Broad Appeal

There are few actresses who have the level of commitment and intensity of Angela Bassett - both for every role she's in, as well as to that hunky husband of hers. And while Auntie Angela may be giving regal fish and smashing box office records everywhere in Black Panther, there is a whole lotta history to this woman's career. In 1995, following her iconic breakthrough as Tina Turner, it was #1 box office hit WAITING TO EXHALE that positioned Miss B. as a woman to be reckoned with. This film that launched a thousand .gifs is not unlike the kind of “women’s picture” like Joan Crawford used to make: Angela journeys to a place of strength, Loretta Devine is homely, Lela Rochon is horny, and Whitney, well poor Whitney is a TV anchor or something? Ready? Breathe...and exhale (shoop shoop)

A vast meteor, hurtling toward our planet, but sparing us total destruction: so, too, is Barbra Streisand’s A STAR IS BORN. A stratospheric arrival that leads ineluctably to total self-immolation. Somewhere in between THE STONEY END and TELL HIM (feat. Celine Dion) was a period where Barbra was "hip", "groovy" and "totally far out". Even Barbra must have a few lost years -  this would explain her relationship to illiterate hairdresser Jon Peters, mastermind behind some of Barbra's weirdest moments, including this truly bonkers remake of the remake of the remake. Barbra provided all her own clothes. Kris Kristofferson provided his nipples. And Sally Kirkland... is actually in this. If that's not enough of a reason to see A STAR IS BORN, listen to the concluding part of our Babs Trilogy and we'll give you a few more.

A vast meteor, hurtling toward our planet, but sparing us total destruction: so, too, is Barbra Streisand’s A STAR IS BORN. A stratospheric arrival that leads ineluctably to total self-immolation. Somewhere in between THE STONEY END and TELL HIM (feat. Celine Dion) was a period where Barbra was "hip", "groovy" and "totally far out". Even Barbra must have a few lost years -  this would explain her relationship to illiterate hairdresser Jon Peters, mastermind behind some of Barbra's weirdest moments, including this truly bonkers remake of the remake of the remake. Barbra provided all her own clothes. Kris Kristofferson provided his nipples. And Sally Kirkland... is actually in this. If that's not enough of a reason to see A STAR IS BORN, listen to the concluding part of our Babs Trilogy and we'll give you a few more.

How much would you pay for a blowjob? Somewhere in excess of $500? No? Well, wait till you hear who's giving them... NUTS is a film that could also just be called BAD, in which suspension of disbelief only takes you so far. Good luck believing that Barbra Streisand is a prostitute, that she is potentially mentally incompetent or even that the walls of the courtroom are not made of cardboard. While Seán and Brian may have little praise for the film, it doesn't mean they don't have A LOT to say. Barbra is Claudia Draper, a working girl caught up in a messy situation. After decapitating Leslie Nielsen, she is forced to fight for her right to stand trial. I mean, okay? Barbra thinks this is a searing look at the criminal justice system, while we think this film is truly criminal. You'll probably never see it, but you'd be NUTS not to listen to this podcast. Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

How much would you pay for a blowjob? Somewhere in excess of $500? No? Well, wait till you hear who's giving them... NUTS is a film that could also just be called BAD, in which suspension of disbelief only takes you so far. Good luck believing that Barbra Streisand is a prostitute, that she is potentially mentally incompetent or even that the walls of the courtroom are not made of cardboard. While Seán and Brian may have little praise for the film, it doesn't mean they don't have A LOT to say. Barbra is Claudia Draper, a working girl caught up in a messy situation. After decapitating Leslie Nielsen, she is forced to fight for her right to stand trial. I mean, okay? Barbra thinks this is a searing look at the criminal justice system, while we think this film is truly criminal. You'll probably never see it, but you'd be NUTS not to listen to this podcast. Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

She kept her clothes and kept her space. She kept her nose to spite her face! Who else could it be but BARBRA? Simply, Barbra. Long before she was in the business of cloning domestic mammals, Barbra Streisand was an ACTRESS. And in today's unequivocally good film, THE WAY WE WERE, Babs sparkles as Katie Morosky: The earnest agitprop campus leftie who has eyes for hunky blonde, Hubbell Gardner, the only WASP known to make sweet, sweet honey. Charting the romance of two ideologically incompatible love-birds, THE WAY WE WERE is the second greatest communist romance (after REDS, of course) and leaves Seán and Brian both in love with Ms. Streisand and in sticky lust with Robert Redford. Barbra couldn’t do any wrong after this, could she? Would she? Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

She kept her clothes and kept her space. She kept her nose to spite her face! Who else could it be but BARBRA? Simply, Barbra. Long before she was in the business of cloning domestic mammals, Barbra Streisand was an ACTRESS. And in today's unequivocally good film, THE WAY WE WERE, Babs sparkles as Katie Morosky: The earnest agitprop campus leftie who has eyes for hunky blonde, Hubbell Gardner, the only WASP known to make sweet, sweet honey. Charting the romance of two ideologically incompatible love-birds, THE WAY WE WERE is the second greatest communist romance (after REDS, of course) and leaves Seán and Brian both in love with Ms. Streisand and in sticky lust with Robert Redford. Barbra couldn’t do any wrong after this, could she? Would she? Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

"A mother on a quest for vengeance. A strong and silent heroine. A young woman on the cusp of adulthood. A publisher with the ultimate choice to make. Tonya Harding. Here are the five extraordinary women nominated for Best Actress" - Sharon Stone, in our fantasies. Join us for Part 2 of our Actress Oscar Special. Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

