The Movie Mull

The mulls are back this week with four more reviews to help you sort the real treasure from the fool's gold, whether your watching movies at home or at your local cinema...

First up, our host Justin shares his thoughts about the latest film from director David Ayer - it's both a survival story and a cinematic animal tale, starring Brad Pitt alongside man's best friend (and I don't mean J.K. Simmons) as they trek across the Alaskan wilderness in The Heart of the Beast.

Then, Richard veers into horror territory with the latest film adaptation of the Resident Evil video game series. This one is from writer/director Zach Cregger (previously of Barbarian and Weapons) and stars Austin Abrams. Does it live up to the incredible impact of his first two films?

Next up, Darren shares his review of the film that everyone seems to have a view on this season - even the people who haven't seen it yet!  You can't have missed hearing that Tom Cruise is back, this time in the latest film from award-winning Mexican director Alejandro G Iñárritu... It's been getting a bit of a kicking from critics, but is Digger worth your time?

Finally, Neil tells us all about a film that the whole family can enjoy. Dreamworks Animation are back with a fantastical adventure story, all about the value of friendship, and rooted in Philippines' folklore and mythology. Forgotten Island is one of a few terrific family options available at cinemas right now. Neil lets us know what his family made of this one...

That's a taste of what we've been watching recently... have a listen and then let us know what you've been watching and what you thought. We'd love to hear your recommendations...

Our full quartet of mulls are back, back, back this week with a brand new episode of the podcast... And, this week, our host Neil invited us to celebrate the 'muppet' within!  He asked us to choose one film that we would like to see remade - except that every character - bar one - would be played by a Muppet. 

From everyone's favourite leading frog, Kermit, to the weirdo's weirdo, Gonzo, and -of course - the pig who can do it all from high romance to jujitsu... who will get a chance to take on the role of a lifetime... and which of these four nominated films do you think should get made? 

Listen in and let us know your favourite idea, any alternative recastings, or a film that you feel could be improved by replacing the actors with these legendary puppets!

All four mulls will be back next week with a brand new episode of the podcast.

Until then, we've cast our mind back to the end of 2024, when Justin suggested this theme for the team to discuss...

How do you decide on a star rating? Should a review aim to be entirely objective? Is that possible - or even desirable?  Should a star rating reflect the quality of the film or how entertaining the film is - or a bit of both? 

Through the episode, guided by our host, the mulls work their way through this tangle of questions... and many more!  Alongside their usual tangents and detours!  

Listen in and then let us know what you're looking for in a film review...

Our four Movie Mull friends are spending a couple of weeks arranging a date to record a whole stash of brand new episodes ready to share with you at the end of this month.

While you wait, we wanted to recommend some older episodes that might deserve a relisten. 

Two years ago, Richard introduced quite a challenge to his fellow mulls: Can a film be truly great if nobody dies? He's asked them each to bring along the names of movies that they believe are 5-star masterpieces in which no-one dies, and death is not pivotal to the story... 

....and then revealed a few surprises... There was plenty of debate... before the winner was revealed. 

Listen in - and be sure to comment on the episode telling us your thoughts about the films mentioned and the opinions shared!

This week, 75% of our mulls are back with another What We've Been Watching episode.  We're bringing you three more reviews, helping you to decide what movies you might want to watch (or avoid) over the coming week.

First up, Neil tells us all about Apple TV's 80's-style, cold-war-era action-comedy, Mayday.  This films sees Ryan Reynolds' fighter pilot stranded behind enemy lines with ex-KGB agent Kenneth Branagh as his only hope. 

Then, Richard has a chance to catch up with ta film released in cinemas to high acclaim earlier this year. It's now available to stream on Netflix, and so Richard tells us what he thought of Wasteman, a brutal prison drama starring two rising stars in the UK acting world: David Jonsson and Tom Blyth.

Finally, Darren reviews Blue Heron. This very personal, autobiographical drama starts by introducing a family of six settling into their new home on Vancouver Island as seen through the eyes of the youngest child, eight-year old Sasha - and then becomes something both unexpected and moving.  Available to stream now on Mubi.

We'll be back soon with another movie chat - and with a full set of mulls! In the meantime, get in touch and let us know what you've been watching - and what you'd like to hear us talking about in the future.