Call It, Friendo

This week, we discuss two French crime films. The first is Le Samourai (1967), starring Alain Delon and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. The film tells the story of Jef Costello, a lone hitman who works to outsmart both the police and the angry mobsters who hired him. The second is A Prophet (2009), directed by Jacques Audiard. It stars Tahar Rahim as Malik, a young Arab male, sentenced to 6 year...

In this week’s episode, we discuss what we’ve been watching, and the nominations for the 95th Academy Awards, before moving on to talk about Charlotte Wells’ debut feature, Aftersun (2022).   What We’ve Been Watching (00:07:10) Donnchadh –Happy Valley season three, The Deuce season three, Tár, All Quiet on the Western Front Andy –The Last of Us episode 3, Tár, All Quiet on the Western Front   Osca...

This week, we discuss two WWII films set in the Pacific. The first is The Railway Man (2013), which tells the story of Eric Lomax, a British officer who was tortured and forced to work on the Thai-Burma Railway. The film stars Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman and Stellan Skarsgård. The second is The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), an epic directed by acclaimed British director David Lean. The film, whi...

In this week’s episode, we discuss the most recent film from Swedish director Ruben Östlund, Triangle of Sadness. The film won the Palme d’Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. This was Östlund’s second consecutive Palme d’Or win after winning for The Square in 2017.   What We’ve Been Watching (00:00:53) Donnchadh – Rosemary’s Baby, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Informer, Bosch season five,...

This week, we discuss two films from acclaimed writer/director Paul Schrader. The first is American Gigolo (1980), which tells the story about a high-priced escort in Los Angeles, played by Richard Gere, who becomes romantically involved with a prominent politician's wife, while simultaneously becoming the prime suspect in a murder case. The second is Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985), a bio...

In this week’s episode, we discuss the best and worst things we watched in 2022, including: our top 5 toss pick and companion films for the podcast (with honourable mentions) our worst toss pick (with dishonourable mentions) the best films and tv series released in 2022 Finally, we finish up with talking about what we're looking forward to in 2023.   Note: the podcast contains minor spoilers for a...

In this week’s episode, we discuss the new film from James Cameron, Avatar: The Way of Water.   What We’ve Been Watching (00:00:48) Donnchadh – The Capture season one, What is a Woman?, Get Carter, The Expanse season four, Bad Sisters  Andy – Vertigo, The Fabelmans, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, The Banshees of Inisherin   Avatar: The Way of Water (00:43:00)   Links Instagram - @callitfriendo...

This week, we discuss two films from acclaimed Italian director Federico Fellini.   The first is Amarcord (1973), a semi-autobiographical tale about Titta, an adolescent boy growing up among an eccentric cast of characters in 1930s Fascist Italy. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.   The second is La Dolce Vita (1960), which stars Marcello Mastroianni as Marcello Rubini,...

In this week’s episode, we discuss the latest entry to the Star Wars universe on Disney+, Andor (2022).   What We’ve Been Watching (00:00:50) Donnchadh – Elevator to the Gallows, My Dinner with Andre, The White Lotus season 2, The Bear Andy – Enigma, Eastbound and Down season 3, Rick and Morty season 6, Rogue One   Andor (00:37:40)   Links Instagram - @callitfriendopodcast @munnywales @andyjayritc...

This week, we discuss two films from the early 1980s set in two of America’s casino cities.   The first is Atlantic City (1980), directed by acclaimed French director Louis Malle. The film, which stars Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon, was nominated for 5 Academy Awards.   The second is One from the Heart (1982), Francis Ford Coppola’s disastrous follow-up project after Apocalypse Now (1979). The...

In this week’s episode, we discuss the latest MCU film from director Ryan Coogler, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).   What We’ve Been Watching (00:00:50) Donnchadh – The Wild Bunch, The Wire season 5, Mother’s Day, The Descent, Couldn’t Care Less Andy – The Wild Bunch, Conspiracy, Eastbound and Down season 1 and 2, Interstellar, Lost in Translation   Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (00:42:30)...

This week, we discuss two horror films from 1972. The first is Sisters (1972), written and directed by Brian De Palma and marking his first move into the type of genre filmmaking which came to define his career. The second is Blacula (1972), starring William Marshall as Mamuwalde, an African prince cursed to vampirism. Despite receiving mixed reviews, Blacula spawned a whole movement of Blaxploita...

