The School of Movies Archive

[Digital Gonzo 2012] My favourite of the eight films. Possibly because of the extra time afforded the creators by the two part-structure, possibly because of the serious, tense and thrilling atmosphere brought on by the game-changing final year, but most likely because of the genuinely effective and sustained emotional resonance throughout. Not just the explosive highs and lows but the incredibly...

[Digital Gonzo 2012]  It was the longest recording session yet and the final conversation clocked in at over three and a half hours. I pulled out all the stops and distilled the best two and a half for your listening pleasure and in the end this feels like the best Potter review so far. This episode, we go in-depth on Pensieve flashbacks, Horace Slughorn, the Tripod at age 16, Draco Malfoy, Albus...

[Digital Gonzo 2012]  This was the first of four films to be directed by David Yates, a man who learned his trade shooting serious, British drama for television. The tone-shift and change of pace is noticeable and appropriate for the darker final years of Harry’s time at Hogwarts. This episode, we go in-depth on the Ministry of Magic, Delores Umbridge, Sirius Black, Dumbledore’s Army, Luna Lovegoo...

[Digital Gonzo 2012]  This installment surprised me as I’d always thought Azkaban a superior film, and that may still be so. Film four may be less of a faithful adaptation by virtue of the huge amount of non-essential plot that had to be left out to conserve the running time, or it could be more faithful in terms of thematic delivery. Either way, The Goblet of Fire is now my personal favourite of...

[Digital Gonzo 2012]  In this episode we discuss the sudden change of tone and style as the Potter films mature. A new director; Alfonso Cuaron is brought in to lend proceedings an indie sensibility, and the young cast start to grow into their characters. As Chris states on the show, this is really two stories; one about the wizarding world and one about a boy growing up. We go in-depth on those t...

[Digital Gonzo 2012] In this one we discus Hagrid, Dobby, The flying car, Molly and Arthur Weasley, Gilderoy Lockhart, Fawkes the Phoenix, Tom Riddle’s childhood, John Williams’ music and (if you listen out for the Easter Egg) the most baffling moment in The Mummy Returns. Remember to please tell as many people about these as possible. Guests: Sharon Shaw of School of Movies Leah Haydu of Some Oth...

[Digital Gonzo 2012] In this one we discuss the tripod (Harry, Ron and Hermione) at age eleven, the Dursleys, Richard Harris as Dumbledore, Professor McGonnagal, dating centaurs, awesome tattoos and why at least one of us identifies very strongly with a core character. The main theme running through is the lighter tone of this first installment and why in retrospect it serves a very fine purpose....

[Digital Gonzo 2011] This is an extensive Gonzo review of two versions of the same classic tale by Charles Dickens: 1. The Muppets Christmas Carol [Disney, 1993] 2. A Christmas Carol [Disney, 2009] We take you back to the winter-swept streets of London in 1843 as we take a close look at the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge and his transformation from mean-spirited miser to warm-hearted philanthropist li...

[Digital Gonzo 2012] This was the last ALIEN film produced leaving the once acclaimed series in the gutter of creature features filled with and made by talentless nobodies. The lack of gore in the Paul WS Anderson original caused the pendulum to swing back violently, the result being that this film is ONLY about the blood and guts. Its dingy, nasty, grotty, witless, artless garbage, unfit for the...

[Digital Gonzo 2012] Director of two of the Resident Evil movies and producer of the rest, Paul WS Anderson helmed the first PG-13 foray for these licenses, combining them into one family-friendly Jurassic Park-style romp. If you’ve not seen it the plot could be adequately described on the back of a matchbox or indeed with crude, crayon diagrams. Humans go somewhere they shouldn’t, looking for stu...

[Digital Gonzo 2011] For the third and concluding part of our Predator specials we cover the long-awaited third movie, released two decades after the second in 2010; Predators. Find out what we feel about the expanding worlds of this alien hunter and ultimately how they could take the series in new and exciting directions in the future. Guests: Neil Taylor of GameBurst Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

[Digital Gonzo 2011] For the second part of our Predator specials we cover the 1990 film; Predator 2, this time starring too-old-for-this-shit Danny Glover. This one is directed by Stephen Hopkins who went on to helm The Ghost and the Darkness and Lost in Space. Once again the whole show is underscored by the music of Alan Silvestri. Unlike last week, opinion is somewhat more divided on the subjec...

