Phoenix Cinema Podcast

Welcome to Episode 50 (!!) and our first official episode of the Phoenix Cinema Podcast Film Club where Chris and Luke are joined by our favourite guest Ralph D. Apel (Getting LOST) to discuss the final Roger Moore Bond movie, A View To A Kill (1985). This was a blast to discuss as most Bond movies usually are. Join us as we dive into what (mostly) works as well as a whole lot that doesn't and sta...

It's time for a new Wes Anderson movie! That means strap in for some amazing production design, a quirky Desplat score, a star-studded cast and Chris and Luke just aren't that into it. Join us as we discuss why and dig into what makes a Wes Anderson movie work for us and why we'd like to see something different. Feel free to completely disagree with us but you have to listen first! The Phoenician...

Our favourite recurring guest Ralph D. Apel rejoins Chris Austin and Luke Parker on the Phoenix Cinema Podcast to discuss his work as a producer on the feature film documentary, Getting LOST which had its UK premiere at Phoenix Cinema in November of 2024. Ralph is so engaging that it took two episodes to get around to this but the wait was worth it as Ralph reveals how he got involved with the fil...

Composer of the podcast, Stefan Krieger, joins Chris and Luke as they discuss Ryan Coogler's latest film, SINNERS, which may be the most entertaining film of the year. The music by Ludwig Göransson is absolutely fantastic and this is a film that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Listen in as we travel to Clarksdale, Mississippi, 1932, for the best juke joint in town!

Chris Austin spoke with Oscar-winning film composer Anne Dudley (The Full Monty) about her music inspirations growing up, the power of collaboration with key filmmakers in her life and also about her upcoming film, SIGNS OF LIFE, that she composed and produced. Anne was a delight to speak to and has had such a prolific and incredible career composing music for films, TV shows and artists. Do look...

Chris and Luke are joined by our favourite cinema manager, Zalan Pall of Phoenix Cinema, to discuss this Oscar-winner for Best Animated Film, Flow, by Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis In a post-apocalyptic world seemingly devoid of humans, animals still cling on to survival and we follow one black cat's journey in particular as it makes its way across a perilous landscape and the community of di...

Chris and Luke head to a divided Argentina in 1976 for this warm, heartfelt dramedy starring Steve Coogan and a penguin. The movie may feel forced at times but its heart is in the right place and, again, the penguin, It makes all the difference. Listen now!

Welcome to a special Film Club episode of Phoenix Cinema Podcast where we dive into the unofficial Bond film, Never Say Never Again, the Thunderball remake starring Sean Connery on his final return to the role! Ralph D. Apel (Getting LOST) rejoins Chris Austin and Luke Parker and fellow Film Club member Hannah Tavares to dive into this 1983 Irvin Kershner directed film, made to challenge and go he...

Fil Freitas is a filmmaker and Duty Manager of the world-famous The Prince Charles Cinema in London and what he's done is he's made a movie called THE REGULARS which is a film set at the PCC and starring the PCC staff (as well as a couple of professional actors) about a day in the life working at the venue and just trying to get through the shift. Fil was a blast to speak to, clearly so intelligen...

Veteran film director Barry Levinson teams with veteran producer Irwin Winkler to direct legendary actor Robert De Niro (in dual roles!) in what may very well be De Niro's final say on the gangster genre. Join Chris and Luke as they dig into this film that has been a box office bomb but is not as bad as the critics have been making it out to be. Your mileage on this one may vary but, hey, you get...

Film composer Raashi Kulkarni joins Chris and Luke in the PCP studio and reveals her love of music and scoring started at a very early age through to her years spent learning on the job as an assistant composer for hit TV shows to making it on her own and being the sole composer on feature films. Raashi was an absolute pleasure to talk to and a lesson in what it is to stay humble but incredibly re...

Producer and podcaster Ralph D. Apel (Getting LOST) joins Chris Austin and Luke Parker for an epic discussion about Ralph's multiple podcasts stretching back to 2006 as well as their favourite movie scores and composers and favourite Bond movies and everything but the movie we were meant to discuss. But that's the result of a great conversation. Time flew and we hope you enjoy one of our favourite...

