Mixed Bag

106- Dean Spanley

Before James got bit by a dog (he's fine) he rather liked these furry animals. We take you to a recording pre-bite when he and the other hosts were 100% gung-ho on the beloved canines.

Introducing Dean Spanley (2008)! Directed by Toa Fraser and starring Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill and Peter O'Toole! If you're a NZer you might vaguely recall this movie, if you're from elsewhere you probably don't have a clue! But what is this forgotten film all about?

Set in Edwardian England where upper lips are always stiff and men from the Colonies are not entirely to be trusted, Fisk Senior has little time or affection for his son, but when the pair visit an eccentric Indian, they start a strange journey that eventually allows the old man to find his heart.

Is Dean a name or a title? Will Peter finally win his Oscar? (No. He was not even nominated for this) and what happens when national treasure Sam Neill sups on a particular wine?

105 - King Kong (2005) ft Jack O’Donnell

It's the eighth wonder of the world, Jack O'Donnell!

That's right, we've got the nicest guy in New Zealand film, Jack O'Donnell talking about Peter Jackson's King Kong (2005)! Before Peter Jackson was union busting and bringing about Hobbit Law with the NZ Government, he was transforming Petone into New York City and making a great big gorilla wreak havoc.

In 1933 New York, an overly ambitious movie producer coerces his cast and hired ship crew to travel to mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape who is immediately smitten with the leading lady.

But does this colossal monster movie which was one of the most expensive shoots ever hold up? Can we withstand the power of the three hour runtime? Will PJ ever trump the death scene of Lumpy with those horrific penis monsters?

You can watch Jack O'Donnell's short film Tama right now! It's an excellent watch.

104 - Stardust ft Charlie Potter

Today we're joined by the wonderful Charlie Potter to discuss the magical adventure/romance 'Stardust' (2007) by Matthew Vaughan, adapted from Neil Gaiman's book of the same name.

THIS SUMMER A STAR FALLS. THE CHASE BEGINS.
In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he’ll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm. His journey takes him into a world beyond his wildest dreams and reveals his true identity.

Will this be 'The Princess Bride' for a new generation or is that just inconcievable? Does the combined weight of gay icon Michelle 'Catwoman' Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro playing gay spellbind us? How does the Ricky Gervais cameo land now?

Climb aboard and grab a scabbard to see if this star is soaring or sinking.

103 - Katy Perry: Part of Me

Another first for Mixed Bag season 2, our very first documentary!

Cast your mind back to 2012 when Katy Perry was on top of the world, dating Russell Brand and her new movie Katy Perry: Part of Me was hitting cinemas in 3D!

Giving fans unprecedented access to the real life of the music sensation, Katy Perry: Part of Me exposes the hard work, dedication and phenomenal talent of a girl who remained true to herself and her vision in order to achieve her dreams.

But did Katy deliver a candy covered confectionary or is there something darker going on in this film? Is this actually the Marriage Story of popstar docos? Everyday when Katy wakes up does she hope Russell's dead? (OK bit dark, it's a quote OK?)

Listen in to see if this is a Firework or just a Teenage Dream we'd rather forget.

102 - Red Eye

It might be the summer of Cillian Murphy in 2023 with Oppenheimer but what about 4 August 2005, when this very week 18 years ago today, Red Eye was released and the general public realised just how 'killer' Cillian could be. Starring Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy and Brian Cox and directed by beloved horror filmmaker Wes Craven!

FEAR TAKES FLIGHT.
A woman is kidnapped by a stranger on a routine flight. Threatened by the potential murder of her father, she is pulled into a plot to assist her captor in offing a politician.

Is Brian Cox going to be the secret big bad? Could Wes reinvent the slasher genre again after the success of Scream? And where is Red Eye 2 aka Red Eyes?

This episode featuring a couple new surprises as we continue season 2 of Mixed Bag.

Pop Corner discussions includes Patrick Barnes shout out, Big Hero 6, Pixar Sequels, The Carpenters, Dredge, The Bear, average Richard E. Grant impressions, Aliens are real, Off Menu Podcast, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning: Part Two, The Firm, Wild segues, NZIFF and Sinead O'Connor.

101 - Pokémon Detective Pikachu ft Emily K. Brown

Pika pika! We're heading back just four years to revisit Pokémon Detective Pikachu with performer, director and Pokémon aficionado, Emily K. Brown!

We get talking our favourite little 151 critters and how this action adventure starring Ryan Reynolds and Justice Smith sat with us.

