The Unbreakable Movie Chain

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The Unbreakable Movie Chain

A fortnightly movie review podcast hosted by Madeline Gould and Ed Howells

22/01/2024

Dropping tomorrow, Art Director Cedric Gibbons is the link that takes usfrom a movie about the studio system, The Bad and The Beautiful, to arguably the studio system’s crowning achievement… The Wizard of Oz.

The legacy and cultural impact of this film cannot be denied and millions have taken it to their heart. But, is it all it’s cracked up to be as a piece of cinematic storytelling? One of us is unconvinced. Don’t miss what might turn out to be our most controversial episode!

“I was surprised by just how much I hated it.” - Which of us said this? You’ll have to listen to find out. (Points to anyone that guesses in advance! Let us know who you think it might be.)

21/01/2024

Director Vincente Minnelli won just one Oscar in his career (for the 1959 musical comedy, Gigi). However, he created an on-set environment where others could shine –his 40 films garnered an impressive haul of 24 Oscar wins, off 53 nominations, in an era when there were far fewer categories. On the latest episode, we dig into his forgotten gem from 1952, The Bad and The Beautiful. A film that places Hollywood, The Academy and the studio system front and centre.

Also on this episode: Festive comfort watches! The joys of bleak crime drama!! Ed’s turn to pick!!!

Catch the latest epsiode now, and tune in to find out what's next.

21/01/2024

What would you do in the name of ambition? That’s one of the questions at the heart of best picture winning, The Bad and The Beautiful. A melodrama of love, ambition and betrayal set against the backdrop of The Golden Age of Hollywood. Kirk Douglass is at his roguish best as shady producer Jonathan Shields in this forgotten gem from 1952. Featuring eavesdropping, adultery and Oscars Oscars Oscars!!!

“He’s a big success as a producer, and we know this because he’s grown a moustache.” - Ed

Available now on your favourite podcast app

20/01/2024

“If you dream, dream big”.

On the latest episode we’re taking another look at the studio system – this time from the inside. Made for MGM, Vincente Minelli’s The Bad and The Beautiful takes as clear-eyed a look at the movie business as was possible from within that system. Foregrounding the greed, the egos and the hypocrisies of Hollywood. It even goes so far as to have as its protagonist an unscrupulous movie-producer… as if such a thing could exist!

“There’s something interesting in viewing them as 1950s nepo-babies” - Gould

Catch it now, wherever you find your podcasts!

25/12/2023

Tired of turkey and arguments over presents? Why not listen to our latest episode!

The Coen Brothers wrote Barton Fink to try and overcome writer’s block while working on Miller’s Crossing. What started out as a simple writing exercise became the first film to win the three top prizes at the Cannes Film Festival: Best Actor for John Turturro, best director for Joel Coen and the prestigious Palme d’Or. Riotously funny, visually striking, unsettling and thought-provoking.

We think it might be the Coen’s best work, yet it was a financial disaster, making back just two thirds of its budget at the box office. We try and work out why these masterful filmmakers, who would go on to be a box office certain bet, struggled to find their audience early on.

Also on this episode: Ed gives Kubrick’s 2001 one more chance! We take up opposite sides of the Great Saltburn Divide!! Gould’s turn to pick!!!

24/12/2023

I’ll show you the life of the mind!” We're feeling the heat and peeling back the wallpaper to take a look at the Coen Brothers' classic Barton Fink. The film leaves us with a bunch of questions to take a stab at answering: Does an artist need to suffer to create great work? Who, or what, is Charlie? Who commits the murder? Does the murder even happen? Where is the Hotel Earle? And just what is in the box Barton ends up with?

"That's what his job is, is to suffer" – Ed

Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts!

23/12/2023

Checking in? Nightmare depictions of Hollywood is the link taking us from Mulholland Drive to the Coen Brothers’ early masterpiece, Barton Fink. A film rich in religious allegory, allusions to anti-semitism in the Hollywood studio system, the conflict of “high art” versus “low art”, the rise of facsism and other things we’re not really qualified to talk about. Nevertheless, we give it a good go on the latest episode of The Unbreakable Movie Chain!

