Screen Watching

It is a very special episode on the podcast this week as Dan and Simon go crazy for a new Spider-Man animated film - could it be a Best Picture film? The two also talk about a new Netflix film with a very saucy title.

This week’s reviews:

Intermission:

Dan and Simon discuss highpoints of masturbation on the screen.

This week on the podcast Dan gets his cranky pants on about just about every show and movie discussed on the podcast. And then in the Intermission Dan and Simon ask what shows need to be put out of their misery and ended ASAP.

Up for review:

This week Simon takes a bold stance against reviewing Fast X. And Dan says ‘Good for you, pal”.

But then they actually do review some films and TV.

There’s our weekly Intermission segment where we ask what families we’d follow in a Family Stallone style reality show. And then Simon starts betraying the entire premise of the segment by pitching reality shows about foreign embassies.

Oh, and there’s also mentions of Smurfs at some stage.

Expect a lot of discussion around Muppets this week on the podcast. So, so much discussion.

Reviews include:

It’s a monster week for reviews this week with one especially huge Marvel movie at the cinema and some very big titles debuting on TV. Just two notes for this episode that I (co-host Dan Barrett) think are hugely worth making mention of:

1. We review both the TV show Slip and the movie Beau is Afraid. Both involve Zoe Lister Jones and somehow Dan neglects to mention this fact during the podcast. What a fool.

2. The review for Beau Is Afraid does involve some minor-ish spoilers. So, keep that in mind. The film is a few weeks into release, so if it sounds interesting, perhaps go see it pretty soon.

This week Dan and Simon review:

Dan and Simon (that’d be co-host Simon Foster) also discuss the WGA strike - what do the writers want and how will the strike impact what we see?

This week on the podcast, Dan and Simon roll up their sleeves and get busy with the reviews:

In this week’s intermission, Dan and Simon go on to consider beloved movies from the past with a very specific idea they wanted to put forth and how well does it hold up today.

Food dominates this week’s pod with Dan and Simon reviewing the food and drink heavy Drops of God and Hunger. It is all the excuse they need for this week’s Intermission to be about their favourite food shows on TV.

Up for review:

This week Simon and Dan get into a heated conversation about a poorly written Variety article that claims the box office is roaring back. Dan argues that there are still too many signs of ill-health. Oh, and then later Simon makes erroneous claims that new Jackie Chan film Ride On was a blockbuster release (Yeah, it was number one on the charts in China, but only pulled in just over $11 million).

On the podcast this week we eventually get to reviews:

It is actually too much show. There’s the HUGE reviews:

And THEN, Dan and Simon take a look ahead to the huge April to June releases ahead. What are they excited by?

Plus they do the usual quizzes and other regular business.

In a shameless bid for attention, Simon and Dan discuss movies that focus on sex. How have these movies shaped our two hapless critics as movie viewers?

They also get into the filthy business of this week’s reviews:

Another week, another Screen Watching. This week Dan and SImon embrace thrillers with reviews of:

The two also pitch spin-off TV show ideas to each other in our weekly Intermission. Which of these shows would you greenlight?

Oh, and there’s the weekly birthday quiz and This Week in History quiz.

First of all - apologies about the audio in this episode. Dan had to record via Airpods and the results were not good. It’ll be better next week.

If you persevere with us, you’ll hear our thoughts on the new Shazam film, the latest instalment of the XEU with Pearl, and TV shows Swarm, Lucky Hank, and Class of 07. If it wasn’t for the audio, it’d be a pretty good episode.

Yr ol’ favourite gumshoe podcasters Dan and Simon are back this week to solve the mystery of the HBO show that is returning after 3 long years. They also get all stabby with the latest instalment of a slasher franchise. 

And in this week’s Intermission, the guys discuss the Academy Awards this coming weekend.

Reviews: 

We’re working on improving the video and sound of the podcast. Enjoy that as Dan & Simon discuss:

Dan and Simon both watched Cocaine Bear. It's a story as old as time: Bear meets bag of cocaine. Bear consumes bag of cocaine. Bear goes on a murderous rampage as she looks for her next hit.

Does it bring anything new to the Bear vs drug dealer genre? You will only find out if you listen to THIS podcast. No other film sites are talking about this highly anticipated movie.

Too much show. Too willing to cram it into a pod.

This week Dan & Simon discuss the new Ant Man movie, the new Marc Maron comedy special, the latest Sarah Polley film, the newest Apple TV+ show that makes Dan ask: "Shouldn't this be a movie instead?", and two films Simon has found that Dan knows he has never heard mention of before, nor will again.

Oh, and we slam a filmmaker who gets precious about her film being screened with ads in it.

Boy oh boy is it a quiet week on the ol' TV front. Dan and Simon trawled through what was available and discussed:

Dan and Simon also talk about representations of love on the screen.

