Ready For Close-Up

It's the end of the year again and Andy and Sam have coordinated their Best of 2024 lists of films they loved, admired, marvelled at or were so sickened by that they almost left the cinema! In an epic roundup, they not only talk about the splendid year this has been for the cinematic experience in general, but they discuss in detail their 10 top picks of the year. This (somewhat unexpectedly) includes anything from animated powerhouses to spectacular sequels, gruesome body horror to teenage romance,  witchy musicals and sexy tennis pulp to catholic politics. Overall, they find cinema to be in an excellent spot, catching up with delayed releases yet at the same time opening up new avenues for surprising highlights. It's a wrap, 2024, but we can't wait for the new year to dazzle us!

Giallo was by far the most productive and popular genre of Italian cinema of the 1960 and 70s: Shockingly bloody, daringly sexy and graphically gory murder mystery thrillers were all the rage and sold extremely well internationally, too. Directors like Mario Bava, Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci and Aldo Lado pushed boundaries with exciting visuals, experimental soundtracks and putting well known stars at the mercy of often leather-gloved or black-cloaked killers. What Andy and Sam find so fascinating is that despite their clear flaws (including terrible dubbing and questionable gender roles), they have proven enormously influential on modern horror thrillers and provide a fascinating glimpse into Italian society coming to terms with institutional repression.

The great Meryl Streep is turning 75 this week and Andy and Sam finally take the opportunity to extensively talk about her incredible filmography, from early Oscar fame in Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie's Choice to romantic favourites like Out of Africa and Bridges of Madison County, but also her great comedic work in Death Becomes Her, The Devil Wears Prada or indeed Mamma Mia! Her impact in dramatic and political films such as The Hours or The Post or TV work such as Angels in America and Only Murders in the Building also add to her incredible versatility in small or big roles. She is therefore rightfully called the best of her generation, has received innumerable awards and honours, such as recently in Cannes. We discuss why that is, what makes a Meryl Streep performance tick and why she has left such an indelible mark on cinema and our cultural memory. Join us for a festive appreciation!

The movie award season has just been officially ended with the handing out of the Oscars this week and Andy and Sam are discussing the 96th edition of these Academy Awards in their newest episode: Who won and who should have won? What were the biggest suprises and snubs (and Barbie is just one of them!) and what does the field of nominations really tell us about the state of cinema after an unusual year in film that was 2023? Listen in when we discuss our favourites and recommendations, from the blockbusters we refuse to see to the most original and most disturbing films of the year!

To wrap up their year in movies, Andy and Sam are looking back at 2023 as a much welcome return to good blockbuster and popcorn movies. Besides the obvious dominance of the Barbenheimer phenomenon and the shockwaves of the Hollywood strikes, the year did kick into gear again towards the end with some of our favourites hitting cinemas right in time for award season: From biopics to courtroom drama and from highly stylized thrillers to heartwarming musicals, our favourites eventually take us to the central question of the year: Was the plastic doll summer phenomenon a stronger contender of the year than one master director's masterful and harrowing depiction of a key episode in American history? Listen in to find out what we thought - and for some early 2024 highlights that we look forward to!

Finally, after months of suspense, Andy and Sam are back with a blockbuster episode on - well - a summer of blockbusters cut short by the two Hollywood strikes looming over future releases. What results is a two-edged discussion about the merits of Barbenheimer, the two main attractions this summer, which spoiled some of the profits of two anticipated sequels released weeks earlier, Indy 5 and the latest Mission: Impossible entry, Rogue Nation: Part One. And even though we were happy with most of our summer movie gifts, we discuss why our moviegoer hearts are also on the side of the writers and actors on strike, even if it means uncertain, yet interesting months ahead: What shall be released? 

