Cinema in Context

Meta slasher films. Sarah Watt and Jeremy Downing, with special guest Doug Dillaman, discuss Scream (1996) and Scream (2022). We begin by discussing the self-referential and meta qualities of the Scream series, including Scream 2 (1997), Scream 3 (2000) and Scream 4 (2011). We link and talk about the films in regards to Drew Barrymore, Scooby Doo and Psycho (1960), Hereditary (2018), The Babadook (2014) and Midsommar (2019). We then move into a discussion of the lore of the films, going through each movie and our connection to them. This then progresses to a discussion around the visceral violence of the films, and how that emphasises and subvert horror movie tropes. We talk about the depiction of mental illness, homosexuality and transsexuality in horror films, especially as a motivator for committing atrocities. This brings us to reference Heavenly Creatures (1994), Rope (1948) and Yellowjackets (2021). We move to discuss the perspective of each film and the filmmakers confidence in filmmaking, linking to "requels" like Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). We talk about the cast, including Melissa Barrera, Jack Quaid, Mikey Madison, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Marley Shelton. We then discuss the realities of filming in Covid-19 affected times, linking to Moonfall (2022), Reacher (2022) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). We finish by discussing the elements of the series that are unrealistic, especially the wounds that many characters shouldn't survive from. Our final thoughts touch on the idea of elevated horror and how might that sub-genre of horror finds its way more tonally in the Scream franchise.

Seven films from the summer for our 70th episode. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the following 2021 films: Don't Look Up, Encanto, The French Dispatch, House of Gucci, The Matrix: Resurrections, The Power of the Dog and West Side Story.

Don't Look Up: We begin with review by song, highlighting how much the satire was or wasn't on the nose - especially pushing a particular agenda. We celebrate the cast, especially Melanie Lynskey. We reference Heavenly Creatures (1994) and Mother! (2017).

Our collective rating adds up to: 2 thumbs up and 2 thumbs down

Encanto: We discuss the messages and themes of the film, especially how dark gets and how subtle it explores those ideas. We also talk about the Disney influence on the film, particularly around character and toy design.

Our collective rating adds up to: 6 thumbs up

The French Dispatch: Wes Anderson's latest film, with a plethora of brilliant actors. We discuss the balance of humour, pretentiousness and how Wes Anderson this new Wes Anderson film is. We compare the film to Midnight in Paris (2011), Last Night in Soho (2021), The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) and Sin City: A Dame To Kill For (2014).

Our collective rating adds up to: 6 thumbs up

House of Gucci: We start by discussing the accents everyone is putting on and whether their performances are over-the-top or not. We talk mostly about the performances of Jared Leto, Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons. We reference Ridley Scott's previous film The Last Duel (2021) and its similarities.

Our collective rating adds up to: 2 thumbs up and 1 thumb down

The Matrix: Resurrections: We discuss our general enjoyment of the film, with each of us falling in different points of the spectrum. This is in reference to the Wachowskis' works, like The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003), Speed Racer (2008), Cloud Atlas (2012), Jupiter Ascending (2015) and Sense8 (2015-18).

Our collective rating adds up to: 2 thumbs up and 2 thumbs down

The Power of the Dog: Jane Campion's return to the big screen, after two seasons of Top of the Lake (2013-2017), her last film being the fantastic Bright Star (2009). We discuss the fantastic cast, including Kodi Smit-McPhee, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons. We discuss the tension in the film, in connection to Quentin Tarantino and Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood (2019).

Our collective rating adds up to: 6 thumbs up

West Side Story: We discuss Steven Spielberg's career-long desire to make a musical, especially remaking West Side Story (1961), referencing Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and In the Heights (2021). We talk about the specifics of the show and the changes made in the new film, especially highlighting the songs "Somewhere", "I Feel Pretty" and "Cool". We talk about the casting, including Bernardo played by David Alverez, Chino played by Josh Andrés Rivera, Riff played by Mike Faist, Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort playing Maria and Tony, respectively, and Valentina played by Rita Moreno.

Our collective rating adds up to: 4 thumbs up

We also mention Nightmare Alley (2021), The Green Knight (2021), Scream (2022), and The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021).

Highs and lows of the year. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss their highlight films of 2021, including their biggest surprises, disappointments, wildcards, recommendations, runner-ups for the best film/television of the year and then each person's top pick.

Here are the films discussed:

• Biggest surprise: Werewolves Within [William]; Annette [Sarah]; and WandaVision [Jeremy]

• Disappointment: Titane [Sarah & William]; Ted Lasso - Season 2 [William]; and No Time To Die [Jeremy]

• Wildcard: Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar [Jeremy]; Slamilton [William]; and Class Action Park [Sarah].

