Claire and Gavia discuss Steven Spielberg's acclaimed 2021 adaptation of West Side Story, a musical about two young lovers caught in a turf war between rival gangs. Among other topics we delve into Spielberg's unique technical expertise, West Side Story's complicated political legacy, the lost art of movie-musical filmmaking... and Claire's passionate love for Mike Faist, who earned widespread praise for playing the charismatic gang leader Riff.

Gavia and Steffan review Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things, a bold sci-fi comedy starring Emma Stone as a woman created through a Frankenstein-like experiment. Nominated for eleven Oscars, Poor Things is critically acclaimed but divisive - particularly regarding its depiction of female sexuality.

Claire Biddles and Gavia Baker-Whitelaw reveal their top 10 lists for the best movies of 2023, running the gamut from indie hits like Return to Seoul and May December, to blockbusters like Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - along with some true hidden gems!

Gavia and Steffan review the 2023 Doctor Who specials, discussing the return of David Tennant, Catherine Tate and showrunner Russell T. Davies, the arrival of Ncuti Gatwa as the wildly charismatic new Doctor, and various behind-the-scenes details involving the show's quasi-reboot status and new partnership with Disney.

Claire and Gav review the beloved 1992 figure skating romcom The Cutting Edge, directed by Paul Michael Glaser (The Running Man) and written by Tony Gilroy (Andor, The Bourne Identity). Harking back to the spiky banter of the 1930s screwball era, sparks fly when a spoiled figure skater and a macho hockey player form an unlikely creative partnership.

Gavia and Steffan review the new Hunger Games prequel movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Among other topics, they delve into its unexpected narrative structure, its political worldbuilding, its relationship to the other Hunger Games movies, and the complicated task of creating a successful prequel.

Claire and Gavia discuss Ira Sachs’ acclaimed new romantic drama Passages, starring Franz Rogowski and Ben Whishaw as a married couple who become embroiled in a love triangle with a young woman (Adele Exarchopoulos). We delve into the film's attitude to queer identity, its best-of-the-year costume design, and its thoughtfully choreographed sex scenes.

Gavia and Steffan delve into the iconic 1973 horror movie The Exorcist, discussing its chaotic creative process with director William Friedkin, its lasting impact on the horror genre, and its fantastic craftsmanship as an example of gritty New Hollywood cinema.

Claire and Gavia celebrate the magnificent Pre-Code classic Shanghai Express (1932), starring Marlene Dietrich and featuring Anna May Wong in her most iconic role. Directed by Josef von Sternberg, this atmospheric drama follows a group of international train passengers who are taken hostage during the Chinese Civil War.

Claire and Gavia delve into Oppenheimer, discussing the film's relationship with "great man" biopics, its divisive political narrative, its epic ensemble cast, and Christopher Nolan's underappreciated levels of corniness.