Episodes
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
Bring us that horizon! We're sailing the Seven Seas with the worst pirate you've ever heard of... but you have heard of him in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, & Georgia – along with Ethan from Talking the Mickey - as we head into Crossover infested waters. It's anything but a mutiny in this 40th episode as we discuss:
- How did a film based off of theme park ride have any business being this good?
- The parts of the Jack Sparrow character that Johnny Depp was successful in petitioning for and the nonsense that he was overruled on.
- The many alternate versions of this film that could've hit cinema screens if other casting choices had gone ahead
- What other cinematic swordfight the Sparrow/Turner clash reminds us of
- Why you can't read the sub-title on the film's poster
- Where Hans Zimmer got inspiration for the film's theme
- We talk about if we want to see another Pirates film with Depp? Without Depp?
- We rave about the introduction Verbinski gives us to Captain Jack
- We gush about the character development and the intelligence of the script
- Whether or not Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Episode 39 - GoldenEye (with Richard)
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
We're in Bond withdrawal facing the perpetual delay of Daniel Craig's swan song in No Time To Die so Ian dug out a calendar and figured it had been 25 years since GoldenEye hit our movie screens. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, & Georgia – and our very special guest (and Bond connoisseur), Richard - as we head to the Soviet Union, The UK, France, Florida, and Cuba all while trying to stay onatop of things. Our 39th episode is shaken, not stirred as we discuss:
- The original idea for this film and how very different a film this could have been
- Those who auditioned to be Timothy Dalton's successor and someone who actually turned the role down
- We discuss if Bond is an outdated character for 1995, let alone 2020
- Liam tells us all about Sean Bean in Sharpe and expresses a word or two of admiration for Famke Janssen
- Richard casts a deciding vote in whether a certain pun is funny
- We praise the theme song and bury the score
- We talk about our Favourite Bonds and where Brosnan stacks up
- You'll never guess why they gave Alec Trevalyan his surname
- The request the American military gave 007 and the compromise they made.
- Whether or not GoldenEye is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
With great power comes great responsibility but we won’t give you that while you’re glitching out. Georgia’s final selection of 2020 brings us the animated masterpiece Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, & Georgia – and our very special guest (and Halloween poll ruiner) Ethan - as we watch a film that is an assault on the senses (in both the positive and negative senses). We're throwing our tag around Brooklyn in our 38th episode as we discuss:
- The original idea for this film and how very different a film this could have been
- The painstaking detail that went into animating this film
- We discuss how the filmmakers were able to make us care about 5 separate relationships in this film
- We're pretty sure Ethan makes up a few Spider-Men in his research
- We all wax poetic about the score and animation
- Ian learns what a "Post Malone" is
- We once again learn about a villain who just doesn't learn the order in which you kill the heroes in
- We try and keep up with the amount of Easter eggs in this film
- Somebody has to fess up that they fell asleep watching the film
- We debate whether execution of technical elements makes up for story shortcomings
- We determine which of the Spider-Men could have stayed out of the Spider-Verse
- Whether or not Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Nov 03, 2020
Episode 37 - The American President & Remembering Sean Connery (with Debbie)
Tuesday Nov 03, 2020
Tuesday Nov 03, 2020
Do you fight the fights you can win or do you fight the fights worth fighting? In honour of our American friends who are heading to the polls on Nov 3rd, we review the Aaron Sorkin test run for The West Wing in The American President. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, & Georgia – and our very special guest (and Sorkin expert) Debbie - as we watch a political romance that Liam had very little interest in going into the episode. We also chat nostalgically about the Scottish force of nature that was Sean Connery by listing our favourite non-Bond roles. We're taking our approval rating for a spin in our 37th episode as we discuss:
- The original idea for this film and how very different the casting could have gone
- Which Hollywood icon gave up on the title role due to reported personality conflicts with director Rob Reiner.
- We discuss which of the 3 F-Bombs in this film were most impactful, and how come the film avoided an R rating after the 2nd one.
- Is Andrew Shepherd an appeaser? Is he a bad boyfriend?
- Should we challenge Sydney more about her conflict of interest
- We see how Martin Sheen argues both sides of a proportional response
- We wish there was a mash-up of Sydney Ellen Wade speaking to Ghostface from Scream
- Some of us get distracted by some lousy 90s blue screen
- Ian might just have to eat his words after the age game
- How Annette Benning is presented as professional and stunning without ever being objectified
- We debate whether the script is wooden or if it's genius
- Whether or not The American President is the Best Film Ever.
Saturday Oct 31, 2020
Episode 36 - Scream (Bonus Halloween Episode)
Saturday Oct 31, 2020
Saturday Oct 31, 2020
Do you like scary movies? For Halloween, we review the (arguably controversial) winner of our Halloween audience poll in Scream . Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, and Georgia – as we watch a horror movie that makes fun of horror movies while still being an excellent horror movies. We're locking all the doors in our 36th episode as we discuss:
- The impact of Drew Barrymore's opening scene and the clever marketing of this film (that couldn't be replicated today)
- How many cameos and allusions to other horror films show up
- Forget the body count, how many people were presented to us as potential victims
- What exactly was Stew's motive actually?