"The Common Man is a choir of Fishmongers" – Gould

Available now, wherever you get your podcasts!

23/12/2023

There's still time to catch our last episode on Mullholland Drive, where David Lynch shared the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival with Joel Coen. He was also nominated for the equivalent Oscar, losing out to Ron Howard. His masterpiece has only grown in estimation since, placing 8th on the BFI’s list of the greatest movies of all time. Perhaps because of its status, we expected this episode to be hard work, but it turned out we had an absolute hoot pulling it apart and putting it back together. Join us!

Also on this episode: Anatomy of a Fall, Dream Scenario and The Lost Daughter! Is it possibly to enjoy A Clockwork Orange?! Ed’s turn to pick!!!

09/12/2023

We all need a little help sometimes. It’s a good thing that David Lynch provided a list of “10 clues to unlocking this thriller”. We use these clues as a guide to solving this cinematic Rubik’s Cube, but are they helpful? Is Lynch making mischief with a series of red herrings? Or, are they simply an invitation to follow him down the rabbit hole?

“Notice the coffee cup… which one? There are so many! Ashtrays! Ashtrays!!!” - Ed has a minor meltdown

06/12/2023

Time to wake up. On the latest episode we’re separating dreams from reality to try and piece together David Lynch’s sun-drenched Hollywood nightmare, Mulholland Drive. Just what is going on? Gould thinks it’s pretty straightforward, actually. Featuring: A sinister cowboy, ominous conversations and crippling identity crises!

“It’s an escape room of a film” - Gould

Download the episode now, wherever you get your podcasts.

06/12/2023

Director Jonathan Lynn, best known as one of the co-creators of classic sitcom Yes Minister, has a law degree from Cambridge. No wonder My Cousin Vinny has been roundly praised for the accuracy of its depiction of court procedure – whilst being riotously funny at the same time. On this week’s episode we discuss this achievement and wonder whether the film has made it onto the syllabus for any university law courses.

Also on this episode: Halloween led to a full on feast of horror movies! Was Charlton Heston any good?? Gould’s turn to pick!!!

Available at all the podcast places

27/11/2023

On this week’s episode we’re getting stuck in the mud deep in Alabama – land of guns, grits and the electric chair.

If we accidentally confess to murder we’ll have to call in a fast talking New York lawyer… let’s hope one of us is related to one!

While we’re chilling out on death row we’ll have a chat about classic 90s courtroom comedy My Cousin Vinny. Starring Joe Pesci, in a rare leading role, an Oscar winning Marisa Tomei, and Fred Gwynne in his final screen performance.

“Is it a punch? It doesn’t look like a punch. The sound effect is definitely a punch.” - Ed

Available wherever you get your podcasts

21/11/2023

This week we’re scoffing Chekov’s Grits on death row while we dissect cult 90s courtroom comedy, My Cousin Vinny.

Marisa Tomei and Joe Pesci are engaged, she’s a mechanic, he’s a lawyer, the Karate Kid’s been banged up for murder… and somehow we believe it all! Featuring all of the mud, inappropriate courtroom attire and Barry off Friends.

“What is a grit?” - Gould

Available now, wherever you get your podcasts.

17/11/2023

Did you catch our latest episode? Stephen King only published Pet Sematary to get out of a bad contract, he believed it was too dark and troubling to have audience appeal.

In the late 80s, director Mary Lambert was told by Paramount Pictures that, after a glut of Stephen King adaptations, there was no more public appetite for them – especially not for one of Pet Sematary. It was the writer’s strike of 1988 that led to Paramount’s appetite for “camera ready” screenplays and the film finally got made.

