Cinebois2Cinemen

This week sees Ben and Danny eventually discuss Sci-Fi smash hit Project Hail Mary - how it reinvigorates the sci-fi genre with a sense of optimism that, although saccharine, is a welcome recalibration of ideas around human collaboration in geopolitically turbulent times.

This week sees Ben and Danny reflect on another gem from 2025: The Secret Agent. Alongside discussing films that focus on living in and resisting dystopian and authoritarian regimes, they also discuss another Brazilian Award Season favourite (and winner), I'm Still Here.

This week (or a few weeks ago, if we are honest) sees a shadow-drenched Ben and Danny discuss The Bride. Alongside discussing Gyllenhaal's previous film, they discuss the various genres that make up her attempt to modernise Shelley's seminal horror classic. They also quickly mop up the 2026 Oscars results, focusing especially on the fraccas surrounding the run-up to the best actor award and Michael B. Jordan's deserved victory.

This week sees Ben and Danny venture into the sun-scarred pre-apocalyptic landscapes of Oliver Laxe's Sirat. The preceding discussion focuses on films that seek to foster nail-biting tension, from Sorcerer and Wages of Fear (two clear influences on Laxe), to wartime conspiracy thrillers and sweltering courtroom dramas.

This week sees Ben and Danny (rather belatedly) discuss Wuthering Heights. They discuss the thematic and formal preoccupations that make up her body of work before musing on the challenges of literary adaptations and just how beholden filmmakers should be to the text they are bringing to the big screen.

This week, Ben and Danny (and frequent guest Lee) celebrate their 100th episode by discussing "Send Help." They discuss Sam Raimi, charting his course from scrappy horror beginnings to a semi- reliable blockbuster director. They focus on how his brushes with the Hollywood establishment have had a sporadic impact on his work, forming a thematic foundation that laments humanity's obsession with profit at the expense of decency.

This week, Ben and Danny discuss the Oscar front-runner (especially where the leading actress category is concerned), Hamnet. They also chat about director Chloe Zhao's cinematic stylings and thematic interests, ranging from lives on the fringes to the demystifying of a cultural titan.

This week sees Ben and Danny continue to mop up the last gems of 2025 with Marty Supreme. They discuss how the Safdie brothers' recent split has led to differing styles of filmmaking and how their different approaches to the sports biopic underscore just how special their anxiety-inducing brand of cinema is. They also discuss the allure of the Safdie Brothers' lead character, which prompts broader questions about the allure of morally complex characters.

This week's episode sees Ben and Danny come full circle as they discuss Avatar: Fire and Ash. Alongside reflecting (with a mixture of fondness and dismay) on their maiden episode on Avatar: The Way of Water, they revisit topics of technological innovation, the resulting changes in Hollywood blockbuster narrative and Cameron's steadfast belief in old-school storytelling techniques.

With 2025 in the rear view mirror, Ben and Danny reflect on a year of cinema going. Alongside ranking their five favourites, they discuss how there may be more reason to be hopeful than they first thought.

This week, Ben and Danny discuss The Running Man. They also discuss the career of Edgar Wright, and how his transition from champion of English comedy to American blockbuster fare has yielded mixed results. They also sneak in a mention of Netflix's proposed takeover of Warner Bros.

This week, Ben and Danny discuss Die My Love, Lynne Ramsay's filmography, and cinematic portrayals of mental health struggles. They discuss how Ramsey's subtly fragmented narratives rely on a silence that engulfs the spaces in, around and between her characters.

This week, Ben and Danny discuss Bugonia. It prompts a broader discussion about the 'aliens among us', more specifically, films that explore the human condition from the perspective of an extraterrestrial being. They also talk about Hollywood's penchant for remaking classics of world cinema, and where Lanthimos' foray into the world of conspiracy fits among some of the more effective attempts to retool world cinema for Western audiences.