What else is there to know? we Watched: Three Pines, Knock At The Cabin, Cunk on Earth, Shotgun Wedding, Paris 13th District. And then in this week's middle bit we discuss the flaws in the bid to force international streamers to pay for Australian content.

This week Simon and Dan have reviews:

Dan and Simon also discuss a movie about birding, the Academy Awards, and so, so much more.

Simon has returned from his Christmas holiday to the Nordics, which means Dan & Simon roll up their sleeves to discuss the important business of screen reviews. This week:

It's an all-film special this week for no good reason. 

(Actually, the reason is that Simon is travelling through chilly Nordic nations right now and we pre-recorded this back in early December).

But we also talk about the big changes we are expecting in TV and film in the year ahead. Hashtag industry talk.

It is the start of a whole new year of Screen Watching. And we are starting the year by looking back at the last one. Hopefully you’re not too tired of Best TV of 2022 lists, because we have another one for you.

What did Simon select? What did Dan choose? The tension is high in the air.

Each week on the Screen Watching podcast Dan and Simon talk about the movies and TV shows they watched that week. At the end of the year, they collate their thoughts and produce a list of what they think were the best movies. This is a really unique idea that we alone do. Hopefully you can comprehend such an idea and join us.

(Next week we do TV).

Hi,

This is our last regular podcast of 2022 - over the next two weeks you have our Best of 2022 Films and then our Best of 2022 TV podcasts. Then Simon and Dan are back with a revamped podcast with better production values, mystery boxes, dancing girls, and more. 

This week on the podcast we discuss the only thing worth a darn to discuss. James Cameron’s sequel to Avatar, titled: Avatar: The Way of Water.

We discuss the movie, its ambition, and whether you will believe a whale can be depressed.

[Note: This episode was re-uploaded. Dan is learning about how to make a video podcast that actually works well technically - and Simon's quiet-ass microphone wasn't helping the previous version]

This week on the pod it is a race against time as Dan speeds through the podcast before an electrician cuts off his electricity for the day. Dan has been in the podcast game for long enough to know that electricity is pretty crucial to the podcast tech stack.

It doesn’t stop Dan and Simon from getting busy with the reviews:

Dan and Simon also offer some thoughts on the passing of Kirstie Alley.

This week Dan and Simon dip their toes into the world of proper video podcasting. Video will now be available on Spotify and YouTube. But for those who like audio as the good lord intended, that will continue on as always. 

This week they review:

What a wild episode. Dan lost his voice and still tried to do the podcast. Submit this episode for an Australian Podcast Award immediately.

The episode will include reviews:

In a display of zero imagination or creativity, Dan and Simon use the middle bit of the show to list their favourite silent characters in TV and movies.

And then the two wrap up the show with celeb birthdays, this day in history, and all the other bits that push this podcast past 60 minutes.

Recorded: Saturday 19 Nov 2022

A huge week for reviews this week:

Dan and Simon also take the time in the Middle Bit to list out their favourite movies set in New York.

Dan and Simon offer their thoughts on one of the biggest movie releases of 2022: the latest Black Panther film. The two have wildly different views on the film.

Reviews this week:

The guys also offer their lists of the 5 things that Hollywood needs to stop doing. And Dan has his first reaction to the trailer for a little film called Avatar: The Way of Water.

Not all podcasts are born equal. And lucky for you, you have discovered the greatest of them all.

On this weeks pod, listen with your dropped jaw to reviews:

Simon interviews SISSY star Aisha Dee.

Dan apologises to Simon for being very correct about the ridiculousness of delaying Bros in Australia for a star publicity tour.

And the guys spend far too long talking about Summer School, a 1987 comedy starring Mark Harmon.

Folks, on the show this week we ask questions big and small. But also we have answers for you like: Should I go and see Black Adam? What even is the new Amazon show The Peripheral?

We also interview Bros director Nicholas Stoller.

On the ol’ pod this week Dan & Simon review:

In this week’s Middle Bit Dan and Simon argue about the audiences interest in Hardy Boys TV shows. This is really how two grown men spend their time…

This week on the podcast Dan and Simon do the reviews:

But they spend more time arguing whether there is any value in international stars delaying a movie by a month to do a local press tour, as is the case with the box office disaster Bros. 

This week on the show it is a solid week of interesting TV and movies to chat about. Among them:

Dan also laments the ignored half-hour dramedy.

There is no bigger cultural event in all of our lives than Avatar. The good news is this week it was re-released and Simon & Dan got along to the cinema to re-experience what cinema can be.

The two also talk about the new Star Wars series Andor, which the lads both adored. Oh, other things are discussed also. Reviews. Conversations. References to the 1980s. It’s what we do on the podcast.

Also, sorry this week’s is a bit late. Dan was delayed after getting a perm and dealing with the emotional consequences of that many wolf whistles.

