Our Stephen King journey concludes for the time being with this episode. In this show we discuss David Cronenberg’s version of The Dead Zone starring Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen.

We are very pleased to have a new voice on the show for this episode. Val Thomas of The Big Screen Biograph (excellent podcast, well worth tracking down) has joined us to talk Stephen King.

As you meet John Smith in The Dead Zone (please don’t shake his hand – for reasons far worse than catching Covid), you will learn:

- Why David Cronenberg agreed to make such a departure from his usual fare
- Why Christopher Walken flinches when he has his “visions”
- The possible hidden story within The Dead Zone
- Why Jeff wimped out on four pages of the Stephen King book

Now the sharp eared amongst you may have noticed that Neil is not in the main discussion. The reason for that was, it took Neil a lot of time to build up the courage to watch the movie. The result he wasn’t ready for the main recording session. However, as he did eventually watch The Dead Zone, and surprisingly enjoy it, we just had to let him have his chance to give his views. Which is why there is a little coda, for Neil, at the end of the podcast.

Finally, As we said in the previous show notes, we are bringing new people in to give their view on Stephen King over the course of this series.

So, if you have a favourite Stephen King film or TV series and want to join us to talk about it, please drop us a line at Jeffattheflicks@gmail.com. We aren’t recording the next batch until August, so please get in touch, we always love to hear from our listeners.

Stay safe and read King.

At the Flicks

164: King at Easter – The Dead Zone

The At The Flicks team have often been referred to as Brats (ok, just one member in particular), so when Darren suggested we review a movie called Brats, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

It is not however our origins story.  Instead, it is a documentary about the mid 80’s movie brat generation, told by one of their own.  Actor turned director Andrew McCarthy (who appeared in St Elmo’s Fire and Less Than Zero), felt that the term movie brats, as coined by writer David Blum, was something of a put down.  While it’s certainly true that the article that coined that term was less than flattering about that unique generation of actors, for many of us at that time, a “movie brats” movie was something to seek out and savour. 

For Andrew McCarthy, both the director and essentially on-screen narrator, Brats became a voyage of self-discovery as he revisited both the past and other members of the so called Brat Pack.  He chats to Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore and Ally Sheedy amongst others.  What emerges is a fascinating study of youthful American movies of the period coupled with a satisfying self-reflection story.

As for the At The Flicks team, things we learnt in our discussion were:

·         The Breakfast Club and The Cotton Club are not related.
·         Why we believe Anthony Michael Hall wasn’t referred to
·         Why Molly Ringwald didn’t appear in the documentary
·         Why Graham and Darren hate the music video of John Parr’s song Man In Motion (Jeff on the other hand loved it)
·         Which one of the participants gave the most insightful reflection on the past

Oh, and the team all realised they dislike the author of the original article, who is interviewed by Andrew McCarthy later in the documentary.

So, if you have an interest in 80’s cinema then this is a documentary you really don’t want to miss.  We all gave it a thumbs up, which means Phil wasn’t in the review group!

See you for the next gonzo review show or At The Flicks 

Bye for now

250: Brats

Way back in episode 220, we spoke to American novelist and journalist Jared Feldschreiber about his excellent novella Reckless Abandon.

One of the strengths of the story is how it weaves real life and fictional characters together in its tapestry.  One of those real-life characters who crosses the pages is legendary actor Dustin Hoffman.  It is well known that Dustin Hoffman is something of a perfectionist, always looking to attaining excellence in his work, and driving others to do the same.  This has led to some critics calling him difficult to work with, yet his technique has produced incredible performances in such films as Rainman, The Graduate and Midnight Cowboy.  It’s also true that not everything he has done has been successful; that’s what happens when you take risk.  Some of those less successful films contain some incredible Dustin Hoffman performances that are sadly not as well known as that found in his more successful work.

Recently we have been talking to Jared about this very topic and collectively thought it would be interesting to create a short series of shows to highlight some of those now forgotten films and the work Dustin created for them.  Our aim is to bring these movies to your attention and perhaps encourage you to give them a second chance (or even a first chance if you haven’t seen any of them before).

First up and the subject of this show is Billy Bathgate.  This is a 1991 feature based on the acclaimed book by E L Doctorow about the influence 30’s gangster Dutch Schultz has over a young impressionable teenage in the Bronx during that tough decade.  Sadly, the feature was a box office disappointment for Touchstone pictures on first release and has been overshadowed by other more acclaimed gangster films from the same period, such as Goodfellas and Bugsy. 