• Recommendations: Reservation Dogs [William]; The Leftovers (2014-2017) & The White Lotus [Jeremy]; and Lapsis (2020) [Sarah].

• Runner-up films for the top spot: F9: The Fast Saga, Last Night In Soho, The Green Knight, VHS: 1994, The Suicide Squad & Pig [William]; Collective & Coming Home In the Dark [Sarah]; and In the Heights [Jeremy].

• Film/television series of the year: The Father [Sarah]; Arcane [William]; and Dune [Jeremy].

We had not consensus around our picks this year, so there is no overall Cinema in Context film of the year.

We also talked about and mentioned these films throughout the episode: The Thing (1986), Hateful Eight (2015), Clue (1985), Raw (2016), Donnie Darko (2001), Southland Tales (2006), Drive (2011), Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021), Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Rick and Morty (2013-), Casablanca (1942), A Clockwork Orange (1971), What Ever Happened to Baby Jane (1962), Space Jam (1996), 21 Jump Street (2012), 22 Jump Street (2014), Men In Black (1997), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), The Peacemaker (1997), The Last Duel (2021), The French Dispatch (2021), The Little Mermaid (1989), Toy Story (1995), Paperman (2012), Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001), Resident Evil (2002), Super Mario Bros. (1993), Apocalypse Now (1979), House of Gucci (2021), All The Money In The World (2017), Hannibal (2001), The Matrix: Resurrections (2021), The Batman (2022), The Power of Dog (2021), Encanto (2021), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), West Side Story (2021), The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) and Othello (1951).

Tony Leung films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) and In the Mood for Love (2000). We begin by discussing Tony Leung's work in Shang-Chi and how much charisma he brings to the film, which weaves into a critique of the villains in Marvel films. We talk about the special effects of the film and the final set piece, especially the quality of the Computer Generated Imagery and the over-the-top nature of the climax. We talk about the roles of Meng'er Zhang as Shang-Chi's sister Xialing, Michelle Yeoh, and Ben Kingsley. We then move to discussing In The Mood for Love and whether it is a funny film or not. We connect the films to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Hero (2002), and Brief Encounter (1945), especially how romance is explored through reserved storytelling. We discuss Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton's earlier film Short Term 12 (2008 & 2013) and Chloé Zhao's Eternals (2021). We then praise the work of leads Simu Liu and Awkafina, and connecting to their other work Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) and Kim's Convenience (2016-2021). We then further discuss Hero, especially the action work, colours and other stylistic and story elements, including Rashomon (1960), Jackie Brown (1997), The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989), Speed (1994), Skyfall (2012), Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and A View to a Kill (1985).

Virtual reality worlds. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Free Guy (2021) and The Matrix (1999). We begin by praising The Matrix, directed by Lilly and Lana Wachowski aka "The Wachowskis". We talk about various memorable shots and sequences, and drawing connections to manga, anime, Hong Kong cinema, Shrek (2001), Swordfish (2001), Jet Li's The One (2001), the work of John Woo, and Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003). We reflect upon the lobby shoot-out scene and the state of gun violence in the United States of America, particularly the Columbine High School massacre that would occur three weeks after the release of The Matrix. We look at the year 1999 and how it was a turning point year, as the film suggests, with the 9/11 attacks just around the corner, Y2K bug - with a shout out to the podcast You're Wrong About - and the rise of the internet. We make further connections to the work of Robert Rodriguez, the sequels Matrix: Reloaded and Matrix: Revolutions, and a range of work that came before and a multitude of influences moving forward. We shift our praise of The Matrix to its story, including high stakes your care about, the Eastern philosophy, the critique of the status quo of inequity and control in the role, trans-ness and the transitioning allegory, and the core love story. However, there are also some disturbing influences of the story, like the rise of trench coat-wearing terrorists and red-pilling. We then consider films that connect The Matrix to Free Guy, including John Carpenter's They Live (1988), The Lego Movie (2014), Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021), and with a quote from BoJack Horseman (2014-20). Our conversation then moves to focus on Free Guy, highlighting it's homage and hat-tipping to other films, like Star Wars (1977) and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We highlight the strengths of the film, especially the storyline focused on Jodie Comer and Joe Keery, which explore feminine and masculine gaming sensibilities. We decry the performance of Taika Waititi in the film, as well as Shawn Levy's direction of his improvisation, comparing it to the Ocean's Eleven sequels and Judd Apatow films. We continue to connect the film to Dark City (1998), The Truman Show (1998), Inception (2010), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), the work of John Hughes, Her (2013), and Alien: Resurrection (1997).

