This isn't a review, this is a decision...

PART 1 – The Nutshell – If you haven’t seen it

A spoiler-free breakdown of the cult sci-fi parody Spaceballs, a film that turns blockbuster space opera on its head with absurdity, slapstick and relentless meta-humour.

An exploration of the film’s tone and rhythm, looking at how it blends visual gags, wordplay and fourth-wall breaks to create a comedy that deliberately undercuts epic storytelling at every turn.

A look at the kind of viewing experience Spaceballs offers — fast, silly, knowingly ridiculous and packed with references — without touching on specific plot turns or punchlines.

By the end of Part 1, you’ll know whether this brand of intergalactic spoof belongs on your watchlist.

---

PART 2 – The Unboxing – If you’ve seen it

What Did You Miss?

The layers beneath the surface, from how the film deconstructs franchise culture and merchandising, to the way it plays with audience expectations of the sci-fi genre.

Moments that gain new meaning on reflection, including recurring visual jokes, exaggerated character archetypes and the deliberate stretching of single gags for maximum absurd effect.

A closer look at how parody is used not just for laughs, but as commentary on blockbuster filmmaking and sequel obsession.

---

Paul’s Facts of the Day

A standout set of facts and trivia, including:

Behind-the-scenes production context and how the film came together under comedy legend Mel Brooks

Casting decisions that shaped its most iconic performances, including Rick Moranis and John Candy

The film’s journey from modest box office performance to enduring cult status

Creative choices that cemented its reputation as one of the boldest genre parodies of the 1980s

---

Hate It or Rate It?

Marc, Darren & Paul submit their scores and Spaceballs takes its place in the Legend League.

---

PART 3 – Listener Lounge

Your questions, your comments and your shout-outs, the Question of the Week and of course the reveal of next week’s movie.

---

Listen Now

https://2ly.link/24tPI

---

View the Legend League

Every movie we’ve featured and rated on the podcast

https://linkly.link/2Bfcv

---

View the Listener League

See how listeners rated the movies they chose

https://linkly.link/2Bi9l

---

Join the conversation

Voice message

https://linkly.link/2FuSQ

Email

hello@moviesinanutshell.com

---

Socials

Website

https://www.moviesinanutshell.com

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/moviesinanut

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/moviesinanut

---

Hosts

Marc Farquhar

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marcfarquhar

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/themarcfarquhar

Darren Horne

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedarrenhorne

Paul Day

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/pauldaylive23

---

Recorded at

Sunbeams Studios

https://www.thestudioatsunbeams.co.uk

Part of Annie Mawson’s Sunbeams Music Trust

https://sunbeamsmusic.org

---

Music

Main...

Charade (1963)

Darren'’s Pick

PART 1 – The Nutshell – If you haven’t seen it

A spoiler-free breakdown of the classic mystery-thriller Charade, a film that blends suspense, romance and comedy against a stylish Parisian backdrop.

An exploration of the film’s tone and rhythm, looking at how it balances lightness and tension, and how its playful approach to danger sets it apart from more straight-faced thrillers of the era.

A look at the kind of viewing experience Charade offers — fast-moving, dialogue-driven and deliberately unpredictable — without touching on story details, twists or outcomes.

By the end of Part 1, you’ll know whether this mix of mystery, charm and tonal juggling belongs on your watchlist.

PART 2 – The Unboxing – If you’ve seen it

What Did You Miss?

The details beneath the surface, from how the film withholds and reshapes information, to the way tone is used to disarm the audience while keeping tension in play.

Moments that gain new meaning on reflection, including recurring visual cues, shifting character dynamics, and how humour is used to redirect attention.

A deeper look at the film’s themes of trust, identity and uncertainty, and how Charade plays games with audience expectations throughout.

Paul’s Facts of the Day

A standout set of facts and trivia, including:

Behind-the-scenes production context

Casting decisions and their impact on the film’s dynamic

Influences from and on other mystery and thriller films

Creative choices that shaped the film’s lasting reputation

Hate It or Rate It?

Marc, Darren & Paul submit their scores and Charade takes its place in the Legend League.

PART 3 – Listener Lounge

Your questions, your comments and your shout-outs, the Question of the Week and of course the reveal of next week’s movie.

Listen Now

https://2ly.link/24tPI

View the Legend League

Every movie we’ve featured and rated on the podcast

https://linkly.link/2Bfcv

View the Listener League

See how listeners rated the movies they chose

https://linkly.link/2Bi9l

Join the conversation

Voice message

https://linkly.link/2FuSQ

Email

hello@moviesinanutshell.com

Socials

Website

https://www.moviesinanutshell.com

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/moviesinanut

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/moviesinanut

Hosts

Marc Farquhar

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/marcfarquhar

Facebook

Enemy of the State (1998)

Marc’s Pick

PART 1 – The Nutshell – If you haven’t seen it

A spoiler-free breakdown of the late ’90s conspiracy thriller Enemy of the State, centred on surveillance, power, and the fragility of everyday life in a data-driven world.

An exploration of the film’s tone, pace, and thematic focus touching on paranoia, loss of privacy, institutional control, and how technology reshapes trust and identity.

A look at how the movie blends chase-thriller momentum with political tension, and how its depiction of surveillance turns ordinary spaces into sources of unease.

By the end of Part 1, you’ll know whether this mix of tension, escalation, and technological anxiety belongs on your watchlist.

PART 2 – The Unboxing – If you’ve seen it

What Did You Miss?

The details beneath the surface from how information replaces physical force as the main threat, to the way framing and perspective keep danger just out of sight.

Moments that gain new weight on reflection, including the use of off-screen action, overlapping systems, and constant motion to create a sense of pressure and inevitability.

A deeper look at how the film examines surveillance, accountability, and the balance between security and freedom, themes that feel increasingly relevant with time.

Paul’s Facts of the Day

A standout set of facts and trivia, including:

Connections to earlier surveillance cinema

How real-world technology influenced the script

Production choices shaped by rapidly changing tech

Behind-the-scenes decisions that reinforced the film’s sense of scale and urgency

Hate It or Rate It?

Marc, Darren & Paul submit their scores and Enemy of the State takes its place in the Legend League.

PART 3 – Listener Lounge

Your questions, your comments and your shout-outs, the Question of the Week and of course… the reveal of next week’s movie.

Listen Now

https://2ly.link/24tPI

View the Legend League

Every movie we’ve featured and rated on the podcast

https://linkly.link/2Bfcv

View the Listener League

See how listeners rated the movies they chose

https://linkly.link/2Bi9l

Join the conversation

🎙️ Voice message: https://linkly.link/2FuSQ

📧 Email: hello@moviesinanutshell.com

Socials

Website: https://www.moviesinanutshell.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moviesinanut

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moviesinanut

Hosts

Marc Farquhar

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcfarquhar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themarcfarquhar

Darren...