Mate Night: a film podcast of deep-dive movie episodes

One Battle After Another (2025) - film podcast review and deep dive from Mate Night. We pull apart Paul Thomas Anderson’s DiCaprio-led action thriller: politics, pacing, set-pieces, and whether it really deserves the “movie of the year” noise. Then we go back to Boogie Nights and the road not taken: DiCaprio nearly playing Dirk Diggler, choosing Titanic instead, and how that alternate timeline changes the way this new film feels.

the boys were in for a shock when they tuned into Park Chan Wook's The Handmaiden, for both good and bad reasons. undoubtedly the most needlessly graphic scenes of an adult nature that have been committed to film

Hot off its July 11 2025 theatrical debut, James Gunn’s long-awaited Superman reboot has already soared past $217 million worldwide in its opening weekend, kicking off the new DCU era with record-setting numbers. In this episode we break down David Corenswet’s take on the Man of Steel, Rachel Brosnahan’s quick-witted Lois Lane, and Gunn’s brighter, hope-first tone—while weighing the polarised early reviews that range from raves about its screwball energy to jabs at “cluttered backstory” and “generic” plotting.Join us for a spoiler-filled chat on whether this fresh start really delivers truth, justice, and a revitalised DC universe—or just another cape in the crowd.

The boys are back after a long summery break to review some of the blockbusters. F1 movie released in theatres ... recently.. and just Jamie watched it so he's reporting back to Fred. Enjoy!

Episode Description: The Minecraft Movie (2025)In this episode of Mate Night, we dig into The Minecraft Movie (2025), the long-awaited cinematic adaptation of the global gaming phenomenon. Directed by Jared Hess and starring Jason Momoa, the film promised a bold, blocky adventure—but with mixed early reactions, we’re asking: did it mine gold or hit bedrock?Episode Highlights:First Impressions: We share our gut reactions to Minecraft’s leap from console to cinema—did it build something worth watching?Rating Categories: We evaluate the film across our core criteria:Our EngagementStory InnovationCharacter DepthDialogue ImpactPerformancesVisual AmbianceSound IntensityCultural ImpactFeatured Segments:We look back at the checquered history of production on this film. How it went through 3 directors and 2 production studios before finally making it to theatres. Over a decade after the initial announcement!Final Score:Does it earn a spot among the best game-to-film adaptations, or will it sink into the void? Our unique Mate Night scoring system delivers the verdict.Why Listen?Whether you’re a lifelong Minecraft fan or just curious about how they turned building blocks into a blockbuster, this episode breaks it all down—one pixel at a time.

Snow White (2025)Mate Night is back! After a protracted break, we’re kicking off Season 2 with a deep dive into Snow White (2025), Disney’s latest live-action remake, directed by Marc Webb. With controversy surrounding its production and an abysmal critical and commercial reception, we ask: does the film deserve the backlash, or is there something redeemable beneath the surface?Episode Highlights:First Impressions: We discuss our initial reactions to Snow White and whether it lives up to (or down to) its disastrous reception.Patented Mate Night Machine Score: We evaluate the film across a series of different categories to reach our final rating.Featured Segments:We explore how Snow White compares to Disney’s other live-action adaptations, discuss the major criticisms, and speculate on how this flop might shape the future of Disney’s remakes.Final Score:With critics and audiences alike tearing Snow White apart, how will our scores compare? Is this a misunderstood film or a total trainwreck?Why Listen?We’re back and ready to rank every film ever made—starting with one of the most controversial releases of the year. Whether you’re here for the drama or just curious if Snow White is as bad as people say, this episode has you covered!

Reviewing The IMDb top 250 in Alphabetical Order Until Someone Invites Us to Cannes. This is 12 Angry Men. Join us as we dive into the world of cinema with our series, "The Road to Cannes." Each episode includes:🎬 Movie Reviews: In-depth analysis and fresh takes on each film.🎥 Unearthed Stories: Discovering hidden gems and untold narratives behind the scenes.💭 Provocative Questions: Engaging our audience with thought-provoking queries about the films.Our Schedule:📅 Podcasts: Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)📅 YouTube Videos: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)

Reviewing The IMDb top 250 in Alphabetical Order Until Someone Invites Us to Cannes. This is 12 Angry Men. Join us as we dive into the world of cinema with our series, "The Road to Cannes." Each episode includes:🎬 Movie Reviews: In-depth analysis and fresh takes on each film.🎥 Unearthed Stories: Discovering hidden gems and untold narratives behind the scenes.💭 Provocative Questions: Engaging our audience with thought-provoking queries about the films.Our Schedule:📅 Podcasts: Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)📅 YouTube Videos: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)