The White Lotus. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the latest HBO limited series The White Lotus, created, written and directed by Mike White. We begin by sharing our initial thoughts, which are varied between the three of us. In our discussion, we work our way through each of the characters and the actors playing them, unpacking how each of their stories land. You can read Sarah's blog post response and review to The White Lotus here: https://bit.ly/3tPDBce

Disney theme park films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Jungle Cruise (2021) and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), two action adventure films based on Disney theme park rides of the same names. We begin the discussion by focusing on Jungle Cruise, reflecting upon the circumstances of how we each saw the film, and then very quickly comparing it to Pirates of the Caribbean. We hark back to the heyday of DVDs, when Pirates of the Caribbean had just been released, alongside films like Transformers (2007) and The Incredibles (2003), and discuss the film in both context of its time and how it has aged over time. Our discussion then focuses on specific elements of Pirates of the Caribbean, including the direction of Gore Verbinski, the score headed up by Hans Zimmer, the on-the-fly writing of Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, including connections and comparisons to Ennio Morricone and Sergio Leone, and the LucasArts Monkey Island game series. We then discuss the writing and cast of Jungle Cruise, including connections to The African Queen, and Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, and the great work of Emily Blunt, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Jessie Plemons and Jack Whitehall. Our conversation then focuses on Jack Whitehall's gay character, with his coming out in the world of the film and the allegiance of Emily Blunt's character, and a discussion around the representation of a gay character played by a straight actor. We reflect upon other Disney gay characters, including the live action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, with LeFou, and Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, with two unnamed background characters, and then consider Jungle Cruise and how they present a gay character in Jack Whitehall. We then talk to the chemistry between the characters in Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean. Our chat then compares Jungle Cruise to Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), The Mummy (1999), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Romancing the Stone (1984) and Apocalypse Now (1979). Our discussion then moves into a conversation about the music of Jungle Cruise, including Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters". We then consider the scariness of both films, including Edgar Ramírez' character and the skeletons of Pirates of the Caribbean. We then look back at Gore Verbinski's films, including The Lone Ranger (2013), The Ring (2002), The Cure for Wellness (2016), Rango (2011) and Mousehunt (1997),and also looking back at Jaume Collet-Serra's films The Shallows (2016), The Commuter (2018), Orphan (2009) and House of Wax (2005).

The Fast & Furious saga. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss F9: The Fast Saga (2021) and The Fast and the Furious (2001), the latest and initial films in the Fast and the Furious saga. We begin by discussing Jeremy's lack of exposure to the films, with Sarah and William filling in the blanks. We talk to the legacy of the series, including its representation of people of colour, masculinity, femininity and family. We then return to joyfully recounting our favourite parts of the series. We compare the original to a range of films of the same time, including Charlie's Angels, The Matrix and Ocean's Eleven. We then talk about... magnets! And all the fun of magnets in the chase sequences in Edinburgh in F9. Our discussion then moves into a comparison and consideration of the series to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other franchise series. We then talk about the real-world crossovers of the films, with in-fighting and familial connections.

Cultural change musicals. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss In The Heights (2021) and Fiddler on the Roof (1971), two musical films exploring the upholding of culture amidst social change. We begin by discuss the similarities of both films. We then talk to Fiddler on the Roof and its timelessness and its sense of reality. We then discuss the ideas presented in In The Heights, including celebrating community, the journey of being otherised and the stories of undocumented young people in the United States of America. We then discuss the dream sequences in both films, the character development, and the interchange between the dialogue and music.

Robot uprising films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss The Mitchells vs the Machines (2021) and Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991), two films detailing the robot apocalypse and dysfunctional families finding their way in the skirmish. We begin by talking about The Mitchells vs the Machines, comparing it to Phil Lord and Chris Miller's other works, notably Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse. We applaud the visual style of the film, but critique how all the pieces fit together. We further compare the film to WALL-E, Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, specifically how animation is used in conjunction with real-world elements - further comparing styles to The Mandalorian, The Congress, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Da 5 Bloods and The Irishman. We then move into a discussion of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, specifically how the special and practical effects hold up. We talk about the film in connection to Jurassic Park, Shocker, Aliens, Titanic and Breaking Bad. Our conversation then moves into how the story is established and paid off throughout the film, connecting to the Greek prophetess Sibyl, 12 Monkeys, The Matrix, A Glitch in the Matrix, I, Robot, Lego Movie 2: The Second Part and Avatar.