The novel is now considered one of King’s finest, and Mary Lambert’s 1989 big screen adaptation made five times its budget at the box office. It spawned a sequel a reboot and an ongoing franchise. On the latest episode of The Unbreakable Movie Chain, we investigate why this novel, unloved by its author and dismissed by film studios, has confounded them all by becoming a cultural phenomenon.

Also on this episode: Killers of the Flower Moon! The joys of film festivals!! Ed’s turn to pick!!!

13/11/2023

Sometimes dead is better.

For this week’s episode we’re continuing our dalliance with the undead as we peek from behind our hands (at least, the more squeamish of us did) at the 1989 version of Stephen King’s most horrifying novel… Pet Sematary. Featuring terrible parenting, inevitable roadkill and the most adorable zombie in cinema history.

“The pet sematary looks like a Halloween display outside someone’s house.” - Gould

Available now wherever you get your podcasts.

12/11/2023

We may be into November, but we're still in a Halloween mood, so this week we’re looking at our first out and out gore-fest.

We're following the theme of raising the dead from Frankenstein to the 1989 adaptation of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. Flawed as it is from a filmmaking and storytelling perspective, this one features some deliciously gnarly prosthetic effects and a terrific performance from Herman Munster himself, Fred Gwynne.

Join us as we separate the good from the bad in this cult classic horror.

“Because of its inherent crapness I don’t trust the camera to look away at the right moment.” - Ed

Available now wherever you get your podcasts.

07/11/2023

October has finished (and somehow we're a week into November!) and we know the question on everybody's lips is 'did Gould complete her challenge?'

Well. Not quite! But with 25 movies watched, we're still calling that a win, and as a horror fan, Spooky Season lasts all year for Gould and will more than make up for it as the nights draw in.

The challenge rounded up with some notable mentions from Gould...

"I finally saw An American Werewolf in London - turns out it's a total banger, who knew? Scream VI was another highlight, I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. Lastly I want to shout out an animated short that I saw at Mayhem Film Festival earlier in the month - Jack Nop's thesis film, "Absolution, Parsin". You can catch the whole thing on YouTube and you absolutely have to, it's masterful. I can't wait to see what Nop does next."

31/10/2023

It's Halloween and why not indulge in a spooky double bill? If you haven't caught up with our latest episode yes, listen to our Frankenstein ep where we ask who says an actor needs lines?

As the monster in 1931’s Frankenstein, Boris Karloff doesn’t utter a word. He brought such presence, vulnerability, and ferocity – dare we say depth – to the role that he overshadowed Bela Lugosi’s Dracula and Lon Chaney’s Phantom to become a movie icon as recognisable as Chaplin, Bogart and Monroe.

We discuss the power and empathy of this unique star of the silver screen on this week’s episode of The Unbreakable Movie Chain.

Also on this episode: Saltburn, The Lesson and The Creator! The treasures of Edinburgh’s Surgeons Hall Museum!! Gould’s next pick!!!

Disinter it from your favourite podcast crypt.

30/10/2023

It’s alive!!! We’ve got a Halloween treat for you this week, as we make like grave robbers and dig deep into the murky world of James Whale’s Frankenstein. Featuring grave robbing, howling storms, and lots and lots of fire!

“You need to see the monster happy, then you need to see him ruin it.” - Ed

Exhume it from your favourite podcast vault.

24/10/2023

Our latest ep has dropped, and we’re going from the hubris of Jurassic Park’s John Hammond, to the hubris of Dr Henry Frankenstein.

We all know that Frankenstein’s the doctor and his creation is The Creature, but which one’s the monster? We clear up this confusion and look at the film as a q***r text before tackling the real burning question... why on earth did they rename Victor Frankenstein, Henry??

“It made me cry. And you know how I don’t like to feel my feelings.” - Gould

Unearth it from you podcast boneyard of choice.

23/10/2023

Did you catch this weeks bonus episode? We watch movies great and terrible. Films wild, beautiful and barking mad. This summer’s movie-watching has taken us from the glories of classic Japanese cinema to a dire celebration of British football violence, from demonic 80s horror to bonkers 80s martial arts... and one of us did a Lord of the Rings marathon, for good measure! Join us as we breakdown the highlights, lowlights and everything in between!

