Film Stories with Simon Brew

For the final episode of Film Stories in 2022, something a bit special: a welcome back to director Phil Alden Robinson, who joins Simon to tell the story of 2002's Tom Clancy adaptation, The Sum Of All Fears.They talk about how Robinson came to the project, and the challenge when they ended up having to use locations booked for an entirely different film. Plus, dealing with Tom Clancy, the possible sequel that never was, and the incredibly spoiler-y trailer for the film. Robinson also chats about his late addition to directing Band Of Brothers, and what happened post-The Sum Of All Fears.Thanks to everybody who's supported Film Stories this year. The podcast returns in 2023... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films from top notch filmmakers take centre stage.1992's The Last Of The Mohicans, from Michael Mann, wasn't the easiest of productions. From personnel leaving and the threat of strike action, to the months of required training and the difficulty landing the score, it proved quite the challenge.The Coen Brothers' O Brother Where Are Thou? was a lot calmer by comparison. George Clooney, for instance, signed on without reading the script. But there was still a bit of groundbreaking technical work that needed to be done - and a lot of music that needed to be recorded before filming could begin...Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriesSupport this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by writer and director Ol Parker, with the pair chatting about his latest film, Ticket To Paradise.They look at how the film came together, and the challenges of making a film led by two major movie stars. Parker also candidly discusses the response to the movie, and the less than stellar critical response to it. He also talks about further projects, and what may lie ahead.Ticket To Paradise is available on demand, and on DVD and Blu-ray, now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a dash of the festive spirit as two Christmas-set movies take centre stage.The first Lethal Weapon movie came together in just a few years, sparked by then-twentysomething Shane Black's script. The project was offered to Leonard Nimoy to look at before Richard Donner signed on the dotted line to direct - and it remains a casting masterclass too.Jingle All The Way meanwhile came together even quicker, with Arnold Schwarzenegger suddenly having a gap in his schedule once a planned Planet Of The Apes movie he was attached to fell apart. Just six months after filming began, the film would be in cinemas - and that didn't help the movie's merchandising plans.Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriesSupport this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by Oscar-winning film composer Michael Giacchino. Michael's in the awards running again for his score to The Batman, and that's one of the subjects they talk about (the film is widely available now).They also chat about getting started, about juggling multiple projects, making sure you finish work on time, and general nerdy stuff. Simon nearly manages to offend him too. Ulp... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a much-loved box office disappointment, and a film that burned through a lot of directorsThe late, great Jim Henson earned a success with The Dark Crystal, but he knew he wanted his next film to be a bit lighter, and to have human characters in it too. 25 drafts of the script and story later, Labyrinth went before the cameras - but with a lot of challenges in its path.Uncharted meanwhile started its way to the big screen in 2008. By the time cameras rolled over a decade later, six different directors would have left the project. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod.Support this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by director Matthew Warchus and screenwriter Dennis Kelly, with the focus primarily being 2022's Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical.In their conversation, they talk about taking the hugely success musical from stage to screen, and how brutal they had to be as they did so. They chat too the many, many drafts of the script, the songs that were filmed but which didn't make the finally cut, and a bit of CG involving a giraffe.You also get little mentions of both Pride and Utopia too, and the pair both end up with what their clickbait news stories would be... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films from the 1990s that attracted awards attention - one with less controversy than the other.After the way his first film was treated, writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson was adamant things would be different with his second. But who would give a twentysomething filmmaker $15m and creative control for a film on the surface about making adult movies? And why would Burt Reynolds get so upset?Things were more straightforward with 1992's Unforgiven, the film that finally bagged Clint Eastwood an Oscar he never expected to see. However, Eastwood nearly missed the script altogether when he was recommended to avoid it. And even when he read it, it'd be a long, long wait for the film.Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod.Support this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special episode of Film Stories, Simon chats to Oscar-winning Disney producer Roy Conli, in part about the new animated film, Strange World.Their chat takes them back to Roy's theatrical origins but also the teacher who pushed him to read. On top of that though, they get into the Oscar bet that Roy didn't deliver on, the new bet that hopefully he will, and the ongoing challenge of making feature films!Strange World is in UK cinemas on the very day this podcast lands... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a pair of 1990s summer blockbusters - one of which proved more problematic than the other.Come 1990 and there were three competing Robin Hood projects on the way from Hollywood. But it was 1991's Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves that won the race to the screen. It'd be fair to say it was not an easy journey to get there.Off the back of making GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan was looking for new projects - and he settled on a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. Small problem though about trying to make a movie about a museum heist: museums don't seem very keen to let you film on their premises...Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod.Support this podcast: www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices