Episodes
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Lock up your swans and grab your Cornettos - this week, Jack and Ben rewatch Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz!
In this high-octane episode, we dive into the second instalment of the Cornetto Trilogy, exploring why Jack picked it and how it stacks up against Shaun of the Dead. Is this the best of the trilogy?
We discuss its loving homage to American cop films, its clever skewering of Hollywood clichés, and its razor-sharp self-awareness.
We unpack the writing process behind Hot Fuzz: from turning off the internet to meticulously crafting Sandford as their own rural Sim City, Wright and Pegg left no stone unturned. Plus, how does the idyllic setting of Wells, Somerset add to the film’s charm? And what does Hot Fuzz say about rural communities and the socio-political undertones of them?
Finally, we debate our MVPs—Simon Pegg, Timothy Dalton, or Nick Frost—and consider how the film has aged since 2007.
Next week, Ben takes the wheel with his pick—what will it be? One last big one before we focus on Christmas. Tune in to find out!
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In this week’s episode of Bring Your Own Blockbuster, Jack and Ben take on the gloriously absurd action thriller Face/Off. With a plot as outrageous as its stars’ performances, they delve into the twisted world of face-swapping, Nic Cage’s signature overacting, and why John Travolta might just be better as a villain.
Ben reveals why he picked it and challenges Jack to unpack what made the ‘90s such a unique time for movies – when reality could be conveniently ignored, terrorists were eccentric nerds, and characters could literally swap faces (and they'd just work out what happened with their bodies later). From John Woo's amazing slow-motion action shots, wavy knife leg stabbing and golden revolvers, they explore why Face/Off still holds up (or not) decades later.
Is Cage or Travolta the MVP? And what would a Face/Off 2 look like in today’s Hollywood? Tune in as they try to make sense of this cult classic and tease next week’s pick!
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Episodes manquant?
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In this week’s BYOB, Jack and Ben dive back into Stanley Kubrick’s darkly satirical masterpiece Dr. Strangelove, examining why this 1964 classic still hits close to home in 2024. Join us as we explore Peter Sellers’ multi-role magic, the grim humour of nuclear tensions, and how Kubrick’s take on the Cold War resonates amid today’s equally absurd political landscape. We’ll discuss Sellers and Kubrick’s unpredictable collaboration, the genius behind the War Room’s iconic set, as we ponder if there could there ever be a more fitting film about mutual destruction?
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In this episode, Ben reviews Emilia Pérez, a 2024 French musical crime comedy from Jacques Audiard. With a cast including Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Selena Gomez, the film is a quirky mix of crime, comedy, and music. Audiard brings his own opera libretto to life on screen, complete with original songs by Camille and vibrant choreography from Damien Jalet. It’s a unique blend of genres that promises something a bit different!
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In this episode, we dive into The Wild Robot, a 2024 animated sci-fi survival film from DreamWorks Animation, distributed by Universal Pictures. Adapted from Peter Brown's 2016 novel, the film was brought to the screen by Chris Sanders, who directed and co-wrote it. The voice cast is led by Lupita Nyong'o, with standout performances from Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames. The story follows Roz (Nyong'o), a service robot who is stranded on a deserted island. As she learns to adapt to her surroundings, Roz builds bonds with the island’s wildlife and becomes the adoptive mother to a young, orphaned goose named Brightbill.
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This week, Jack and Ben revisit Misery, the chilling Stephen King adaptation that redefines horror without a single ghost or ghoul. We discuss Misery as a psychological horror classic, driven by themes of isolation, creative entrapment, and toxic fandom. Kathy Bates’s portrayal of Annie Wilkes anchors the film, blending twisted maternal warmth with terrifying instability - while James Caan's playful nods add something truly special to their dynamic... although apparently that didn't always go down too well on set. Tune in as we explore what makes Misery a timelessly disturbing look at the dark side of fandom and the horrors of feeling truly trapped.
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In this Halloween season special, Bring Your Own Blockbuster host Jack Hussey sits down with screenwriter Joe Barton to delve into his 2017 horror hit, The Ritual. Together, they unpack the film’s haunting character dynamics and explore Barton’s approach to crafting horror, as well as plenty of chat on that iconic monster. With insights into Barton’s writing process and the unique challenges of building psychological tension, this episode is the perfect listen for horror fans.
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Ba - Ba. Ba - Ba.
