FRED Watch Podcast
The FRED Watch team view and review an assortment of films that range from the obscure to the mainstream.
EPISODE 1:
Phillip and Wayne discuss the B-grade sci-fi comedy Mystery Science Theater 3000 – The Movie (1996). It’s a film that Phill loved as a teen, but Wayne is less than impressed…
Original broadcast: 25 January 2018.
EPISODE 2:
Wayne introduces Phillip to one of his all-time favourite Australian films, the underrated Ozploitation classic Fortress (1985). Phill confesses to not liking scary movies, but will he be captivated by this Outback thriller?
Original broadcast: 15 February 2018.
EPISODE 3:
Phillip introduces Wayne to one of his all-time favourite films—World War I: The Musical! Will Wayne sing along to Oh! What a Lovely War (1969)?
Original broadcast: 15 March 2018.
EPISODE 4:
Wayne re-introduces Phillip to, what he considers, the greatest love story ever written for a male audience. But as they discuss, Rocky (1976) is a multi-layered sports movie with one of the most charismatic protagonists ever put to screen.
Original broadcast: 19 April 2018.
BONUS ANZAC DAY 2018 EPISODE:
Phillip introduces Wayne and special guest Ashley to the theatrical cut of the made-for-television drama All Quiet on the Western Front (1979).
As a war historian, this is one of Phillip’s favourite films of the genre, but will Ashley and Wayne join him on the front line?
Original broadcast: 25 April 2018.
EPISODE 5:
Phillip introduces Wayne to the comedy I Love You Phillip Morris (2009). More than a simple review, the boys also discuss queer representation in cinema and television.
It’s a thoughtful, entertaining chat that raises questions… and attempts to answer them too!
Original broadcast: 17 May 2018.
EPISODE 6:
Wayne introduces Phillip to the controversial drama Romper Stomper (1992). Listen carefully, and you’ll hear the two friends increasingly grow frustrated with each other’s point of view.
So, since the boys disagree on almost every point of discussion relating to the film, what will their respective scores be?
Original broadcast: 21 June 2018.
EPISODE 7:
Phillip introduces Wayne to the made-for-television comedy Holy Flying Circus (2011).
The film is about a fascinating debate relating to censorship arising with the release of the classic Life of Brian (1979). But, as Monty Python fans, the boys aren’t sure the filmmakers hit the mark.
Original broadcast: 19 July 2018.
EPISODE 8:
Wayne introduces Phillip to the fascinating film The Imposter (2012). The boys love a good documentary, but how do they feel about one that has such an unreliable primary source?
Original broadcast: 16 August 2018.
EPISODE 9:
Phillip and Wayne are joined by special guest Ashley to discuss and debate Belated Media’s review and hypothetical videos relating to the Star Wars prequels: The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002), and Revenge of the Sith (2005).
Here, they review the series What If the Star Wars Prequels Were Good? (2012-2015).
Three videos of a nerd ranting about the Star Wars prequels. Three nerds sitting around a microphone arguing about said videos. The boys are sure to disagree…
Original broadcast: 20 September 2018.
EPISODE 10:
Wayne introduces Phillip to another one of his favourite Australian films, the coming-of-age tale, The Black Balloon (2008).
For Wayne, it is a beautiful domestic drama that champions the strength of family and challenges the notions of normality. For Phillip, the story’s themes hit close to home…
Original broadcast: 18 October 2018.
EPISODE 11:
Phillip, Wayne, and special guest Ashley let their curiosity get the better of them and watch the B-grade sci-fi This Island Earth (1955).
Phillip and Wayne see the film’s potential, while Ashley delivers the most conflicted FRED Watch review ever… Wait for his rant!
Haven’t seen This Island Earth? You can watch it for free here.
Original broadcast: 15 November 2018.
BONUS WORLD AIDS DAY 2018 EPISODE:
Wayne introduces Phillip to one of the most significant mainstream Hollywood films in queer cinema history, Philadelphia (1993).
While acknowledging that the film has its flaws, the boys were moved by its message and the film’s effectiveness to capture a period driven by fear.
Original broadcast: 1 December 2018.
EPISODE 12:
Wayne brings Superman (1978), his favourite superhero film of all time, to Phillip, Ashley, and special guest Kendall.
