Review It Yourself

Find yourself some shade hot legs, and listen to this web-tastic review.Defend It Yourself 25 finds Sean joined by Matthew Dawson, the creator of 'Mortalverse DC' Audio Dramas, who comes to defend his favourite maligned film: Spider-Man 3 (2007).Discussion Points:-Matthew explains why this film has "a special place in his heart".-Sean tries not to moan about modern comic book films.-The common complaints about this film, including villains and tone. -Emo Peter Parker.-Sean thinks this is Kirsten Dunst's best MJ performance.-Matthew and Sean both loved the characters in the film, and how much you connect with them throughout the Raimi Spider-Man trilogy.-Sean has an issue with an omelette and some cookies.Raised Questions:-Is this film iconic or infamous?-Is this film going through a re-appraisal?-Does this film have too many villains?-What are Sean's complaints about the New Green Goblin's costume?-Is Peter's ego the biggest villain in the film?-Did a change in tone from the previous films affect the initial reaction?Chapters:0:07 Introduction to Spider-Man 30:19 Defending the "Meme-tastic" Film1:36 Revisiting Villain Issues3:23 The Rise of Spider-Man 3?5:20 Special Effects and CGI6:11 Plot Lines and Character Arcs9:18 Emo Peter and Tone Shifts10:40 The Complexities of Relationships12:15 The Music of Spider-Man 316:33 The Cancelled Spider-Man 421:43 A Reflection on Nostalgia23:54 The Meaning of Forgiveness27:25 The Impact of Superhero Films32:48 Closing Thoughts on Spider-Man 334:12 Promoting the Mortal Verse56:24 Wrapping Up and Future PlansThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Steve from The Decision Reel returns to finish the Rush Hour series. Has the charm worn off by this third instalment?Check out The Decision Reel here: https://www.thedecisionreel.com/Discussion Points:-The curse of the third film in a trilogy.-Tangents include Jurassic Park 3, The Big Bang Theory, Friends, Stranger Things and The Batman.-Sean puts the boot into the Jurassic World sequel, even though he loved "Battle of Big Rock" (2019).-Steve hasn't seen "No Time To Die" (2021) , so Sean channels his inner Alan Partridge and describes the film's plot.-"It's going to happen fellas": Sean and Steve take time out for a Public Health Announcement.-Sean and Steve clash over Honey Wheat Bread.-Sean is astonished that people eat Garlic Bread with soup. Raised Questions:-Is this film a little tired?-Can Chris Pratt act?-How many names would you want tattooing on your back?-Why were there loads of films set in France around the mid-to-late 2000s?-Is Carry On (2024) the next Die Hard film?-Is it better to watch shows on terrestrial television at a specific time and day of the week?-Is everyone laughing at America and England?-Can you get chicken wings in England?-Are they brothers?Sean Recommends:-The West Wing (1999-2006).Time Stamps2:30 Trilogies and Their Pitfalls4:00 Jurassic Park Comparisons6:00 Lost Potential in Jurassic World10:00 Rush Hour's Unique Appeal11:00 The First and Only Rush Hour18:00 Political Incorrectness in Comedy22:00 The Magic of Buddy Cop Films24:00 Lee and Carter's Dynamic30:00 The Humour in Cultural Differences36:00 The Return of Familiar Characters38:00The Importance of Entertainment42:00 The State of Modern Film46:00 Nostalgia for Scheduled Programming49:00 The Allure of Themed Events52:00 Food Preferences and Cultural Differences56:00 The Humour of Misunderstandings58:00 The Connection to Waterworld1:03.00 The Emotional Climax1:09:00 A Tired Formula1:10:30 The Decision Reel's OfferingsThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Sean is joined by author of 'Understanding J. Bruce Ismay: The True Story of the Man They Called The Coward of Titanic', Clifford Ismay, to look into J. Bruce Ismay.Bruce Ismay was the Chairman of The White Star Line, who became infamous for getting into a lifeboat and surviving the sinking of the Titanic. But are things as one-sided as people think?Listen in to this riveting discussion as Cliff and Sean bring their own insights into the debate.They discuss:-Thomas Henry Ismay and his relationship with his son, Bruce.