Four Takes Movie Podcast

About Four Takes Movie Podcast

One Movie. Four Friends. Four Takes Four friends give their takes on movies that they love and/or hate. A meandering and sometimes hilarious take on the movies that made us.

Publisher

Four Takes Movie Podcast

Category

tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

24 Mar 2025

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   #16 V for Vendetta

   Grab your Guy Fawkes mask and brace yourselves for revolution as the team tackle the 2006 dystopian thriller V for Vendetta! Before getting swept up in anti-establishment uprisings, the team warm up with some classic tangents, covering everything from fast-paced Resident Evil movies and Lovecraftian horror to binge-watching The Blacklist and Shrinking. When they finally pivot to fascist Britain, things get delightfully chaotic as the team dissect V's tongue-twisting monologues, John Hurt's massive face on a screen, and the surprisingly recurring motif of egg-on-toast breakfasts. Along the way, the team dig into Guy Fawkes history, debate whether the movie is a bit too accurate as a blueprint for modern society, and marvel at Natalie Portman's fear-cleansing rooftop breakdown. David fully embraces his inner anarchist during the grand, Tchaikovsky-fueled finale, though he remains cheekily disappointed that the crew blew up a scale model rather than actual Parliament. Meanwhile, Adam suffers through an overdose of tight camera close-ups. Finally, the team hand out their official ratings and lock in their next movie night pick: 2012's Dredd. Will society survive long enough for the next review? Tune in to find out!

2. 

   16 Sept 2026

   #15 Fight Club

   What happens when an entire generation mistakes a cautionary tale about corporate burnout and mental collapse for a blueprint on starting an underground club? In episode fifteen of the Four Takes Movie Podcast, hosts Martin, Luke, Adam, and David break the ultimate rule of cinema to dissect David Fincher 1999 psychological masterpiece, Fight Club. Before diving into the chaos of soap sales, toxic masculinity, and Project Mayhem, the gang kicks off with a hilarious look at modern cinema trends, studio tax write-offs, and why viewer attention spans are under siege. From real on-set injuries to the ultimate tragic comedy of missing the movie's entire message, this episode offers a sharp, witty take on why Tyler Durden was never meant to be a hero.

3. 

   8 Sept 2026

   #14 Aliens

   Please be advised that this episode of the Four Takes Movie Podcast contains discussions of sensitive and potentially distressing themes. In analysing the psychological subtext of the Alien franchise, the team delve into several intense and serious concepts, which may cause distress to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. With that important notice established, we welcome you to another chaotic instalment of our cinematic journey. This week, Martin, Luke, Adam, and an exceptionally well-hydrated David grab their pulse rifles and motion trackers to tackle James Cameron’s 1986 action masterpiece, Aliens, specifically focusing on the superior character development and pacing of the 1990 Special Edition. However, because our crew is physically incapable of staying on track, we first take a scenic route through the modern cinema landscape. We kick off with a review of Spider-Man: A Brand New Day, which we surprisingly found to be a deeply emotional movie about male loneliness, before pivoting to Christopher Nolan’s three-hour IMAX epic, The Odyssey, which left Luke's bum completely numb while presenting Odysseus as a sandaled John Wick. Along the way, we debate whether listener Matt Damon secretly hates David, pay a brief tribute to Danny DeVito’s legendary legal career in The Rain Maker, and discuss how David somehow managed to avoid throwing up in Martin’s car on the ride home. When the team get around to the main event, they dive deep into how James Cameron successfully transformed a legendary horror franchise into the archetype of science fiction action. We share some incredible, budget-friendly Hollywood prop secrets, revealing how the base in Rogue One is just a London tube station, Qui-Gon Jinn’s surprising communicator in Star Wars and how Mr. Fusion from Back to the Future can be bought on eBay. Our hosts also dissect the legendary on-set culture clash between director James Cameron, who wanted non-stop explosive action, and the British crew, who repeatedly halted production for their scheduled tea breaks. In addition to these lighter anecdotes, we analyze the incredible practical effects of the film, celebrate Bill Paxton's iconic performance as the panicking Hudson, and explore the powerful maternal themes that connect Ellen Ripley and Newt in their shared battle against the Alien Queen. We wrap up the episode with our traditional final verdicts, where we assign our scores out of ten and witness some highly creative, mathematically questionable grading from Adam, We also give our listeners a quick teaser of our next episode, where we will be taking a look at David Fincher’s classic film Fight Club, which our hosts have already predecided is a movie entirely about IKEA.

4. 

