Shot/Reverse Shot

The debate over whether television or film is the superior medium has been going on for many decades at this point, but it seems to have flared up a lot recently owing to television's perceived edge in terms of storytelling quality during its "Golden Age" and cinema's perceived slump at around about the same time. The boys decided that it was time someone waded in to this mess and tried to sort it all out, or at least spend an episode of a podcast deriding people who even take part in the debate.

This is one of our leaner episodes, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for some prime cut nonsense, so look forward to wild speculation on how Gravity might work as a TV show (spoiler: It wouldn't), how Peter Jackson might have directed Game of Thrones as a film series, and the many ways in which Shot/Reverse Shot is like a 19th century workhouse.

On a more serious note, this episode is dedicated to the memory of Emma Davies, Ed's younger sister, who died suddenly last week following an accident. She loved films and television, and was a big supporter of the podcast, so this episode is our small tribute to her.

Living as we do in an age where almost any film or TV show can be found online via a streaming service or similar On-Demand forms, what will happen to the traditional means of culture consumption? The boys attempt to answer that question this week as they look at the different ways in which we can now enjoy the things we enjoy. Along the way, they contemplate the future of the cinematic experience, wonder whether The Lone Ranger could have been saved by day-and-date releasing, and generally muse over the future of cinemas, TV networks and physical formats. Despite being uncommonly focused, there are digressions aplenty, including a disturbing peak inside Joe's campaign to get Mannequin re-released.

Enjoy, you modern ne'er do wells!

With the finale now a safe distance away, it's time for Joe & Ed to assess Breaking Bad, a show widely considered to be one of the best of all time. The boys ponder whether or not that's true, amongst other things, such as where Walt got his old clothes from and if Danny Dyer is ready to pick up the mantle of greatest dramatic actor working on television.

As per usual, it's spoilergeddon, so don't listen until you're done with the show.

Enjoy!

With a disappointing summer now thankfully just a speck on the horizon, Joe & Ed take a look ahead at what cinematic treats await us at the back end of the year. From the biggest winter blockbuster to the worthiest of all Oscar bait, the boys have it nowhere near enough covered.  

Recorded almost a year ago, but now only just seeing the light of day, Joe and Ed sit down for a lengthy natter about David Simon's sprawling dissection of the modern American city in decay, The Wire. Because it was recorded last year, it's in the old format with the Top Ten included, so it's longer than newer listeners will be accustomed to, but the quality is high in this unusually focused episode.

As usual, listen, enjoy, rate and review!

With the monumental Breaking Bad about to come to a no doubt unpleasant end, Joe and Ed take a look at ten other great season finales. 

It's fair to say the this episode is pretty spoilerific. Soz.

The boys have had a long break from podcasting over the summer, mostly due to Joe's getting married and being all grown up and stuff. Appropriately enough, being grown up is what this latest episode is all about, it being the third part of the Shot/Reverse Shot Ages of Man podcast series.

Joe and Ed explore everything from the post-college malaise to the mid life crisis on film, using titles as diverse as The Graduate and JCVD to do so. It's a good one.

As per usual, listen, enjoy, rate and review!

This week, the boys decide that rather than riff on a theme for an hour, they'd use a single film - in the case, Charles Laughton's seminal The Night of the Hunter -  as a stimulus for an hour's worth of cinematic waffle. What comes forth from this bold experiment is a discussion exploring the themes of the film, plus also some meandering to include such things as Andy Murray's Wimbledon triumph and the stifling heatwave overwhelming England.

As per usual, listen, enjoy, rate and review!

The second part of the Ages of Man podcast series finally drops, with the boys having a look at those difficult teenage years. There's much to discuss, including the stock themes of rebellion and sexual awakening alongside a look at what makes High Schools such great settings for all sorts of teen ballyhoo.

This week's waffle includes Ed dissing the plotting of Romeo and Juliet and Joe unable to not think of Confessions of a Window Cleaner.

A few words about James Gandolfini, who tragically died last week.