- Does Sydney have the worst group of friends ever?
- Is the Fonz the worst principal ever?
- How many times did they double bluff the audience by telling us exactly who the killers were
- We debate how soft a fall into a boat would be
- We present our favourite kills in the movie
- Whether or not Scream is the Best Film Ever.
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Reel Roundtable #3 - Julia Roberts
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Another bonus episode as we bring you another Reel Roundtable discussion for your listening enjoyment. Ellie, Ian, and Liam revisit the career of Julia Roberts. Comments, banter, and a more than slight dose of nostalgia and appreciation can be found as we discuss:
- Is Julia Roberts more of a movie star than a great actress?
- Has Julia Roberts done anything of merit since Erin Brockovich?
- Why does Julia Roberts play characters with exotic jobs so often? Is she relatable?
- What is it about Julia Roberts that makes her so good at playing the victim?
- Does Julia Roberts make her co-stars better or is it the other way around?
- We go over our audience input as to which Julia Roberts performances they held in highest regard
- We present the BFE Top 10 list for the best Julia Roberts 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.
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Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Episode 35 - GoodFellas
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Funny how? Do I amuse you? Am I a clown? Do I make you laugh? This week we've the film that made Martin Scorsese a made man in GoodFellas. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, and Georgia – as we join the mob for over three decades and watch the rise and fall of Henry Hill, Karen Hill, Jimmy Conway, and Tommy DeVito. We're all feeling like wiseguys in our 35th episode as we discuss:
- Who turned down the role of Jimmy Conway, to his regret in later years
- How did the director manage to get his parents cameos in the film
- How did Martin Scorsese incorporate actor adlibbing into a final script?
- The real life egomania of Henry Hill
- How did Jimmy Burke apply his ketchup and why is that so important
- The genius of the dolly zoom
- How do you know when you’re paying your prop master too much
- The filmography of Martin Scorsese and where GoodFellas falls into it
- Which legendary actor appears in a bit role in GoodFellas without any of his trademark profanity
- How high is the swear count on this film?
- Whether or not GoodFellas is the Best Film Ever.
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Episode 34 - The Muppet Movie (Crossover with Talking The Mickey)
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Why are there so many song about rainbows? This week we've got a bonus episode that gets us aboard the nostalgia bus, The Muppet Movie. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, and Georgia – as we road trip across America with Kermit, Fozzy, and the gang on the way to become rich and famous in Hollywood. It's a of a 34th episode as we discuss:
- All the magical ways that Henson & co. brought us full body shots of muppets without exposing the puppeteers
- Where exactly is a bear's natural habitat?
- Which of the cameos was our favourite?
- Whether Piggy and Kermit's relationship is toxic and which famous musician does Ian compare Piggy to?
- Which of the many outstanding songs in the film is our favourite?
- Whether or not The Muppet Movie is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Episode 33 - A League Of Their Own
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
There's no crying; There's no crying in baseball! This week we go deep in the count with Ian's wild card choice with the 1992 baseball classic, A League of Their Own. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, and Georgia – as we head to the ballpark in Rockford. It's a Grand Slam of a 33rd episode as we discuss:
- Which major actor/actress was cast just days before shooting began?
- Was Kit supposed to be this unlikeable?
- Whether or not Madonna was a good teammate
- Who were the best actual baseball players in the cast?
- Which cast member was told to keep eating?
- Why do the girls keep saying Canada is in America?
- Did Dottie drop the ball on purpose?
- We update you one final time on our upcoming Halloween episode and how you can be involved in deciding what we review for a special Oct 31st episode
- Whether or not A League of Their Own is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
Episode 32 - Bridget Jones's Diary
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
Have you met Miss Jones?. This week we go Mid-Atlantic with Ellie’s wild card choice in Bridget Jones’ Diary. Join your favourite transatlantic (Mid-Atlantic?) film review crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, and Georgia – as we head to the bustling streets of London (where only 12 people live) to write crap in our audio diary. It’s a fun 32nd episode as we discuss:
- The many similarities between this and the BBC production of Pride & Prejudice
- Ian’s dislike for the Keira Knightley P&P
- What exactly is the Working Title formula
- Which other actress in the film was on the shortlist to play Bridget Jones?
- Could you make this film in 2020?
- What is a tarts and vicars party and why do they have such things in England?
- Who is the titular character of this film after all?
- Does this film have the best fight scene in the history of cinema?