This week, Ben and Danny deviate from the release schedule for a Halloween Special. They discuss what they tentatively describe as 'lesser known' horror films and make a case for their inclusion in your watch list this Halloween.

This week, Ben, Danny and Lee (in a podcast-record fourth appearance) discuss The Smashing Machine. They then chat about Dwayne Johnson, the parallels between his wrestling and film career, and how his transition from a risk-averse blockbuster star to scrappier fare could indicate a shift to something greater.

This week sees Ben and Danny attempt to define what a Paul Thomas Anderson film is. They not only discuss his reccurring visual motifs and thematic obsessions, but how his influences have made him one of America's greatest contemporary filmmakers. Plus, a good One Battle After Another discussion/review too!

This week, a shadowy encounter between Ben and Danny reflects on Spike Lee's 'The Highest 2 Lowest'. They also discuss the cinematic allure of New York and the career of one of its finest filmmakers, all while saving a little room for Kurosawa, too.

After yet another hiatus, Ben and Danny return in typically tardy fashion to discuss Zach Cregger's Weapons and Barbarian. They discuss how he has helped to usher in a muckier style of horror long lost in the Blumhouse/A24 horror landscape. We also try to use two cameras, with mixed results (bear with us on that one!). 00:00 - Intro 04:32 - #Barbarian and #weapons2025 discussion (films mentioned/discussed; #nightmareonelmst #texaschainsawmassacre #hereditary #midsommar #thehillshaveeyes #blackphone #sinners #minecraftmovie) 58:39 - Outtro

This week sees Ben and Danny return from their short hiatus to discuss Friendship. Alongside being divided on Robinson's manic responses to increasingly sterile corporate and domestic spaces, they hastily discuss portrayals of masculine connection across various other genres. 00:00 - Intro 03:20 - Masculine connection (films mentioned/discussed: #commando #diehard #Iloveyouman #bansheesofinsherin #beautravail #brokebackmountain #fightclub #thegentleman #goodfellas #knockedup #biglebowski ) 50:48 - #friendship discussion/analysis 01:24:17 - Outro

This week, Ben and Danny reflect on the cinematic mythology of #superman , the fledgling DCU and the cinematic output of #JamesGunn . Alongside discussing the newest attempt to bring the Man of Steel to the big screen, they attempt to unpick how the film's sympathy for immigrants and its parallels to contemporary events have drawn baffling levels of flak from the right of the political spectrum. 00:00 - Intro 02:23 - James Gunn, Superman and DCU discussion (films mentioned/discussed: #guardiansofthegalaxy #guardiansofthegalaxyvol2 #guardiansofthegalaxyvolume3 #superman #superman2 #superman3 #Superman4aquestforpeace #suicidesquad #blackadam #manofsteel #batmanvssupermandawnofjustice #justiceleague) 54:03 - Superman discussion/analysis 01:24:06 - Outro

This week, (and in rather tardy fashion) Ben and Danny reflect on #jurassicworldrebirth . They discuss the franchise's stranglehold on dinosaur cinema and why the original is so universally beloved. 00:00 - Intro 03:13 - Dinosaur films/Jurassic Park Franchise discussion (films mentioned/discussed: #65 #jurassicworld #jurassicpark #jurassicworlddominion #jurassicworldfallenkingdom #lostworld) 51:56 - Jurassic World: Rebirth discussion/analysis 01:19:37 - Outro #jurassicworld #jurassicpark #jurassicworlddominion #jurassicworldfallenkingdom #dinosaurs #dinosaurfilms #podcast #cinemapodcast #filmpodcast #cinebois #film #movie #chrispratt #brycedallashoward

