The Movie Mull

Cinema on Stage: The Musical?

For this week's episode, our host Darren has been reflecting on the number of stage shows in the West End and on Broadway at the moment that are based on films.  Why is it that film is currently such a huge source of inspiration for big theatrical productions? When has it been done well? And when has it felt like a bit of a mistake... or a cash-grab?  
Listen in... and then let us know your favourite screen to stage adaptation... or the film that you WISH was a stage show.  

What We've Been Watching - The Fall Guy, Robot Dreams, Hit Man, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood & Honey 2

For this week's What We've Been Watching episode, the gang are back for four more reviews that range from the sublime to the ridiculous. Justin reviews David Leitch's stuntman rom-com-action spectacular The Fall Guy; Darren is very happy to have finally caught up with the oscar-nominated Robot Dreams; Richard has a date with Linklater's latest Netflix release Hit Man; and Neil - ever a glutton for punishment - decides to return to the world of Blood and Honey with this horror sequel! (If you missed it, be sure to listen to his review of the first film in the series back in the episode released 11th April 2023) 
Find us on social media or use the comments to let us know your views.  

Five-Star Films! No Dying!

This week, Richard introduces a challenge to his fellow mulls: Can a film be truly great if nobody dies? He's asked them each to bring along the names of movies that they believe are 5-star masterpieces in which no-one dies, and death is not pivotal to the story... 
There may be a few debates along the way!
After listening, please send us your examples... or suggest similar challenges for the mulls to debate in future episodes.   

What We've Been Watching - Inside Out 2, Under Paris, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, The Watched

On the menu for this week's quartet of film reviews: Neil shares his feelings about Inside Out 2, Justin tackles shark attacks in the Seine in Under Paris on Netflix, Richard catches up with the latest film in the Hunger Games franchise, and Darren reviews the debut feature film from Ishana Shyamalan: The Watched.  
Listen in to hear what we thought, then find us on social media to share your views.  

They're Coming They're Coming! The Best Alien Invasion Movies

Neil asks us to discuss what we love - or hate - about alien invasion movies. From classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers to blockbuster Independence Day; from Tim Burton's Mars Attacks to Spielberg's take on War of the Worlds, from John Carpenter's alien-mimic in The Thing, to Krasinski's silence-enforcing species in A Quiet Place.... What are your favourite alien invasion movies?   
Let us know the ones we missed - and there will certainly be a few! - in the comments or on social media. 

What We've Been Watching - The Iron Claw, Furiosa, Abigail, Imperium

For this week's What We've Been Watching episode, Neil reviews the 'vampire ballerina movie' from directors Radio Silence: Abigail. Darren than discusses George Miller's return to the wasteland with the Fury Road prequel Furiosa, Richard talks about Imperium, Daniel Radcliffe's thriller from 2016, and finally Justin talks about the The Iron Claw, which tells the true story of the Von Erich wrestling family. 
We also start with a brief conversation about the health of cinema and the films that are hitting and missing with audiences. 
Have you seen any of these movies? What have you been enjoying at the cinema this spring? Let us know your thoughts - or tell us about what you've been watching - in the comments or find us on social media... 

Recasting: Little Shop of Horrors

This week, Justin is back in the hosting seat and brings another of his recasting challenges. This time he turns our attention to the much-loved musical reimagining of Little Shop of Horrors (1986).
From quiet introvert Seymour to the man-eating plant, Audrey 2, who in the cinema of today could take on these classic roles - as well as have the singing voices needed for songs like Suddenly Seymour, Somewhere That's Green and Feed Me! 
His co-hosts put their casting skills to the test and come up with their own dream cast for this iconic movie. 
If you enjoy this episode, you might like our previous re-castings of Clue! and The Wizard of Oz.  And do let us know in the comments or on social media, your own ideal choices. 
 

MOVIE MULL REWIND: Classic Episode - Black and White Movies

While our Mulls take one more week off, we're sending you back to April 2022 and Episode 10, an episode in which we tried to convince our fellow mull, Richard, to give Black and White movies a try... 
At the start of the episode we talk about a few films we'd seen recently Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City, Kimi, The Lighthouse, and The Wrong Man.
Then we dive into our favourite uses of Black and White cinematography in films as diverse as Some Like It Hot, Sin City, The Man Who Wasn't There, Schindler's List and Young Frankenstein.
Find us on Facebook, Twitter (X) or Instagram @moviemull and tell us your favourite black and white movies... 
And tune in next week for a brand new episode! 

MOVIE MULL REWIND - Classic Episode: Movie Openings

While our Mulls set the recording dates for all of our summer episodes, this week we re-present a classic episode from February 2022.  During Episode 3, the Mulls shared their reviews of Scream 4, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Scream (2023) and Pig, before talking about their favourite movie openings of all time. Which movies released since then deserve to be added to the list? 

Mini-Mull Cinema Etiquette (or Four Grumpy Old Men!)

For this week's mini episode, the mulls talk about what they consider to be the most important elements of cinema etiquette... What bugs you about your fellow movie fans' behaviour?  Talking? Weirdly Allocated Seats? Phone Screens? 
Let us know what frustrates you? Or if you secretly are guilty of any of the 'crimes' discussed!