Two men meet

With precise irregularity

Two:

microphones

laptops

opinions

One:

(Maybe a quiz or news too?)

For this episode

(ten, in cloying summer heat)

A Driver is a driver

A man is a town

A town is a man

A week is two hours

And

Not musch happens

The "Required Reading: A Film Podcast" Manifesto

1. All main discussion films to be chosen from either Netflix or Amazon Video

2. We’ll let you know via @MrPointyHead & @alxalxalx so you have time to watch

3. Share your thoughts and questions for us to discuss

4. Feel free to suggest our next film – tell us why you chose it

5. Discussion will be thorough, so be sure to watch before you listen!

The first co-winner of our ‘Blind Spot’ vote is Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), which came courtesy of regular Reader Chris Schilling. It also has the honour of being the first flick that both Alex and Dan have already seen, and their joint revisiting of the multi-Oscar winning dramedy proves rich grist for the conversational mill. Does this inventively shot slice of magical realism hold up to a repeat viewing?

The "Required Reading: A Film Podcast" Manifesto

1. All main discussion films to be chosen from either Netflix or Amazon Video

2. We’ll let you know via @MrPointyHead & @alxalxalx so you have time to watch

3. Share your thoughts and questions for us to discuss

4. Feel free to suggest our next film – tell us why you chose it

5. Discussion will be thorough, so be sure to watch before you listen!

Funny, horrifying and ultimately tragic. Words that could equally be ascribed to RR:AFP as they could our feature film The Wailing. Director Hong-jin Na is already being held up alongside the likes of Chan-wook Park and Bong Joon-ho as the cream of the Korean directing crop, following acclaimed thriller The Chaser. But all the plaudits in the world mean nothing until Alex and Dan have delivered their definitive* verdict on his work. So settle down in your comfiest podcast-listening chair and prepare to be spirited away to a world of two blokes chatting about a film they just watched. Magical.

The "Required Reading: A Film Podcast" Manifesto

1. All main discussion films to be chosen from either Netflix or Amazon Video

2. We’ll let you know via @MrPointyHead & @alxalxalx so you have time to watch

3. Share your thoughts and questions for us to discuss

4. Feel free to suggest our next film – tell us why you chose it

5. Discussion will be thorough, so be sure to watch before you listen!

Yorgos Lanthimos doesn’t like to make things easy or comfortable for his viewers, as evidenced by his at-once surreal, mundane and shocking filmography, including Dogtooth and The Lobster. The Killing of a Sacred Deer, his second collaboration with Colin Farrell, is no different, a devastating tale of revenge livened up by his trademark understated flourish of the fantastical. Alex and Dan dissect this disquieting horror with surgical precision, while also taking time for some insulting trivia and a couple of experimental new features.

Next film: The Wailing (Netflix)

The "Required Reading: A Film Podcast" Manifesto

1. All main discussion films to be chosen from either Netflix or Amazon Video

2. We’ll let you know via @MrPointyHead & @alxalxalx so you have time to watch

3. Share your thoughts and questions for us to discuss

4. Feel free to suggest our next film – tell us why you chose it

5. Discussion will be thorough, so be sure to watch before you listen!

A horribly misjudged attempt to do the right thing goes predictably awry for Robert Pattinson in the frantic, dangerous and grimy world of Good Time. Acclaimed directing duo the Safdie Brothers have been indie darlings since their 2007 debut The Pleasure of Being Robbed, but can they impress us and, by extension, our fellow Readers (or RR:AFPscallions, as we secretly call you)? There’s also news of the fate of Mad Max, an update on Shane Black’s The Predator and more essential VoD recommendations. Good time? Great time.

The "Required Reading: A Film Podcast" Manifesto

1. All main discussion films to be chosen from either Netflix or Amazon Video

2. We’ll let you know via @MrPointyHead & @alxalxalx so you have time to watch

3. Share your thoughts and questions for us to discuss

4. Feel free to suggest our next film – tell us why you chose it

5. Discussion will be thorough, so be sure to watch before you listen!

“Girlfriend in a coma, I know, I know, it's serious.” The true-life travails of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V Gordon’s early relationship inspires The Big Sick, a romantic dramedy that deftly tackles the challenges of interracial and inter-faith love with a welcome dollop of levity. Listen as we completely fail to stay on target as we discuss the state of cinematic comedy, “The Apatow Effect”, disgraced naughty Hollywood men and Cannes snobbery.

The "Required Reading: A Film Podcast" Manifesto

1. All main discussion films to be chosen from either Netflix or Amazon Video

2. We’ll let you know via @MrPointyHead & @alxalxalx so you have time to watch

3. Share your thoughts and questions for us to discuss

4. Feel free to suggest our next film – tell us why you chose it

5. Discussion will be thorough, so be sure to watch before you listen!

Alex Garland’s fascinating rise from author to director continues with the Natalie Portman-starring sci-fi Annihilation. Was the film’s ‘demotion’ from US theatrical release to global Netflix exclusive a portent of a sophomoric duffer, or a sign of a lack of studio faith in quality hard sci-fi after Blade Runner 2049’s box office belly-up? Or both? Join D ‘n A as they reflect (refract?) on their journey beyond the Shimmer and offer up their interpretation of this prismatic headscratcher. PLUS! Some other stuff.

The "Required Reading: A Film Podcast" Manifesto

1. All main discussion films to be chosen from either Netflix or Amazon Video

2. We’ll let you know via @MrPointyHead & @alxalxalx so you have time to watch

3. Share your thoughts and questions for us to discuss

4. Feel free to suggest our next film – tell us why you chose it

5. Discussion will be thorough, so be sure to watch before you listen!

Kristen Stewart takes centre stage in this installment's focal flick Personal Shopper. Find out what we make of Olivier Assayas’ enigmatic, genre-skewing portrayal of grief and fabulous haute couture. Come for the detailed critique, stay for the copious deviations (including a mid-analysis quiz), a brief Oscar chat and our other VoD highlights.

The "Required Reading: A Film Podcast" Manifesto

1. All main discussion films to be chosen from either Netflix or Amazon Video

2. We’ll let you know via @MrPointyHead & @alxalxalx so you have time to watch

3. Share your thoughts and questions for us to discuss

4. Feel free to suggest our next film – tell us why you chose it

5. Discussion will be thorough, so be sure to watch before you listen!