The hosts dive into the year's highs and lows in cinema, sharing their top and bottom film lists. A heartfelt conversation with RaMell Ross reveals the emotional weight behind 'Nickel Boys'. They review unique films, including a comedy about a grandson's scheme for inheritance and a thrilling neo-Nazi chase starring Jude Law. Expect humor and insights as they explore familial connections and the absurdity of celebrity in modern biopics. It's a festive mix of film critique and personal storytelling!
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Quick takeaways
RaMell Ross discusses innovative filmmaking in 'Nickel Boys,' illustrating how storytelling can address important social issues like racial injustice.
The hosts review a range of films including 'Better Man' and 'The Order,' highlighting both audience favorites and lesser-known titles.
Traditions of watching classic family films during the holidays continue to foster connections across generations, offering comfort and shared experiences.
Deep dives
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The Joy of Shared Family Films
The conversation highlights the nostalgic value of watching classic family films together during the holidays, with specific mention of favorites like 'Wallace and Gromit' and 'Top of the Pops.' This tradition of gathering to enjoy films signifies a connection that transcends generations, allowing families to bond over shared experiences. Despite the changing landscape of media consumption, the enduring appeal of certain films remains, providing comfort and entertainment during the festive season. The hosts express a sense of satisfaction that families can still find joy in viewing films that cater to audiences of all ages.
Reviewing Holiday Films: New Releases and Favorites
The episode features a discussion of newly released films on Boxing Day, including reviews of titles such as 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,' 'The Order,' and 'Better Man.' The hosts reflect on the film landscape of the past year, sharing their individual favorite and least favorite films, and engaging with audience feedback on these titles. They emphasize the importance of sharing film critiques with listeners, inviting them to reflect upon their own cinematic experiences over the holiday. The hosts also consider the significance of mid-tier films that may not push boundaries but still provide enjoyable viewing.
Highlights of the Year: Top and Bottom Film Lists
The discussion transitions into a segment where the hosts share their top five films and their bottom picks of the year, showcasing a diverse array of opinions from both commentators and listeners. This segment elevates the conversation around film criticism, where 'okay' films are acknowledged and celebrated for their ability to entertain without being groundbreaking. Audience engagement plays a key role as listeners submit their own lists, further enriching the dialogue. The inclusion of unexpected titles among the worst films illustrates the variability in audience tastes and expectations.
Guest Feature: Ramel Ross on 'Nickel Boys'
The episode features an interview with Ramel Ross, the director of 'Nickel Boys,' a film adapted from Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Ross discusses his creative approach and the film's exploration of serious themes such as racial injustice and the experience of young boys in a reform school. He highlights the unique filmmaking techniques employed to intimate emotions and experiences through the lens of the characters, making it a deeply personal narrative. The conversation emphasizes the significance of storytelling in addressing historical and contemporary issues, showing how film can serve as a powerful medium for social commentary.
It’s Boxing Day, but we’ve got more than just leftovers in today’s show—we're just as stuffed full of gourmet goodies as we hope you are right now...
A fresh new guest interview this week with RaMell Ross, director of the awards-tipped ‘Nickel Boys’. Based on the Pulitzer prize winning novel by Colson Whitehead, it follows the growing friendship between two boys in racially segregated 1960s Florida, Ellwood and Turner, who find themselves unwillingly enrolled in an abusive reform school. Simon sits down with RaMell to talk about his innovative filmmaking approach—and we think you’ll be hearing plenty more from him in the future...
Reviews of ‘Better Man’, the Robbie Wiliams biopic from ‘Greatest Showman’ director Michael Gracey that chronicles the pop superstar’s infamous monkeying around by making him an actual chimp; ‘The Order’, the 80s-set thriller starring Jude Law as a neo-Nazi-hunting FBI agent; and ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’, the Thai comedy-drama in which broke university dropout M cozies up to his ailing grandmother in the hope of inheriting her massive fortune.
Plus Mark’s top 5 films of the year—and bottom 5 cinematic stinkers too.
Merry Christmas one and all—wishing you much festive film-watching...
Review: How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies – 08:20
