of Bernstein going in? Do we sometimes give directors credit for decisions that should go to other members of the creative team? Does Carey Mulligan pass the Barbie or Bust test? What did we think of Cooper's likeness to Bernstein through the prosthetics? Was Leonard Bernstein ever not smoking? We'll answer all these questions on Maestro and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

Dissecting The Dynasty: Week 1 - Backup Plan & The Snow Bowl

Are you ready for some football?  Ian from Best Film Ever is joined by fellow Patriots fan, Ryan Kuketz and Hermes Auslander from The Scuttlebutt Podcast to focus on all things Foxboro as we review Week One from Apple TV's "The Dynasty".  We discuss all things NFL, The New England Patriots, and our own nostalgia as we tackle the following from Episode 1

• How much of the Patriots lore that Ian and Ryan are familiar with was common knowledge to an outsider like Hermes?
• Does this programme do a good enough job talking people through the main players to make the show accessible for non-Patriots and non-Football fans
• Where does a lot of the enjoyment of the narratives presented come from?
• We explain our own individual football fandom and where that all begins from 
• Does Drew Bledsoe come off as a hero or villain in this series?  Classy or classless?
• What part of the Patriots history the programme chooses to ignore to create an underdog narrative
• For each episode Apple gives us we're giving out game balls, calling audibles, pointing out who fumbled and inquiring what was the highlight of the night

Catch so much more of Hermes on his podcast, The Scuttlebutt Podcast at . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=ca1784afd4874ff3 (Spotify)

Episode 214 - A Bronx Tale (w/ BFF of the BFE: Juleen)

(Deep dive begins at 38:55)

Is it better to be feared or to be loved?.  Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew: Ian, Liam, and Megan, (Ethan and Georgia are off at a Yankee game) as we head to the Bronx to determine whether the working man is a sucker or not and we're joined by BFF of the BFE, Juleen who picked this week's selection and talks about her feelings during our endgame.  We're shootin' dice in our 214th episode as we discuss:

• If this film is a good gateway to the gangster genre for female viewers who might be offput by gangster films
• We talk about conflict within the Monty Python troupe
• We celebrate the collection of licensed music
• Liam drives a joke into the ground on this one
• Why is a major plot point completely disregarded in the cleanup
• We're joined by BFF of the BFE, Juleen, for the endgame
• Whether or not A Bronx Tale is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Lina Oberholzer
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• Norfolk Dom

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

See It or Skip It? - The Iron Claw

FIRST 22:30 are a spoiler-free review with our See It/Skip It verdict

AFTER 22:30 it's a full spoiler review

It's time for the Steel Cage Rematch as we're back and giving the Zac Efron fronted wrestling biopic, The Iron Claw, the See It or Skip It treatment.  Is the Von Erich name a big enough one to draw an audience? Was there a wrestling cameo that Ian picked up on? Does the film stay true to wrestling history? Which member of the cast made it right by us until the credits? Which of the wrestling impressions were the best? Is Zac Efron channeling Troy Boulton with that haircut? We'll answer all these questions on The Iron Claw and then we tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

Episode 213 - Crazy, Stupid, Love

(Deep Dive begins at 34:30)

Can one misstep taint an entire film?  That's the question of this episode.  Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew: Ian, Liam, and Georgia (Megs is still Master Building somewhere else while Ethan is missing his own Valentine's nomination) as we tackle our Valentine's Day Patreon Vote winner, Crazy, Stupid, Love.  We're shooting our shot in our 213th episode as we discuss: 

• The foods and drinks we have when we're not feeling well
• Georgia discusses if you have to agree with 'pick-up' culture to appreciate this film
• Liam might just be putting himself in the movie ALL REVIEW LONG
• We need to talk a couple of people off the ledge in some mini-therapy sessions this week
• We've got another precocious child going on this week
• Georgia and Ian literally argue about the millilitres in a bottle of pop
• Whether or not Crazy, Stupid, Love is the Best Film Ever

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Kirsti
• Lina Oberholzer
• Ensign Ian Davies
• Chris Pedersen 
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Randal Silva
• The Yeetmeister
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
• Andy Dickson
• Holly Callen
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/