With the new year just having started, it's mandatory for Andy and Sam to look back and compare our respective Best Movies of 2022 lists. Even though they overlap in parts and divert at times considerably, we agree on one thing in particular: The past year had fewer moments of complete cinematic indulgence, where we felt movies had truly swept us off our feet and lingered with us for days afterwards. Still, there were highlights, strangely enough many of them dealing with islands (The Menu, Glass Onion, Fire Island) and superpowers (The Batman, Wakanda Forever, Everything Everywhere All At Once) but also standout comedies (Bros, The Worst Person in the World), historical drama (Corsage, The Northman) and even horror (Bones and All, Nope)  Join us for a journey up our lists with a brief outlook at what we've missed and what we can't wait to see in 2023!

It's been a long summer travelling between Mexico City and Hollywood for Andy and the most scenic locations of southern Europe for Sam but we're back with a myriad of cinematic impressions, including some fresh theatrical releases: Universal's first mainstream LGBTQ+ romantic comedy Bros and the newest entry into the Marvel Universe, Wakanda Forever, have us both laughing and in tears - and mostly at the intended moments. Our reviews are imbued with gratitude and excitement for well-written and well-judged new releases and our preview is brimming with excitement for some of the highlights coming out this winter: from Avatar to Tar, and from Babylon to Bones and All, we can't wait for theatrical gifts to reveal themselves. Join us for our fall (p)review!

After a quick review of fresh content they have seen over the summer, Andy and Sam talk about recent movie-related exhibitions they have seen: the brand-new Oscar Academy Museum in Los Angeles and the Fellini exhibition at Zurich's Kunsthaus. From these impressions, they discuss what makes an inspiring and worthwhile movie museum and what criteria should be behind the selection and presentation of such exhibits. Besides their favourite movie displays, they also ask whether cinema is increasingly becoming a thing to be shown at museums and if that is necessarily a good or bad omen for movie-making as a whole. Join us to find out!

With July just round the corner, Andy and Sam have compiled their respective summer watchlists - from films they have recently seen at the cinema (Jurassic World Dominion, Everything Everywhere All at Once), fresh streaming content (Heartstopper, The Gilded Age, Stranger Things 4) to new productions they look forward to between summer and fall (Elvis, Thor: Love and Thunder, Nope, My Policeman). They discuss that with mainstream movies and franchises in full swing and with independent cinema and streaming platforms everywhere, it will be interesting to see which films will stick out and which will leave a lasting effect on our ever-growing watchlists. Join us for an overview of what's good and what's to come!

The release of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane in 1962 was followed by a decade of so-called Hagsploitation movies, in which former female Hollywood stars went at each others' throats as hair-raising psycho biddies. The genre has been highly controversial for its depiction of older women and therefore exposing ageism in Hollywood, but Andy and Sam have also found much cult potential and camp in the examples they have watched for this episode: Besides the Bette Davis/Joan Crawford classic, they discuss Tallulah Bankhead's turn in Fanatic! (1965), Debbie Reyolds and Shelley Winters in What's the Matter with Helen? (1971), as well as Ruth Gordon and Geraldine Page battling it out in Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice? (1968). Join our latest episode for some full-throated enthusiasm about the power of old ladies in 60s Hollywood and their legacy in cinema until today.

Overshadowed by that face-slapping scandal surrounding Best Actor winner Will Smith, winners and losers of the night were almost overlooked in an Oscar show that tried to reclaim some of its glamour and inspirational qualities post Covid. Andy and Sam review the night's big scandal but also its most important winners and the movies that clearly missed out. They find that the Academy Awards have been trying to do the impossible lately: compensating for past omissions and putting on a dated show format at a time when movie consumption habits have changed dramatically over the past couple of years. So will that face slap heard around the world serve as a wake-up call for the Academy?