Reviewing The IMDb top 250 in Alphabetical Order Until Someone Invites Us to Cannes. This is 12 Angry Men. Join us as we dive into the world of cinema with our series, "The Road to Cannes." Each episode includes:🎬 Movie Reviews: In-depth analysis and fresh takes on each film.🎥 Unearthed Stories: Discovering hidden gems and untold narratives behind the scenes.💭 Provocative Questions: Engaging our audience with thought-provoking queries about the films.Our Schedule:📅 Podcasts: Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)📅 YouTube Videos: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)

Reviewing The IMDb top 250 in Alphabetical Order Until Someone Invites Us to Cannes. This is 12 Angry Men. Join us as we dive into the world of cinema with our series, "The Road to Cannes." Each episode includes:🎬 Movie Reviews: In-depth analysis and fresh takes on each film.🎥 Unearthed Stories: Discovering hidden gems and untold narratives behind the scenes.💭 Provocative Questions: Engaging our audience with thought-provoking queries about the films.Our Schedule:📅 Podcasts: Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)📅 YouTube Videos: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)

Reviewing The IMDb top 250 in Alphabetical Order Until Someone Invites Us to Cannes. This is 12 Angry Men. Join us as we dive into the world of cinema with our series, "The Road to Cannes." Each episode includes:🎬 Movie Reviews: In-depth analysis and fresh takes on each film.🎥 Unearthed Stories: Discovering hidden gems and untold narratives behind the scenes.💭 Provocative Questions: Engaging our audience with thought-provoking queries about the films.Our Schedule:📅 Podcasts: Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)📅 YouTube Videos: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)

Reviewing The IMDb top 250 in Alphabetical Order Until Someone Invites Us to Cannes. This is 12 Angry Men. Join us as we dive into the world of cinema with our series, "The Road to Cannes." Each episode includes:🎬 Movie Reviews: In-depth analysis and fresh takes on each film.🎥 Unearthed Stories: Discovering hidden gems and untold narratives behind the scenes.💭 Provocative Questions: Engaging our audience with thought-provoking queries about the films.Our Schedule:📅 Podcasts: Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)📅 YouTube Videos: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)

MN Mission: Understand What Makes "Great" CinemaThis Series: Reviewing Films Until Someone Invites Us to CannesJoin us as we dive into the world of cinema with our series, "The Road to Cannes." Each episode includes:🎬 Movie Reviews: In-depth analysis and fresh takes on each film.🎥 Unearthed Stories: Discovering hidden gems and untold narratives behind the scenes.💭 Provocative Questions: Engaging our audience with thought-provoking queries about the films.In this episode, we're tackling Joker. We'll explore three intriguing segments: "Reviewing Joker: What Went Wrong?" – a critical look at the film, analysing where it stumbled and why it divided audiences. "Defending Joker 2: A Colour Theory" – breaking down the use of colour in the film and how it impacts the narrative. "Do You REALLY Need to Method Act?" – debating the necessity and impact of method acting in performances like Joaquin Phoenix's.Our Schedule:📅 Podcasts: Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)📅 YouTube Videos: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)

MN Mission: Understand What Makes "Great" CinemaThis Series: Reviewing Films Until Someone Invites us to CannesJoin us as we dive into the world of cinema with our series, "The Road to Cannes." Each episode includes: Movie Reviews: In-depth analysis and fresh takes on each film. Unearthed Stories: Discovering hidden gems and untold narratives behind the scenes. Provocative Questions: Engaging our audience with thought-provoking queries about the films.Our Schedule: Podcasts: Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST) YouTube Videos: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)

MN Mission: Understand What Makes "Great" CinemaThis Series: Reviewing Films Until Someone Invites us to CannesJoin us as we dive into the world of cinema with our series, "The Road to Cannes." Each episode includes: Movie Reviews: In-depth analysis and fresh takes on each film. Unearthed Stories: Discovering hidden gems and untold narratives behind the scenes. Provocative Questions: Engaging our audience with thought-provoking queries about the films.Our Schedule: Podcasts: Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST) YouTube Videos: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 5 p.m. (UK) / 9 a.m. (PST)

In this episode, Jambo tries to bottle what it was about "The Critic" that lead to an astoundingly poor box office of $800,000 globally. First Impressions:He shares his initial reactions to The Critic's melodramatic plot and how the actors handled the awkward dialogue.The Mate Night Machine:He then puts the Critic through the Mate Night Machine, which as everyone knows is never wrong, to determine the final ranking for this flick. This includes scoring it in the following areas: Our Engagement Story Innovation Character Depth Dialogue Impact Performances Visual Ambiance Sound Intensity Cultural ImpactHow We Rate:Each category is rated out of 10, and they then calculate the average to give an overall score, providing a structured assessment of the film's impact.Final Score:"The Critic" is placed in context within the greatest films of all time to see how it compares.Posting Schedule:Catch new episodes every Wednesday and Sunday at 5 PM UK time (9 AM PST), bringing you insightful film analysis and engaging discussions.

