For Screen and Country

Jane Austen's work makes it to the BFI Top 100 as Brendan and Jason discuss #62 - Sense and Sensibility. From the story behind Emma Thompson's screenplay to Ang Lee's direction style to how the whole thing got off the ground, the background is nearly as interesting as the film! Besides all of that though, the guys also get into the nitty gritty of the movie itself including the great performances...

It's all about sprawling, slice-of-life drama and dark comedy this week as Brendan and Jason explore Mike Leigh's 90s hit Life is Sweet. Because of the vast array of colourful characters and family drama, there is much to explore in the film from dealing with the subject of bulimia, the subtle political commentary, Timothy Spall's insane restaurant and Leigh's unique style of constructing his scri...

This week, Brendan and Jason explore class struggle and forbidden love with 1971's The Go-Between. This is the third Julie Christie film being covered but do the guys still love her after THIS role? Does witchcraft really work in this film? And is this podcast about to get side-swiped with another bleak British movie finale? Find out! Plus: The guys roll the dice to find out what movie they'll be...

This week, Brendan and Jason get back on track with the list as they discuss #52 - This Sporting Life. In this modern-day tragic tale, there is much to discuss like how to deal with one of the least likeable main characters in quite some time, the guys break down how this film fits into a Shakespearean tragedy narrative, they marvel at the two lead performances and much more. Plus: The guys roll t...

In a brief little bonus episode, Brendan and Jason travel back to when they were discussing Four Weddings and a Funeral to talk about the short-film sequel that premiered on March 15th for Red Nose Day. Most of your favourite characters are back, there are some surprises and some call-backs for fans of the original. Check it out.   Plus: The guys get back to business as usual on Monday with This S...

Brendan and Jason took a break from the dice roll this week to discuss a film that has them flabbergasted... that it never made the BFI Top 100. The guys discuss Jeremiah S. Chechik's masterpiece in 1998's The Avengers. They discuss what Shakespearean anecdote from the film is their favourite, Uma Thurman's rigorous studying with her dialect coach, the amazing work by the background extras in the...

It's back to royalty as Brendan and Jason dissect 1994's The Madness of King George and talk all about the way in which the film depicts the silliness of the upper class, the treatment of mental illness and its associating stigma, the quiet moments involved in Nigel Hawthorne's tortured lead performance and much, much more. Plus: The guys roll the dice to find out what movie they'll be covering ne...

NUNS! Yes, folks, Brendan and Jason tackle their first Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger joint - 1947's Black Narcissus. The guys go deep into how this film influenced Martin Scorsese, the way in which the film utilizes its cinematography and matte paintings and of course... some of the more problematic elements are discussed. Plus: The guys roll the dice to find out what movie they'll be covering...

It's time to class up the joint! Brendan and Jason cover the first of two Bond flicks on the list - 1964's Goldfinger! Along with a full discussion of the actual movie which extensively dives into the sexual politics of James Bond himself, the guys also discuss the incredible life of Sir Ian Fleming, Gert Frobe's problematic wartime past, Sean Connery's opinion on other Bonds and much more. Plus:...

Ah, yes - it had to happen sooner or later. Brendan and Jason dive into Laurence Olivier's Shakespearean epic - 1944's Henry V. They talk about its reputation as the first successful Shakespeare film adaptation, discuss its use as wartime propaganda, marvel at the cinematography and the way in which the film is "staged" (almost in a literal sense) and much more. Plus: The guys roll the dice to fin...

It's time to get charmed and befuddled as Brendan and Jason talk about the Hugh Grant film that started it all - Four Weddings and a Funeral. They discuss the director and writer always being at odds, Andie MacDowell's acting with regards to the final scene, Kristin Scott Thomas' underrated performance, the little wedding details that no one else bothers with and much, much more. Plus: The guys ro...

This week, Brendan and Jason discuss Ken Loach's "bleaklifting" coming-of-age film - "Kes." The guys discuss whether this is either the most depressing or uplifting film of all-time, talk at length about the wild gym class scene, talk about the "down-and-dirty" nature of most of the characters and much more. Plus: The guys roll the dice to find out what movie they'll be covering next week. Have an...

