We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993) Ramblin: An Amblin podcast

2:31:00

Get ready for an episode full of production value as we get nostalgic with JJ Abrams and SUPER 8 - the 70s set sci-fi drama following a group of kids making their own movie in their backyard, and happen to stumble on a government conspiracy involving an escaped extra-terrestrial being. We welcome back returning guests Daniel Kelly and Michael Perry, re-assembling the team that once made up our student radio show Close-Up on RAW 1251AM, fittingly looking at a movie that was released the summer before we all met for the very first time. We dig into its value as a nostalgic artefact; a film looking back and directly homaging Amblin of old, and how successful Abrams is at approximating that Spielberg-vibe while also trying to deliver something that feels like it comes from the heart, as well as assessing its place in the early 2010s blockbuster landscape. We also resurrect a old feature from our Close-Up days to give you some further viewing recommendations. Mint! You can watch Andy’s Sixth Form zombie movie - ZOMBEY - made in the summer of 2011 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjn3y1L5CLo And you can read Forbes’ 10th anniversary oral history of Super 8 here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshweiss/2021/06/01/super-8-turns-10-a-mint-oral-history-of-jj-abrams-love-letter-to-movies-childhood--spielberg/ You can rent or buy Dan’s film DOCTOR JEKYLL on Amazon and find Michael’s blog here: https://quotesponge.wordpress.com/ Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin), Instagram (@ramblinamblinpod) and Blusky (@ramblinamblin.bsky.social). Be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via our socials or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
Hereafter (2010) 1:44:46

19 days ago1:44:46

1:44:46

We kick off a fresh new decade for Amblin with our last - at least for now - Clint Eastwood movie, the 2010 supernatural drama HEREAFTER. Our Clint journey began with something of a surprising gem with The Bridges of Madison County,and to bookend our experience with Mr. Eastwood we also get a film full of surprises; a meditative, pragmatic look at belief, grief and questions of life and death. We get into it all, from Peter Morgan’s triptych screenplay, the range of performances, its occasionally bizarre swings, to Charles Dickens and Pizza Express. TRIGGER WARNING: In the episode we discuss matters of grief, loss and death - and particularly on the experience of losing loved ones. Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin), Instagram (@ramblinamblinpod) and Blusky (@ramblinamblin.bsky.social). Be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via our socials or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
Review of the 00s 2:57:23

5 weeks ago2:57:23

2:57:23

After six years and 14 movies, the 00s of the Amblin’s comes to a quick end, which can only mean one thing: who’s going to win the Waxflatter Award for best visual effects shot of the decade? Yes, it’s time for one of our review bonanzas covering the best moments and performances of the decade that has just been, as well as reveal both our and the listener’s top five movies of the decade that have just been. Get comfy, grab yourself a beverage, and join us for a retrospective six years in the making. Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin), Instagram (@ramblinamblinpod) and Blusky (@ramblinamblin.bsky.social). Be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via our socials or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) 1:47:28

7 weeks ago1:47:28

1:47:28

Clint Eastwood’s two-picture project looking the Battle of Iwo Jima reaches its conclusion (as does the 00s for Amblin) with LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, this time following the perspective of the Japanese soldiers on the island, who employed a unique strategy that took both the Americans and their own country by surprise. To examine these letters, we invite host of All 90s Action All the Time Scott Murphy to dig into what makes this the more successful film of the two, from the figure of Ken Watanabe’s General Kuribayashi, to the ensemble cast at large, its strength as an anti-War movie and the inherent surprise that such a feature should come from one Clint Eastwood. It’s a film of such stark, searing power, and one that is so good, we had to record our thoughts twice… You can follow Scott’s podcast on X @90sAction and can find the show wherever you get your podcasts. Vote for your favourite Amblin movies of the 00s here: https://forms.gle/XHBdU1iit3g4YH9C8 Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin), Instagram (@ramblinamblinpod) and Blusky (@ramblinamblin.bsky.social). Be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via our socials or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
Flags of Our Fathers (2006) 1:53:30

10 weeks ago1:53:30

1:53:30

The right picture can win or lose a war, and they don’t come more iconic than the image of US Marines raising the American flag atop a mountain in Iwo Jima. But the story behind an image isn't always so red, white and blue, as shown in Clint Eastwood’s sombre World War Two drama FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS. There is plenty to dive into and explore in both the film itself and the real history of the men who were - or perhaps weren’t - in the iconic image. To help us examine that iconography, we welcome back returning guest Rhys Edwards. Join us as we explore what is a more unconventional war film than its surface may suggest. Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin), Instagram (@ramblinamblinpod) and Blusky (@ramblinamblin.bsky.social). Be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via our socials or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
Monster House (2006) 2:02:02