This week, Ben finally gets to fulfil a podcasting dream as he gushes about his love for Danny Boyle. Both he and Danny discuss the stylistic restlessness that underpins his work across a broad range of genres, devoting a sizable portion of time to discussing #28dayslater and its impact on the zombie genre. They then reflect on #28yearslater and how it stacks up in the sequel-obsessed cinematic landscape. 00:00 - Intro 03:44 - Danny Boyle / #28days later discussion (films mentioned/discussed: #millions #trainspotting #trainspotting2 #t2 #sunshine #slumdogmillionaire #thebeach #28weekslater #yesterday #127hours) 01:03:00 - #28yearslater discussion/analysis 01:43:35 - Outro #film #filmpodcast #movie #moviepodcast #cinebois #zombiefilms #zombies #dannyboyle #cinema #cinemapodcast #aarontaylorjohnson #jodiecomer #ralphfiennes

This week, Ben and Danny discuss #tornado - Director John Maclean's sophomore effort, which sets Samurai themes amidst a saturated British peatland. Preceding the discussion is a chat about films that fuse genres and a slight deviation into Samurai cinema. 00:00 - Intro 03:27 - Genre mashups and Samurai Cinema (films mentioned/discussed: #texaschainsawmassacre2 #sincity #umbrellasofcherbourg #joker #jokerfolieadeux #shaunofthedead #theyounggirlsofrochnfort #soundofmusic #rashomon #swordofdoom #theswordfighter #hellinthepacific #redsun ) 57:00 - Tornado review/analysis 01:24:27 - Outro

This week, Ben and Danny return to the Mission: Impossible franchise and its newest offering, #missionimpossiblethefinalreckoning . Alongside discussing franchise frontman Cruise's approach to Blockbuster filmmaking, they also chat about Hollywood's struggles with exposition and the unsettlingly pro-military messages that are increasingly commonplace within mainstream American Cinema. 00:00 - Intro 02:24 - #missionimpossible franchise reflection and #tomcruise discussion (Films mentioned/discussed; #missionimpossible #missionimpossible2 #missionimpossible3 #missionimpossibleroguenation #missionimpossiblefallout #missionimpossibleghostprotocol #missionimpossibledeadreckoning #fastandfurious ) 23:32 - Hollywood's use of exposition and pro-military messages discussion (films mentioned/discussed; #inception #interstellar #chroniclesofnarnia #thematrix #1917 #dunkirk #topgun #topgunmaverick #blackhawkdown #thetrumanshow ) 54:10 - #missionimpossiblethefinalreckoning discussion/analysis 01:16:01 - Outro

This week, Ben and Danny discuss Nicolas Cage, an inimitable drifter between high and lowbrow. They reflect on his most recent effort and delve into his varied output, from critical darlings to bargain bin action fodder. They also chat about how his recent return to form relies on a fusion between screen persona and reality, comically big performances sprinkled with pathos and sincerity. 00:00 - Intro 02:40 - #nicolascage discussion 43:02 - #thesurfer discussion/analysis 01:10:00 - Outro #podcast #filmpodcast #filmpodcast #cinemapodcast #film #cinema #actionfilms #hollywoodcinema #cinebois #moviereviews #moviepodcast

This week, Ben and Danny again deviate from the release schedule to discuss your hidden gems, veering into narratives rendered claustrophobic by a ceaseless, ever-advancing wall of sand or frenetic found-footage horror. Alongside discussing [REC] and Woman in the Dunes, they also draw the next two films for a future discussion... 00:00 - Intro 03:34 - #rec discussion/analysis 31:04 - #womaninthedunes discussion/analysis 01:01:25 - Hidden Gems draw 01:03:34 - Outro

This week, Ben and Danny reflect on Ryan Coogler’s latest smash hit, Sinners. They also explore how Coogler consistently challenges Hollywood’s established order, creating memorable and thematically rich stories within the often rigid frameworks of superhero films and legacy sequels. 00:00 - Intro 02:17 - Ryan Coogler filmography (films mentioned/discussed: #fruitvalestation #creed #rocky #blackpanther #wakandaforever) 44:31 - #Sinners discussion/analysis 01:12:42 - Outro Cinebois2Cinemen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinebois2cinemen?igsh=c2ZsMTNuMG51ZDd0 #podcast #film #cinema #movies #filmpodcast #cinemapodcast #ryancoogler #horror #michealbjordan #jacko'connel #filmreview #moviereview #moviepodcast #filmreviewpodcast #sylvesterstallone #vampire #actionfilm

