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Talking Images is the official podcast of ICMForum.com.

Talking Images


    • Jan 8, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 15m AVG DURATION
    • 68 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Talking Images

    The Experiments of Michael Snow

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2023 68:20


    Special episode: RIP Michael Snow. In this episode, we'll look back at his key experiments, discuss whether they actually work, explore why he is an important artist, and dive into his 7 biggest films. We'll also make a case for why even those who disliked Wavelength and La region centrale should not bail on his later films, with Sol making one rather extraordinary claim, that 1 of Mr Snow's films is the best of its century. Oh, and we'll also drive home the rarely-mentioned point that Michael Snow's films are filled with comedy and humour!

    Is Hype Overhyped?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2022 59:17


    "Every few months someone will mention a film and I don't know what's going on and I feel like an old person!" - One of our hosts utter this about his awareness of hype, but are we all that immune?

    Why Do We Watch Films We Know We Won't Like?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2022 48:07 Transcription Available


    Have you seen any film on the IMDb bottom 100? We have! In this episode, we explore why we go dumpster diving, and of course, the less extreme side of the same coin - why we watch films we know we probably won't like.    You have done it too! Everyone has. There comes times, no matter how rare, that you sit down and tune into a film you just KNOW you won't like. Are you a masochist? Are we? Are we hoping to be proven wrong? Do we need to see bad cinema to know what good cinema is like? Follow along as we try to answer these and many more pressing questions, resulting in some of the most shocking revelations in Talking Images history: blood will be spilled.You have done it too! Everyone has. There comes times, no matter how rare, that you sit down and tune into a film you just KNOW you won't like. Are you a masochist? Are we? Are we hoping to be proven wrong? Do we need to see bad cinema to know what good cinema is like? Follow along as we try to answer these and many more pressing questions, resulting in some of the most shocking revelations in Talking Images history: blood will be spilled. (well, ok ... not literally, but Adam's feelings will be hurt)

    How Everything Everywhere All at Once Suddenly Was Eveything Everywhere All at Once

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2022 61:57 Transcription Available


    In this episode we explore how Everything Everywhere All at Once was suddenly eveything everywhere ... all at once.

    10+ Brand New Hidden Gems You Should Watch [ICMFFF2022]

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2022 87:50 Transcription Available


    Have you seen any of these? (ICMFFF2022 is here!) Timestamps: Caught in the Net: 6.09 (Centerpiece) A White White Day: 16:12 Adoration: 22:07 Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes: 26:42 Just Don't Think Scream: 30:31 Mad God: 34:27 New Order: 39:11 The Crossing: 43:45 The Long Walk: 46:57 Straight Up: 53:59 Highlights from the rest of the Festival: 1:03:35

    Our Number 1 Favourite Films of 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 29:02 Transcription Available


    In this episode Matthieu, Sol, Tom and Chris reveal their number 1 film favourite film of 2021 (and of course, it is 4 very different films).

    Best Films of 2021: Our Top 10s (with a cliffhanger ... again)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2022 131:35


    Lean back as we take you through each of our personal top 10 lists from 2021, and this time with a rather shocking twist: There are absolutely no overlaps within our top 5s! Once again we also went way overboard on length just because of how much we love these films (and again, the total lack of overlaps), so stay tuned for part 2.

    IMDb vs Letterboxd

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2022


    Why does Sol hate the owners of IMDb? Does it hurt Letterboxd that many of the best features are behind a paywall? Oh, and to get back to the topic at hand: which of these two services is better? Letterboxd and IMDb are like night and day. One is young, elegant and social, the other probably the most complete database of cinema that exists: so which of them wins? Which could we not live without, and where do they fall short? And what about the other film websites out there like iCheckMovies, Criticker and Filmchart? Can any of them measure up and do any of them offer up something IMDb and Letterboxd can't provide?

    Talking Zero Budget Filmmaking with Art School Dropouts

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2022 45:15 Transcription Available


    In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Pham, star, producer and co-owner of Art School Dropouts to talk about their style of low to zero budget filmmaking, as well as their secret upcoming VR feature.

