Fred Asquith On Film

This week on FoF we honour the release of James McAvoy's directorial debut CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' by ranking The Best Movies Directed by Actors. Largely a subjective list of 19, but with some input from you guys from the group chat. Expect mentions of Favreau, Stiller, Gerwig, Wilde and more. Oh, and of course Clint.
I then review CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' and discuss how it's themes of northern aspiration resonate with me.
We also find time to discuss the potential long-term cultural impact of THE DRAMA (review on last week's show) before rounding off with praise for the cast of SNL UK.

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TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Intro
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(00:18) The Top 19 Movies Directed By Actors (Group Chat)
(03:45) Citizen Kane (Orson Welles)
(04:32) Wuthering Heights (Emerald Fennel)
(05:20) The Town (Ben Affleck)
(07:10) Mid90s (Jonah Hill)
(08:03) The Brutalist (Brady Corbet)
(08:46) Woman of the Hour (Anna Kendrick)
(09:52) BlackBerry (Matt Johnson) - doesn’t count
(10:41) Eighth Grade (Bo Burnham)
(12:21) Tropic Thunder (Ben Stiller)
(14:39) A Quiet Place (Jon Krasinski)
(15:57) Iron Man (Jon Favreau)
(17:49) Little Women (Greta Gerwig)
(20:01) Apocalypto (Mel Gibson)
(21:31) A Star Is Born (Bradley Cooper)
(22:53) Booksmart (Olivia Wilde)
(23:58) Nope (Jordan Peele)
(25:06) Sully (Clint Eastwood)
(26:54) Submarine (Richard Ayoade)
(28:20) Monty Python’s Life of Brian (Terry Jones)
(30:18) When Harry Met Sally (Rob Reiner)
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(32:15) The Drama Box Office & Future
(34:15) CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' Review (Letterboxd)
(45:52) SNL UK
(48:05) Coming Up

This week on FoF there’s some drama, in particular THE DRAMA, the new ambiguously marketed movie starring Zendaya and R-Patz as a husband and wife to-be troubled by…something. I open with a quick Spoiler-Free review for those wondering whether or not to go see it, before diving into a full Spoiler Review where I am able to discuss the aspects hidden from the marketing. For those of you have seen the film, I’m sure you’ll agree there is much to discuss.

We also analyse once and for all who has the BIGGEST 2026 between Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and Anne Hathaway, before finishing off with some Air-Con related Forrest Grump ranting, a new Seat-related segment idea, and my best Gandalf impression.

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TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Intro
(00:51) “The Drama” Spoiler-Free Review
(03:41) “The Drama” SPOILER Review
(18:16) Summary & Letterboxd Rating https://boxd.it/dShlWp
(20:29) The FoF Disclaimer & My FILM Degree
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(22:06) Who will win 2026? Hathaway vs Pattinson vs Zendaya
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(30:03) FORREST GRUMP - ranting about Stratford Vue cinema air con
(32:34) Is “SeatyMapper” a thing?
(33:24) My Best Gandalf Impression

This week on Fred On Film we bask in the warm afterglow of Project Hail Mary’s brilliant box office opening. We then dive into new trailers for Dune: Part Three and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, leading me to officially declare: MOVIES ARE BACK!
The Spider-Man trailer rant is worth sticking around for, btw. Actually, the whole Ep is decent.
We then get stuck into a review of THE IMMORTAL MAN (the new Peaky Blinders movie on Netflix) and explore why my Darling Wife and I technically gave it the same rating, but had completely opposite experiences.
We finish off with a look at London's "greatest" cinemas. Expect Forrest Grump rants about Picturehouse Central, and stay to the end to find out my legitimate favourite screen in the city (and the exact seat you need to book next time you go).

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TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Intro, 2 cameras

(01:26) Movies are BACK! Project Hail Mary aftermath

(04:39) Dune: Part Three, Villeneuve, and the worst Bond joke ever

(06:26) Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer controversy HUGE RANT

(10:01) Me and Darling review Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man https://boxd.it/dChhST

(12:55) The Top 100 Cinemas IN THE WORLD: London reactions, rants, and my favourite screen in London. FULL ARTICLE: https://www.timeout.com/film/the-100-greatest-cinemas-in-the-world-right-now

This week on FoF we chat to the team at Dolby. You may or may not be aware of Dolby Atmos, Dolby Cinema, plus other Dolby offerings via Apple Music, Netflix etcetera. In this interview we dive into all the above, whether it’s bs or legitimately better, plus discuss building relationships with filmmakers (Sam Mendes! Edgar Wright!) and more in this all-round lovely convo.
Ironically, my interview with Dolby had the most audio issues of any interview or episode so apologies if you notice little issues here and there. Tried to make it as smooth as possible across the board and if I do say so myself it’s a cracking listen. You’re welcome.

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RATE & REVIEW! ("FoF IS ON THE UP")
EXPLORE the FoF socials via my creepy website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fredasquith.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Intro
(02:39) Explaining Dolby Atmos & Dolby Vision products
(06:29) When should you choose to see a film with Dolby?
(09:18) LISTENER QUESTIONS!
(10:58) Cool Top Gun: Maverick story
(12:03) Relationships with filmmakers
(13:44) The Best Place To Sit In Cinemas
(19:41) Favourite EVER use of Dolby?
(21:37) Dolby Remastering (inc. Edgar Wright!)
(24:40) Can you experience Dolby at home…properly?
(27:02) Partnerships with streaming - legit?
(28:47) Any specific TV recommendations?
(30:06) What changes do you see coming to movies and Dolby?
(32:20) Can the Atmos product improve any further?
(36:19) Final Thoughts ⁠@FredAsquithOnFilm

It’s the morning after the Oscars 2026 and my TV debut as a co-panelist on the ITV Live Oscars Show. I sit here in my One Battle robe fresh off 3 hours sleep with much to discuss about possibly the most perfect Academy Awards in recent memory. Shocks, surprises, and history being made. Check the timestamps below for more info... Let's do this.

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RATE & REVIEW! ("FoF IS ON THE UP")
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TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Intro
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THE OSCARS
(02:20) Amy Madigan for Best Supporting Actress
(04:30) Anne Hathaway CHAOSCAR Win! Plus hello to Darling
(05:48) One Battle wins Best Casting - HUGE MOMENT
(08:01) Sinners & One Battle share the Screenplay spoils
(08:16) Pedro Pascal & Baby Yoda - 2 for 2 on Chaoscars!
(08:57) One Battle Best Editing - Historic Sweep Incoming?
(11:06) First Female Best Cinematography Winner! AND WE PREDICTED IT!!
(13:20) Best Director and why PTA was correct
(14:33) Adrien Brody brings home ANOTHER CHAOSCAR!!
(15:26) Best Actor, and the majesty of Michael B Jordan
(20:24) Jessie Buckley winning & crying
(21:21) Playing off speeches - WHY? LET THEM SPEAK
(23:08) Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman with weird Best Picture vibes
(24:28) Best Picture and the One Battle nerves
(27:19) I think this Oscars was legitimately perfect and here’s why
(29:04) Mine & Your Prediction RESULTS!
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MY LIVE ITV OSCARS EXPERIENCE (BTS)
(31:17) Getting the gig
(33:15) Pre-Show Nerves
(35:570 Jonathan Ross welcoming me into the job
(38:17) The end, getting introduced to the ITV Commissioner
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(39:35) See you NEXT WEEK! @FredAsquithOnFilm