Easter Guestapalooza (Steve Coogan, Jonathan Pryce, Ray Mendoza, Alex Garland, Ludwig Göransson, Osgood Perkins), Movie Musicals, And The Oscars' Latest Stunt
Apr 18, 2025
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Join talented guests like Ludwig Göransson, the Oscar-winning composer behind 'Oppenheimer', and Osgood Perkins, director of horror favorites like 'Gretel & Hansel', as they dive into the world of film. Steve Coogan shares humorous anecdotes from filming with penguins in 'The Penguin Lessons', while Alex Garland discusses crafting gripping narratives in 'Warfare'. The group also debates what defines a musical, while reflecting on the Oscars' new Best Stunt Design category. It's a delightful mix of humor, insight, and cinematic exploration!
The podcast delves into the complex definition of musicals, debating the classification of Disney films like Moana against traditional formats.
Warfare is presented as an emotionally charged depiction of military decision-making, emphasizing the personal stakes faced by soldiers.
The Monkey combines dark humor and horror to explore societal attitudes towards death, contrasting tragedy with comedic elements.
Music in Sinners, crafted by Ludwig Göransson, plays a crucial role in enhancing emotional depth and character development throughout the film.
Deep dives
Introduction of Guests and New Projects
This episode features several high-profile guests including Ludwig Goransson, the Oscar-winning composer of Oppenheimer, and actors Steve Coogan and Jonathan Price from the film The Penguin Lessons. It also highlights filmmakers Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza discussing their project Warfare. The show opens with light banter among the hosts before diving into the movie-related topics, including congratulations to Rory McIlroy on a recent win in golf. They set an upbeat tone for discussing the diverse film lineup, signaling an engaging conversation ahead.
Exploring Musicals and Disney Films
The hosts tackle a listener's question regarding what defines a musical, specifically how Disney films fit into this category. They debate whether films like Moana should be classified as musicals alongside more traditional formats like Broadway adaptations. The conversation reveals differing opinions on the importance of song structure and performance context within a musical narrative, highlighting a passion for musicals while acknowledging the complexities of categorization. The discussion leads to insights on how definitions can vary based on cultural perspectives.
Analyzing the Nature of Courage in Warfare
Warfare is presented as a gritty, real-time depiction of a military operation from the perspective of its participants. The film emphasizes that true courage involves fear and the difficulty of decision-making in life-or-death situations. Special attention is given to the portrayal of soldiers as they struggle with the weight of their choices, as well as the emotional implications of combat. The interview with Ray Mendoza reflects on the relevance of personal experiences and memories to the film's narrative, providing valuable insights into the emotional depth of the military setting.
Humor and Horror in The Monkey
The Monkey is described as a film that intertwines dark humor and horror elements, with a focus on how societal views on death influence characters' lives. The film is characterized by a unique comedic tone that contrasts with the grim subject matter, exploring how tragedy interacts with humor in storytelling. The hosts discuss their experiences of personal loss and how these experiences can shape the perspective of audiences engaging with the film. This blend of humor and horror is positioned as a central theme that resonates throughout the narrative.
The Importance of Music in Sinners
Music is highlighted as a driving force in Sinners, with Ludwig Goransson's composition playing a pivotal role in establishing the film's emotional and thematic grounding. The guests detail how the music complements the narrative, contributing to character development and the overall atmosphere. Special mention is made of how certain performances, such as a key scene involving a live rendition, are designed to bridge connections between past cultural influences and contemporary issues. The integration of music and performance is described as essential to conveying the film's messages about heritage and connection.
The Critique of the Penguin Lessons
Steve Coogan's character in The Penguin Lessons is explored as a cynical English teacher whose journey intertwines with a penguin he comes to care for. The hosts engage in a light-hearted critique of the film’s feel-good elements against the backdrop of serious societal issues in Argentina during the 1976 military regime. They note the film blends comedic elements with emotional growth, despite the existence of cliched tropes. Overall, the discussion reflects a recognition of the film's attempts to balance humor with deeper themes while appealing to broader audiences.
Audience Reception and Filmmaking Process
The conversations touch upon how audience reactions can vary dramatically, showcasing a divide in opinions on films that mix genres and tones. Some viewers expect straightforward horror or humor while others appreciate the nuanced storytelling. The hosts reflect on the filmmaking process, discussing how collaborative efforts and creative choices during production can shape the final product. By analyzing the challenges of merging comedic and serious tones, the episode emphasizes the art of balancing audience expectations with authentic storytelling.
Final Thoughts and Spoilers
As the episode comes to a close, the hosts summarize the key takeaways from the discussed films while teasing upcoming reviews and interviews. They encourage listeners to explore the unique themes presented in each film, particularly focusing on the emotional arcs and the use of music. The hosts also share their excitement for future episodes, highlighting the significance of connecting with diverse cinematic narratives. The promise of intriguing content ahead makes for an enthusiastic conclusion to the episode.
This week's Empire Podcast (episode 664 if you're keeping score!) is more packed with goodness than your average Easter egg. Not only do Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and Alex Godfrey get into a discussion about what exactly makes a musical a musical (along with an impromptu visit to a certain mountain), but they tackle the week's movie news, including the revelation that the Oscars will finally have a Best Stunt Design category (note: this was recorded, due to the Easter holidays, before the new Fantastic Four trailer and Star Wars movie news. We'll get to those next week), and review Ryan Coogler's Sinners, Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza's Warfare, and the new Steve Coogan film, The Penguin Lessons. And if that weren't enough, our guest egg overcracketh, as Chris sits down with Steve Coogan and co-star Jonathan Pryce, [21:13 - 33:16 approx] and Sinners' genius composer, Ludwig Göransson, [1:31:25 - 1:45:01 approx] while Alex has an engrossing chat with Warfare's directors, Ray Mendoza and the other Alex G. [52:19 - 1:07:55 approx] And finally, there's an excerpt from Chris' wonderful spoiler special chat with The Monkey director, Osgood Perkins. [1:46:16 - 1:57:31 approx] Our full spoiler special for that movie is now up in our spoiler special feed. Phew, told you it was a packed show. Enjoy!
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