    Is The Straight Story David Lynch's Strangest Film?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 46:58 Transcription Available


    The Straight Story is a film so straightforward that the fact that David Lynch is the man behind it feels almost surreal. In this episode, we dive into how and why the film engages and touches us as much as it does, ponder what made Lynch choose to pick this collaboration with Walt Disney Pictures to begin with, and marvel at just how wonderfully weird it is that this film, based on a real story, exists at all.

    Does Hollywood Have an Accent Problem?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2022 84:11 Transcription Available


    Hollywood loves to flex accents, some decent, some terrible. In this episode, we see if we are able to buy the illusion or if film after film has been destroyed by bad accents.  We will also take a look at the far more extreme examples of films set in "foregnia", but with all the characters speaking in English with a twink of local accent to sell it all home. Does this work ... at all?! Oh, and Ridley's Scott recent House of Gucci will keep popping out throughout as Matthieu is quite convinced Jared Leto is imitating Super Mario.

    Is Found Footage the Worst Thing to Happen to Cinema?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2022 74:13 Transcription Available


    Do you agree with Sol that found footage is the worst thing to have ever happened to cinema? Join us to see if we can find hidden ground (did Sol like any found footage film?!) and explore the insane wave of Found Footage films starting with The Blair Witch Project. We'll explore everything from its very inception in the 1960s (yes, that's right!), why it took nearly 40 years to become a force to be reckoned with, and explore the rise, fall, best films and whether its moment is truly done.

    What's the Deal with Those Chinese Blockbusters?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2022 73:21 Transcription Available


    How do Chinese blockbusters stand up against Hollywood blockbusters? In this episode, the gang dive into 4 of the biggest recent Chinese mega hits - each in a different instantly recognizable blockbuster genre - and give our verdicts. So, what films are we looking at? (Timestamps) The action sci-fi disaster film: The Wandering Earth - 13.03 The franchise starting buddy comedy: Detective Chinatown - 26.24 The "motivational" sports drama: Pegasus - 41.12 The most successful animated film in Chinese history: Ne zha - 54.30 Did we pick the wrong films? Are there better Chinese blockbusters we need to seek out ASAP? Go to ICMForum.com and let us know.

    The Disappointment That is Leos Carax' Annette

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2022 39:40 Transcription Available


    Welcome to the episode where Chris realizes he's the only Leos Carax fan in the podcast and even he found Annette thoroughly middling. Join us as we explore just how it let us down and debate the merits of artificiality, THAT puppet and much, much more. And remember, if you disagree with us you can go to ICMForum.com and tell us just how wrong we are.

    The Rise of Andrey Tarkovsky

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2022 105:23 Transcription Available


    In this episode, we take a close look at the early films of Andrey Tarkovsky, from his early student efforts to his first passion project. We will briefly touch on The Killers (1956) and There Will Be No Leave Today (1959) before we go into depth on his first three solo efforts, The Steamroller and the Violin (1961), Ivan's Childhood (1962) and Andrey Rublev (1966). Yes, we will dissect their endings, but don't you worry, if you have not seen one of them there will be a clear spoiler warning allowing you to use the timestamps below to skip to the next film. Timestamps: 00.00.00 - Intro 00.02.06 - Our views on the progression of Andrey Tarkovsky 00.06.56 - The Killers 00.10.11 - There Will Be No Leave Today 00.12.22 - The Steamroller and the Violin 00.33.29 - Ivan's Childhood 01.03.20 - Andrey Rublev

    Sequels That Are Better Than the Original

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 87:33 Transcription Available


    Are sequels almost exclusively soulless cash-ins we should not be excited about, or do many truly deliver? In this episode, we look at the sequels that, at least according to us, did the unthinkable in becoming even better than the first film! How do you feel about our choices?

