The Empire Film Podcast

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#407 — Brett Goldstein Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

This week's pod sees the team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer — in isolation once again, but that doesn't stop them from reaching out to actor/writer/comedian/podcast host Brett Goldstein, who becomes the latest person to join the team for the duration of an episode. Together, this bold and intrepid quartet discuss the week's movie news and answer some listener questions, including the best video calls in movies, and the greatest single-location films. Then, when Brett has left the building, Chris, James, and Helen review The Banker, Vivarium, and Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made. Speaking of mistakes, this week's episode sees the launch of a new format, wherein James and Helen bring a film fact to impress Chris. Which, this week, leads to much discussion of the sweariest of all swear words. You know, that one. Now, while this discussion is censored, said word is discussed and uttered quite a bit, so if you're listening with kids, perhaps earmuff the first 20 minutes or so. Sorry, we're all utter you-know-whats. Enjoy?

#406 — Jesse Eisenberg Mar 20, 2020

Show notes

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is the first to be recorded remotely in the various homes of our podteam, thanks to the Coronavirus crisis. But we remain committed to bringing you the podcast and so Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and James Dyer gather around their individual microphones and chat about their self-isolation schedules, Easter eggs, how Covid-19 has disrupted Hollywood, the best speeches to wash your hands to, and much more. We also review (there are some!), Spenser Confidential and The Truth. And our guest this week is the wonderful Jesse Eisenberg, who invites Chris into his (pre-corona) hotel room for a good old natter about Jesse's upcoming movie, Vivarium; his experiences on big Hollywood blockbusters, his writing process, and how he deals with improvisation. This is the first of what will hopefully be a fairly short run of these stay-at-home shows, but we're all flying blind here. So do let us know if you have any problems with the sound quality. Stay safe, stay well, and keep washing those hands!

#405 — Gugu Mbatha-Raw Mar 13, 2020

Show notes

This week's Empire Podcast sees Beth Webb chat to the wonderful Gugu Mbatha-Raw, star of this week's dramedy, Misbehaviour, about the 1970 Miss World pageant. And, thanks to some wonderful snipping from Editor Emma, you wouldn't know that Beth's microphone wasn't working during the interview. Thankfully, we haven't mentioned it, so we think we got away with it. Then, back in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt is joined by Helen O'Hara, Alex Godfrey, and James Dyer for an episode that truly runs the gamut, from discussion of great movie star pairings to a tribute to the late, great Max von Sydow; from reviews of Misbehaviour, Bloodshot, and Calm With Horses to a long discussion of the impact that the Coronavirus crisis is having on the world in general, and the movie world in particular. Oh, and they answer the age-old question: who was the sixth member of The Beatles? Enjoy.

#404 — Live From Dublin ft. Liam Cunningham, Niamh Algar, Tom Glynn-Carney, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Nick Rowland Mar 08, 2020

Show notes

This week's Empire Podcast is another live show in which Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara and token English bloke, the award-winning James Dyer, rock up for the Virgin Media Dublin International Film 2020. In front of a packed crowd, they discuss the Coronavirus' impact upon the movie industry, in the wake of No Time To Die being pushed back; additional movie news including the unveiling of the Batmobile; review Onward, Military Wives, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, and The Photograph; and answer audience questions. Oh, and in a bit that totally works on an audio-only podcast, Chris's opening remarks are translated into Irish. It's also a guestapalooza, with Rialto's twin Toms, Glynn-Carney and Vaughan-Lawlor, joined on stage by Calm With Horses' Niamh Algar and Nick Rowland. And then, in a surprise for the audience, Game Of Thrones star, and local legend, Liam Cunningham shows up for a brief chat. And, in a surprise for our intrepid pod-team, he brings an unannounced guest, Syrian refugee-turned-actor Hassam Ahlrak, with him. Find out more about Hassam's incredible story on the episode. Oh. And Chris would like to apologise to all Irish people for mispronouncing the 'Brian' in 'Brian Gleeson'. Chris pronounces it on the show as 'Brian', when we've since been told that it's actually 'Brian'. Enjoy.

The Ranking — Alfred Hitchcock Mar 06, 2020

Show notes

The latest episode of The Ranking — the magazine/podcast crossover in which Empire writers discuss the work of an actor/director, or a big old franchise/genre, and come up with the definitive top ten — is dedicated to The Master Of Suspense: Alfred Hitchcock. Join Ian Freer, Nick de Semlyen, Beth Webb, and Neil Alcock as they discuss the themes that run through Hitchcock's work, his problematic methods, their favourite moments, leading men and ladies, and much, much more. Then stick around at the end as they go through the empirical — or should that be Empirical? — top ten. Enjoy.

