We discuss the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal and whether or not this spells the end of cinema. Then we look at a lesser reported Netflix controversy - the streamer muscling in on The Hallmark Channel's turf, the festive rom-com. And to save this episode from too much doom and gloom, we finish with a fantastic new release, Harry Lighton's Pillion, starring Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling (i.e. Dudley Dursley). 

References
The Netflix-Warners Bros deal
How the big tech monopoly is killing cinema
Champagne Problems beats Frankenstein to Netflix’s top spot
The Shining on IMAX

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Edited by Lily Austin
Original music by James Brailsford
Logo design by Alfie Garland

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You may not have clocked it, given the lack of fanfare, but the third installment of Knives Out was released last week. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will only be in cinemas for 2 weeks, before moving to Netflix, but is it worth catching on the big screen? We also discuss WGA and SAG renegotiations which will be taking place in 2026. Is another strike on the cards?

References
For horror fans: The Knickel Cinema
The Odyssey cinema in St Albans

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Edited by Lily Austin
Original music by James Brailsford
Logo design by Alfie Garland

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This we’re revisiting one of our most popular early episodes, where we did the unthinkable and willingly watched the worst films ever made (allegedly). The hit list includes Howard the Duck, Mommie Dearest and, of course, The Room, along with our own submission, the apex of Roger Moore’s career, North Sea Hijack, in an attempt to figure out what it takes to achieve cult bad status. 

References
Howard the Duck: An Oral History by Caseen Gaines for thedecider.com
How George Lucas’ Howard the Duck movie made The Matrix possible by K. Thor Jensen
Mommie Dearest at 40: the derided camp classic that deserves a closer look by Guy Lodge for The Guardian
The Room: how the worst movie ever became a Hollywood legend as bizarre as its creator by Aja Romano
Tommy Wiseau breaks down a scene from The Disaster Artist
BTS from The Room

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Edited by Lily Austin
Original music by James Brailsford
Logo design by Alfie Garland

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As Michael Mann’s Heat 2 inches closer to becoming a cinematic reality, we’re revisiting one of our earliest conversations about the great Al Pacino-Robert De Niro head-to-head, with special appearances from a young Natalie Portman and a wiggy Val Kilmer.

References
James Clark and Paul Szoldra, ‘That one scene in Heat that gave audiences the most realistic firefight in movie history’
Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner, Heat 2 (2022)
Koralijka Suton, ‘Heat at 25: Michael Mann’s meticulous masterpiece’
‘The Making of Heat (1995)’

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Edited by Lily Austin
Original music by James Brailsford
Logo design by Alfie Garland

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It is all about melodrama this week. First we discuss Lynne Ramsay's spectacular new movie, Die My Love, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. Then we have a highlight from our guest appearance on The Ministry of Film podcast, where we talk about Brief Encounter, ahead of its re-release as part of the BFI's season "Too Much: Melodrama on Film".

References
Listen to The Ministry of Film
Disney’s CEO Bob Iger on stepping down
Lynne Ramsay on Die My Love
BFI’s Melodrama season
Manchester’s Cultplex cinema

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Edited by Lily Austin
Original music by James Brailsford
Logo design by Alfie Garland

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Kelly Reichardt’s genre-defying heist movie, The Mastermind, is in cinemas, so we’re taking the opportunity to discuss our favourite capers. We also pay tribute to the longest running cinema release of all time  (from 1975 to present day), The Rocky Horror Picture Show, on its 50th anniversary.

References
Dogma: The Resurrection Tour

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Edited by Lily Austin
Original music by James Brailsford
Logo design by Alfie Garland

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Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein hit cinemas this past weekend for a brief stint before moving to Netflix. We discuss his adaptation and why filmmakers keep returning to Mary Shelley’s classic story. We also look at the rumours circulating around a few big screen delays (namely the troubled Michael Jackson biopic) and, the 30 years in the waiting, Heat 2 - is it finally going into production? 

References

World of Reel’s article on The Daniels’ film delay

Guillermo del Toro on fatherhood and Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein exhibition at The Old Selfridges Hotel

World of Reel’s latest article on Michael Mann’s Heat 2

Warwick Student Cinema

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Edited by Lily Austin
Original music by James Brailsford
Logo design by Alfie Garland

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Following the news of Diane Keaton’s death, we pay tribute to the rarest of things, a true Hollywood original. We also take you through the latest box office flops, Harris Dickinson’s thoughtful directorial debut, Urchin, and discuss the latest James Bond-Amazon controversy. 

References
Then Again, Diane Keaton’s memoir
Harris Dickinson interview for BFI
The Nickel cinema

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Edited by Lily Austin
Original music by James Brailsford
Logo design by Alfie Garland

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From A Clockwork Orange to Cloud Atlas, via the many attempts at Don Quixote, we consider the challenge of adapting books deemed “unfilmable” and why directors can’t resist the challenge.

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Edited by Lily Austin
Original music by James Brailsford
Logo design by Alfie Garland

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The wait is finally over. Our (best attempt at spoiler-free!) thoughts on Paul Thomas Anderson’s play for a blockbuster and an early look at the other films tipped for greatness this awards season.

References
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride trailer
Token Homo’s queer horror season at Genesis cinema
Horror season at Cultplex
Long-ass movies at Prince Charles Cinema

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If you love what we do, please like, subscribe and leave a review!

Edited by Lily Austin
Original music by James Brailsford
Logo design by Alfie Garland

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