It's the year 2054 and if you need a bit of money you can sign up to be an 'Expendable' someone who gets to join a space colony and if you die, no problem, you just get cloned! Robert Pattinson stars in dual roles in Bong Joon-Ho's latest sci-fi action comedy, a rollicking good time with some truly off-kilter performances and a quirky tone that can only truly be Joon-Ho's. Join Chris and Luke as t...

BAFTA-winning film composer Paul Leonard-Morgan (Limitless, Dredd) joins Chris for a chat about his career, musical influences and his upcoming projects. Paul was a delight to speak to with a wicked sense of humour as you'll hear for yourself in this latest episode of the Phoenix Cinema Podcast. Make sure to check out the film LAST BREATH at a cinema near you as well as the new Netflix documentary...

Travel back to Rio de Janeiro, 1970, with Chris and Luke as they spend time with the Paiva family and the brutal, oppressive forces that storm into their lives and tear them apart. Spearheaded by a tour-de-force performance by Golden Globe-winning actress Fernanda Torres, this haunting, tense and emotional film speaks to familial love and the connection that binds us even in the face of such despa...

Join Chris and Luke as they journey to Poland with David and Benji in this moving and often funny story of the different ways we process pain and how that affects our interactions with the world. The characters wonderfully portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin reminded us deeply of many different experiences and moments from our own lives making this a truly universal moviegoing experienc...

Let's travel by boat to New York in 1947....look up! It's the Statue of Liberty; a symbol of hope and freedom for many. That's how this monumental and epic story begins. Chris and Luke dive into this sprawling three and a half hour movie that, trust us, you do not feel and into the fantastic performances by its amazing ensemble cast as well as the excellent direction by Brady Corbet. This is the A...

BAFTA and OSCAR-winning film composer Volker Bertelmann (All Quiet On The Western Front, Conclave) joins Chris and Luke to discuss his career, his musical upbringing and the wonderful ongoing collaborations he has forged with other composers and directors. Volker is a fascinating and extremely talented individual who was so generous with his time and always open, honest and willing to share his ha...

Make sure you bring a set of tissues with you for this romantic tear-jerker starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. Chris Austin and Luke Parker discuss the lead actors excellent performances and great chemistry as well as the effectiveness of the non-linear narrative and Bryce Dessner's moving score.

Adam "Tex" Davis is an Emmy-nominated screenwriter and director best known for his documentary series Brain Games and Brainchild and the classic teen rom-com Just Friends. Chris and Luke got the opportunity to welcome Adam on to the pod and they touch on Adam's humble origins and beginnings as a screenwriter, his influences and inspirations, and they crazy encounters and journey he's had along the...

Chris and Luke head back to 1838 for this Gothic horror retelling of the 1922 classic Nosferatu, the latest mood piece by filmmaker Robert Eggers. This already feels like a classic of the genre and an indication that Chris may be coming around on Eggers as a director. Dark, horrific, tense, romantic (?), this is a great way to kick off Season Two!

Chris and Luke end Season One with a discussion of Edward Berger's new film, Conclave, with an all star cast of character actors set within the walls of the Vatican as the battle to appoint a new Pope begins.29 We cover the stunning directing and cinematography as well as the brilliant performances of everybody involved. Ever wanted to see a Vatican cardinal vape within the City walls? Well then,...

Chris and Luke reflect on the year and what stood out to them the most from the podcast and beyond! They also share what they feel is their favourite movie of the year (given there is also so much they have yet to see) and look ahead to what's to come and what they feel excited for. Join us for a time of reflection and thank you all for listening to our debut year. Onwards and upwards, happy movie...

Chris and Luke are joined by very special guest, BAFTA nominated actor/director Dexter Fletcher (Rocketman, Ghosted, HBO's Band Of Brothers). Dexter grew up in North London and used to frequent the Phoenix Cinema when he was younger. He shares with us his movie-going memories at the venue as well as some reflections on the incredible five-decades long career he's had working alongside and directin...

Chris and Luke head back to World War II London for this AppleTV movie directed by British filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen about a young boy trying to get home to his mother across a war-torn landscape. Our hosts don't feel exactly the same way about this movie but that only makes it a more interesting discussion. One thing they definitely agree on? Saoirse Ronan keeps killing it.