While Ashley and Kendall share Wayne’s nostalgic childhood memories, Phillip experiences Richard Donner’s genre masterpiece for the first time… with a slew of superhero blockbusters to compare it with!
Original broadcast: 20 December 2018.
BONUS CHRISTMAS DAY 2018 EPISODE:
Because everything is better with the Muppets, Phillip and Wayne revisit the classic family musical The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)!
Original broadcast: 25 December 2018.
EPISODE 13:
Phillip brings Thunderbirds Are Go (1966) to Wayne; the first big screen rendition of the popular supermarianation television series.
But the boys discover that the film suffers from poor pacing, meaningless plot points, and what would have to be one of cinema’s longest and weirdest wet dreams… involving Cliff Richard and The Shadows.
Original broadcast: 17 January 2019.
EPISODE 14:
Wayne introduces Phillip to the cult classic movie Malcolm (1986), starring Colin Friels, John Hargreaves, Lindy Davies, and one of Australian cinema’s most iconic moments!
It is a nostalgic favourite of Wayne’s, but will Phillip’s sides split for this crime caper?
Original broadcast: 21 February 2019.
EPISODE 15:
Phillip introduces Wayne to his all-time favorite film (outside of the Star Wars franchise, of course!)—the epic war drama Zulu (1964).
It marked the big screen debut of Michael Caine and is an example of imperial narratives, so does the film still hold up from a contemporary perspective?
Original broadcast: 21 March 2019.
EPISODE 16:
Wayne introduces Phillip and special guest Kendall to his all-time favourite queer film—Beautiful Thing (1996).
Groundbreaking in its representation of a same-sex relationship between two teenagers, will the team still find Jamie and Ste’s love story a beautiful thing?
Original broadcast: 18 April 2019.
BONUS ANZAC DAY 2019 EPISODE:
Phillip introduces Wayne to the Horrible Histories special, ‘Frightful First World War’ (2014).
With plenty of toilet humour to reference, the boys discuss teaching brutal history to children and if Horrible Histories hits the spot or gets it horribly wrong.
Original broadcast: 25 April 2019.
EPISODE 17:
Phillip, Wayne, and special guest Bethany revisit the horror comedy, Shaun of the Dead (2004).
The first in the Cornetto Trilogy, does Edgar Wright’s cult classic still have bite?
Original broadcast: 16 May 2019.
EPISODE 18:
Wayne and Phillip are joined by fellow comic book movie nerd Kendall, as well as special guests Fulya and Kirsten, to review Tim Burton’s Batman (1989).
It is a mix of nostalgia and first-time viewership, so the five film critics are bound to agree… right?
Original broadcast: 20 June 2019.
BONUS PRIDE MONTH 2019 EPISODE:
Wayne introduces Phillip to the Stonewall movie you’ve probably never heard of!
In a Pride Month special episode of FRED Watch, the boys commemorate the uprising that changed the course of queer civil rights history with Nigel Finch’s Stonewall (1995).
Original broadcast: 28 June 2019.
EPISODE 19:
For this month’s FRED Watch podcast, Phillip channels his passion for gaming and brings Wreck-It Ralph (2010) to Wayne for discussion.
Will Ralph win the day or will it be game over…?
Original broadcast: 18 July 2019.
EPISODE 20:
To celebrate the eightieth anniversary of Victor Fleming’s The Wizard of Oz (1939), Wayne and Phillip discuss the iconic film’s place in cinematic history and its endurance in popular culture.
But with eight decades of movies to compare it to, is there still gold on the other side of the rainbow?
Original broadcast: 22 August 2019.
BONUS CRAPTACULAR SPECIAL #1:
Wayne introduces Phillip and special guests Fulya, Kendall, and Kirsten to Tommy Wiseau’s infamous cult classic about… um… Johnny and his best friend Mark… who is having an affair with Lisa… whose mother has breast cancer… who lectures Denny about drugs… on a rooftop… and there’s football tossing too.
But are our reviewers really ready to enter The Room (2003)?
Original broadcast: 29 August 2019.
EPISODE 21:
Phillip introduces Wayne to the black comedy The Death of Stalin (2017).
The boys both have history degrees under their belts and love a good comedy, but do the two genres meld well enough to successfully satirise Stalin?
Original broadcast: 19 September 2019.
EPISODE 22:
Wayne introduces Phillip to Dein Perry’s Bootmen (2000).
