Flixwatcher: A Netflix Film Review Podcast

Kelechi Ehenulo (Confessions From A Geek Mind, Film Stories, VultureHound Magazine) and Katie Smith-Wong (Movie Marker, Film Stories, New Scientist) return to Flixwatcher remotely to review Kelechi’s choice The Harder They Fall. The Harder They Fall is a 2021 Western debut film written and directed by Jeymes Samuel. Loosely based on real cowboys and outlaws of the 19th-century American West. Rare for Westerns it features a principal cast of black actors which includes Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo and Lakeith Stanfield. The film opens with an 11-year-old Nat Love witnessing the murder of his parents at the dinner table by Rufus (Idris Elba) Buck and being marked by Buck with a cross carved on his forehead. Fast forward twenty years and Nat (Jonathan Majors) learns of Buck being released from prison and gets the gang together to seek revenge. The Harder They Fall is a dazzling debut that is as violent as it is energetic and scores very highly on recommendability from gues

Babs and Fran from Over/underrated: a music podcast join Flixwatcher remotely to review Babs’ choice Beats. Beats is a 2019 American coming of age hip hop drama (not to be confused with the other 2019 called film Beats) that tells the fictional story of a musical prodigy in Chicago experiencing PSTD from a violent incident, who ends up being mentored by a disgraced music producer. Starring Khalil Everage as August Monroe, the teenage beats enthusiast, Anthony Anderson as Romelo Reese, the ex music producer now school security guard and supporting cast Uzo Aduba as Carla Monroe, Augusts mother and Paul Walter Hauser as Terren, the owner of the record label trying to sign August. Fran’s expectations were for Boyz in the Hood meets Dr Dre but unfortunately Beats doesn’t reach those heights of greatness, Lacking in big musical moments and despite some nice editing work its hard to get emotionally invested in watching some button pressing and 808 beat creations. Recommendability scores for Beats were average and

Sam Clements (90 Minutes or Less Film Fest podcast) and Josh Pappenheim (Truly Happily Madison Podcast) return to Flixwatcher remotely to review Sam’s choice Les Misérables. Les Misérables is a 2012 adaptation of the 1985 West End English translation of the 1980 French musical, which is adapted from the 1862 French novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. Directed by Tom (The Kings Speech) Hooper it features a star-studded cast that includes Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine (which earned her an Oscar), Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Eddie Redmayne as Marius Pontmercy and Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as the Thénardiers. Les Mis is a sung-through musical and Hooper made the interesting decision to have the actors sing live, as opposed to synching to a backing track. This may explain to some extent some of the bizarre facial expressions, and extreme emotions and really tests the singing ability of the cast. On its release, Les Mis was a mega-hit - taking o

Meg Fozzard (writer and disability rights campaigner) and Fran Turauskis (On the Outside podcast, Pod Bible Digital Editor) return to Flixwatcher remotely to review Meg’s choice Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood (OUATIH). OUATIH is the 10th film by director and writer Quentin Tarantino. Set in a semi-reality of 1969 Hollywood it stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, a (fictional) TV actor struggling to break into cinema, Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth Rick’s (fictional) stunt double, Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate who meets an alternative fate and a supporting cast of Emile Hirsch, Timothy Olyphant, Dakota Fanning, Damian Lewis, Al Pacino and Kurt Russell. There isn’t so much as a plot to OUATIH, it is more of a series of vignettes that are connected by chance and coincidence rather than agency or narrative. Dalton and Booth are composites of real Hollywood characters and through a series of chance events end up intervening in the Manson Family and prevent the death of Sharon Tate - set up over two hours and 40 minut

Chris Johnston (Easy Riders Raging Podcast) and Liam H Dempsey (Spocklight podcast) join Flixwatcher remotely to review Chris’ choice The Mitchells vs. the Machines. The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a 2021 animated family comedy produced by Sony Pictures Animation and Phil Lord and Chris Miller (The Lego Movie). It was scheduled for a cinema release but due to Covid restrictions was released on Netflix in April 2021. The Mitchells are outdoors loving, tech hating dad Rick and peacemaker and baking enthusiast mum Linda. They live in a small town in Michigan with their children Katie (aspiring filmmaker) and Aaron (dinosaur fanatic) and their pug dog Monchi. On the evening before Katie leaves for college to start her dream course in filmmaking she falls out with dad Rick. To try and save their relationship he cancels her flight to instead drive her there in a last chance attempt at a family bonding adventure. At the same time, a highly intelligent AI PAL launches an attack against the human race and orders an

