Review It Yourself

Sean and Sarah continue their nuclear film exposure, with 1979's The China Syndrome; a tale about the power of the media, the dangers of nuclear energy and the effects of corporate indifference and greed. Released just 12 days before the real 'Three-Mile Island' nuclear incident, this film was discussed by everybody in 1979.Sean and Sarah wonder whether this brilliant film has had the cultural impact that it should have had, before delving into what the modern day film industry is failing at (It's pretty much everything). Discussion Points:-The DVD read-through returns.-The almost-perfect timing of the film.-Sarah wonders about the impact of timing, how this film "was everywhere but then nowhere", similar to Avatar (2009).-The impeccable writing and the intelligence of all the characters. -Sarah and Sean struggle to explain just how good this film is.-"We can't go back to living like Hermits", Sean wades into the debate around the future of energy.-Sean and Sarah name their price to give up work for a year and just watch modern films.-The death of "taking-a-risk" films.Raised Questions:-Has this film been forgotten?-Does the title (meaning nuclear meltdown) harm the film?-Do you love films that show the behind-the-scenes "manic-ness" of live broadcasting?-Is there anything more ominous than a shaking cup of tea?-Would a soundtrack have been out of place?-Is Sarah incoherent?-What was the film Sean saw at a mystery screening?*Events:-The San Bernadino Train Crash and 'The Duffy Street Incident' (1989).-The accidents on American Airlines Flight 96 (DC-10) and United Airlines Flight 811 (747), and the crash of Turkish Airline Flight 981 (DC-10) when cargo doors failed.-Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station partial nuclear meltdown on 28th March 1989.-Dresden Nuclear Power Plant 'false high pressure signal' incident on June 5th 1970.-"Counterfeit Plane Parts": The crash of Partnair Flight 394 (CV-580).*The film that Sean thought was "bloody awful" was Joy Ride (2023).Time Stamps:0:08Welcome to Review It Yourself1:22The China Syndrome Overview5:36Exploring the Title's Meaning8:13Behind the Scenes of Broadcasting13:18The Characters and Their Dynamics19:17The Nuclear Incident Unfolds25:14Tension Builds in the Control Room35:07Corporate Greed versus Safety43:23The Cultural Context of Nuclear Power46:44The Climax: Racing Against Time50:27The Final Confrontation and Truth Revealed51:44The Interview Distraction52:52Consequences of Choices54:37The Complexity of Storytelling56:47The Pressure of Public Speaking59:11The Weight of Communication1:01:20The Tragic Break1:04:06The Nuclear Dilemma1:05:10The Value of Depth1:15:05Intentional Filmmaking1:30:08Enjoyable Cinema Experiences1:34:30Disappointment in Modern Films1:36:09The State of Current Filmmaking1:39:16The Quest for Quality Films1:43:37A Call for SupportThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Review It Yourself's first ever guest returns! Ryan Walker from 'The Walk The Line Podcast' joins Sean and Sarah to discuss the fourth (and planned last) film:The Final Destination (2009). Will Ryan and Sarah remain unimpressed by Sean's choice of film?Check Out Ryan's website here: https://www.thewalkthelinepodcast.com/Discussion Points:-Ryan is practising for Loose Women or This Morning, after his BBC Radio Essex Interview.-Sarah was unimpressed by this film.-The way the film jettisons everything that Sarah loved, plot, characters etc.-The lack of importance for the women's names.-Ryan loved the tyre death.-CGI ruins the party, again.-Treat yourself to the deleted scenes.-The really poor script.-The 'Death By Caffeine' Coffee Shop rubbish coffee puns.-This film is so good that Ryan, Sean and Sarah start discussing Commando (1985): "90 minutes of pure adrenaline"-Ryan Walker.-Ryan is annoyed at the CGI dust.-We do not endorse spreading hate, we were laughing at the idiotic guy-just in case you missed the sarcasm, nuance and humour. -Sean is outraged that the main character doesn't get his face spattered with blood.Raised Questions:-What's with Sean's saucy introduction?-Did you know there were 5 Final Destination films?-Did the film go totally go off the rails with this one?-What is with the acting?-Are we supposed to die?-How strong was that fence?-Did death save the best for 3-D?-Why is Sean against the C-word?-Why did they use George's backstory like that?-Why are the visions so rubbish?-Why does no-one emotionally react to any of the deaths in this film?-Why don't they go for a cheeky Greggs?