The Midnight Run

Send us Fan MailFor our 40th episode we thought we would provide our listener with a public service. Films seem so much longer now, (they probably aren't, but that is what it seems). So, we at The Midnight Run Podcast have devoted this episode to shorter films. Picture the scene. You are at home on your sofa, bed, or sofa bed. It is 8pm, you have had your dinner and you want to watch a film, but you want to be in bed by 10. What are you going to watch? This episode is for films under 100 minutes long, so we are ticking your box.All genres are on the table here, as it is purely based on the running time, but which genres do we think are more prominent in this category and which films would we recommend for an all day film marathon?It is a great excuse to talk about the performances of (amongst others) Peter Sellers in Dr Strangelove, Ralph Fiennes in The Grand Budapest Hotel, Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice, Alicia Silverstone in Clueless and everyone in The Adventures of Robin Hood.This subject is also littered with showy, scene stealing moments, so The Black Knight, Always Be Closing and complaining to a car rental dealership will all feature.We have managed to contain all of this loveliness within 100 minutes. We would like to tell you that it was deliberately and brilliantly stage managed that way, but it wasn’t.

Send us Fan MailThe Rotten Tomatoes website was launched in 1998 and is a widely used review aggregation tool for film and TV. Each film is scored using a percentage and the higher score the better. If a film scores above 60% it is considered as "fresh", which means that 59% or lower is a "rotten" film. The site is as good a gauge as any and they largely get it right....or do they? Obviously this it subjective and although there are some undoubted stinkers and disappointments in here (not naming names, but The January Man should have been better), there are some films rated rotten that we can't get on board with. We discuss potential agendas, such as Lee Marvin and Clint singing in Paint Your Wagon, Kevin Costner's lack of an English accent in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, or knocking Oliver Stone down a peg in Any Given Sunday.In this episode we pick our top 10 films, scenes and performances from films that are classified rotten at the time of recording and discovering which films are rated below 60% was a surprise, particularly noting the number of films we grew up watching and saw at the cinema. Which genre do we think is the most maligned and who does Matt think is the absolute master when it comes to rotten film appearances? Our favourite performances are dominated by supporting roles by such actors as Bill Murray, Raul Julia, William Petersen and Sharon Stone and we recall many scenes that have lived long in our memories (not just Sharon Stone).If you are unable to correctly guess the Top Gun call signs, the Alphabet crimes in Beverly Hills Cop 2 or play along with our own version of Play Your Cards Right, you should be able to decide upon your favourite food to have with tomatoes.If you like the episode, please rate it higher that 59% that would be lovely.

Send us Fan MailThe films from 2000-20009 had many a peak and trough. There were some huge hits such as Avatar, Gladiator, The Departed, The Dark Knight and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but attempting to choke them like a mean old vine were Battlefield Earth, The Ladykillers and The Room. It was a decade that saw a new James Bond, the re-emergence of fantasy and comic book hero genre's and Pixar was at the peak of their powers.Lewis reveals which film watched in preparation he had put off for more than 20 years as well as both he and Matt picking their favourite directors, actors and actresses of the decade. The favourite performance and scenes categories are loaded, with Ben Kingsley, Julia Roberts, Christolph Waltz and Heath Ledger featuring.We reveal our favourite songs, sporting moments and personal achievements of the decade. We also go off topic with a theory about Lt Harris in Police Academy, bad sports fans and Bruce Springsteen among others.We hope that you enjoy listening to the episode. If not, Anton Chigurh will come looking for you with his captive bolt pistol, Miranda Priestly will look disdainfully at what you are currently wearing and you will be exposed to Sex Panther, by Odeon. Either way, we will have our vengeance, in this life or the next.

Send us Fan MailIn many ways, fantasy films shaped the wonder and imagination of the film lover. Incredible scenes, such as the skeleton battle in Jason and the Argonauts, jumping into chalk paintings in Mary Poppins, ice dancing in Edward Scissorhands and seeing Hogwarts for the first time, live long in the memory. It is a genre, which is perfect for the cinema, with magnificent effects and ventures into other worlds, offering the ultimate escapism. So memorable in fact, that the top 4 films in Lewis's list would all be included in his all time top 20, but can Matt guess the correct order?It can be argued that more films than initially thought have an element of fantasy and we are not referring to Barb Wire, so how will Matt do in the "Is it a Fantasy Film" section? Should all musicals be regarded as fantasy for example? There are also a whopping 4 quizzes for Matt, ranging from such film as Bedknobs and Broomsticks to Lord of the Rings.So many great scenes to discuss, but the fantasy genre also has 2 of our least favourite scenes in film history, which shows how easily you can invest emotionally. There are many memorable performances, including the Genie-us of Robin Williams and the entire cast of The Princess Bride. Escaping the fantasy world, we also talk about dogs, hospitals, digital passport photographs, pensioners getting the best food in cafes and a tribute to the recently departed Robert Redford.Lewis also revives the sealed envelope game, but this time there is a twist, so at the end we will see who is right.....and who is dead.According to a definition, fantasy films often have an element of magic, myth, wonder, escapism and the extraordinary. A bit like this episode.