-Parental expectations.-Bruce Ismay's introverted personality and how it ended up working against the public's perception of him, both before and after the Titanic tragedy.-Myths around Bruce and Captain Smith.-The impact of TV and film depictions of real-life people on public memory.-The cultural impact of Titanic (1997).-The "ram-shackle" evacuation of Titanic.-How surprisingly quickly the attacks on Ismay's character began.-The bravery of Titanic's Engineers and Postmen.Raised Questions:-Who did Cliff really want to write a book about?-Did you know that Bruce's Dad was a world-renowned businessman and self-made man?-Are we all a product of our parents?-Did Bruce's façade alienate people around him?-Has Bruce Ismay been portrayed factually and fairly?-What was the last song played by Titanic's band?-Can we ever corroborate Ismay's version of events?-Do the Public and the Press love a villain when a disaster occurs?-Does the sacrifice of wider Titanic's crew get forgotten?Correction:-It was Lifeboat number 13, which almost had Lifeboat number 15 dropped on it.-Enclosed A Deck Promenade* not "Enclosed Boat Deck" as Sean put it.Further Reading:-Understanding J. Bruce Ismay: The True Story of the Man They Called 'The Coward of Titanic' (The History Press, 2022) by Clifford Ismay.-How To Survive the Titanic; or The Sinking of J. Bruce Ismay (Bloomsbury, 2011) by Frances Wilson.-The Triumvirate: Captain Edward J. Smith, Bruce Ismay, Thomas Andrews and the Sinking of Titanic (The History Press, 2024) by George Behe.Chapters:0:32 Introduction1:17 The Power of Film3:24 J. Bruce Ismay's Perception4:48 Thomas Ismay: A Legacy6:45 Father and Son Dynamics10:33 The Politics of Perception12:49 Portrayals of Bruce Ismay15:48 The Myths of Titanic17:51 The Last Moments21:42 Lifeboat Decisions23:53 The Reality of Survival26:29 The Impact of Inquiry29:02 The Press and Public Perception34:45 The Legacy of Bruce Ismay38:09 Life After Titanic44:35 New Perspectives on History48:17 The Real Heroes of Titanic51:45 Unfinished Stories of Titanic56:59 Future Works and CollaborationsThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Sean and Sarah discuss Doctor Who Series One 'Rose' and whether it holds up twenty years later.Discussion Points:-How Sean and Sarah both found the series.-The casting of Billie Piper.-What Christopher Eccleston's second series could have been like.-The break-neck speed of this episode!-The relationship between Rose and her Mam.-The uneven tone in the first few episodes.-THAT 'oner' shot!-Sean and Sarah discuss escapism.-Sarah is perturbed and a 'tad miffed' by the current state of Doctor Who.Raised Questions:-Was this debut episodes successful for both new and returning viewers?-Did the show become a soap opera?-What happened to this kind of natural and organic story-telling?-Have you fallen out of love with Doctor Who?-Was Rose the last working-class companion?-Are Rose Tyler and Amy Pond too similar?-Did Series One struggle to find the correct tone at times?-Did Eccleston struggle with the more comedic moments?-How many times does Sean mention The Sense Sphere?-Is the state of current Doctor Who a result of sheer incompetence or by design?