Overrated Podcast

Adored by filmmakers the world over, 8 1/2 is one of the sacred cows of classic cinema. But is it deserving of that status? Tune in as Alan and Joe discuss Felinni's magnum opus. In part two of the podcast, Alan suggests an anxiety inducing, existentialist nightmare of a film that you won't soon forget.

Is The Princess Bride a tongue-in-cheek comedic masterpiece, or an inconceivable, over-hyped fluff piece? Elisabeth Bailey (our very first guest) sits down with Joe and Alan to discuss her opinion of the film and to introduce an alternate selection which features goblins, extremely tight trousers, and contact juggling.

We round out the final installment of our Tom Hanks trifecta with a look back at one of the most highly revered war films of all time. Joe admits that director Steven Spielberg was successful in rending a highly authentic portrayal of WWII combat, but suggests that in the process of bringing the European theatre of war into cinemas, audiences may have gotten too wrapped up in the American flag to see its shortcomings. The film is a technical marvel, but does Saving Private Ryan really "earn it"?

This week, Alan and Joe talk about Philadelphia (1993). Despite a few poignant scenes, and strong performances from both Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks, Jonathan Demme's attempt to deal with the AIDS epidemic in America ultimately flat-lines. But hang in there, as Alan's recommendation introduces us to a little known South African film which presents similar subject matter in a more poetic way.

For our first installment of what is to be a Tom Hanks trifecta, Joe and Alan tear open the cinematic box of chocolates known as Forrest Gump. With characters and moments ranging from sickly sweet to dreadfully bitter, we'll discuss why this overrated film leaves such a bad taste in our mouths.

Do androids dream of electric unicorns? Like tears in rain, Joe and Alan get lost in the stormy skies of Ridley Scott's much loved neo-noir classic, Blade Runner. The second part of the podcast has Alan's recommended film giving us some idea of what it's like to fall in love with a polyamorous operating system.

The winter holidays are upon us, and Joe has nominated the most beloved work of Frank Capra's career as our Overrated Christmas film. Surely this pick is going to get him on quite a few naughty lists, but maybe mean old Mr.Potter isn't the only rotten thing in Bedford Falls. Are you sick of all the "Capracorn", or will Joe be getting a stocking full of coal this Christmas? Have a listen, and let us know!

What constitutes good art? What is the nature of genius? Why are we talking so much about painting when this is supposed to be a film podcast? Listen in as we provide no real answers to these and other questions. Oh, and we also attempt to critique Ed Harris's passion project, Pollock. The second part of the podcast shines some light on a recent, but possibly overlooked Mike Leigh gem.

A MIME is a terrible thing to waste.

In this week's episode, Joe and Alan have a look at what many consider to be Antonioni's mod masterpiece. Does it hold up as the fab flick so many claim it to be? Or is it a dated, pretentious, and vapid philosophical exploration? Joe's selection in the second part of the podcast features a film that was directly inspired by Blow-Up. Give us a listen to suss it all out, you groovy birds and blokes!