- There’s some hot debate about who is the best character in this film
- We update you on our upcoming Halloween episode and how you can be involved in deciding what we review for a special Oct 31st episode
- Whether or not Bridget Jones’s Diary is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Episode 31 - Rocky
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
His whole life was a million to one shot. This week we go the distance with Liam's choice of Rocky. Join your favourite transatlantic film review crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, and Georgia – as we head to the bustling streets of Philadelphia to catch oranges and run some steps. We're in deep training for our 31st episode as we discuss:
- The backstory behind how the financing for Rocky came out
- How many Stallones are in this film
- Who else was up for the role of Adrian before it went to Thalia Shire
- What cinematic innovation was showcased for one of the first times in the famous theatre steps scene
- How profoundly problematic some of the scenes in this film are
- What were some of the last minute budgetary changes that changed scenes for the better
- The closure of Cineworld and the delay of No Time To Die
- We talk about our upcoming Halloween episode and how you can be involved in deciding what we review for a special Oct 31st episode
- Whether or not Rocky is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Episode 30 - Se7en
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
What's in the box? We get ahead of the game by reviewing what is arguably David Fincher's masterpiece in Se7en on it's 25th anniversary. Join your favourite transatlantic film review crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, and Georgia – as we head to the thriving metropolis of "City Limits." We think outside of the box in our 30th episode as we discuss:
- How stupid the spelling is for this film's title
- How different this film would have turned out if the studio hadn't sent David Fincher an earlier draft of the script.
- Some of the truly bizarre alternate endings producers tried to shoehorn in.
- Which actor was only cast 2 days before shooting.
- Is Brad Pitt's performance amazing or consistently one note?
- Is this just a real dark reimagining of a classic 80s buddy cop movie?
- The mandela effect and how it applies to this film.
- Which actor receives double billing on the end credits
- Some of the sick jokes played on visitors and some of the cast
- We talk about our upcoming Halloween episode and how you can be involved in deciding what we review for a special Oct 31st episode.
- Is Somerset intentionally established as John Doe's polar opposite
- Whether or not Se7en is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
Episode 29 - The Hitman's Bodyguard (and James Bond casting news)
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
So they put Deadpool and Nick Fury in a film together but they're not playing Deadpool or Nick Fury... kind of. Georgia's wild card pick brings us to 2017 and "The Hitman's Bodyguard": a film that wanted all the James Bond with all of the Deadpool 2 different actors doing their best Samuel L. Jackson impression (hint: one of them is Samuel L. Jackson). Join your favourite transatlantic film review crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, and Georgia – as we head to Amsterdam and pretend it's England. It's a Triple A rated 29th episode as we discuss:
- The recent casting buzz about Tom Hardy and Ian makes a case for a 1-off Idris Elba Bond film.
- What was the budget for Hitman's Bodyguard and why did they shoot in Amsterdam
- What key decision was made about the script 2 weeks before shooting
- What's the swear count on Samuel L. Jackson in this film
- Is it accurate to call Ryan Reynolds the straight man in this film?
- Can anyone recall the actual story?
- Who has given Michelle Pfeiffer competition for a special place in Liam's heart
- Is the correct term inoffensive or unoffensive
- We pull double duty on media theorists this week
- Whether or not The Hitman's Bodyguard is the best film ever
Saturday Sep 19, 2020
See It Or Skip It? - Bill and Ted Face The Music
Saturday Sep 19, 2020
Saturday Sep 19, 2020
FIRST 24 MINUTES are a spoiler-free review
AFTER 24 MINUTES full spoiler review
The whole BFE/TTM gang are back from seeing Bill & Ted Face The Music and we're here to hold them to that title. What did we think about it? What parts worked? What parts didn't? Who showed up and who just showed up for a paycheque? What does this newest entry do for the legacy of Bill & Ted and their excellent adventures? What were the stakes in this film? We answer all these questions and more in our "See It or Skip It" review of Bill & Ted 3.
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
Episode 28 - Iron Man (Crossover with Talking The Mickey)
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
Podcasters… Assemble! We were remarkably good and held off on any Marvel content for over half a year. So now we’re breaking the seal and giving our full attention to the film that started it all in back in 2008 with Jon Favreau’s Iron Man . Join your favourite transatlantic film review crew – Ian, Liam, Ellie, and Georgia – as we head to Burger King in our Audi in search of a classic American Cheeseburger. It's a gamechanger of a 28th episode as we discuss:
- How much did Robert Downey Jr & Terrence Howard made for Iron Man
- What other directors were attached to the film before Jon Favreau was hired.
- Why Jeff Bridges referred to Iron Man as a “$200 million student film”
- Is Iron Man just a reimagined James Bond?
- How Ramin Djawadi composed the score for Iron Man
- What was the first thing Jon Favreau did when he found out he would be directing Iron Man?
- Ian & Liam come up with a great sitcom spin-off for SHIELD agent Phil Coulson
- How Favreau pulled off the scene where Pepper puts her hand in Downey’s chest
- What unique rehearsal trick did Bridges & Downey do together
- How many soundbytes/easter eggs were presented here that wouldn’t show up until much later?
- What do the voices of Jarvis and Karen (Spider-Man: Homecoming) have in common?
- Whether or not Iron Man is the Best Film Ever
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Episode 27 - Braveheart
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Every man dies; not every man truly lives - They make take our lives but they will never take our freedom! - The almighty says he can get me out of this but he's pretty sure you're f------d! It's been 25 years since the UK release of Mel Gibson's opus, Braveheart, and if you're like us, you can still say all the lines. Join your favourite transatlantic film review crew – Ian, Liam, and Ellie – as we head in search of a bridge to Stirling and ask Mel's son to make us a cup of tea. It's a revolution of a 27th episode as we discuss:
- Just how much creative license was used in the making of Braveheart (spoiler: a lot)
- Why should you stay away from medieval windows.