It is a big week on the ol’ Screen Watching podcast this week. Dan and Simon discuss the revival of Heartbreak High on Netflix, Simon offers his reviews of Ticket To Paradise and Moonrise Daydream, and Dan questions what on earth Warner Bros is doing with DC League of Superpets - why is the voice cast celebrity bloated and who on earth are these pets?

There’s also discussion about Emmy category fraud and a lack of weather event movies.

This week on the podcast Dan and Simon review the shows and movies that need to be reviewed. Nobody has a choice in any of this.

This week on the show we have reviews/chatter about new TV shows:

And movies currently playing in the cinema:

We also have a lengthy discussion on whether audiences should feel aggrieved that streaming services are removing titles from their previously always-on libraries.

I’d give you a rundown of what we are discussing this week, but just know that we do review House of The Dragon, so is there really anthing else we need to discuss herre?

This week on the podcast we have reviews of the hottest films on TV and in the cinema:

And then Dan and Simon discuss their favourite depictions of aliens on the TV and movie screen. And yes, they discuss Jose Chung’s From Outer Space. It would be malpractice not to.

It is a very full week for big titles on this week’s Screen Watching. Frankly, neither Dan nor Simon were emotionally or physically prepared for it.

Reviews: 

Also this week on the show’s middle bit, Dan and Simon make a case for the greatest movie opening of all time. Their answers may surprise you. Especially Simons…

Settle in for another Screen Watching with the usual smart nonsense re: all things watching and screen. 

There are a batch of interesting TV and movies to review this week, but stick around for our MIDDLE BIT this week where Dan and SImon engage in the 2022 Screen Watching Movie Remake Pitch session. Each try to get the other to greenlight their idea for movie remakes. It’s a ridiculous, fun chat.

This week on the podcast Dan and Simon talk about lost love.

Really.

They also review movies and shows:

For this week’s Middle Bit, Dan and Simon discuss lost genres they would love to see more of.

And then Dan and Simon radically overhaul the podcast with a brand new approach to the Back Bit.

[Audio glitch corrected - only seriously impacted the final 8 minutes of the podcast]

People come to Screen Watching for the reviews and this week we have them:

But Screen Watching offers more than just reviews. Inspired by the fan interaction of young folks wearing suits to see the latest Minions movie, we discuss fan interaction films. We briefly discuss all the expected titles: The Room, Rocky Horror, etc. But then we suggest some alternatives. What in this conversation leads Dan to suggest a horse should be murdered live in the cinema? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Oh, and we take a look at the week ahead.

What do you need to know about this episode? Life got in the way and the episode is publishing days late. I’m sorry, okay!!!! Jeez.

Oh, and we review:

And then Dan and Simon discuss the top 5 movies and shows so far in 2022.

Quick podcast this week. Dan offers some thoughts on:

Has anyone heard from Simon?

As part of our community service mandated requirement to review the hottest TV shows and movies:

For our middle bit:

Squid Game is being turned into a game show. Which other films and shows would make for great competition TV shows?

Want to hear two guys making ridiculous dinosaur noises and review some TV shows + movies? Well, you’re in the right place.

Those reviews include:

Simon and Dan also talk about their favourite non-Jurassic Park dinosaur movies and TV shows.

The podcast begins this week with an apology by Simon for his actions

And then the business of reviews:

After that, there’s the business of fantasy fan experiences. This week an LA-based Golden Girls fantasy experience was announced. It begs the question: What least-expected TV fantasy experiences would we like to see?

And we end as we do every week: By looking at the week ahead, noting anniversaries, and listing birthdays. 

Some weeks are just big. And this is one of those weeks. This week on the show:

Reviews:

That’s already a lot of show. But we also have:

The Middle Bit:

Dan and Simon pick their top 3 Tom Cruise films. 

Plus the two discuss upcoming previews, the death of Ray Liotta, and inexplicably the upcoming Elvis movie.

This week on the podcast there is a decidedly Japanese feel to the podcast with Dan and Simon doubling down on the local release of HBO Max show Tokyo Vice and discussing movies (and TV shows) in which Americans visit Japan.

Oh, and there’s the usual TV and movie reviews too:

This week time travel is on the mind as Dan and Simon start this week's podcast. Or did they just finish the podcast? Time is an abstract concept after all. Or is it a flat circle? Who can keep up with all that. Oh, they do reviews too.

This week:

Also this week: Dan and Simon recount their favourite time travel movies and shows. Why do they love the genre so much?

It’s a big week for Screen Watching. Big reviews and an interview!

Reviews:

Interview:

Actor Emilia Fox, star of new Acorn TV series Signora Volpe. The series is about a British spy-turned-detective in the heart of Italy.

Dan and Simon have a full, full, full podcast this week. Simon reports live from the Screenwave Film Festival in Coffs Harbour.

There’s also reviews:

Also: Dan offers some thoughts on the LARGE VOLUME of TV shows hitting TV between now and the end of May.

This week we revel in all things Nicholas Cage. Film critic and man about town Luke Buckmaster joins us to talk about his Nicholas Cage film ranking project The Cage Gauge.

