Screen Brum – Brum Radio

Another short round up of what the ScreenBrum team have been watching, and some suggestions listeners. We always love to hear your thoughts so let us know what you make of our suggestions, and let us know what you are watching.

We talk to Bhulla Beghal of Bluebell Films about his brilliant lockdown short film Home Time, which warmly tells the tale of a boy missing school whilst under quarantine. See the film here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsetKUSL8hw&t=3s

More film and TV recommendations to help you through Lockdown. On this episode Blake and Tim talk about the soundtracks they love, which are not always from the films they love...

Nina Jones, filmmaker and researcher talks us through her fascination with the genre of true crime, discussing why it might be so popular and recommending some viewing for the newcomer starting with the “absolutely bananas” The Tiger King on Netflix. If your appetite for true crime is whetted, Nina suggests The Staircase on Netflix, a documentary from 2004 containing some “jaw dropping moments”. Nina also talks about the thorny issue of the ethics of true crime filmmaking, and the moral murkiness that can sometime ensue. Outside of crime, Nina recommends Jennifer Lopez’s brilliant Hustlers, and some comfort viewing in the form of the Harry Potter movies and a nostalgia hit with Harrison Ford in Witness.

Our series exploring the movies that are helping people deal with their confinement in lockdown continues with Costa Prize winning novelist Catherine O'Flynn. Catherine talks about wathing Columbo and the Waltons with her kids, seeking solace with Walter Matthau in the wonderful A New Leaf, the genius of Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon and The Caine Mutiny and the newfound joy to be found in Konnie Huq’s regular lockdown youtube videos

Another set of lockdown watches, this time recommended by writer Darren Gaskell

Dr Lester is an expert on children's TV and film, and we ask her to recommend some things to help the younger viewer (and their carers) to get through lockdown. She talks us through some films and TV you'll know and some you may not, and explains to us the concept of "nicecore" movies.

Our guide to what to watch during lockdown continues with special guest Dr Alaina Schempp, film academic and scriptwriter who talks to us about the amine delights to be found on netflix and the joy of sharing a screen with others.

Film researcher Luis Freijo Escudero joins us from Spain, talking about his experience of lockdown, and what he is watching to help him through it.

Lockdown isn't stopping us watching films, goodness me no. The screenbrum team talk about what is helping them through lockdown and what else in the world of film is bringing them cheer.

We recommend some viewing to get you through time stuck at home. Recommendations and optimism from Professor Rob Stone of Birmingham University.

Bonus edition of movies to watch to cheer you up in these difficult times.

The ScreenBrum team take a meander through the large and varied body of work by the great Nicolas Cage. How many phases has his career been through? What are the high points? How do you understand the man? Is it something you should even try? No answers, but lots of fun asking the questions.

Screenbrum welcome the roaring twenties the only way we know how – by prattling on about the films and TV we are most looking forward to. From the blockbusters to the smaller indies, we look ahead and what we hope will be a landmark year on screen. We’re sure we’ve missed loads. Let us know!

Vote ScreenBrum! In honour of the impending UK general election, we talk about our favourite elections on screen, and our favourite fictional candidates. But don't worry, there is no mention of fiscal policy or the detail of education strategy - although we are joined by a professional educator in Dr Michele Aaron, head of the Screening Rights Film Festival, talking about the latest incarnation of the festival, and some of the wonderful films you can look forward to. Strong and Stable Radio.

On this edition of ScreenBrum we delve into the odd world of “Trash Movies” – films that were made with the best of intentions, but which didn’t wind up troubling the Oscar committee too much. Regular hosts Tim, Lucy and Blake are joined by the organisers of Trash Film Night, a regular night in the city where some of the forgotten "gems" of the genre are shown and discussed. Over the course of the show we talk about what constitutes a "Trash" movie, and what doesn't qualify. And we pick some of the high/low points of the genre.

