At the Flicks

Welcome to the At The Flicks review show, the only review show you will ever need. The good news for our listeners is, this month’s film selection is a major improvement over last time. There are films here that even Jeff likes.

To prove that statement, here are the movies being reviewed:

One Night In Miami : A gathering of “friends” back in the 1960’s - a party we would all like to crash. Well, except one of the reviewers.

News Of The World : Tom Hanks in a Western. We are all in for this, and at least it isn’t anything like Damsel which we all reviewed (OK, attacked), last month.

The Art Of Self Defense : Jesse Eisenberg playing a neurotic (at least to start with). Strange and quirky and with more than a passing resemblance to an 80’s favourite.

Willy’s Wonderland : Nicholas Cage in a weird movie. There’s something different (not), although it was too weird for one of the reviewers!

I Care A Lot : Highly praised by many on the show. One had to be contrary and amazingly, it is not Jeff this time. Who is this and why?

Oh, but there’s more. An excellent Dash from Darren this month including White Tiger, Moxie and White God.

Then there is the return of Jeff’s thought provoking quiz. Will the team score high like they did last month (or not do very well because they scored high in other ways)? Listen carefully and you will hear a familiar voice join us to help Graham out with a question he gets stuck on.

We also start a new feature where we give a shout out to our listener of the month. Are you the first listener of the month? Check out the show to find out. If not, maybe next time.

As always we hope you enjoy (even if you don’t agree with) our take on some of the big hitters released in the last few weeks. Please let us know what you think, as we do like to hear from you.

Until next time – take care and stay safe.

Our James Bond retrospective, as part of our series Rediscovering The Classics With Elijah, continues with You Only Live Twice. Which can be subtitled The Destruction Of Jeff’s Childhood.

This was the first James Bond film Jeff saw in the cinema. He recounts in incredible starry eyed detail the circumstances of where he saw it and its impact on him. Coming back to it all these years later for this podcast and he realises he is no longer the optimistic youngster he once was. Elijah is sympathetic to this realisation, while Graham and Neil just mock.

Yet oddly, while You Only Live Twice may not have stood the test of time, it is the Bond film of the 1960’s which has the most influence today. Why? Listen in and find out.

Also check out this podcast to learn the following

- Why Sean Connery was unhappy filming in Japan

- What Little Nellie shouldn’t have done

- Why a cat wrangler sued the producers

- Why living in the shadow of a fake volcano can be upsetting

As always, the most important aspect of the show is, what did Elijah think of it, coming to the movie for the first time? Did he have Jeff’s initial optimism or was he more measured in his approach?

For an added bonus to this episode, check out the opening section of the show where the battle of the older Bonds begin. Jeff, Graham and Neil pit their wits against one another, and discover three half (wits) do not make a whole! The reason for this? Who should be the next Bond. Graham Hills joins us to judge or perhaps finally give up on the pointlessness of this competition.

What do you think – who should go forward to the next round and eventually replace Daniel Craig. Please let us know your thoughts.

Enjoy and stay safe.

Our James Bond retrospective, as part of our Rediscovering The Classics With Elijah series, continues with Thunderball.

Our previous show on this subject was a double bill discussion of From Russia With Love and Goldfinger way back in episode 102 (Bond Is Back), initially released September 2020. The reason this is mentioned now (other than it might be an episode you want to revisit before listening to this one), is because of the opening remarks in the show notes. We started them by saying, in typical At The Flicks jokey style, we were anticipating the release of No Time To Die very shortly.

All these months later and we are still anticipating the same! There is a good chance we will have finished the Elijah / James Bond retrospective before it is finally released! After all, we only have 20 more to get through.

So, once again, while we all await the release of the latest James Bond offering, let’s talk about the old adventures of the super spy. This time the focus is on Thunderball. In this episode we talk about :

- The scene between James Bond and a female co-star which made Jeff uncomfortable (and that is a very low bar).

- Sean Connery’s increasing dissatisfaction with the films and one aspect of them in particular.

- Which members of the cast are dubbed

- Why did Jeff think something was wrong with his TV when watching the action scenes

And of course, the key question and reason for the podcast. Did Elijah like it? What is his view of a film now approaching 60 years old?

All the answers are here in our discussion about the 1960’s epic that is Thunderball. Or as we have subtitled the show, the one Neil prepped for.

