The Empire Film Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#437 — Olivia Cooke Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

Is Olivia Cooke a psychopath? What, exactly, does her mum keep on a corkboard in her Manchester home? Where did her Irish accent come from for her new film, Pixie? These burning questions, and more, are explored by the British actor as she guests on this week's episode, having a fun chat with Chris Hewitt about all this, her love for Spielberg's Hook, and much more. It starts at 00:45:08.333, ends at 01:08:38.450. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Ben Travis, and James Dyer for a fun episode (we would say that, wouldn't we?) in which they discuss directors who use the same ensembles, chat about the week's movie news including the revelation that the never-ending Fast & Furious franchise is ending and THAT Die Hard-related commercial, and review Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm, Ben Wheatley's Rebecca, Liam Neeson's Honest Thief, and Pixie. Enjoy. Especially if you're not a psycho.

#436 — Kevin Bacon Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

This week's Empire Podcast brings us all one degree closer to Kevin Bacon, as the star of You Should Have Left zooms in for a remotely-distanced chat with Chris Hewitt in which the pair talk about Bacon's reunion with writer/director David Koepp, those EE commercials he does, Tremors, and more. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Amon Warmann, and James Dyer for another impromptu, off-the-cuff edition of The Three Fact Structure, discussion of the best movie prosthetics, a deep dive into the week's movie news including the announcement of Fury Road prequel, Furiosa, and reviews of the terrifying trio of You Should Have Left, Vampires Vs The Bronx, and The Wolf Of Snow Hollow. Enjoy.

In Conversation With Soul's Pete Docter, Kemp Powers and Dana Murray -- a BFI London Film Festival Special Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

One of the standouts of this year's BFI London Film Festival -- which runs until this Sunday -- was the UK premiere of Soul, the latest slice of dizzying and dazzling Disney/Pixar brilliance from director Pete Docter. In this very special interview episode, Chris Hewitt Zooms into a chat with Docter and his co-writer/director, Kemp Powers, and producer Dana Murray for a wide-ranging chat about the inspirations behind the film, the secret fears that drive them as artists, the recent announcement of its debut on Disney+ this Christmas Day, casting Graham Norton, and much, much more. It's a funny and frank chat, and apart from brief talk of one deleted joke, it's spoiler-free. So, even if you haven't seen Soul yet, come on in. The podwater's lovely. For more information on the London Film Festival, go to bfi.org.uk

#435 — Miranda July, Rose Glass and Morfydd Clark Oct 08, 2020

Show notes

With Halloween just around the corner (followed by an unsatisfying reboot, no doubt), the Empire Podcast is turning its attention to scary fillums this week, and they don't come much more scary than Rose Glass' astonishing debut, Saint Maud. Glass, and her star, the wonderful Morfydd Clark, both chat to our Ben Travis in this week's episode. And the not-in-any-way-scary-but-still-great crime comedy-drama, Kajillionaire, is also out this week, marking the return of writer-director Miranda July after almost a decade away. She talks to Ian Freer about where she's been and what we can expect from her new film. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris Hewitt is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Terri White for an epic episode in which they discuss what's happening on the UK cinema scene in the wake of Cineworld/Picturehouse's temporary closure, and the release date shift for No Time To Die. They also dig into the week's movie news, including trailers galore, and review Saint Maud in spectacularly chaotic, sweary fashion, along with Kajillionaire, Dick Johnson Is Dead, I Am Woman and the scariest fillum of them all: Adam Sandler's Hubie Halloween. Enjoy... if you dare!

#434 — Simon Farnaby, David Morrissey Oct 01, 2020

Show notes

On another bumper edition of the Empire Podcast, Paddington 2 co-writer and one of BBC's Ghosts, Simon Farnaby, tells Chris Hewitt all about his debut as a children's author, The Wizard In My Shed, while also branching out is David Morrissey, who has launched his very own podcast, Who Am I This Time?, in which he discusses key roles with actors like Alan Cumming, Liz Carr, and David Harewood. Chris' interview with Morrissey (the actor, not the singer) is taken from our one-off live show last week at Kings Place, London, and is included here as a Brucie bonus. Then, in the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Alex Godfrey for an epic show that sees the unplanned return of an old favourite, discussion of the best in-joke cameos, and reviews of The Trial Of The Chicago 7, The Boys In The Band, On The Rocks, and Eternal Beauty. And in the news section, we discuss Vin Diesel's singing career, Barry Jenkins directing The Lion King 2 and we foil Kevin Feige's evil schemes by reconvening to discuss this week's Electro-fying MCU news. Your move, Feige! Enjoy.