During our discussion about Billy Bathgate we will talk about:

·         The production problems
·         Was Dustin Hoffman miscast?
·         Is this Shakespearean in approach?
·         Bruce Willis’s performance
·         The real Dutch Schultz
·         The positive qualities of the movie

And more besides…..

Have you seen Billy Bathgate? If so what did you think about the film – do you think it is worth revisiting?

Please let us know.

Until our next visit to Dustin Hoffman lost classics, we’ll see you At The Flicks

251: Dustin Hoffman Lost Classics – Billy Bathgate

Our Autumn Carry On Streaming show has finally arrived! Not just a show, more life counselling guidance.  Host Declan is back, giving you something to be entertained by as the nights draw in and the constant rain dampens everyone’s mood. 

To make this selection, Dec spent his Summer wading through the mire to make sure we only recommend the very best.  Shows you may have missed from earlier in the year such as Ripley, The Gathering and Dark Matter.  Or, if you are up to date, what’s hot for the season.  There’s BBC’s excellent comedy drama Ludwig starring David Mitchell or the latest Slow Horses from Apple TV with Gary Oldman once again on top form. 

And that’s just a taster of what we discuss.  How about that for a starter?  And if all this isn’t enough,  Dec’s Halloween streaming selection is coming very shortly.

At The Flicks – we only recommend the best.  See you very shortly for our spooky spectacular.

252: Carry on Streaming – Autumn

Welcome to the start of our annual Halloween season.

Halloween is famous for its tricks and treats.  So, for regular listeners to the show, we start off with a treat, a Phil and Jeff movie review.  It’s the box office hit of the season, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which has just been released on streaming (and is still showing in cinemas if you fancy the big screen experience).

Before you check out this comedy horror, why not give our spoiler free review show a listen?  A note of caution, it proved to be too scary for Graham who refused to go into the cinema.

As you would expect from a Jeff and Phil review, there will be extreme viewpoints, ramped up to 11, for this show.  Phil believes Tim Burton is a sell out and this is just another commercial example, while Jeff calls it a 2024 masterpiece and Tim Burton’s most personal feature in years. In fact, Jeff acclaims this sequel as better than the original.  Those are fighting words in some circles!

Apart from talking about the film itself, the fatigued duo also discuss Tim Burton’s career.  Phil continues with his sell out theme for recent years and Jeff, while praising the director, makes the startling discovery concerning which films of Mr Burton’s back catalogue he has missed.

After that, all three challenge each other to come up with a triple Tim Burton movie evening for Halloween.  To find out what everyone picked you’ll have to listen to the show.  However, dear listener, what would your pick be – what would make the perfect Tim Burton triple bill, please let us know what your thoughts are.

We hope this review starts your Halloween season with a smile.  Come back tomorrow for another in our short Halloween season.

Bye for now.

253: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

What’s better than one Carry On Streaming a month? You guessed it – two! 

Velcome to our annual Halloween Carry On Streaming special for 2024.  Dec is back to tell us what’s best on the various streaming channels for this spooky channel.  And being the second streaming of October it’s only fitting we release this on the second night of our Halloween specials. This year Dec’s selection is mainly scary movies (and who doesn’t love them).  Netflix comes out on top with a few original movies that are well worth watching – we rate Don’t Move and Time Cut very highly indeed.  

Of course, it wouldn’t be Dec if he didn’t recommend at least one subtitled TV series to annoy Jeff, so this year he picks two.  Of the two we think Don’t Come Home is truly terrifying.  

But we don’t stop at streaming – there are also a few radio recommendations for you.  Danny Robins has a special Uncanny for the season and Jeff tells us a real-life ghost story connected to that show.  You’ll have your light on all night after listening to that tale.

Even Graham gets into the spirit and watches a horror film which he actually enjoyed (at least that what he’s telling us). 

We hope this helps in your Halloween planning.  Come back tomorrow for another in our short Halloween season. 

Bye for now.

254: Halloween Carry on Streaming

Recently Graham and Jeff recorded a podcast about the science fiction films of Stephen King.  That podcast will shortly be available as part of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe series – thanks Jo for inviting us to participate.

One of the comments made during the recording was “you’re wrong” (frequently said to us) “Stephen King is horror not science fiction”.  On such statements worlds turn.  We thought it would be an interesting idea to turn the discussion 180 degrees.  Are Stephen King’s science fiction stories actually horror ones in disguise? An even better idea was to turn that into a podcast for At The Flicks as part of this year’s Halloween series.

That’s it, a novel way to reuse our ideas but from a different perspective.

