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.

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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.

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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

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Hate It or Rate It?

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

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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.

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Listen Now

https://2ly.link/24tPI

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View the Legend League

Every movie we’ve featured and rated on the podcast

https://linkly.link/2Bfcv

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View the Listener League

See how listeners rated the movies they chose

https://linkly.link/2Bi9l

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Join the conversation

Voice message

https://linkly.link/2FuSQ

Email

hello@moviesinanutshell.com

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Socials

Website

https://www.moviesinanutshell.com

Instagram

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Facebook

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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

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Recorded at

Sunbeams Studios

https://www.thestudioatsunbeams.co.uk

Part of Annie Mawson’s Sunbeams Music Trust

https://sunbeamsmusic.org

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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...

Godzilla (2014)

Listener’s Pick – Emi (@itakepicturesofsunset)

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

A spoiler-free breakdown of the 2014 reimagining of the iconic monster, exploring the clash between humanity and forces far beyond our control.

An exploration of the film’s tone, scale and thematic focus — touching on survival, fear, human responsibility, and the awe-inspiring presence of nature’s unstoppable power.

A look at how the movie balances spectacle with character-driven moments, and why its approach to storytelling and creature design has made it a standout in modern monster cinema.

By the end of Part 1, you’ll know whether this blend of massive action, emotional stakes, and cinematic world-building belongs on your watchlist.

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

What Did You Miss?

The details beneath the surface — from the subtle storytelling cues in human interactions to the visual language used to frame the scale of destruction.

Moments that gain greater emotional weight on reflection, including the film’s use of sound, silence and tension to communicate suspense, danger, and awe.

A deeper look at how the movie explores humanity’s relationship to power, responsibility, and the natural world — themes that resonate even after the monsters leave the screen.

Paul’s Facts of the Day

A standout set of facts and trivia, including:

1. How the creature’s design was influenced by decades of Godzilla history
2. Casting and performance choices that shaped the film’s tone
3. Visual effects innovations used to bring massive destruction to life
4. Homages to the original 1954 film woven throughout
5. The balance of practical and digital effects to create a realistic scale
6. The production’s approach to depicting global consequences without losing the personal story

Hate It or Rate It?

Marc, Darren & Paul submit their scores — and Godzilla (2014) takes its place in the Legend League.

PART 3 – Listener Lounge

Your questions, your comments and your shout-outs — plus a Question of the Week inspired by the film’s themes: Most misunderstood monster or villain?

And of course… the reveal of next week’s movie.

Listen Now

https://2ly.link/24tPI

Join our SubReddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/MoviesInANutshell

View the Listener League

See how listeners rated the movies they chose

https://linkly.link/2Bi9l

View the Legend League

Every movie we’ve featured and rated on the podcast

https://linkly.link/2Bfcv

Join the conversation

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

📧 Email: hello@moviesinanutshell.com

Socials

Website:

Paul’s Pick

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

A spoiler-free breakdown of a new adaptation of a familiar story — one that revisits Frankenstein through a modern lens while remaining rooted in its gothic foundations.

An exploration of the film’s tone, genre and thematic focus — touching on creation, responsibility, obsession, neglect and what it means to bring life into the world without guidance or care.

A look at how this version reframes the story as philosophical science fiction rather than traditional horror, and why its ideas resonate strongly with contemporary conversations around technology, AI and humanity.

By the end of Part 1, you’ll know whether this blend of gothic storytelling, moral inquiry and atmospheric filmmaking belongs on your watchlist.

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

What Did You Miss?

The details beneath the surface — from shifts in perspective and unreliable narration to the way sympathy and blame are rebalanced as the story unfolds.

Moments that gain greater emotional weight on reflection, including the film’s use of silence, restraint and visual storytelling to communicate abandonment, regret and consequence.

A deeper look at how the film explores creation through absence rather than obsession, and how themes of neglect, forgiveness and generational trauma shape both the creator and the created.

Paul’s Facts of the Day

A standout set of facts and trivia, including:

1. The creative influences behind the creature’s physicality and movement
2. Casting decisions that reshaped the film late in development
3. Dual roles used to reinforce thematic connections
4. Mythological references woven into the production design
5. The craftsmanship-first approach to sets, costumes and practical effects
6. Why the film received a limited theatrical release before streaming

Hate It or Rate It?

Marc, Darren & Paul submit their scores — and Frankenstein (2025) takes its place in the Legend League.

PART 3 – Listener Lounge

Your questions, your comments and your shout-outs — plus a Question of the Week inspired by the film’s ideas around creation, responsibility and consequence.

And of course… the reveal of next week’s movie.

Listen Now

https://2ly.link/24tPI

Join our SubReddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/MoviesInANutshell

View the Listener League

See how listeners rated the movies they chose

https://linkly.link/2Bi9l

View the Legend League

Every movie we’ve featured and rated on the podcast

https://linkly.link/2Bfcv

Join the conversation

🎙️ Voice message:

One year ago today, Movies In A Nutshell started as a simple idea.

