Film Gold

We continue the boxing theme with a look at the black-and-white 'anti-Rocky', starring the dynamite team of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. Based on the book by Jake La Motta and Pete Savage, this filmic masterpiece looks at La Motta's life and struggles in and out of the ring as well as the punishment he dishes out to those around him. In this film, boxing is the backdrop but 'the ring' is ev...

The Rocky films, for better or worse, have become an instantly recognisable part of popular culture. The original 1976 film, as you will hear, went through a gradual period of evolution but Sylvester Stallone’s script was born in a unique time of ‘realistic’ Hollywood films. The finished product was an unlikely success and a marriage of this gritty realism and crowd-pleasing triumphalism, all agai...

Taxi Driver's master filmmaking and complex psychology have made it a key film in the classic 'Easy Riders/Raging Bulls' period dominated by the Hollywood of the 70s. Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and writer Paul Schrader were, in Schrader's words, 'all looking for something', and along came this script and story and they embarked on a filmic and personal journey that would become a landmark in...

Film analyst extraordinaire Rob Ager returns to 'Film Gold' podcast to help Antony pick through the many layers of the seminal 'zombie film' from 1968, which also has elements of horror & sci-fi and makes numerous comments on the society of the time  We go through the plot, characters and themes of the film, talk about its influence and throw in a couple of tangents along the way... &nbsp...

Alfred Hitchcock, The Master of Suspense, makes his first appearance on the podcast as we take a look at his 1954 ‘limited setting’ classic, starring Hitchcock regulars James Stewart and Grace Kelly in their only on-screen collaboration. Antony is joined by Matt Williamson, who has a highly recommended you tube channel called ‘Pop Goes The 60s’. Antony and Matt work through the plot and dive into...

For this episode, we take our first (but surely not last) trip into the surreal, anarchic world of the comedy group known as Monty Python. Luke Thompson, fellow English teacher and podcaster, helps Antony navigate the choppy but hilarious waters of King Arthur's somewhat pointless quest 'on horseback', aided by some eccentric knights, to seek the Holy Grail. We discuss and dissect favourite scenes...

The groundbreaking Mike Nichols 'romantic comedy' (if it is that) from 1967, arguably the birth of the 'Easy Riders, Raging Bulls' period, sees Antony and the returning Jcrash covering another film starring Dustin Hoffman, with stellar support from Anne Bancroft and Katherine Ross. This is a multi-layered movie with a very interesting turn in the second half and layers of symbolism that we do our...

We return to the 1970s for a fantastic film showcasing the formidable talents of two of Britain's finest ever, Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine. For this task, I'm ably assisted by Film Gold veteran Scott Phipps (The Stinking Pause, Rainbow Valley, Talking Pictures TV podcast) and his 'Reel Britannia' co-host Steven Byford 'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms. Feedback to antony@anto...

We conclude our 2-part look at the mercurial, infuriating but always compelling actor and cultural figure Marlon Brando. In this part, we look at some key books (including Brando's memoir 'Songs My Mother Taught Me'), documentaries and interviews as well as discussing Brando's turbulent personal life, the less well-known periods of his career and a few other things. There are many sound clips incl...

I'm joined by radio host David 'Ghosty' Wills for this special 2-part look at the person we both consider the most compelling actor in cinema history, as well as a fascinating cultural figure. In this part, we don't get beyond going through our lists of top ten Brando performances, but there is information galore and some of Brando's less-known films are discussed here as well as the classics 'Fil...

Antony is rejoined by fellow film podcaster and Jaws superfan Scott Phipps (see Episode 2) for an audio companion to the evergreen classic film from the 1970s along with some bonus material after the film discussing some other aspects of it, such as books, documentaries, sequels and recuts. The film is audible at low volume in the background but if you would like to follow along with your copy of...

Rob Ager and Antony complete their discussion of the darkly compelling Australian film in the 'small-town horror' genre, which looks at the shocking real-life events that happened in a suburb of Adelaide in South Australia in the 1990s. Once again, we discuss the film and the real murder case, along with the many wider societal issues surrounding it (see Part 1 description for more details) Links...

Rob Ager, filmmaker and film analyst extraordinaire, joins Antony to discuss an incredibly dark but incredibly compelling and well-made Australian film in the 'small-town horror' genre, which looks at the shocking real-life events that happened in a suburb of Adelaide in South Australia in the 1990s. As well as discussing the film and the real murder case, we discuss the wider issues of psychopath...

Antony is joined by Jcrash and podcast debutante Filippo to discuss Alan Parker's film adaptation of the Roger Waters-driven concept album by Pink Floyd. Among other things, we discuss the many themes of the film, our own experiences of state education, the film's animation by Gerald Scarfe and finally the incredible music that drives it all. Hope you enjoy it! 'Film Gold' is on all the main podca...

Antony is joined by Jenifer Thyssen of jeniferthyssen.com and Julian Charles of themindrenewed.com to discuss what is on one level a romantic comedy but which, as you will hear, has many subtleties and offers endless points of discussion about life and existence. Hope you enjoy it! 'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms. Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com Facebook page- https://www.face...

Antony is joined by his niece and film fan Olivia to discuss David Fincher's 2010 film about the formation of Facebook and all the legal ramifications and friendship challenges that surrounded it. We also discuss social media in general and its pros, cons and potential pitfalls 'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms. Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com Facebook page- https://www.facebook...

Antony is joined by Jonathan Oates, the most recent biographer of serial killer John Reginald Christie, for an unofficial audio commentary of the 1971 film '10 Rillington Place', starring Richard Attenborough and John Hurt and based on the book by Ludovic Kennedy, along with general discussion of the case,  Since this is audio only, its worth following along with the film if you have it. This...

Antony and Jcrash reconvene to discuss the classic, multi-layered thriller from 1976, starring Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier and Roy Scheider. In case you're asking yourself 'is it safe?', it's very clear that nothing is safe in this incredible film! We are now on all the main podcast platforms. Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod Twitter- @Fi...

For the first review of the podcast, Antony is joined by film podcast master Scott Phipps to discuss and dissect the perennial Xmas classic (Scott has also previously appeared on my other podcast 'Glass Onion: On John Lennon'). Among other things, we talk about key scenes, the themes of the film, marvel at Jimmy Stewart's characterisation of George Bailey and discuss alternative interpretations of...

If you've taken the decision to download and listen, welcome to the show! This is a short introduction in which host Antony and soon-to-be regular contributor Jcrash talk about some of their favourite films and discuss what will be coming when the regular episodes start. Hope you enjoy it!