Kenneth Branagh's new adaptation of Agatha Christie's murder mystery Death on the Nile happens to be the remake of one of Andy and Sam's favourite 1970s star ensemble movie, so they went into the new version understandably sceptically. The illustrous river cruise on the river Nile that turns into a blood fest only master detective Hercule Poirot can solve, has been updated to suit present-day tastes and while your podcasters warmed to it surprisingly, they still found much contrast in tone, character focus, production value and storytelling. Nothing beats the stellar cast of the 1978 original (Peter Ustinov alongside Maggie Smith, Mia Farrow, Bette Davis, David Niven or Angela Lansbury) but Branagh's ensemble - frontlined by Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Emma Mackie, Annette Bening and Russell Brand - offers deep insight into the director/main actor's own choices. Listen to find out more!

With January behind us, Andy and Sam wrap up their first movie experiences of 2022 in their latest episode. Besides catching up on some missed TV shows and Netflix fare, they have also immersed themselves in some fresh cinematic experiences. Their reviews of Guillermo del Toro's mystery thriller Nightmare Alley, the latest history-bending installment in the Kingsman series (King's Man - The Beginning) and especially the disaster satire Don't Look Up - in which mankind faces the ultimate threat of extinction - give them lots to rave and rage about. What should you watch and what can you definitely miss? Listen in to get your film year 2022 on the go!

With 2022 just starting, Andy and Sam have met for brunch to talk about 2021 and the year it was in movies. They discuss their highlights and disappointments - from House of Gucci and Hand of God to The Last Duel and Power of the Dog. They crown last year's stellar performances and analyse the life-changing nature of this second pandemic year for cinema as a whole. In the end, they remain hopeful that with many cinematic and streaming highlights behind and ahead of us, 2022 will prove to be an equally suprising and unexpected thrill ride. Join them at the table and listen in!

For this podcast, Andy and Sam have gone on a movie blind date, where they each present a film that they thought the other one would love - of course without revealing which one it is! In a rivetingly suspenseful episode, they each try to guess what movie was chosen for them, based on opening scenes, era and genre, the feel of the film and eventually the cast and crew. Will they guess correctly in time? No matter the outcome: Both have chosen thrillingly entertaining cult films that they have come to adore also for themselves. Join us in the guessing game!

The wait is finally over and James Bond is back at the cinema, but is NO TIME TO DIE really a Bond film to die for? Andy and Sam dive right into the spoilers, the controversies and the highlights surrounding Daniel Craig's final outing as Bond. Whereas Sam felt like being in Double-O-heaven repeatedly, Andy found himself wondering whether the serious drama of the Craig universe may have gone too far this time. There is no denying the many qualities of the film and the need to enjoy it as a theatrical experience. However, there's also the future of the series to consider: What lies ahead for the most successful franchise after the dramatic closure of this chapter in the Bond canon? Listen to find out!

The release of the epic science-fiction spectacle DUNE marks the second time Frank Herbert‘s cult novel has been put on the big screen. Andy and Sam review Dennis Villeneuve's visually stunning adaptation of this thinly veiled Messiah tale and compare it to the famously failed David Lynch version of the 1980s. While both boast grand production designs and incredible star ensembles, it's the new cinematic take that is able to build the best out of Herbert and Lynch's worlds and keep anticipation high for the second part yet to come. Listen to our newest episode to see where Andy and Sam stand in this double DUNE debate! 

After a long and memorable summer, Andy and Sam finally take the chance to review the fabulous Oscar-winning THE FATHER, starring a stunning Anthony Hopkins as a man descending into dementia. Instead of being purely tragic, Florian Zeller's film manages to create an utterly immersive, funny, unnerving and truly cinematic experience. We take a walk down movie memory lane as well, passing other great movies that have put memories at their centre. As it turns out, some of our favourite movies and directors have dealt with the issues that go to the very heart of what filmmaking is: make believe.

Our 18th episode means our podcast is coming of age and Andy and Sam are coming out! Our tribute to Pride Month is a discussion of our favourite LGBTQ+ films and the changes queer cinema has gone through over time. The past decades since the first 'gay movie' we saw have seen queer characters evolve from sidelined and supporting characters to being front and center of film, TV and streaming productions. However, while massive social progress has been made on queer rights, we find LGBTQ+ cinema will still be utterly relevant in telling the stories of impossible loves across time and space. So while being proud of our achievement, there is still a lot to be done and film will be central in achieving this.

