Mixed Bag
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A podcast looking at the mixed, muddled and meh movies throughout film history. Featuring Matthew Loveranes, Cassandra Tse and James Cain.
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4 days ago
96 - Monster’s Ball
It's time! It's the film that won Halle Berry her Oscar and we've timed it perfectly to discuss the 95th Oscars. The first and second time a Person of Colour has won Best Actress at the Academy Awards.
With that celebratory but also bleak premise, let's look at the film itself. Releasing in the same year as Swordfish, Monster's Ball (2001) is a completely different kettle of fish:
Set in the southern USA, a racist white man, Hank, falls in love with a black woman named Leticia. Ironically, Hank is a prison guard working on Death Row who executed Leticia’s husband. Hank and Leticia’s inter-racial affair leads to confusion and new ideas for the two unlikely lovers.
Who know that's what Monster's Ball is about? We certainly didn't! But what is the Monster's Ball? What role is Heath Ledger is playing and why is he billed ABOVE Halle in the opening credits? Will we buy this very Oscar-y baity premise or is Billy Bob a flop as Prince Charming at the Ball? Listen in and see for our penultimate episode of Hello Halle!
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Mar 7, 2023
95 - Swordfish
"You know what the problem with Hollywood is? They make shit. Unbelievable, unremarkable shit." So says Gabriel (John Travolta) in Swordfish (2001), but does this assessment apply to his own movie?
Cast your mind back to June 2001, the hairdos were wild, the pants were leather, the tips were frosted and terrorism and vehicles smashing into buildings were something freely depicted onscreen. 😬
Starring John Travolta with some...questionable facial choices, a baby-faced Hugh Jackman and the star of our miniseries, Halle Berry! In the thick of her capable kickass heroine era, will she actually get something to do or just deliver more bad lines in a sexy but aloof way?
Rogue agent Gabriel Shear is determined to get his mitts on $9 billion stashed in a secret Drug Enforcement Administration account. He wants the cash to fight terrorism, but lacks the computer skills necessary to hack into the government mainframe. Enter Stanley Jobson, a n’er-do-well encryption expert who can log into anything.
Join us as we dive in to see if this is a Swordfish or more of a Spoonfish.
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Feb 19, 2023
94 - B.A.P.S
Hello Halle once again!
We started with one of Halle Berry's most well-known roles so we thought we'd take a trip back to 1997 to discuss one of Halle's first leading roles, B.A.P.S (1997). And to keep the 1997 train going, we spend the first 20 minutes discussing Titanic: 25th Anniversary so if you're a Jack & Rose-head like we are, be sure to tune in.
Two clueless homegirls move to L.A. to become dancers, but instead find themselves scamming a dying millionaire to eventually become B*A*P*S (Black American Princesses).
How will Halle handle a comedy? How come Martin Landau is in this flick? Is the film deserving of its 15% on Rotten Tomatoes and 4.6!! on Imdb or are the criticism about the stereotypes justified? Find out all this and more in our latest Mixed Bag with Halle Berry.
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Feb 5, 2023
93 - Die Another Day
I̶̡̢̛͖̖͖̓ ̴̪̗̃͗̂t̷̘̳̹̜͍̣̒h̷̼̤͎̋̈́̚͝ȋ̵̡͔̪͇͑̎̈́͗̉̈́n̶̺̻̑͝k̷̛̹͈̮̥̜̋͌̕ ̶̡̛̤̯̜̲̯̿̽̚͠I̶̘̫̿͛͜͝'̵̪͉̰͔͔̹̈́̍̈͒͐́l̷͚͚̀̆l̷͈͓̾̓̍̍̌̃̾ ̶̨̮̐́͊̔͐̌̓͘D̷͉̊̒į̶̛̙̫͙͉̠̓͋̀͝ͅe̷̢̡̡̘̻̬̙͕̅̄̀̅,̴̟̅̑͆̑ ̵̛̝͓̆̍̒̀͘ä̸̗̹̠̯́n̵͔̜̔̏̌̌͂̔o̷͓̕ͅt̴̰̭̐̇́̚ḩ̸̝͂̈́͜e̶̝̦̻͎̩̳̫̾́̉͂͘̕͠r̵̢̯̹̘̦̅͌̊͆͠͝ ̷͉̱͍̠͎̬̾̂̿͊̾̋ḓ̸͖͈̥̳͔̑a̴̧̤̰̘͇̪͐y̴̪̬̠̯̒̋̑̀
It's time to take you back to the wild, stylish times of 2002! Random slow mo! Upbeat techno Madonna! Cool waterboarding montages??
It's time to check out Lee Tamahori's Die Another Day, the final entry in the Pierce Brosnan Bonds and our very first new miniseries, 'Hello Halle!'
That's right, over five episodes we're going to be looking back into the films of Halle Berry, Storm herself to celebrate her work and analyse the mixed entries in her filmography.
Up first is one of her biggest films, the film that killed Bond for a time before Daniel Craig brought him back.
Bond takes on a North Korean leader who undergoes DNA replacement procedures that allow him to assume different identities. American agent, Jinx Johnson assists Bond in his attempt to thwart the villain’s plans to exploit a satellite that is powered by solar energy.
Are we throwing this movie into a second sun or are we partial to a bit of ice palace in our shaken not stirred martini?
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Jan 22, 2023
92 - M3GAN
She's got a point. She's an icon, she is a legend, and she is the moment.
It's M3GAN, bot.
That's right it's the smash hit by kiwi director Gerard Johnstone. Available in cinemas now, the Mixed Bag crew head to the cinema once against to see if this robot is a TikTok flash in the pan or the real deal.
A brilliant toy company roboticist uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to emotionally bond with her newly orphaned niece. But when the doll’s programming works too well, she becomes overprotective of her new friend with terrifying results.
Starring Allison Williams and a bevy of New Zealand talent, join us as we determine if, like friendship, filmmaking has evolved. 🤖
Pop Corner discussions: The Traitors, The Circle, The Appeal, The Hobbit, Where Lies the Water, The Fablemans and Oscar predictions.
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Jan 8, 2023
91 - Avatar: The Way of Water
We said we were starting 2023 strong so we're recalling our 12th episode Avatar, a whole THREE years ago (we said 2 on the pod whoops) with the long-awaited sequel Avatar: The Way of Water.
Did James Cameron prove everybody wrong? Well, financially yes. But how does the story hold up? Are we really that jazzed to be back in Pandora?
Shout out to the wonderful folks at Weta Digital for their incredible work, we don't have anything bad to say about their work but does Jake Sully and his family hold our attention for another three hours? Listen in to hear what we thought and let us know your thoughts on our socials.
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Dec 25, 2022
90 - The Polar Express
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Happy holidays Baguettes! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas Day yesterday if you celebrate and are having a well-earned break.
Now that it's Boxing Day, it's the perfect time to kick up your feet and hear our annual tradition of inviting Lucas Neal on to discuss a Christmas movie! This year we're diving back to 2004 for The Polar Express by Robert Zemeckis. Along with our extraordinary baking guest, listen out for an additional surprise appearance somewhere in the podcast!
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
You know it, you've had nightmares about it but when a movie stars beloved dad of Hollywood Tom Hanks and an extraordinary train who don't need no tracks, surely we've got a ticket to ride to the North Pole?
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Dec 11, 2022
89 - I’m Not There
How many episodes must a podcast release before they cover Bob Dylan?
89 it appears because today we're covering I'm Not There (2007) by Todd Haynes!
