Trimming The Movie Fat

After a long hiatus, host Stephen Nicholson returns to Trimming The Movie Fat with guest Paul Melon for a cinematic deep dive worthy of the Corleone name. In this comeback episode — the first since 2025 — the duo critiques all three Godfather films, dissecting their power, family, and legacy. Expect movie trailers, vintage interviews, and critical reviews woven through their discussion as they decide which entries deserve to stay in the trilogy… and which should be cut. It’s an offer you can’t refuse — a collector’s return to one of cinema’s greatest sagas.

Join host Stephen Nicholson on Trimming the Movie Fat as we venture into deep space to rank all nine films in the Alien franchise . From the claustrophobic terror of Alien to the action-packed chaos of Aliens , and through the divisive prequels and spin-offs, Stephen breaks down what works, what doesn’t, and which entries truly earn their place in sci-fi horror history. Expect sharp insights, bold opinions, and maybe a few surprises as we decide which Xenomorph reigns supreme. In space, no one can hear you rank… but we’re doing it anyway! Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd #Podcast #Alien #MovieRewatch #TrimmingTheMovieFat

🦇 Trimming The Movie Fat is back with a Gotham-sized rewatch! Hosted by Stephen Nicholson, this week’s episode is: “Bat to the Future: The Batman (2022) Rewatch” In just 13 minutes, Stephen dives into Matt Reeves’ The Batman — exploring its noir style, performances, and place in the Dark Knight legacy. Is it top, middle, or lower tier Batman? Tune in to find out! 🔗 Listen now and join the debate. Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd #Podcast #TheBatman #MovieRewatch #TrimmingTheMovieFat

Not so long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, TTMF podcast host Stephen Nicholson and friend Paul Melon, got together to rewatch and critique the original Star Wars trilogy - A New Hope (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983). Join them as they share fond memories of seeing the movies on original release, what Star Wars means to them, and which of the three movies they regard as the best. 13:06 Discussing A New Hope 33:33 Discussing The Empire Strikes Back 47:39 Discussing Return of the Jedi Also, look out for original trailers, interviews, and Siskel & Ebert’s reviews. Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd

Summary In this episode, Stephen and Paul delve into the Lethal Weapon film series, discussing each installment's impact, humor, and legacy. They explore the evolution of the buddy cop genre, the chemistry between the leads, and the cultural significance of the films. The conversation reflects on nostalgia, memorable scenes, and the franchise's overall standing in cinematic history. Chapters 00:35 Introduction to Lethal Weapon Series 01:12 Exploring Lethal Weapon (1987) 15:29 Diving into Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) 28:20 Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) Discussion 40:40 Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) Discussion 56:15 Franchise Legacy and Final Thoughts Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd

Summary In this episode, the hosts discuss the classic comedy series The Naked Gun, exploring its origins from the short-lived TV show Police Squad to its three film adaptations. They delve into the humor, memorable moments, and the legacy of the series, while also looking forward to the upcoming requel starring Liam Neeson. The conversation highlights the unique style of comedy that The Naked Gun brought to the screen and its enduring impact on pop culture. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Naked Gun Series 02:05 The Origins of Police Squad 06:08 Discussing The Naked Gun (1988) 22:44 Discussing The Naked Gun 2 1/2 (1991) 36:09 Discussing The Naked Gun 33 1/3 (1994) 51:27 Anticipation for the New Requel - The Naked Gun (2025) Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd

"Ben Affleck was a great Batman."SummaryIn this episode of Trimming The Movie Fat, host Stephen delves into the complexities of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). He discusses the film's box office success, critical reception, and its ambitious themes of fear, power, and accountability. The conversation explores character portrayals, particularly of Batman, Superman, and Lex Luthor, as well as the film's visual style and soundtrack. Ultimately, Stephen shares his personal enjoyment of the film despite its flaws and invites listeners to share their thoughts.Chapters00:00 Ben Affleck Interview00:50 Introduction to Batman v Superman01:13 B v S Trailer03:24 Henry Cavill Interview05:23 B v S: Tale of the Tape07:44 Themes of Fear, Power, and Accountability09:50 Character Analysis and Performances10:38 Soundtrack and Cinematic Style12:27 Final Thoughts and Audience EngagementVisit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com)Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthhListen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMFLetterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd

"Was it fun? Absolutely."SummaryIn this episode of Trimming The Movie Fat, host Stephen Nicholson dives into 'Solo: A Star Wars Story,' exploring its plot, character performances, production challenges, and overall reception. He discusses the film's place within the Star Wars franchise, its box office performance, and the mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. The conversation highlights the film's fun elements, character dynamics, and the impact of its troubled production on its legacy."The Kessel Run sequence? Awesome."Chapters00:00 Ron Howard Interview on Colbert01:03 Introduction to Solo: A Star Wars Story01:39 Solo Trailer (2018)05:38 Plot Overview and Box Office Performance07:41 Character Performances and Casting Choices10:17 Production Challenges and Reception12:42 Final Thoughts on Necessity and EnjoymentVisit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com)Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthhListen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMFLetterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd

“Mission accomplished!” - Ethan Hunt (2011, Ghost Protocol”). Stephen & Paul continue their not-impossible mission of critiquing and ranking Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission : Impossible’ movies. The successful film series which has grossed over $4B USD at the global box office. Movies 1 - 3 were discussed in the previous show. In this, the concluding episode: - Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011) - Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015) - Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018) - Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) Look out for movie information, box office grosses, critical and audience reception, budgets, facts and more. Which of the seven movies will be ranked top? Which do we wish never existed? Listen/Watch to find out. Come back next month for our look at the two Timothy Dalton James Bond movies (The Living Daylights & License To Kill). Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF

“Sanchez - "Problem solver?" Bond - "More of a problem eliminator." - License to Kill.” Timothy Dalton took on the unenviable task of succeeding Roger Moore as James Bond in the mid-1980s. Moving away from the light-comedy of the Moore-years, Dalton’s take on the character returned Bond to his darker, literary roots nearly 20 years before Daniel Craig’s similar portrayal in Casino Royale (2006). Dalton’s Bond tenure is hotly debated. Was he the right Bond, wrong time? Did he have the comedic chops to pull off the Bond quips? Is he underrated? Were you glad to see the back of him (for Pierce Brosnan)? What is not in doubt is that he left the franchise under a cloud due to A/ License to Kill’s underperformance at the box office B/ Not getting a third movie due to behind-the-scenes legal issues. With all that said, TTMF hosts Stephen & Paul (HUGE Bond fans) sat down to rewatch The Living Daylights (1987) and License to Kill (1989) to give their thoughts on them, and Dalton’s portrayal. They’ll also provide relevant movie information like box office grosses, critical and audience reception, budgets, facts and more. Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF

“Bond: I am sorry for your loss. Lucia: You knew my husband ? Bond: All too briefly. Lucia: What do you do ? Bond: Life insurance.” James Bond will return. And so have podcast hosts Stephen & Paul, plus their guests Paul & Davie Melon, for a deep dive into two hugely divisive Bond movies - ‘Spectre’ (2015) & ‘No Time To Die’ (2021). Join the boys as they rewatch, critique and rank the 2 movies. They’ll also provide relevant movie information like box office grosses, critical and audience reception, budgets, facts and more. And stick around until the end when the guys rank all 5 of Daniel Craig’s Bond’s. Come back next month for more espionage action as we start looking at the Mission Impossible movies. Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF

“Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” In 1996, Paramount took a chance on Tom Cruise & his big screen version of the popular sixties TV show ‘Mission : Impossible’. A gamble that paid off handsomely to the tune of over $4B USD in global box office receipts. Are all of the movies (7 to date) impossibly good? No (we’re looking at you M:I2). Are some better better than others? Yes. Do they get better as the series progresses? A topic worthy of debate. So… Podcast hosts & M:I fans Stephen & Paul Nicholson accept the (not) impossible mission to rewatch, critique and rank all the movies, whilst also providing relevant movie information, box office grosses, critical and audience reception, budgets, facts and more. The movies covered in this episode are: - Mission : Impossible (1996) - Mission : Impossible 2 (2000) - Mission : Impossible 3 (2006) Come back next month for the concluding episode which looks at Ghost Protocol (2011), Rogue Nation (2015), Fallout (2018) & Dead Reckoning Part One (2023). Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF

"How could you get this so wrong?" Summary In this episode of Trimming The Movie Fat, host Stephen and his brother Paul discuss the 1967 film Casino Royale, an unofficial James Bond spoof. They explore the film's convoluted plot, the involvement of multiple directors, and the overall poor reception from both critics and audiences. The conversation delves into the film's legacy, its impact on the Bond franchise, and how it compares to the official Bond movies, particularly the successful 2006 adaptation starring Daniel Craig. The hosts share their thoughts on the film's music, performances, and the absurdity of its humor, ultimately concluding that the film is a forgettable entry in the Bond universe. "It tries to be funny but it's not." Chapters 00:58 Introduction to Casino Royale (1967) 01:23 Casino Royale Trailer 03:43 John Huston Interview 04:15 Casino Royale Facts 06:57 Initial Impressions and Reception 09:18 The Film's Structure and Humor 12:06 Legacy and Impact on the Bond Franchise 14:50 Final Thoughts and Comparisons to Other Bond Films Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd "This film is a hot mess."