- What are the perks of being an accountant for a feature film
- Who was Mel Gibson's first choice to play William Wallace?
- What changes had to be made in order to placate the MPAA
- Just how manic is Scottish weather?
- Why doesn't Mel Gibson have nice things
- Just how badly does Robert the Bruce want William Wallace to be his friend
- Who got frightened by the speech by Gibson at Stirling
- How did a film that worked as a tourism advert for Scotland get so much Irish content in it?
- Whether or not Braveheart is the Best Film Ever
Friday Sep 04, 2020
Reel Roundtable #2 - Remembering Robin Williams
Friday Sep 04, 2020
Friday Sep 04, 2020
Another bonus episode as we bring you another Friday Reel Roundtable discussion for your listening enjoyment. Ethan, Ellie, Ian, and Liam revisit the career of the legendary tour-de-force that was Robin Williams. Comments, banter, and a more than slight dose of nostalgia and appreciation can be found as we discuss:
- Why did Robin Williams effect so many in such a profound way
- How large a part of our collective childhoods were the films of Robin Williams
- Did Robin work best when there were narrative restrictions that limited his creativity to a point
- How often could it be said that Robin Williams’ performances were better than the films he was a part of
- We go over our audience input as to which Robin Williams performances they held in highest regard
- We present the BFE Top 10 list for the best Robin Williams 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.
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
We’ve got a most un-heinous line-up for this week’s review of the film that Keanu Reeves was afraid would be etched on his tombstone in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Due to the imminent premiere of Bill & Ted 3, we felt it fitting to head back into the circuits of time and revisit not only Bill & Ted but our past us’s Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, and Ellie – and our very special guests from Nick & Russ Don’t Know Anything as we head to the Circle K in search of pudding cups, bubble gum and socratic method. It’s a trip to the mall of a 26th episode as we discuss:
- Who was supposed to be the first historical figure picked up into the Not-Tardis?
- What was the original prop that was to act as the device to carry them through time?
- Where is the phone booth from the movie now?
- How did George Carlin end up in the film?
- Who were the preferred choice for The Three Most Important People
- How did Sigmund Freud learn English so quickly and how did Beethoven suddenly regain his hearing?
- Wasn’t a buddy movie between Billy The Kid & Socrates the sequel/spin-off we all wanted to see?
- Whether or not Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is the Best Film Ever
Catch more of Nick and Russ on their podcast "Nick and Russ Don't Know Anything" available on fine podcatchers everywhere as well as on Twitter (@realNickandRuss), and YouTube.
Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
Episode 25 - The Usual Suspects
Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
Who is Keyser Söze? Is Keaton alive or dead? Where is Kobayashi's accent from? Are we still allowed to love this movie? All very good questions and ones that we dive into as we tackle the Christopher McQuarrie penned script that had 'the best plot twist of all-time' according to the voters at IMDb, in "The Usual Suspects." Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam – as we lean back and take it all in from coagulated urine to cigarette flicks, location shifts and behind-the-scenes drama, and somehow we ended up with a film that is a very real contender for best film ever. We've got Ellie joining visiting us as a special agent as we interrogate the Brian Singer/Kevin Spacey mob movie. It's a red herring of a 25th episode as we discuss:
- How exactly do you pronounce Kaiser Soze, and what is its origin?
- Why did the location jump from New York to Los Angeles really?
- Which two members of the cast openly admit to hating each other in real life due to events that happened on the set of this film?
- Is there a better walking sequence filmed than the one featured in this film?
- The problem with unreliable narrators and how The Usual Suspects is more satisfying with this technique than Joker was
- How can you call Kevin Spacey a supporting actor in this film?
- Whether or not The Usual Suspects is the Best Film Ever
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Episode 24 - Speed (with Ethan from Talking The Mickey)
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Pop quiz, hot shot - You hear that and instinctively know that we're talking about the 1994 public transit thriller, Speed. Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam – as we take a look at a film that was likely much bigger (and better) than it had any reason to be. Also on the bus we've got Ellie in fact-check corner, and Ethan is our replacement Bus Driver. It's an adrenaline-filled 24th episode as we discuss:
- Which famous writer was brought in to fix the dialogue in this script (similar to Joss Whedon in Toy Story)
- The eerie similarities between Jack's pursuit of the bus in his Ford Bronco and the real-life chase of O.J. Simpson in a Ford Bronco just 7 days later.
- How Ian keeps calling Jeff Daniels, Jeff Bridges
- Just how similar to Die Hard is this movie
- Ethan taps into the hair energy of Sandra Bullock and correctly comes up with the original actress they wanted for the role.
- Find out who the original choice for Jack Travern was and what qualities Keanu Reeves had that made him Jan De Bont's choice
- Which stunt Keanu Reeves never told the director he was going to do before he did it.