12 weeks ago2:02:02

2:02:02

We’re back to our usual programming over at Ramblin: An Amblin Podcast, and this time we’re taking a precarious walk over old Nebbercracker's front lawn to cautiously enter MONSTER HOUSE, Gil Kenan’s 2006 feature film debut and the second of the Robert Zemeckis-produced motion capture animations. Because we’re a-scared, though, we can’t do it alone, so we’ve enlisted the help of all-time great sister Sophie Glenn to complete our trio. Together we discuss childhood memories, re-litigate tales of old ladies in the woods and reminisce about the Disney Channel in the mid-noughties. We also find that we have way more to say about this weird, quasi-forgotten little throwback movie than anybody could have reasonably thought. Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin), Instagram (@ramblinamblinpod) and Blusky (@ramblinamblin.bsky.social). Be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via our socials or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
Munich (2005) 1:33:19

14 weeks ago1:33:19

1:33:19

We return with an episode on the final film of 2005, and the second from Mr. Steven Spielberg himself, with his historical drama MUNICH. Charting an account of Mossad assassinations following the massacre at the 1972 Olympic games, it is one of Spielberg’s most polarising and daring works to date, with the decades long Israel-Palestine conflict front and centre as it - and we - explore the moral complexities at the centre of its story that are as relevant today as it was 20 years ago. Save the Prince Charles Cinema: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-prince-charles-cinema Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin), Instagram (@ramblinamblinpod) and Blusky (@ramblinamblin.bsky.social). Be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via our socials or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) 1:22:21

28 weeks ago1:22:21

1:22:21

Ramblin is back - and we’re more Geisha than ever. After an extended summer break, the boys are back to continue down the Amblin road, staying in 2005 to explore Rob Marshall's period drama MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, based on Arthur Golden’s novel of the same name. To chart the journey of young Chiyo’s self-discovery and efforts to become a Geisha in pre and post-WW2 Japan, we welcome back returning guest, friend and film journalist Barry Levitt. Together, we discuss the film’s origins, its questionable sense of authorship and posit the question; could this film - a follow-up for a filmmaker who just won Best Picture for a musical adaptation that revived the genre - have worked better as, well, a musical? You can follow Barry on Twitter and Letterboxd @blevitt93 , and catch his writing over at the likes of Vulture, The Daily Beast, Empire, LA Times, Rolling Stone and more. Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin) and be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via Twitter or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
The Legend of Zorro (2005) 1:34:51

1 year ago1:34:51

1:34:51

After donning the Mask, it is now time to continue THE LEGEND OF ZORRO with our episode on Martin Campbell’s 2005 sequel, once again starring those damn fine sexy leads Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. But, coming some seven years after the original, something seems to have been lost along the way: the juice. To find out why this Zorro doesn’t quite whip like he used to, we enlist the help of podcaster MJ Smith of Let’s Jaws For a Minute fame to see if this follow up was just a case of too little too late - or if it is a greater miscalculation of appeal than that. You can follow Harley on Twitter at @MJSmith891 and you can find his shows (Let’s Jaws For a Minute, Let’s Party with Marty and Reel Perspective) where you get this podcast. Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin) and be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via Twitter or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com. Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter-Clayton & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
War of the Worlds (2005) 1:52:37

1 year ago1:52:37

1:52:37

We finish the tub of Neopolitan Spielberg trilogy by saving the best (chocolate) for last: his 2005 adaptation of WAR OF THE WORLDS. Together with returning guest Harley Mumford (of the fabulous Fandomentals podcast), we talk through the various different interpretations of H.G. Wells’ 1897 classic—particularly Orson Welles’ (no relation) infamous 1938 broadcast and the 1953 movie—and chart how each acts as a response to its particular place and time. In this instance, we discuss Spielberg’s film as an explicit response to 9/11 (and its place as the final instalment of his Paranoid Sci-Fi Trilogy), the surprisingly dour tone for a summer blockbuster and what the changes to the source material say to the contemporary mindset. We also talk about Tom Cruise in deadbeat dad mode, draw some surprising connections with the Jurassic Park sequels and try to understand what the hell is going on with Robbie. Andy also talks about the musical. A lot. Brace yourselves. You can follow Harley on Twitter at @HarleyMumford and his Fabdomentals Podcast at @FandomentalsPod. You can listen to Fandomentals wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin) and be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via Twitter or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com. Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter-Clayton & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
The Terminal (2004) 1:44:24