This week, Ben and Danny reflect on A Minecraft Movie. It spurs a preceding discussion on videogame adaptations and the fact that whilst they may be enjoying a renaissance on television, the relationship between film and videogames isn't always as fruitful as it could be. They then chat about the mainstream obsession with long-established Intellectual Properties and nostalgia-baiting and how narratives built on references may struggle with longevity, largely because of an absence of a maturity that can be enjoyed as one grows older. 00:00 - Intro 01:46 - Film and television video game adaptations discussion (films and games mentioned/discussed: #lastofus #silenthill #residentevil #halo #wargames #stillwakesthedeep #fallout #falloutseries #lastofusseries #farcry #bloodrayne #uweboll #matrix #callofduty) 47:55 - #aminecraftmovie discussion/analysis 01:17:30 - Outro

This week, a hungover and visually distorted Ben and Danny descend into the well-trodden world of the mob movie. They also discuss Robert De Niro's career and how his descent into comedy may represent seismic changes within the industry. 00:00 - Intro 02:26 - De Niro and the Gangster film (films mentioned/discussed: #goodfellas #casino #wolfofwallstreet #taxidriver #meettheparents #afterhours #theirishman #killersoftheflowermoon #heat) 38:53 - Alto Knights Discussion/analysis 01:03:33 - Outro

This week, Ben and Danny bow to the tastes of their loyal listeners as they discuss Big Trouble in Little China & The Raid 2. Alongside discussing each film in painstaking detail, they address why they may or may not be hidden gems. 00:00 - Intro 02:32 - Big Trouble in Little China discussion/analysis (films mentioned: #halloween #thefog #theylive #assaultonprecinct13 #thething) 33:36 - The Raid 2 discussion/analysis (#Oldboy #theraid #theraid2 #hardboiled #commando) 01:00:40 - Hidden gems draw 01:02:45 - Outro Cineboys2Cinemen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinebois2cinemen?igsh=c2ZsMTNuMG51ZDd0

This week, Ben and Danny dive into Bong Joon-Ho's thematically ambitious and consistently goofy sci-fi epic, Mickey 17. They explore how he brings the plight of the economic outsider to a variety of genres and narratives and discuss how his sardonic sensibilities have helped reinvigorate mainstream interest in Korean film and television. 00:00 - Intro 02:42 - Bong Joon-Ho/Korean cinema discussion (films mentioned/discussed: #parasite #okja #incoherence #barkingdogsneverbite #oldboy #memoriesofamurder #snowpiercer #thehost) 42:10 - Mickey 17 discussion/analysis 01:07:57 - Outro Cineboys2Cinemen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinebois2cinemen?igsh=c2ZsMTNuMG51ZDd0 #film #movie #filmpodcast #moviepodcast #cinema #podcast #boonjongho #robertpattinson #markruffalo #tonicollette #mickey17

This week, Ben and Danny chat about the landscape of mainstream horror, focusing on the output of genre champions Blumhouse and their ability to distinguish between popcorn flicks and award-season contenders. They also discuss the work of Osgood Perkins and his latest effort, the horror comedy The Monkey before rounding off the episode with a belated chat about the Oscars results. 00:00 - Intro 03:58 - Mainstream horror & Blumhouse - Films mentioned/discussed: #ME3GAN #theblackphone #paranormalactivity #thepurge #thepurgeanarchy #thepurgeelectionyear #sinister 39:38 - Osgood Perkins - Films mentioned/discussed: #longlegs 52:12 - The Monkey discussion/analysis 01:08:02 - Oscars Catch up - Films mentioned: #anora #thesubstance 01:19:55 - Outro #horrormovies #horror #blumhouse #osgoodperkins #themonkey #stephenking #filmpodcast #film #movie #moviepodcast #cinema

