The Film 89 Podcast

On Episode 143 of The Film ‘89 Podcast it’s that time of year again. Towards the end of every year since 2022, Film ‘89 has celebrated the 60th anniversary of a James Bond film. In 2022 we started with Dr. No, in 2023 we covered From Russia With Love and last year we covered Goldfinger. Now Skye and one of the greatest film poster artists working in the business today, Tony Stella, return to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fourth James Bond film, Thunderball, which had its world premiere in Tokyo, Japan on December 9th 1965. Thunderball came out at the very peak of Bondmania. Sean Connery was approaching mega star status and the books and films were as popular as they would ever be. Made on a budget that was more than the combined budgets of the previous three films, Thunderball was a hugely ambitious film with complex underwater action sequences the likes of which audiences had never seen before and it would go on to become the most successful Bond film ever, and based on ticket sales alone, it still is. So get on your wetsuit, pick up your spear-gun and join Skye and Tony as they take the deep dive on what they feel is one of the most underrated of all James Bond films.

On Episode 142 of The Film ‘89 Podcast, Neil, Skye and regular co-host, Jacob Rivera are celebrating the 30th anniversary of an all time classic from 1995, David Fincher’s serial killer thriller, Seven, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey. Based on an original screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker, Seven would go on to become one of the most successful films of 1995, a year replete with incredible films and this one in particular, is now considered a genre defining classic, notorious for it’s bleak tone and THAT gut-punch ending. Featuring phenomenal performances from its leads, stunning cinematography, a wonderfully atmospheric score, and the very epitome of assured, precise direction from Fincher, Seven is surely one of the greatest films of all time and one worthy of the deluxe Film ’89 treatment.

On Episode 141 of The Film ‘89 Podcast, Steve and Skye are joined by returning guest-host, John Arminio to give you their in-depth and spoiler-filled review and analysis of director Guillermo del Toro’s latest film, his adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, Frankenstein, a book and character that’s arguably seen more big screen adaptations than any other. Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth, the Netflix produced film, which saw a very limited theatrical run before its release on the streaming platform a few days ago, has a budget of $120 million and aims to be the definitive adaptation of Shelley’s novel. Guillermo del Toro is one of Steve and John’s favourite filmmakers and they’ve been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to celebrate his filmography. The guys also discuss previous adaptations of Shelley’s book, from the James Whale/Boris Karloff films of the 1930’s to the Hammer Films version starring Christopher Lee. 

It’s that time of year again on The Film ‘89 Podcast as we bring you our 2025 Halloween Horror Special. Joining Skye are two returning co-hosts, Stephen Simpson and John Arminio, and the horror film they’ve picked as the focus of this episode is Tom Holland’s 1985 cult classic, Fright Night, starring Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse and Roddy McDowell. Based on an original script by Holland, Fright Night blends elements of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window with Hammer horror and vampire lore as it tells the tale of teenager, Charley Brewster, who suspects that his new next door neighbour, Jerry Dandridge, may be a vampire. With outstanding practical makeup effects and assured direction from first time director Holland, Fright Night would go on to become a beloved cult classic and one of the very best horror films of the 1980s. 

On Episode 139 of The Film ‘89 Podcast, Skye is joined by frequent co-host Leighton Winstone as well someone making her long awaited return to Film ’89 after she first appeared 5 years ago on Episode 55, our very good friend, Leanne Kubicz. This battle-hardened trio will be smearing axle grease across their brows and packing as much water as they can carry as they head into a post-apocalyptic wasteland to celebrate the 10th anniversary of director George Miller’s fourth entry in his long-running Mad Max saga that began in 1979, had sequels in 1981 and 1985 and then a 30 year gap before the 72 year old director went on a years long odyssey in the Namibian desert with $150 million of Warner Bros’ money. Through strife and hardship he returned with a film widely regarded as one of the greatest action films ever made and one of the greatest films of the 21st century, Mad Max: Fury Road. Starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult, Fury Road is a film unlike any other in terms of the level of on-screen mayhem and carnage it displays. As fascinating as the film is the story of it’s long and arduous production and our team delve into how the incredible assembled talent both in front of the camera and behind the scenes helped craft one of the most visually astonishing films ever made and an example of big screen action-spectacle like no other.