Reviews this week:

This week on the show Dan and Simon talk about the most important theme songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s. Yes, they talk about the song Believe It or Not.

Also, reviews:

This week on the podcast Simon has clearly had enough. He’s stuck with a co-host who is insistent that he hates almost everything being discussed in this week’s podcast. Poor Simon is exasperated throughout discussions of:

Also, Simon talks about Cannes for some reason.

This week on Screen Watching we have an overload of big, buzzy shows and movies to talk about.

We review:

With news this week that Bruce Willis is retiring from acting for health reasons, Simon and Dan discuss their favourite Bruce Willis films over the years. And somehow Color of Night never comes up.

Listen as Dan Barrett, fresh from the sick bed, takes to the microphone alongside the fit as a fiddle Simon Foster to review the latest and greatest TV and movies.

Simon also offers some Oscars predictions. And Dan, tired and cranky, won’t entertain any of it.

Dan Barrett has just two eyes and two ears. Simon is afflicted with the same limitation. It means there’s only so much that these guys can watch in any given week. But by golly do they try.

This week on the show they watched so much:

The two also do a deep dive into some of the big news stories around this week, including the Netflix crackdown on password sharing and Amazon’s purchase of MGM.

After last week’s Bat-heavy podcast, we keep it all quite a bit more sensible this week and keep the bat-business to a minimum. Instead we review:

Dan and Simon also discuss the greatest question of all: How long is too long? A topic both guys know quite a bit about…

This week there is a massive movie release. It is called The Batman. You probably know what it is about. This week on Screen Watching Dan and Simon throw the regular show out the window and talk about the Bat Guy. 

You will hear reviews of The Batman from both Dan and Simon. You will also hear the dynamic duo discuss their five favourite moments from Batman movies and TV shows. Oh, and there will be an obligatory conversation about their favourite Catwoman on screen. Because they are gross dudes who cannot help themselves. (They’re actually lovely - don’t let Simon’s sleazy moustache suggest otherwise).

Join us at Screen Watching HQ as Dan and Simon engage in the business of the podcast - conversations about the TV and movies they have been watching this week:

Join us… won’t you…

Huge week on the show. No, really. We mean it this time. Why would we lie?

This week:

There’s also an extended conversation about what makes video game adaptations generally bad.

This week on the Screen Watching podcast Dan makes lemonade out of lemons. And hot damn is it refreshing. It’s a week with not a lot happening TV-wise, so while Simon talks about Death on The Nile, Marry Me, and We Need To Talk About Cosby, Dan has just the one TV review with the second season of the delightful comedy Starstruck.

So, with some extra time up his sleeve, Dan provides a list of five shows that aren’t available in Australia that should be.

And then the guys offer some thoughts on Oscars nominations, and wrap up the week with a guide to the upcoming week in TV and movies.

The guys are back behind the microphone for in-depth chats about what they have been watching.

Reviews this week include:

Also, a chat about Book of Boba Fett six episodes in. Were episodes 5+6 a much-needed course correction? Dan argues correctly that they are. Or was the show always rather great? This being Simon’s thoroughly incorrect viewpoint.

This week on the podcast, Dan Barrett and Simon Foster celebrate their one year anniversary/birthday of the show. They mark it by shaking things up and turning Screen Watching into a video podcast. The regular audio version will remain, but if you want to watch along via a screen, you can now do that on Spotify and YouTube. 

It's still early days - we will find ways to make it more visually interesting. Probably.

On the show this week the guys review:

Here’s what you need to understand about this week’s show: It’s getting close to five days late. And the audio quality ain’t great. It’s not completely terrible, but it is a bit scratchy.

If you’re willing to look past these two issues, it’s a solid podcast.

Reviews:

Also, Dan and Simon discuss the gaps they have in their screen watching. You will not believe what they have not seen…

You know that TV show you used to watch all the time 20-30 years ago, but just can't seem to find it on a streaming service? That movie that you half remember and you know it by name, but you don't know where to find it? Dan and Simon have a long list of those and have a chat about some of the long lost shows and movies that have long been bothering them (for their inability to be found). 

There's also reviews for:

We welcome back Screen Watching for another year as we review the biggest titles released this week. Oh, and it is possible that co-host Simon Foster died mid-podcast due to COVID-related illness. Thankfully he pre-recorded some segments and we were able to finish the episode.

We review:

Dan and Simon say goodbye to the dumpster fire that was 2021 with a mix of reviews and a Best of 2021 movie list.

Up for review:

Then Dan and Simon each present their Best of 2021 movies lists. A top 10, if you will. What were these Top 10 movies? And will there be any overlap in their lists? You gotta press play - I ain't giving you all the answers.

A monster episode of Screen Watching this week.

Reviews. We got 'em:

Best of list. We got one of those too:

Interviews? Again, it's covered:

Yeah, this is a long podcast.

A HUGE week for HUGE titles. This week Dan and Simon review:

Firebite is an awesome Aussie vampire show from celebrated filmmaker Warwick Thornton. We interview him and his co-collaborator Brendan Fletcher. 

This is a good one. Hit play.

What an episode!

Dan interviews Bebe Neuwirth. Best known for playing Lilith Crane on Cheers and on Frasier, she has had a hugely extensive career on stage and screen including roles in Jumanji, Madam Secretary, The Good Fight, Law & Order: SVU. She is one of the voice actors in the really very good animated police noir comedy musical animated show Ultra City Smiths. 

Of course, there are also reviews:

It's our huge 50th episode extravaganza. We celebrate with reviews and conversation about the big movie and TV releases of the week. Really mixing up that formula.

This week we dive deep on:

It's a blockbuster week on the Screen Watching podcast this week as we have two huge new Marvel releases and a number of other anticipated movies and TV shows. Dan and Simon take a gander at:

A huge week for reviews this week as Simon and Dan take a gander at:

Simon also has a chat with director Rogue Rubin. Her film Lion Spy follows the director going undercover with the thrill killers of living things to fight the pending extinction of wild lions in Africa. Creating a false identity, she infiltrates the male dominated world of trophy hunters in Africa and puts herself at tremendous personal risk in doing so.

A huge week for reviews. Like, really, really big.

We discuss:

Simon also poses the question: Which faded stars are due a Tarantino-style comeback a la Pam Grier, John Travolta, and Robert Forster. Dan and Simon then answer that question in the most compelling segment of all time.

A big week for movies and TV this week. Dive into reviews of:

Dan and Simon also have a chat about how we feel about watching blockbusters in the current age.

It's Halloween at Screen Watching HQ. So we talk about horrors both real and imagined. Up for discussion:

Which of these horrors were real? Which imagined? You decide.

There are a lot of things to watch and your boys Dan and Simon are the guys who can tell you whether you want to open up your peepers and let certain shows or movies into them. It is the service we provide.

Up for discussion this week are new movies in the cinema: A return of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to the screen together with The Last Duel and there's also the horror smash hit Malignant.

But we also cover some of the more interesting titles this week on the small screen: The Apple TV+ huge budget sci-fi human drama Invasion. And then there are also two comedies on Paramount+: Spreadsheet and Guilty Party.

With local cinemas back open, the podcast is starting to feel whole again. It means Simon has the chance to talk about having finally been able to see Marvel's Shang Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings. He also checks out new film Lamb. In terms of streaming, SImon also got a look at the new Apple TV+ doco The Velvet Underground about the iconic band of the same name.

TV gets a look in as well with Dan checking out the new TV adaptation of I Know What You Did Last Summer (Amazon Prime Video). We won't ruin what he thought of it here. But do know that he was way more enthused by new Canadian comedy Sort Of (Stan).

Along with a look at the week ahead and the calendar observances, Dan and Simon also talk about the upcoming Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival that Simon curates. In addition to finding out about the festival, get some insights on the running of a festival like this. 

A big week on the show. We interview the matriarch of American cinemas first family - Eleanor Coppola. She chats to Simon about her film Love Is Love Is Love. 

There's also reviews:

Oh, and cinemas open again this Monday in Sydney. We discuss what films are playing in cinemas this week (as cinemas try and stuff three months worth of notable releases into a week).

It's a big show. Tell your friends.

A huge episode of reviews this week.

REVIEWS (03:32)

INTERVIEW (47:02)
Seance writer-director Simon Barrett (writer of films like You're Next and The Blair Witch). Seance is streaming now on Shudder.

THE WEEK AHEAD (1:03:41)

This week's episode has gone to the pigs.

REVIEWS (03:41)

Star Wars: Visions (Disney+)
Joe Bell (In cinemas now)
Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol (US: Peacock - AUS: Paramount+)
Pig (In cinemas now)
Foundation (Apple TV+)
Superhost (Shudder)

THE MIDDLE BIT (39:40) The best on-screen animal/human pairings

THE WEEK AHEAD (54:53)

This week on the podcast we discuss true crime - pretty rich considering the quality of this show every week.

REVIEWS (01:55)

THE MIDDLE BIT (21:32)  Interview with Melanie Laurent - Actor/Writer/Director 'The Mad Women's Ball'

THE WEEK AHEAD (31:19)

This week on the podcast we discuss true crime - pretty rich considering the quality of this show every week.

REVIEWS (01:55)

THE MIDDLE BIT (25:08)  True crime movies & TV shows

THE WEEK AHEAD (38:27)

In this, the 37th episode of the podcast, we ask if 37 is too many? Wouldn't 10 be a more respectable number? And does 37 include all of those other dalliances? Just a thought...

REVIEWS (02:49)

THE MIDDLE BIT (22:32)  Watching Sept 11 coverage 20 years ago - what do we recall?