Since then, it’s grown into something we genuinely didn’t expect shaped by the movies we’ve covered, the conversations we’ve had, and the listeners who’ve stuck with us along the way.

To mark our first birthday, we’re doing something a little different.

This bonus episode steps away from the usual format for a relaxed, behind-the-scenes look at the show itself how it started, how it’s changed, and where it might be heading next.

1. How the podcast began and how quickly the first year disappeared
2. The moments that genuinely surprised us
3. Episodes that connected more than we expected
4. Why different types of episodes resonate in different ways
5. How each host approaches movie choices and what that means for the show
6. The jokes, tangents and running gags that accidentally became part of the podcast
7. What we’ve learned from doing this every week
8. And what Movies In A Nutshell might look like as we head into Year Two

If you’ve been listening since the start, this one’s for you.

If you’re new, it’s the perfect snapshot of what Movies In A Nutshell is really about.

Do you have a favourite episode?

Was there a moment that stuck with you?

How did you first discover the podcast?

Get in touch and let us know — we’ll share listener responses in future episodes.

https://2ly.link/24tPI

Thank you!

Marc, Darren and Paul

https://www.moviesinanutshell.com

Is The Devil Wears Prada really just about fashion?

In this episode of Movies In A Nutshell, we give you everything you need to decide whether this iconic film belongs on your watchlist and all without spoilers. Then we unbox it to reveal the things you have missed even if you've seen it many times.

This episode might make you look at the movie very differently.

Darren’s Pick

A spoiler-free breakdown of a workplace drama often dismissed as a fashion film — but one that has remained culturally relevant for nearly two decades.

An exploration of the film’s tone, structure and character journey — focusing on ambition, power, identity, pressure and personal change within a high-demand professional world.

A look at how the story is framed through an outsider’s perspective, why its themes resonate far beyond the fashion industry, and how its ideas connect with other “cost of greatness” films.

By the end of Part 1, you’ll know whether this blend of sharp dialogue, character-driven storytelling and workplace drama belongs on your watchlist.

The details beneath the surface — from shifting power dynamics and mentor figures to subtle visual cues that chart the protagonist’s transformation.

Moments that land very differently on rewatch, how relationships evolve under pressure, and why the film’s ending is often misunderstood.

A closer look at how ambition is framed, how success is defined, and what the film suggests about personal growth versus personal cost.

A standout set of facts and trivia, including:

1. Record-breaking costume budgets and award recognition
2. Casting choices and character decisions that shaped the film
3. Behind-the-scenes production stories and on-set dynamics
4. Real-world inspirations behind key characters
5. Why the film continues to influence pop culture years later

Marc, Darren & Paul submit their scores — and The Devil Wears Prada takes its place in the Legend League.

Your questions, your comments and your shout-outs — plus a Question of the Week inspired by the film’s themes of ambition, identity and success.

And of course… the reveal of next week’s movie.

https://2ly.link/24tPI

https://www.reddit.com/r/MoviesInANutshell

See how listeners rated the movies they chose

https://linkly.link/2Bi9l

Every movie we’ve featured and rated on the podcast

https://linkly.link/2Bfcv

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

📧 Email:

In this episode:

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

A spoiler-free breakdown of one of the most influential sci-fi films ever made — a movie that blends action, philosophy and cyberpunk style into a story about reality, control and waking up.

An exploration of the film’s tone, world-building and central ideas — focusing on identity, free will, conformity, belief and the systems that quietly shape our lives.

A look at why The Matrix felt revolutionary on release, how its concepts go far beyond surface-level action, and why its core questions still resonate decades later.

By the end of Part 1, you’ll know whether this blend of sci-fi action, mind-bending ideas and philosophical storytelling belongs on your watchlist.

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

What Did You Miss?

The details beneath the surface — from visual cues and repeated motifs to the way the film reinforces its ideas through colour, framing and character choices.

Moments that land very differently on rewatch, subtle world-building that often goes unnoticed, and how much of the film’s meaning is communicated without dialogue.

A deeper look at how the movie quietly challenges comfort, certainty and the idea of accepting reality as it’s presented to you.

A standout set of facts and trivia, including:

1. How the film’s visual style changed action cinema overnight
2. Innovative techniques that became industry standards
3. Behind-the-scenes production challenges and breakthroughs
4. Casting choices that could have completely altered the film
5. Why The Matrix continues to influence movies, games and pop culture today

Hate It or Rate It?

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

PART 3 – Listener Lounge

Your questions, your comments and your shout-outs — plus a Question of the Week inspired by the film’s ideas around truth, choice and perception.

And of course… the reveal of next week’s movie.

Listen Now:

https://2ly.link/24tPI

Join our SubReddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MoviesInANutshell

See how listeners rated the movies they chose

https://linkly.link/2Bi9l

Every movie we’ve featured and rated on the podcast

https://linkly.link/2Bfcv

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

Email: hello@moviesinanutshell.com

Socials

Website: https://www.moviesinanutshell.com

Instagram: