Trimming The Movie Fat

Join host Stephen Nicholson on Trimming the Movie Fat as we venture into deep space to rank all nine films in the Alien franchise . From the claustrophobic terror of Alien to the action-packed chaos of Aliens , and through the divisive prequels and spin-offs, Stephen breaks down what works, what doesn’t, and which entries truly earn their place in sci-fi horror history. Expect sharp insights, bold...

🦇 Trimming The Movie Fat is back with a Gotham-sized rewatch! Hosted by Stephen Nicholson, this week’s episode is: “Bat to the Future: The Batman (2022) Rewatch” In just 13 minutes, Stephen dives into Matt Reeves’ The Batman — exploring its noir style, performances, and place in the Dark Knight legacy. Is it top, middle, or lower tier Batman? Tune in to find out! 🔗 Listen now and join the debate...

Not so long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, TTMF podcast host Stephen Nicholson and friend Paul Melon, got together to rewatch and critique the original Star Wars trilogy - A New Hope (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983). Join them as they share fond memories of seeing the movies on original release, what Star Wars means to them, and which of the three movies they re...

Summary In this episode, Stephen and Paul delve into the Lethal Weapon film series, discussing each installment's impact, humor, and legacy. They explore the evolution of the buddy cop genre, the chemistry between the leads, and the cultural significance of the films. The conversation reflects on nostalgia, memorable scenes, and the franchise's overall standing in cinematic history. Chapte...

Summary In this episode, the hosts discuss the classic comedy series The Naked Gun, exploring its origins from the short-lived TV show Police Squad to its three film adaptations. They delve into the humor, memorable moments, and the legacy of the series, while also looking forward to the upcoming requel starring Liam Neeson. The conversation highlights the unique style of comedy that The Naked Gun...

"Ben Affleck was a great Batman."SummaryIn this episode of Trimming The Movie Fat, host Stephen delves into the complexities of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). He discusses the film's box office success, critical reception, and its ambitious themes of fear, power, and accountability. The conversation explores character portrayals, particularly of Batman, Superman, and Lex...

"Was it fun? Absolutely."SummaryIn this episode of Trimming The Movie Fat, host Stephen Nicholson dives into 'Solo: A Star Wars Story,' exploring its plot, character performances, production challenges, and overall reception. He discusses the film's place within the Star Wars franchise, its box office performance, and the mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. The conversation highlights the...

“Mission accomplished!” - Ethan Hunt (2011, Ghost Protocol”). Stephen & Paul continue their not-impossible mission of critiquing and ranking Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission : Impossible’ movies. The successful film series which has grossed over $4B USD at the global box office. Movies 1 - 3 were discussed in the previous show. In this, the concluding episode: - Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)...

“Sanchez - "Problem solver?" Bond - "More of a problem eliminator." - License to Kill.” Timothy Dalton took on the unenviable task of succeeding Roger Moore as James Bond in the mid-1980s. Moving away from the light-comedy of the Moore-years, Dalton’s take on the character returned Bond to his darker, literary roots nearly 20 years before Daniel Craig’s similar portrayal in Casino Royale (2006). D...

“Bond: I am sorry for your loss. Lucia:  You knew my husband ? Bond: All too briefly. Lucia: What  do you do ? Bond: Life insurance.” James Bond will return. And so have podcast hosts Stephen & Paul, plus their guests Paul & Davie Melon, for a deep dive into two hugely divisive Bond movies - ‘Spectre’ (2015) & ‘No Time To Die’ (2021). Join the boys as they rewatch, critique and rank th...

“Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” In 1996, Paramount took a chance on Tom Cruise & his big screen version of the popular sixties TV show ‘Mission : Impossible’. A gamble that paid off handsomely to the tune of over $4B USD in global box office receipts. Are all of the movies (7 to date) impossibly good? No (we’re looking at you M:I2). Are some better better than others? Yes. Do t...

"How could you get this so wrong?" Summary In this episode of Trimming The Movie Fat, host Stephen and his brother Paul discuss the 1967 film Casino Royale, an unofficial James Bond spoof. They explore the film's convoluted plot, the involvement of multiple directors, and the overall poor reception from both critics and audiences. The conversation delves into the film's legacy, its impact on the B...

