Groovy Movies

Here to ride the zeitgeist as far as it will go, we're kicking off series 3 with a Barbenheimer special, having seen both films at 8:15, 18:00, and 00:20 in the same day - please excuse our zombie-ish state of being. References Todd Haynes' Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story Greta Gerwig's interview with Simon Mayo ----------- If you love what we do, please like, subscribe and lea...

Taking inspiration from this month's yesteryear issue of New York Magazine, for our final episode of the series, we look at cinema’s role in creating and cataloging the ‘It’ girl. Films referenced: It (1927) dir. by Clarence G. Badger Mahogany (1975) dir. by Berry Gordy Kids (1995) dir. by Larry Clark Factory Girl (2006) dir. by George Hickenlooper Before Sunrise (1995) dir. by Richard Linkla...

This week we consider unexpected main character-side character dynamics; the supporting parts that outshine the lead (Rizzo in Grease ), characters that are both side and main at once ( Pulp Fiction ) and what it means when the side character was the protagonist the whole time ( Fight Club ). Films referenced: Grease (1979) dir. by Randal Kleiser Pulp Fiction (1994) dir. by Quentin Tarantino Fight...

There was one woman who had more influence over the look and style of Hollywood’s Golden Age than anyone else: Edith Head. This week we take a closer look at some of our favourite designs from her huge (1000-film-strong) back catalogue and take pointers from one of her self-help style guides, How To Dress For Success. Films referenced: Lady In the Dark (1944) dir. by Mitchell Leisen This Gun for H...

James has been under the weather this week, so in the spirit of self-care, we’re discussing our favourite comfort films. Films referenced: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) dir. by Michel Gondry Juno (2007) dir. by Jason Reitman Palm Springs (2020) dir. by Max Barbakow Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) dir. by George Lucas Submarine (2010) dir. by Richard Ayoade Tea with Mussoli...

This week we’re celebrating the genius of Ken Adam, the production designer behind cinema’s most iconic sets and the man who created the visual flare the Bond movies have become known for. Films referenced: Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) dir. by Stanley Kubrick Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) dir. by Ken Hughes Moonraker (1979) dir. by Lewis Gilbert Bar...

We’ve decided to do the unthinkable - willingly watch the worst films ever made (allegedly). The hit list includes Howard the Duck, Mommie Dearest and, of course, The Room , along with our own submission, the apex of Roger Moore’s career, North Sea Hijack , in an attempt to figure out what it takes to achieve cult bad status.  Films referenced: Howard the Duck (1986) dir. by William Huyck Mommie D...

This week we get into that particular kind of surrealist madness only French cinema can capture. From the overwrought 60s stylisation of Last Year at Marienbad to modern masterpiece Holy Motors, care of 70s standouts Celine and Julie Go Boating and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie - if nothing else, we're giving tops marks for the titles. Films referenced: Last Year at Marienbad (1961) d...

This week we discuss timelessness. How certain films manage to capture that elusive quality, through the look, characterisation and storytelling. Films referenced: Casablanca (1942) dir. by Michael Curtiz Memento (2000) dir. by Christopher Nolan Dune (2021) dir. by Denis Villeneuve Dune (1984) dir. by David Lynch Bound (1996) dir. by the Wachowskis The Matrix (1999) dir. by the Wachowskis Tar (202...

Sometimes the story about the making of the film is even better than the final product. This week we discuss four films, via the incredible documentaries about how they were (or in some cases, weren’t) made. Films referenced: Apocalypse Now (1979) dir. by Francis Ford Coppola Heart s of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991) dir. by Eleanor Coppola, Fax Bahr and George Hickenlooper Jodorowsky’s...

<<<spoiler alert>>> We’ll be trying our best not to give away too many spoilers, but if in doubt, watch the films before listening. ----- In series two we're going thematic - that means more ideas, more movies, and more bad movies. To kick us off, we're talking about blank cheque films - what happens when a studio cuts a cheque and gives the director total creative cont...

In part two we regroup to see how our Oscars predictions fared, discuss our favourites of the awards contenders and, of course, present the rest of the Groovies.  ----------- If you love what we do, please like, subscribe and leave a review! Edited by Lily Austin Original music by James Brailsford Logo design by Alfie Garland groovymoviespod.co.uk Instagram TikTok Letterboxd Email us

Kicking-off series 2 with part one of our Awards Season Special, a round-up of our least favourite of the awards contenders this year. Tensions rise in the fight for the bottom, Avatar v. Babylon - who will win? We also make predictions for this Sunday’s Oscars ceremony and award our very own gongs, The Groovies. ----------- If you love what we do, please like, subscribe and leave a review! Edited...