-Would a Final Destination spoof, similar to Scream (1996) work?Thanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Savon, formerly of Coffee and Comments podcast, returns to review a classic film, The Indian in the Cupboard (1995). Based on the 1980 book by Lynne Reid Banks, the story sees Omri, a young kid who lives in New York City, discover his cupboard brings his toy American Indian to life.Discussion Points:-How the book became a staple of British Primary Schools.-The DVD read-through returns.-Sean is confused by American foods.-Savon and Sean discuss the differences between the book and the film adaptation.-Savon describes how 90's the film feels and was surprised to see an Abacus. -The differences between the book and the film adaptation.-The tumultuous story of the American West.-Savon and Sean discuss the unexpected emotional depth in the film.Raised Questions:-Who chooses the books you read at Primary (Elementary) school?-Why do we read so many American based stories in Britain?-Do Americans get fed up with films based in New York?-Is this film more 'Field of Dreams' (1989) than 'Toy Story' (1995)?-What happened to skating in films?Corrections:-*Frank OZ played Yoda in the Star Wars films, not C3PO.-*Alan Abernathy was the character in Small Soldiers, not Lewis.Thanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Ben from 'Push Pull Health' returns to the podcast after two years, complete with booing, to help Sarah and Sean review Final Destination 3 (2006).Discussion Points:-Sarah feels this film is a return to form after Final Destination 2 (2003).-The solid opener with the rollercoaster crash.-Ben thinks the characters are "awful" and "stink".-The shocking amount of times Wendy gets her face spattered with blood.-Little Timmy from Final Destination 2. -The return of the memorial service.-Sean thinks there were too many 'splatty' deaths. -Sarah, Sean and Ben wonder how the series managed to stay fresh. Raised Questions:-Has Sean sold out?-Is Ben worth the wait?-Why didn't Ben feel as nostalgic about this film as he thought he would?-Are we meant to care about these characters?-How long is the duration of the premonition?-Would you prefer Sarah to calmly tell you that she's had a premonition?-How many times does the word 'derailed' get used? -Was it a good idea to go with a primarily all-teenage cast again?-Were you rooting for Wendy?-How many baby wipes is Wendy using?-What's with that gym?Time Stamps:0:08- Welcome to Review It Yourself0:49- The Return of Ben2:02- Final Destination 3 Discussion3:53- Tanning Booth Death6:55- The Characters and Their Fates9:56- Deaths and CGI Effects15:51- The Roller Coaster Incident17:55- The Gym Scene22:24- Memorial Service Chaos26:50- The Next Fatalities28:55- The Train Disaster36:09- Exploring the Deaths37:59- The Final Train Scene40:10- Reflections on the Franchise40:30- Anticipating Future Instalments48:28- The Podcast Journey51:17- The Future of Horror Films55:14- Wrapping Up the Discussion1:05:32- Closing Remarks and ThanksThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Thomas Lynskey, actor, writer, and director of The Last Signals joins Sean to discuss the story behind the making of his independent film.The film explores the actions Titanic’s wireless operators, Senior Operator John ‘Jack’ Phillips and Junior Operator Harold Bride, throughout Titanic's voyage.The story of the making of the film is as amazing as the film itself, as Tom describes how his family and friends worked to bring the film to life! My Guest:The Last Signals is available on Tom's YouTube Channel 'Part Time Explorer': https://www.youtube.com/@PartTimeExplorerDiscussion Points:-The incredible collaborative effort it took to build the sets, assemble the cast, and scout the locations over two years!-The inspiration behind the film, the 'geeks' of 1912, the wireless operators, and why Tom didn't originally plan to star in the film. -The length Tom and the cast went to, to achieve historical accuracy.Raised Questions:-Do limited resources create the need for creative film-making?-Where did the inspiration for the film come from?-How did the cast end up filming from 2am-4am in a Titanic museum?-Will the footage of Tom's Dad as Senator Smith ever be released?-Was there a culture of defending fellow White Star crewmen who died during the disaster?-What can you do to make your parent's pool look like the North Atlantic on screen?Massive Thanks to Marv from 'Pods Like Us' and Ryan Walker from 'The Walk The Line Podcast' for their advice about interview podcast episodes. Go check out their awesome podcasts!Time Stamps:0:05-Welcome to Review It Yourself4:01-The Last Signals Overview9:13-Filming Challenges and Set Design15:10-The Story Behind the Characters23:10-Accents and Performances31:57-Exploring Historical Accuracy40:54-The Impact of the Collision47:14-The Fate of the Wireless Operators51:30-Current Projects and Future Endeavours57:57-Closing Thoughts and ReflectionsThanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Sarah continues her first-time viewing of the Final Destination series, with Final Destination 2 (2003).Discussion Points:-The tonal shift from the first film to it's sequel.