Best Film Ever

Episode 24 - Speed (with Ethan from Talking The Mickey)

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.

Episode 23 - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011 - English Language)

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.

Reel Roundtable #1 - Worst Films Ever

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.  

Episode 22 - Dangerous Minds (With Debbie)*

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.

Episode 21 - Toy Story (Crossover with Talking The Mickey)

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.

Episode 20 - Clueless

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 19^th 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 20^th 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.

Episode 19 - The Crow

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 19^th 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.

Episode 18 - The Grand Budapest Hotel (Audience Request)

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.

Episode 17 - Apollo 13

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.

Episode 16 - Days of Thunder (with Richard)

 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.

Episode 15 - Fight Club (Audience Request)

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?

Episode 14 - The Breakfast Club

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?

Episode 13 - Die Hard With A Vengeance

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?

 

 

Episode 12 - Gladiator

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?

Episode 11 - Some Like It Hot (Feat: Lil' Bitch Podcast) - Audience Selection

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?

Episode 10 - Chicago

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?

Episode 9 - Star Wars (A New Hope)

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?

Episode 8 - Moulin Rouge (with Debbie)

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

Episode 7 - The Princess Bride

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?

Episode 6 - The Theory of Everything

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?

Episode 5 - Joker

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?

Episode 4 - The Dark Knight

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?

Episode 3 - In Bruges

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

Episode 2 - Amelie

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

Episode 1 - Back To The Future

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