The Movie Mull

This week, our host Neil challenged his fellow mulls to rise up against the tidal wave of supposed superhero fatigue by talking about some of the superhero movies that might have gone unseen or forgotten.  
Nothing from the most recent iterations of the Marvel and DC extended or cinematic universes was allowed - but anything else superhero-related is fair game.  
Listen in and then let us know your own favourites... From the Ninja Turtles to the Crow, from Darkman to Superbob, who's still 'super' to you?  
 

This week, we have another pair of reviews from a pair of mulls!  
First up, Neil reviews a family-friendly adventure comedy which may have escaped attention.  Starring Elijah Wood as an estranged magician father forced to reunite with his independent young daughter, Mildred, played by Nell Fisher, Bookworm is available now for streaming online. 
Then, Darren shares his thoughts about the latest movie from the iconic American director, Spike Lee.  This remake and reimagining of an original movie by Akira  Kurosawa, Highest 2 Lowest sees director Lee reunited with modern screen legend Denzel Washington.  How does this resituating of the story from Japan to the current day New York music scene measure up? Available now to watch on Apple TV.
Have you managed to catch either of these? If so, let us know what you thought - as well as what you've been watching recently. 

Just a mini What We've Been Watching for you this week - perfect for a short commute or run!
First up, Justin will be reviewing the latest Stephen King adaptation for 2025 (3 out of 4 by our counting after The Monkey and The Life of Chuck earlier in the year - and with The Running Man on the way later in November!), The Long Walk from director Francis Lawrence.  Then Richard catches up with 2019's chaotic action extravaganza Guns Akimbo starring Daniel Radcliffe and Samara Weaving.
We'll have two more reviews for you next week from the other mulls.  In the meantime, we'd love to hear about what you've been watching.  

On this week’s episode of the podcast, our host Justin invites us to think about the Greatest Escapes in movie history… including ‘that’ one! From ‘innocent’ criminals to POWs, what do we expect to see in a classic escape movie - and who did it best? 
From Brute Force to Alcatraz to Shawshank… Use the comments to let us know your favourites. 

This week, the mulls are back with four fresh reviews for you - helping you to decide what to watch next whether at the cinema or at home on streaming or digital download.
First up, Richard tells us all about a little known action comedy thriller starring Charlie Hunnam and Mel Gibson, Last Looks.  A film that was released straight to streaming in the UK back in 2022 to relatively little notice, it's now available to rent digitally. 
Then, Darren has a review of the latest film in Nicholas Cage's eclectic filmography: The Surfer - a psychological thriller about a man who just wants to surf and the people who won't let him! 
Next up, Neil tells about a slasher horror movie that lean towards the comedic, featuring as it does the eponymous (and murderous) Clown in a Cornfield.  And to wrap things up, we head from the 'cornfield' to the 'yard', as Justin shares his views on a horror movie that leans more towards the psychological and supernatural - The Woman in the Yard. 
After listening, use the comments or find us on social media to let us know what you thought about any of these films - or what you've been watching recently. 

On this week's episode, Justin has another recasting challenge for the mulls.  
This time, the classic film up on the board and waiting for a brand-new cast is the 1991 thriller that pitched Clarice Starling against Hannibal Lecter. Back then, this meant Jodie Foster versus Anthony Hopkins – both of whom were nominated for Oscars for their roles. 
So, who in 2025 could possible measure up against such towering performances?
Listen in to find out who Justin, Neil, Darren and Richard put forward as their Hannibal, Starling, Crawford, Chilton, Catherine and Buffalo Bill. And then use the comments to let us know who you would cast!

Recorded in front of a live audience last week at Grays Town Park Cafe, this week's episode looks back over the films released in 2025 so far. 
As we reach the end of summer blockbuster season, with four months of 2025 left to go, what are our favourite films of the year so far? Which films made us laugh, cry or shudder in fear?! Which are the films that surprised us and which were sadly disappointing?
Listen in and then get in touch.  We'd love to hear more about the films we've missed that we need to catch up with before the end of the year.   

This week, the mulls are back with four brand new films reviews for you - helping you to find the movies that you want to watch whether at the cinema, on digital download or on streaming.  
First up, Darren brings us his thoughts on Mike Flanagan's unusually life-affirming latest Stephen King adaptation, The Life of Chuck.  Then, Richard tell us all about the sexual politics, power dynamics and relationships at the heart of Babygirl - starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson.  Justin reviews the latest arrival on Netflix: the long-awaited adaptation of Richard Osman's bestselling Thursday Murder Club. And finally, Neil wraps things up by discussing the Amblin-esque, fantasy kids adventure The Legend of Ochi.   
Have you seen any of these movies? Do get in touch and let us know your thoughts.

Autumn is nearly here, the summer is drawing to a close, as is Summer Blockbuster Season.  
The Movie Mull started our summer 2025 with a cinema outing to see the latest Mission: Impossible adventure. We avoided all spoilers in that review, but there was so much we wanted to talk about - and so we reconvened a few weeks later to talk about every single aspect of the movie.  With the release of the film on digital download, now seemed like a good time to finally release this spoiler-filled discussion.  
Warning: do not listen to this podcast until you have seen the film. We will be talking about every major set piece and reveal in the movie! 
After listening, get in touch and let us what you thought of Final Reckoning and what this might mean for the franchise moving forwards. Are you eager to see more from this iteration of the IMF? 

Three quarters of the mulls are currently finishing a run of performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, but they didn't want to leave their lovely listeners without an episode this weekend - so they got together to talk about the film career of a comedic screen legend.  If you were growing up in the 80s or 90s, you will have met John Candy in various screen personas - perhaps for you it was the anarchic but loveable Uncle Buck, or Spaceballs' Barf, Gus (the memorable guest spot in Home Alone) or Irv in Cool Runnings.
In Planes, Trains and Automobiles, his character - Del - delivers a crucial monologue that demonstrates that he (like Candy himself) is more than just the butt of the joke: "You wanna hurt me? Go right ahead if it makes you feel any better. I'm an easy target. Yeah, you're right, I talk too much. I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynic like you... but I don't like to hurt people's feelings. Well, you think what you want about me; I'm not changing. I like... I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. 'Cause I'm the real article. What you see is what you get."
Yep, it's hard not to love John Candy - on screen and off - and we hope you enjoy joining us to think about his performances on film. 
We'd love to hear about your favourite Candy performances - get in touch in the comments or via social media.