Six actors portray six personas of music legend Bob Dylan in scenes depicting various stages of his life, chronicling his rise from unknown folksinger to international icon and revealing how Dylan constantly reinvented himself.
Is this new approach to a musical biopic a rolling stone or just blowin in the wind? Will the combined talent of Cate Blanchett in drag, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Christian Bale and Ben Whishaw overpower us? And how come we compare this to Cloud Atlas so often?
All this and more in our latest episode cover the man, the legend, Bobby D. Are you Bobhead?
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Nov 27, 2022
88 - Rat Race
We're heading back to 2001, the year when Shrek was king and when you could just gather some comedians and get them to do some antics and insane stunts!
That's right it's Rat Race! Starring John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, Seth Green, John Lovitz, Kathy Najimy and more.
A Las Vegas casino tycoon entertains his wealthiest high rollers by pitting six ordinary people against each other in a wild dash for $2 million jammed into a locker hundreds of miles away. The only rule in this race is that there are no rules.
A childhood favourite of James and never seen by Matt, what will the Mixed Bag crew think? Experience the Squirrel Lady played by Kathy Bates, an iconic concert performance by the hit band of the year (they're an All Star) and some very questionable jokes, check out Rat Race!
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Nov 13, 2022
87 - Mona Lisa Smile
As we begin a round of personal picks, Matt has chosen a genre the likes of which we haven't glimpsed in many a year, we take you back to 2003 with Mona Lisa Smile.
Featuring an incredibly stacked cast including Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles, Kristen Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Marcia Gay Harden, Mona Lisa Smile follows the story of Katherine Ann Watson, a feminist teacher who studied at UCLA graduate school and in 1953 left her boyfriend behind in Los Angeles, California to teach at Wellesley College, a conservative women’s private liberal arts college in Massachusetts, United States. IN A WORLD THAT TOLD THEM HOW TO THINK, SHE SHOWED THEM HOW TO LIVE
Will Cass, James and Matt find inspiration in this art history teacher? Will be standing on our desks saying O Katherine, my Katherine? Or is this a case of Mona Lisa Frown?
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Oct 30, 2022
86 - Casper ft Mike Bryant
🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃
That's right, it's the spooky season again and we've invited the foe of the podcast Mike Bryant back to talk about 90s nostalgia 'Casper' (1995) starring Bull Pullman and Christina Ricci!
Afterlife therapist Dr. James Harvey and his daughter Kat move into an old mansion, and soon Kat meets Casper, the ghost of a young boy who’s “the friendliest ghost you know.” But not so friendly are Casper’s uncles–Stretch, Fatso and Stinkie–who are determined to drive all “fleshies” away. (Sourced from Letterboxd)
Go back to the 90s and relive the questionable cameos from Mel Gibson and Clint Eastwood(??), the soundstage sets and debate whether Casper's behaviour is sweet or creepy. All this and a Lazarus machine in our latest spooooky episode!
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Oct 16, 2022
85 - Don’t Worry Darling
No need for a spit-take! You read that correctly, it's our Don't Worry Darling episode.
We're getting into the (miss) Flo of the 2022 blockbusters with this special episode, covering the controversy-ridden psychological thriller starring Florence Pugh, Harry Styles and directed by Olivia Wilde.
A 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company may be hiding disturbing secrets.
Is this movie all Styles and no substance? How truly Wilde does it get? Are we Pine-ing for more? Find out whether Cass, Matt and James are worrying or in wonder right now.
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Oct 2, 2022
84 - A Day at the Races
It's our final episode of You Must Remember Mixed and we've got some zany brothers to send us off!
That's right, It's the Marx Bros' A Day at the Races (1937) (we incorrectly attribute it to '35 in the ep, our bad!)
Doctor Hugo Hackenbush, Tony, and Stuffy try and save Judy’s farm by winning a big race with her horse. There are a few problems. Hackenbush runs a high priced clinic for the wealthy who don’t know he has his degree in Veterinary Medicine.
Does Cassandra's childhood favourite hold up on inspection? What the hell is the plot? Is James going to be chill with so many rogue horses? All this and more in our final look in the series.
Whatever we land on for A Day at the Races, check out some old movies and Don't Worry Darlings, we'll be back with something new very soon!
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Sep 25, 2022
Quick Mix 2 - The Quick and the Mixed
With Matt away, Cass and James will play!
The Quick Mix returns for a significantly shorter episode where we discuss See How They Run, The Amazing Race, The Devil and the Dark Water, The Terror and I'm Glad My Mom Died.
We'll all be back next week for a full episode on our final entry of You Must Remember Mixed.
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Sep 11, 2022
83 - Gentleman’s Agreement
You Must Remember Mixed continues with the 1947's Best Picture winner Gentleman's Agreement!
A magazine writer poses as a Jew to expose anti-Semitism. This super yikes premise stars Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and John Garfield. Will the well-meaning 40s film hold up or be horribly dated? Directed by Elia Kazan (On The Waterfront, Streetcar Named Desire), join Matt, Cass and James as they continue to travel back through time and see the mixed entries from the 20th century.
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Aug 28, 2022
82 - Rope
It's the first episode of 'You Must Remember Mixed' our season of looking back into the 20th century and picking some mixed bags from Old Hollywood!
Kicking off our series is the 1948 film Rope, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring James Stewart.
Two men attempt to prove they committed the perfect crime by hosting a dinner party after strangling their former classmate to death.
Can Hitchcock make a play adaptation engaging? And what's with the filmmaking style? Is this all in one take?? Join us as we dive into the story inspired by the murderers/lovers Leopold and Loeb.
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Jul 31, 2022
81 - Speed Racer ft Fynn Bodley-Davies
Go Speed Racer, go!
We're racing into this week with the action packed Speed Racer (2008) by The Wachowskis, selected by our new guest Fynn Bodley-Davis!
A historic flop of its release, Speed Racer took the shine off the Wachowskis when it first appeared but going back and opening the hood, there's a lot going on in this machine of metal. Is it incoherent and spluttering oil, a sleek automobile or something in between?
Join us and be pulled back into the world of 2008!
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Jul 17, 2022
80 - Bombshell
If you're an Oscar completionist and need to see all the Academy-Award nominated performances of that year, you technically have to see Bombshell (2019)!
Featuring a star-studded cast of Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie and introducing Make Up, join Matt, Cass and James as they see if this examination of the FOX news scandal is a gripping biopic or a cash grab capitalising on an important movement.
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Jul 5, 2022
79 - Elvis
Mmm thank you veryyy muuuuch
For your patience! Apologies that this was uploaded later than normal, we recorded ahead of schedule and then Cass and James just went off and decided to have a lovely holiday before editing and scheduling it in.
But now, without further ado, we return to the wonderful world of Baz this week with Elvis, starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, returning to his true-true origins and giving us a truly mixed bag performance.
Will we be sparkled with Bazzle Dazzle once again or is this nothing like a Baz flick, and will we be left crying all the time?
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Jun 19, 2022
78 - But I’m a Cheerleader ft Aimee Smith
It's Pride Month in America and we thought we'd invite along an incredible guest, Aimee Smith, wave our colourful flags and watch the lesbian cult film But I'm a Cheerleader (1999) starring Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, RuPaul and New Zealand's own Melanie Lynskey!
"Megan is an all-American girl. A cheerleader. She has a boyfriend. But Megan doesn’t like kissing her boyfriend very much. And she’s pretty touchy with her cheerleader friends. Her conservative parents worry that she must be a lesbian and send her off to “sexual redirection” school, where she must, with other lesbians and gays learn how to be straight."