[Digital Gonzo 2011] This first episode is all about the 1987 original (and some would say best). What seems at first an exercise in machismo actually becomes a fascinating study in hunter and warrior culture as well as a bloody tale of hardened men taken to the heart of darkness. Starring the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger himself alongside Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura and Bill Duke, stalked by...

[Digital Gonzo 2011] Part 3: After the Cold War For the final part of our exploration of this epic series we cover the Brosnan and Craig eras of the 1990’s and early 21st century. These were the movies our generation saw in the cinema as we came of age. Consequently most people between 20 and 35 feel somewhat more identification with these than with the previous Bonds. As a result, this is a very...

[Digital Gonzo 2011] Part 2: Back for Moore. This second installment of the Gonzo Bond investigations covers the 007 career of the quintessential English gent; Mr Roger Moore. All seven of his films are covered along with the unofficial return of Connery in Never Say never Again. How did the raised eyebrow and suggestive quips affect perception of Bond and when was he at his best and worst? After...

[Digital Gonzo 2011] Part 1: Enter Bond. James Bond has been thrilling us  all for over four decades and it’s high time we discussed this unkillable agent in detail. So there are 22 movies, two unofficial releases and a boatload of hallmarks/cliches to chew over. The villains, the ladies, the guns, the gadgets, the cars and of course the men who have stepped into the tuxedo of 007. But since we ne...

[Digital Gonzo 2011] Daniel Floyd is back with me to tackle the most expensive, the most successful and arguably the most eagerly awaited of all Pixar’s films. We track the production of what is at present the fifth highest grossing movie of all time and things get a little emotional near the end as we say goodbye to the toys. Guests: Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits

[Digital Gonzo 2011] This is the third Pixar movie and the second Toy Story installment; 1999’s Toy Story 2. For over a decade fans of these movies have been debating which of the two were better. Then Toy Story 3 came along which made things… complicated. So in this we dive into the merits and deeper aspects of this fantastic follow-up. By all means not perfect, but considering the straight-to-vi...

[Digital Gonzo 2011] Released in 1995, this is one of the most significant animated movies of all time. Influential beyond belief and universally adored, for many very good reasons. Guests Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits  

[Digital Gonzo 2011] We’re back for the last Die Hard movie (for now). This time almost everyone from the original three is absent save for Bruce Willis himself and we struggle to locate our interest in what is otherwise a functional, but unrelated action flick. We’re aided by some sterling musical accompaniment and at the end we bring in the big guns with Doctor Mark Kermode’s views on this parti...

[Digital Gonzo 2010] The third Die Hard movie gets the Gonzo treatment. This time John McTiernan returns to bring the series back to greatness. We discuss how in many ways this is the equal of the original. Guests: Nikki Taylor of GameBurst Matt Ramsey of GamerDork

[Digital Gonzo 2011] The 1990 sequel to Die Hard. You know the drill; airport in trouble, terrorists, gunfights. Experience firsthand what happens when the Gonzo format encounters a movie that’s actually just pretty mediocre. Tangents galore! Other movies, what made them good, anything to save us from traipsing through the minutia of this by-the-numbers late 80’s action movie. There’s also some hi...

[Digital Gonzo 2010] In this first show, we discuss the Nakatomi incident, John and Holly’s relationship and Hans’ status as one of the greatest movie villains of all time. We also look at how immensely influential Die Hard has been both for action-thrillers and the portrayal of cinematic heroes. Guests: Nikki Taylor of GameBurst . Mike Philips from The Fanboys Lunchcast , Matthew Ramsey of GamerD...

[Digital Gonzo 2010] This Western take on time travel is, at its core, a tender love story concerning a reclusive scientist meeting the first woman who takes a genuine interest in both him and what he does. There’s also a flying train. This is the sweetest and possibly most epic of these movies and examine what elements make this a prequel of sorts. Guests: James Batchelor of Bond and Beyond Nikki...

[Digital Gonzo 2010] After last week’s brain-melting discussion on theoretical time travel we take more of a look at the movie’s production, the hurdles that Bob’s Zemekis and Gale had to leap to get this sequel made, the nightmarish tangent universe and the fascinating occurance, unique to this film alone, of going back to the events of the original and expanding upon them.  This is possibly the...