"A mother on a quest for vengeance. A strong and silent heroine. A young woman on the cusp of adulthood. A publisher with the ultimate choice to make. Tonya Harding. Here are the five extraordinary women nominated for Best Actress" - Sharon Stone, in our fantasies. Join us for Part 2 of our Actress Oscar Special. Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

After a short hiatus of watching films strictly for pleasure and not taking any notes during movies, we're back! And what a time to be alive - it's Oscar week! Seán and Brian take on the only categories that matter: Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. And in our typical style, this simple conversation has turned into two episodes. Join us for Part 1 as we talk Mary J., Leslie, Octavia, Allison and (swoon) Laurie. Any guess who our favourite is? Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

After a short hiatus of watching films strictly for pleasure and not taking any notes during movies, we're back! And what a time to be alive - it's Oscar week! Seán and Brian take on the only categories that matter: Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. And in our typical style, this simple conversation has turned into two episodes. Join us for Part 1 as we talk Mary J., Leslie, Octavia, Allison and (swoon) Laurie. Any guess who our favourite is? Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

The year is 1989. “Bad” communism is coming to an end, Europe is breaking into new nation states, Seán is being born and Emma Thompson is telling the world she is an absolute star in THE TALL GUY. After garroting Richard Curtis in the last episode, he gets an odd free pass here by helping create a strikingly independent female character in Emma's Kate Tampon Lemon. The film is a cluttered and creaking 80s romantic comedy, somewhere between Slaves of New York and A Chorus Line (i.e. far too batty for today's audiences). But weirdest of all, it includes what you never see much of: two consenting adults who barely know each other, casually arranging a date to enjoy a healthy serving of afternoon delight. (Well, if they’re straight, that is...). Known more for its raucous and equally joyous sex-scene between Emma and hunky co-star Jeff Goldblum, THE TALL GUY is a weird little romp down Shaftsberry Avenue and up the way to the Royal Free Hospital, which catapulted Emma to stardom. Seán and Brian cannot resist her charms, but was that ever really going to be a possibility? Oh Emma, we love you. Part 3 of 3 Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

The year is 1989. “Bad” communism is coming to an end, Europe is breaking into new nation states, Seán is being born and Emma Thompson is telling the world she is an absolute star in THE TALL GUY. After garroting Richard Curtis in the last episode, he gets an odd free pass here by helping create a strikingly independent female character in Emma's Kate Tampon Lemon. The film is a cluttered and creaking 80s romantic comedy, somewhere between Slaves of New York and A Chorus Line (i.e. far too batty for today's audiences). But weirdest of all, it includes what you never see much of: two consenting adults who barely know each other, casually arranging a date to enjoy a healthy serving of afternoon delight. (Well, if they’re straight, that is...). Known more for its raucous and equally joyous sex-scene between Emma and hunky co-star Jeff Goldblum, THE TALL GUY is a weird little romp down Shaftsberry Avenue and up the way to the Royal Free Hospital, which catapulted Emma to stardom. Seán and Brian cannot resist her charms, but was that ever really going to be a possibility? Oh Emma, we love you. Part 3 of 3 Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

Here at Broad Appeal we have the perfect gift for you: A foaming-at-the-mouth screed about one of the most repugnant little films masquerading as entertainment! Were it not for Emma Thompson, who brings an emotional weight to an entirely undeserving film, LOVE ACTUALLY would be consigned to the dust-bin of history. Also in that bin is every skeezy boss who ever creeped on his staff, political figures who think they can get away with anything, lad culture, and all “awkward” weirdos who just don't know how to talk to women. If you saw this film in 2003 and thought nothing of it, you'll be WOKEn up by the end of this episode. Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Andrew Lincoln, Bill Nighy et al – they're all here and they're all COMPLICIT! But Emma: As if we needed any reminder that E.T. is not only a consummate professional, with pools of artistic and emotional depth, but can also utilise the flat role of a taken-for-granted wife to craft a polemic on marriage, relationships, forgiveness and family, while never raising her voice. Richard Curtis and all cis-gendered males have a lot to answer for, but Emma makes this unfunny mess almost relatable. Proof, once again, that she is legendary. Part 2 of 3 
Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).

Here at Broad Appeal we have the perfect gift for you: A foaming-at-the-mouth screed about one of the most repugnant little films masquerading as entertainment! Were it not for Emma Thompson, who brings an emotional weight to an entirely undeserving film, LOVE ACTUALLY would be consigned to the dust-bin of history. Also in that bin is every skeezy boss who ever creeped on his staff, political figures who think they can get away with anything, lad culture, and all “awkward” weirdos who just don't know how to talk to women. If you saw this film in 2003 and thought nothing of it, you'll be WOKEn up by the end of this episode. Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Andrew Lincoln, Bill Nighy et al – they're all here and they're all COMPLICIT! But Emma: As if we needed any reminder that E.T. is not only a consummate professional, with pools of artistic and emotional depth, but can also utilise the flat role of a taken-for-granted wife to craft a polemic on marriage, relationships, forgiveness and family, while never raising her voice. Richard Curtis and all cis-gendered males have a lot to answer for, but Emma makes this unfunny mess almost relatable. Proof, once again, that she is legendary. Part 2 of 3 
Clips from the film presented according to fair use policy. Podcast Theme: "Pipeline" by CyberSDF (https://soundcloud.com/cybersdf/tracks).