Film Stories with Simon Brew

Simon Brew
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Mar 22, 2021 • 58min

Tin Cup (1996) and The 6th Day (2000)

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, films made by Kevin Costner and Arnold Schwarzenegger after their box office peaks. Tin Cup was the film an exhausted Costner made immediately post-Waterworld. It would turn into one of the best romantic comedies of the decade. The 6th Day came together fast - but it targeted a PG-13 rating, and Schwarzenegger wanted a less violent project. Plus: they couldn't afford to make it in America. Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 15, 2021 • 55min

Star Trek Nemesis (2002) and Sister Act (1992)

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a sequel that struggled, and a sleeper hit that overcame a few difficulties of its own. Star Trek Nemesis took a little while to greenlight in the first place - and then the hiring of a director best known for action didn't quite pay off. With Sister Act, in spite of it being a huge hit, its original writer wanted to drop his name off it, in favour of the credit 'Written by Goofy'! Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 11, 2021 • 30min

Locked Down (2021) and more, with director Doug Liman

In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by director Doug Liman to chat about Locked Down. Their chat covers the conception and making of the film during the lockdown of 2020, as well as The Bourne Identity, and Liman's previously-untapped skills at costume making.  Please note: towards the end of this podcast, there is a blip with the interview recording that I've cleaned up as best I can. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. You can find the Film Stories website here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 8, 2021 • 55min

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and 21 Jump Street (2012)

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a very fast return for 007, and an action comedy that surpassed expectations. Tomorrow Never Dies had to be turned around very quickly thanks to difficulties with MGM - and it meant the script wouldn't be complete until two weeks before filming finished! The script was in place for 21 Jump Street, but then there was the question as to whether Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum would make a good double act. Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 5, 2021 • 1h 17min

In conversation with director Michael Hoffman: Restless Natives, Soapdish, One Fine Day, Restoration, Gambit and more

In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by Restless Natives, Soapdish and One Fine Day director Michael Hoffman for a special episode. They talk through his film career, from his unconventional start, to stopping in Robert Redford's house, a George Clooney basketball accident and the joy of films such as Soapdish. Plus: the pressures of having made the Royal Film in 1995 - that also happened to be picked as part of the 100 years of cinema celebration! Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. You can find the Film Stories website here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 1, 2021 • 55min

Superman Returns (2006) and Blinded By The Light (2019)

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films at either end of the budget scale! Superman Returns took over a decade to come together, with over $50m spent even by the time it was greenlit. But after the successful Batman reboot landed the year before it, the pressure was on. Blinded By The Light took a long time to come together too - but then how do you make a wonderful British coming of age film, whilst also weaving in the music of Bruce Springsteen? Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 26, 2021 • 1h 6min

In conversation with Simon Mayo

In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by one half of the BBC's flagship film programme, Simon Mayo. The pair chat about Kermode & Mayo's Film Review (Wittertainment to its chums) and the absence of Kermode & Mayo's Home Entertainment Service from BBC iPlayer.  And they talk too about Simon's books, including his latest thriller Knife Edge, and the screen adaptations of his work. Plus a bit of radio too... Find Simon (Brew) on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. You can find the Film Stories website here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 22, 2021 • 55min

The Social Network (2010) and The Naked Gun 2 1/2 (1991)

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, two films where the actors had to get used to a whole load of takes. The Social Network came with a 161-page script from Aaron Sorkin to fit into a two hour movie. And director David Fincher came up with a simple idea to make sure it'd fit. For The Naked Gun 2 1/2, director David Zucker had to make sure his actors stuck very much to the script - and he also wanted to make sure an environmental message snuck into the film. Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 15, 2021 • 55min

True Romance (1993) and Bioshock (unmade)

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, a film that took time to find its audience - and one that never got to find one at all. Tony Scott had to choose between directing Reservoir Dogs or True Romance by a young, upcoming talent called Quentin Tarantino. He picked the latter - and by the time filming began, big names were queuing up for a role. After the collapse of the planned Halo movie, a deal was struck to ensure Bioshock didn't suffer a similar fate. But it didn't go to plan. Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 8, 2021 • 54min

Alien Resurrection (1997) and Wall Street (1987)

In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, an attempt to breathe new life into the Alien saga, and a role that changed Michael Douglas' career. Alien Resurrection went through at least five possible endings, and wasn't originally to feature the character of Ripley. The plan for it to be a lower budget spin-off soon changed. Michael Douglas was known for safe roles before 1987 came along, and Oliver Stone was warned about casting him too. One Oscar later... Stories of both are told in this episode. Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod. Support our work at www.patreon.com/simonbrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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