The Jaws theme is just the best isn't it? Unless you listen to our episode the other week where we very much made the case that John Williams' score for Jurassic Park was the greatest of all time. But what a film this is. We're in the heart of spooky szn and so it would be rude not to get into a film that scared off people from going into the water for an entire generation.
Within the pod we ask the question - Whether this is a horror film or simply just horrifying? How on earth you go about making a 24ft Great White Shark? And why Steven Spielberg nearly ran the whole production into financial difficulty?
At the heart of this film though we need to ask whether this is a film about a shark or is there something more at play here?
We love making BYOB and hope you enjoy the pod too - if you do have a spare minute to drop us a 5 star rating and a bit of a review that would be most helpful!!
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Jack and Ben dive into Saoirse Ronan's latest film 'The Outrun' a powerful film based on the memoirs of Amy Liptrot who detailed her issues with alcoholism and the mental health struggles of her family.
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This week on Bring Your Own Blockbuster, Jack and Ben take a deep dive into the 1970's British folk horror classic The Wicker Man. They debate whether it should truly be considered a horror film, as many cast and crew members believed otherwise.
The pair also explore the concept of 'daylight horror' and what it represents. Additionally, they delve into the clash between Christianity and Paganism, discussing how this theological battle has influenced Britain's history.
Ben shares a fascinating bit of trivia about how one of the original cuts of the film was lost forever.
Tune in, and don’t forget to leave a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts!
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In this special episode, Jack chats with writer James Hamilton about his latest project, Murder for Dummies, a six-part comedy-horror series that’s as scary as it is hilarious.
James shares the journey of bringing this crowdfunded show to life, now available to watch for free on YouTube. Together, they explore the creative process, the unique challenges of writing for yourself versus working with big players like Netflix (where James has worked previously), and what it takes to make people laugh while scaring the wits out of them.
Tune in for an insightful conversation and a few behind-the-scenes secrets. And don’t forget to check out Murder for Dummies on YouTube or visit murderfordummies.com!
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We've all got busy lives right?! So... when you're choosing what to do with your rare bit of 'me time' you want to make sure you get it right. That's why Ben and Jack are here to help you make the right choice for your trip to the cinema this week. With that in mind... should you part with your hard earned cash to go out and see 'A Different Man' at the cinema this week?
Starring Sebastian Stan as Edward a man suffering from neuro-firbo-matosis who struggles with day to day life and to build meaningful connections with other people who's life is turned upside down by a the introduction of Ingrid (Renate Reinsve) who moves in next door and a new experimental treatment that could potentially 'Fix' things in his life.
Some incredibly interesting themes in this one - but is it a wait for Netflix or run down to the local cinema film? Get stuck in with the lads and find out.
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Is The Exorcist still a spine-chiller in 2024? Hosts Jack and Ben dive into this iconic horror classic to see if it retains its scare factor decades after its release.
Join them as they explore the film’s themes, asking whether faith holds relevance in today’s society. They’ll also unpack the film’s groundbreaking practical effects that made it unforgettable—and a societal phenomenon that was banned in the UK until 1999! To cap it off, they dig into the creepy on-set incidents that added to its infamous reputation.
Join us for this episode and stick around for more horror film deep-dives this Spooky SZN!
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Welcome... TO BRING YOUR OWN BLOCKBUSTER *T REX ROARS*. But seriously, welcome to the pod... it's Jurassic Park week!
There are so many reasons to love this film and we get into all of them. For starters... what a cast. Unbelievable talent on show here. A shirtless Goldblum, Richard 'Santa' Attenborough, Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Sammy L Jackson and Wayne Knight.
Once again us practical effects neeks get the joy of seeing how Spielberg made the dinosaurs alongside his masterful direction.
We get some of the most iconic scenes of all time: In the kitchen, the T Rex enclosure, the hacking scene by Dennis Nedry, 'Clever Girl', the Brachiosaurus encounter amongst many others.
But above all... John Williams' score. What a piece of genuine genius and artistry. It's almost god like.
Enjoy it! More to come this week...
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Oh hello there! Welcome back to BYOB Pod. Time to delve into an absolute monster of a film as we go undercover and take on 'The Departed'.