Kelechi Ehenulo (Confessions From A Geek Mind, Film Stories, VultureHound Magazine) and Steven Geekface (So Geeked About Movies) join Flixwatcher remotely to review The Tindler Swinder. The Tinder Swindler is a 2022 Netflix true-crime documentary that tells the story of the Israeli conman Simon Leviev who used the dating app Tinder to emotionally manipulate a number of women into funding his lavish lifestyle. Between 2017 and 2019 he allegedly conned an estimated $10 million from victims across Europe. He presented himself as the son of Russian-Israeli diamond mogul Lev Leviev - by photoshopping himself into family photos. Using Tinder he would meet women in hotels and show them private jets (which were funded by other women) and once he had established a relationship begin asking them for money to protect him from his “enemies”. Some of the moments in The Tinder Swindler are genuinely draw-dropping - the reveal that one of his victims took out close to $250,000 in loans is equally shocking as it is devastati

Joe Kiely (The Wire Stripped, Shitegeist podcast) and Ben Challoner (Third Window Films Podcast) return to Flixwatcher remotely to review Joe's choice tick, tick... BOOM! Tick Tick Boom is a 2021 musical theatre biographical film starring Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson. Directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and written by Steven (Dear Evan Hansen) Levenson it is based on the stage production of the same name written by Larson about his struggle trying to make a name in the world of performing arts. It captures the period of Larson's life where he spent being a peak asshole and before he wrote the hit musical Rent, which he never saw the success of because he tragically died on the day of the preview. Released on Netflix in November 2021 it received a mixed reaction from Flixwatcher and guests and generally. Although it is pretty much agreed that Garfield's performance is a standout and deserves all the nominations for his singing and musicality. This is reflected in the scores with recommenability hovering arou

Dave and Rich from Unequal Sequel podcast join Flixwatcher remotely to review Dave’s choice Highlander.Dave and Rich from Unequal Sequel podcast join Flixwatcher remotely to review Dave’s choice Highlander. Highlander is a 1986 British fantasy action film directed by Russell (The Buggles' Video Killed the Radio Star) Mulcahy starring Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, Sean Connery as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez (no really) and Clancy Brown as the Kurgan. The three central characters are all immortal (except if you are decapitated) time travelling warriors. MacLeod is born in 16th century Scottish Highlands and after he survives an apparently fatal wound is expelled from his village where Ramírez visits him to explain the ways of the immortals. In present-day New York MacLeod is living as an antique dealer and the Kurgan is hot in pursuit to kill him as “there can be only one!” Despite performing badly at cinemas Highlander gained a passionate audience when it was released on VHS and helped by a part

Film writers Leila Latif (Little White Lies, Curzon, Total Film) and Hanna Flint (Fade to Black podcast, The First Film Club) join Flixwatcher remotely to review Leila’s choice Easy A. Easy A is a 2010 teen comedy loosely inspired by The Scarlet Letter starring Emma Stone, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Haden Church, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley, Lisa Kudrow, and Malcolm McDowell. Stone plays Olive, a high school student who makes up an elaborate lie about losing her virginity to avoid spending a weekend with her best (but toxic) friend (Amanda Bynes) and her family. Devout Christian and prude Marianne overhears their conversation and soon the whole school knows of Olive’s (fake) sexual encounter. Rather than own up to her lie, Olive sinks deeper into slutdom by dressing provocatively and entering into transactions with unpopular guys to give them fake sexual encounters. Featuring probably the coolest teen comedy parents (Clarkson and Tucci) and a charming performance from Stone, Easy A scores very hi

Em (Verbal Diorama podcast) and Clare (W-Rated podcast) join Flixwatcher remotely to review Clare’s choice Howls Moving Castle. Howl's Moving Castle is a 2004 Japanese Studio Ghibli animation written and directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. Howls Moving Castle blends fantasy, multiple kingdoms, wizardry, romance and strong anti-war messages. A young woman called Sophie is a victim of a spell cast on her by the Witch of the Waste, who transforms her into a 90-year-old woman. To try and break the curse she follows a turnip head scarecrow to Howls Castle and jumps onboard as a cleaning lady. While onboard she befriends Howls apprentice Markl and a fire demon named Calcifer, who makes a deal with her to help her break the spell. To sub or the dub? The English dub of Howls Moving Castle stars Jean Simmons, Emily Mortimer, Lauren Bacall, Christian Bale (on top form), Josh Hutcherson and Billy Crystal (particularly brilliant as Calcifer) and is recommended. Howls Moving Castle has stunning animation and weird a