Join Matt, James, Cass and Aimee as they take a look at one of the very few lesbian rom-coms and determine whether our squad should be cheering or cringing. Whatever we land on, 🏳️🌈 Happy Pride! Keep being fabulous 💋
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Jun 5, 2022
77 - Top Gun
I feel the need... the need for speed!
With TOP GUN: MAVERICK being a colossal hit in the Box Office, the Mixed Bag team decided to visit the original, a film none of them had seen.
They were not familiar with such iconic names as Iceman, Jocker and Goose. We truly were in for a treat. Did James, Cass and Matt enjoy the homoeroticism of this Tony Scott classic? What about the propaganda for the military? And while this film can easily be awarded a Top Gun, does it deserve a bag or a biff?
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May 22, 2022
76 - The Great Gatsby
*a gentle whisper* Gatsby...
It's the final episode of 'All That Baz!' (for now...) it's 2013's The Great Gatsby!
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio in one of his final boyish charm roles, Tobey Maguire as pining Nick Carraway, Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan, Joel Edgerton as her hubby Tom and THE TALLEST WOMAN ALIVE Elizabeth Debicki as Jordan Baker.
Chuck on that green light and get borne back ceaselessly into the past with another Mixed Bag...
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May 8, 2022
75 - Moulin Rouge
There was a Baz, a very strange enchanted Baz…
It’s our 75th episode and we’re celebrating with another one of our original picks when we first created this podcast, a film that truly represents the term All That Baz, Moulin Rouge!
Made in 2001 with Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, Moulin Rouge’s impact on culture was indelible. But is it any good?
Twenty-one years later, Cass, Matt and James turn their eye towards the frenetic, cringe and zany world of the Moulin Rouge and try to determine if we’ll love this until our dying day, come what may, or is it more than we can stand? (ugh such a roxanne). There’s only one way to find out listeners…
1:40 - Popcorner
26:01 - Feature Presentation & All That Baz Intro
42:16 - Most Visually Pleasing (Hot Butter)
1:40:25 - Bag or Biff
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Apr 24, 2022
74 - Australia
*Extremely stereotypical larrikin voice*
'STRAYA!
We've got dingos, we've got shrimp on barbies and we called over Hugh and Nicole to do a bit of the ol' pretend!
It's the first episode of All That Baz with his 2008 epic Australia. Available now on Disney+
Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces firsthand. (Sourced from Letterboxd)
00:00 - Start 04:23 - Pop Corner 34:37 - Feature Presentation 45:32 - MVP (Hot Butter) 1:27:14 - Pinocchio tangent 1:32:34 - Bag or Biff
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Apr 10, 2022
73 - Breakfast at Tiffany’s
What's that?! A film before the early 00s?!
Here at Mixed Bag we realised we had some recent movie bias so we're going back in time to the swinging 60s, where the fashion was chic, the love was free (debatably) and Breakfast was at Tiffany's.
It's also where white men felt a lot more comfortable donning makeup and performing yellowface.
Can this smash hit starring Audrey Hepburn, adapted from a short story by Truman Capote overcome its elephant in the room? And will they ever find a name for Cat?
Note: This was recorded in advance on the day of the Oscars, obviously many takes and actions have occurred since then, so treat this as our immediate reactions to the event that people can't and will not stop talking about.
And congratulations to James and Cass who, when this airs, will now be married! 🎉
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Mar 27, 2022
72 - Green Book
🎉 Happy Oscars Day! 🎉
In keeping with the theme of those little gold men, we're going back to 2018's Green Book and dissecting whether this Best Picture winner was deserving of the top spot and if not, how bad or mixed is it really?
Just like this podcast, this movie was "inspired by a true friendship". Don't know the movie, he's the rundown (thanks to Letterboxd)
Tony Lip, a bouncer in 1962, is hired to drive pianist Don Shirley on a tour through the Deep South in the days when African Americans, forced to find alternate accommodations and services due to segregation laws below the Mason-Dixon Line, relied on a guide called The Negro Motorist Green Book.
Catch the team's reactions to the movie and their Oscar chat ahead of tonight's awards. So grab some KFC (perhaps for the first time?) and dive into the book.
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Mar 13, 2022
71 - The Spongebob Squarepants Movie - ft Catherine Gavigan-Binnie
*French accent* Ahh the podcast. Where dedicated listeners form a parasocial relationship to disembodied voices who chat in week in, week out.
But this is no ordinary week, this episode we're joined by Catherine Gavigan-Binnie to chat about the movie adaptation of The Spongebob Squarepants Movie!
Made in 2004 and marking the end of series creator Stephen Hillenburg's run with Spongebob, the Spongebob series holds a soft spot for many, but does the sponge's first foray into films represent a series high or a bikini bottom? Don't miss Catherine's wonderful chat with Cass, Matt and James as they unpack beloved childhood TV and whether the rubber hits the road in this unconventional road movie.
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Feb 27, 2022
70 - Cloud Atlas
"There are whole movements I wrote, imagining us meeting again and again, in different lives, different ages..."
The time has come, we're finally covering the Wachowskis.
Directed by Lana & Lilly Wachowski and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, Perfume) Cloud Atlas is... well... what is it? Over to you Letterboxd description!
"A set of six nested stories spanning time between the 19th century and a distant post-apocalyptic future. Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future."
Exactly, that was on the tip of my tongue. Featuring Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Jim Sturgess, Ben Whishaw, Doona Bae, Jim Broadbent, James D'Arcy, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant, Susan Sarandon, Keith David and a ton of yellow face, th…
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Feb 7, 2022
69 - Cruel Intentions
69
(nice)
(OK so technically we're only on 65 episodes because of some reuploads and a promo ep for Apocalypse Songs but Podbean told us it was 69 and we recorded a whole episode about 69, so you're getting episode 69)
It's time for some late 90s Cruel Intentions, babyyyy.
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Jan 24, 2022
64 - Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
Its birthday season for two of our hosts (Cassandra and Matt) so what better way to reflect back over the years than a film that does that very thing in its storytelling.
It's time for the 1997 Romy and Michele's High School Reunion starring Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino Janeane Garofalo and Alan Cumming.
Two not-too-bright party girls reinvent themselves for their high school reunion. Armed with a borrowed Jaguar, new clothes and the story of their success as the inventors of Post-It notes, Romy and Michele descend on their alma mater, but their façade crumbles quickly.
A flop on its release, Romy and Michele has been reappraised over the years. But will the host find this film like meeting an old friend or will it be a high school reunion; awkward, weird and smelling of desperation.
Photoshop by Cassandra.
Links referred to in video:
Trailer for Romy and Michele
Gift of the Gab video, pre glow-up:
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Jan 9, 2022
63 - House of Gucci
🗑️ IT'S TIME TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH 🗑️
It's finally here, the episode that'll make you go Gaga, House of Gucci (Ridley Scott, 2021).
We wanted to start 2022 with a bang and what better way than a tale of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately...murder.
We don't consider ourselves a particularly ethical podcast so we didn't hold back. Can anyone wake up Jeremy Irons? What is Jared Leto doing? Is Gaga getting an Oscar nomination?
Find out if this is a Belle or a Biff in our first 2022 Mixed Bag.
Photoshop by Cassandra Tse.
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Dec 26, 2021
62- Home Alone 3 with Lucas Neal
It's (just after) the most wonderful time of the year!
That's right, we're just finishing up the tail end of the silly season and so it's time for our yearly tradition of reviewing a Christmas film with friend of the pod, Lucas Neal.