Send us Fan MailIt is too easy to suggest that remakes are a bad idea and yes, there are some pointless stinkers to pick from. But if you look properly you will find there are some absolute classics which are remakes, possibly many films that you had no idea were remakes, either from a film with a different name, a film made long ago, or a foreign language film. Remakes are tricky, get it wrong and everyone asks what was the point of making it in the first place (apart from money)? Some remake choices are baffling, for example, why remake Psycho shot for shot? Why remake Ben-Hur and what on earth was the point in remaking The Wicker Man, apart from the bees scene? The Disney live action remakes don’t escape scrutiny either, and nor should they. Matt and Lewis also share their thoughts on the same film watched in preparation and they are not good thoughts.We decide on which original and remake have the biggest gulf in quality either way and we discuss our favourite cover version songs.There are some occasions where the original and remake can peacefully coexist, such as The Seven Samurai and the Magnificent Seven. Do TV shows count? TV movies? How we answer that determines which films get in our top 10 lists.The difference between a remake and a reboot? Lewis suggests a film that can be seen as both. There are quizzes and the usual silliness and wildly off topic discussions too. This episode has the longest runtime that we have recorded to date. Please don’t ask us to remake it. We would only be doing it for the money.

Send us Fan MailBlack and white films were practically the film industry for the first 40 years, so there is an embarrassment of riches for us to choose from. No genre is off the table here, and with such classics as Casablanca, Psycho, 12 Angry Men and Plan 9 From Outer Space we have plenty to ponder for our top 10s. Black and White films haven't gone away, so more recent films such as Raging Bull, Schindler's List, Ed Wood and The Artist are all contemplated.Along with the normal categories we discuss our favourite Directors, Actors, Actresses and Lines from films, of which there are plenty. Also the iconic moments, such as the light on Harry Lime in The Third Man, the twist in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and fighting in the War Room from Dr Strangelove are discussed.As usual we stray off topic at numerous times, talking about Harrison Ford trilogy rankings, characters that derail films, James Bond Bingo and unexpected compliments from fast food delivery drivers.If you haven't watched many black & white films before then we hope that we have given you some ideas, but if you don't want to we're not that upset.

Send us Fan MailThe perfect popcorn movie. The adrenaline rush you get from watching an action film is like no other cinema experience. Thrilling set pieces, chase sequences and great stunts are just some of the weapons in its armoury and the very good action films have the wow factor. The bad ones however can be hilarious as it is arguably the film genre with the worst acting standards. We reveal which films were watched in preparation, including one film that made us both rage.Is Raiders an action film? What about Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and James Bond films? Matt gives his opinion on them and he and Lewis have a film characters quiz for each other. We also give a lot of thought to which action film character we want defending us for our lives.Huge films such as Robocop, The Matrix and the John Wick, Bourne and Mission Impossible franchises are discussed along with Die Hard (obviously), which was responsible for much imitation, including by ourselves using a car as the setting.From Bruce Lee to Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Damon, Reeves and Cruise the role of the action hero has changed, but who is our favourite? Our favourite action scenes and stunts are revealed along with what we believe are the best punches in cinema history.Other topics include Matt's favourite ice cream flavour, people's odd dress sense in post apocalyptic worlds, how we make cauliflower cheese and why Lewis wouldn't want to watch a film with Charlie Sheen in the room.We hope that you enjoy this episode and if you listen to it we will look for you, we will find you, and we will kiss you.

Send us Fan MailA true legend of the cinema. The great Gene Hackman, who sadly passed away recently, was always going to command his own episode. With a career spanning over 4 decades and more than 70 films there is plenty of variety for our top 10 lists. Gene Hackman won numerous awards, including 2 Oscars. As an actor he was equally good in lead or supporting roles, or playing the hero or villain. He brought charisma and personality to all that he did and was probably the best at being angry on film, but is he the most famous Gene according to a list that Lewis found?Major characters such as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett vie for the top spot of our favourite performances category, but will they get past Senator Kevin Keeley, Agent Rupert Anderson, or indeed, Lex Luthor. The  best scenes category also gives Lewis another opportunity to get emotional about Shelley Winters.Along with all things Gene, we discuss compering at dance and cheer competitions, planned train works on Sundays, the song 24 Hours From Tulsa, riding pillion on a motorbike and the only giant spider that Lewis can watch on film.Gene Hackman was not only the greatest criminal mastermind of our time, but (in our opinion) the greatest actor of our time. After all, he was mentioned as having the freedom of a fictional island in a play that Matt wrote in 1999 so he must have been good.