Diane Daniels and Tatton Spiller from Simple Politics (Instagram, Podcast) join Flixwatcher remotely to review Diane’s choice Silver Linings Playbook. Silver Linings Playbook is a 2012 comedy-drama directed by David O. Russell and starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. Although based on the novel The Silver Linings Playbook the plot is quite different. This version sees Cooper’s Pat diagnosed as bipolar and prone to violent behaviour strike up a friendship and romantic relationship with recently widowed Tiffany (Lawrence) when they enter a dance competition together. Silver Linings Playbook was a global hit - grossing over $240 million worldwide and was nominated for eight Oscars including the ‘Big Five’ and winning Best Actress for Lawrence. The response to Silver Linings Playbook was mixed with guests and Kobi scoring it favourably for recommendability but Helen less so. Solid scores in the remaining categories give an overall rating of 3.57.   Episode #242 Crew Links Thanks to Episode #242 Crew of

 Rich Nelson and Catrin Lowe from Don‘t You Want Me? podcast return to Flixwatcher remotely to review Rich’s choice About A Boy. About A Boy is a 2002 comedy-drama starring Hugh Grant, Toni Collette and Nicholas Hoult, directed by Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz it is based on the Nick Hornby novel of the same name. Grant stars as Will, a man child living without responsibilities, commitments or having to work living off royalties from a song his father wrote. He meets Marcus (Hoult) on the day his mother Fiona (Collette) attempts suicide. The two strike up an unlikely friendship and teach each other life lessons. Knowing and winking at the audience (references to everyone's favourite film mum Collette being in The Sixth Sense) with an excellent Badly Drawn Boy film soundtrack About A Boy manages the delicate balance of comedy and seriousness to leave you all warm and fuzzy inside. Scores for recommendability were solid if not sensational and a high small screen score gives About A Boy a decent overall rating of

Josh Pappenheim (Truly Happily Madison Podcast) and Sam Clements (90 Minutes or Less Film Fest podcast) join Flixwatcher remotely to review Josh’s choice Cats. Considered one of the worst films of all time and was only released in 2019, Cats is a “live-action” film based on the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage musical of the same name. It inexplicably stars Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson, Francesca Hayward and unfortunately James Corden as cats - sort of human size, some with breasts, some without and alternating between walking like a cat but also then like a human. Some cats wear clothes, often shoes, fur coats and even fur that zips off. All the cats have human hands and Judi Dench’s Old Deuteronomy has a wedding ring! There isn’t much in the way of plot - unless you know what a Jellicle cat is and the digital fur technology is more demonic than innovative. Will they ever release the bumhole cut? This sung-through musical is best described as deran

Fran Turauskis (On the Outside podcast, Pod Bible digital editor) and Meg Fozzard (writer and disability rights campaigner) join Flixwatcher remotely to review Fran’s choice Apollo 13. Apollo 13 is a 1995 docudrama film directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris and Gary Sinise. Based on Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13, a book by astronaut Jim Lovell and journalist Jeffrey Kluger, it tells the true story of the failed Apollo 13 lunar landing mission. Apollo 13 was a huge success on its release making over $355 million worldwide and was nominated for nine Oscars (winning for Best Film Editing and Best Sound) but did it win over Meg who doesn’t like films set in space and space jargon? Recommendability scores were high for Apollo 13, even from Meg but lower for repeat viewing due to the docudrama/real-life story and small screen giving an overall rating of 3.46.   [supsystic-tables id=251]   Episode #239 Crew Links Thanks to Episode #239 Crew of Francesca Tu

Arlie Adlington (award-winning audio producer) and Kate Leaver (Who’s A Good Dog podcast) return to Flixwatcher remotely to review Arlie’s choice Twister. Twister is a 1996 disaster film directed by Jan de Bont with a screenplay by Michael (ER, Jurassic Park) Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin. It stars Bill Paxton as Bill, a retired storm chaser-turned weatherman and Helen Hunt as Jo, a meteorologist obsessed with chasing tornadoes and trying to deploy a tornado research device - they also happen to be ex husband and wife. Along with a supporting cast of twister perverts including Cary Elwes, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alan Ruck, Jeremy Davies and Jake Busey they are in a race against tornados to successfully test Dorothy and her magic balls. Twister has a surprisingly low body count (high flying cow count) for a disaster film (the dog does not die) and also quite a low action rate apart from a couple of decent scenes - just about enough to sustain for its near two hour runtime. Twister is quite an usual film - fl

