Sam Mendes didn't want to make another James Bond film after completing 2015's Spectre. As we discover in this episode, he had another film lined up that he backed away form. He decided to gamble on 1917, a movie that he had a plan to shoot in a really rather unconventional way.
When Gone Girl hit, meanwhile, Hollywood went looking for more books that it fe ... Show More
Today
In conversation with Aaron Sorkin
Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin joins Simon for an elongated chat about The Social Reckoning, Facebook, compromised reviewers, and how the pair would overhaul the James Bond saga. Plus! There's chatter about old film magazines, about making stories based on true people, plus Aaron Sork ... Show More
51m 22s
Sep 28
Quantum Of Solace, the rushed Bond, plus indie director Brenda Lee
In a huge episode of Film Stories, Simon digs into the story of Daniel Craig's second adventure as James Bond, Quantum Of Solace. Originally set to come out just 18 months or so after 2006's Casino Royale, the speedy turnaround saw one director leave, a writer's strike curtail th ... Show More
1h 22m
Sep 25
In conversation with former Carolco CEO Peter M Hoffman
Peter M Hoffman has had a very, very storied career. From working with Alexander Salkind on the original Superman movies, through to Cannon Films and Carolco, it was his tax specialism that saw him rise to prominence in Hollywood. But his story took one hell of a turn, as he disc ... Show More
52m 51s
Jan 2020
Sam Mendes, The Safdie Brothers, 1917, Uncut Gems and Seberg.
Director Sam Mendes talks about 1917 and The Safdie Brothers talk about Uncut Gems.Plus film reviews including political thriller Seberg, starring Kristen Stewart and Jack O'Connell and adventure movie The Runaways. Mark and Simon chat through all the films worth seeing in UK cin ... Show More
2 h
Jun 2019
The Best Movies of 2019 So Far. Plus, ‘Yesterday’ Deletes the Beatles. | The Big Picture
In this double episode, Sean and Amanda review ‘Yesterday,’ a movie that delivered in Beatles nostalgia but came up short in plot payoff (1:00). Then, Adam Nayman calls in from Toronto to share his top five movies of a slow year so far (42:50).
Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda D ... Show More
1h 35m
Jan 2020
Has '1917' Already Locked Up Best Picture? And Is That Bad for the Academy Awards? | The Oscars Show
After a victory at the Directors Guild of America Awards, Sam Mendes's '1917' seems poised for dominance on Oscar night. How did the most exciting race in years become so predictable so quickly? And if there are surprises on February 9, what will they be? Sean, Amanda, and Chris ... Show More
47m 9s