Send us Fan MailWe need to offer a groveling, humble apology to our listeners for our lengthy absence. We have had a lot going on with weddings and less pleasant events affecting our lives. Fear not though as we are back to captivate you over the next 2 hours with an episode that covers most genres.We can be brokers of world peace as a result of some of the new countries that joined our listening family during our hiatus.What is a family film is quite the question. Is it a film that is suitable for all the family, or is it a film that watch together as a family? The answer to that defines the criteria for our lists as we talk about how films molded and inspired us growing up. We talk about E.T. The Goonies, Mary Poppins, Jason and the Argonauts and Back to the Future to name a few, but there are so many here that qualify.Great performances from Tom Hanks, Gene Hackman and Hugh Grant among others are joyfully discussed along with our favourite scenes, such as cheating at the athletics meet in Blackbeard's Ghost, playing the floor piano in Big and the football match in Bedknobs & Broomsticks.Alongside this we talk about blue comedians, the sexiness of actor Derek Nimmo, stupid film titles, the perfect jacket potato and the impressionist Bort Scrumpet.We could have been anything that we wanted to be and we and we are very happy to have recorded this episode which will hopefully keep you occupied until we return.

Send us Fan MailThe tricky 31st episode features Female protagonists. Was it left this long to see if it could tempt Lewis into going to the cinema to see Furiosa, or Inside Out 2? The answer is 50% yes with Lewis, wearing his new Midnight Run shirt recalling his experience of going to the cinema as a wheelchair user. Female protagonists are more fragile and vulnerable than their male counterparts, but there are so many strong characters, such as Scarlett O'hara, Erin Brockovich and Ellen Ripley, which meant that there were lots of diverse films to watch in preparation. Which film that Matt watched made it into his top 10?We discuss the best genre for female protagonists and why animation is so good in that respect. We also talk about our favourite scenes, performances and Actresses.In order to get a female perspective we ask a super friend of the show to provide us with her top 10 list.Cunningly woven inside all of this delight we talk about our preferred soup, Matt bunking off school to go to London, people who use sports icons/badges as their social media avatars, Matt's misdirected anger at alphabetical order songs and his top 10 songs sung by women. They don't make him angry at all I might add.

Send us Fan MailFresh from the success of their new play, our boys return with their long awaited 30th episode. The 2010s were a time where they admit to being less prolific in visiting the cinema. Did life get in the way, or did it seem like films became longer and we are talking generally and not specifically referring to The Irishman.This was a decade that featured prominent whoppers like Get Out, Mad Max: Fury Road and Gravity. There were revivals for the Star Wars and Jurassic franchises and it was a great decade for superhero and animated films. We also reveal who we thought were the prominent actors and actresses of the time as well as our favourite performances and scenes (so many to choose from). Lots of different films appearing in our top 10s with none of the same in the top 5.Matt has a quiz for Lewis, who has a box office quiz in return. One does significantly better than the other.Do extras in battle scenes just fight it out between themselves, or do they know what they are supposed to do? What food would Matt like for his stag weekend and gravestones.The 2010s were a decade that lost some of our enthusiasm for films, but is that true? Perhaps our minds are changed by the end of the episode. If not, after so many good films are in the spotlight, you will have your knives out for us.

Send us Fan MailFeeling flushed with pride due to our new "On Air" sign, we triumphantly returned from a 2 month break with a different kind of subject. The American Film Institute top 100 films (10th Anniversary) list gave us an absolute scope of films to watch. Who had seen the most and which films could we not get hold of? What did we both think of Gone with the Wind after putting if off for so long. We discuss the AFI criteria and pick a film that we think should be included and one that we think should come off the list. Matt has to identify the Directors, Actors and Actresses that have appeared most in the list and we also talk about favourite performances and scenes from films that we haven't previously talked about often.The top 100 contained so many whoppers that it was monstrously difficult leaving films out of the top 10s and the agony of choice resulted in some surprises along the way.Our usual ramble resulted in us talking about subjects such as getting involved in other people's arguments, the most rousing National Anthem, The Traitors, our preferred dessert pie and the latest information on our new play.We have determined that listening to all of our episodes back to back would only get you halfway to the Moon, so there is some work for us to do.

