Cinepunked

Robert and Ben celebrate the pre-fab four and the genius of Neil Innes with a look at Innes and Eric Idle's The Rutles, mockumentaries and the grim reality of the music business. (C) 2020 Avalard / CinePunked

Robert, Rachael and Ben dive into the twisted macabre world of Roald Dahl's family classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. You'll never look at a golden ticket the same way again.

Robert, Rachael and Ben kick off another season of the CinePunked podcast with a look at festive feature Jingle All the Way, useless dads, and memories of toys from Christmases past.

Hugely quotable. Undeniably offensive. For some it's a work of surrealist genius. For others it's one of the worst films ever made. CinePunked take a trip to the bizarre world of Tom Green's Freddy Got Fingered, via Chaplin and the nouvelle vague.

Rocky Horror Picture Show. Frankenstein and The Monster From Hell. Young Frankenstein. In the mid-1970s, Mary Shelley's most famous creation saw a new lease of life - and a radical makeover. Join CinePunked's Robert JE Simpson and Dr Rachael Kelly for an interactive discussion about cinematic homage, parody and reworking. And monsters in stilettos. Recorded live at Octocon 2018.

CinePunked's resident film historians Robert JE Simpson and Dr Rachael Kelly plus writer Conor Smyth discuss and debate Alan Clarke's 1989 Troubles film Elephant, and it's influences on Gus Van Sant's 2003 Columbine-focused appropriation of the same name. They're joined by very special guest Kevin Jackson, who was location manager on Clarke's original BBC film. Recorded as part of the Belfast Film Festival 2016.

Robert JE Simpson meets with director, broadcaster and author Alex Cox to talk academia, writing, fair use and of course Moviedrome.

After a couple of days soaking up the atmosphere of Tinseltown, CinePunked's Robert JE Simpson meets up with old friend, the acclaimed film historian, critic and presenter David Del Valle for a chat about what's left of old Hollywood, David's career, their shared love of horror films, freelancing and the art of the commentary track.

Richard Elfman is a filmmaker, musician, writer, surrealist. His 1980 film Forbidden Zone has gained a cult following for its bizarre plotting, outlandish characters and breaking of stereotypes. Four decades on and a sequel is in pre-production, hot on the heels of Richard's new film (due out later in 2019), the equally bizarre Hipsters, Gangsters, Aliens and Geeks. Robert met up with Richard at his home in Hollywood for an informal chat about Richard's work earlier this year. During a candid conversation, fuelled by fine cigars and whiskey (or was it whisky?) they talk about life on the fringes of Hollywood, working with family, the highs and lows of the industry, Forbidden Zone, Ireland and Hollywood history. WARNING: Listener discretion is advised. Some of the language used may cause offence. We have elected not to edit out any of the content so as to present the conversation as frankly as possible.

Robert and Rachael discuss Alain Resnais' chilling documentary about the concentration camps - Night and Fog. What makes it so impactful, over 60 years later, and why should everyone see it?

Are the iconic Carry On film comedies simply a stream of innuendo and saucy postcard humour? Special guest Robert Ross joins CinePunked's Robert and Rachael for a reappraisal of the brand as they examine Carry On Sergeant, Carry On Columbus, and rumours of a reboot.

To mark Hitchcock Day 2019, Robert and Rachael explore the darker side of Alfred Hitchcock's work - his brushes with psychoanalysis and allegations of misogyny.

Robert and Rachael are obsessed with a film obsessed with an image, and they can't quite agree what it means... Join them as they navigate Chris Marker's sci-fi classic La Jetée, and delve into a discussion about the power of the image and film itself. With Robert JE Simpson and Dr Rachael Kelly. Produced by Robert JE Simpson

CinePunked presents Robert JE Simpson in conversation with filmmaker Anna Biller. In this exclusive chat, Biller discusses her films Viva and The Love Witch, the challenges of filmmaking in Hollywood, #metoo, and female representation on screen.

Anna Biller's The Love Witch prompts a rare unified praise from the CinePunked team as they explore feminism, the male gaze, auteurs, and more present in one of the most distinctive and provocative films of the last few years. With Robert JE Simpson, Dr Rachael Kelly and Ben Simpson.

Its the CinePunked Christmas special! This time Rachael tries to convince Robert and Ben that Die Hard 2 is the greatest Christmas film ever... But is it? What even makes a Christmas film a Christmas film? And what are your festive viewing traditions. Quicker than a hail of blanks, CinePunked takes on the mighty McClane. With Robert JE Simpson and Dr Rachael Kelly. Produced by Ben Simpson. © 2018 CinePunked/Avalard Productions. All Rights Reserved

Tits or destiny? What would you do if the path to eternal riches was laid in front of you? CinePunked explores cult favourite Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, from its meta text to its slacker vibe and rich bromance.

Viewing certain films has become more problematic than ever before. Claims of sexual abuse and impropriety dominate the headlines leading to the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns. Once beloved personalities are now box office poison. From Arbuckle to Spacey, Allen to Polanski, scandal clouds the filmmaking industry. Recorded before a live audience at the 2018 Belfast Film Festival, CinePunked's resident hosts Robert JE Simpson and Dr Rachael Kelly are joined by Liz Nelson (and a special contribution from director Anna Biller) for an interactive panel discussion navigating the ethics of film-watching in a post-Weinstein era. Can we separate art from artist? How is the cinema gaze being redirected? Is it ok to watch a film when the makers have been convicted of criminal activity? Where does the line sit between suffering for craft, and abuse?

On its 40th birthday, CinePunked take a trip to Haddonfield and revisit John Carpenter's classic Halloween. With Robert J.E. Simpson, Dr Rachael Kelly, and Ben Simpson.

Is The Wicker Man really a horror film? Or is it a musical? Robert tries to convince Rachael and Ben of its merits as a piece of genre-defying collaborative brilliance. www.cinepunked.com CinePunked are Robert JE Simpson and Dr Rachael Kelly Produced by Ben Simpson