Brendan and Jason talk about one of, if not the, most disturbing films of all time with Stanley Kubrick's societal critique known as "A Clockwork Orange." They talk about everything from the ultra-violence, the various instances of phallic symbology, some of the over-the-top satire, the use of music, Kubrick referencing some of his own work and much, much more. Plus: The guys roll the dice to find...

It's already time to go all the way to the bottom of the list with #100 - The Killing Fields. Brendan and Jason talk all about the fascinating story behind casting non-actor Haing S. Ngor in a supporting role, they debate if the movie is "too Americanized," early roles for John Malkovich and Craig T. Nelson are examined and so much more. Plus: The guys roll the dice to find out what movie they'll...

This week, Brendan and Jason talk about how to build a bridge while you're being tortured by the enemy with #11 on the BFI Top 100 - The Bridge on the River Kwai. They talk about Alec Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa's intense tet-a-tet, they debate if Guinness has crossed the line or not, they question who is indeed the star of this film and much, much more. Plus: The guys roll the dice to find out w...

This week, Brendan and Jason face a film which they had no prior knowledge of even its existence before settling down to watch and talk about it but alas, here it is - #83 on the list - 1965's Darling. Join our hosts as they fall head over heels in love with Julie Christie, discuss some of the cheekier elements along with some of the sexual politics that don't age particularly well, talk about bei...

This week, the guys take to the poverty-stricken Irish slums to talk about the 1989 Oscar-winning tearjerker - My Left Foot. They talk all about Daniel Day-Lewis' insane commitment to the performance, the liberties that the screenplay takes with some of the real events, some of the odd music choices and much more. Plus: Jason pisses off Irish people. Plus: Brendan and Jason roll the dice to find o...

This week, Brendan and Jason encounter a much-needed change of pace from the first three intense dramatic films with The Full Monty! Is the film merely a "fun comedy" or is there much more beneath the surface that people (including the hosts) didn't pick up on the first time around? They also discuss the film's surprisingly progressive attitude towards sexuality, the use of the award-winning music...

The guys are way too drunk to talk about movies this week but they're here to ring in 2019 with everyone and... get into a scuffle? Next week - the guys discuss The Full Monty (#25) Full List: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_Top_100_British_films   Facebook: www.facebook.com/forscreenandcountry Twitter: www.twitter.com/bfi_pod   Our logo was designed by the wonderful Mariah Lirette (www.instagra...

No movie this week but Santa Claus wanted to make sure he got to spread some Christmas cheer to all of the lovely listeners! On January 7th, the guys return with The Full Monty (#25) but never fear - there will still be content on next week's show (New Year's Eve) as well! Full List: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_Top_100_British_films   Facebook: www.facebook.com/forscreenandcountry Twitter: w...

This week, Brendan and Jason crash their biplane into 1996's The English Patient (#55 on the BFI Top 100) - a movie where pretty things happen and pretty people act their hearts out while looking pretty. This movie won a buttload of Academy Awards so it's got that going for it. Moreover, at three hours long one can argue that you get a per-minute value on that rental fee. Plus: Brendan and Jason r...

In this week's episode, Brendan and Jason explore the heroics of British colonialism in the 1964 epic Zulu starring Stanley Baker and a very young Michael Caine. The guys debate if the film is racist or surprisingly progressive (considering the historical scenario), they are blown away by the amazing cinematography and sound design, Jason wonders how necessary Jack Hawkins' preacher character is t...

It's the debut of "For Screen and Country" - the podcast that delves into the British Film Institute's list of the Top 100 British Films of All-Time. In the very first episode, Brendan and Jason tackle the British film about the Russian Revolution - David Lean's epic romance Doctor Zhivago. They discuss how Lean was hated by basically everyone, they debate about the romance overshadowing the histo...

Join Brendan and Jason on this journey through the British Film Institute's Top 100 British Films of All-Time as they deep-dive into each film and examine its place in history and on the list as well as behind-the-scenes tidbits, cultural importance and of course the films themselves and if the darn things hold up over time. In this episode with just one more week to go until the premiere, Brendan...

Join Brendan and Jason on this journey through the British Film Institute's Top 100 British Films of All-Time as they deep-dive into each film and examine its place in history and on the list as well as behind-the-scenes tidbits, cultural importance and of course the films themselves and if the darn things hold up over time. This episode is a little preview with Brendan talking about a few details...