Send us Fan MailWe at the Midnight Run Podcast think that we would make good detectives. Not as ourselves of course, although we have managed to conquer 2 Escape Rooms. The good detectives would probably consist of a combination of John McClane, Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade and Marge Gunderson. It is a subject rich with great characters and genres such as comedy, thriller, action and drama. In fact, nothing is off the table here as long as a cop or detective is prominent. Is Vertigo a detective film? Is Shutter Island?  We discuss these and Lewis reveals his theory regards the point of the subject.Our upbringing covers film and tv series, and we talk about why we wanted to be Columbo, Crockett, or David Addison. As it is a detective episode there are also lots of challenging quizzes for Matt to solve. We talk about film series and determine which installment in each is our favourite. We both lament Jim Steinman & Michael Bay  and a missing scene from one of our top films does not escape unscathed. Only 4 of the same films make our lists this time, so there are 16 films to talk about when revealing our 10s. Lewis reveals his list in a different way to usual and Matt changes his list at the last minute. Along with these topics we talk about the correct pronunciations of words, watching black and white films late at night, Eric Stoltz, the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You theme and Blacksmith's, or is it Locksmith's?It is fair to say that we will not rest until we have explored the subject thoroughly and meticulously. Now let's grab a bite to eat.

Send us Fan MailThe tearjerker definition is a story, song, movie etc that makes you cry or feel very sad. It is very difficult to classify what makes us cry when watching films however, as it is very personal and based on previous life experiences.  The differences are reflected in our respective top 10 lists and yes, Shelley Winters does come up. We discuss what makes us cry and try not to tear up doing so, failing on occasions.Is Casablanca a tearjerker? What about Interstellar? What are the differences between men and women tearjerkers? We also discuss the 2 different endings for Lethal Weapon 2.Watching films in preparation for this episode was an odd experience due to the expectations surrounding them, but we reveal which films we squeezed in and talk about our memories growing up.There is a music quiz for Matt and we talk about our favourite performances and scenes, including Onward, Paddington 2, A Star is Born and Inside Out.Wedding breakfast menus and disintegrating swimming trunks also get a mention and we are interrupted by a postman.Please listen to our episode, otherwise it will make us cry or feel very sad.This episode is dedicated to the memory of Brian Miller.

Send us Fan MailEver wondered how Tom Cruise manages to defy both age and gravity consistently? We cover all of this and more. We're unpacking the glittering career of this beloved action star, from dissecting his breathtaking stunts in movies like Mission Impossible and Top Gun to understanding his knack for picking successful projects. Into his 5th decade of moviemaking, we pick our favourite decade of his films and don't decide on the same one.He has worked with great directors such as Scorsese, Spielberg, Pollack, Reiner and Mann. Although mainly used as a leading  man he has had a few eye catching minor roles, but do any of those make our list of favourite performances? He won 3 Golden Globe awards and Matt has to guess what they were as well as a running themed quiz.Also featuring in this episode is how we believe that we brought down Woolworths, underrated guitarists, dressing room demands before a show, plunge pool stories and Matt's lovely wedding plans.Did Tom Cruise save cinema after COVID? Listen and make your own mind up, but be warned. After listening to it, this podcast will self destruct in 5 seconds.

Send us Fan MailGet ready to journey back in time with us, to a decade filled with iconic movies. We'll also lead you through memory lane, revisiting some of the 90s' most beloved films - yes, we're talking about classics like Goodfellas, Schindler's List, and Good Will Hunting. We saw such Director's as Burton, The Coen's and Tarantino. Has anyone had a better year as Spielberg did in 1993? As if that's not enough, there is also a quiz on the songs that won an Oscar for Best Original Song during the 90s (hint: Disney classics might have dominated the scene). There is also a car at stake for another quiz for Matt.But what's a celebration of the 90s without a nod to some of the decade's most influential albums?  We discuss the soundtracks of our lives during this memorable era. Join us as we discuss our favorite film moments of the 90s, from Alec Baldwin's chilling opening in Glengarry Glen Ross to Ray Liotta's Copa Cabana entrance in Goodfellas.  Such a rich group of films to pick from it is no surprise that only 4 films feature in both top 10 lists.We go off topic with tunneling out of the family home, expectation ruining concert experiences and running away from the TV license authorities.Get ready for a nostalgic trip down memory lane, full of laughter, debate, and appreciation for a decade that left an indelible mark on us all.

