Eavesdropping At The Movies

Sally Potter's all-too-brief comedy drama polarises us, which makes a nice change to the agreements we've been having recently. Is it smug or knowing? Is its range of incongruous acting styles engaging or distancing? Who knows. But Sally Potter is very very very important in British cinema and feminism and queer representation, says José, who then has the nerve to criticise The Party for having its right-on cake and eating it. Includes a reminiscence of seeing a man stand up in a screening of I, Daniel Blake and a magic trick where Mike convinces José he has an extraordinary memory. Recorded on 22nd October 2017.

How does Armando Iannucci's newest political satire fit in to his work over the last decade? Isn't it a joy to see Michael Palin? How did we ignore how beautifully crafted Jeffrey Tambor's performance is? How can we single out any one performance? We take our time admiring this daring, witty and surprising farce. It's Animal Farm on speed. Recorded on 22nd October 2017.

A film one of us was looking forward to enormously. A Scandinoir thriller coated with dense snow. But did it leave us cold? Recorded on 17th October 2017.

We couldn't stay away. And with a second viewing, time to percolate, and responses from friends informing us, Eavesdropping once again delves into Blade Runner 2049. What to make of the film's representation of women? How does the film use names? Why did Mike have a little weep at the end this time? Do gay women have cottages? Does the film function as a story about slavery? What about criticisms of its lack of diversity in casting? Why do people think this film is dull? Is it the film's fault? Television's? Humanity's? Why don't we care to engage visually any more? Most importantly, what do the bees mean? Recorded on 10th October 2017.

Blade Runner 2049 is something else. You simply must see it on the biggest screen you can find. Do not listen to us if you care about the film because we go heavy on the spoilers. (We always go heavy on the spoilers, but this film is good so it actually matters.) Mike isn't very good in this one but José more than makes up for him so it's okay. Recorded on 6th October 2017.

With a weary sigh, we get to Flatliners. Ellen Page, James Norton, Diego Luna, Nina Dobrev and Kiersey Clemons expand their minds and run around shitting themselves in fear. Questions abound: Why did they call this Flatliners when the obviously correct title is Hot Doctors? Was Kiefer Sutherland wasted? Is it wise to be wasted while appearing in a film? In precisely how many millions of ways is the film inconsistent? Just how stupid and blind is its attitude towards the very real problems it presents? Does it make sense as a horror flick? Are Mike and Jose too obsessed with the cast's attractiveness? Are we perverts? Most importantly, who's hotter: the ginger guy or the hot girl? All this and Catholic guilt too. Recorded on 1st October 2017.

Eavesdropping at the Movies manages to make it all the way through this film in one go. Congratulate us. Recorded on 1st October 2017.

The story of the rivalry between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe at the 1980 Wimbledon Championships, discussed by Jose Arroyo and Michael Glass. One a hotheaded youngster, fuelled by anger and unable to keep his temper in check. The other an elder statesman, cool and calm, analytical and detached. And then there's Borg and McEnroe. Recorded on 24th September 2017.

What is It? Is It any good? Is It scary? How much of It did Mike watch through his fingers? Why would he agree to see It in LieMAX? Was he right about the bit with the sink? (Spoiler: He has googled it and discovered that he was wrong.) Recorded on 17th September 2017.

What is Darren Aronofsky's latest fever dream all about? Is the negative audience response fair? How good is Jennifer Lawrence, seriously you guys? Recorded on 17th September 2017.

Why Detroit is the best film currently on release. Is John Boyega a star? Does Kathryn Bigelow get the respect she deserves? Is race the political unconscious of American cinema? Why hasn’t a great film on such a timely subject found an audience? Recorded on 28th August 2017.

Is it possible for a film about drug smuggling, weapon dealing, CIA-sponsored militias and getting ludicrously rich to be in any way immoral? Find out as we tolerate American Made so you don't have to. Recorded on 28th August 2017.

Can an action film that goes through Coventry be any good? Is it important that action scenes are funny? Is Gary Oldman a whore? All valuable questions. All answered in our chat about The Hitman's Bodyguard. I think. Recorded on 23rd August 2017.

Stephen King's The Dark Tower is a lovely big fresh movie hoping to become a lovely big lucrative franchise. Does it have what it takes? Can we possibly agree on Idris Elba? Is Matthew McConaughey showing his chest off or keeping his shirt on more than usual? What of 4DX, the silly thing where the seats move and poke you and blow air in your ears? And who has better eyebrows than Cara Delevingne? Recorded on 21st August 2017.