MOVIE MATTERS MINI #3 - THE BRIDGE

In this Movie Matters Mini episode, co-hosts Lee Howard and Michael Mackenzie discuss various films and TV shows they've been watching recently before turning their attention to the critically acclaimed Danish/Swedish crime drama THE BRIDGE, the 10-episode first season of which sees a pair of mismatched detectives from either country joining forces to stop a serial killer with an axe to grind against the complacency he sees in both countries' societies.

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The music sampled in this episode is "Hollow Talk" by Choir of Young Believers, the main title theme to THE BRIDGE.

Created by Lee Howard & Michael Mackenzie

Edited by Michael Mackenzie

http://moviematterspodcast.blogspot.com

MOVIE MATTERS MINI #2 - PROMETHEUS

In this Movie Matters Mini episode, co-hosts Lee Howard and Michael Mackenzie turn their attention to one of the most anticipated films of the year: Ridley Scott's return to the universe he helped to create in PROMETHEUS, the long-awaited prequel to ALIEN starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron. In this free-flowing discussion, Lee and Michael take a detailed look at the already contentious sci-fi blockbuster and where it fits into the Alien series.

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The music sampled in this episode is from PROMETHEUS by Harry Gregson-Williams.

Created by Lee Howard & Michael Mackenzie

Edited by Michael Mackenzie

http://moviematterspodcast.blogspot.com

PROMETHEUS ***½

USA: Ridley Scott, 2012

IMDB reference

PROMETHEUS raises as many questions as it answers. I'm unsure the choices made to expand/explain 'Alien' universe enrich rather than reduce. What is clear in immediate aftermath of seeing PROMETHEUS; it makes ALIEN even more of a masterpiece in comparison. Simple idea executed to perfection.

The Count's Verdict: Arguably the most anticipated film of the year deserves to be seen and delivers Scott's trademark visual excellence but the script just isn't anywhere near good enough.

To hear a more in-depth consideration of the film and more detail about my responses to PROMETHEUS, check out the Movie Matters podcast at moviematterspodcast.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/movie-matters-mini-2-prometheus.html

MOVIE MATTERS PODCAST - EP 15 'RED RIDING TRILOGY SPECIAL - 1974, 1980 & 1983'

After an unexpected hiatus, the Movie Matters podcast returns with a look at the RED RIDING trilogy, the critically acclaimed 2009 adaptation of David Peace's grim and grisly quartet of novels. Co-hosts Lee Howard and Michael Mackenzie look at each instalment in turn - Julian Jarrold's 1974, James Marsh's 1980 and Anand Tucker's 1983 - and offer their thoughts on the trilogy as a whole.

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The music sampled in this episode is from RED RIDING: 1974 by Adrian Johnston, RED RIDING: 1980 by Dickon Hinchliffe and RED RIDING: 1983 by Barrington Pheloung.

Created by Lee Howard & Michael Mackenzie

Edited by Michael Mackenzie

Special thanks to George Fearns for the episode idea

http://moviematterspodcast.blogspot.com

(*) RED RIDING: 1983 (TV) ****

UK: Anand Tucker, 2009

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(*) RED RIDING: 1980 (TV) ****

UK: James Marsh, 2009

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(*) RED RIDING: 1974 (TV) ****

UK: Julian Jarrold, 2009

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MOVIE MATTERS MINI #1 - WHAT WE'VE BEEN WATCHING

Movie Matters returns with the first in a series of mini-episodes designed to bridge the gaps between our more traditional and time-consuming "themed" episodes. The mini-episodes dispense with the likes of the Blu-ray Hall of Fame and upcoming releases section in favour of a more informal, unstructured discussion about various film-related topics. In this episode, co-hosts Lee Howard and Michael Mackenzie discuss various films and TV shows they've been watching recently and play the final remaining listeners' "Top 10 of 2011" MP3 list.

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The music sampled in this episode is from THE WOMAN IN BLACK and THE KILLING.

Created by Lee Howard & Michael Mackenzie

Edited by Michael Mackenzie

http://moviematterspodcast.blogspot.com

MOVIE MATTERS MINI - MORE LISTENER TOP 10 FILMS OF 2011 LISTS

Somewhat later than anticipated, we've put together a supplemental bonus to the most recent Movie Matters episode containing the three "Top 10 of 2011" MP3 lists we didn't have time to showcase in the episode itself. We hope you enjoy listening to these additional takes on the year that was 2011 and can forgive the delay in getting them out there.

• https://rapidshare.com/files/2003881223/moviematters-episode14mini-26-02-12.mp3
• iTunes

The music sampled in this episode is from DRIVE.

Created by Lee Howard & Michael Mackenzie
Edited by Michael Mackenzie

http://moviematterspodcast.blogspot.com

MOVIE MATTERS PODCAST - EP14 'TOP 10 FILMS OF 2011'

In this bumper length special edition of the Movie Matters podcast, co-hosts Lee Howard and Michael Mackenzie cast their eyes back over the previous twelve months, celebrating the best (and worst) of 2011. In addition to their own personal Top 10 lists, the duo also reveal lists submitted by listeners and pick out some anticipated titles for the coming year.

