Cinema with Cyrus

In this episode I apply some in-depth analysis of the new Matrix movie.    SPOILERS AHEAD

In this episode I go back to basics and talk about one of the foundations of analysing cinema: camera movement. What different movements are there, why they are used and what they can convey. I expand upon these points with examples you can go ahead and watch for yourselves.

  In this episode I discuss the Spanish film "The Platform" which is currently on Netflix. It's got a lot of rich imagery and symbolism so was well worth a detailed look.   *spoilers ahead*

  "What is the best Batman movie?"A question many have mulled over for years, well here I am to conclusively prove that Batman Returns is the answer. How you ask? Listen and find out!

This episode is all about mockumentaries, what are they? Why do people make them? And what do they say about us?   The history of mockumentaries is fascinating and crosses numerous mediums, tune into the episode to find out more!

In this episode of Cinema with Cyrus, I am looking at the technique of Montage. The film theory behind it and going over numerous examples of how it can be employed in different ways.

Finishing off my Corona-cast series of looking at pandemic films comes my final review of the feature. For this episode I chose 2013's The Flu as something a bit different within the genre that most people would not have heard of.   Does it do the genre justice and is it worth watching? Listen and find out.

  Continuing my Corona-Cast feature looking at pandemic films, I've made my way up to 2011's Contagion. Is this a film I think you'll want to catch or lockdown yourself to avoid? Listen and find out.

  Hayoa Miyazaki is frankly one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. With his standalone feature films being put onto Nextflix recently, it was time I dedicated a whole episode to discussing this master of cinema and his work.   In this episode I talk about his wider themes and what makes his films so unique, alongside a brief discussion of each of his films specifically.   Enjoy.

  Are you looking for someone to review contagion and pandemic films so you know whether or not to distance yourself from them? Well you are in luck, because I'm doing just that with my Corona-Cast series. This episode I review REC. Enjoy.

Continuing my "Corona-Cast" series, I've reviewed yet another film on the topic of viruses and contagions. This episode I'm looking at 1995's Outbreak.   Is this a film you should infect your film collection with or not? Listen and find out.

I've decided to watch and review some topical films for a few episodes, so will be dedicating each episode to a different pandemic/contagion style film for "Corona-cast" season. This is the second episode in that feature.  Hopefully you can see which ones you'll want to enjoy whilst in lockdown and which to avoid like the plague. This episode I'm looking at Warning Sign (1985). Enjoy!

  I've decided to watch and review some topical films for a few episodes, so will be dedicating each episode to a different pandemic/contagion style film for "Corona-cast" season.   Hopefully you can see which ones you'll want to enjoy whilst in lockdown and which to avoid like the plague. This episode I'm looking at The Andromeda Strain (1971). Enjoy!

  With everyone talking about Oscar winner past and present, I figured I'd take a break from the big films and talk about some lesser known gems you might enjoy.

  This episode I am doing something a bit different. Rather than discussing things other people have made, I'm looking at how I would have made a film differently. The film is question is Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker. It was such a poor film that I thought I could do better, what do you think of my version?   Also, if you like my podcast and want to say thanks and help donate to my running costs for this podcast, you can do so via this link: https://www.paypal.me/cinemaCyrus     

This episode I discuss the final part of the Star Wars Saga: Rise of Skywalker.Be warned, there are spoilers! Also, if you like my podcast and want to say thanks and help donate to my running costs for this podcast, you can do so via this link: https://www.paypal.me/cinemaCyrus 

It's Christmas time, so what could be more festive than a review of Die Hard 2! Have you ever wondered about what insights into feminism and neoliberalism can be gleaned from Die Hard 2? If so, then this is the episode for you! Feel free to get in touch on Twitter @CyrusBales If you want to support my podcast or want me to review a specific film you can donate here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/cinemaCyrus and tell me which film you'd like me to review. As long as I can get a copy I'll do an episode reviewing it!    

In this episode I review Martin Scorsese's newest film, The Irishman, that recently released on Netflix. If you want to get in touch, please tweet me @Cyrusbales Lastly, if you want to support my podcast or want me to review a specific film you can donate here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/cinemaCyrus and tell me which film you'd like me to review. As long as I can get a copy I'll do an episode reviewing it!

This episode I've taken questions from my listeners about cinema and answered them as best I can. It's all very off the cuff and I apologize if I get stuck in and ramble, but I do love talking about cinema! If you'd like to get in touch with me, tweet me @CyrusBales Lastly, if you want to support my podcast, you can donate here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/cinemaCyrus

With the release of Terminator: Dark Fate, I decided to take a look back at the first two Terminator films and finally work out which one of them is better and why. If you'd like to get in touch, tweet me @CyrusBales If you'd like to support this podcast and help me cover my costs as it's not free to make and host, please do so here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/cinemaCyrus Enjoy

  In this episode of Cinema with Cyrus I asked my listeners to suggest films they like that I might not have seen. I selected the ones I hadn't seen that I could get hold of and gave them a watch and wrote my reviews of them. You may love or hate what I had to say about the film you recommended, so give it a listen and see.   If you want to get in touch and recommend movies or topics for my podcast, tweet me @CyrusBales. Also, if you enjoy my podcast and want to help me cover the costs of hosting it, you can donate via https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/cinemaCyrus   Thanks and enjoy!