We have been lying fallow for a while but the ScreenBrum show is blooming, sending our bright petals out into the world with the flush of spring on our leaves. Which is to say that our theme this week is FLOWERS ON SCREEN – our favourite film and TV about flowers, or where flowers play a key role. We are also joined by Sukayna from Screen B14, the latest community cinema in the city, who tells us about their programme of events and gives her favourite flower in film.

The creak of a leather saddle, the crunch of boot on sandy ground, the flinty eyes of the silent stranger taking in the glares of the suspicious townsfolk. There is nothing more quintessentially USA than the Western movie, right? Maybe not, we explore the world of taking the wild west out of the western, and look at World Cinema Westerns, with our special guest Luis Frejio of Birmingham University’s B-Film unit. What makes a film a “Western” anyway? Can you have a Western without the guns and hats? Luis talks us through his research into the idea of the Western as about frontiers, and the people that walk them. We are also joined this week by filmmakers Carl Timms and Daniel Alexander to introduce the exciting 2Weeks2MakeIt competition for local filmmakers and musicians. And, of course, we play some Ennio Morricone, it would be rude not to.

ScreenBrum are very pleased to welcome Doctor Matt Lawson, academic musicologist and co-author of "The 100 Greatest Film Scores" to the studio. Matt talks about the history of film music, and the magic that can happen when visuals and the score combine to create something truly electrifying. We talk about the great composers, the unsung champions and what the future might hold. Plus, we learn what "metadiegetic" means. All this and pointing you to some amazing music. You will not want to miss this one.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: This is not the show to listen to on a date. Our theme this week is “anti-valentines”, the movies and TV to watch to make you fall out of love. We talk about breakups, mismatched romances and the tragedy of not being able to connect to other people. What do you think?

2018 is fast receding in the rearview mirror, but before it disappears, we take a look back at the high points of the year on screen. We cover our personal favourites, including some of the usual suspects and some that might surprise you. Blake, Tim and Lucy each give 5 films or TV series that you might have missed and make a case for seeking them out. Happy New Year ScreenBrummers!

It's the ScreenBrum Office Christmas Party and we are hitting the mulled wine and mince pies hard. We talk about our favourite Xmas watches, and have some recommendations from guests.   Have an absolutely fantastic one everybody! xxx

They are listening! Screenbrum gets paranoid with our special guest Joseph Oldham, writer of “Paranoid Visions: Spies, Conspiracies and the Secret State in British Television Drama” and expert on the paranoid conspiracy in British TV. Joseph talks about the key programmes in the genre, and what makes a truly great conspiracy. So pop on your tinfoil hat, take the battery out of your phone, and listen in…

THE STUDIO IS ABSOLUTELY PACKED! We are joined by voice actor (and voice of Scooby Doo!) Marc Silk, who gives us a fascinating insight into the world of voice acting, based on his experience with major Hollywood movies, computer games and TV. You will not want to miss this. Marc also brings his greatest TRAILER VOICE to the trailer for new supernatural short Off Grid, which stars Alison Steadman and James Cosmo. The director, Carl Timms talks about making the thriller, working with acting royalty and his plans for the future

ScreenBrum delve into the world of the musical biopic, exploring what makes us so fascinated with seeing our artists' lives off stage, and pick our greatest hits of the genre. With special guest, writer Sabina Stent, we talk about the differences between "truth" and "fact" and whether it really matters whether biographical details are accurate.

ScreenBrum explore the phenomenon of horror movies aimed at children with our guest Dr Cat Lester, an expert on these creepy films and TV. We talk about the history of the genre, its classics and its value - teaching kids valuable life lessons.  And we talk about the things that had us hiding behind the sofa. What films scared you as a kid?

ScreenBrum come in peace. We explore the vast subject of the Extraterrestrial on screen, in the company of musician and filmmaker Scott Johannsson. Far out.

For this week's show we are joined by Dr Michele Aaron of Warwick University, curator of the Screening Rights Film Festival, which this year is taking place in both Birmingham and Coventry. We talk about Revolutions on screen, both literal and metaphorical, and get a heads up on some of the wonderful films to be shown at the festival. We are also joined by Chris Bevan, a local filmmaker talking about his latest short thriller - The Other. So start a revolution from your bed*.  Listen to ScreenBrum. *or listen anywhere, that's the beauty of podcasts, right?