Send us Fan MailBeing British this should be right up our street, but what is British comedy and how has it evolved over the decades? From Ealing to the Carry On films to the Cornetto trilogy, with lots of Monty Python along the way, we discuss our upbringing and what makes us laugh along with our favourite scenes, performances and top 10s.Matt has a quiz for Lewis and there is a gripping sealed envelope quiz which comes down to the wire.We also reveal our top 5 British tv situation comedies, which reveal many similarities. Is Dr Strangelove a British comedy? How about Paddington 2? Is Alfie a comedy? Much debate over page turning topics such as these along with our top 3 favourite voices, how the last Beatles album’s are like the Python films and why we think that The Boxer contains the best lyrical line in song history. Lewis also miscounts not once, but three times, I mean twice. We also debate how long comedy films should last, which is a lot shorter than this episode, but please see us out.

Send us Fan MailEpisode 23 of the Midnight Run Podcast is in the dock. It is charged with the following offence. That the episode is not informative, fun and a bit silly while discussing the subject of courtroom films. The case for the Prosecution. They talk about crisps a bit too much.The case for the Defence. That, along with discussing what makes a good courtroom film, what films are being counted, a 12 Angry Men quiz, which lawyer would we want defending us if we were on trial for our lives, our favourite Judges and the usual favourite scenes, performances and top 10 courtroom films, we talk about our own experiences in a courtroom, what sauce would we put in a Kevin Bacon roll, which Adam West Batman TV villians would we pick on Pointless and also squeeze another rendition of "Oh What a Circus" in, whilst wondering if Bob Ewell is the biggest scumbag in the film genre.Is the episode guilty as charged? Please listen to it and judge for yourself.

Send us Fan MailVillains are a particularly juicy subject. There are so many iconic screen villains to choose from such as Mr. Potter and Darth Vader. We discuss what makes a good villain and which actors make the best ones in our opinions.We talk about our upbringing and recall which villains scared us then and now. Are comedies or westerns the best genre and do we think that Gollum and Travis Bickle are villains. What about Joaquin Phoenix's Joker and why did Cesar Romero cover his moustache with makeup even though it could clearly be seen?There are lots of new subjects such as our favourite villain entrance, best supporting villain and comedic villainous characters alongside a Hot Fuzz themed quiz for Matt. Which characters do we particularly like seeing get their comeuppance and which villain had the best or most unpleasant death? Matt states a case that the shark in Jaws is just being mean instead of behaving on instinct and Lewis is controversial with his pick for the most annoying evil performance.Also featuring in the episode is which song will Lewis always dance to in a club, what the most important thing in buying a house is and who do we prefer out of Taffy from Captain Caveman or Daphne from Scooby-DooPlease listen to this episode. If you don't we will twirl our moustaches, wring our hands together, laugh maniacally and plot your downfall, which may or may not involve railway tracks.

Send us Fan MailDon't go away, just because you don't like sport. This is not a niche subject. Most sports movies are not about the sport itself. A sports move is about the personal experience in order to achieve. It is about the fine line between success and failure, it is about heroes and villains, great montages, great drama and humour.We also decide if Gladiator is a sports film and if so, why it would be important to be undefeated in a competitor's career.Our favourite scenes and performances are discussed along with our top 10s (11 in Matt's case). There are also 3 quizzes, one of which Lewis totally messes up. We reveal our own personal sporting memories, some of which are more painful than others and reveal Matt's darting nickname. Magnificently woven amongst that we discuss what wines we would serve if we had to cook each other, the best Carry On films to watch back to back and our own tribute to a close friend of the family that recently passed away.Just listening to this episode makes you a gold medalist in our eyes.

Send us Fan MailWhat do we want from a comfort film? The answer is it depends on how you feel. Nothing is off the table here and it doesn't matter whether the film is great or not. Jaws and Zulu are great films for example, but we wouldn't consider them comfort movies. The film just has to be right for the occasion. So, what films do we like to watch when we are tired, down, it is rubbish weather or we are unwell? As a result, for the first time in the series our top 10 lists are completely different.We discuss our favourite characters and scenes to watch to cheer us up and our favourite comfort film actors.  There are 2 quizzes for Matt and the small rubber football is up for grabs again. Our favourite comfort foods and albums to listen to are also revealed along with a 3rd special guest appearance by Ava Jude.Other topics are the controversial 2nd goal in the 1923 FA Cup Final, what people do in Antarctica, how Barry Manilow got Lewis over a relationship, Errol Flynn's special skill and what Matt listens to every time he gets a new car. So, curl up on your sofa in your dressing gown and with your favourite snacks. We hope to make you very comfortable over the next 2 hours.