Two films to give you the scoop on this week before we get into that though! Firstly...A big thank you to Paramount for having us at the premiere of Transformers One! What an incredible experience, and a really fun film as well. Beautiful animation and an absolute throwback - Ben and Jack get stuck into the
Then... the absolute chaos that is 'The Substance'. We really don't know how on earth you explain this other than, get to the cinema to go and watch it. It's an experience...
Right then, the main event. 'The Departed'. It's undeniably in the Ironside Klaxon bracket. Oh the cast? Scorsese, Di Caprio, Nicholson, Wahlberg, Damon. BOSH. Up for discussion: is this the greatest twist ending of all time? What is the message at the heart of the film? And what on earth is that American accent Ray Winstone?! An all timer of a soundtrack and some outrageously good performances to choose from for MVP. 300m at the box office nearly 20 years ago is not too shabby either!
Enjoy the pod... Homework wise... we're looking at a bit of a belter next week.. Jurassic Park! (Da da- Da da - Da da da da da da da)
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This week, Jack and Ben head back to the swamp to revisit Shrek (2001), the animated classic that changed fairy tales forever.
They’ll explore the film’s core message - we’re all a bit weird, full of flaws, but finding people who love us for who we are is what really matters.
The episode kicks off with a review of James McAvoy’s latest thriller Speak No Evil, touching on similar themes of acceptance in a very different way.
Why was Shrek such a massive hit? From its iconic cast and soundtrack (All Star, anyone?) to its clever pop culture references like Star Wars, The Matrix, and WWE, Jack and Ben break it all down.
They’ll also discuss whether Shrek was DreamWorks’ cheeky dig at Disney, and the rivalry between Jeffrey Katzenberg and Michael Eisner.
So, grab the jumbo popcorn and join us for a fun, nostalgic chat about one of the most beloved films of our (Ben's) childhood!
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In this episode of BYOB, hosts Jack and Ben dive into the surreal world of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice (1988) to see how this cult classic holds up in 2024.
With its bizarre blend of dark comedy and quirky horror, Beetlejuice isn't easy to fit into a particular genre.
How well does it weigh itself between zaniness and genuine storytelling?
Jack and Ben explore the eccentric mind of Tim Burton, how do you even begin to understand his imagination? Ben shares his personal struggle with Burton’s offbeat style. They also discuss how platforms like TikTok have reignited a whole new wave of Beetlejuice fandom, especially around Halloween, with its timeless appeal for goth culture and nostalgia for quirky 90s characters.
With a spotlight on Michael Keaton’s unforgettable portrayal. Is he more Batman or Beetlejuice? We reflect on the film’s early visual effects and how they’ve aged, alongside its deep connection to the goth culture of the 80s and 90s, with nods to every grunger's favourite place, Camden.
From the film’s slow-burn success to its latest revival, Jack and Ben take you on a nostalgic journey that celebrates the beautifully bizarre world of Beetlejuice.
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It's double trouble for BYOB fans this week, as we're back with our second episode. Jack and Ben sit down to rewatch Christopher Nolan's Inception and chat about how it holds up in 2024. Does the CGI still blow us away, or is it starting to look a bit dated? We dive into how Nolan's clever use of practical effects might have kept the film looking sharp over the years.
We also get a bit more critical, asking whether there are any plot holes in Nolan's storytelling and if the character development could have been better. Plus, we explore rumours of a possible clash between Nolan and Leonardo DiCaprio during filming.
Yes, we hear you, of course, we didn’t forget to talk about that legendary soundtrack!
Finally, we tackle the film's famous ending - what really happened? We throw around our theories and revisit quotes from Michael Caine and Christopher Nolan to see if we can figure out whether Cobb’s spinning top stops.
Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review, and we'll see you next week for Ben's choice, which is..........
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In this latest episode of Bring Your Own Blockbuster (BYOB), Jack and Ben dive into the highly anticipated Alien Romulus, directed by Fede Alvarez. Does it manage to capture the eerie brilliance of Ridley Scott’s original, or does it falter like some of its predecessors? The duo also tackles the controversial decision to use CGI recreations of actors who are no longer with us—does it add to the film’s atmosphere or detract from the experience?
As a special bonus, Jack and Ben take a detour into the world of Apple TV’s Severance. With the second series just around the corner, they revisit the show’s labyrinthine plot, memorable performances, and delve into the morality of partitioning your own brain.
Get involved on our socials @byob_pod and give us your thoughts on anything we've talked about today.
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