-Does Doctor Who have an attitude nowadays?Chapters:0:14 Welcome to Review It Yourself1:13 Introducing Doctor Who2:37 The 2005 Revival6:11 Nostalgia and Personal Connections7:00 The New Doctor's Introduction9:01 Character Dynamics Explored12:22 The Role of Rose16:07 The Impact of Eccleston18:30 Humour Amidst Darkness21:38 Family Relationships28:09 Grounded Realism in Characters33:09 Connection to the Audience35:09 The Gritty Atmosphere39:18 Accents and Authenticity41:37 Clive and Conspiracy51:38 Balancing Tone and Humour53:53 Character Dynamics Unveiled1:00:01 The Doctor's Alien Nature1:09:29 Humour and Depth in Dialogue1:17:14 The Complexity of Companionship1:27:10 The Essence of Doctor Who1:34:03 Crafting Quality Television1:37:32 Lessons from the Past1:43:24 Reflections and FarewellsShout-Outs:-The Sense Sphere: The Doctor Who Podcast. Find It Here: www.youtube.com/@TheSenseSphereThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Defend It Yourself returns after over a year away, and it begins with an absolute beaut!Griffin from the Reboot Deboot Podcast joins Sean to defend, Rubber (2010).Find Griffin's Podcast Here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/rebootdebootDiscussion Points:-Griffin thinks people need to check their tone when talking about this film.-Sean was worried what he'd been asked to watch, when he heard the title.-The DVD read-through returns.-This film is truly like nothing you've ever seen!-Sean was disappointed that the deaths weren't more inventive.-Griffin wonders why B-Movies are treated differently.-Sean and Griffin launch into a chat about the art of filmmaking, CGI, and wonder how bad films get made.Raised Questions:-Why don't Americans spell tyre properly?-Where were the body parts? -Is Rubber "unjustly denigrated"?-What did people expect from a movie about a psychopathic, telekinetic tyre?-Is Robert the Tyre just a homicidal version of the cooker from 'A Grand Day Out' (1989)?-Is Robert like Edward Scissorhands?-Were you disappointed that the audience were killed so quickly?-Why is Sean still disappointed with 'Snakes on a Plane' (2006)?Time Stamps:0:43 Welcome Back to Defend It Yourself2:07 Introducing Griffin from Reboot Deboot2:15 Defending the Film: Rubber4:07 A Love for B-Movies5:12 Is Rubber underrated?8:03 The Film's Unique Concept11:13 Comparing Rubber to Other B-Movies18:09 The Art of Filmmaking24:52 Rubber's Length and Timing29:42 Breaking the Fourth Wall32:02 Liam Neeson in the Naked Gun Reboot41:56 The Nature of Bad Movies47:52 The Subjectivity of Film53:08 The Uniqueness of Rubber1:01:20 The Ending of Rubber1:06:55 Final Thoughts on Rubber1:10:18 Where to Find Reboot Deboot1:14:40 Closing Thoughts and AcknowledgmentsThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Preview It Yourself returns!Sean and Sarah discuss the new trailer for the upcoming Final Destination Bloodlines.Is it worth your hard earned money? Listen in to find out.Time Stamps:0:11 Trailer Talk0:50 Trailer Reactions3:03 Franchise Expectations5:04 Spoilers and Surprises6:14 Modern Day Elements6:58 New Perspectives9:58 Anticipation Builds10:27 Plot Insights12:35 Cast and Crew13:37 Inheriting Death14:25 Final ThoughtsThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Sarah is back! She and Sean finally discuss one of their oddly favourite films, Prometheus (2012).Discussion Points:-Sean likes this film, but can see it's faults.-Sarah really appreciates the story's set-up and the unusual landscape.-The film's aesthetics and themes versus the execution and uneven tone.-Sarah loves films where people grapple with their faith.-Sarah's recollections of watching the med-pod scene.-The incredibly awful line reads.-Sarah loved the well-rounded character of Doctor Elizabeth Shaw.-Sean and Sarah discuss Alien: Romulus (2024).Raised Questions:-Is this film trying to insult your intelligence?-Does every tie-in with the Alien franchise weaken the direction that Prometheus was trying to take?-Is the script "too hand-hold-y"?-Does the film feel over-edited to you?-Is the crew of 17 too big?-Why does humanity seek answers?-Is the script "too ham-hocked"?-Is David infatuated with Elizabeth Shaw?-Why doesn't Idris Elba's character do anything until the end?