    Is Vertigo Really the Greatest Film of All-Time?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2022 65:09 Transcription Available


    It has been 10 years since Vertigo unseated Citizen Kane as the Greatest Films of All Time in Sight & Sounds once-in-a-decade poll of filmmakers, critics and academics. With the 2022 edition coming up, and the real possibility that Vertigo could be unseated, we ask the pressing question: Does Vertigo actually deserve to be number 1? Note: Since recording this episode it has been revealed that the Sight & Sound Greatest Films of All-Time list will be revealed in their November issue, so we still have quite a few months of anticipation.

    Being There (featuring Autism Through Cinema)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2022 99:44 Transcription Available


    In our very first cross-over episode we are joined by (Dr.) David Hartley from the Autism Through Cinema podcast to discuss Hal Ashby's classic "Being There", starring Peter Sellers in a role generally read as being on the autism spectrum. We'll explore why it makes some of us a little uncomfortable, whether the film mocks Peter Sellers' character or the, mostly, wealthy individuals he interacts with,  attempt to decipher the message, try our best to unpack that infamous ending - and just explore our general reactions. We will also hear from David about what Being There gets right (if it is indeed about a neuro-divergent character), hear about the Autism Through Cinema project as a whole and why their podcast and why it is worth checking out.

    Should We Separate the Art From the Artist?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2022 51:35 Transcription Available


    Get ready for our possibly most controversial episode to date as we try to answer the hot topic issues of the art vs. artist debate. We will explore just how much we can separate between the art and artist, and how knowledge from their life and possible misdeeds affect how we see their work. You will get exclusive insights into our psyche and hear just who puts us off or make us feel uneasy. You will also discover which film Matthieu snuck into so that he would not give the director a cent of his own money. The question of morality, both by those working with possibly immoral audiences, and even us, the audience that consumes their work, will be questioned! HOWEVER: We will also flip the script we punch back against the set narrative and argue that knowledge of immorality can actually make the films more intriguing. Listener discretion is advised.

    Best Films of 2017 - Part 2 (Our Top 2 Choices)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2022 70:08 Transcription Available


    Join in as Clem, Matthieu, Sol and Chris reveal their second and number one favourite films of 2017.

    Best Films of 2017, Part I (Our Top 10-3s)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2022 82:45 Transcription Available


    Are your favourites mentioned? What are the most glaring omissions? Will we convince you to watch some 2017 films you still haven't seen? Join in as Clem, Matthieu, Tom, Sol and Chris break down their favourite films of 2017. 

    Is Dune the Future of Big Budget Blockbusters? (+ Obligatory Lynch Comparisons)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 76:23 Transcription Available


    Get ready to jump more than 8,000 years into the future as Matthieu, Tom and Chris dive into one of 2021s most acclaimed blockbusters: Dune!  Join us as we marvel at the set design, cringe at a few of the jokes and discuss what worked, what didn't and why.  We will also explore Denis Villeneuve's rise as a sci-fi and blockbuster director, what his cold and meticulous style bring to blockbusters and whether or not Dune: Part II will deliver. Oh, and yeah, as you might expect we can not stop ourselves from the obligatory comparisons to David Lynch's 1984 version. Will we stand tall and declare it as better? Listen in and find out!

    INTERVIEW: Like Dogs, or: How to Direct, Produce and Distribute an Indie Horror During a Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 41:55 Transcription Available


    In our first episode of season 3, Sol sits down with Like Dog director Randy Van Dyke and producer Kelly Faltis to discuss their recent horror movie LIke Dogs (2021) and their experience with making and distributing an indie horror film during the pandemic. Van Dyke and Faltis will take you through everything from how the pandemic, restrictions and lockdowns affected their production, and how a very smart decision gave them more exposure than if they had been a little more trigger happy.  They will also take you under the hood of how a film ends up on streaming services, including the more frustrating details of who actually gets royalties and how many are made in the current model - and of course they will discuss everything about the film itself.