ScreenBrum takes a look at the dark world of Serial Killers on screen. A perennial fascination for filmmakers, and introducing some of cinema’s most enduring moments, but how well do these reflect the (thankfully rare) reality? To explore this we are joined by three criminologists, in the shape of Professor Elizabeth Yardley, and Drs Kevin Hoffin and Adam Lynes. We look over some of the key movies and TV series dealing with serial killers, and explore what filmmakers get right, and what they get wrong. This is a fascinating show full of insights, observations and film recommendations.  By its nature this programme deals in somewhat dark content – you have been warned.

Guests BhamIndianFilmFest Birmingham Indian Film Festival presented by @LoveLIFF Europe’s No 1 for S Asian cinema ☆ Director @CaryRaj ☆ Birmingham @dharmesh_rajput ☆ Media @ashantiomkar Welcome to the Birmingham Indian Film Festival (BIFF) website BhamIndianFilmFest (@weLoveBIFF) on Twitter Dharmesh Rajput @BCUMedia Lecturer | @weLoveBIFF Head of Cinema | Schl Gov Chair | Digital Prod | [...] The post ScreenBrum – Comebacks appeared first on Brum Radio.

Guests Dark Matter Films Award-winning production company specialising in horror, sci-fi & dark fantasy; purchase our zombie film STILL from https://t.co/mAK5x1NYVI & like our FB page Dark Matter Films Dark Matter Films (@darkmatterfilms) | Twitter Jaws 19

Screen Brum take a leap into the darkness, with our Dark Futures special. We discuss the movies that deal with dystopias, darkness and despair, but we do it with a twinkle in our eyes and the best music in our ears. With special guest, filmmaker Joel Blackledge, we look into our dingy crystal ball and [...] The post Screen Brum – Dark Futures with Joel Blackledge appeared first on Brum Radio.

ScreenBrum take a leap into the blue, and explore the stuff that the majority of our bodies are made of – water. With music, clips and some surprising facts, we dig into the way that water has been portrayed on screen, and choose our picks for films and TV that feature: Too Much Water Not [...] The post Screen Brum – Water appeared first on Brum Radio.

Ever wondered how they make zombies look so terrifying? Did you know there is a job on movie sets for “contact lens technician”? We explore the magical world of special makeup effects with FX wizards Laura and Ben from the Father Phantom studio here in Birmingham. They reveal tricks of the trade, such as the [...] The post Screen Brum – Special Makeup Effects appeared first on Brum Radio.

ScreenBrum looks back at the year that was 2017, and we pick out our highlights – what were yours? The post Screen Brum – 2017 Review of the Year appeared first on Brum Radio.

The Screen Brum show returns to the year 2001, exploring the TV and film that has stayed with us. We give our top 5s of the year, and disagree on whether or not it was a vintage year on screen. With all the usual chat, and the best music from films of the year, join [...] The post Screen Brum – The year 2001 appeared first on Brum Radio.

ScreenBrum explore the contents of our skulls, with a look at the BRAIN ON FILM. With special guest Dr. Alex Conner of Birmingham University we explore the little grey cells and how the movies show them. Is your brain heavier that Einstein’s? What is the brain blood barrier? What Adam Sandler film is the most [...] The post Screen Brum – The Brain appeared first on Brum Radio.

Screen Brum interviewed Graham Humphreys, designer of many of the iconic VHS covers and posters of the horror genre. Parts of this interview were played in our VHS special (also available as a podcast), but here it is in its entirety. Interview conducted by Damien Hyde. The post Screen Brum – Graham Humphreys Interview appeared first on Brum Radio.

Screen Brum explore the origins of watching films at home, with a celebration of all things VHS. We talk about the horror boom, the technology itself and the ritual experience of browsing in your local video store. We are joined by Damien Hyde, VHS collector / geek / obsessive, and have an interview with Graham [...] The post Screen Brum – VHS appeared first on Brum Radio.