Aussie and the Scotsman talk movies

Labyrinth with Cassie

This week we review the 1986 musical fantasy film Labyrinth directed by Jim Henson with George Lucas as executive producer.
The film was written by Terry Jones, and many of its characters are played by puppets produced by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
The film stars Jennifer Connelly as 16-year-old Sarah and David Bowie as Jareth, the Goblin King.
In Labyrinth, Sarah embarks on a quest to reach the center of an enormous, otherworldly maze to rescue her infant half-brother Toby, whom she wished away to Jareth.
We welcome Cassie to the studio this week and what a wonder she is.
Engaging, descriptive, knowledgable and articulate  - what a breath of fresh air. It will come as no surprise that her choice of movie to two 50 year old men who hadn't seen it was not welcomed with the enthusiasm that Cassie had hoped for.
Regardless she held her own.
We respect her choice. We respect the movie. And we deliver a great podcast thanks to the talents of Cassie who is welcome back anytime.
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Duel - The Aftermath

Following the furore and backlash from our recent review of Duel we read out some emails and letters received from listeners. 
Who do you agree with? The Aussie who absolutely detests the move - and thinks it is boring, disgraceful and a waste of time or the Scotsman who appreciates this classic for what it is and what it stands for.
Let us know in the comments.

Duel - 1971

This week we review the 1971 American road action-thriller television film Duel directed by Steven Spielberg.
It centers on a traveling salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) driving his car through rural California to meet a client. However, he finds himself chased and terrorized by the mostly unseen driver of a semi-truck.
This is the podcast that could end the partnership of the Aussie and the Scotsman.
Emotions are at an all time high. It is a vicious and vigorous discussion. Tension is palpable and no punches are pulled.
We would love to know if you agree or disagree with the thoughts and comments of either the Aussie or the Scotsman.
You can comment on our Instagram page or on Spotify under the podcast show in the comment section and we will reply.
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Top Gun: Maverick

This week we review the 2022 American action drama film Top Gun: Maverick directed by Joseph Kosinski .
This is a sequel to the 1986 film Top Gun. Tom Cruise reprises his starring role as the naval aviator Maverick.
It also stars Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris and Val Kilmer, who reprises his role as Iceman.
The story involves Maverick confronting his past while training a group of younger Top Gun graduates, including the son of his deceased best friend, for a dangerous mission.
Arguments between the Aussie and the Scotsman ensue right from the start - the Aussie not a big fan of this one, he says it is a "direct copy" of the first including all the lines.
The Scotsman is having none of that.
Is this a stand alone movie or is it not? The Scotsman asks the Aussie to put up a poll on Social Media to see who prefers which movie - that does not go down well!
The Scotsman pulls out a comparison of the movie Interstellar - this does not go down well with the Aussie either - he hated Interstellar.
You can comment on our Instagram page or on Spotify under the podcast show in the comment section and let us know which one you prefer.
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Top Gun

This week we review the 1986 American action drama film Top Gun directed by Tony Scott and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer.
It stars Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a young naval aviator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.
He and his radar intercept officer, Lieutenant (junior grade) Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), are given the chance to train at the United States Navy's Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.
Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer and Tom Skerritt also appear in supporting roles.
The Aussie is flying - pun intended - in this one. Fully in his element. Bursting with line after line after cheesy line. 
We set him free and he runs with it. Some people will love every single line being retold to them - others, like the Scotsman, like the general overview, the relationships between Iceman, Maverick and Goose and some key lines.
"Your recall for sh!te is incredible" the Scotsman tells him in no uncertain terms!
But then it nearly comes to a grinding halt around the 20min mark when the Scotsman says something that makes the Aussie cry....how mean can one man be.
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Darkest Hour

This week we discuss the 2017 British biographical war drama film Darkest Hour about Winston Churchill in his early days as Prime Minister of the UK during the second world war depicting his refusal to seek a peace treaty with Nazi Germany amid their advance into Western Europe.
Starring Gary Oldman as Churchill with Kristen Scott Thomas, Lily James  and Ben Mendelsohn.
Neither of the boys had seen this one and they really enjoyed it, realising that this is an important historical movie.
Gary Oldman was outstanding as Winston and deservedly won the best actor Oscar.
The boys discuss whether Churchill deserved to be called "the greatest leader of all time".
This movie is a powerful and important watch. The Scotsman loves doing his accents - and this one is no different. He tries to impersonate Churchill at every given opportunity.
Another serious and interesting conversation on one of the most influential leaders of our time.
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Interview with Pia Miranda