This year, he's chosen something a little controversial: Home Alone 3 which follows a new kid, eight-year-old Alex (played by Alex D. Linz). Our guest has thrown down the controversial gauntlet that this is the best Home Alone (!) Can this sacrilege be backed up? Who is this new kid? Is this film even set during Christmas?!
Have a listen and you'll find out what this is the perfect pick for this release schedule. Be sure to listen to get a pretty thorough unpacking of Home Sweet Home Alone too which recently dropped on Disney+. Thanks to Lucas for another great ep and Happy Holidays Baguette, we'll be back for some HOUSE OF GUCCI in the new year!
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Dec 13, 2021
61 - Anastasia
Born from a real life tragedy, this 1997 faux-Disney musical is a wild ride of strong liberties to Russian history, complete with a magical Rasputin with a deranged Christopher Lloyd.
Does the charm of Meg Ryan and John Cusack shine through the stilted rotoscoping or should we say do svidanya to Anastasia and her conmen buddies?
The last of our personal picks, before we get to our Christmas tradition, some random guest we've never met...?
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Nov 29, 2021
60 - Basic Instinct
A police detective is in charge of the investigation of a brutal murder, in which a beautiful and seductive woman could be involved.
It's the lurid, erotic neo-noir Basic Instinct.
Dropped in 1922, this box office smash made Sharon Stone into a star and perpetuated some pretty tired and problematic gay and bisexual narratives. Likes are you've heard about THE scene but is the film itself any good?
Join Matt, Cass and James for the second of their personal picks and see if this is sizzling or simply snooze.
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Nov 12, 2021
59 - The Phantom of the Opera
Here's there... the Phantom of the Opera! (2004)
🌹🥀
When camp bat-nipple director Joel Schumacher joined forces with the exceedingly OTT Andrew Lloyd Webber, it should've been a match made in heaven. And yet, The 2004 version of Phantom of the Opera is in some camps despised and most definitely mixed. What about Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum didn't do it for audiences? And can the combined forces of Simon Callow, Ciaran Hinds and Minnie Driver lift this charisma vaccuum?
Join us as we resume our personal picks and find out why this movie resonated with James as a young 'un and if it still weaved its magic in 2021 on him, Matt and Cass...
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Oct 31, 2021
58 - Hocus Pocus
Whether you're wrapping up your Halloween and emerging from your candy slumber or set to celebrate it tonight, Halloween reaches far and wide and the spooky season has got to Mixed Bag.
That's why we've popped on the 1993 children's classic Hocus Pocus, directed by Kenny Ortega, who joined the third-timers for directors on Mixed Bag. Not a great accomplishment but we love having you here, Kenny!
After 300 years of slumber, three sister witches are accidentally resurrected in Salem on Halloween night, and it is up to three kids and their newfound feline friend to put an end to the witches’ reign of terror once and for all.
Join hosts Cassandra, Matthew and James as they meet the Sanderson sisters (played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) and discover whether this film is a trick or treat and, more importantly, why is this children's film so goddamn horny?!
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Oct 17, 2021
57 - A Dangerous Method
Folks, we have reached our final night... with Knightley.
The film that spawned this miniseries, the feature presentation that makes most use of Keira Knightley's... advantages. Namely, one. Her chin.
David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method.
You may have seen the infamous clip featuring body horror levels of chin acting (link here if you haven't) but how does the film stack up?
Seduced by the challenge of an impossible case, the driven Dr. Carl Jung takes the unbalanced yet beautiful Sabina Spielrein as his patient. Jung’s weapon is the method of his master, the renowned Sigmund Freud. Both men fall under Sabina’s spell.
Join us the for final Five Nights with Knightley and be sure to hear our definitive chin ranking in Chins and Outs.
Note: We discuss the latest James Bond, No Time To Die in this episode. Timecodes:
6:11 Bond Spoilers Start
22:03 Bond Spoilers finish.
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Oct 3, 2021
56 - The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Hello Boys!
It's time to get Sugar Plum Sweet and dive into the magical world of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018). Our penultimate night with Knightley and our most recent Keira flick, Nutcracker4Realms is adapted from the 1892 two-act ballet which has some of the sickest classical earworms you've ever come across.
Will the trio find Keira's Sugar Plum Fairy sumptuous or sickly sweet and do chins still hold sway in these realms? Tune in to find out.
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Sep 19, 2021
55 - The Duchess
Announcing the return of Mixed Bag!
It's been quite some time since we last spoke but fear not listener, we are resuming our Five Nights with Knightley with our third entry, the epitome of Keira's period films, The Duchess!
What's it about? A duchess of course! But other than that? God we had no clue. But little did we know that they film is covertly part of the glorious gay agenda! That's right, the best kept secret, bisexuality courses through this films veins, happy bisexuality awareness week y'all!
Find out all about this little surprise that won an Academy Award for Costume Design. Was it just gowns, beautiful gowns is or there gold in this here film?
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Aug 22, 2021
54 - Pirates 2 - Dead Man's Chest with Patrick Barnes
ARRR!!
You liver lilies didn't think we'd cover the canon of Keira without investigating her most famous franchise did you?
This week we're joined by esteemed cat lover and fellow podcaster Patrick Barnes who, until now, has never seen a Pirates of the Caribbean film.
Did we want to spend seven minutes in Heaven in Davy Jones' locker or is this just one terrible beastie as bad as the dreaded kraken?! Join Matt, Cass, James and Patrick as we head into the franchise that was building a Cinematic Universe just as Marvel was coming onto the scene.
Catch Patrick's podcast The Worst Game of All Time on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
What film featuring Keira and her chin will imbibe for our third night with Knightley?
NOTE: This was recorded before New Zealand's latest lockdown so we ain't breaking no rules.
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Aug 8, 2021
53 - Anna Karenina
Our latest season 'Five Nights of Knightley' commences with the third and final Joe Wright and Keira Knightley reunion, Anna Karenina (2012).
It's cold in Wellington but it's nothing compared to Russia, let's hope that Anna wraps up warm, dodges scandal and avoids those trains!
But when handsome Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) stares at her from across the room, who can resist? He's certainly far more dashing from boring husband Karenin (Jude Law). Will Anna give herself to temptation and enjoy the greatest happiness?
Join Matt, Cass and James as they discuss the Chins and Outs of Keira's career and whether these five nights are well spent.
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Jul 25, 2021
52 - Clue w Mike Bryant
Mike Bryant brings his new discovered classic, Clue back from 1985 for us all to revel in its exceeding foolishness. Based on the board game of the same name or Cluedo depending on where you're from, Clue follows a star studded cast who try to determine who killed Mr. Boddy and why.
We have a tiny recorded issue with this episode with it being accidentally recorded from a laptop instead of a microphone. It doesn't sound awful but you might notice a bit more background noise.
Thanks so much to Mike for being such a wonderful guest, you can follow him at @onehatmadder on Instagram and Twitter.
Next time our Keira Knightley Season begins, but what will the first Five Nights of Knightley be?
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Jul 11, 2021
51 - Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron
The hosts make a startling discovery. One of their own has a deep connection the titular equine and knows the Bryan Adams songs by heart. But is this 2002 tale too simplistic and boring or is it a little seen masterpiece?
Join us for the iconic episode of Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron.
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Jun 28, 2021
50 - Jennifer's Body
It's our 50th episode of Mixed Bag!
And for our 50th we thought, what the hell! Let's do another film that's been on our list for a while.