   7 Aug 2026

   #13 Spaceballs

   Prepare yourselves, because the Four Takes team is jumping to ludicrous speed. In this episode, Martin, David, Adam, and Luke tackle Mel Brooks’ 1987 sci-fi parody, Spaceballs—and things get controversial. Is it a world-class comedy classic? Or is it "just mid"? Before they even start combing the desert, the team shoot the breeze about: Supergirl (who is apparently still an asshole at the end of her movie). Toy Story 5 and why Jesse's story is a refreshing change. Why Eddie Murphy built a recording studio in his basement just to record Shrek lines without leaving his house. Why Bill Pullman is apparently the ultimate vanilla "everyman who can't act". Why John Candy's Barf had absolutely zero range. Why Rick Moranis is a certified New York treasure who must be protected at all costs. And which is the best joke in Spaceballs . From debating whether Leslie Nielsen is the king of deadpan to recalling childhood nostalgia for the 1980s He-Man movie, this episode has more tangents than there are Assholes on Spaceball One. Stick around until the end to hear them rate the film and set up their next spooky episode with the sole intent of watching Adam cry. Don't forget to like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts!

5. 

   22 May 2026

   #12 Back to the Future

   Welcome back to the Four Takes Movie Podcast! It only took us six months to find an actual floor to record on (thanks for building it, Adam; way to supervise, David). Join Martin, Adam, Luke, and David as they stave off their impending demise to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Robert Zemeckis's 1985 classic, Back to the Future. Before we hit 88 miles per hour, enjoy a completely baffling detour into Jeff Goldblum's lack of an acting "switch", a defence of the Devil Wears Prada cinematic universe, and a surreal tangent about The Sheep Detectives, a movie where a flock of sheep try to solve a murder. Once we finally fire up the flux capacitor, the guys gush over the sheer majesty of seeing the DeLorean in glorious IMAX and Dolby Atmos. Expect passionate, old-man-yells-at-cloud rants about how modern 4K movies look like they've been slapped with a cheap Instagram beautification filter, a deep dive into the magic of '70s Foley artists crushing lettuce to make alien sounds, and a logical breakdown of why time-traveling in a DeLorean is way more believable than Indiana Jones surviving a nuke in a refrigerator. Stick around for the real behind-the-scenes drama, including Crispin Glover's righteous fury over face-stealing and '80s capitalism, David's absolute refusal to accept the dystopian nightmare timeline of Back to the Future II, and a collective roasting of Michael J. Fox’s catastrophic attempt at an Irish accent in the third film. Next time, we'll be doing a Mel Brookes classic, because it’s going to take us until at least November to convince everyone to sit through Dune!

6. 

   11 Feb 2026

   #11 Jurassic Park

   Join Martin, Adam, Luke, and David on the Four Takes Movie Podcast as they travel back to 1993 (and 65 million years ago) to discuss Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, Jurassic Park. In this episode, the guys spare no expense in breaking down the classic, covering everything from the terrifying kitchen scene to the questionable 90s fashion. You’ll hear the tragic tale of a young Martin abandoning his chatting parents in a Great Yarmouth cinema to watch the movie in peace, and join the crew as they investigate why Richard Attenborough’s Scottish accent disappears, reappears for monologues, and drifts into London territory depending on his ice cream consumption. The team also uncovers Dennis Nedry’s secret wardrobe choices, revealing that the computer hacker is wearing the exact same outfits as the cast of The Goonies in every scene. They marvel at Lex’s ability to hack a Unix system while holding a computer mouse like a giant joint of ham—a technique dubbed the "meat fist"—and take a fond look back at the cinematic history of getting eaten while hiding in a bathroom. Finally, the crew catches up on what they've been bingeing (from Fallout to Marty Supreme) before firing up the DeLorean for next week's discussion on Back to the Future.

7. 

   30 Dec 2025

   #10 Seven

   The hosts of Four Takes Movie Podcast analyze David Fincher's film *Seven*, exploring its themes of morality, horror, and the impact of its bleak atmosphere, ultimately agreeing on its status as a near-perfect masterpiece.

8. 

   27 Oct 2025

   #9 The Running Man

   The Four Takes team analyzes the 1987 film *The Running Man*, exploring its dystopian themes, over-the-top action, and Stephen King's disassociation from the movie, revealing the film's place as a quintessential piece of 80s cinema.

9. 

   18 Sept 2025

   #8 Interstellar

   Martin, Adam, Luke, and David analyze Christopher Nolan's film *Interstellar*, exploring its themes and impact after a recent IMAX viewing, in this interview episode.

10. 

    25 Aug 2025

    #7 The Princess Bride

    The Four Takes movie podcast team interviews guests about the enduring appeal and cinematic brilliance of the classic film The Princess Bride.

11. 

    24 Jul 2025

    # 6 Jaws

    The hosts and shark expert COLIN explore the impact of the film *Jaws*, from its surprising gore and real-life terror to its accidental role in shark conservation, in this interview episode.

12. 

    13 Jul 2025

    # 5 Double Impact

    The hosts Martin, David, Luke, and Adam dissect the 1991 film *Double Impact*, exploring its wild plot, poor editing, and Jean-Claude Van Damme's dual role, ultimately finding amusement in its absurdity in this interview episode.

13. 

    27 May 2025

    # 4 Dr. Strangelove

    Podcast hosts Martin, Luke, David, and Adam analyze Stanley Kubrick's film *Dr. Strangelove*, exploring its black comedy and political satire regarding the absurd realities of nuclear war and doomsday protocols.

14. 

    19 Apr 2025

    # 3 The Goonies

    Right then, buckle up buttercups, because the Four Takes Movie Podcast crew – that's the dream team of Martin, Luke, David, and Adam – have bravely tackled the cinematic masterpiece that is the 1985 classic movie The Goonies, helmed by the one and only Richard Donner. Now, before they even got to the kids film that perfectly encapsulates the 1980s (despite enough swearing to make a sailor blush), poor Luke had to endure a "mate date" to see a little flick called Warfare. Apparently, it was so delightful with its intense atmosphere, fantastic sound design, and a distinct lack of anyone remotely resembling a developed character (Jenny definitely wasn't waiting at home, that's for sure), that therapy might be in order. Undeterred (mostly), they finally got down to brass tacks with The Goonies. Turns out, according to a documentary featuring Richard Donner, this beloved adventure wasn't even meant for the little 'uns! Nope, it was supposed to be edgy, hence the bad language and the casual discovery of a dead body. But hey, it turned into a kids film anyway because, well, adventure! They had a good old chinwag about the iconic characters of The Goonies and what the actors got up to afterwards. We're talking about Sean Astin (who, surprisingly, isn't an Oscar winner but did go on to be Samwise Gamgee), Josh Brolin (aka Thanos, the big purple fella), and the actual Oscar-winning legend, Ke Huy Quan. Let's not forget Corey Feldman, still doing his thing, and the hilariously hateful Fratelli brothers: Joe Pantaliano and Robert Davi, whose on-screen animosity was apparently fuelled by a real wig-pulling incident during auditions. Ah, and Mama Fratelli, played by Anne Ramsey, who sadly shuffled off this mortal coil not long after the film. The chaps pondered how some bits of The Goonies might raise an eyebrow or two in today's more inclusive filmmaking landscape. They also marvelled at the surprisingly dark undertones, what with the aforementioned dead body, giving it a similar vibe to Stand by Me. Of course, no self-respecting podcast would be complete without a delve into behind-the-scenes shenanigans and fan theories. Turns out, the theory about the Fratellis offing Chester Copperpot is rubbish. They also spilled the beans on Steven Spielberg's secret second unit directing gig, involving some escaped gorillas in Greystoke costumes and a joyride in a golf cart that's now lost to the mists of time. Oh, and there was a giant octopus that thankfully never made the final cut. The hosts waxed lyrical about the glory of practical effects in The Goonies*, a far cry from some of the dodgy modern CGI they’ve been subjected to recently (Black Panther's end fight got a right roasting). They reminisced about the iconic blender scene with Chunk and his, shall we say, effective storytelling to avoid a kitchen appliance-related injury. Each host chipped in with their favourite moments from The Goonies, including the heart warming bromance between Chunk and Sloth at the end, Mama Fratelli's jewel heist, the Goonies just larking about in the house, and a surprisingly calm bathroom break. Mouth’s penny-pinching antics at the wishing well earned the title of least favourite moment. The tantalising prospect of a sequel to The Goonies was briefly dangled, with talk of the original Goonies' kids taking up the adventure mantle. Concerns were raised about the inevitable clash with modern technology. In a nutshell, the fellas reckon you should definitely give the adventure film The Goonies a watch, praising its lack of ropey CGI and cracking cinematography. And just to let you know what cinematic delights await them next time, they'll be dissecting the comedic brilliance of Dr. Strangelove. You have been warned!

15. 