INTERVIEW (30:39) Coming Home In The Dark director James Ashcroft

THE WEEK AHEAD (44:07)

Dan and Simon enter week ten of the lockdown. And then they start talking about horror. All lockdown and no play makes these guys... something... something...

REVIEWS (02:50)

THE MIDDLE BIT (37:59)
Lingering moments in horror. What are the moments in horror shows and movies that still creep Dan and Simon the heck out?

THE WEEK AHEAD (46:02)

Dan and Simon enter week seven of the lockdown. Simon has phantom popcorn taste sensations. Dan now always knows where the TV remote is.

REVIEWS (02:32) 

THE MIDDLE BIT (25:57) 

INTERVIEW with Come Play director Jacob Chase (36:35)

THE WEEK AHEAD (48:34)

The lockdown continues. Dan needs a haircut. Simon looks like he's getting younger.

REVIEWS (02:20)
Free Guy (In cinemas now)
The Newsreader (ABC TV Australia)
Reservation Dogs (FX on Hulu | Binge/Foxtel)
CODA (Apple TV+)
Miss (In cinemas now)
What If...? (Disney+)

THE MIDDLE BIT (31:24)
INTERVIEW with writer/director Johnathan Hensleigh (The Ice Road)

THE WEEK AHEAD (49:26)

This week Paramount+ launched in Australia. Screen Watching hosts Dan and Simon take a look at the Australian version of the international streaming service. They ask the big questions:

What a strange week - The Suicide Squad is a huge new Hollywood release that will only be seen in Australia this weekend in it's smallest cities as the rest of the country is in lockdown. Somehow, Simon and Dan were able to see it and have some (spoiler-free) thoughts to share.

They also deep dive into the big streaming releases of the week, talk about off-the-radar comic book movies, and Dan previews Paramount+ which launches in Australia this coming week.

REVIEWS (03:07)The Suicide Squad (In cinemas now & HBO Max in the US) Hacks (Stan | HBO Max) Val (Amazon Prime Video) Mr Corman (Apple TV+)

THE MIDDLE BIT (27:43)Movies based on obscure comic books and obscure movies based on well-known comic books.

THE WEEK AHEAD (43:47)

Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:

Reviews (05:50)

Interview: The Misfits director Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, Deep Blue Sea, Cutthroat Island) (21:16)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (49:30)

Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:

Reviews (02:04)

The middle segment: The best and worst M Night Shyamalan movie twists (32:01)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (42:28)

Despite a lockdown preventing cinemas this weekend from being open in Australia's two biggest markets, Sydney and Melbourne, Screen Watching, like nature, finds a way. We discuss the two biggest cinema releases this week: Space Jam 2, which finds it's way to (some) Australian cinemas after taking a left turn at Albuquerque. And Gunpowder Milkshake (which has a US release via Netflix and an Australian quasi cinema release). TV is more where things are at this week, with a look at new limited series Dr Death. 

Reviews (04:41)

The middle segment: Emmy nominations 2021 - a bit more interesting than usual (24:41)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (36:54)

Cinemas are supposedly back again. But Dan and Simon are in lockdown and had to watch the biggest movie event of the past two years on their televisions. This week they talk about watching Black Widow by way of Disney+. Along with more reviews of the other big TV shows and movies of the week. They also talk about legendary Hollywood director Dick Donner who died this week. And they interview director Christine Luby, whose movie This Little Love of Mine debuted on Netflix this week.

Reviews (04:41)

The middle segment: Our favourite prison experiences (42:48)

Interview: Christine Luby - director of This Little Love of Mine (53:00)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (59:47)

It's the Screen Watching lockdown special. As New South Wales residents are forced to COVID lockdown, Simon and Dan come to terms with the idea of having to stay in to watch more TV and movies. Oh, such cruel fate. But before that can happen, they engage in the weekly movie review duty of their Screen Watching vows.

Reviews (02:37)

The middle segment: Our favourite prison experiences (20:05)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (30:58)

In a bonus episode of Screen Watching, Simon Foster interviews the Writer/Director of new French movie Perfumes, Grégory Magne.

The movie is in Australian cinemas from July 1.

There's no question that the big movie of the week is In The Heights. Simon offers his thoughts on the film and we chat a bit more broadly about the failure of audiences to turn out for the well-reviewed film. We also take a look at the newest season of Bosch (but with a broader look at the series as a whole), movie Three Summers, and TV shows Tehran and Katla.

In an exciting development, we also have an interview with one of the world's most adored character actors, it's Joey Pants himself - Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos, The Matrix, The Fugitive, Sense8, The Goonies). He chats to us about his new film From The Vine.

Reviews (06:06)

Interview: Beloved character actor Joe Pantoliano (31:06)

The middle segment: The best five moments from the Indiana Jones movies (46:06)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (56:34)

What do you need to know about this week's podcast. Well, it includes reviews of movies with fast cars, documentaries with sharks, TV shows about sleeping with movie stars, and Rose Byrne getting Physical. Tell me you don't want to press play on that! I double dare you.