Jennifer's Body (2009). Directed by Karyn Kusama, written by Diablo Cody and starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried, this horror comedy was slammed on released and has since been reappraised. Is it the lesbian text we've all been craving or is this body dead on arrival?
Join Matt, Cass and James for the autopsy on the very special 50th Mixed Bag.
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Jun 13, 2021
49 - Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont
We're doing it.
One of the OG Mixed Bags when the podcast was created, this is a big one folks.
Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont.
The #1 hit of 2005, beating out the juggernaut Snakes on a Plane! (A different time, a simpler time)
Dame Joan Plowright returns after her brief appearance in 101 Dalmatians and introducing Rupert Friend as Ludo. These two charmers may be divided by age but they're united by attraction. But how strong an attraction are we talking and why is this film weirdly... horny?
It has to be seen to be believed, the one, the only... Mrs. Palfrey.
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May 30, 2021
48 - High School Musical ft Ed Blunden
It's time to Get'cha Head in the Game, because we're Breaking Free.
That's right, this is no time to Stick to the Status Quo, it's the Start of Something New and We're All In This Together.
It certainly felt that way in 2006 where we were bound the collective passion for High School Musical. Chief among them was guest Ed Blunden who not only experienced the joy of High School Musical but played Troy Bolton in a school production! However, not everyone has seen the saga of Troy and Gabriella, listen in to hear what Matt thought about experiencing High School Musical for the FIRST TIME EVER.
Check out Ed's music at Benjamin Hyde Music which plays us out this week and if you're in Wellington check him out as Nathan Detroit in Wellington Footlights' Guys and Dolls! Tickets available here.
Dig us? Tell people on social media! It's the best way for people to discover the podcast. You can also leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and follow us @MixedBagPod on Twitter to stay up t…
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May 16, 2021
47 - 101 Dalmatians
It's the 90s, dog movies are all the craze and remaking Disney properties isn't yet an exercise in torture. But it needs a dash of something else, a rogue element, a little splash of GLENN.
The iconic performance from beloved Mixed Bag star Glenn Close. Here she gets to revel in the cruelty and chaos of Cruella De Vil. But how well does the performance truly stack up and is the film around her up to snuff? Is watching dogs really all that entertaining or is it a black mark against the film? Available now on Disney+, can't the film and tune in to hear our thoughts.
Dig us? Tell people on social media! It's the best way for people to discover the podcast. You can also leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and follow us @MixedBagPod on Twitter to stay up to date with what Matt, James and Cass are watching.
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Apr 4, 2021
Quick Mix
Matt and James check in while Cass is away for a 2 hour long Pop Corner spectacular to chat Oscars, Grammys, Globes and sliding down a pole to see your Top, Satan.
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Mar 21, 2021
Short Hiatus & Mixed Bag Minis!
Kia ora team!
We're going on a mini hiatus because of supreme busyness so we thought we'd start up a fun little thing called Mixed Bag Minis and it can involve you!
All you have to do is record an audio clip of you talking about a Mixed Bag you've seen or like and email it to mixedbagcontact@gmail.com and we'll likely air it on the show!
To give you an example, here's Aimee Sullivan talking about Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit in its entirety.
See you when we get back in the month of May!
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Mar 7, 2021
46 - I Care A Lot
Featuring recent Golden Globe winner Rosamund Pike, this new Amazon Video release, I Care A Lot (2020) features elder abuse, the Russian Mob and a surprise wig. But did we care? Did we care... a lot?
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Feb 21, 2021
45 - Burlesque
IT'S BURLESQUE
It's the early 10's and Burlesque is having a moment. Pop culture sensations Cher and Christina Aguilera team up to bring this vital new story to the cinema. What could go wrong?
Matt, Cass and James finally tackle Burlesque, one of the very first films considered when the concept of Mixed Bag was created. Will these air rights win out or is this show ready to shut up shop?
Dig us? Tell people on social media! It's the best way for people to discover the podcast. You can also leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and follow us @MixedBagPodcast (@MixedBagPod on Twitter) to stay up to date with what Matt, James and Cass are watching.
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Feb 7, 2021
44 - The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement with Aimée Sullivan
We're travelling to the generically European domain of Genovia with our guest and friend of the pod Aimée Sullivan!
Appearing in a cameo in our Sister Act 2 episode, we've got 100% more Aimée with another sequel, this time the iconic Princess Diaries follow up starring superstars Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews!
Also featuring Chris Pine at not peak hotness and way too much hair, Princess Mia has got to get married to secure the throne. Is this follow up to the smash-hit one to put in the diary or is it a royal embarrassment. Find out now!
Dig us? Tell people on social media! It's the best way for people to discover the podcast. You can also leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and follow us @MixedBagPodcast (@MixedBagPod on Twitter) to stay up to date with what Matt, James and Cass are watching.
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Jan 24, 2021
43 - The Paper ft Maxwell Apse
The Paper (1994) is a family classic of our guest Maxwell Apse and has a star-studded cast including Michael Keaton, Glenn Close, Marissa Tomei, Randy Quaid, Robert Duvall, Jason Alexander and the one and only Catherine O'Hara!
Following 24 hours in the life of a hectic newsroom, this little seen film by director Ron Howard follows the murder of a couple of visiting businessmen and reporters trying to break the story of suspects' innocence.
Check out if Maxwell can get the Mixed Bag trio to open The Paper and see if this is just a rag or the next New York Times!
Be sure to follow Maxwell @maxwellapse on the socials!
Dig us? Tell people on social media! It's the best way for people to discover the podcast. You can also leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and follow us @MixedBagPodcast (@MixedBagPod on Twitter) to stay up to date with what Matt, James and Cass are watching.
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Jan 10, 2021
42 - National Treasure
We're starting off this year big and what's bigger than stealing the Declaration of Independence?
As we've seen from this wild week, that may be easier than it looks. (Weirdly, we picked this film in Dec 2020!)
It's time to get nerdy and solve some puzzles with the one, the only... Nicolas Cage.
Dig us? Tell people on social media! It's the best way for people to discover the podcast. You can also leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and follow us @MixedBagPodcast (@MixedBagPod on Twitter) to stay up to date with what Matt, James and Cass are watching.
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Dec 27, 2020
41 - La La Land
"And the Oscar goes to..." The Best Picture Winner who wasn't, is this Oscar juggernaut the breezy refreshing romp through old Hollywood musicals that we were sold or have the lights of La La Los Angeles dimmed?
Basically, the question is, is there any love in our heart for jazz bros?
Directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, we ended 2019 with CATS and look how that turned out so here's hoping this predicts a far more lighthearted 2021.
This is LA LA LAND.
Dig us? Tell people on social media! It's the best way for people to discover the podcast. You can also leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and follow us @MixedBagPodcast (@MixedBagPod on Twitter) to stay up to date with what Matt, James and Cass are watching. Happy New Year listeners and thanks for staying with us all this time.
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Dec 13, 2020
40 - Happiest Season ft Lucas Neal
Kristen Stewart and MacKenzie Davis star in this queer holiday new release which puts the closet in Christmas.
To continue our Christmas tradition, we're joined by Lucas Neal to see if this is coal in our stocking or if it managed to make the Nice list.
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Nov 29, 2020
39 - Hillbilly Elegy
"Perch and Swivel!"
"You might think algebra is jail. But it’s not!"
"She wants my piss cause hers is dirty!"
All these iconic lines from the film taking Netflix by storm.
*Official viewing numbers unable to be released*
Close
Adams
Howard
That’s right it’s Hillbilly Elegy.