If you are enjoying our Bond analysis, then the good news is, another one is coming in a couple of days time. Watch out for You Only Live Twice, which includes a very special announcement.

Enjoy and as always, stay safe.

Back in episode 145 (The Future Of Cinema), we put a panel together to get different views on what the future of cinema will look like in the post COVID world.

It certainly generated a lot of comment.

One thing we promised in that episode was to widen the view and look at what is happening in America. We have now fulfilled that promise. Andy is back to give us his view from across the pond. It also allows us to refine our predictions as more decisions are being made.

During the course of the show we look at such topics as

- The future of physical media

- What would get the panel back into a cinema

- What approach each studio is planning or already has in place

- The potential future of the streaming services

Big topics to be sure. We also address another serious point – how did a cinema visit with Neil cause the bad luck which has resulted in most movie houses worldwide closing?

In short this is a wide ranging conversation which is also a little more optimistic than our previous one. Who knows, when we get to our next talk on this subject, cinemas could be open and it is back to business as usual.

Here’s hoping.

If you have any comments on this topic please let us know, we are always pleased to hear from you.

Stay safe and see you on the next show.

Listeners with long memories may remember back in the pre-COVID days, we used to provide an irreverent movie news column for our mid month show.

When film production essentially stopped, we decide to mothball news as, to be frank, there wasn’t any, other than movie postponements. It was just too depressing.

Now we are back and like the rest of your At The Flicks shows, bigger and bolder than ever. Each month we have set a target to get you the best movie news. Our aim is to try to get you an exclusive on a movie production, as well a humorous piece and something potentially prestigious.

This month, for our first stand alone movie news show, I am sure you will agree we have met all of those targets. Writer / director Max Van De Banks tells us about his new film Mudlark which starts production at the end of March. Max talks about the idea, the locations and the casting. In fact, all the info you need to convince you this is a must see short feature.

After Max, we let Graham loose to tell us all about what his favourite actor has been up to during lockdown. He certainly has been busy, and Graham gets very excited explaining that to you. Then Neil tells us what Rebel Wilson is about to start filming in the UK. I bet you are thinking zany comedy – you could not be more wrong! Neil reveals all he has found out about this worthy movie.

Lastly, Jeff sneaks on to tell us about a soundtrack he has been listening to on hard rotation since Christmas. It is a remarkable piece of work from a composer who is not as well known as he should be.

Here it is listeners, our new movie news format. What do you think? Please drop us a line to let us know your views. Your thoughts are, as always, very welcome.

Enjoy and stay safe.

It’s back! The At The Flicks team return to review whatever films we can find.

Yes after two months off, during which time we looked at the best of 2020 (there’s an oxymoron) and presented our official awards show, we are back talking movies. Unfortunately, not the best new movie selection we could have picked. Jeff complains about the majority of them. Nothing new there you might think, however on this show Darren and Graham try to outdo him in that department.

What could have sparked such an outcry? Surely not Pixar’s latest, Soul, about the afterlife, or Mank, a black and white feature about the Golden Age of Hollywood? Was it perhaps another black and white feature, Malcolm & Marie, (for Neil it has to be colour or nothing)? Maybe it was the British farce Blithe Spirit (Jeff goes on and on about his views on British farce) or the quirky comedy western Damsel (It gave Graham saddle sores). Even Phil, our most mild mannered of reviewers starts to lose it with a couple of them (the films that is, not the At The Flicks team).

Thankfully we have a great Darren’s Dash to rescue us. This works especially well for Graham as it includes something from his movie paladin, Mr Gerard Butler.

Continuing with the great news. How well did you do at last month’s quiz? Check in for the answers and also listen out for 4 new questions, three of which can amazingly this month, be answered by the team (did Jeff slip them the answers in advance so as not to embarrass them – you decide). Can you answer the elusive fourth question? Please let us know.

Finally we talk briefly to Val over in New Zealand about what cinema life is currently like there at the moment. Prepare to be envious. Just remember that with God’s will and a fair wind that could be us in a couple of month’s time.

Until then follow the rules, stay safe and we will all come out of this fit and well.

Take care and see you on the next show.

Welcome to another podcast in our occasional series (very occasional as it’s been over a year since the last one)– Director on Director.

Writer / Director Phil Stubbs (Last Chancers) joins us again, to talk about another of his favourite directors, this time it’s Richard Donner.