Send us Fan MailWith a film back catalogue spanning 70 years, this was always going to be a rich topic for us. Michael Caine is a British film legend, with success in lead and supporting roles and his portrayals of such iconic characters as Alfie Elkins, Charlie Croker, Jack Carter and Hoagie. He has won 2 Academy Awards, but who was he up against? Matt is put to the test with this and another trickier quiz where he has a chance to gamble and win a small rubber football. Matt also has a quiz for Lewis, whose success rate in this series has not been quite so prolific. Picking a favourite scene and performance proved to be difficult and Lewis also manages to get Laurence Olivier and Pele in the same sentence in another category.Amongst the many great films there have been some that were not quite so great. We both have most of the same films on our lists, but which film made us laugh the most when recalling it? We discuss what happened in 1790, John Cleese's BAFTA acceptance speech, giggling in theatre rehearsals, Pringles flavours and TV adverts that spell out gags. We also pick what song we would listen to after a hard and stressful day.From Alfie to Zulu, you will know what Michael Caine is all about after 2 glorious hours in our company.

Send us Fan MailHorror is a genre that we at The Midnight Run have struggled with over the years. There are a large number of sub genres such as Slasher, Supernatural and Psychological, so are we tarring a huge genre with a single brush or are specific types of horror what we really don't care for?There are lots of good things about horror films however, apart from the majority of them being short.  After all, it is a genre that has produced so many iconic films (Psycho/The Exorcist), scenes (chest bursting/"Here's Johnny") and characters (Freddy/Jason/Hannibal Lecter).Lewis goes to town on the films he watched in preparation, with 2 films actually making his top 10 but which film remake did he accidentally watch instead of the intended original?We discuss our horror film upbringing and Lewis states which film he has only ever watched through a mirror and also recounts his scary walk home late at night after watching The Fog.  Lewis also explains his love for Friday 13th Part 6: Jason Lives and devises a fun, but brutal Jason Voorhees quiz for Matt.Off topic subjects in this episode feature which of the ABBA chaps has the hairiest chest, Matt's obsession with sandwich making and how to deal with the loss of a hamster in a young household.Have we changed our minds about the horror film genre? We could tell you but then we would have to kill you.

Send us Fan MailIt could be argued that the 1970s was the best decade in movie history. So many iconic films such as The Godfather(s), Jaws, Taxi Driver and Star Wars meant that picking a final 10 was just as difficult as figuring out why Jodie Foster didn't realize it was her own team she was scoring against in Freaky Friday. But the 70s wasn't all champagne and caviar, as for every Annie Hall, or The Sting there was a Carry On Emmannuelle or a Confessions of a Window Cleaner, so which films did we agree were absolute balls. Lewis reveals which 70s film he watched recently at the cinema in preparation and why he had to be brave to do it. We discuss which genres, actors and Directors defined the era, along with our favourite performance (same one) and favourite scene (same one). We give big love to the Robert Powell version of The 39 Steps and determine which actor best portrayed Hercule Poirot. We inevitably go off topic discussing Berlin landmarks, misheard lyrics in songs, the best dog to have in Top Trumps and Blackadder impressions, but the most taxing question for Matt could well have been the culinary question at the end. 

Send us Fan MailDetermining what we have decided to include as a biopic is the source of much debate in this episode. A biopic should be about a real person over a period of time and not necessarily the specific situation they are in...we think. So does The Queen, Moneyball, Spartacus and The Insider count? Subsequently this was a tough episode to prepare for. We have theories on why so many Academy Awards have been won for biopic portrayals. This made it a very difficult choice for the much sought after accolade of our favourite performance.  We celebrate the fact that we have finally created a Facebook page and welcome 2 lovely, shiny countries to the listening family. Off topic highlights are... memorable soundtracks, our "modelling" careers, going to a public toilet, conspiracy theorists, Lewis's favourite sportswoman and what we think are the best song lyrics ever written?It is worth listening to in order to find out how Matt compares our show to the South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu and what is Pen Behind the Ear?

Send us Fan MailA sequel is a film that continues the story of, or expands upon an earlier work. Lots of them are made and although there are undoubtedly gems, many don't seem to be any good. We discuss our opinions on why that is (apart from them earning a truckload of cash) and try to determine which genres are best and worst suited to them. Some right old tripe have been watched in preparation, but which film could Lewis not bring himself to watch?What do we think of the new Top Gun: Maverick film, which got us out to the cinema again and does it have a chance of cracking our top 10s? What do we want from a sequel and do they have to be better than the original to be great? Which films in particular spoil the first one and which were utter disasters?As well as a difficult quiz for Matt we also go off topic with advice on how to deal with nerves at parkrun, which 3 men would turn Lewis's head given the right amount of encouragement and which metal group has the best name.Regardless of the bad ones there are enough rather excellent sequels to result in some  agonizing omissions. A number of genres are well represented in our top 10s and we have the joy of revealing the same film as the number 1 pick.This is the 15th episode and is a year since we started the series. We hope that it has not diminished in quality like the Robocop films.