Reviews (01:41)

Interview: Physical showrunner Annie Weisman (26:02)

The middle segment: It's 2021 - should you watch the Lethal Weapon movies? (36:42)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (46:39)

It's a TV-heavy week for the podcast as we look at new TV shows Loki, Lisey's Story, Foodie Love, and Republic of Sarah. But we haven't forgotten about movies entirely as Simon checks out a new film starring Christopher Walken - Percy vs Goliath.

This week Dan debunks the idea of The Golden Age of Television and looks at one of TV's greatest shows that streaming forgot.

Reviews (02:52)

The middle segment: Maybe The Sopranos wasn't the dawn of the golden age of television (29:28)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (39:56)

Is Sweet Tooth set to be the new 'Stranger Things'? Dan reckons it is in with a shot. What did he think of the show? We discuss that, a whole bunch of movies, and Simon delves deep on the bloated movies made by directors drunk with power. Oh, and we chat with Whitstable Pearl star Kerry Godliman too.

Reviews (02:52)

Interview: Kerry Godliman, star of Whitstable Pearl (Accorn TV). (19:48)

The new middle segment: Cinemas Greatest Follies (28:01)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (46:18)

Simon sits down with two filmmakers in a bonus episode of Screen Watching. 

Andrew Levitas, director of the Johnny Depp movie Minamata (02:07)

Beth Elise Hawk, director of documentary Breaking Bread (19:13)

A big change for this week's podcast. We've dumped the news segment (if you want screen news, check out Dan's Always Be Watching newsletter each day) and in its place is a fun new middle segment. This week Dan take's us back to the 90s to look at the many sitcoms that sprung up following the success of Friends.

Reviews (02:14)

Interview: Miah Madden & Georgia-May Davis, stars of Dive Club. (31:05)

The new middle segment: Friends wannabe sitcoms from the 90s (43:33)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (1:02:25)

If you’re after reviews of Zack Snyder’s Army of The Dead and the third season of Master of None, you’re in the right place. Also on this podcast are reviews for Solos, a new anthology series on Amazon Prime Video. There’s also reviews of Songbird and Son of The South, which are both in cinemas this week.

We also have all the big news of the week and take a look at what’s playing in cinemas too.

Reviews (02:00)

News (21:07)

Interview: The Walrus & The Whistleblower director Nathalie Bibeau (38:13)

This week on the podcast Simon Foster sits down to talk with presenter Jess Hill about the SBS documentary series See What You Made Me Do. 

It's a huge week for movies with not one major release this week, but two. Will audiences flock to the new Saw franchise installment Spiral? Or will they instead check out the new Angelina Jolie film Those Who Wish Me Dead? Simon and Dan checked out both films and have some differences of opinion. It's also a big week for TV with the debut of the eagerly-awaited Barry Jenkins series The Underground Railroad.

Cards down on the table - it's a big week on the Screen Watching podcast. We chat with the son of Nicholas Cage - Weston Cage Coppola. He's an actor in his own right and stars in the new film Assault on Station 33.

There's also reviews, a look at the week ahead, and a deep dive into the news of the week. Join us for an extended chat about Flawless - a new technology that may render subtitles and dubbing as relics of the past. Simon and Dan have vastly different views on this.

Assault on Station 33 star Weston Cage Coppola

Join us this week for a very passionate discussion about the Academy Awards. Simon is an absolute fanboy. Dan is an anarchist who wants to see it all burned down. They discuss what they liked and didn't like about this year's awards. Also, the two send out into the world reviews of the big movies and TV shows of the week - it's a huge week for celebrations on screen from arthouse celebration of a cow, to YA Polish Netflix drama celebrations of nudity, to a celebration of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

That's a lot to celebrate.

Slide on yr tights and get ready to raise yr dukes, this week's Screen Watching podcast has Dan and Simon reviewing the new Mortal Kombat movie and chatting with it's director - Simon McQuiod. Dan also takes a look at the first season of Disney+'s The Falcon & The Winter Soldier following the series finale. And there's of course, more reviews, news, and a look at the week ahead.

Dan looks back at the first (only?) season of Marvel's latest superhero series.

Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuiod

Another big week for Screen Watching - we review the huge new HBO dramas Mare of Easttown starring Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce and the new Joss Whedon show The Nevers. We also check out new films The Unholy and Supernova. Oh, and there’s the new Irish comedy from Domnhall Gleason Frank of Ireland. We top that off with some news and an interview with the director of Gunda.

Reviews (02:20)

News (20:35)

Interview - Gunda director Viktor Kassakovsky (33:48)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (53:37)

If you're not listening to this podcast, how the heck are you to know that the new Amazon Prime series Them is one of the absolute best new shows of the year? Dan reviews it on this week podcast and lets you know what you need to know in the most spoiler-free way possible. Consider this podcast your TV and movies north star.