1 year ago1:44:24

1:44:24

It’s time to check in with Steven Spielberg’s 2004 comedy-drama THE TERMINAL, the second part in our Neapolitan Spielberg trilogy. The ‘vanilla’ section of the trio is a rare Amblin joint where we have quite different opinions on the movie, and to help us unpack our feelings is our guest; friend, musician and one half of the Ramblin-theme composing team Robert J. Hunter-Clayton. Together, we delve into the inspiration behind the Tom Hanks-starring tale, marvel at the scale of its production design, weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of its various subplots and despair at Hanks’ Whopper-eating technique. So, boarding tickets at the ready and hop aboard - we hope you have a pleasant flight. You can follow Robert on Instagram and Twitter @RJHunterMusic and experience his musical stylings on Spotify: https://tr.ee/J3DdSljatd - You can also purchase physical copies of his latest album over on Bandcamp: https://robertjhunter.bandcamp.com/album/nothing-but-rust Read production designer Alex McDowell’s production diaries here: https://rb.gy/91x59x Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin) and be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via Twitter or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com. Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter-Clayton & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
Catch Me If You Can (2002) 1:47:35

1 year ago1:47:35

1:47:35

We kick off the first chapter in our self-coined ‘Neapolitan Spielberg trilogy’ with the strawberry of the trio, the beard’s 2002 con-man caper ‘CATCH ME IF YOU CAN’, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. To join us in tracking down the tale of putting the story of Frank William Abagnale Jnr to the screen is film historian and musical expert Miles Eady. Together, we discuss the long line of filmmakers who couldn’t quite get their clutches on the story, try out a Christopher Walken impression or two, consider the difficulties of a broadway adaptation, and look at what depths lie beneath the stylish and breezy surface of one of Spielberg’s most surprising works. And we also grapple with the age old question: should you ever let the truth get in the way of a good story? You can check out more of Miles’ work over on his website: https://mileseady.com/ Here’s a link to the real Frank William Abagnale’s appearance on The Johnny Carson Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIYtKR24LQs&pp=ygUkZnJhbmsgYWJhZ25hbGUgb24gam9obm55IGNhcnNvbiBzaG93 And a taste of the Broadway musical: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zayv01x1QLs&pp=ygUcY2F0Y2ggbWUgaWYgeW91IGNhbiBicm9hZHdheQ%3D%3D Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin) and be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via Twitter or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter-Clayton & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
Men in Black II (2002) 1:50:29

1 year ago1:50:29

1:50:29

We’re back - in black - to get things rolling for Ramblin in 2024. We’re checking in with the MIB franchise, investigating the bad case of sequelitius that seems to have infected the Barry Sonnenfeld directed follow up to the 1997 sci-fi comedy classic. Both Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return from Amblin past, and so does our guest -critic and broadcaster Rihanna Dillon. Together, we dig into the film's dragged out road to production, stressful shooting schedule and try to put our finger on just what is missing from this misfire of a sequel. But always remember, when there’s an Amblin movie to discuss, the elite is here, so have no fear, just, let me see you, NOD YA HEAD. You can follow Rhianna on Twitter @RhiannaDhillon and you can listen to her on BBC Radio 6 Music and catch PodPod (@podpodofficiak) wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin) and be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via Twitter or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter-Clayton & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.…

1
Minority Report (2002) 2:04:40

1 year ago2:04:40

2:04:40

This Christmas, everybody runs - particularly everyone's favourite Hollywood cross country champ Tom Cruise. It is time to wave our hands in the hand and catch the red ball that is Steven Spielberg’s ‘MINORITY REPORT’ the sci-fi action-thriller based on the short story by Phillip K. Dick. To join us in unpacking this vision of the future is our pal and fifth-time guest Dan Kelly. We get into the project’s origins as a retooled Total Recall sequel, reflecting on the film’s themes of free will and state surveillance, while also offering many Max Von Sydow impressions. Please listen and enjoy, as the precogs foretold - and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all you Ramblers out there. Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin) and be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via Twitter or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com . Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry. Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter-Clayton & Greg Sheffield for the theme music, and to all our guests and listeners over the year that was 2023.…

1
Jurassic Park III (2001) 1:56:58

1 year ago1:56:58