Chadwick Boseman — An Empire Podcast Special Sep 28, 2020

Show notes

In this very special edition of the Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and Amon Warmann are joined by Sam Clements, host of Picturehouse Cinemas' The Love Of Cinema podcast, for an in-depth discussion of the career of the great Chadwick Boseman, whose untimely death in August left behind an indelible cinematic legacy. In this episode, the podteam pay a heartfelt tribute to a truly great actor, as they discuss everything from 42 to Da 5 Bloods and, of course, the incredible cultural impact of his work as T'Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

#433 — Henry Cavill, Henry Golding Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

We hope you like Henrys, because this week's Empire Podcast brings you not one, but two actors of that name. Hooray! First there's Henry Cavill, who tells Chris Hewitt all about becoming Sherlock Holmes for the fun Netflix caper Enola Holmes, and they talk about some other stuff as well (but not, probably, the stuff you'd expect us to ask him about... oops!). And then, just for good measure, another impossibly charming, improbably handsome British Henry pops onto SquadCast for a chat with Chris. This time it's Henry Golding, star of Monsoon, who has a natter with Chris about vinyl collections, finding your identity, asking your parents uncomfortable truths, and how he'd fare against other contenders for Bond. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, John Nugent, and Amon Warmann for a rambling (even more so than usual) episode that takes in unexpected revelations about the podteam's past lives, discussion of the week's news (including the WandaVision trailer, and the Tom Hardy as Bond rumours), reviews of Enola Holmes, Miss Juneteenth, and Monsoon. And there's much discussion of the perfect egg. Unctuous. Enjoy.

#432 -- Sarah Gavron & Bukky Bakray Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

The first thing you should know about this week's episode of the Empire Podcast is that we talk about Rocks on it. And Rocks rocks. The second thing you should know is that Chris Hewitt talks to Sarah Gavron and Bukky Bakray, the director and star of that movie, which is one of the best British films in yonks. And the third thing you should know is that that interview is a lot of fun. The fourth thing you should know is that this week Chris is not just joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer, as per usual, but a brand-new occupant of the ever-rotating fourth chair: Edith Bowman! Yes, the creator and host of Soundtracking, one of our favourite film pods, drops by and joins the team for this episode, and along the way they discuss the best movie cameos by musicians, discuss the week's movie news, including the Madonna biopic, the potential arrival of Kang The Conqueror in the MCU, and review Rocks (told you!), Bill & Ted Face The Music, and The Devil All The Time. Enjoy.

#431 — Ewan McGregor Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

In what is sure to be The Bee Gees' favourite episode of the Empire Podcast, it's Ewan again as Chris Hewitt has a chat with Ewan McGregor about returning to the small screen with Long Way Up, in which McGregor reteams with Charley Boorman for another epic motorbike odyssey. Ewan also talks about his penchant for reflective roles of late, including the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series, and dishes on the return of a fan-favourite Star Wars character. Maybe. Possibly. Then, in the virtual podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, in the rotating fourth chair, Alex Godfrey for an episode in which they discuss the films they'd like to see directors have another crack at; talk about the week's movie news, including the first trailer for Dune (Jamesplaining ahoy!); and review The Painted Bird, The Roads Not Taken, and Les Miserables. No, not that one. This episode was recorded just before the sad death of the great Dame Diana Rigg. We'll pay tribute to her on next week's episode.

#430 — Steve Coogan Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

We're not usually happy to see another podcast enter this increasingly crowded market, but we'll make an exception for Alan Partridge. This week sees the launch of the first Partridgecast, an Audible Original series entitled Alan Partridge: From The Oasthouse, and to mark the occasion, Chris Hewitt has a very special Zoom audience with the man who is Alan, Steve Coogan. Needless to say, you'll have the last laugh. Then, in an episode that flips the pod-format on its head, Chris is joined by Helen O'Hara, Amon Warmann, and James Dyer to pay an extended tribute to the late, great Chadwick Boseman. They also discuss the latest No Time To Die trailer and more in the News section, talk about their experiences back in the cinema in the listener question section, and review Mulan, The New Mutants, and Charlie Kaufman's brain-baking I'm Thinking Of Ending Things. Enjoy.

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