Send us Fan MailScience fiction films are perfect for the cinema because of the visual effects and the escapism that they provide. The Sci-fi genre, which has produced groundbreaking classics such as Metropolis, 2001, Bladerunner, Avatar and Plan 9 from Outer Space is a complicated one, which raises a debate on what to include and what not in in our top 10s. Our favourite scenes and performances are discussed, as well as a Star Wars themed quiz for Matt. But as usual we go off topic with gems such as how to avoid getting mugged, the criminal record of the kid actor in Flight of the Navigator, going to the cinema on your own, the greatest rugby union try ever scored, how you choose what information you retain in your head and our top 3 Abba songs.We reveal which scene from a sci-fi film we cunningly recreated on video for our Dad’s birthday many years ago and is there a Star Wars Imperial Guard training camp? The episode is worth it alone for Matt's brilliant Greedo impression (why did you change the scene so that he shot first Mr Lucas?) oh, and does anyone know what a Nuthatch sounds like?

Send us Fan MailWhat makes a great scene and why? A difficult episode for us this time as we have to pick our top 10 scenes of all time. An almost impossible task and Matt does very well to reduce his shortlist from 97 originally.  Are we counting montages? What about end scenes, which prompts Matt into revealing his favourite ending of all time. Does Omaha Beach count? Many aspects of a great scene are broken down along with which murderer still gives Lewis the creeps when remembering scenes growing up. Another different, but scene related quiz for Matt along with divulging which scenes made us cry (Shelley Winters) and which ones are a tough watch. We agree on our least liked scene even though it is in one of Lewis's all time favourites. A special mention goes to the scene in Superman 2 where he goes back to give the bully his just desserts. As usual our episode is so much more than that, as we discuss whether we would order a poker style murder if we were powerful enough. Why Ben Gazzara managed to somehow hold his own at the end of Roadhouse. Which song would we sing to intimidate the enemy at the start of a battle and the always controversial "Which Godfather film is the best" (in our opinion).The final lists are such a diverse mixture of action, drama and comedy that we would be happy to take the films that the 10 scenes appear with us on a desert island. Providing that the island had something to play them on....and something to watch them on…and electricity. 

Send us Fan MailWhat is a romantic comedy? We discuss the ingredients and Matt is put brutally on the spot in the "Yes/No" game, but ultimately a romantic comedy is what you decide it is. Our own interpretations result in the largest number of different films in our top 10s to date. Lewis reveals the record number of films he watched in preparation for the episode and we also welcome 5 new countries to our series of lovely listeners.Our favourite performances and scenes in romantic comedies feature in the episode, along with a different type of quiz for Matt. But that is not all, as we tackle such subjects as the time that Matt went blank on stage, Rob Reiner's genius run of films, the ending of Groundhog Day and can you really forgive Jack Nicholson's character for throwing a dog down a chute?It all blends into a lovely, fluffy and amusing piece of entertainment for 93 glorious minutes. A bit like a romantic comedy, without the physical element. We are brothers after all.

Send us Fan MailAt the time of recording and according to the internet, Samuel L. Jackson is the highest grossing actor at the box office (We are not counting Stan Lee). The main reasons for this are his association with the Marvel and Star Wars franchises, but he also appeared in Jurassic Park, which would have helped. He also had appeared in (at least) 140 films, which meant that we had our hands full in watching as many as we could on preparation. Any film that he ever appeared in counted for our lists, regardless of his performance, or how significant his role was, so the net was cast wide. Would we have the same no1? Why does Lewis like Coming to America so much and which Shaft film was the best? These crunch questions are answered along with which actor our eldest niece likes the most and the usual quizzes for Matt. He even has a stab at performing a theme tune for our show. 

Send us Fan MailThere are so many elements to a musical. The choreography. The big show-stopping numbers. The wow factor it creates, along with a great story in it's own right. A musical is an attack on the senses. Our strong musical upbringing is discussed, along with our favourite numbers and performances. We decide on our favourite decade and reveal our top 10 lists, resulting in 2 quite  different number 1s. Along side that there are 2 quizzes for Matt and we bring up Lewis's most embarrasing moment on a stage and perform our different character impressions of Che from Evita. We also reveal where Matt was when he sang "On the Street Where you Live" and which film landed him in hot water with his girlfriend for watching it. Lewis surely wins the award for the most ridiculous way to tear a hamstring. We may also break into song at any moment.