    We Need to Talk About How Omicron (1963) is Profiting From Covid

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2021 37:41 Transcription Available


    In our Season 2 finale of Talking Images, we look at how after 2 years of the Pandemic something good may be coming out of it after all - extra exposure for the 1963 sci-fi comedy Omicron. This "body-horror" meets satire, explores humanity in all its bodily functions, and offers an eerie and still extremely relevant and sobering assessment of the world we live in.

    Claire Denis: From Unspoken Longing to Robert Pattinson in Space

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2021 79:34 Transcription Available


    Claire Denis went from being the master of unspoken longing to shooting explicit sex and violence - holding next to nothing back. In this episode, we will take a closer look at her defining works, marvel over the sheer variety, explore her off-beat genre experiments and dissect why so many top actors want to work with her.

    Remakes That Are Better Than the Original

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 95:20 Transcription Available


    What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word "remake"? Is it an industry entirely out of ideas? Is it desperate or greedy execs trying to make a quick buck? Or is it perhaps just a non-verbal sigh? In this episode, we'll try to get away from all the negativity and look at the remakes that not only delivered but ended up being even better than the original. We may ruffle some feathers here, so do shout out if you disagree with any of our choices.

    10+ Brand New Hidden Gems (ICMFFF2021)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 79:21 Transcription Available


    Every year films go under the radar. Here are 10+ brand new films you may have missed, and why you should consider seeking them out. These 10 films and more will be part of the 5th ICMForum Film Festival, which will be held between the 15th of November and the 13th of December 2021. We also recorded an episode on ICMFFF2020 last year. You can listen here: Sounder: https://talking-images.sounder.fm/episode/icmff2020-festival-heighlights Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/35OyNtbUHadIyH0isEooky Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/icmff2020-main-slate-and-highlights-from-the-festival/id1542580739?i=1000502047182 Anyone inspired by this episode should consider coming to ICMForum.com and join in the fun.

    The Very Best Film of 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 43:30 Transcription Available


    In this episode Matthieu, Sol, Tom and Chris talk about their number 1 favourite film of 2020. Of course, none of them agree.

    Best Films of 2020: Our Top 10s (with a cliffhanger)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2021 119:02 Transcription Available


    Yes, it's that time! Finally! The Talking Images team is ready to open up and talk through our top 10 favourite films of 2020 - granted, with a cliffhanger.

    Best Movie Endings: What Works and What Doesn't?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 100:37 Transcription Available


    Is Psycho's ending actually terrible? Is Whiplash an evil movie made by evil people? Is Taxi Driver's ending even real? Join us as we clash over iconic endings, break down the formulas and share our picks of best movie endings of all time. Timestamps: 00:00: Spoiler-Free Discussion 20.36: The Spoilers Begins - Formulas / What Works & What Doesn't 57.48 - Films Saved by their Endings 1.09.29 - Films That Are All About Their Endings 1.15.29 - Endings That Almost Ruined the Film 1.25.30 - Our Favourite Endings of All Time Spoiler note: There will be extensive spoilers for The Grey, Phoenix, The Last Laugh, Taxi Driver, Whiplash, The Holy Girl, Jacob's Ladder, Inception, Chronicle of a Summer, A.I., Psycho, Signs, The Usual Suspects, Z, Life of Brian, All That Jazz - as well as milder spoilers for many others.

    The Minimalist World of Robert Bresson

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2021 116:44 Transcription Available


    How much can you strip away? How far can you go? Robert Bresson did not just create his own cinematic language. He created his own cinematic ideology - striving to tear film away from the theatre, strip away all artifice and create something you could only experience through cinema. Over his 13 feature films, and one standalone short, his career spanned from 1934 to 1983. In this episode, we will talk you through each and every single one of his films, look at what they minimised, try to understand why and above all try to express just how it makes us feel - and why it works ... or doesn't. This is the story of how Bresson became Bresson, and how his minimalist world developed, evolved, reached dead ends and rejuvenated itself.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:26 - Our first reaction to seeing a Bresson film03:25 - Bresson, the canon and the French New Wave07:21 - Things to Know Before Seeing Your First Bresson10:59 - Short film: Affairs Publique14:45 - Angels of Sin18:10 - Les dames du Bois de Boulogne22:40 - Diary of a Country Priest29:05 - A Man Escaped37:04 - Pickpocket47:46 - The Trial of Jean of Arc54:24 - Au hasard Baltazar1:02:32 - Mouchette1:10:46 - A Gentle Woman1:21:17 - Four Nights of a Dreamer1:28:00 - Lancelot du Lac1:32:38 - The Devil Probably1:35:55 - L'Argant1:51:07 - Filmmakers Inspired by Bresson

    Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down: Is Rating Films Actually Worthwhile Communication?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2021 82:21 Transcription Available


    Get out your spreadsheets fellow film nerds, this episode is dedicated to you! It will for once be decided if the answers are truly written in the stars, or if the good old 10/10 system is more than enough. In our effort to discover the best rating systems and make sense of some of the universe's greatest questions we will also, of course, insult every fan of Rotten Tomatoes and At the Movies. IMDb's 10/10 scale vs. Letterboxd's 5/5 scale will be examined, and hell, even good old Criticker will get a mention. We will also discuss some of the rarer and dear systems, such as the classic Norwegian die role, and ask: just extreme can we be. Don't be surprised, some of us have used the 100/100 scale, and there are still active promoters of 20/20. Above all though, we will ask the key question: Are ratings actually a worthwhile form of communication?

    Interview with Adam Torel, Head of Third Window Films

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 121:31 Transcription Available


    In this episode we sit down with independent Japanese cinema producer and distributor Adam Torel, the Head of Third Window Films, to hear about his upcoming films, his work with Shinya Tsukamoto and Sion Sono, and what it takes to get people to watch independent cinema in Japan. The answer to the latter in particular may both shock and entice you.

    How We Got Into Cinema, Part 2: The Other Hosts

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2021 85:29 Transcription Available


    It is origin story time, again! In our very first episode, the original hosts detailed exactly how they got into cinema. Now, it is time to hear from those who have joined us since then. Listen in as Matthieu, Adam (from New York), Lauren and Sol tell you exactly how they got into cinema. Be shocked, as Matthieu reveals he's a child of DVDs not VHS. Discover who actually studied film, who edited Forrest Gump and Die Hard together and who went to science camp. And of course, marvel as Sol details his love of gamification. It is all here in our part 2 of how we got into cinema.

    Best Films of 2018: Our Top 5s

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2021 134:45 Transcription Available


    Get ready for a flash from the recent past! In this episode Chris, Matthieu, Sol and Tom break down and discuss their 5 favourite films of 2018 + their runner ups. What were yours?

    Is Netflix Destroying Cinema?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 93:55 Transcription Available


    You have heard the warnings. You have seen the tears. You have felt the terror. A spectre is haunting the halls of cinema, and its name is not Covid-19 but Netflix. In this episode, we will discuss just how damaging Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Mubi and all other streaming services are, and try to get to the bottom of the existential threat they pose. Can anything good come from them at all? Listen in, and find out.

    The Dollar Trilogy is Pretty Badass

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 80:27 Transcription Available


    The Dollar Trilogy is iconic. It broke the rules, rewrote what we consider a western to be, and is just, well, badass! But why? What is it that make these films stand out the way they do? In this episode we try to find the answer. Join us as we talk through A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in all their badassness - and highlight just what make them special to us: from the way they move, feel and breath to the legacy they left behind.