- What special skill did one of the cast learn in preparation for this movie
- Whether Speed is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
Episode 23 - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011 - English Language)
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
Did a Swedish Book released in 2008 really need 2 films based on the same novel released just 2 years apart, both based in Sweden but one in Swedish and one in English? That's the question we ask as we look extensively at the 2011 English language Daniel Craig fronted version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam – as we take a look at a film that Sony had very big hopes for but never continued with the planned trilogy despite critical acclaim. We're joined by our Ellie is in fact-check corner. It's a wintery 23rd episode as we discuss:
- Why wasn't there more focus drawn to Lisbeth's titular dragon tattoo?
- The differences between the Swedish Film's 3 act structure and the American film's 5 Act Structure?
- Whether having an elaborate Bond-like title sequence was a good idea considering the film's leading man was the current 007
- Which of Rooney Mara's aesthetic changes were undertaken by the American actress and which were pretend
- The harrowing inspiration for the story itself in the mind of the author, Steig Larsson.
- Who was so close to getting the part of Lisbeth, and why did director David Fincher ultimately decide not to cast her.
- Who had a chance meeting with the film crew and managed to get herself in the film, and what is her connection to the original film?
- Which actor/actress was so disturbed by filming one of the more extreme scenes that they spent the whole next day crying in their hotel room.
- Whether The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is the Best Film Ever.
Friday Aug 07, 2020
Reel Roundtable #1 - Worst Films Ever
Friday Aug 07, 2020
Friday Aug 07, 2020
Some bonus content for you this week as we dust off the Roundtable discussion we had in support of Pod vCon (where the V stands for virtual). Ethan, Ellie, Ian, and Liam flip the gimmick on its head as we talk about what elements make up terrible films. Comments, banter, and disagreements can all be found inside as we discuss
- Which actors tend to show up in bad movies
- What genres are most guilty of producing the worst films
- The dangers of fulfilling corporate sponsorship to create your film
- Ian walks us through the formula that made Hollywood studios a ridiculous amount of money with one specific actor in the nineties
- We discuss the merits of fictional retellings of history (especially when the outcome has changed)
- We all bring a nomination for the worst film ever
If you liked this format, let us now and we can consider bringing it on a semi-regular basis. Hit us up at @BestFilmEverPod on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Episode 22 - Dangerous Minds (With Debbie)*
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
WE ARE SO SORRY FOR THE MISTAKES IN THE ORIGINAL DANGEROUS MINDS EPISODE. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS HAPPENED. THE UPDATED FILE IS FREE OF ANY CONTENT FROM OTHER EPISODES.
Admit it, you've seen the poster and Gangsta's Paradise is already going through your head. Join your favourite transatlantic tambourine men - Ian & Liam – as we take a look at the Michelle Pfeiffer teacher pseudo-biopic "Dangerous Minds." We're joined by our very special friend Debbie, and Ellie is in fact-check corner. It's a choice-filled 22nd episode as we discuss:
- The captivating real-life story of LouAnne Johnson - one that probably made for a better movie if they had read it.
- Why Michelle Pfeiffer teaches karate to a group of students who are shown to have already established violent tendencies
- If Michelle Pfeiffer seems at all believeable as a marine
- What parts of being a teacher Pfeiffer gets right and dozens she gets wrong
- The inaccuracies of the inspirational teacher trope in movies.
- How much more scandalous Bruckheimer and Simpson wanted the plot to be
- Real-life follow-up on several of the students from the film
- Why does Pfeiffer try to link poetry to Bob Dylan when the group likely has never heard of him before.
- Paul Gilroy's post-colonial theory and the dangers of the white saviour complex that showed up in Hollywood films in the late 80s and 90s
- Whether Dangerous Minds is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Jul 28, 2020
Episode 21 - Toy Story (Crossover with Talking The Mickey)
Tuesday Jul 28, 2020
Tuesday Jul 28, 2020
To infinity and beyond! Catch us on a very exciting crossover episode this week as the BFE & TTM teams combine to provide a deep dive into the toy box for the 25th birthday of Toy Story later this year. Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam – as we try and figure out how Toy Story could possibly be anywhere near that old. We’re joined by our party guests from Talking The Mickey, Ethan and Ellie, and we've all got our moving buddies as we're headed to Pizza Planet (only 1 toy allowed). It's an existentially critical 21st episode as we discuss:
- What happens when pitch meetings go badly at Walt Disney Studios
- Which actor declared his character to be a jerk early on during recording sessions
- The three departments of a film's production cycle
- At what point are toys born? When do they receive consciousness?
- Someone gets way too excited about a countdown from 10
- Did Pixar get too dark in some of the sequences from this film?
- Does Woody forgive the rest of the gang too easily?
