Screen Brum - Brum Radio

ScreenBrum scares itself senseless with the Cult Horror special, with our guests in the studio, Robert Sharl and Xavier Mendik of the Cine Excess festival, talking all things cult horror. We talk about defining what Cult is, about classics of the genre, and why it is important to explore the darker elements of the world. We are also joined by Paul Stringer of the Weekend of Wednesdays festival of cinematic activism. This show is a must for all Cult film fans, and anyone looking for a way into this genre. Be warned, things get scary...

Screen Brum can't take the heat. We celebrate the end of the heatwave here in Birmingham by looking at the theme of "heat" in the movies - hot weather, fire, climate change and the ickiness of sweat on screen, it's all here. With all your favourites. Join us.

Screen Brum celebrate the world cup by talking about World Champions on screens. The drama of the ultimate sporting endeavours as seen through the big screen. With special guest Jack McGill of QTV Sports, talking about the storytelling skills required by directors of sports events to bring it to life for the viewer. Champion.

It's hot so we are in our shorts. Seemed appropriate for us to delve into the world of the short film, with director and curator Joel Blackledge. We have recommendations of the best short films from around the world, the places to see them and also discuss the big name directors who have worked in the field.

Screen Brum is B - A - C - K! We've been away whilst the studio has been rebuilt, but now we return with a triumphant show, all about (naturally) Comebacks. Actors that have dropped off the radar, Directors that went away then stormed back, films about comebacks and more. We are joined in the studio by Dharmesh Rajput from the Birmingham International Film Festival, which has come back (ahem) for the 4th time, with some fascinating films. Plus the debut of our new producer, Lucy. Enjoy!

Frank Zappa said that writing about music is like “dancing about architecture” and we on the screenbrum show have taken the mantra to heart by talking about pictures. To be specific, our show this week is all about MOVIE POSTERS. The great, the not so great and the utterly timeless. With special guest in the studio Graham Woods of the Jaws19 TV show and we are also joined by Carl Timms of Dark Matter films with some very exciting casting news for his latest movie Off The Grid. We spoil you lot.

Screen Brum take a leap into the darkness, with our Dark Futures special. We discuss the movies that deal with dystopias, darkness and despair, but we do it with a twinkle in our eyes and the best music in our ears. With special guest, filmmaker Joel Blackledge, we look into our dingy crystal ball and see what the future holds (according to the movies anyway). Are these warnings? Prophecies? Or do they tell us more about our present day concerns? Join us to find out. Agree with our choices? Have something to add? Let us know on @screenbrum or leave a comment below. Don’t have nightmares!

ScreenBrum take a leap into the blue, and explore the stuff that the majority of our bodies are made of - water. With music, clips and some surprising facts, we dig into the way that water has been portrayed on screen, and choose our picks for films and TV that feature: Too Much Water Not Enough Water Swimming Pools The Cleanliness of Water The Sea We also feature a special appearance from Carl Timms, of Dark Matter films, who tells us about his latest project through the medium of water puns. With all the best music from the wettest films, we know you are going to find this quenches your thirst for watery-film-radio.

Ever wondered how they make zombies look so terrifying? Did you know there is a job on movie sets for "contact lens technician"? We explore the magical world of special makeup effects with FX wizards Laura and Ben from the Father Phantom studio here in Birmingham. They reveal tricks of the trade, such as the need for a "panic word" and what actors are like when getting covered in latex. With our picks for the greatest makeup on screen, we'd be made up* if you could join us. *sorry.

ScreenBrum looks back at the year that was 2017, and we pick out our highlights - what were yours?

The Screen Brum show returns to the year 2001, exploring the TV and film that has stayed with us. We give our top 5s of the year, and disagree on whether or not it was a vintage year on screen. With all the usual chat, and the best music from films of the year, join us on our trip back to the year of the UK election, England's 5-1 win over Germany, and the first Harry Potter movie... ** _ _

ScreenBrum explore the contents of our skulls, with a look at the BRAIN ON FILM. With special guest Dr. Alex Conner of Birmingham University we explore the little grey cells and how the movies show them. Is your brain heavier that Einstein's? What is the brain blood barrier? What Adam Sandler film is the most scientifically accurate representation of Amnesia on screen? You will learn the answers to this and many other of the brain's secrets. Plus! Find out what you need to do to maintain brain health (apart from listening to ScreenBrum, obviously). ** _ _

Screen Brum interviewed Graham Humphreys, designer of many of the iconic VHS covers and posters of the horror genre. Parts of this interview were played in our VHS special (also available as a podcast), but here it is in its entirety. Interview conducted by Damien Hyde.

Screen Brum explore the origins of watching films at home, with a celebration of all things VHS. We talk about the horror boom, the technology itself and the ritual experience of browsing in your local video store. We are joined by Damien Hyde, VHS collector / geek / obsessive, and have an interview with Graham Humphries, legend of the video box cover art. So, adjust your tracking, and get going. ** _ _

ScreenBrum gets literary with special Guest Dr. Andrew Watts of Birmingham University's B-Film Centre for Film Studies. Andrew has written extensively on the art of adapting books (and other media) for the screen, and talks through some of his favourite examples - including Jaws, First Blood, Goodfellas, Saturday Night Fever and more. This is a fascinating insight into how books and films can augment each other, along with great music from these films and an AMAZING ANECDOTE ABOUT WHAT THE NOVEL "JAWS" WAS ALMOST CALLED... ** _ _

ScreenBrum rocks out with a global tour of bands on film - we look at concert movies, rock documentaries and fictional bands on screen. Blake and Tim are joined in the studio by Christine Franz, director of the acclaimed documentary "Bunch of Kunst", about the rise and rise of the band Sleaford Mods. Drawing on footage filmed over two years of travelling with the band, the film is a fascinating insight into a band on the cusp of breaking through, and a corrective to the sanitised version some rock docs have presented. Christine talks about how the film came to be, and gives her views on other great movies in this brilliant corner of the film world. Crank it up to 11, it's going to be loud.

Screen Brum delve into the murky world of international spying - with the boss of all spies - 007. We take a sideways look at Bond - the actors uncast, the scripts unfilmed and the songs recorded and unused. And of course, we play all the greatest themes - those that made it to the screen and many that didn't. But all of them are great. Blake and Tim battle it out for the best Bond, and who should be the NEXT Bond. Let us know what you think of the show on twitter @screenbrum "Nobody Does it Better". ** _ _

The ScreenBrum show on Brum Radio celebrates the majesty of Indian Cinema, in the company of Radhika Howarth, lifelong fan of the films, music and food of India. From its first movies, through the classical period and the growth of "Masala Movies" and the might of Bollywood, we explore the history, present and future of Indian film.

ScreenBrum wants to (fill) your braaaiiiinsss (with interesting discussion, reviews, interviews and music, all about the zombie movie genre). With guest Will McKeown of the University of Birmingham's B-Film unit we talk about the origins of the zombie on screen, the evolution of the genre and the best (and worst) examples from it. Including an interview with M.R. Carey, writer of the zombie blockbuster The Girl With All the Gifts. If you would like to know more about "Still" the zombie movie discussed in the show, the trailer can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/Hp1MROT_3Hk

ScreenBrum gets presidential. We talk through the good and bad fictional depictions of presidents and the White House on screens big and small. Want to know presidents' favourite films? You have come to the right place. Vote ScreenBrum!