21st Film

Mel Gibson is a sexist Neanderthal. Also, he starred in the movie 'What Women Want'.

One of the most highly acclaimed documentaries of all time, Lorcan is joined by former schoolmate Lena Delaney of the Adjust Your Tracking podcast to discuss Agnès Varda's exploration of people who, for a variety of reasons, go to farms or vineyards or markets or anywhere else in France in which they can 'glean' whatever leftovers there are and make the most out of other people's leftovers. It's a personal and political film that feels as resonant now as it did at the start of the century. Next week:

Lorcan is rejoined by the academic Nuri McBride to discuss the metafictional tale of the production of 'Nosferatu', one of the key texts of the vampire and horror genres, including an Oscar-nominated turn from Willem Defoe as Max Schreck, the ultimate method actor.

The world of fantasy cinema, and its reputation of being box office poison, was turned upside down when the first Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies were released. But that was in 2001. In 2000, the most high-profile fantasy film released was the long-awaited adaptation of the legendary role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, and it is widely seen as one of the worst films of its genre and the year of its release. Lorcan has called upon the experience of comedian, former, and recently reacquainted D&Der David Tsonos to talk about the film adaptation and his life in his native Canada, having recently become a stand-up comedian and dipping his toe in the Vancouver scene at the turn of the millennium. Next episode: 'Shadow of the Vampire' with Nuri McBride.

It's a cross-promotion episode, as Lorcan provides you with an old episode from his other film podcast. Whilst 21st Film attempts to be a considered, earnest, and polite discussion about not just a film's merits, but its place in the cultural context of both its time of release as that era is now seen in hindsight, and what merit or position it holds in a society more than two decades removed from its initial release. When it comes to BOWOB, we mostly will take turns insulting the film as creatively as possible, before making a recomendation of a uch better British film, and then pointing out that none of us (the other two being previous 'O Brother' guest Thom Hodkinson, and film non-liker Michael Bell) have any right to criticise anyone else on what they've produced or contributed to the world.

The first returning guest of 21st Film joins Lorcan for this episode, as Adam Hawker follows up with the film that established Vin Diesel as a leading man in 'Pitch Black' with the final film of Paul Verhoeven's run in Hollywood since 'Robocop' in 1987 as perhaps the most subversive voice working in big budget filmmaking. The subject matter of what a man could do without having to look at themselves in the mirror would therefore appear to be right down Verhoeven's alley. However, it's long had the reputation of being the worst film of his filmography, and the one that Verhoeven himself has said he can't defend. Is this a film due a reappraisal? Could even its own director be too harsh? In a culture that seems to have become much more toxic now that we don't have to suffer the reprucussion of seeing the people we spew hatred towards, does this film now have more resonance? Listen to find out!

It's a podcast crossover episode, as Lorcan is joined by one-third of the fabulous 'Best Pick' podcast, Tom Salinsky, to discuss a film that was never going to trouble the Academy Award voters in 2000, Harold Ramis's third of a loose trilogy of films about highly imperfect men being confronted by fantastical events to hopefully change them for the better. However, instead of it being the Bill Murray/Michael Keaton wiseass, it's the ever lovable innocence of Brendan Fraser that sees his nerdy office drone try to resolve his unrequited love problem with the aid of Liz Hurley's seductively charming Satan. A remake of the beloved Peter Cook/Dudley Moore 1967 comedy, could this Hollywood reinterpretation match the biting satirical tongue of Cook? It's a film that has its defenders (perhaps even one of them within the episode itself). Let's see if that's a defence that is valid... Next week: Lorcan is rejoined by Adam Hawker to discuss Paul Verhoeven's last film in Hollywood, Hollow Man.

The second part of the Lorcan Mullan Podcast Universe crossover is here, and there really was no appropriate choice for the 2000 film that cashed in on the 1998 craze of pro wrestling than his 'Let Me Tell You Something' co-host Simon Cross. Unfortunate timing for those involved in 'Ready to Rumble' meant reliance on a moribund wrestling promotion, and an even more moribund script. The LMTYS boys are here to work their way through the wreckage and try to stop themselves from using too many insider terms for a separate part of pop culture that they obsess over. Next week: 'Bedazzled' with Tom Salinsky from the 'Best Pick' podcast

The first Coen Brothers film of the twenty-first century is the pick from the first guest for a two-part Lorcan Mullan Podcast Universe special, as we are joined this week by Lorcan's co-host on the 'Best of Worst of British' podcast by the comedian, promoter, and podcaster Thom Hodkinson. Thom is used to having to discuss films with Lorcan that really grind his gears, so it's fair to say he's more than a little bit excited to talk about his favourite Coen Brothers film, and a key moment in his development as a film fan, which coincided with important changes to how we consumed entertainment at the turn of the century.