News (02:14)

Reviews (20:44)

Interview - Ascendant director Antaine Furlong (36:20)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (50:55)

Interview - We Don't Deserve Dogs director Matthew Saleh and producer Rose Tucker. (55:30)

Dan and Simon, influenced by watching a deliciously violent action film at the movies this week, punch up, down, left, and right in this week's podcast as they try to bring justice to the world in the most important way they know how: by talking about TV shows and movies.

News (01:13)

Reviews (19:07)

Interview - Disclosure director Michael Bentham. (43:32)

What's on this week - streaming and at the cinema (57:51)

Dan and Simon enter the Hall of Justice to discuss Zack Snyder's Justice League. Is it worth both the hype and the four-hour runtime?

They also chat with the director of the very good new film The Grizzlies, Miranda de Pencier.

News (02:18)

Interview (16:50)

Simon chats with the director of The Grizzlies, Miranda de Pencier.

Reviews (31:12)

The Week Ahead (49:27)

It's a week heavy on news and reviews. Frankly Simon and Dan have too much to say about everything this week. What are you waiting for - stop reading and just start listening.

News (01:33)

Reviews (22:25)

The Week Ahead (44:43)

It's a jam-packed Screen Watching this week because Simon and Dan know no other way. This week expect action, excitement, romance, and thrills. What you're going to get, however, is:

News (01:18)

Interview (13:38)

Dan speaks to Beke Lubeach, the head of DOGTV - a streaming service for dogs.

Reviews (24:30)

Another interview (44:33)

Simon speaks with Lucy Campbell, the co-director of new sci-fi web series The Big Nothing.

The Week Ahead (51:47)

It's a jam-packed Screen Watching this week because Simon and Dan know no other way. This week expect action, excitement, romance, and thrills. What you're going to get, however, is:

News (01:06)

Interview (25:27)

Ocean Film Festival director Jemima Robinson talks to Simon about the 2021 lineup.

Reviews (30:46)

The Week Ahead (39:57)

With Superman and Lois debuting on TV this week, Dan and Simon discuss Superman as a character of the big and small screen. They chart his evolution from comic book character through radio, movie serials, animated shows, live-action TV, and the big screen.

Strap yourselves in for another Screen Watching podcast. This week hosts Dan and Simon settle into their new podcast format and emerge out of it as absolute consummate professionals to the very end. As always, there's a lot of TV and movies to discuss:

News 

(02:10)

Interview

(26:25) 

Dan has a chat with Olivia Junkeer and Naomi Higgins about their new ABC comedy series Why Are You Like This?

Reviews

The Week Ahead

(54:43)

Dan and Simon talk about what's hitting streaming and playing at the cinema over the upcoming week. Somehow they forgot to mention Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. This was an oversight.

With 12 February marking the Lunar New Year, Dan and Simon have a chat with China Lion's Mick Robbins about just how important the Lunar New Year is to the year's box office takings. On this week's podcast you'll also hear Simon and Dan almost come to blows over the filmography of M Night Shyamalan, along with a bunch of film reviews and some thoughts on the raft trailers broadcast during the US Super Bowl earlier this week.

Yeah - it's another very packed show.
News:

Interview:

Mick Robbins from film distributor China Lion on the significance of the Lunar New Year on the box office.(21:01)
Reviews:

The Week Ahead:
What TV and movies will we be watching streaming and at the cinema over the next week? (52:12)

With the 2021 Golden Globes nominations announced, Dan and Simon rip into the weirdo choices made and question why we pay attention to these nutso awards. There's also some talk about reboots following news this week of new takes on Frasier and The Wonder Years.

Nora Unkel stops by to talk about her new film A Nightmare Wakes. It's about Frankenstein writer Mary Shelley as she deals with her own real life horrors while writing the famed book.

There's also reviews of the great new Justin Timberlake film Palmer and Marvel's first TV show WandaVision

Find your way through the show this week:

News:
00:59 The Golden Globes nominations
12:20 Frasier and The Wonder Years remakes are on the horizon. Also - what remakes do we want to see?

Interview:
27:46 Director Nora Unkel tells us about her new Mary Shelley film A Nightmare Wakes

Reviews:
39:06 Palmer (Apple TV+)
43:55 WandaVision (Disney+)

The Week Ahead:
51:21 What's coming up in the next week streaming and in local cinemas?

It's the very first episode of Screen Watching and boy did we learn a lot about ourselves and each other while making it.

This week on the show:

News

Interview

Reviews

The Week Ahead

Every darn week noted film & TV critics and handsome men Dan Barrett and Simon Foster will offer reviews, industry news, and some recommendations of great things to check out. But before they can start on that important business, it is important that they release a trailer. It's how podcasts work. Press play and then join us Friday mornings for new Screen Watch podcasts.