In this episode, we delve into "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," Edgar Wright's vibrant adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novel series.First Impressions:We share our initial reactions to Wright's dynamic visual style and the unique blend of video game and comic book aesthetics that define the film.Rating Categories:We evaluate the film across several aspects: Our Engagement Story Innovation Character Depth Dialogue Impact Performances Visual Ambiance Sound Intensity Cultural ImpactHow We Rate:Each category is rated out of 10, and we then calculate the average to give an overall score, providing a structured assessment of the film's impact.Featured Segments:We explore the battle of the bands and the iconic duels with the seven evil exes, examining how these sequences contribute to the film's narrative and stylistic flair.Final Score:"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" is placed in context within the action-comedy genre, assessing its innovative elements and cult status over time.Why Listen?Join us as we break down Scott Pilgrim's journey, discussing how the film combines humor, romance, and action in a visually spectacular way.Posting Schedule:Catch new episodes every Wednesday and Sunday at 5 PM UK time (9 AM PST), bringing you insightful film analysis and engaging discussions.

In this episode, we dissect "Reservoir Dogs," Quentin Tarantino's groundbreaking debut that set a new standard for crime films.Episode Highlights:First Impressions: We discuss our first impressions of Tarantino's bold narrative style and how "Reservoir Dogs" has influenced the crime genre.Rating Categories: We evaluate the film in depth: Our Engagement Story Innovation Character Depth Dialogue Impact Performances Visual Ambiance Sound Intensity Cultural ImpactHow We Rate: To determine if this is a film worth watching, we rate each category out of 10, then calculate the average to give an overall score. This rigorous approach ensures we consider all aspects of the film's execution and its impact.Featured Segments: We speculate on Tarantino's career trajectory after "Reservoir Dogs" and explore key themes and the unique non-linear storytelling that have become his trademarks.Final Score: We compare "Reservoir Dogs" against genre-defining classics and evaluate its stand in the history of crime films.Why Listen?Join us as we dive into the gritty underworld orchestrated by Tarantino, where every character, dialogue, and scene leaves a lasting impact. Whether you're a seasoned film enthusiast or new to Tarantino's world, our conversation is bound to provide deep insights and lively discussion.Posting Schedule: New episodes drop every Wednesday and Sunday at 5 PM UK time (9 AM PST), so tune in regularly for fresh insights and lively film discussions.

In this episode, we dive into "Heat," Michael Mann's definitive crime saga that showcases a masterclass in tension and drama.First Impressions:We explore our initial thoughts on Mann's intricate narrative and the intense dual between Lt. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) and master thief Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro).Rating Categories:We critically assess the film across several dimensions: Our Engagement Story Innovation Character Depth Dialogue Impact Performances Visual Ambiance Sound Intensity Cultural ImpactHow We Rate:Each category is rated out of 10, and we then average these scores to provide an overall assessment, giving a quantifiable measure of the film's prowess and its impact on the genre.Featured Segments:We discuss the legendary coffee shop scene that pits Hanna against McCauley in a battle of wits and wills, exploring its significance in film history and how it epitomizes Mann's style of juxtaposing personal conflict with professional duty.Final Score:We compare "Heat" to other monumental films within the crime drama genre to contextualize its legacy.Why Listen?Join us as we dissect the layers of conflict and character development in "Heat," and explore how Michael Mann's meticulous direction crafts a narrative that is as emotionally gripping as it is visually spectacular.Posting Schedule:Catch new episodes every Wednesday and Sunday at 5 PM UK time (9 AM PST), filled with insightful analysis and engaging discussions on cinematic masterpieces.

In this episode, we dissect "Psycho," Alfred Hitchcock's iconic thriller that redefined the horror genre.First Impressions:We discuss our initial reactions to Hitchcock's innovative use of shock and suspense, and how "Psycho" has influenced psychological thrillers and horror films.Rating Categories:We evaluate the film in depth: Our Engagement Story Innovation Character Depth Dialogue Impact Performances Visual Ambiance Sound Intensity Cultural ImpactHow We Rate:To determine if this is a film worth watching, we rate each category out of 10, then calculate the average to give an overall score. This rigorous approach ensures we consider all aspects of the film's execution and its impact.Featured Segments:We explore the lasting influence of "Psycho" on the horror genre, particularly its role in the development of the slasher sub-genre and its effect on narrative structure in cinema.Final Score:We compare "Psycho" against genre-defining classics and evaluate its standing as a monumental work in cinematic history.Why Listen?Join us as we delve into the eerie world of the Bates Motel and Norman Bates’ twisted psyche. Whether you're a seasoned Hitchcock fan or a newcomer to his work, our discussion is sure to offer intriguing insights and a deeper appreciation for this masterpiece.Posting Schedule:New episodes drop every Wednesday and Sunday at 5 PM UK time (9 AM PST), so tune in regularly for fresh insights and lively film discussions.