This week we are delighted to welcome Pia Miranda to the podcast.
Pia is a well known Australian actress, writer and presenter. 
Pia kicked off her career in Neighbours, then had her break out role as Josie in Looking for Alibrandi.
Pia played Jodie Spiteri in Wentworth has starred in several short films, was a recurring guest on All Saints, The Secret Life of Us and much more.
She has appeared in Dancing With The Stars, The Masked Singer, loads of chat shows, panel shows and interviews. 
Her love of the Survivor series took her onto Survivor-Australia Season 4 in 2019  which she won following a record breaking 6 hour and 40 minute literal stand off in the final challenge and an amazing final tribal council where she dominated and ultimately won half a million dollars. 
Pia can currently be seen in Windcatcher as a school teacher and Invisible Boys where she plays Anna, a conservative Italian mother grappling with her son's sexuality - both on Stan.
Pia is down to earth, relatable, funny and a wonderful guest. You can hear more in our podcast and in Pia's 2023 book: Finding My Bella Vita: A story of family, food,  fame and working out who you are.
In our podcast we discuss Pia's ambassadorship with Dollys Dream Australia. An programme designed to educate parents and children against bullying and cyber bullying. 
Dollys Dream Australia (@dollysdreamaustralia) • Instagram photos and videos
We deep dive into the psychology of Survivor and her mindset during the 6 hours and 40minutes of that last challenge, her friendship with Janine Allis, her close encounter with Harvey Weinstein and we witness first hand her disgust when the Aussie tells Pia he hasn't seen the Godfather.
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Cool Hand Luke

This week we review the 1967 American prison drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg, starring Paul Newman and featuring George Kennedy in an Oscar-winning performance.
Newman stars in the title role as Luke, a prisoner in a Florida prison camp who refuses to submit to the system.
Set in the early 1950s, it is based on Donn Pearce's 1965 novel Cool Hand Luke.
The Scotsman is feeling a bit flat at the start as he received a big telling off from his friends a few days earlier - and he talks it through with his weekly counsellor, the Aussie.
Both enjoyed this film and the performances of Newman and Kennedy.
This was one of the first anti-establishment type movies - where the protagonist refuses to stay down.
We compare to other movies we have reviewed in the past. Older movies have a grittier feel. No special effects, no safety co-ordination, no CGI - and it makes a difference.
Do you prefer older movies to the quick wham, bam movies of today?
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No Country for Old Men

This week we review the 2007 American neo-Western crime thriller film No Country for Old Men written, directed, produced and edited by Joel and Ethan Coen.
Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Oscar Winner Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin, the film is set in the desert landscape of 1980 West Texas.
The film follows three main characters: Llewelyn Moss (Brolin), a Vietnam War veteran and welder who stumbles upon a large sum of money in the desert; Anton Chigurh (Bardem), a hitman who is sent to recover the money; and Ed Tom Bell (Jones), a sheriff investigating the crime.
The film also stars Kelly Macdonald as Moss's wife, Carla Jean, and Woody Harrelson as Carson Wells, a bounty hunter seeking Moss and the return of the $2 million.
This won't appeal to everyone. And we disagree on the point of this movie and what it is all about.
The Aussie 'enjoyed' half of it. "Too far fetched" he says "why was Tommy Lee Jones in this film? it was like chinese water torture".
It won 76 awards from 109 nominations so what the hell do we know.
The Scotsman takes over in this one while the Aussie has a nap.
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The Shining

This week we review the 1980 psychological horror film The Shining produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick.
It is based on Stephen King's 1977 novel of the same name and stars Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd and Scatman Crothers.
The film presents the descent into insanity of a recovering alcoholic and aspiring novelist (Nicholson) who takes a job as winter caretaker for a haunted resort hotel with his wife (Duvall) and clairvoyant son (Lloyd).
No secrets here - this is in the Scotsman top 5 of all time. One of Jack Nicholsons best. And he goes through this movie in detail.
While the podcast does not start off well - it picks up and we have a great discussion.
This is a serious show for a serious movie and the Scotsman takes this one very seriously copying most of Nicholsons lines.
This is definitely another must watch before you listen.
We deep dive into the performances and ask ourselves what it must take for a performer to get themselves into such a state.
Great trivia in this one - a must for all movie (and Jack Nicholson) fans.
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