- Ian's hatred for Tim Allen that was put to the test during the screening of this film
- Ask ourselves if Toy Story is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Episode 20 - Clueless
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Last week we called The Crow, “perhaps the most 90s movie ever made.” This week, Clueless says “that’s totally harsh.” Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam – as we return to the mid-nineties for an Amy Heckerling picture that simultaneously satirises 90s culture amongst the ‘it crowd’ while also acting as a faithful adaptation of a 19th Century Jane Austen piece. We’re rolling with the homies (in the form of our permaguests, Ellie and Georgia) all the way to the mall as we discuss a moment frozen in time in Clueless. It's a Betty of a 20th episode where we:
- Play ‘Real or Fake 90s slang”
- Discuss the legacies of the O.J. Simpson case in popular culture
- Try to figure out why Brittany Murphy is so hard to recognise
- Georgia weighs in on the great egg debate.
- Marvel at why so many of the cast don’t seem to age in a quarter of a century.
- Gush over the greatness of Wallace Shawn who seems to have aged in reverse since Princess Bride.
- Talk about the consequences of satire if the audience doesn’t pick up that it’s a satire.
- Talk about that iconic Alicia Silverstone outfit that was borrowed for a 2014 chart-topping homage
- Ask ourselves if Clueless is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Episode 19 - The Crow
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Eric Draven tells us that nothing is trivial. Keep that in mind when we start talking about the perfect way to assemble a hot dog. Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam – as we return to perhaps the most 90s film ever in Brandon Lee’s final film, The Crow. We’re joined on our mission by our permaguest Ellie as we discuss one of the most bizarre films we’ve looked at yet. It's a 19th Episode where no-one was doing things by half-measures and we discuss:
- Why you should never mess with a Benedict Cubmerbatch fan community
- The specifics surrounding the tragic death of Brandon Lee
- Which studio was originally going to distribute the film direct to video and which studio picked up the project after the death of Brandon Lee
- How multiple generations of Batman films seemed to be an influence on and influenced by The Crow
- How Ian would have ended the film differently
- Liam tries to make a case that The Crow is a Romantic Comedy
- Is this Ernie Hudson’s best role ever?
- How do we each take our eggs?
- Which actor in this film may have worse line delivery than Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot
- If “The Crow" is it the best film ever.
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Episode 18 - The Grand Budapest Hotel (Audience Request)
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Wes Anderson is like marmite; you either love him or you hate him. The question is, "what did we think?" Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we take up residence in the 2014 Wes Anderson critical favourite, The Grand Budapest Hotel. We're joined in the lobby by our two would-be lobby boys Ellie and Georgia to discuss an audience request which had us asking some rather unique questions. It's an 18th Episode that borders on the absurd as we discuss:
- Just how severe is Wes Anderson's rule against adlibbing?
- Which scene required over 40 takes to get right
- What is it with directors kicking their actors in the face.
- How much creepier is Monsieur Gustave if Anderson had his original choice for Tilda Swinton's part
- What's the difference between a cheap cut and a prime fillet
- Is this the best Ralph Fiennes films that we've reviewed on the podcast?
- Can a film be too clever for its own good
- What 2 moral stands does the podcast take during this episode.
- If "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is it the best film ever.
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Episode 17 - Apollo 13
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Houston may have a problem but for us, failure is not an option. Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we blast off on the 1995 Ron Howard spectacular, Apollo 13. We're short a permaguest as Georgia is off this week but we've got Ellie riding shotgun to discuss a film with 2 distinct takes (and we discuss them both in depth). It's a 17th Episode that shoots us around the moon. Join us as we discuss:
- How exactly do you pronounce Gary Sinise's name?
- The lengths that Ron Howard went to in order to preserve historical accuracy
- Early casting choices for Jim, Fred, and Jack's characters
- When the film is called 'Apollo 13', how much do we really care about what's going on back down on Earth?
- Which member of our cast cried multiple times viewing this film?
- The history of chalkboards and whiteboards in various country's school systems
- Tom Hanks' impressive filmography
- If "Apollo 13" is the best space film ever.
- If "Apollo 13" is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Episode 16 - Days of Thunder (with Richard)
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Join your favourite Transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we take the 1990 NASCAR-based sequel to Top Gun, Days of Thunder, around the track for a couple of hours. This week we're delighted to have BFE's resident gearhead, Richard, joining us and riding shotgun. We've got our permaguests, Ellie & Georgia, hunkering down the team in pit lane to discuss a movie that proved as divisive as ice cream on race day. Join us as we watch Days of Thunder with 2020 vision, which yet again proves to be somewhat problematic. Join us as we discuss:
- How much blame for some of the content goes to story writer Tom Cruise?
- Roger Ebert's 1990 thesis of the 'Tom Cruise movie theory'
- What is Mello Yello anyways?
- How much of Cole Trickle's character development was just Harry Hogg explaining things to other characters.
- Can there be too much racing in a racing movie?
- How young you can get a neurology degree in Australia.
- Does talking to a car actually make it run faster?
- How great Hans Zimmer is as he makes his 3rd appearance on our list
- If "Days of Thunder" is the best racing film ever.
- If "Days of Thunder" is the Best Film Ever.