“I cannot tell you how surprised I am to discover I loved this film as much as I did,” - Gould

Available in all the podcast shops.

21/10/2023

Sixteen down, fifteen to go! I'm halfway through my Shocktober challenge and my big highlights so far have been Saltburn (which is a horror film, I'm willing to fight you on this) and She Is Conann which definitely won't be for everyone but I absolutely loved. It really split the audience at Mayhem Film Fest and made for some really good conversations in the bar.

Another highlight was Where The Devil Roams, the latest from the increasingly iconic Adams Family. It's a properly nasty ode to the American Carnival and lovesong to family.

On that note, a massive shout out to Mayhem Film Festival. It was my first time attending and will be a highlight of my year for many years to come, you made me feel SO welcome. Lived my best life!

17/10/2023

What have you been watching? After a couple of months out of the studio we came back with so much to talk about that we decided to put our highlights (and lowlights) in a special bonus episode.

We kick off with a long overdue discussion of the summer’s biggest hits, Barbie and Oppenheimer, and then take a whistlestop tour of the best, the worst, and the weirdest films we’ve been watching. Featuring subway breakdowns, comedy familicide and shuttlecock football.

Available now wherever you find your podcasts, and let us know what's been on your watch list!

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16/10/2023

Are you all caught up on our latest episode? 1993 was a monster year for Steven Spielberg. It brought massive box office success for Jurassic Park and huge critical acclaim, not to mention double Oscars glory, for Schindler’s List. We take a look at the great director at the peak of his powers, as we discuss the first of these movies on this weeks episode.

Also on this episode: Past Lives and Scrapper! Gould picks a fight with Scorsese fans!! Ed’s next pick!!!

Find it anywhere podcasts are found!

#🦖 #🦕

14/10/2023

Hold onto your butts! On the latest episode of The Unbreakable Movie Chain we’ve spared no expense to go on prehistoric safari through Jurassic Park.

Will we survive the hurricane of nostalgia long enough to assess this childhood favourite critically? We were so preoccupied with whether we could, we didn’t stop to think if we should. So, here it is… WELCOME TO THE UNBREAKABLE MOVIE CHAIN!! (cue. John Williams.)

“I don’t know how to love something critically, I only know how to gush.” - Gould

Available wherever you get your podcasts.

#🦖 #🦕

10/10/2023

The next episode has dropped and it’s a biggie! We’re following Laura Dern from her role as Marmie in Little Women, to that of Paleobotanist, Dr Ellie Sattler in Jurassic Park.

Featuring Richard Attenborough’s wayward accent, Samuel L Jackson’s severed arm and Jeff Goldblum’s bare chest.

“It’s the sort of thing Elon Musk would do.” - Ed

Available now wherever you get your podcasts!

#🦖 #🦕

09/10/2023

07/10/2023

Hi everyone! Gould here with an update on my movie challenge. I'm taking it slow in preparation for my 14 films in 4 days blowout at Mayhem Film Fest next week, and doing as much as a can with a husband who won't watch horror. Let's have a look at what I've watched so far...

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane - it's obvious why this film is such a beloved classic, with knockout performances and pitch black comedy. It's not without its flaws but all can be forgiven in light of the titanic performances at the centre.

El Conde - A delightful, melancholic gem. It doesn't always hang together and it loses itself in the final act, but there are moments of such pure, perfect cinema that it's definitely worth the watch, even for non-horror fans.

Saw X - far from being one of the most successful additions to the franchise, it takes overly long to get going, but ultimately does what we've come to expect - continue to push the bounds of plausibility and deliver on the gore.

Next up I'm going to tackle an 80s gem, 'Dressed to Kill' and one of Ed's faves, 'Train to Busan'.

What would be on your list to include?