Based on the J. D. Vance bestseller, this might not exactly be a mixed bag but it’s another special event like CATS (2019) nearly one whole year ago. Is it really as bad as everyone says it is or is there a lil sympathy for this lil multimillion dollar elegy?
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Nov 15, 2020
38 - The Meg
"You're gunna need a bigger shark" -Movie Producer
The arrival of the major new talent on the Hollywood scene, the movie that introduced us to the megalodon, the marvel, THE MEG.
Can Jason Statham compete against the inherent star power of this indelible leading lady performance? Have we seen such soulful acting of the eyes since Garbo, since Hepburn?
The movie that made her, we can't stop talking about The Meg. But is the movie housing her up to par? Can Jason, Ruby Rose, Cliff Curtis, Rainn Wilson and Li Bingbing and Masi Oka from Heroes hold their own?
Chomp down on this latest episode and let the hot takes of Matt, Cass and James wash over you...
Don't forget to follow our socials and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Podchaser. Got a recommendation? Wanna come on the pod? Email mixedbagcontact@gmail.com
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Nov 1, 2020
37 - Rebecca
A remake of a Hitchcock's classic, will Ben Wheatley's separate the wheat from the chaff?
Starring Armie Hammer and Lily James, check in and see if Matt, James and Cass are saying "damn Danvers!" for this flick.
Follow us on socials, flick up a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser or just tweet about us to your friends! It really helps us get noticed.
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Oct 18, 2020
36 - The Greatest Showman
Ladies and Gentlemen (and non-binary folk) this is the moment you've waited for.
WOOO-AHHH-OOOH-OOUGH!!
We finally did it. Cass, Matt and James had never seen The Greatest Showman.
Until now.
Don't forget to rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Oct 4, 2020
35 - Ghostbusters ft Ellie Stewart
This week, we're joined by Ellie Stewart to discuss the 2016 Ghostbusters, starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon!
When there's something mixed And it's a little bit meh. Who you gunna call?
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Sep 20, 2020
34 - Tenet
All I have for you is an episode.
TENET.
Don't forget to rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Sep 6, 2020
33 - A Prairie Home Companion
Well folks, we've reached the end of the road for the Streepson. And it's a fitting finale with the Robert Altman's final film, 2006's 'A Prairie Home Companion'.
Gracefully accepting a role in the ensemble, Streep has deigned to be equal with the likes of Lily Tomlin, Woody Harrelson, John C Reilly, Kevin Kline and 00's Lindsay Lohan.
Is this tribute to radio drama just white noise or a love letter to a dying form. (Thank god for podcasts!)
With our rankings of the Streep's Mixed Bag entries, don't miss this final instalment and don't forget to rate and review us.
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Aug 23, 2020
32 - The Laundromat
The Laundromat.
AKA
My not-so-beautiful Laundrette.
The penultimate of the Meryl Mixed season. Check it out on Netflix.
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Aug 23, 2020
31 - Julie and Julia with Lucas Neal
The iconic Julie and Julia episode with Lucas Neal.
Not lost to the sands of time thankfully.
(Episode accidentally deleted for a hot second)
(Not as hot as the stiff c*cks Julia is holding in the pic tho)
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Aug 23, 2020
29 - The Manchurian Candidate
We made a boo boo and deleted some episodes! How does that even happen? Long story. Anyway, whoops! Here they are again.
The Manchurian Candidate. Part of the Meryl Streep Season.
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Jul 26, 2020
30 - She-Devil
It's 1989. A dingo has eaten Meryl's baby. She's made a choice, she's out of Africa and silk is now wood. So what's her next move? An adaptation of The Life and Loves of A She-Devil alongside Roseanne Barr who just started her hit TV show the year before.
A black comedy, She-Devil tells the story of Ruth Patchett (Roseanne Barr), a dumpy, overweight housewife, who exacts devilish revenge after her philandering husband leaves her and their children for glamorous, best-selling romance novelist Mary Fisher (Meryl Streep).
Listen in if this is a devious watch or if it's the devil in disguise.
Don't forget to rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Jul 5, 2020
Introducing Apocalypse Songs
There's no Mixed Bag this week but instead, we're treating you to an audio drama that Cassandra and James have been working on: Apocalypse Songs.
The five episode series follows a local radio station reporter Amy Louise Chen (Cassandra Tse) investigating the tapes of Clara Wilson (Catherine Gavigan-Binnie), an obscure 1960s musician whose cryptic lyrics seem to have predicted the future. Amy joins forces with Clara’s great-nephew Josh (Dryw McArthur) to investigate the mystery of Clara’s “Apocalypse Songs”.
Directed by James Cain and written by Cassandra Tse, this is the first of five episodes. Be sure to subscribe to Apocalypse Songs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
We'll be back with some more Meryl Streep Mixed Bags next week. x
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Jun 21, 2020
28 - Ricki and the Flash
Meryl Streep Jonathan Demme Diablo Cody.
Killer combo right? But things were a bit Ricki-ety for Ricki and the Flash (2015) when it first opened and the years haven't been kind. Despite a stacked cast of Meryl, Kevin Kline and Audra McDonald, it's certainly in the mixed area of Meryl oeuvre. The Mixed Bag team sought it out to see if it's the star Ricki always dreams of being of it's just a Flash in the pan.
Make sure to check out Apocalypse Songs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. The episodes air on July 5th on our feed but it's available to subscribe right now.
Oh and don't forget to rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Jun 7, 2020
27 - Mamma Mia
It's the first of our Meryl Streep Season and we're kicking it off with a bang with Mamma Mia (2008)
Please consider signing petitions and donating to the Black Lives Matter movement:
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#
And please visit ArmsDown.NZ so they can provide you with useful scripts to let the NZ Police and your local MP know that Aotearoa doesn't want Armed Police Patrols:
https://armsdown.nz/
Pacific people are 3x more likely than Pākehā to be the victims of police violence. Māori are almost 8x more likely. More police with guns in brown neighbourhoods will lead to more police bullets in brown people. ARMED POLICE PATROLS WILL COMMIT RACIST SHOOTINGS IF WE DON’T STOP THEM.
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May 24, 2020
26 - The Village w Kevin Karn
Welcome to The Village. There are some rules for you to follow:
1. Let Kevin Karn on the podcast for he is good.
2. Do not get too mad at the twists though they annoy.
3. Bag it or biff it. There is no in-between.
Misunderstood masterpiece or infuriating twaddle? M. Night Shyamalan's 2004 'period piece' is counted by some as the beginning of his 'bad patch'. But is The Village something to be avoided? Or can you walk freely through it without fear of monsterous storytelling?
We're joined by our very first international guest Kevin Karn this episode! You might've seen him in 2018's Summer Shakespeare 'The Comedy of Errors' and today he's digging into the movie that left him intrigued and disappointed when he first watched it. Is the same true now?
Don't forget to rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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May 17, 2020
25 - Tommy
"He's a pinball wizard There has got to be a twist A pinball wizard's Got such a supple wrist!" A boy that witnesses his father being murdered by his stepfather and mother goes deaf, dumb and blind before becoming a pinball wizard and founding a cult. Yeah, just your average 70s flick. Welcome to 'Tommy' (1975) directed by Ken Russell! Chosen because the Mixed Bag team were desperate to see Ann-Margret movie that actually utilizes her skills, does Ann-Margret make a meal of her performance or is she just floundering about in some beans? (Google Ann-Margret beans if you want a taste of Tommy's mayhem). We'll be going to The Village soon like we promised but right now, enjoy seeing Tommy, hearing Tommy, touching Tommy?? (It's a lyric).