The first of the five films from 2000 to gain a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars, it's fair to say this sort of populist drama (with the potential sub-genre of 'cosy drama' offered within the episode) wouldn't be as frequently near the awards ceremonies, but this was the era of the Weinsteins and the blockbuster romantic novel adaptation. Lorcan is joined by the academic and perfumer Nuri McBride to discuss this sensory-heavy offering.

Dracula goes nu-metal as Lorcan is joined by the writer, academic, and expert in all things goth to both reappraise this oft-forgotten chapter in the Transylvanian's mammoth number of cinematic outings, and also to delve deeper into his guest's own experiences growing up in the early years of the 21st century and starting to embrace the gothic lifestyle, which continues to be a great source of fascination in her own work.

The first real flop of Adam Sandler's career as a leading man came with this ambitious attempt to move into the bigger-budget, special effects heavy high concept comedy world. At the time it was seen as a flop, but does over two decades of distance allow the strengths to come to the forefront? Lorcan has brought in comedian, writer, broadcaster Matthew Crosby (one third of the fantastic sketch troupe Pappy's) to help make that assessment from his perspective as a long-time Sandler fan who recalls being disappointed when he saw the film back in 2000.

Sorry for the delay on this one. Lorcan has the explanation.

A film that became a meme long before memes had a name, and that was also defined by its “Oscar bait” premise by the contemporary critics, is this film due a full reappraisal? Your host Lorcan Mullan is here to find out and is joined by the writer and podcaster Hannah George (‘Drunk Women Solving Crime') to help him out. They'll bounce opinions back and forth quicker than an Olympic volleyball rally until they spike down the correct conclusion.

Podcasts are often just a couple of people making it all up as they go along, so it seems appropriate that the first 21st Film that falls under the improvised comedy umbrella, directed by Christopher Guest, perhaps the greatest auteur of the entire genre, sees Lorcan (@lorcanmullan) joined by Pippa Evans (@IAmPippaEvans). Evans is part of the Olivier Award-winning improv troupe Showstopper and has a CV of improvisation experience, from performing to teaching, on stage and screen, that is second to none. Her new book 'Improv Your Life', is available in all book outlets and you should get it as soon as you've listened to this episode.    

For the first time, Lorcan (@lorcanmullan) is entering an episode watching a film that he hasn't seen before, either in 2000 or any of the other twenty intervening years. Guiding him along the way is the horror enthusiast, writer, and director Nat Luurtsema (@natluurtsema).

A sex comedy about a bunch of young men trying to keep a sex tape away from our main hero's girlfriend. Yep, there will definitely be nothing questionable here that hasn't aged badly. Joining Lorcan (@lorcanmullan) is the comedian Chris Thorburn (@CBThorburn) who essentially condensed this whole conversation into an extremely funny two-minute video that went viral.

What are your top 5 romantic comedy films from the year 2000 with a background of the retail industry completely blind to the impending doom of online piracy and streaming services? If you don't have High Fidelity in your top 5 list then you're exactly the kind of hipster that Rob Gordon and his Championship Vinyl cohorts would love to be around. But instead you've got Lorcan (@lorcanmullan) and this week's guest Richard Soames (@richardsoames) to discuss one of the definitive examples of pop culture obsessives and the stunted man-child who refuses to accept adult responsibility.  

Lorcan Mullan (@lorcanmullan) is joined this week with the comedian and podcaster Adam Hawker (@adhawkeye) to discuss the sci-fi thriller 'Pitch Black', the film more than any other brought Vin Diesel to mainstream attention, and retains a strong cult following to this day. Check out Adam's podcast series 'Cineilliterate' Next episode: 'High Fidelity' with Richard Soames

For the first full episode of 21st Film, Lorcan Mullan (@lorcanmullan) is joined by the comedian, director, and podcaster Stuart Laws (@thisstuartlaws) to discuss Danny Boyle's first foray into big budget Hollywood, and Leonardo DiCaprio's first major leading role post-Titanic, in the adaptation of the Alex Garland cult 90s novel 'The Beach' Check out Laws' new series 'Grave New World' on Amazon Prime Video. Next episode: 'Pitch Black' with Adam Hawker

An introduction to the new film podcast series from Lorcan Mullan, co-host and producer of 'Best of Worst of British' and 'Let Me Tell You Something'. Next episode  - 'The Beach' with Stuart Laws