"It's a middle of the pack Bond movie." Summary In this episode of 'Trimming The Movie Fat', host Stephen & his guests discuss 'Diamonds Are Forever', Sean Connery's final official Bond film. They explore the film's plot, box office success, and initial impressions, while analyzing Connery's performance, the portrayal of Blofeld, and the representation of women in the film. The conversation also delves into the unique Las Vegas setting, memorable action sequences, the theme song, and the villains Wint & Kidd. The hosts conclude with their ratings and final thoughts on the film's place in the Bond franchise. "It's a fun movie” Chapters 00:35 Introduction to Diamonds Are Forever 05:08 Tale of the Tape: Diamonds Are Forever 07:15 First Impressions of the Film 09:38 Sean Connery's Performance 15:33 The Evolution of Bond's Style 17:48 Blofeld's Portrayal and Villainy 20:40 Women in Diamonds Are Forever 23:13 Las Vegas as a Bond Setting 24:00 Action Sequences and Highlights 26:23 Theme Song and Soundtrack 28:41 Wint and Kidd and Representation 31:38 Final Thoughts and Ratings Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd

"Connery just had enough" Summary In this episode of Trimming the Movie Fat, host Stephen and his guests Paul Melon and Paul Nicholson, delve into the 1967 James Bond 007 film 'You Only Live Twice,' exploring its plot, cultural representation, and the evolution of their opinions over time. They discuss the film's iconic moments, memorable gadgets, and the impact of its soundtrack, while also reflecting on the portrayal of characters and the film's reception. The conversation culminates in personal ratings and anticipation for future Bond discussions. "It's one of my favourites" Chapters 00:31 Introduction to You Only Live Twice 05:20 Plot Overview and Context 07:31 Initial Impressions and Changing Opinions 13:44 Cultural Representation and Cinematography 16:40 Humour and One-Liners 19:31 Villains and Bond Girls 23:24 Iconic Villain Hideouts 25:40 Gadgets and Their Appeal 27:33 Confusion in Plot Setup 28:42 Cultural Sensitivity in Bond 30:52 Music and Soundtrack Impact 36:13 Final Ratings and Franchise Discussion Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd

"It's a product of its time, isn't it?" Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', host Stephen and his guests, the 2 Pauls, discuss the 1965 James Bond adventure 'Thunderball', exploring its plot, characters, and cultural significance. They reflect on the film's humor, action scenes, and music, while also paying tribute to the late Gene Hackman. The conversation delves into the film's place within the Bond franchise, its reception during the Cold War era, and the portrayal of female characters. The hosts share their rankings and thoughts on potential changes for a modern remake, ultimately agreeing on the film's entertainment value and its importance in the Bond series. "The underwater scenes slow the film down." Chapters 00:32 Introduction to Thunderball and Bond's Legacy 00:56 Thunderball Trailer 04:38 Tale of the Tape: Thunderball 06:54 Remembering Gene Hackman: A Tribute 08:54 First Impressions of Thunderball 12:50 Bond's Humor and Character Development 14:14 The Film's Pacing and Underwater Scenes 19:25 Ranking Thunderball Among Bond Films 21:16 Plot Relevance and Continuity Errors 23:41 Villains and Bond Girls: A Deeper Look 28:33 Memorable Action Scenes 32:55 The Power of Music in Bond Films 37:44 Modernizing Thunderball 39:16 Final Thoughts and Ratings Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd

"Rogue One draws deep on Star Wars mythology." Summary In this episode of Trimming The Movie Fat, host Stephen and guest Paul Melon delve into 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,' exploring its narrative, character arcs, visual effects, and musical score. They discuss personal connections to the film, favorite scenes, and the emotional weight of the story, particularly its darker ending. The conversation also touches on how 'Rogue One' bridges the gap between the prequel and original trilogies, the portrayal of the Rebel Alliance, and the film's impact on the Star Wars franchise. The hosts conclude with their ratings and thoughts on future Star Wars projects. Chapters 01:19 Introduction to Rogue One 01:31 Trailer / Interview / Kermode Review 05:20 Tale of the Tape: Rogue One 07:37 Personal Connections and Initial Reactions 12:29 Character Arcs and Emotional Impact 21:28 The Rebel Alliance: Morality and Complexity 24:10 Visual Effects and CGI Innovations 27:50 Musical Score and Emotional Tone 30:40 Influence on the Star Wars Franchise 35:02 Final Thoughts and Ratings Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd

