Discussion of the use of humour in drama with reference to Molière, Groundhog Day, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and some modern action/adventure franchises.

Reflections on characters and themes in “Living” (2022), starring Bill Nighy

Oct 7th, 2023 6m 51s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in “Living”, a remake of Akiro Kurosawa’s “Ikiru”, directed by Oliver Hermanus and starring Bill Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood and Alex Sharp

Reflections on characters and themes in “Oui, mais…” (Yes, but…) (2001) directed by Yves Lavandier.

Sep 27th, 2023 6m 52s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in “Oui, mais…” or “Yes, but…”, a French film directed by Yves Lavandier and starring Émilie Dequenne and Gérard Jugnot.This film could be used as part of a French course with senior pupils to st

Brief reflections on characters and themes in John Boorman’s “Hell in the Pacific” (1968).

Sep 22nd, 2023 4m 40s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in “Hell in the Pacific”, starring Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune, focusing on the need for collaboration between opposing sides in the face of common challenges.

Brief reflections on characters and themes in “Vera Cruz”, directed by Robert Aldrich, starring Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster.

Sep 17th, 2023 4m 47s

Thoughts on elements of film noir and existentialism in “Vera Cruz” which predated and influenced later films that explored similar themes.

My interpretation of the phrase “Il faut cultiver notre jardin”.

Sep 17th, 2023 3m 57s

Discussion of the meaning of “Il faut cultiver notre jardin” in the context of the end of “Candide”, where the phrase appears, as opposed to interpretations of the stand-alone phrase.

Brief reflections on “Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and thoughts on other modern action/adventure films.

Sep 17th, 2023 5m 21s

Discussion of qualities and issues in “Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, and issues concerning character development, plot integrity and audience engagement in many modern adventure films.

Reflections on characters and themes in John Boorman’s “Point Blank”, focusing on the nature of the main character, Walker.

Sep 17th, 2023 9m 21s

Discussion and analysis of the main character and themes in “Point Blank” (1967) starring Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson and Keenan Wynn.

Episode 99: Brief reflections on the principal characters and broad themes in Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car”.

May 23rd, 2023 6m 11s

General discussion and analysis of the main characters and principal themes in “Drive My Car”.

Episode 100: Reflections on characters and themes in Gabriel Axel’s “Babette’s Feast” based on the short story by Karen Blixen.

May 23rd, 2023 7m 6s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in Gabriel Axel’s “Babette’s Feast” starring Stéphane Audran, Brigitte Federspiel and Bodil Kjer.

Episode 98: Reflections on characters and existential themes in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman”

May 19th, 2023 6m 27s

Discussion and analysis of how the central characters in “The Batman” are influenced and developed by the nature of society in Gotham City.

Episode 97: Some personal thoughts on Christianity, religion and fate.

Apr 2nd, 2023 8m 32s

Discussion of the origin and value of Christian thought, the influence of the Church, and the possible existence of fate or destiny.

Episode 96: Some thoughts on the place of acting in society and personal identity

Apr 2nd, 2023 5m 47s

Discussion of the extent to which we “act” in society, or how we adapt our manner, tone and attitude to suit the circumstances and the company in which we find ourselves, and how this may influence our identity.

Episode 94: Reflections on characters and themes in “Full Metal Jacket”

Feb 25th, 2023 10m 25s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket, focusing on “the duality of man”.

Episode 95: Reflections on characters and themes in “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Feb 25th, 2023 7m 21s

Discussion and analysis, from an existential perspective, of characters and themes in Martin McDonagh’s “The Banshees of Inisherin”, starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan

Episode 93: Reflections on “Jojo Rabbit” (2019)

Dec 2nd, 2022 6m 39s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in Taika Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit” starring Roman Griffin Davis, Scarlett Johansson and Taika Waititi.

Episode 92: Reflections on characters and themes in “We’re no Angels” (1955)

Dec 2nd, 2022 5m 9s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in “We’re no Angels” directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov.

Episode 90: Reflections on characters and themes in “The Magnificent Seven” (1960).

Nov 30th, 2022 5m 49s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in “The Magnificent Seven” directed by John Sturges and starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and Eli Wallach.

Episode 91: Reflections on characters and themes in “Le Mans ‘66” (“Ford versus Ferrari”).

Nov 30th, 2022 7m 30s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in James Mangold’s “Le Mans ‘66” or “Ford vs Ferrari” starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale.

Episode 88: Reflections on characters and themes in “The Bishop’s Wife” (1947).

Nov 30th, 2022 7m 13s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in Henry Koster’s charming Christmas fantasy comedy drama, “The Bishop’s Wife”, starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven.

Episode 89: Reflections on characters and themes in “The Last Samurai”.

Nov 30th, 2022 6m 4s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in Edward Zwick’s “The Last Samurai” starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe.

Episode 87: Reflections on characters and themes in “The Bridge at Remagen”.

Nov 23rd, 2022 8m 58s

Discussion and analysis of characters and themes in John Guillerman’s war film, “The Bridge at Remagen” starring George Segal, Robert Vaughn and Ben Gazzara.