  This week saw the release of the JOKER film, with everybody giving their opinions on it, so why not me as well? In this episode I give a detailed analysis of the movie, be aware there are a few little spoilers within my review. Let me know if you agree with me or not, get in touch on Twitter @CyrusBales and I'll be sure to see it. Also, if you like my podcast and want to say thanks and help donate to my running costs for this podcast, you can do so via this link: https://www.paypal.me/cinemaCyrus 

  Sequels are rarely as good at the original movie, but there are a few exceptions that are at least worth talking about. In this episode of Cinema with Cyrus, I am taking a look at Robocop and it's sequel and comparing their various merits and pitfalls to determine which of them I think is better.  I'm sure some of you will disagree, so why not get in touch with me on Twitter @CyrusBales.   To those of you who've been enjoying my podcast and want to help me cover things like hosting fees, feel free to drop me a couple of quid here: https://www.paypal.me/CinemaCyrus    

  This episode I am looking at the pioneers of cinema in the 20's in a specific part of the world. The richly textured masterpieces of the German Expressionist movement of cinema.  If you want to get in touch with me about the podcast, tweet me @CyrusBales.

  This week's episode is my first "director's spotlight" of my podcast. This time I'm looking at the visionary auteur whose films I grew up with, Terry Gilliam. His unique brand of oddness deserves my attention and discussion of the finer points of themes within his body of work. Let me know what you think, get in touch with on Twitter @CyrusBales.

In this episode, I discuss my favourite villains from the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock. A man renowned for excellent psychological thrillers that shaped the world of cinema. How he portrays their psyche's and why they are such iconic and powerful figures of cinema.   Get in touch with me on Twitter @CyrusBales

In this week's episode I've taken a different approach to normal. Rather than fawning over a brilliant piece of cinema, I'm discussing a film that isn't good, despite it's popularity. The movie in question is Batman Begins. Let me know what you think, get in touch with on Twitter @CyrusBales.

  In this weeks episode I share my micro-analysis of the opening sequence of Stanley Kubrick's classic "A Clockwork Orange". Discussing how much rich information and symbolism he managed to squeeze into the first two or so minutes. It's an impressive piece of cinema from one of the all-time greats and I wanted to share quite how exceptional it is. If you are interested in my doing more micro-analysis, get in touch on Twitter @CyrusBales.

This is the final part of my ten part feature on 100 years of favourite films. Picking my favourite movie from each calendar year and sharing them with you.  After all these weeks we've finally gotten to the end. So what movies were my favourite from the last ten years? Give it a listen and find out. Let me know what you think and Tweet me @CyrusBales. Enjoy.

  This is the penultimate part of my ten part feature on 100 years of favourite films. Picking my favourite movie from each calendar year and sharing them with you. We've come along way and this episode sees us cross the threshold of the millennium. The rise of Korean cinema to the highest pinnacle and some of the most beautiful films ever made get talked about this week.  Let me know what you think and Tweet me @CyrusBales. Enjoy.

This is the eighth part of my ten part series looking at my favourite film from each year of the last 100 years. Starting right back in 1918 and going through to 2018 with ten films per episode. This week it's 1988-1997, we've got entries from a pair of directors who I consider to be some of the finest living filmmakers as well as some unknown but brilliant movies you'll want to check out. Let me know what you think and Tweet me @CyrusBales. Enjoy.

This is the seventh part of my ten part series looking at my favourite film from each year of the last 100 years. Starting right back in 1918 and going through to 2018 with ten films per episode. This week it's 1978-1987, the last that that Hollywood was truly great and the 80s action film reigned supreme.  Let me know what you think and Tweet me @CyrusBales. Enjoy.

This is the sixth part of my ten part series looking at my favourite film from each year of the last 100 years. Starting right back in 1918 and going through to 2018 with ten films per episode. This week it's 1968-1977, the time where New Hollywood came to the forefront. Artists were imbued with the flexibility to make unconventional films how they wanted to.  Let me know what you think and Tweet me @CyrusBales. Enjoy.

This is the fifth part of my ten part series looking at my favourite film from each year of the last 100 years. Starting right back in 1918 and going through to 2018 with ten films per episode. This week it's 1958-1967, the heyday of the master of suspense Alfred Hitchock, but how many of his films make my list? As well as the first appearance on my list for legendary; and arguably greatest director of all time; Stanley Kubrick. Let me know what you think and Tweet me @CyrusBales. Enjoy.

This is the fourth part of my ten part series looking at my favourite film from each year of the last 100 years. Starting right back in 1918 and going through to 2018 with ten films per episode. This week it's 1948-1957, and it seems that many concept dramas wowed for this decade of cinema. Simple set-ups with powerful scripts, performed exquisitely. Let me know what you think and Tweet me @CyrusBales. Enjoy.

  This is the third part of my ten part series looking at my favourite film from each year of the last 100 years. Starting right back in 1918 and going through to 2018 with ten films per episode. This week it's 1938-1947, deep into the territory of my favourite film-making movement, Film Noir. In this episode I talk about some of the most classic movies of all time during the golden age of Hollywood.

  This is the second part of my ten part series looking at my favourite film from each year of the last 100 years. Starting right back in 1918 and going through to 2018 with ten films per episode. This week it's 1928-1937, the dawn of the talkies and the rise to fame of one of Hollywood's greatest stars, Clark Gable. In this episode I also talk about a film that was considered so horrific it nearly never saw the light of day.

  This is the first part of my ten part series looking at my favourite film from each year of the last 100 years. Starting right back in 1918 and going through to 2018 with ten films per episode. This week it's 1918-1927, looking at some of the pioneers of cinema during the silent age.