The boys acknowledge that the film’s not without its flaws and discuss the representation of masculinities within the narrative, but will they strap on their boots for this forgotten Australian dance movie?
Original broadcast: 17 October 2019.
BONUS HALLOWEEN 2019 EPISODE:
Wayne introduces Phillip and guest reviewer Kendall to the classic suspense slasher, Psycho (1960).
Engrained in popular culture and lauded as one of the greatest films ever made, will the team go mad for Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece?
Original broadcast: 31 October 2019.
EPISODE 23:
Phillip introduces Wayne to one of his favourite childhood movies, Doctor Dolittle (1967).
The boys discuss whether or not the classic family musical holds up and if it is strong enough to withstand its production problems.
Original broadcast: 21 November 2019.
BONUS WORLD AIDS DAY 2019 EPISODE:
Wayne introduces Phillip to one of Australia’s greatest love stories, Holding the Man (2015).
Based on Timothy Conigrave’s bestseller, the boys discuss if Neil Armfield’s film does justice to Tim and John’s legacy.
Original broadcast: 1 December 2019.
EPISODE 24:
In celebration of its eightieth anniversary, Wayne introduces Phillip to one of cinema’s most significant productions, Gone With the Wind (1939).
The boys discuss the film in context as well as through a contemporary lens. But does Victor Fleming’s epic romantic melodrama hold up enough to still blow audiences away eight decades later?
Broadcast: 19 December 2019.
BONUS CHRISTMAS DAY 2019 EPISODE:
Wayne and Phillip celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the debut of The Simpsons, revisiting the unintentional pilot episode to the pop culture phenomenon, Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (1989), in a special Christmas Day FRED Watch presentation!
Original broadcast: 25 December 2019.
EPISODE 25:
Goon fanatic Phillip introduces Wayne to a movie that is quite confusing and incredibly disappointing. It’s Down Among the Z Men (1952).
Original broadcast: 16 January 2020.
EPISODE 26:
Wayne introduces Phillip and special guest Fulya to the classic Australian coming-of-age film Puberty Blues (1981).
A protofeminist narrative that explores intense sexism within surfing culture, will this bout of puberty leave the reviewers feeling a little blue?
Original broadcast: 20 February 2020.
EPISODE 27:
Phillip introduces Wayne and special guest Kendall to the award-winning independent Australian film Look Both Ways (2005).
Director Sarah Watt explores the many stages of grief, but which way will the team look with their critiques?
Original broadcast: 19 March 2020.
EPISODE 28:
Wayne introduces Phillip and special guest Kendall to the cult classic thriller, Duel (1972).
Much more than a road rage movie, the team dissect what makes Steven Spielberg’s first feature film an impressive debut!
Original broadcast: 16 April 2020.
BONUS ANZAC DAY 2020 EPISODE:
Phillip and Wayne review Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed documentary They Shall Not Grow Old (2018).
Completely made up of rich and some never-before-seen or heard primary sources, the documentary is an historian’s treasure trove… but does that make it a good film?
Original broadcast: 25 April 2020.
<div style=”font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;”><a href=”https://soundcloud.com/fredthealienproductions” title=”FRED the ALIEN Productions” target=”_blank” style=”color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;”>FRED the ALIEN Productions</a> · <a href=”https://soundcloud.com/fredthealienproductions/fred-watch-a3″ title=”FRED Watch ANZAC Day 2020 Special: They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)” target=”_blank” style=”color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;”>FRED Watch ANZAC Day 2020 Special: They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)</a></div>
EPISODE 29:
Phillip and Wayne discuss Frank Darabont’s masterpiece The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and dissect some of the more interesting elements of this enduring classic.
Original broadcast: 21 May 2020.
<div style=”font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;”><a href=”https://soundcloud.com/fredthealienproductions” title=”FRED the ALIEN Productions” target=”_blank” style=”color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;”>FRED the ALIEN Productions</a> · <a href=”https://soundcloud.com/fredthealienproductions/fred-watch-29″ title=”FRED Watch Episode 29: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)” target=”_blank” style=”color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;”>FRED Watch Episode 29: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)</a></div>
COMING SOON: The Breakfast Club (1985).
Seen any of these titles? Let us know your thoughts and score out of five in the comments!
FRED the ALIEN Productions 