    29 Mar 2025

    #2 The Thing (1982)

    The icy winds of Antarctica chill the Four Takes team as they delve into Horror Film granddaddy John Carpenter's masterful paranoia-fest, "The Thing" (1982)! Fresh from a last minute viewing, the quartet – Martin, Adam, Luke and re-joining the team after last week's "gastrointestinal incident"; David, brings his unique perspective to the table. Was he more scared of the Thing or his own bathroom? Adam, while generally averse to the horror genre, acknowledges the truly horrendous nature of the film and particularly praises the ground breaking special effects crafted by Rob Bottin. The hosts discuss the film's influence, noting similarities and inspiration drawn by other works such as Quentin Tarantino's films like The Hateful Eight and Reservoir Dogs, the X-Files episode "Ice", and the Red Dwarf episode "Polymorph", all sharing themes of isolation and mistrust in the face of a dangerous, unknown entity. The discussion touches upon the source material, including a 1938 novel and a 1950s movie that preceded it. The podcast examines various aspects of The Thing, highlighting its direction by the acclaimed John Carpenter, known for his earlier success with Halloween. They delve into the film's visceral impact on audiences in 1982. A key point of discussion is the deliberate lack of significant character development, with characters often serving primarily to advance the plot and heighten the pervasive sense of paranoia among the isolated group. Memorable and shocking scenes are recalled, notably the infamous couch scene. The hosts also touch upon the film's ambiguous ending and the various interpretations it has generated. The conversation extends to the computer game adaptation of The Thing released in the early 2000s, as well as the 2011 prequel that details the events at the Norwegian camp. The use of practical effects in the original film is contrasted with the CGI that was overlaid on practical effects in the prequel. The nature of the alien creature is also considered, with discussions about its possible origins involving an alien spaceship crash-landing on Earth long before the events of the film. Finally, the hosts briefly mention their next episode will focus on the 80s comedy movie, The Goonies. This episode provides a comprehensive look at The Thing, offering insights into its enduring popularity and influence within the science fiction horror genre.

16. 

    24 Mar 2025

    #1 The Matrix

    Welcome to... (dramatic pause, followed by the sound of a kazoo) ... The inaugural "Four Takes Movie Podcast." where four life-long friends and amateur film enthusiasts (they emphasize they are not experts) embark on a mission to dissect the cinematic masterpiece that is 1999's "The Matrix." Through this series of podcasts, they will discuss films they love, hate, or feel indifferent about in a light-hearted, humorous, and sometimes insightful manner. So, listeners are invited to tune in to "Four Takes Movie Podcast," where it is proven that even a movie about bending reality can't be as bizarre as their conversations. So subscribe and come along for the ride! The team begin by sharing their first impressions of seeing The Matrix in the cinema in 1999, noting that it was released the same year as Star Wars: The Phantom Menace . Despite not having significant initial hype, it became a sleeper hit, supported by a considerable $70 million budget for the time . They discuss the directors, the Wachowskis (initially known as the Wachowski Brothers), and how their earlier movie Bound, starring Jennifer Tilly and the actor who played Cipher, helped them secure the opportunity to direct The Matrix . The conversation delves into their life-changing reactions to their first viewing of The Matrix, particularly the ground breaking bullet time visual effects . They explore various themes present in the movie, ranging from interpretations of religion and theology to mythology and philosophy. The hosts touch upon the idea of a Messiah figure within the narrative. There is a general consensus that the first movie was the best, with the subsequent sequels not reaching the same level of impact. The casting is praised, with particular attention paid to Keanu Reeves' portrayal of Neo as a relatable everyman. The podcast mentions that actors such as Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio were also considered for the role. The character of Morpheus, played by Laurence Fishburne, is discussed in terms of his authority and role as a mentor. His name is noted to derive from ancient Greek mythology, where Morpheus is the god of dreams, fitting the nature of the Matrix. It is also mentioned that Fishburne was advised to base his performance on a character from Neil Gaiman's Sandman. An interesting point is raised about the initial concept for the character Switch to present as male in the real world and female in the Matrix, reflecting themes of gender identity that the Wachowskis later explored in projects like Sense8 and Cloud Atlas . The iconic red pill and blue pill scene is also briefly mentioned. The hosts touch upon technical aspects, including Neo's Microsoft ergonomic keyboard, and a surprising fact that the Matrix code was allegedly based on a sushi menu . They fondly recall the extensive DVD extras that accompanied The Matrix, such as the documentary The Matrix Revisited . Anecdotes about injuries on set and Keanu Reeves' generosity towards the crew are shared. Towards the end of the movie discussion, each host shares their favourite movie moments and least favourite movie moments from The Matrix, offering personal insights into the film's impact. The discussion briefly touches on the body horror element of the bug removal scene. The episode concludes with a recommendation to watch The Matrix, highlighting its status as a fantastic film.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings