Film Focus Online Podcast

In this episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, host Elliot Lines and guest Romey Norton dive into the survival thriller 'Send Help' directed by Sam Raimi. They discuss the film's tension, character dynamics, and the balance of dark humour and horror. The conversation explores the character development of Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, the film's pacing, and its potential...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, host Elliot Lines and writer Alex Gilston dive deep into the recent Oscar nominations. They discuss the excitement and frustration that comes with award season, highlighting major nominees, overperformers, and underperformers. The conversation covers various categories, including Best Picture, acting categories, and technical achievements, while al...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, host Elliot Lines and guest Jack Ransom dive into the exciting line-up of films set to release in 2026. They discuss various genres, including horror, superhero films, and anticipated blockbusters from renowned directors like M. Night Shyamalan, David Fincher, and Christopher Nolan. The conversation also touches on the resurgence of animated films...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online Podcast, host Elliot Lines and guest Shauna Bushe dive deep into the series finale of Stranger Things. They discuss their thoughts on the finale, character arcs, emotional connections, and the impact of character deaths. The conversation also touches on the structure of Season 5, favourite moments, and the legacy of the show as it comes to an end. They refl...

In this conversation, the Film Focus Online team delve into their favourite films of 2025. They explore the performances of actors, the direction styles of filmmakers, and the emotional impact of various films. The discussion also touches on anticipated future releases and the disappointments of the year, providing a comprehensive overview of the current film landscape. 🎥 Tune in for a thoughtful...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, host Elliot Lines and writer Alex Gilston delve into the latest instalment of the Avatar franchise, 'Fire and Ash.' They discuss the film's visual spectacle, character development, and the introduction of new dynamics with the Ash people. The conversation also touches on critiques regarding the film's length and pacing, memorable sc...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, host Elliot Lines and guest Alex Gilston delve into the latest instalment of the 'Knives Out' franchise, 'Wake Up Dead Man.' They discuss the film's themes, character development, and the impact of Rian Johnson's storytelling. The conversation also touches on the legacy of director Rob Reiner, the evolution of Benoit Blanc,...

In this festive episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, host Elliot Lines and guest Romy Norton dive into their favorite Christmas films, discussing what makes a good holiday movie, sharing their top picks, and exploring the themes and nostalgia associated with these beloved classics. From Die Hard to A Muppet Christmas Carol, they cover a wide range of films that capture the spirit of the seaso...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, host Elliot Lines and guest Jack Ransom delve into the filmography of legendary director James Cameron. They discuss their first encounters with Cameron's films, the impact of 3D technology in cinema, and the evolution of his career from 'Piranha 2' to 'Avatar'. The conversation covers iconic films such as 'The Terminator&#3...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, hosts Elliot and Jack delve into the captivating world of heist films, focusing on the latest instalment of the 'Now You See Me' franchise (01:01). They discuss the evolution of the series, the balance between magic and heist elements, and the dynamics of character interactions. The conversation also touches on the legacy of heist films, re...

In this episode, Elliot and Jack delve into the Predator franchise, focusing on the latest instalment, Predator: Badlands (01:09). They discuss the film's character dynamics, tone shifts, and the evolution of the franchise under Dan Trachtenberg's direction. The duo also explores the CGI and action elements, audience reception, and the connections within the franchise lore. They conclude b...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online Podcast, host Elliot Lines and guest Jack Ransom delve into the world of Stephen King, focusing on the recent adaptation of 'The Long Walk.' They explore the emotional depth and character dynamics of the film, discuss the thematic elements of dystopian society, and reflect on their favorite Stephen King adaptations. The conversation highlights the s...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, host Elliot Lines and guest Shauna Bushe dive deep into the latest instalment of The Conjuring franchise, 'Last Rites.' They discuss the emotional impact of the film, its pacing, memorable scare moments, and how it ranks among other films in The Conjuring Universe. The conversation also explores the legacy of the franchise, the effectivenes...

In this special bonus release, host Romey Norton brings you two exclusive interviews with the stars of the chilling new film River of Blood . First, Romey sits down with Sarah Alexandra Marks to explore her role, creative process, and behind-the-scenes experiences. Then, she speaks with Louis James , who shares his own perspective on the film, the challenges of bringing such a dark story to life,...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online Podcast, host Alex leads a lively discussion with guests Jack and Dan about comic book movies in our latest episode of 'The Film Vault'. The trio engages in a friendly debate, pitching their chosen films, analysing narratives, cast performances, visuals, and favourite scenes. They also explore the soundtracks and wild card arguments before concludin...

In this episode, hosts Elliot and Alex dive deep into the New York Times' list of the 100 best films of the 21st century . They share their initial reactions, spotlight standout picks and surprising snubs, and examine the list's take on animated and recent films. The duo also compares the NYT's selections with a reader-generated list, exploring key differences, unexpected overlaps, and...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, hosts Elliot Lines and Jack Ransom dive deep into the latest instalment of the Jurassic franchise, 'Jurassic World Rebirth.' They discuss their initial impressions, the film's direction, character dynamics, and memorable set pieces. The conversation also touches on the critical reception of the film, audience expectations, and how it compares to pr...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online Podcast, hosts Romey and Shauna dive into the world of zombie films, focusing on the recent release of 28 Years Later. They discuss their expectations, character development, and the emotional themes present in the film. The conversation also explores the evolution of zombies in cinema, comparing traditional portrayals with modern interpretations. The hosts...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online Podcast, hosts Elliot and Romey dive into the latest live-action remake of 'How to Train Your Dragon.' They discuss their initial impressions, the film's marketing strategy, and the emotional connections formed between characters. The conversation explores the cinematic techniques used, the significance of filming locations, and the character de...

In this mid-year review of 2025, hosts Elliot and Alex discuss the successes and disappointments in cinema so far, highlighting standout films like 'The Brutalist' and 'Sinners', while also addressing the resurgence of horror and the challenges faced by live-action adaptations. They explore the impact of franchise films, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the box office performance of various movi...

In this episode of Film Focus Online's Film Vault, Romey & Dan delve into the cinematic worlds of Wes Anderson , focusing on two of his iconic films: Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel . They explore the narrative depth, character performances, and unique visual styles that define Anderson's work. The discussion highlights the coming-of-age themes in Moonrise Kingdom and the...

In this episode, Elliot and Jack delve into the latest instalment of the Mission Impossible franchise, 'The Final Reckoning' (02:48). They discuss the film's themes, character arcs, and the impact of Tom Cruise's choices on the narrative. The conversation also covers the pacing issues and critiques of the film, alongside a ranking of all Mission Impossible films (22:09). The hosts...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online podcast, host Alex Gilston introduces a brand new series 'The Film Vault', where two contestants, Jack Ransom and Romey Norton, debate which Tom Cruise film deserves to be inducted. The films in contention are 'Collateral' and 'Jerry Maguire'. The discussion covers various aspects including narrative, cast performances, visuals, and favourite scenes, ultima...

In this episode of the Film Focus Online Podcast, hosts Elliot and Alex celebrate Star Wars Day by discussing their love for the franchise. They discuss what they've been watching (14:04), discussing the latest MCU film and exploring the impact of The Last of Us. Alex and Elliot then delve into the Star Wars saga (28:56), discussing the impact of various films from Rogue One to the sequel tril...

In this episode, Elliot and Romey dive into the phenomenon of TV cancel culture, discussing the emotional impact of cancelled shows, particularly those with strong female leads. They explore recent films they've watched (10:49) before going into discussing TV cancel culture (30:01) including shows you may have missed. The conversation highlights the frustrations of fans and the need for networ...