    Space Exploration, part 2: When Space Became Reality

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2021 96:29 Transcription Available


    In this episode, we will look at what happened when the fantastical dream that was space exploration became reality - and the future became the past. Opening with a full-on discussion of what could be called "the first modern space exploration film", Ikarie XB 1 - we will continue to explore how the subgenre developed after Jurij Gagarin became the first human to leave our planet. While it still feels a little odd to say it, space exploration is no longer exclusively science fiction. We will actually look at documentaries and biopic, such as For All Mankind, First Man and Space Walk - looking at events sometimes more than 50 years in the past. We will also look at the biggest films taking up the mantle of 2001 and Solyaris - to various levels of success - with Interstellar and High Life - not to mention horror and/or found footage films like Alien and Europa Report - and much, much more. And throughout all of this we will look back at the question from our previous episode, namely what films are actually using the space exploration subgenre to do. Is it about creating a true sense of exploration - which we saw in the early films of fantasy. Is it about exploring concepts, such as 2001? Or is it about exploring the human psyche, as in Solyaris. We have found examples of each - not to mention overlaps. So strap yourself in as we take on all modern space exploration. Do let us know what you think we missed. We know, we know, there's several. And do visit us on ICM Forum.com to let us know what your favourite space exploration films are - and why! We can't wait to hear from you. - Ikarie XB1 and Europa Report will have spoiler warnings. Simply jump to the next film using the time codes below when this happens: Ikarie XB 1: 2:21 For All Mankind: 18:15 First Man: 23:07 Space Walk: 28:36 Alien: 33:05 2010: 38:59 Interstellar: 41:48 On Silver Globe: 47:30 Europa Report: 53:07 Prometheus: 1:07:39 Gravity: 1:11:29 Sunshine: 1:15:39 The Martian: 1.17.32 High Life: 1.22.30

    2001 vs Solaris (Space Exploration, part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 94:07 Transcription Available


    Get your battle helmets on - we're doing this. 2001 vs. Solaris. Kubrick vs. Tarkovsky. Oh, and ... all of cinematic history, well ... in space anyways, Yes, that's right - in this glorious two-part episode (did we mention that were will be a follow-up?!) we will look at ALL of space exploration history - going all the way back to A Trip to the Moon. Early films excluded, which, can almost be seen as fantasy as opposed to science fiction - we have a bold proclamation to make - and that is that 2001 and Solaris exemplify the two clear paths most late space exploration films take. Essentially, there is the idea - and within this episode we may get closer to figuring out if it is true - that great films of space exploration do one of two things: 1. Use space exploration to explore grand themes and concepts. 2. Use the idea of space exploration to discover truths about the human psyche. And of course - as always, there is an overlap. In this episode, we will cover the early days of Space Exploration, and the debate itself. And for a quick sneak peek - in the next episode we will essentially dive into all the major space exploration films that came later - and not only talk through them - but see them in the context of 2001 and Solari - and discuss which path they chose to follow, and which, if any, break free from this binary. Happy listening, and please join in the discussion at ICMForum.com.

    Single-Take Films: The Incredible Effects of the One Consecutive Shot

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2021 77:42 Transcription Available


    Why would filmmakers go through the excruciating trouble and pain of creating their films without a single cut - any mistake being detrimental - every shoot non-stop? Why put yourself through all that pain? Why put your actors through all that pain? Why put the actual person carrying a camera for 90 minutes through all that pain? Why? Can single-take films do things regular films can't? Our answer is a resounding yes! Listen in as we talk you through the ludicrously small selection of single-take films, including the "fakes", and look at just what each of them manages to achieve. -Skip directly to the films that interest you the most Rope: 8:33 Macbeth: 18:21 Russian Ark: 28:24 Birdman & Gaspar Noe: 38:49 Victoria: 44.40 Utøya 22. juli: 49:41 1917: 58:41 The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open: 1:09:54

    Studio Ghibli

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2021 82:33 Transcription Available


    In this episode we will not just discuss the magical work of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, or the mediocre work of everyone else - we will look at how their careers developed in contrast to each other from their first double feature, to their last. That is to say, the 1988 double feature that in so many ways showcased what Studio Ghibli could do: My Neighbour Totoro Grave of the Fireflies And the studio's, at the time, proposed swansongs of 2013: The Wind Rises The Tale of the Princess Kaguya Almost every film before, in between and after will also get a mention - some in detail - as we marvel at just how these two giants of cinema changed the landscape of anime. We will also push the arguably already accepted claim that Studio Ghibli - rather than being the Japanese Disney, really was a platform for two great artists to develop their own unique style - screw everyone else! The fact that the studio has been withering away, is as such no true fall - but a showcase of how it truly was Takahata and Miyazaki holding it all together - and with the older Miyazaki coming out of retirement - and the lesser Miyazaki (Goro) seemingly fumbling into 3D, Studio Ghibli is at an odd place in its own history. But regardless of where they may go, and if this is really the end - it has been an incredible journey. One we hope to pay tribute to and honour.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2020 69:05 Transcription Available


    Strap yourself in for a Christmas and end-of-the-year episode that will be something out of the ordinary! Yes, we will talk about our favourite Christmas films: including Sol telling us all how Home Alone traumatised him for life! And yes - we will also be a bunch of non-Americans thoroughly confused about the appeal of a Christmas Story (sorry). But above all we are interested in just how different Christmas traditions are born - and how people around the world celebrate Christmas (Jul) and New Year! Get ready to learn all about nisser, goats, people who hate Germany ... as we also try to investigate: The crime against new years. Where is the New Year Movie Industrial Complex? Where?!! (Oh, and get ready for a lot of self-promotion about Scotland as well) So, from all of us here at Talking Images, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

    Single Location Films: Gimmick or Testament to the Power of Cinema?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2020 102:01 Transcription Available


    Get ready for one heck of a claustrophobic rollercoaster ride as Chris, Sol and Tom go through some of the biggest (and some of the most underrated) single location - and primary location - films of all time! Spoiler Warning: We will spoil Coherence (with a clear warning) - jump to 1:01:00 if you do not want to get the concept spoiled. We will cover: Adapted Plays: Secret Honor: 00:08:33 Street Scene: 00:14:32 Carnage and Roman Polanski: 00:15:35 Sacha Guitry: 00:17:30 Huis Clos: 00:19:10 Claustrophobia: Exterminating Angel: 00:21:50 Rear Window: 00:25:27 Mother!, Evridiki BA 2037 and Repulsion: 00:29:05 Rolf de Heer's Alexandra's Project and The Quiet Room: 00:36:28 Isolation/loneliness: Music Room: 00:42:30 All is Lost: 00:47:07 Low budget: Stalled: 00:48:56 Pontypool: 51:10 LFO: 52:59 Coherence: 00:57:39 - Spoilers end: 1:01:00 Man From Earth: 1:01:00 Bigger Films: Lifeboat: 1:04:14 12 Angry Men: 1:06:50 Experimental Films: Michael Snow: 1.11.14 Marcel Hanoun's Autumn: 1.17.23 Most extreme cases Buried: 1.19.44 Locke: 1:24:00 1:27:13 Winifred Wagner: 1.28.40 ATM: 1.31:21 Haze: 1:33:26 Outro: 1:35:37

    ICMFF2020: Main Slate and Highlights From the Festival

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2020 78:21 Transcription Available


    Recording in the midst of ICMFF2020, Chris, Matthieu and Tom break down the main slate and the highlights from the festival so far.

    Best and Worst Academy Awards Best Picture Winners

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2020 109:11 Transcription Available


    Yes, that's right: This is the episode where we arbitrarily pick the best and worst films to have won the Oscar for Best Picture, and, well ... fight it out ... Do you want to hear us: Shock you with which Best Picture winners we hate? Psychoanalyse the academy voters? Figure out if things are getting "worse" or "better"? Pinpoint trends? If so, join in for the ultimate Oscars Podcast, spanning from the very first winner in 1929, all the way up to Parasite in 2020 - and for a deep dive in how the Academy actually impacts the real world.