Don't forget to rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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May 10, 2020
24 - Sister Act 2 ft Aimée Sullivan
"Your teacher says take off your robes"
It's the final episode of our 1993 mini season and we're going out with a belt! That's right, it's Sister Act 2, Back in the Habit, starring Whoopi Goldberg and icon of the 90s Lauryn Hill.
Despised by the critics on its release (7% on Rotten Tomatoes), dismissed by some fans and cherished by others, the debate on Sister Act 2 is well and truly mixed. Was Delores donning the robes and inspiring the students of St Francis the right move? Or did the public just want more of Sister Roberts, Sister Mary Patrick, Sister Lazarus and Revered Mother and not these damn kids?
Don't forget to rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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May 3, 2020
23 - The Joy Luck Club
Ahhh clubs. We've all been in one, but have you ever heard of one with such joy? Or luck?
No, never.
Welcome to The Joy Luck Club by returning director Wayne Wang (Maid in Manhattan) the second in our 1993 mini season. Starring the voice of Mulan herself, Ming-Na Wen, and Adapted from a bestseller by author Amy Tan, The Joy Luck Club explores the relationship between Chinese-American women and their Chinese immigrant mothers. There's a lot of stories, there's a lot of trauma. Content warning for this episode.
Grab a chair and join the table for a round of mahjong and let's see how joyful and lucky this club really is.
Don't forget to rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Apr 26, 2020
22 - Grumpy Old Men
All this lockdown making you feel a little grumpy? Let your anxiety and frustration be expressed by two of the best grumps around, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau!
The very first of our '93 picks, Grumpy Old Men was a childhood pick from host James, where John Gustovson (Lemmon) and Max Goldman's (Matthau) whole life is three actions: bicker, argue and fish. That is until a mysterious and zany new neighbour moves in, she zooms around on a snowmobile and has nude busts, it's the Manic Pixie Dream Woman Ariel Traux! (Ann-Margret)
Will the hosts be charmed by the pranks of these twwo geezers as they feud for the love of a woman they barely even bother to know?
NOTE: We repeatedly say the 48 Hour Film Festival screening will be the 9th. It'll be on the 8th at 9:30pm.
Don't forget to rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Apr 19, 2020
21 - Southland Tales w Johnny Crawford
"This is how the world ends, not with a whimper but with a bang."
What does The Rock, Sarah Michelle Gellar, two Sean William Scotts, Justin Timberlake and enough SNL cast members to be a full episode create? Richard Kelly's Southland Tales.
We're joined by the delightful Johnny Crawford, Vice-President of the Film Society to guide us through this labyrinthine plot and immerse us in the then-future 2008 Venice Beach realness.
A huge flop with it's premiere at Cannes in 2006, Southland Tales has been undergoing a reappraisal lately. Is it a masterful black comedy, a ruthless satire of the Bush era, a surreal Lynchian adventure or a weirdly prescient tale of the Trump era, or is it just trash.
Johnny, Cass, Matt and James open the bag to try to discern if Southland Tales has got soul.
Don't forget to rate and write a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if yo…
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Apr 12, 2020
20 - Interstellar
We reached a landmark, 20 episodes! To celebrate we're going to go plant some American flags on planets and wish the legendary Bill Irwin a happy birthday.
That's right, we're off to space! Christopher Nolan's 2014 epic Interstellar was a giant but how many people actually saw it? James certainly didn't and he was a big Nolan fan, why did the worm turn against ol' Chris and why are you calling James a worm? That's rude.
Don't miss hearing the team chat Matt and Matt in this movie, as well as Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, Timothée Chalamet, Ellen Burstyn and... TOPHER GRACE??!!
Don't forget to rate us on Apple Podcasts, we got our first one this episode and we're keen to read more!
Follow us on Twitter (@MixedBagPod), Facebook (MixedBagPod) and Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Apr 5, 2020
19 - Newsies
Yo! You want some papes?
Welcome to the turn of the century, where we newsies gotta distributes these papes and we're gettin paid nuttin' for 'em! I'm getting angry, and I know my pal Jack Kelly (Christain Bale) is too! I sure hope he starts a revolt so we newsies can unionize, all while dancin our scruffy feet off an' singin' our little lungs out!
A huge Box Office flop, this is the film Disney doesn't want you to see. Starring Christian Bale, Robert Duvall and one of our podcast hosts, James Cain??
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Mar 29, 2020
18 - Murder Mystery
Does your marriage need a little zhoosh? How about solving a murder together? That's what Audrey (Jennifer Aniston) and Nick (Adam Sandler) find themselves doing when Charles Cavendish (Luke Evans) invites them on a luxury cruise ship.
The first of our weekly series starts with Netflix's Murder Mystery so you can watch along and see if you agree. You'll be getting a lot more of the Mixed Bag team as they've suddenly got a lot more time on their hands.
While you know for certain that the Matt, Cass and James will butcher the plot of this movie, does this movie kill their vibe or did it slay them?
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Mar 22, 2020
17 - The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus ft Ruby Kemp
Take a moment from your real life to step into... the Imaginarium.
It's 2009, Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell hold the same cultural cache, Andrew Garfield goes uncredited on the film's poster and Terry Gilliam hasn't put a Monty Python style foot in his mouth with comments about white men and how they're the real victims.
No, this is a time when there's a duel between a Doctor and a Devil, a travelling circus and we all had broken hearts over an incredible actor called Heath.
We're joined by the awesome Ruby Kemp who has loved this filmed for 10 years. She revisits it today, what did she and the team think? Was it a visual extravaganza or an overstimulating mess?
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Mar 8, 2020
16. Treasure Planet
2002. It was a different time. Treasure Island? Pff! Forget that, it's a whole damn PLANET, mate!
Joseph Gordon Levitt was hot stuff, fresh off 3rd Rock From The Sun and about to carve out his career as a serious actor, what better teen to take on the iconic role of Jim Hawkins.
Disney was... well, struggling but there was great innovation to be made playing with 2D and 3D animation, did they crack it this time? How long did they spend on human characters or were they just having the time of their life making some dope space aliens?
A distant memory in James' childhood, did this Planet stand the test of time or was this not Treasure but trash?
Find out on this week's Mixed Bag...
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Feb 23, 2020
15 - The Hudsucker Proxy w Jonny Potts
Say listener, you, yes you! You wanna gig, kid? The years 1958 and we've got the scoop of the century! Vernon Hudsucker has gone kaput, kablamo! Who'll take over the company? His righthand man, the cigar chomping Sidney J Mussburger? Or will it be some nobody from the street? Hurry up kid, this story ain't gunna write itself!
This week we're joined by the incredible Jonny Potts, watching a VHS copy of The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), a Joel & Ethan Coen joint, written by them and their pal Sam Raimi. Have you stumbled across this little known flick starring Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Paul Newman?
If you enjoy Jonny Potts discussing VHS on our pod, you can hear him in more detail in his Fringe Festival show "The Best Show In Town Is At Your Place Every Night", a guided tour of the video shops of Wellington. On from 3-6 March at BATS Theatre 9pm, Jonny is a master storyteller and we can't wait to see what he has in store. https://nz.patronbase.com/_BATS/Productions/JONN/Performan…
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Feb 9, 2020
14 - She's All That
It was the summer of 1999 and Freddie Prince Jr was riding the wave of stardom, starring in an incredibly loose adaptation of Pygmalion and My Fair Lady with rising star Rachael Leigh Cook. Featuring the most insane cast of the 90s and three, count 'em, THREE stars of the upcoming Scooby Doo.