Carrie Morrison (Lights, Carrie, Action podcast) and Jessica Regan (Best Pick podcast) return to Flixwatcher remotely to review Carrie’s choice My Neighbor Totoro. My Neighbor Totoro is the 1988 iconic Studio Ghibli animation. Written and directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki it tells the story of sisters Satsuki and Mei who move to a rural setting while their mother is unwell and in hospital. One day, Mei follows two spirits into the forest and finds a sleeping "Totoro" - a sort of chinchilla type animal - and falls asleep on its belly. Satsuki at first doesn’t believe Mei that the Totoro exists but later when they are waiting for the bus in the rain Totoro appears. With a run time of under 90 minutes My Neighbor Totoro is light on narrative but heavy on fantasy and animism - the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. It is impossible not to be drawn into the fantasy and charm of Totoro and this was heavily reflected in the scores. The recommendability scores

Ben Challoner (Third Window Films Podcast) and Joe (The Wire Stripped, Shitegeist podcast) join Flixwatcher remotely for the last episode of 2021 to review Ben’s choice Tokyo Godfathers. Tokyo Godfathers is a 2003 Japanese animation tragicomedy written and directed by Satoshi Kon. Three homeless people Gin - a middle-aged alcoholic, Hana - a transgender woman and Miyuki - teenage runaway discover an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve and end up on a wild adventure when they try to reunite baby and mother. Son himself calls Tokyo Godfathers “a twisted sentimental story” despite the Christmas setting and Three Wise Men elements that is where the warming festive spirit ends as the story progresses there is murder, beatings, suicide and the reality of being homeless. This might sound depressing but there is also humour and hope.   [supsystic-tables id=248] Recommendations for Tokyo Godfathers were very high - even from Helen! Slightly lower repeat viewing but higher engagement - unless you find subtitled animation

Katie Smith-Wong (Movie Marker, Film Stories, New Scientist) and Kelechi Ehenulo (Confessions From A Geek Mind, Film Stories, VultureHound Magazine) join Flixwatcher remotely to review Katie’s choice The Power of the Dog. The Power of the Dog is a 2021 release from acclaimed director Jane Campion based on Thomas Savage's 1967 novel. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil an alpha male cowboy/repressed homosexual, Jesse Plemons as his brother George, Kirsten Dunst as Rose, George’s new wife and Kodi Smit-McPhee as her effeminate and quiet son Peter. Phil’s perfect set up is throw into disarray when his brother George marries widower Rose who moves into their family home with her son Peter and threatens tightly controlled world. He retaliates by bullying and intimating Rose and starts an unpredictable relationship with Peter. The Power of the Dog was a highlight at London Film Festival 2021 and its arrival on Netflix comes with high expectations. Despite the Western setting The Power of the Dog is more a film a

Sophie (It’s An S Pod Thing!) and Barbara (Over/underated: a music podcast with Babs and Fran) return to Flixwatcher remotely to review Sophie’s choice School of Rock. School of Rock is a 2003 comedy directed by Richard Linklater and starring Jack Black as Dewey Finn, a failing rock musician who pretends to be his best friend Ned filling in as a substitute teacher and consequently uses his pupils to enter a Battle of the Bands competition. It also co-stars Joan Cusack as the uptight Principal ”Roz" Mullins, Sarah Silverman as Ned’s nagging girlfriend and Mike White (who wrote the film) as Ned Schneebly, Dewy’s best friend and the real Mr Schneebly. Not a musical but there is a stage musical adaptation it was the highest-grossing music-themed comedy of all time until 2015. If High Fidelity was Black’s breakout film, School of Rock put him firmly into the mainstream and it is very much his film and still his most known and loved character.   [supsystic-tables id=246] School of Rock scored very highly for recom

Zach Fortais-Gomm and Liz Campbell from Realms of Peril and Glory (actual play podcast) return to Flixwatcher remotely to review Liz’s choice Mean Girls. Mean Girls is a 2004 teen comedy written by Tina Fey and directed by Mark (Freaky Friday) Waters. It stars Lindsay Lohan as newcomer Cady, a superb Rachel McAdams as Regina George the rich popular leader of The Plastics, Lacey Chabert as Gretchen Wieners and Amanda Seyfried, in her breakout role as Karen Smith, the sweet but dumb member of The Plastics. Cady arrives at High School having been homeschooled previously in “Africa” and befriends two outsiders Janis and Damien who convince her to befriend Regina and The Plastics to take revenge. Even if you haven’t seen Mean Girls you will have seen the numerous GIFs and memes (93 and counting) it has spawned - ever worn pink on a Wednesday?!? It has quite possibly become the defining teen film in popular culture. Despite some aspects having aged like (according to Zach) milk - the casual racism and sexual relat