PARTNER UP! In a world where people collect pocket-size monsters (Pokémon) to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent monster who seeks to be a detective. (Sourced from Letterboxd)

Pop Corner discussed in Popcorner includes Barbie and Oppenheimer (relatively spoiler free but if you want to see both films knowing nothing, skip 7:13 - 18:00), Siren: Survivor the Island, Dungeons and Drag Queens, Dimension 20, Emmy Nominations, Traitors Australia, Cocaine Bear and FIFA Women's World Cup.

100 - Twilight [Live]

"Say it. Out Loud."

"100 episodes"

That's right, we're 100 episodes old, Baghags! To celebrate, we gathered together at Vogelmorn Hall on a cold July evening and celebrated with an iconic Mixed film and franchise, Twilight (2008). Huge thanks to Patrick Barnes for the sound and AV, Cass' parents for the screen, our readers Ed, Catherine, Mike and Jared and to our special guest! Listen to the end to discover who it is and visit our socials for the video version.

WHEN YOU CAN LIVE FOREVER, WHAT DO YOU LIVE FOR?

When Bella Swan moves to a small town in the Pacific Northwest to live with her father, she meets the reclusive Edward Cullen, a mysterious classmate who reveals himself to be a 108-year-old vampire. Despite Edward’s repeated cautions, Bella can’t help but fall in love with him, a fatal move that endangers her own life when a coven of bloodsuckers try to challenge the Cullen clan. (Sourced from Letterboxd)

What is there to say about Twilight? A huge franchise that introduced Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart to the world, it was a massive sensation but is the first film any good? Matt, Cass and James and our live audience cast a critical eye over Catherine Hardwicke's film and revisit the fashion, soundtrack and crazes of 2008. 

Thanks again for listening and here's to 100 more!

99 - Ready Player One

ARE YOU READY?

Because we've reached the end of our MixedBerg Miniseries with the only way we could, Speilberg's retrospective on legacy by cramming so much IP on the screen at all times!

That's right it's Ready Player One! (2018)

Based on the popular book of the same name, Ready Player One imagines an OASIS world where the VR headset is king and everybody is obsessed with Mark Rylance. 

A BETTER REALITY AWAITS.
When the creator of a popular video game system dies, a virtual contest is created to compete for his fortune.

Will Steven bring the magic touch to this loving ode to video games? Why are the avatars and the world of Oasis so drab? And why is Mark Rylance acting like thaaaat...?!

Don't forget to RSVP for our Live Event Twilight here so we know who's coming! Featuring many surprises including a special guest who may or may not be associated with the film...!
https://www.facebook.com/events/258968476818293

mixed bag live: twilight
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2023 AT 6:30 PM – 11 PM
Vogelmorn Community - 93 Mornington Road, Brooklyn

SaveVUW and StopTheCuts petition: https://teu.ac.nz/campaigns/stop-the-cuts/

 

98 - War Horse

Picture the scene: You're Steven Speilberg. Congrats! You've made a lot of great movies! You sit down to a show on the West End and you see a hella great show with some stonking great horse puppets. You think to yourself, this is one wicked tale, time to nix those horsies.

That's right, it's the movie no one was calling for, it's Best Picture nominee War Horse (2011), the second entry in our MixedBerg Miniseries.

Do you want two hours and 26 minutes about some horses that go to war? Have we got the picture for you!

SEPARATED BY WAR. TESTED BY BATTLE. BOUND BY FRIENDSHIP.
Follows a young man named Albert and his horse, Joey, and how their bond is broken when Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent to the trenches of World War One. Despite being too young to enlist, Albert heads to France to save his friend. (Sourced from Letterboxd)

Catch Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, Emily Watson and Peter Mullan and more catch some feelings for a horse called Joey. Does this play adaptation lose its lustre with real horses? Is it a yay or a neigh? And why do our episodes about horses get so damn weird and giggly. Find out in the one, the ONLY... WAR HORSE.

97 - Hook ft Ellie Stewart

Because we were a little late with some episodes, we're dropping a new miniseries a few days early!

Welcome to the mini miniseries of Mixed-Berg, the covering of Steven Speilberg's mixed films in the lead up to our 100th episode! And to kick things off, we're joined by returning guest, Ellie Stewart!

So put on your pirate hat and think a happy thought because we're flying to Never Neverland with Hook (1991) starring Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman and Julia Roberts!

WHAT IF PETER PAN GREW UP?

The boy who wasn’t supposed to grow up—Peter Pan—does just that, becoming a soulless corporate lawyer whose workaholism could cost him his wife and kids. During his trip to see Granny Wendy in London, the vengeful Capt. Hook kidnaps Peter’s kids and forces Peter to return to Neverland.