Before we talk about the content of the show, we have an apology to make to you, the listener, about the sound quality. There were some technical issues with the show. Believe me when I tell you that it was questionable whether we were even going to be able to release this one. However, technical maestro Graham worked non stop for three days and nights to get the show to a listen-able standard. Don’t cheer him too loudly though, as he is now trying to get some sleep!

One problem that did amuse Graham is Jeff dropping out of the show at one point. Oddly it was just as they were starting to talk about Mel Gibson! Graham insists this was a complete fluke, however Neil did take some possible incriminating photos. Do they show Graham smiling as he pulls out wires that disables Jeff’s connection to the show? You be the judge – for the right fee Neil will send them on to you.

As for the show itself, well, Richard Donner is an incredible character – still planning to direct at 90 years of age! In fact he didn’t direct his first major film until he was 46 years old (although there was one in the lead up to that I bet he wishes everyone would forget now – but don’t worry Jeff remembers it and spills the beans all about it).

Be amazed as Phil tells some incredible stories about the making of The Omen and the first two Superman series. Find out why Ladyhawke causes a difference of opinion and also why is Inside Moves so elusive to find? It is just a shame Jeff wasn’t there to discuss the Mel and rein in Graham as in his praise for his favourite actor he once again reacted in an immoderate way.

Overall, a fascinating discussion about a fascinating film maker, led by a quality film maker. A promise. We will not wait so long for the next director on director discussion – the name of the next director is even revealed at the end of the show.

How do you rate Mr Donner, please let us know, as always we would love to hear from you.

Finally if you want to read a fascinating interview with the great man himself then go to moviesinfocus.com and check out their interview section. Well worth your time.

Loyal listeners, we have been through much together. Our rambleshackle early days, Neil's musings and COVID. For sticking with us, we have a treat in store for you. This show is an extract from our security recording from the Vault room under At the Flicks Manor as we review our plans for 2021 and beyond. Our gift to you. Enjoy and as always, stay safe.

Welcome to the continuing adventures of the At The Flicks team as they talk Star Trek movies.

After the success of Star Trek II : The Wrath Of Khan (At The Flicks episode 146), it was inevitable that there would be another movie. But how could there be a search for a character who (spoiler alert) didn’t make it to the end of the previous film. Indeed, it was rumoured that Leonard Nimoy didn’t want anything more to do with Star Trek. As we will discover in our show, that statement was not true. Leonard Nimoy enthusiastically came back as both actor and first time movie director.

Guiding us through this production story and many others is our captain – Darren (after all it was his idea), backed up by his science officer Graham who will be looking at some of the more technical aspects.

There is no Neil this time around. Jeff was let loose on the transporter controls. Don’t worry I am sure we will find Neil one day!!! In fact Jeff more than makes up for Neil with his views on Star Trek III. Shall we say they are very different to those held by Darren and Graham.

As a somewhat reduced crew we will be talking about such things as why

- Kirstie Alley did not come back and who replaced her?

- Nicholas Meyer did not return.

- Jeff believes this to be a religious and anti science movie (an idea shot down like a flaming Enterprise by the other two).

And many other facts and opinions you didn’t realise you needed to know.

As always in these shows, the At The Flicks team can be divided into two camps. Darren and Graham are devoted Star Trek fans while just Jeff this time is a casual viewer who assumes 1701 is only remembered for the passing of the Act Of Settlement.

So, prepare to boldly go, enjoy and remember in these difficult days, live long and prosper.

Today your At The Flicks team are honoured to be talking to writer / director Randy Gordon-Gatica about his festival winning feature The Magic Bomb.

The Magic Bomb is about an innocent caught up in a plot to detonate a nuclear device in New York City. Randy has taken a high concept idea and dipped it in the paranoia one would have found in many of the classic thrillers of the 1970’s. It is both exciting and tense, full of intelligent ideas about our conspiracy fueled current society.

One of the fascinating features of The Magic Bomb is, as Randy says, it was made for “zero dollars”. You heard right, what could easily be the plot line for a franchise Hollywood movie is made at New York street level at zero cost. Which gives the film a real passion – not only from Randy, but also his cast and crew.

In the interview Randy talks about his passion for his film, and his influences – both life and cinematic. It is a fascinating insight into the film making process.

You will notice we have only given the broadest outline of the plot – that is because The Magic Bomb is a film well worth discovering without knowing too much about it. So we would urge you to use the links below to check out the trailer and then rent the movie.

Enjoy and until the next time, continue to stay safe.