-The truck with the log that haunts a generation.-Changing the formula of death's design.-Sarah discusses her love of kitchen-based deaths in films. -TANGENT: Sean and Sarah discuss Chinese food.-Sarah is not happy with how Kimberley treats Clear Rivers!-The actor who plays Officer Burke is 5 years older than the actress who plays Kimberley.-"Right. NO. I'm going to stop you there!"-Sarah vehemently disagrees with Sean about Eugene's reaction.Raised Questions:-Does the tonal shift guarantee the film series longevity?-What did Sarah think of the film?Where's the memorial service?-How old is Tim supposed to be?-Do you find the character dynamics refreshing?-Did you notice the sigh is missing?Coming Soon:-Final Destination 3 (2006).-The Final Destination (2009).-Final Destination 5 (2011).Thanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

Sarah had never seen a single Final Destination film. Sean cleared the schedule to get these reviews done.Sarah will get her own back soon with 'Sarah decides'. Will Sarah remain unimpressed by Sean's choice of film?Discussion Points:-Sean nearly gets killed by a bookcase.-Sarah was surprised by how good this film was.-The origin of the film's premise.-Sean tries not to spoil any of the upcoming sequels for Sarah.-How well-written the characters are in this film.-Sean apologises for his use of the word 're-writed'. -The brilliant practical effects. -Sarah enjoyed the lingering deaths, as opposed to the 'blink and miss it' deaths seen in Alien Romulus. -The depiction of survivors guilt.-Sarah talks about looking into a bus driver's eyes.Raised Questions:-Where's the Woo-Woo Sarah?-Should you set off Party Poppers during a podcast episode?-Do you enjoy teen-focused horror films?-Does this film feel like an extended, early season episode of Buffy for you?-Does death have a design for us all?-How did this avoid being another sh*tty teen-angst horror film?-Did the Final Destination series ever drop the ball? *-James Wan did the Saw films, not James Wong. Coming Soon:-Final Destination 2 (2003).-Final Destination 3 (2006).-The Final Destination (2009).-Final Destination 5 (2011).Thanks for Listening!Find us here: X: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠

This is a grim one, but it's a film you need to see!A British kitchen sink drama set in Sheffield in 1983, which follows a young couple expecting their first child before a nuclear war interrupts their plans. Sean and Sarah review one of the most-unflinching and best British TV films of all time.Will they remain unimpressed by their choice of film?Warning: This podcast episodes contains descriptions of some of the shocking events in the film. Discussion Points:-Sarah and Sean forgot how bleak this film is.-How timely this film feels in 2024, even though it was made in 1984.-The impact of this film when it was first released.-How unnerving this film is. -Sean wonders whether they should have chosen this film.-The British Soap Creme-de-le-creme of actors. -Just how much the British underestimated the impact of a nuclear bomb.-Sarah debuts her Northern impression.-Sarah discusses the power of background events bubbling over so "abruptly and quickly", describing it as "masterful" and "amazing".-Sarah describes the power of the small character moments, which make the film so special.-The effects on the post-war generation and the complete lack of social cohesion is highlighted by Sarah. -Sean wonders if humans would become functionally extinct; when a species reaches such a low level of members that it will inevitably become extinct, as it is unable to replenish it's numbers.Raised Questions:-Will this film change the trajectory of your day?-How bad is Sean's Sheffield accent?-Is there anything better than an upper class English voice heralding your doom? -Does watching this film make you extra British?-Why did they show Threads (1984) to school children?-Does this film make you want to stop making jokes?-Was this film the death knell for many high street shops?-Did they need to make it seem survivable?-It's not good when they quietly store away the paintings is it?-Is this the best thing that the BBC has ever made?Thanks for Listening! Get in touch:We would love to hear your thoughts on Threads (1984). Let us know what you thought of the film and our podcast review!Find us here: Twitter: @YourselfReviewInstagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviewItYourself⁠