#403 — Elisabeth Moss, Richard Stanley Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

We've got horror of all kinds on our mind this week at Empire Podcast Towers. First off, Chris Hewitt has a chat with Elisabeth Moss, star of Leigh Whannell's excellent update of The Invisible Man, and finds that she has blood on her hands. Well, feet. Then, Richard Stanley — making his return to directing with Colour Out Of Space after a looooooong time out — pops into the podbooth to natter away with Alex Godfrey about ouija boards, The Island Of Dr. Moreau, and getting stoned with cats. Elsewhere on this week's pod, Chris is then joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer, as they talk about James' experiences at Disneyworld, tackle a couple of listener questions, talk about Chris Evans joining Little Shop Of Horrors and Steven Spielberg possibly handing over Indiana Jones 5 (or 4, depending on your point of view) to James Mangold, review The Invisible Man, Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, and more. Enjoy.

#402 — Justin Kurzel Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

Justin Kurzel is the director of fast-paced knockabout comedies like Snowtown, Assassin's Creed, and Macbeth. Sorry, serious and intense dramas, not fast-paced knockabout comedies. Easy mistake to make. And he's back with another slice of hard-hitting drama with next week's True History Of The Kelly Gang, which stars George Mackay, Essie Davis, Russell Crowe, and Nicholas Hoult in an attempt to tell the tale of Ned Kelly and his accomplices. And in this week's episode, he tells John Nugent how he did it. Then, in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt is joined by Helen O'Hara and Amon Warmann to discuss Avengers-as-biscuits, the week's movie news (including a lengthy discussion of Indiana Jones 5 or, if you will, 4), and review Greed, Like A Boss, The Call Of The Wild, and more. Oh, and Amon brings a takeaway, which causes much controversy. Enjoy.

#401 — Emilio Estevez Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

He's the son of Martin Sheen. The brother of Charlie Sheen. But Emilio Estevez has always been his own man, starring in the likes of Young Guns, The Breakfast Club, Stakeout, St. Elmo's Fire, and many more in the glory days of the 80s. His latest film is The Public, a drama which he wrote, directed, and starred in, and on this week's episode of the Empire Podcast he has a chat about that, and much more, with Empire's Editor-in-Chief, Terri White. Meanwhile, back in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer have Valentine's Day on their minds, discussing romantic movies and the greatest non-Star Wars robot. They also chew the fat over a veritable ton of movie news, including the reveal of the latest Batsuit and Chris' reaction to the news that Sam Raimi is directing an MCU movie, before being joined by Amon Warmann to review Sonic The Hedgehog and Emma. Enjoy.

Greatest Movies Of The 21st Century — Listeners Special Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

Here it is, folks. As promised, here is the second part of our podcasts dedicated to dissecting Empire's 100 Greatest Films Of The 21st Century (So Far!). And in this episode, we throw open the doors of the podbooth to three listeners — Chad Armstrong, Christelle Brewster, and Luke Jones — who join host Chris Hewitt for a fun-filled and jam-packed countdown of the 100. Who thinks Paddington 2 should be higher? Who sings the praises of notable omissions like Gravity and, erm, Final Destination 2? And, more importantly, who defends the inclusion of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street? To find out, give it a listen. And who knows — maybe next time you could be in the booth too! Enjoy.

#400 — Live From Kings Place ft. Steve Coogan & Michael Winterbottom, Emily Beecham, Todd Haynes, and Christopher McQuarrie Feb 07, 2020

Show notes

Despite not looking a day over 398 episodes, the Empire Podcast has officially turned 400. And we did so with a blowout bumper celebration earlier this week at our spiritual home of Kings Place, London, in front of a sold-out audience. In this episode, you'll hear Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis discuss the week's movie news; review Parasite, Birds Of Prey And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn, and Dolittle; and take some audience questions. But it's not just the Four Giggling Idiots Show, oh no. We invited some super smashing great guests as well — Steve Coogan and Michael Winterbottom popped by to talk about their latest collaboration, Greed; Emily Beecham, winner of Best Actress at last year's Cannes Film Festival, talks Little Joe with Dan Jolin; and Todd Haynes, the director of Carol and now Dark Waters, pops in too. But that's not all — our old podchum, Christopher McQuarrie, shows up right at the end as a very special surprise (for the audience — we've ruined it for you now) to talk the return of Henry Czerny's Kittridge to the Mission: Impossible movies, throwing up in a jet plane, and not breaking Tom Cruise. We had a blast. And we hope you do too. Enjoy.

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