Send us Fan MailSteven Spielberg. A master craftsman. Unsurprisingly we are big fans on this show and it has been a difficult task picking our top 10s from his current list of 33 feature films (yes, we are including Duel in that number). Which of his films resulted in the creation of a new classification in American cinemas and why did you not see the shark in Jaws until the second half of the film?  A number of films have been watched in preparation for it, including a trip to the cinema for both of us. Also featured on the show are remarkably difficult topics such as our favourite scene, performance and musical theme. Two quizzes for Matt this time, just in case the first is too easy and who were we with when we were separately stopped by the police?

Send us Fan MailOur festive episode. We tackle the difficult question “What is a Christmas film" the best we can, but also talk about our favourite Christmas songs and TV special episodes. Which films were watched in preparation (many in Lewis's case) and what non Christmas films do we like to watch during the festive season. Is there a connection between JFK and Freddy Krueger? Why did Irving Berlin write “White Christmas”? Which Home Alone villain suffers the worst injuries are also covered. The  top 10 lists are more varied than any so far, which shows how much categorising a Christmas film is determined by the beholder, but Die Hard gets in both. Merry Christmas.

Send us Fan MailIf ever there were a film series that would be good for a list it would be Bond. So many to discuss, such as villains, songs, opening sequences, stunts, ladies and the Bond actors themselves. All of which make up what a Bond film has to offer and why we like them.  A devilish quiz for Matt and insight into the back stories of the films demonstrate our family Bond film upbringing. Questions raised are why was Never Say Never Again made and why was Casino Royale made so late in the series, considering it was the first novel? Most importantly, which Bond film music did we once dance Ian Botham's 1981 Ashes success as a comedy sketch? A much smaller pool of films (25) to pick from this time, which made the final 10s much more cut throat and brutal. A bit like Daniel Craig’s Bond.

Send us Fan MailWhat is war good for? Nothing apart from the creation of some incredible films that show the best and worst of ordinary people.  Often brutal, visceral experiences that can be a tough watch, but at the same time powerful and memorable. The madness of it is also depicted in terrific comedies too. Another tricky quiz for Matt to overcome and some topics to ponder such as Are The Last of the Mohicans and Braveheart war films? Is Casablanca? How many new films did Matt watch in preparation? Matt's RADA audition and our Mother's driving capabilities are also discussed. Which films made the top 10s and how many made both lists? Not many this time.

Send us Fan MailThe 1980s was the decade that we grew up in. The decade that introduced us to the magic of the movies.  So many titans of cinema were released in the 80s, so much so that making our final (and quite different) top 10s was extremely difficult. Does Midnight Run get in? What films just missed out? Which little gems do we recommend? Can Matt successfully navigate another tricky quiz? What is his opinion on crocodiles and why was Michael Caine not at the Academy Awards to pick up his Best Supporting Actor award in 1987?

Send us Fan MailAnimation. Such a rich and varied form, with no rules and all genres covered. Many topics are covered in the tense and often heated conversation, such as which films influenced us growing up? Which famous films have we not seen? Which scene in Fantastic Mr Fox made Lewis laugh uncontrollably? Can Matt ace the particularly difficult quiz? Do we prefer classic animation or Pixar? Which film did Lewis cough up hard cash for in order to watch again for the first time in 25 years and is it better the second time?So many questions. The answers to these little gems (not the lettuce) and many more subjects are found in this episode, culminating in our top 10 favourite films, which proved to be the most difficult selection so far.

Send us Fan MailA top 10 with a difference as we reveal our favourite films seen on the big screen. Some classic films, some unforgettable experiences. Some of them dreadful. What is the preferred cinema snack? Which film have we paid to see the most? What is the one (different) film that we each fell asleep in?  What is the most ridiculous Steven Seagal character name? The answers to these questions and others are revealed in another nail biter of an episode. 

Send us Fan MailAre Paint Your Wagon and Back to the Future part 3 westerns? Can you name every Clint Eastwood western and what in our humble opinions are the best castles for hide and seek and strongest salt and vinegar flavoured crisps? These heavy topics and more are discussed, culminating in our top 10 films in the western genre. The podcast contains 2 uses of mild explicit language.

Send us Fan MailTo date there have been 93 best picture winners at the Academy Awards. How many have we seen? Which ones haven't we seen and why? Which ones didn't we like? Lots of conversation and list making, culminating in the exciting reveal of our own personal favourites. Gripping stuff for a first ever episode.