In this week’s episode, we discuss the new film from Whitest Kids U’ Know member Zach Cregger, Barbarian (2022). The film, which mixes comedy with horror, has been a big critical and commercial success.   What We’ve Been Watching (00:00:48) Donnchadh –Black Christmas, Halloween, Host, The Wire season 4, Inside Man (TV series), House of the Dragon Andy – Dashcam (Thriller), Dashcam (Horror), The Gi...

This week, we discuss two films set around WWI and the early 20th century. The first is The Razor’s Edge (1984), starring Bill Murray in an uncharacteristically serious role. The film was the second screen adaptation of the 1944 W. Somerset Maugham novel and bombed badly at the box office. The second is Reds (1981), starring, written and directed by Hollywood legend Warren Beatty. It tells the sto...

In this week’s episode, we discuss the new Netflix series from acclaimed horror director Mike Flanagan, The Midnight Club (2022). The 10-episode series is an adaptation of the novel by YA author Christopher Pike.   What We’ve Been Watching (00:02:10) Donnchadh – Gilly and Keeves: The Special, Dressed to Kill, Avatar, The Wire season 3 Andy – Gilly and Keeves: The Special, Clerks III   The Midnight...

This week, we discuss two prison breakout films. The first is Escape from Alcatraz (1979), starring Clint Eastwood as Frank Morris, a highly intelligent bank robber who decides to bust out of the Rock. The film is based on the true story of the real 1962 breakout. The second is Runaway Train (1985), starring Jon Voight and Eric Roberts as 2 hardened criminals who escape from a maximum security Ala...

In this week’s episode, we discuss the new film from Canadian director David Cronenberg, Crimes of the Future (2022). The film stars Viggo Mortensen and Lea Seydoux as a pair of performance artists who perform surgery as art in a world where people no longer experience physical pain.   What We’ve Been Watching (00:00:48) Donnchadh – 11M, Treme season two, Rocky 2, The Brood Andy – The Capture seas...

This week, we discuss two films starring American stunt man and actor Richard Farnsworth. The first is The Straight Story (1999), a David Lynch film based on the true story of an elderly man named Alvin Straight, who drove a lawnmower 240 miles to visit his ailing brother. The film earned Farnsworth an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The second is The Natural (1984), a Barry Levinson film...

In this week’s episode, we discuss Australian director George Miller’s new film, Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022). The film stars Tilda Swinton as Alithea, a narratologist who falls in love with a Djinn, played by Idris Elba. Although the film has received positive reviews, it has failed to recoup the vast majority of its budget.   What We’ve Been Watching (00:00:47) Donnchadh – The Lord of...

This week, we discuss two award-winning South Korean films. The first is Parasite (2019), the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. It follows a family of grifters from a poor Seoul neighbourhood, the Kims, who latch on to a much wealthier family, The Parks. It grossed over $263 million worldwide from a $15.5 million budget. The second is The Handmaiden (2016)....

In this week’s episode, we discuss the Amazon streaming series, The Terminal List (2022). Based on the novel by Jack Carr, The Terminal List stars Chris Pratt as Lieutenant Commander James Reece, a Navy SEAL who is seeking to avenge the murder of his wife and child. Although the series received largely scathing reviews from critics, it was well received by audiences.   What We’ve Been Watching (00...

This week, we discuss two films from award-winning Australian director Peter Weir. The first is Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), an adaptation of the celebrated novel of the same name. It tells the story of a group of girls and their teacher who go missing during an excursion to the mysterious Hanging Rock. The second is Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003). The film stars Russell...

In this week’s episode, we discuss Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). The film, directed by the Daniels (Kwan & Scheinert), stars Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn, an unhappy middle-aged woman pulled into a multiversal struggle with her family. The film has been a huge critical and financial success, having grossed over $100 million so far.   What We’ve Been Watching (00:00:50) Andy – Prey Donnchadh...

This week, we discuss two films depicting voyages of discovery in the New World. The first is 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), a historical epic from Ridley Scott which chronicles the heavily-disputed life and discoveries of Christopher Columbus. The film, which was made to celebrate the 500th anniversary of his first voyage, was neither well-received critically nor a financial success. The seco...

In this week’s episode, we discuss Top Gun: Maverick (2022). The film is a sequel to the 80s original directed by Tony Scott. Despite being completed in 2020, the film was delayed for 2 years due to COVID, with star Tom Cruise eager to ensure a successful cinematic release. At the time of recording, the film has grossed over half a billion dollars worldwide while garnering critical acclaim.   What...