"I loved the ending." Summary In this episode, host Stephen and his guest Paul Melon delve into Christopher Nolan's final instalment of The Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises (2012). They discuss the film's plot, character arcs, and the impact of Bane as a villain. The conversation explores Bruce Wayne's journey, Gotham's moral complexities, and the film's conclusion. They also touch on the score by Hans Zimmer and the role of Selina Kyle, ultimately rating the film and comparing it to its predecessors. "I think it's far more realistic." Chapters 00:00 Anne Hathaway Interview 00:49 Introduction to The Dark Knight Rises 01:19 The Dark Knight Rises Trailer (2012) 03:27 Christopher Nolan Interview (2012) 03:57 Mark Kermode Review The Dark Knight Rises (2012) 04:31 Tale of the Tape: The Dark Knight Rises 06:20 Initial Impressions and Expectations 08:13 Memorable Scenes and Character Dynamics 11:30 Bane as a Villain: Strengths and Weaknesses 14:55 Bruce Wayne's Journey: A Human Perspective 19:18 Gotham's Struggles: Moral Choices and Consequences 22:26 Political Parallels and Social Commentary 25:22 The Impact of Hans Zimmer's Score 27:58 Selina Kyle's Role and Contribution 31:32 Conclusion of the Trilogy: Fitting Endings 34:34 Final Ratings and Rankings Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd #TheDarkKnightRises #Batman #ChristopherNolan #Bane #BruceWayne #Gotham #moviereview #superherofilms #filmanalysis #HansZimmer

"Is being human just having a physical body?" Summary In this episode of Trimming the Movie Fat, host Stephen and guest Davie Melon delve into the intricacies of Blade Runner 2049, exploring its themes, cinematography, and character arcs. They discuss their first impressions, the film's reception among fans of the original, and the philosophical questions it raises about humanity and existence. The conversation also touches on the film's visual and auditory elements, Denis Villeneuve's direction, and the potential future of the Blade Runner franchise. "He encapsulates that lonely existence." Chapters 01:18 Introduction to Blade Runner 2049 01:36 Trailer / Kermode Review / Harrison Ford Interview 05:03 Tale of the Tape: Blade Runner 2049 07:11 First Impressions and Cinematic Experience 11:06 Character Journeys: Kay vs. Deckard 13:40 Themes of Humanity and Alienation 14:47 Visuals and Cinematography 15:57 The Impact of the Score 17:56 Denis Villeneuve's Direction 22:25 Fan Reception and Legacy 23:08 Favourite Scenes and Moments 26:12 Future of the Blade Runner Franchise 29:21 Final Thoughts and Ratings Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF Letterboxd - https://boxd.it/aLddd #BladeRunner #RidleyScott #scifi #replicants #filmanalysis #characterstudy #technology #humanity #moviereview #denisvilleneuve #ryangosling

"Deckard is a replicant?" Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', host Stephen Nicholson and guest Davie Melon delve into the iconic 1982 sci-fi film 'Blade Runner', directed by Ridley Scott. They explore the film's plot, characters, and its significant impact on the sci-fi genre. The conversation covers personal experiences with the film, character analyses, the influence of its visual style and Vangelis's score, and the philosophical questions it raises about technology and humanity. The hosts also reflect on memorable moments from the film and share their ratings, concluding with a discussion on the film's legacy and its place in the franchise. "The rise of A.I. is becoming worrying." Chapters 00:00 Ridley Scott & Christian Bale Interview 00:53 Introduction to Blade Runner 01:22 Blade Runner Trailer 03:27 Harrison Ford Interview 03:42 Siskel & Ebert Review Blade Runner 05:34 Tale of the Tape: Blade Runner 07:26 First Impressions and Personal Connections 15:10 Character Analysis and Themes 17:33 Iconic Moments and Monologues 19:50 Visual and Sound Design Influence 26:16 Technology, Humanity, and AI 29:01 Living in the Blade Runner Universe 30:40 Memorable Quotes and Lines 33:40 Final Thoughts and Ratings Visit our webpage - Trimming The Movie Fat | Trimming The Musical Fat (trimmingthemusicalfat.com) Like what you heard? Why not buy us a coffee to show your appreciation - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/trimmingthh Listen to our music podcast - https://anchor.fm/TTMF #BladeRunner #RidleyScott #scifi #replicants #filmanalysis #Vangelis #characterstudy #technology #humanity #moviereview