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Episode 15 - Fight Club (Audience Request)
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Rule #1: You do not talk about Fight Club. Rule #2. You do not talk about Fight Club. Join your favourite Transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we break these two rules all over the place as we look at David Fincher's Counterculture Classic, Fight Club. We're joined once again by our permaguests, Ellie & Georgia to discuss a movie that we hold near and dear to our hearts and view it again through a 2020 lens, which again proves to be somewhat problematic. Join us as we discuss:
- Who else was the main competition for the role of Tyler Durden?
- Is this a glamourisation of violence or a critical attack on conventional masculinity (could it be both?)
- Which controversial line from the script was actually a re-write for a different censored line.
- Is the best part of this film the reveal of the twist? Does the film lose something after it occurs?
- If Ed Norton actually good in this?
- Does Tyler Durden's Act I look still hold up as cool in 2020?
- If "Fight Club" is the Best Film Ever?
Tuesday Jun 09, 2020
Episode 14 - The Breakfast Club
Tuesday Jun 09, 2020
Tuesday Jun 09, 2020
We've only got 1 question for you: Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe? Join your favourite Transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - to review what has been called the quintessential film of the 1980s and the birth of the modern teen movie genre, The Breakfast Club on the 35th anniversary of its UK release. We're joined once again by our permaguests, Ellie & Georgia to discuss a movie that we hold near and dear to our hearts and view it again through a 2020 lens, which proves to be somewhat problematic. Join us as we discuss:
- The distinctions between this film and John Hughes' other masterpiece: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
- Which actors were originally offered the parts of John Bender and Allison
- How close did we come to a thick-bearded Russian janitor
- What lock-picking skills did Clare, The Princess, have to have to visit a fellow Breakfast Clubber
- How much is $31,000 USD in today's economy
- Does Emilio Estevez give the least realistic portrayal of the effects of marijuana ever?
- If "The Breakfast Club" is the Best Film Ever?
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Episode 13 - Die Hard With A Vengeance
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
This week it's all about what Simon Says as we discuss perahps the most fun film in the Die Hard fracnhise in Die Hard With A Vengeance. Join your favourite Transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - to review the first film in the Die Hard franchise where John McLane is home in New York. We're joined once again by our permaguests, Ellie & Georgia to discuss the movie that had a script that was called 'frail & ridiculous' - and that was by the director himself It's an adrenaline filled 13th episode as we discuss:
- Are the Die Hard films really Christmas films?
- Which actor was the character of Zeus written in mind for, only for the actor to turn it down
- What other film franchise was this script orginally purposed for
- Which character's look was described as 'mid-life crisis' by their co-stars
- How hard was it to write a believeable shrink in the 90s?
- How exactly do you get precisely 4 gallons of water in a 5 gallon jug (we did the math)
- If "Die Hard With A Vengeance" is the Best Film Ever?
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Episode 12 - Gladiator
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Are you not entertained? If so, feel free to leave us a 5* review - but we digress. Join your favourite Transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - to review our second Best Picture winner to date in Ridley Scott's 2000 Roman war epic, Gladiator. We're joined once again by our permaguests, Ellie & Georgia to discuss the movie that single-handedly revived the 'sword & sandles genre. It's a 12th episode full of strength & honour as we discuss:
- Just how problematic was the writing process for this film?
- Which actor refused to learn his new dialogue
- Who on the cast begged Russell Crowe to rough him up before big scenes
- Which piece of the score seemingly showed up in another box office smash just years later
- Who on the cast the producers counted on as an expert to preserve historical authenticity
- Who was the first choice for Maximus?
- If "Gladiator is the Best Film Ever?
Monday May 18, 2020
Monday May 18, 2020
AUDIO GREMLINS AGAIN - LIAM'S MIC VANISHES FOR 90 SECONDS BUT I PROMISE IT DOES COME BACK
I Wanna Be Loved By You - no that's not us begging for a 5* review, that's Marilyn Monroe in the 1959 classic, Some Like It Hot. Join your favourite Transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - to review our oldest film to this point. This week we're delighted and honoured to welcome Marshall & Dan from the Lil' Bitch Podcast to discuss the film, which was Dan's suggestion to us. We're joined once again by our permaguests, Ellie & Georgia to discuss Billy Wilder's second pairing with Marilyn Monroe after 'Some Like It Hot.' It's a type-O 11th episode as we discuss:
- How Tony Curtis & Jack Lemmon tested their female costume & make-up in the real world
- The studio's original choice of casting for the part of Gerry
- If Marilyn Monroe is actually a good actor. What makes a good actor?
- Which member of the cast was not invited to the wrap party
- How a line thrown into the script as a placeholder became one of the most infamous lines of all time
- If "Some Like It Hot" the Best Film Ever?
Tuesday May 12, 2020
Episode 10 - Chicago
Tuesday May 12, 2020
Tuesday May 12, 2020
THERE IS 20 SECONDS OF SILENCE IN THE OPENING AND THEN IT'S ALL GOOD
Give 'em the old razzle dazzle, razzle dazlle 'em. Join your favourite Transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - to review our first Academy Award Winner for Best Picture in Chicago. We're joined once again by our permaguests, Ellie & Georgia to discuss Rob Marshall's theatrical directorial debut and consider how he spun a meeting with Miramax over a different musical to a 6-Time Academy Award winner. It's a jazz-filled 10th episode as we discuss:
- Original casting desires for Roxy, Billy, and Mamma
- Who Harvey Weinstein wanted to play Kitty
- How Catherine Zeta-Jones auditioned for the role she would win her Oscar for
- Who from the 1975 and 1996 stage shows make their way into the film
- If Chicago is the Best Film Ever?