After almost a year of podcasting, Andy and Sam finally manage to review a fresh batch of cinema and streaming releases! From highly acclaimed Oscar winners Promising Young Woman and Druk - Another Round to Disney's newest origin story Cruella, and from German LGBTQ+ firsts (Futur Drei and All You Need) to long-awaited Netflix besteller adaptation The Woman in the Window, they have found a lot to admire, criticise and dissect. Refreshing characters and original screenplays still clearly win the day and there's hope that the next batch of productions is already in the works!

This week's Oscar ceremony provided a somewhat anti-climactic ending to a very unique 2021 award season: a few expected winners (Nomadland's Best Director and Best Movie Awards), but just as many surprises (Anthony Hopkins and Frances McDormand winning Best Actors) and perceived snubs (Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis). Andy and Sam review the most important awards of the evening, as well as the unusual Oscar ceremony itself before dissecting four of this year's most nominated movies: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Promising Young Woman, Trial of the Chicago 7 and Mank. They question especially whether these films meet the criteria for a truly satisfying cinematic journey.

Faye Dunaway was arguably the biggest female star of late 60s and 70s Hollywood. She starred in an incredible string of great movies alongside the hottest stars and directors of the day - from Bonnie and Clyde to The Thomas Crown Affair and Chinatown. Her Oscar for Network (1976) seemed to be another logical step in her high-flying career. But things were to take a very different turn - so whatever happened? Andy and Sam pay tribute to the last true Hollywood diva, recommend ten movies from her filmography and discuss the impact she's had on the film industry and female stars of her calibre since. They find that no one has since ever been quite as faye-mous!

One year into the global pandemic lockdowns, Andy and Sam finally take you on a journey through lockdowns at the movies: From classic theatrical role models and their adaptations in almost all cinematic genres, we have found great instances of characters locked down or locked in (even into themselves!) - be it Agatha Christie-style whodunits, intricate horror, racy thrillers, suspenseful disaster movies or moving drama. And although we find these huis clos scenarios a powerful cinematic device, we are convinced that post-Corona lockdown audiences will look forward to entering the wide world again - also in future theatrical outings!

Our first episode of 2021 focuses on Master Director Ingmar Bergman, Sweden's most famous filmmaker. Andy and Sam discover that Bergman's cinema does not just feature serious subject matter and mesmerizing acting, but also offers fascinating symbolism, humour and warmth. After discussing Bergman's style and influence, we focus on two of his key films, the allegorical journey of Wild Strawberries (1957) and the panopticon that is Fanny and Alexander (1982) before giving our personal recommendations of what else to watch by the director. Far from being bleak and depressing, just like Bergman, our episode offers insights along with music from his fascinating cinematic universe. 

With 2020 coming to a close, it could certainly appear as an 'annus horribilis' for cinema and movie-going. Andy and Sam, instead, have found a lot to love about a year spent rediscovering classic movies and TV, as well as the wide range of new streaming productions. From Ryan Murphy's Netflix contributions to Swiss historical mini-series Frieden, from Barbara Stanwyck's early career to Hitchcock's television laboratory and from recent Korean to Italian genre cinema, 2020 in fact only whet our movie geek appetites for a hopefully more regular cinematic 2021.

Oscar-winning film composer John Barry might be most famous for his eleven James Bond scores and the romantic sound of epics like Out of Africa or Dances with Wolves, but when Andy and Sam went through the complete John Barry Songbook (created by Sam for Spotify and YouTube), they explore the varied nature of the 'Barry sound' and pick their respective favourites. From the grand title themes of the Bond series to unknown gems by Shirley Bassey, Mamma Cass or Tony Bennett, they discover that there's much more to Barry than meets the ear.