Don't be silent on this like Sarah Michelle Gellar's cameo, you've got to see this star studded cast ft Usher, Lil Kim, Kieran Culkin, Gabrielle Union and Academy Award Winner Anna Paquin. Is this film All That or All Talk? Find out right now.
Leave us a review on iTunes and you can follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Jan 26, 2020
13 - Evita
"Eva!" Antonio Banderas roared, bathed in a river of flowing water, dancing freely and celebrating the glory and majesty of María Eva Duarte de Perón. Did Matt, Cass and James feel similarly towards the First Lady of Argentina and this film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita? Does Madonna steal our hearts or only our time? When will Antonio Banderas' Oscar come? Why is Jonathan Price's hairpiece so bad? This massive movie musical was a box office smash, listen in if we're wanting to smash it.
Leave us a review on iTunes and you can follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Jan 12, 2020
12 - Avatar
"I See You" That's right, for our first episode of 2020, we're doing one of the biggest films of all time, the one that everyone forgot. Folks, welcome back to Pandora.
Matt, Cass and James not only waded into the hyper-blue depths of this 2009 juggernaut, we watched the extended cut, featuring more creatures, more Sigourney and the occasional dodgy CGI shot.
Were the trio charmed by the visit to the Hometree, or were we like Neytiri and we couldn't stop called Jake Sully skxawng (moron)? Listen to find out.
If you liked this episode, please rate us on iTunes. It does wonders for helping this podcast reach new listeners and we might even read some on the podcast!
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Dec 29, 2019
11 - CATS w Patrick Barnes
"Would you like to see me make the Jellicle choice?" It's here Baguettes. The moment you've been waiting for, you've had your Christmas presents but there's one more waiting for you on your podcast feed. Our thoughts on the horrific Lovcraftian Phantasmagoria CATS (2019) by Tom Hooper. Some of Hollywood's best performers (and Rebel Wilson) star in this nightmare fuel. Don't miss your opportunity to witness it yourself. Our guest, the terrific Patrick Barnes, has seen it twice already!
And remember, a cat is not a dog.
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Dec 15, 2019
10 - The Family Stone w Lucas Neal
It's part two of our Christmas double with Lucas Neal! Lucas wanted to watch iconic Christmas movie, wholesome and loving with likeable characters and its heart in the right place. Instead we watched The Family Stone.
The plot follows the Christmas holiday misadventures of the Stone family when the eldest son, (Dermot Mulroney), brings his uptight girlfriend (Sarah Jessica Parker) home with the intention of proposing to her with a cherished heirloom ring. Overwhelmed by the hostile reception, she begs her sister to join her for emotional support, triggering further complications.
Did the team like it or does the teaser poster sum up our thoughts on this movie? 🖕 Listen in to find out and happy holidays Baguettes!
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Dec 1, 2019
9 - Last Christmas w Lucas Neal
"Last Christmas, I recommended my pod but the very next day, you unsubscribed away" **SPOILER WARNING** Be warned, we spoil the hell out of Paul Feig's Last Christmas, starring Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding. And we're joined by special guest and Christmas connoisseur Lucas Neal!
Will A Simple Favour from Tom help Kate appreciate the true power of Christmas? Why does he always dress the same? Can you Name The Six?
We dig into this ode to George Michael, penned by Emma Thompson and her husband Greg as we ask ourselves, why isn't there more rom-coms based around Christmas time?
Don't make this your Last Podcast x
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Nov 17, 2019
8 - Spice World w Catherine Zulver
If you wanna be my lover, you gotta listen to my pod! It's our first ep with a guest and we're going to the World of Spice with Catherine Zulver! What's it like to revisit this camp classic for spice aficionados Cass, Matt and Cat? What does a spice virgin like James think of Ginger, Scary, Posh, Sporty and Baby as well as an irate Richard E. Grant, Roger Moore's pets and creepy alien fans?
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Nov 3, 2019
7 - Mommie Dearest
"Tina, pass me the axe." Happy (belated) Halloween, Baguettes. Is there anything more iconic that Faye Dunaway giving it her all as Joan Crawford? Matt, Cass and James didn't know because they had not yet witnessed the mesmerising train wreck that is Mommie Dearest (1981), based on Christina Crawford's tell-all memoir published a year after her mother's death. Find out if they're biffing Crawford and Dunaway or keeping her for good. One things for certain:
NO MORE WIREHANGERS!!
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Oct 20, 2019
6 - Shutter Island
One big island demands one big episode, we're looking at Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island! Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo as well groomed men of the 50s you just love to ship, these duly appointed federal marshals are gunna smoke out all the nonsense on this isle. Where's Rachel Solando? Why did Michelle Williams book this gig? Why are you all wet, baby? Can James' Halloween pick sway Matt and Cass or is this island getting shuttered up for good?
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Oct 6, 2019
5 - Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
To Infinity and beyond? With Nick and Norah and their playlist?
Cass, Matt and James are doubting their chances with this indie mixed bag starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings about one long night of music, love and way too much gross out humour.
Will we placing this flick on our nostalgia playlist or is it going the way of the tape and CD, straight into the biff?
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Sep 22, 2019
4 - Maid In Manhattan
Praise New Yawk, we gotta new ep! That's right, we couldn't resist a J-Lo flick with how much Hustlers is popping off so it's Maid in Manhattan (2002) time! Starring Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes and a ton of great supporting actors. The hustle is real for a maid (in Manhattan), especially when you're a poor, single mum, raising a young Republican. But never fear, a handsome senator-to-be doing the worst American accent might be just around a corner with a dog and Stanley Tucci in tow. Had we already made (in Manhattan) our minds up about this mixed bag? Did we J-Love it? Why isn't Tyler Posey's career bigger? Cause that kid is TALENTED!
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Sep 7, 2019
3 - Bedazzled
Welcome back! This week we dive into a strange new world where one of the hottest movie stars was a charming, doughboy called Brendan Fraser. Bedazzled (2000) stars Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley, directed by Harold Ramis.
It's the Faust narrative all over again but this time, with SEX! Elliot Richards is a uncool dude that can't find love or friends until he bumps into The Devil, complete in Jessica Rabbit regalia. She offers him seven wishes to make the love of his life, Alison (Frances O'Connor) notice and fall in love with him and all he has to exchange? His soul.
A childhood favourite of James, will the trio be dazzled by The Devil or the flick send it straight to hell?
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Aug 24, 2019
2 - Across The Universe
This week we're sailing into the cosmos with the Beatles jukebox musical, Across The Universe! Were we charmed by the soulful Sturgess? Did Evan Rachel Wood evan make an impression? Could we "take more" of Taymor's visuals? Listen in to see if Matt, James and Cass want to bag it or biff it.
Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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Aug 7, 2019
1 - Forrest Gump
Welcome to our bumper pilot episode of Mixed Bag!
The latest movie podcast to grace your screens, Mixed Bag looks at the mixed, muddled and meh movies throughout film history. Featuring Matthew Loveranes, Cassandra Tse and James Cain.
For our first episode we wanted to go big, and what bigger film than the Oscar winning Tom Hanks vehicle Forrest Gump that took the world by storm in 1994?
Nowadays the sheen has come off Gump and Matt, Cass and James open the bag to find out if what's inside is worth bagging or binning. Follow us on Facebook (MixedBagPod), Instagram (@MixedBagPodcast) and Twitter (@MixedBagPod) or email us at mixedbagcontact@gmail.com if you have a request.
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