Mate Night: a film podcast of deep-dive movie episodes

Wicked: For Good (2025) takes us back into the land of Oz — but this time things don’t quite add up. In this one-episode special, the Mate Night team explore why this massive finale feels like it’s on a completely different timeline than the iconic The Wizard of Oz (1939). We break down:

The character flips: Elphaba vs. the Wicked Witch, Glinda’s unexpected arc, the Wizard who can’t pick a personality

The plot explosions: Scarecrow on fire twice, slippers that teleport, and how the story only works if you ignore the original

The book origins: Gregory Maguire’s gritty novel that started it all, and how the musical and film diverge wildly

The parallel-universe theory: Why Wicked isn’t a prequel — it’s an entirely separate Oz

Our verdict: Fred’s take-down, Jambo’s defence, and whether fans of Oz should even bother

If you came out of Wicked: For Good scratching your head, thinking “This can’t fit the original” — you’re absolutely right. Tune in for the full breakdown, join the debate, and find out why sometimes the story you love needs a separate universe.

Subscribe to Mate Night for deep-dives, film debates, and podcast episodes every week.

Boogie Nights (1997) — film podcast deep dive and review from Mate Night. Paul Thomas Anderson’s porn industry epic gets the usual treatment: story, direction, performances, design, and whether it truly earns its classic status. Then we go off-set for the Burt Reynolds saga — the tension with Anderson, the almost-fight, firing his agent, and why he later distanced himself from the film.

One Battle After Another (2025) - film podcast review and deep dive from Mate Night. We pull apart Paul Thomas Anderson’s DiCaprio-led action thriller: politics, pacing, set-pieces, and whether it really deserves the “movie of the year” noise. Then we go back to Boogie Nights and the road not taken: DiCaprio nearly playing Dirk Diggler, choosing Titanic instead, and how that alternate timeline changes the way this new film feels.

Alien (1979) & Aliens (1986) - a deep dive double review from the Mate Night film podcast. We test Ridley Scott’s haunted-ship horror against James Cameron’s war-movie sequel: story, direction, performances, design, effects, score. Reputation vs reality, what truly holds up, and where the cracks show. Expect clear arguments, minimal spoilers, and a verdict that may upset both camps.

they're not actually film critics it just sounded better than film reviewers.

so it turns out the boys can read. they started the wheel of time - a 15 book long fantasy epic series. tune in to this mate night special to hear what they thought and also some other stuff.

ALSO

fred read the next book. poll below.

the boys were in for a shock when they tuned into Park Chan Wook's The Handmaiden, for both good and bad reasons. undoubtedly the most needlessly graphic scenes of an adult nature that have been committed to film

A clockwork orange. is it a masterpiece? or is it just a bit shit? tune in to find out what two random guys think.

Hot off its July 11 2025 theatrical debut, James Gunn’s long-awaited Superman reboot has already soared past $217 million worldwide in its opening weekend, kicking off the new DCU era with record-setting numbers.

In this episode we break down David Corenswet’s take on the Man of Steel, Rachel Brosnahan’s quick-witted Lois Lane, and Gunn’s brighter, hope-first tone—while weighing the polarised early reviews that range from raves about its screwball energy to jabs at “cluttered backstory” and “generic” plotting.

Join us for a spoiler-filled chat on whether this fresh start really delivers truth, justice, and a revitalised DC universe—or just another cape in the crowd.

The boys are back after a long summery break to review some of the blockbusters.

F1 movie released in theatres ... recently.. and just Jamie watched it so he's reporting back to Fred. Enjoy!

Join the boys for some more unprepared movie review antics on the Road to Cannes