• https://rapidshare.com/files/1153234528/moviematters-episode14-26-01-12.mp3
• iTunes

The music sampled in this episode is from HANNA, DRIVE, TRUE GRIT, ARRIETTY, 13 ASSASSINS, ANGELS OF EVIL and BLACK SWAN.

Please note that we have NOT been able to play every single MP3 list we received. The response was far greater than we were expecting and some of the submitted MP3s were a little on the long side, which would have resulted in what was already a four-hour epic being extended to somewhere approaching the five-hour mark. As a result, we have played the first three MP3s we received and are holding the rest back for a standalone mini-episode to be made available in the near future. We hope you understand and are not too disappointed not to have had your clips featured in the episode itself.

Created by Lee Howard & Michael Mackenzie

Edited by Michael Mackenzie

http://moviematterspodcast.blogspot.com

MOVIE MATTERS PODCAST - WE WANT YOUR TOP 10 FILMS OF 2011 LISTS!

It's nearly that time of year once again: we're gearing up to record the first Movie Matters episode of 2012, which, in the tradition of 2011's first episode, will be a countdown of our favourite films of the previous year. We'll each by revealing and discussing our personal Top 10 Films of 2011, and as with last year's episode would like to read out as many of our listeners' Top 10 lists as possible.

So, get in touch with us with your favourite films of 2011. Either list the films in order of preference or not, and use whichever criteria you like (e.g. theatrical release dates in your country, home video release dates, etc.), just as long as you let us know what they are. Also, feel free to let us know about your most hated and/or most disappointing film(s) of the year, and anything else that takes your fancy. Either post your comments here, or email them to moviematterspodcast[at]gmail[dot]com. Alternatively, feel free to get creative and submit your nominations in MP3 form. We've had a couple of these already and would love to feature more, time permitting.

Deadline is Saturday, January 21.

MOVIE MATTERS PODCAST - EP13 'CHRISTMAS 2011 SPECIAL - TELL NO ONE & IN BRUGES'

The Movie Matters podcast returns for its final episode of 2011. In this special Christmas instalment, co-hosts Lee Howard and Michael Mackenzie exchange gifts, casting an eye on French actor turned filmmaker Guillaume Canet's adaptation of American crime author Harlan Coben's TELL NO ONE (NE LE DIS À PERSONNE) and Martin McDonagh's celebrated black comedy IN BRUGES, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Upcoming DVD and Blu-ray releases of note are also covered, and another Blu-ray Disc enters the Movie Matters Hall of Fame.

• https://rapidshare.com/files/3431812087/moviematters-episode13-23-12-12.mp3
• iTunes

The music sampled in this episode is from IL DULCI JUBILO, NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION, TELL NO-ONE, SCROOGED, HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK and THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

Created by Lee Howard & Michael Mackenzie

Edited by Michael Mackenzie

http://moviematterspodcast.blogspot.com

(*) TELL NO ONE ****

Original Title: Ne le dis a personne
France: Guillaume Canet, 2006

IMDB reference

(*) IN BRUGES ****½

UK/USA: Martin McDonagh, 2008

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CARS 2 ***

USA: John Lasseter and Brad Lewis, 2011

IMDB reference

(*) CARS ****

USA: John Lasseter and Joe Ranft, 2007

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MOVIE MATTERS PODCAST - REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

This is perhaps slightly premature notice coming just a day after the release of the last Movie Matters episode, but for our upcoming thirteen episode we'll be looking at Pixar's two most maligned features, CARS and its sequel CARS 2. Unlike the last three instalments, all of which were specials covering three films apiece, this will be a "normal" episode covering only two films and therefore marking the return of our regular features: (a) the "upcoming releases" sections and (b) the "listeners' questions" section.

With that in mind, here's the topic for discussion:

What's your favourite and least favourite Pixar film and why?

You can either add your answers as replies to this post, tweet them to us at @MovieMattersTM, or drop us an email at moviematterspodcast[at]gmail[dot]com.

We look forward to hearing from you!

MOVIE MATTERS PODCAST - EP12 'BRIAN DE PALMA SPECIAL - SISTERS, BLOW OUT & BODY DOUBLE'

In this episode of the Movie Matters podcast, regular co-hosts Lee Howard and Michael Mackenzie are joined by special guest Daniel Sardella to discuss the films of Brian De Palma. The three hosts cast an eye over three of the equally celebrated and derided filmmaker's most infamous thrillers - SISTERS, BLOW OUT and BODY DOUBLE - and induct another Blu-ray transfer into the Movie Matters Hall of Fame.

• https://rapidshare.com/files/2454049385/moviematters-episode12-23-11-11.mp3
• iTunes

The music sampled in this episode is all from THE UNTOUCHABLES by Ennio Morricone, FEMME FATALE by Ryuichi Sakamoto, SISTERS and OBSESSION by Bernard Herrmann, and RAISING CAIN, BLOW OUT and BODY DOUBLE by Pino Donaggio.

http://moviematterspodcast.blogspot.com

(*) BODY DOUBLE ****

USA: Brian De Palma, 1984

IMDB reference

(*) BLOW OUT ****½

USA: Brian De Palma, 1981

IMDB reference