    Interview with Mary Guillermin - author of John Guillermin: The Man, the Myth, the Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2020 93:58 Transcription Available


    John Guillermin, the director of Rapture, The Towering Inferno, King Kong, Never Let Go, Guns at Batasi and a long line of other films is best known for his bad temper, and there have been no comprehensive books on his work. This has changed: His wife Mary Guillermin has launched a large project to do John's work justice, and the book: John Guillermin: The Man, The Myth, The Movies is now out. We sat down with her before the release, and had an absolutely fantastic chat about John's life and work: and learned so much! Did you for instance know that Patricia Gozzi did not know English when she played the lead in Rapture and learned all her lines phonetically? Or that he really did not want to do King Kong 2, and tried to talk his producer out of it. We get the answers to several of your listener questions, leaned why he seemed to accept any movie (he really did!) and heard so many stories, including why he disliked Paul Newman but loved Steve McQueen. I know we all had so many exciting moments here - including some films we had no idea we would discuss - and great insight into John Guillenmin as both a man and filmmaker.

    Quentin Tarantino Unchained: Master or Hack

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2020 65:36 Transcription Available


    Yes It is time for that chat ... Is Questin Tarantino the most unoriginal man in Hollywood, a petty thief with no soul - or is he a great auteur playing around with cinematic conventions and form? Regardless of how you feel about QT however, he loves cinema, and is likely the most vocal film buff of any living director, not to mention listmaker and promoter. No living director appears to be more vocally focused on what he is leaving behind than Questin Tarantino. His promise is clear: His next film will be his last. He wants to leave behind a perfect set, a work to be proud of - he does not want to grow state or lose touch - but - did he ever have the touch - or was he always a hack? Has he ever had an original idea or made a remotely great film? In this episode Chris, Clem and Matthieu will throw their hats in the ring, talk through his filmography - in particular Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction - and also try to answer the burning question: Will he actually be able to stop?

    What Scares Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 77:58 Transcription Available


    Are you easily scared? In this episode Chris, Matthieu, Lauren and Sol talk us through the films that traumatized them. Hell, Radio even gets a mention! Listen in to hear the run-down of the scariest movie monsters, not to mention the silliest movie monsters. We will, of course, talk about the scariest films of all time, but beyond that we will try to unpack just what it is about them that scares us.

    WTH Happened to Godard in the 70s

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2020 84:28 Transcription Available


    In 1967, Jean-Luc Godard made a film called Weekend, famous for its beautiful tracking shot of a traffic jam and the collision that caused it. To many fans of Godard's work up to this point it is as if he was one of the casualties, or more potent: that this car crash is an apt metaphor for the next 12 years of his career. But why? Why do even ardent Godard fans, including those who followed and loved his work in the 80s, 90s, and throughout the 21st century hate or dismiss his 70s work? Why did he lose mainstream appeal? Why did he go from participating in Cannes to protesting Cannes and getting the festival shut down? What happened? In this episode we will try to answer this very question, and look at how the one of the worlds most esteemed "auteurs" went on to become a "collaborator". We will look at the two partnerships that defined his career in the 70s, namely the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist collective the Dziga Vertov Group, and his long time partner and collaborator Anne-Marie Mieville. We will also discuss 3 of the films he made in this period in great detail: Wind From the East Tout va Bien Numero Deux Are they worth seeing? Listen in, and find out.

    Rewatches: Broken Hearts, New Lovers and Lying Memories

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2020 68:45 Transcription Available


    Chris, Lauren, Sol and Tom try to decipher the power of rewatches. We will talk about: How our memories can be deceitful liars The films that broke our hearts Stories of rags to riches What actually change between each viewing And so much more

    Best Films of 2019: Our Top 5s

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2020 125:10 Transcription Available


    The time has come to reveal our very favourite films of 2019. In this episode Chris, Clem, Matthieu, Sol and Tom go through their top 5 films in detail. We also give each film more and more time to each film as we get closer to the top. The big shock here is that there were only 3 films that are on two lists, and even more shocking, no films were on more than 2 lists. There were 25 possible slots, and in this episode, we will cover 22. Pretty incredible, and some really big films did not make it into the episode either - don't be mad.

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