Monday May 04, 2020
Episode 9 - Star Wars (A New Hope)
Monday May 04, 2020
Monday May 04, 2020
May the Fourth Be With You... Always. Just as Disney Plus releases the film that ends the Skywalker Saga, there is no better time for your favourite Transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - to review the film that started it all with Star Wars (A New Hope). We're joined by our good friend and special guest Ethan from 'Talking The Mickey' alongside our permaguests, Ellie & Georgia. It's an epic 9th episode as we consider:
- Just how bad was the first cut of Star Wars?
- Which studios turned down George Lucas' 'Untitled Space Opera'
- Which cast member once paid another cast member £20 to go away
- Can you write a good story without writing a good script?
- Is Star Wars the Best Film Ever?
Tuesday Apr 28, 2020
Episode 8 - Moulin Rouge (with Debbie)
Tuesday Apr 28, 2020
Tuesday Apr 28, 2020
Spectacular, Spectacular - those are the only two words to describe this week's review of Moulin Rouge, brought to us by our very special guest, Debbie. Listen along to your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we follow Christian & Satinne, another dynamic pairing at the turn of the 20th Century. Join our permaguests, Ellie & Georgia around the digital roundtable. It's a Bohemian 8th episode as we consider:
- Just exactly how many songs were mashed-up in Elephant Love Medley
- Does it add or take away from our experience when the director purposefully jars us from our immersion in the film
- Who never forgave Baz Luhrman over not being cast in the film
- Is Moulin Rouge the Best Film Ever
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Episode 7 - The Princess Bride
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Monday Apr 20, 2020
A deeper dive than this on 'The Princess Bride'? INCONCEIVABLE! Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we let Grandpa Columbo regale us with the tale of Westley, Buttercup, Inigo, Fezzik & co. Join our special guests, Ellie & Georgia around the digital roundtable. It's a wish-filled 7th episode as we consider:
- What Mandy Patankin used as his motivation to play Inigo Montoya
- Which actor thought he was being fired every time Rob Reiner shouted 'cut'
- Who did Billy Crystal use as inspiration for the make-up on Miracle Max
- Is The Princess Bride the Best Film Ever?
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Episode 6 - The Theory of Everything
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we wind back the clock on the story of Jane & Stephen Hawking in 'The Theory of Everything'. Join our special guests, Ellie & Georgia around the virtual roundtable. It's a heartbreaking 6th episode as we consider:
- Is this film actually the tale of 2 love stories? (Three?)
- What is it about Tide that makes a bowtie sparkle under UV light?
- How much credence do we give those telling the story when it comes to its authenticity?
- Is The Theory of Everything the Best Film Ever?
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Episode 5 - Joker
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
We live in a society, or at least that's what Arthur Fleck tells us. Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we tackle our 2nd Oscar winning portrayal of the Joker in as many weeks. Join our special guests, Ellie & Georgia around the virtual roundtable. It's an epic 5th episode as we consider:
- How close is too close for a mother and son?
- What is it about a gun that makes you want to take your shirt off and dance?
- What if the entire film never actually happened. Was it worth watching it?
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Episode 4 - The Dark Knight
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
If you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain, we hope we're solidly in the hero phase. Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam as we tackle what is arguably Christopher Nolan's masterpiece with a special guest (Ellie) and Georgia in fact-check corner. It's an epic 4th episode as we learn:
- One of our members finds Batman dull
- The Jim Gordon's plan is crazier than anything The Joker comes up with
- Which character is 'The Dark Knight' about really?
Sunday Mar 22, 2020
Episode 3 - In Bruges
Sunday Mar 22, 2020
Sunday Mar 22, 2020
International travel may be on lockdown but join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we engage on a Belgian work-vacation with our friend Ellie in fact-check corner. It's a fun third episode as we learn:
- How many times you have to see a film before you can say you like it
- That Liam really likes Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Whether or not In Bruges is in fact, the Best Film Ever
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
Episode 2 - Amelie
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
If you're looking for a little optimism in these uncertain times, join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we engage on a Parisian vacation with our friend Georgia in fact-check corner. It's a fun second episode as we learn:
- The particulars of urinal etiquette
- Which of our hosts would prefer a comforting lie over a harsher truth
- Whether or not Amelie is in fact, the Best Film Ever
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
Episode 1 - Back To The Future
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
Great Scott! Join your favourite transatlantic podcasting duo - Ian & Liam - as we travel back in time with Doc Brown & Marty McFly first to 1985 and then to 1955. It's a fun debut as we learn:
- How your new favourite film review podcast came to be
- Which of Marty's parents were actually older than Michael J. Fox during recording
- Whether or not Back To The Future is in fact, the Best Film Ever