Audra and Elisa pair up with Lily and James from Groovy Movies podcast to dissect one of the most talked about films of the year, The Whale, which stars Brendan Fraser and is nominated for multiple Academy Awards. They chat about fat representation, the struggle of stage-to-film adaptations, voyeurism, and the different manifestations of trauma.  This episode pairs best with following Aubrey Gordo...

<<<Spoiler alert>>> The final episode of the series is full of spoilers - watch Die Hard with your Disney+ subscription or better yet catch it at the cinema and get in the Christmas spirit before listening. Films and TV shows referenced: Die Hard (1988) dir. by John McTiernan Friends , season 7, episode 6, ‘The one with the nap partners' Moonlighting (1985-19189) created by...

<<<Spoiler alert>>> 2001 subpasses spoilers (according to Lily) but even so, we strongly recommend you watch it first before listening to this episode, ideally on the big screen but if not, how about on Youtube . Films and TV shows referenced: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) dir. by Stanley Kubrick Independence Day (1996) dir. by Roland Emmerich Gravity (2013) dir. by Alfonso Cuarón...

<<<Spoiler alert>>> We do our best to describe Hunger , but like many good films, it’s better watched. Mentally prepare yourself for the experience but don’t miss it. Stream Hunger here .  Films and TV shows referenced: Hunger (2008) dir. by Steve McQueen The White Lotus (2021-present) dir. by Mike White 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) dir. by Stanley Kubrick Widows (2018) dir. by S...

<<<Spoiler alert>>> The spoilers are full-on this week. Watch Mustang here to avoid hating us. Films and TV shows referenced: Mustang (2015) dir. Deniz Gamze Ergüven  The Florida Project (2017) dir. by Sean Baker The Virgin Suicides (1999) dir. by Sofia Coppola  Kings (2017) dir. Deniz Gamze Ergüven  The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-present) created by Bruce Miller Perry Mason (2020-pre...

<<<Spoiler alert>>> Don’t let us ruin the twists and turns - watch Hero on NowTV before you listen.  Films referenced: Magic Circle (2003) dir. by James Brailsford Hero (2002) dir. by Zhang Yimou In The Mood For Love (2000) dir. by Wong Kar-wai Other sources: Liza Bear, ‘Fighting for Peace (and Art Films), Zhang Yimou on Hero , indiewire.com Mark Brent Ellsworth, The Hero Fallen:...

<<<Spoiler alert>>> We implore you - watch The Love Witch . Preferably before you listen, but after, during, alongside work too. Just give it a watch. Films and podcasts referenced: The Love Witch (2016) dir. by Anna Biller Every Outfit podcast This is Paris (2022) dir. by Alexandra Dean Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) dir. by Steven Spielberg Donkey Skin (1970) dir....

<<<Spoiler alert>>> If you’ve not already seen it, make sure you watch the movie before listening to this week’s episode (preferably the European over the US version) - and keep an eye out for the conspiracy-theory spawning inconsistencies.  Films, TV shows and books referenced:  The Shining (1980) dir. by Stanley Kubrick  The Shining (1977) by Stephen King A Nightmare on Elm Str...

<<<Spoiler alert>>> Don’t let us spoil this incredible movie for you - watch it on Netflix or Amazon or our favourite, Mubi , before listening.  Films, TV shows and books referenced:  We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011) dir. by Lynne Ramsay The Passengers of the night (2022) dir. by Mikhaël Hers We Need To Talk About Kevin (2003) by Lionel Shriver Morvern Callar (2002) dir. by Lyn...

<<<Spoiler alert>>> Avoid spoilers and watch the documentary here . And if that has whetted your appetite for Werner Herzog’s mesmeric timbre, see the links below for him in Rick and Morty, and starring as a plastic bag.  Films referenced:  Grizzly Man (2005) dir. by Werner Herzog Blonde (2022) dir. by Andrew Dominick The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) dir. by Martin Scorsese  Passpo...

<<<Spoiler alert>>> We strongly recommend watching À Bout De Souffle before listening to the episode - for many reasons that we get into in the episode, but mainly because it changed cinema forever. You can rent it on BFI player . Films and TV shows referenced:  À Bout De Souffle (1960) dir. by Jean-Luc Godard Last Year in Marienbad (1961) dir. by Alain Resnais Practical Magic (1...

<<<Spoiler alert>>> We hate to say it but the easiest place to watch Bound is on Amazon . If you’ve not seen it before you won’t be disappointed, even if the platform is.  Films and tv shows referenced:  Bound (1996) dir. by the Wachowskis The Matrix (1999) dir. by the Wachowskis  Batman Begins (2005) dir. by Christopher Nolan Casablanca (1942) dir. by Michael Curtiz Poltergeist...