Our 10th episode is dedicated to iconic actor Sean Connery, who sadly passed away on 31st October. Andy and Sam trace his career from humble beginnings to his instant Bond fame in the 1960s and from hard times in the 70s to the beloved father figure and mentor he played so well in the 1980s and 90s. We discover that Connery's presence (and voice!) are reason enough to watch almost any movie and we pick our favourite screen roles from each decade. So join us for a nostalgic ride through time in memoriam Sir Sean Connery!

In our first of a series of episodes on Master Directors, Andy & Sam talk Alfred Hitchcock, the famous Master of Suspense. After an overview of his life and career, we discuss what makes "Hitch" such a unique yet influential director. We analyse two prime examples of his style, Rear Window and The Lady Vanishes and give our recommendation of must-see Hitchcocks: a starter package, our personal favourites and guilty pleasures. Join us for a suspenseful thrillride of an episode!

TENET, Christopher Nolan's sci-fi spy thriller, marks the first major theatrical release since the worldwide Covid-19 restrictions. Andy and Sam take the chance to look at Nolan's consistently fascinating filmic output but also to see his newest release as part of his increasing time-bending cinematic universe. We measure it up against Bond and other role models but also against Nolan himself: Is it as satisfying as Memento, the Batman trilogy or Inception? Listen to find out!

Psycho thrillers have boomed as a genre ever since Hitchcock's 1960 masterpiece Psycho hit the screens. In its shadow, however, Michael Powell's Peeping Tom about a murdering photographer almost entirely disappeared, having caused moral outrage in Britain and destroying the careers of its stars and director. Andy & Sam discuss their fascination with the genre before reviewing Peeping Tom after a screening at Zurich's Filmpodium. They find more than one reason to adore what they have seen! 

The world of film music has recently lost legendary Italian composer Ennio Morricone so Andy and Sam take the opportunity to talk soundtracks in this episode. Starting with a look at our prefered scores, we ask ourselves how the role of music in film has developed over time and where the "Morricone sound" fits in. We then present our very subjective top 10 Morricone Moments in tribute to the late Maestro!

Not all the movies we love are great - some are certified stinkers and have still become our guilty pleasures. In this episode, Andy & Sam seek to define what gives us so much joy watching them. We take an in-depth look at our respective guilty pleasure favorites, the abysmal Hollywood drama Valley of the Dolls (1967) and the trainwreck of a disaster movie that is The Cassandra Crossing (1976). Listen to us pleading for bad movies to help us broaden our love for film.

Do you have favorite movies of all time and do you keep a list of them? Andy & Sam track down and analyze the most popular and prestigious best-of lists, focusing on the British and American Film Institute's international influence. They review two of the most named titles, Citizen Kane and Hitchcock's Vertigo and they explore personal favorites - from classics to recent favorites. Join their conversation of the greatest in cinema! 

Not only since Corona have cinemas been in crisis: Streaming platforms have seriously challenged people's preparedness to go see a movie at a theatre. In our newest episode, we discuss our fascination with the big screen, the prospects of future cinemas and the challenges posed by TV, video and the internet in the past. We also try to make recommendations what successful cinemas there are and why - from local gems in Bern and Zurich to international favourites!

The second episode of Ready for Close Up takes Sam & Andy deep into the James Bond universe - from the origins of his mass appeal in the sixties to the hopes for the latest postponed installment, No Time To Die. In between, we discuss Best of Bond and why 007 has become the longest-running franchise in movie history. Certified Bond enthusiasts for sure, but will they choose their witicisms carefully enough? Listen to find out!

Üse erscht Versuech in the world of podcasts. Andy & Sam diskutiere d Netflix-Serie Hollywood. Wi güet isch d Mini-Serie über di jungi multikulturelli Truppe a Filmschaffende, wo's im Hollywood vo dr Nachchriegszyt probiere z schaffe? Well, lights, camera & podcast - come and find out!