"It's a middle of the pack Bond movie." Summary In this episode of 'Trimming The Movie Fat', host Stephen & his guests discuss 'Diamonds Are Forever', Sean Connery's final official Bond film. They explore the film's plot, box office success, and initial impressions, while analyzing Connery's performance, the portrayal of Blofeld, and the representation of women in the film. The conversation al...

"Connery just had enough" Summary In this episode of Trimming the Movie Fat, host Stephen and his guests Paul Melon and Paul Nicholson, delve into the 1967 James Bond 007 film 'You Only Live Twice,' exploring its plot, cultural representation, and the evolution of their opinions over time. They discuss the film's iconic moments, memorable gadgets, and the impact of its soundtrack, while also refle...

"It's a product of its time, isn't it?" Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', host Stephen and his guests, the 2 Pauls, discuss the 1965 James Bond adventure 'Thunderball', exploring its plot, characters, and cultural significance. They reflect on the film's humor, action scenes, and music, while also paying tribute to the late Gene Hackman. The conversation delves into the film's p...

"Rogue One draws deep on Star Wars mythology." Summary In this episode of Trimming The Movie Fat, host Stephen and guest Paul Melon delve into 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,' exploring its narrative, character arcs, visual effects, and musical score. They discuss personal connections to the film, favorite scenes, and the emotional weight of the story, particularly its darker ending. The conversati...

"I loved the ending." Summary In this episode, host Stephen and his guest Paul Melon delve into Christopher Nolan's final instalment of The Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises (2012). They discuss the film's plot, character arcs, and the impact of Bane as a villain. The conversation explores Bruce Wayne's journey, Gotham's moral complexities, and the film's con...

"Is being human just having a physical body?" Summary In this episode of Trimming the Movie Fat, host Stephen and guest Davie Melon delve into the intricacies of Blade Runner 2049, exploring its themes, cinematography, and character arcs. They discuss their first impressions, the film's reception among fans of the original, and the philosophical questions it raises about humanity and existence. Th...

"Deckard is a replicant?" Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', host Stephen Nicholson and guest Davie Melon delve into the iconic 1982 sci-fi film 'Blade Runner', directed by Ridley Scott. They explore the film's plot, characters, and its significant impact on the sci-fi genre. The conversation covers personal experiences with the film, character analy...

"It's just brilliant." Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', host Stephen and his guests delve into the iconic 1964 James Bond film 'Goldfinger'. They discuss its impact on the franchise, the introduction of memorable characters and gadgets, and the evolution of Bond's persona. The conversation also touches on the film's humour, cultural reflections, and the portrayal of women, part...

"It's my favourite Connery one." Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', the hosts delve into the second James Bond film, 'From Russia with Love'. They discuss its historical context, character dynamics, and the film's impact on the spy genre. The conversation highlights the film's pacing, memorable villains, and the significance of its music score, while also considering how it holds...

"It's a product of its time." Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', host Stephen and his guests discuss the first James Bond film, 'Doctor No'. They explore its historical significance, the performances of Sean Connery and Ursula Andress, and how the film set the tone for the franchise. The conversation also touches on the pacing, iconic music, and modern perspectives on the film's...

"The CGI was horrendous." Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', host Stephen and guest Paul Melon discuss 'Gladiator II', directed by Ridley Scott. They explore the film's reception, comparing it to the original 'Gladiator', analysing character performances, CGI quality, and plot points. The conversation reveals mixed feelings about the sequel, with critiques on its storytelling and...

"It's a story of revenge" Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', host Stephen Nicholson and guest Paul Melon delve into the classic film 'Gladiator', directed by Ridley Scott. They discuss the film's impact, character development, and the performances, particularly that of Russell Crowe as Maximus. The conversation explores the dynamics between Maximus and Commodus, the supporting ca...

"Easily the best prequel, isn't it?" Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', hosts Stephen Nicholson and Paul Mellon delve into 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith', discussing its release, reception, and the evolution of characters, particularly Anakin Skywalker. They explore the film's darker themes, the significance of the final duel, and how it connects to the original trilogy. The co...