03/10/2023

02/10/2023

Are you caught up on our latest episode? For their work on Little Women, writer/director Greta Gerwig picked up her third Oscar nomination for the screenplay, and Saorise Ronan and Florence Pugh both received acting nominations. The score saw a nod for composer Alexandre Desplat and the film itself was nominated best picture.

But it was designer Jacqueline Durran who took the picture’s sole Academy Award for her controversial costumes. Is historical accuracy always necessary? We discuss on the latest episode of The Unbreakable Movie Chain.

Also on this episode: Asteroid City! The glories of Mads Mikkelsen!! Gould’s turn to pick!!!

Available on your favourite podcast platform!

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The thing that hides in the shadows, the dragon to slay, the horror unleashed on the world. Monsters are everywhere in our culture. They burrow deep into our psyche and lay eggs off fear in our subconscious. They are hunters, they are hoarders, they are gatekeepers. Some are methodical, others instinctive – fuelled by hunger, vengeance, bloodlust or the need to reproduce. Biological, technological or metaphysical, some horrify immediately, while others charm their way in before sinking their teeth. A monster can be such different things to different people, it’s hard to get a precise definition. All we know for sure… is that WE ABSOLUTELY BLOODY LOVE THEM!! In the latest bonus episode we embark on a journey through the labyrinth of movie monsters, picking our favourites along the way. “He is so charismatic… he’s very, very sexy!” - Gould

Did you catch this weeks bonus episode? We watch movies great and terrible. Films wild, beautiful and barking mad. This summer’s movie-watching has taken us from the glories of classic Japanese cinema to a dire celebration of British football violence, from demonic 80s horror to bonkers 80s martial arts... and one of us did a Lord of the Rings marathon, for good measure! Join us as we breakdown the highlights, lowlights and everything in between! “I cannot tell you how surprised I am to discover I loved this film as much as I did,” - Gould Available in all the podcast shops. #moviechainpod #barbenheimer #barbie #oppenheimer #moviechat #moviepodcast #newpodcast #moviediscussion #podcastersunite #podcastersofinstagram #podcastlife #podcastcommunity

"Animation can explain whatever the mind can conceive." - Walt Disney. We love animated movies; films that come in all shapes and sizes, from cherished childhood memories, stories that break (or mend) our hearts, to intricate worlds in a million colours. Oh and even the odd fart joke or two. Our last epiosde saw us talking about our top 10 animated movies and what they mean to us. What would make your list? #top10 #animatedmovies #top10animatedmovies #moviechainpod #disney #disneymovies #stopmotion #dreamworks #moviechat #moviepodcast #newpodcast #moviediscussion #podcastersunite #podcastersofinstagram #podcastlife #podcastcommunity

Hooray, it's new episode day! Today we've got another bonus episode for you, and we're chatting our top 10 animated movies. With everything from talking animals and dancing skeletons to soaring dragons and even Satan’s beautiful singing voice, these movies have it all. "With animation you’ve got the scope to tell the biggest stories in the world.” - Gould Available now wherever you get your podcasts! #top10 #animatedmovies #top10animatedmovies #moviechainpod #disney #disneymovies #stopmotion #dreamworks #moviechat #moviepodcast #newpodcast #moviediscussion #podcastersunite #podcastersofinstagram #podcastlife #podcastcommunity

It's our very first bonus episode! What’s your all time favourite screen performance? Brando in On The Waterfront? Ledger in The Dark Knight? Streep in… well take your pick, really, she won all the awards. None of these wonderful actors make our lists, so who does? On this special bonus episode of The Unbreakable Movie Chain we go through our individual top 10s in a chat that yields a fair few surprises! “You almost make me want to go and watch it, but I can’t because it upsets me too much.” - Gould We’re now up on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Audible and more… with more to come! #topten #top10 #moviechainpod #moviechat #moviepodcast #newpodcast #moviediscussion #podcastersunite #podcastersofinstagram #podcastlife #podcastcommunity

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