-What happens if Archaeologists find the Engineer's robe?Time Stamps:0:06 Welcome to Review It Yourself1:23 The Long-Awaited Prometheus Review7:21 The Film's Opening and Visuals12:38 Themes of Creation and Faith16:18 Exploring the Characters and Their Dynamics20:59 The Engineers and Their Significance25:59 The Unfolding of the Plot29:33 The Role of David and AI Commentary32:41 Critique of Character Development34:51 Action vs. Atmosphere in Storytelling35:50 The Philosophical Questions Raised37:03 The Flaws and Strengths of Prometheus44:43 Love, Relationships, and Their Portrayal49:01 Conclusion: A Mixed Bag of Ideas1:14:10 Character Introductions1:15:23 David's Understanding of Love1:20:58 Quarantine Procedures1:23:42 The Importance of Emotional Reactions1:29:30 The Horrors of Creation1:30:27 Themes of Control and Gender1:37:48 The Nature of Faith1:47:18 The Engineers' Intentions1:52:39 The Final Confrontation1:58:08 The Complexity of Faith2:09:14 A Mixed Bag of Themes2:18:17 The Implications of Scientific Discovery2:20:14 The Value of Long-Form DiscussionsThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Sean is joined by Jamie from 'Old Shipping Lines' YouTube Channel to review the Norwegian film, Konvoi (2023), known internationally as The Arctic Convoy.The film appears to be based upon the true story of the 1942 PQ17 convoy, one of the first major Anglo-American convoys of the Second World War. Discussion Points:-Sean needs his nautical fix. -Why this film is one of Jamie's favourite films.-The poor promotional poster.-The fantastic script, sound design and special effects.-Sean was surprised to see RAF Coastal Command.-The importance of the Atlantic and the Artic (Russian) Convoys in the Second World War. -Jamie and Sean were impressed by the depth of characters.-The dynamic between the Captain and the First Mate.-The reasons why this film focuses upon the Norwegian Merchant Sailors, who lost 4,000 lives during the war.-Sean and Jamie empathise with different characters.Raised Questions:-Do you love film recommendations from friends?-Why is this film one of Jamie's favourite films?-Are Norwegian films the best out there right now?-Why do the British always get derided in modern war films?-Why don't you eat pickled herring at your desk?-What is the difference between the words 'disperse' and 'scatter'?-Is the Naval side of the Second World War difficult to translate films?The Norwegian War Sailor's Register (Krigsseilerregisteret):https://www.krigsseilerregisteret.no/enRecommendations:-PQ17: An Artic Convoy Disaster (2014), a BBC documentary, hosted by Jeremy Clarkson.Time Stamps:0:24 Welcome and Introductions2:04 Film Overview: The Arctic Convoy3:07 Personal Connection to Norwegian Cinema8:46 Historical Context of Convoys13:36 Character Dynamics and Interactions17:56 The Captain's Leadership Style21:40 Tension Between the First Mate and Captain25:02 The Battle Scenes and Tactics28:45 Thematic Exploration of Fear and Duty32:31 Emotional Moments and Character Development35:55 The Role of the Radio Operator38:19 Confrontations and Power Struggles46:52 The Plan to Escape49:03 The Icy Challenges Ahead55:31 Recommendations for Similar Films59:55 Closing Thoughts and Future PlansThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Stew from 'Stew World Order' joins Sean to try and answer the question:Modern Films, are they flying or dying?Stew believes we're in a golden age, Sean does not...Time Stamps:1:29 Film Debate: Flying or Dying?1:40 Generational Nostalgia6:02 Access to Diverse Films10:48 Voices in Cinema14:41 The Case Against Modern Films17:12 Poor Writing and World Building20:02 Death of Comedy22:38 The Decline of Movie Stars45:24 The Shift in Film Quality1:04:08 Conclusion: Quality vs. Quantity1:08:21 Podcast Wrap-UpThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