This week's episode begins a monthly foray into 'hidden gems' - films they feel deserve more love and attention in the cinematic realm. Alongside placing both of their beloved films under the microscope, they cast their net out to the watcher and listener to provide their own hidden gems for future discussions. Do you have a suggestion? Pop a comment down below or feel free to get in touch with yours via our email or social media: Email: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinebois2cinemen?igsh=c2ZsMTNuMG51ZDd0 00:00 - Intro 05:52 - Shattered Glass discussion and analysis 41:15 - Lone Star 01:00:54 - Draw for your 'hidden gems' 01:04:30 - Outro

This week, Ben and Danny take on the visual and thematic grandiosity of The Brutalist, a cinematic behemoth and Oscar favourite. Before diving in, they explore the growing trend of using era-appropriate technology as a narrative device and discuss films that examine displacement and the immigrant experience. They also save a moment for the upcoming Oscars—while barely containing their excitement about the new intro and future improvements.

This week Ben & Danny tentatively embrace new technology in their discussion of Mike Leigh's newest effort, 'Hard Truths'. This prompts a discussion around Leigh's presentation family and his exhaustive and unconventional approach to collaboration with his actors creates punishingly raw presentations of the unspoken fractures that slowly eat away at the family unit. They also discuss its presentation in other films, from American melodramas to action cinema.

This week Danny & Ben find themselves wandering the haunted wilderness of Steven Soderberg's latest effort 'Presence'.

This week Ben & Danny undergo a rapid physical transformation as the clouds of heavy planning part ways to reveal a shining discussion about werewolves in cinema.

This week we enter a podcasting utopia with a sprawling, abstract discussion about Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis', a work that slots (reasonably neatly) into a collection of very broad films that concern themselves with society.

This year the cinemen endeavour to continue the consistent thrill ride that has been the cinebois2cinemen podcast, kicking off with a meaty medium rare discussion surrounding vampire films and Robert Eggers' Nosferatu.

This week Ben & Danny are trapped in a conclave made not of opinions on the film Conclave but rather the opinions on Joker: Folie à Deux and its predecessor. Move aside Fiennes, you'll have to wait.

This week Danny & Ben spend a rainy Saturday in the warm confines of the Everyman cinema, digesting Ridley Scott's latest directorial outing Gladiator II - after which they engage in rich discussion surrounding the film and Mescal's recent transition from Indie to Blockbuster.

This week Ben has finally seen Anora, so the cinebois get back on track with a heavy dose of Sean Baker and a discussion surrounding his latest film.

This week Ben & Danny continue their streak of left turns due to some unexpected cinema trip gaffs - so a director deep dive is their destination for this week - the subject in this case being James Mangold.

This week Danny & Ben veer left against the towering stature of Megalopolis to instead discuss some hidden gems of horror.

This week Danny & Ben discuss the success of The Substance - expertly weaving their discourse with a broader discussion surrounding body horror and the 2017 flick 'Revenge'.

This week Ben & Danny remove the shackles of contemporary blockbuster and get swept off their feet with A24's latest indie effort 'Sing Sing' which prompts a discussion around prison films.

This week Danny & Ben are joined by cinebabe Hannah to discuss disaster films and her love of the film Twister.

In episode 58, Ben & Danny tackle "Alien: Romulus," exploring its impact on the beloved Alien franchise and discussing its shortcomings, as well as the appeal of legacy sequels as a whole.

Danny & Ben delve into Ti West's X Trilogy this week, discussing cinematic representations of fame and the way horror harks back to bygone eras.

This week the podcasting engines are revved to make a noise some might consider too loud, actually. We Discuss the career of Jeff Nichols and his latest effort 'The Bikeriders'.