Now for the sake of clarity we would say we have not duplicated Jo’s show, this is just a subset of titles told in a very different way.  We talk about the following

- Carrie
- The Dead Zone
- Firestarter
- The Running Man
- The Lawnmower Man
- The Stand

Graham and Jeff discuss each of these in turn to decide should it be classed as horror or science fiction.  The result may surprise you.

But what about you, faithful listener, what would you put against each of those titles – a H for Horror or S for Science.  Why not set up your own table in advance and check your results against ours.  Please let us know your scoring.

As for us, we are now off preparing the final Halloween show, the icing on a rather dark cake.  Come back soon to find out what that is.

See you there or perhaps At The Flicks watching Smile 2

255: Stephen King Horror Writer?

And so our short Halloween season draws to a close.  Before we return to our crypt, we have one more treat for you.

Niall Browne from Movies In Focus joins us to discuss what would make his perfect Halloween triple movie bill.  He selects a very diverse and entertaining trilogy of vampire films.

We have 

- Nosferatu: A Symphony Of Terror – probably the vampire film that started it all. Niall talks about a very special screening he attended last year which featured an orchestra accompaniment 

- Dracula Prince Of Darkness – Hammer’s Dracula sequel which brought back Christopher Lee.  Why this one out of all the canon of Hammer movies?  Niall relates a very personal story as to why he made this selection.

- John Carpenter’s Vampires – A film that is like a fine wine.  It gets better each year.  John Carpenter’s style, James Woods acting and of course Carpenter’s excellent music score.  What’s not to like?

All that remain for us to say is have a very happy Halloween and we will see you At The Flicks

Bye for now.

256: Niall's Halloween Triple Bill

Today’s pick is a British black & white classic. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 1

Today’s pick is a family gathering which turns into a comic horror. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar – Day 2

Today’s pick is a Netflix animation feature. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar – Day 3

Today’s pick became a Christmas favourite because of a copyright error. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar — Day 5

Today’s pick is about the creation of a holiday favourite, Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar — Day 6

Today’s pick is very bad. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar — Day 7

Today’s pick has a very limited human cast. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar — Day 8

Today’s pick could have been inspired by many Christmas shopping trips. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar — Day 9

Today’s pick went by another name when first shown on American TV. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar — Day 10

Today’s pick won the Oscar for Best Make-up. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar — Day 11

Todays pick is an animated film, featuring a dark alternate Santa. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar — Day 12

Today’s pick is the first film to use one of the best selling Christmas songs of all time. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar — Day 4

“I’m too old for this…” is a line from this festive set film.  Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 13

Today’s pick has a young woman searching for her brother, who is about to become Santa Clause. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar – Day 14

Dudley Moore as an elf – perfect casting! Can you guess what the film is?

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 15

Will Ferrell in a Christmas film, but it’s not Elf.   Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 16

Today’s pick includes clips from Angels With Filthy Souls. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 18

Today’s pick is shown on Italian TV every Christmas Eve. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 19

Today’s pick is acclaimed by many as the ultimate Christmas film. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 20

The third film featuring the Griswold family. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 21

Today’s pick could only have come from Emma At The Movies!! Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 22

The writer / director wrote this romantic Christmas comedy specially for the four leads in the movie.

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 23

Today’s pick is an animated feature that was produced by an all woman team in the 1980's. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar - Day 24

Todays Pick is a festive take on a Mary Shelley classic. Can you guess what it is?

2024: Advent Calendar – Day 17

In times past, the various members of the At The Flicks team would wait with excited breath for the Christmas Radio Times double issue.

Not anymore.  Now we have a Declan.  He tells us what we must watch and should avoid. 

Yes, Carry On Christmas Streaming is back for 2024, so that Dec can tell you, our listeners, what is worth your time over the festive season.

Included in our star-studded line up this episode are the lowdowns on the following

- The new Dr Who and his Christmas Day episode
- Wallace And Gromit return in a full length feature – on BBC and Netflix in the New Year
- The finale of Gavin And Stacey (where Jeff relives his past) 
- A classic ghost story from Mark Gattis – this time based on an Edith Nesbit tale
- More horror from Stephen King’s son Joe Hill
- A festive tale from Sky called Bad Tidings 
- And many, many more 

Also, Dec will reveal his favourite five movies of 2024, including one that gets a very strong reaction from Jeff! 

Whatever you pick to watch, have a great Christmas and may all your selections be wonderful.

See you At The Flicks.

At The Flicks

257: Carry on Streaming – Christmas

Come and join us At The Flicks. Three friends of a certain age who still enjoy the movies would like to share their passion with you. With the benefit of their advancing years, they are reviewing films new and old, to prove there is really nothing in cinema that hasn’t been seen before?

At the Flicks

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