Beyond The Box Set

Back in 1997, Titanic broke records, L.A. Confidential was the critics choice and Good Will Hunting was the feel-good underdog success story - but it was As Good As It Gets that snuck past them all to take home both of the lead acting Oscars at the following year's ceremony.  In this week's podcast, we discuss the Academy's love of a middlebrow love story, the ineffable allure of Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt's Hollywood moment and much more, as we break down the film and pitch some sequels! ---  Beyond The Box Set is a move review podcast with a difference. Every week, we take a look back at a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back the big screen.  If you like the show, hit subscribe to receive a new episode every Monday morning. You can also sign up to our Patreon to gain access to a variety of incentives including a regular bonus show, extended episodes, crossover opportunities, a regular ad slot on the main show and much more, all fo

It's the great Hollywood fairytale. Two plucky friends from Boston arrived in the big city with a self-penned screenplay and a dream. A few short years later, Good Will Hunting has become an Oscar-winning sensation and Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are on a fast-track to the Hollywood A-list. On this week's podcast, we take a closer look at this much-loved movie and debate whether or not it really holds up. Along the way we discuss hot topics including Hollywood psychology, overly enthusiastic maths teachers, how Robin Williams' ad-libs basically saved this movie and more. As always, we also throw in our regular round of drinking games, listener reactions and sequel pitches for your enjoyment.  ----- Beyond The Box Set is a movie podcast with a twist. Each week, we take a look at a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen. We're rapidly approaching 200 episodes and still going strong - so check out our back catalogue on yo

After Absolutely Anything proved to be absolutely abysmal, we decided we needed to look at a better representation of Robin Williams' talents. The Fisher King is his 1992 collaboration with director Terry Gilliam, and it scored him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Tune into this week's podcast to hear our thoughts on Jeff Bridges titanium-plated likability, Mercedes Ruehl's scene-stealing performance, the golden era of VHS rental stores, the thin line between love and stalking and much more... ----- Each week on Beyond The Box Set, we take a look back at a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch the most ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen.  If you enjoy the show, hit subscribe to receive a new episode every Monday morning, and please consider leaving us a review on your preferred podcatcher as well - it really helps us out.  You can also find us on Patreon where we offer a wide range of incentives including bonus shows, extended episodes, a regular

Absolutely Anything has all the makings of a classic British comedy. Written and directed by a member of Monty Python, headlined by an A-list cast and featuring a voice role from the iconic Robin Williams... what could go wrong? Sadly the answer is 'just about everything', for Absolutely Anything is a dismal failure that barely made a blip on the box office when it was released in 2015. In this week's podcast, we break down where it all went wrong and attempt to pitch sequels to a movie nobody wanted to see more from... ----- Beyond The Box Set is a movie review podcast with a difference. Each week, we take a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch sequels, prequels and spin-offs to bring them back to the big screen.  If you enjoy this week's episode, hit subscribe to receive a brand new episode every Monday morning. You can also leave us a review, which genuinely helps us to reach out to new listeners, so please do consider it. Finally, we're also available on Patreon, where you can access a range

Visual effects guru Robert Zemeckis was on a real hot streak in 2000. He filmed What Lies Beneath while waiting for Tom Hanks to lose enough weight to complete production on Cast Away. Both wound up as enormous blockbusters.  In this week's episode, we conclude our Halloween ghost season with a look back at this silly, but refreshingly grown-up take on the haunted house horror trope. Tune in to hear our thoughts on Chekhov's artillery, curious dog logic, Harrison Ford in a rare but convincing villainous role and much more. We also offer a forensic breakdown of the plot, brainstorm some drinking games, pitch some sequel ideas and check in with our listeners for their reaction. If you're a fan of the original, you won't want to miss this!  ----- Beyond The Box Set is a podcast dedicated to exploring the unexamined plot strands of classic standalone movies. Each week we take a look back at a one-off screen classic and compete to pitch sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen.

As our Halloween mini-season continues, we welcome back one of our favourite returning guests, the fabulous Phil Better. Having introduced us to the wonders of Wolf back in 2018, he returns this week to discuss Peter Jackson's cult 1996 horror comedy The Frighteners.  A crucial stepping stone between Jackson's early video nasties and his blockbusting Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Frighteners is a witty, if slightly over-stuffed, horror comedy starring Michael J Fox as a psychic con-man who becomes embroiled in a very real spate of paranormal murders.  In this week's episode, we break down the plot and discuss special effects, sassy ghosts, the scenery-chewing mom from E.T. and much more, plus drinking games, listener submissions, sequel pitches and much more... ----- Beyond The Box Set is a movie podcast with a difference. Every week, we review a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen.  If you enjoy the show, hit s

When we decided to dedicate this year's Halloween season to supernatural movies, Ghost was always an essential. One of the most iconic movies of its era, it won Whoopi Goldberg a long-overdue Oscar and took in over $500 million at the global box office - not to mention sending sales of home pottery stations soaring.  In this week's episode we break it all down - from Whoopi's scene-stealing turn as phoney psychic Oda Mae Brown to Patrick Swayze's truly incredible face-acting, plus our regular features including drinking games, listener reactions and sequel pitches ----- Each week on Beyond The Box Set, we take a look back at a classic movie from the past and attempt to pitch a modern-day sequel to bring them back to the big screen. We've been praised by The Guardian, Apple Podcasts, Podbean and many other podcast platfoms. Join us on all good podcatchers to join the conversation... If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to subscribe to receive a brand new episode every Friday morning - and please consider

It's October, which means it's time for another Halloween season! We've already covered Witches, Vampires and Werewolves, so this year we're dedicating the month to ghost movies! First up, one of Tim Burton's early classics - Beetlejuice. Tune into this week's episode to hear our thoughts on creature features, crazy costumes and the glory of Catherine O'Hara, as we break down the plot and pitch some sequel pitches to give the iconic 'bio-exorcist' his long overdue revival... ---- Every week on Beyond The Box Set, we take a look back at a classic movie from days of yore and attempt to pitch a modern-day sequel to bring them back to the big screen. Our creative twist on the classic movie podcast format has seen us win praise from The Guardian, Apple Podcasts, Podbean and many other publications. Check us out now on all good podcatchers to join the conversation... If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to subscribe to receive a brand new episode every Friday morning - and please consider leaving us a review

Following the breakout success of Hereditary, writer-director Ari Aster proved he was no one-hit wonder with the deliciously weird Midsommar. By turns haunting and darkly hilarious, the film depicts possibly the most toxic breakup ever committed to screen, as Florence Pugh and Jack Raynor take an ill-fated trip to a remote Swedish commune where the sun never sets.  Tune into this week's episode to hear our thoughts on villainous Swedes, mysterious bears, possible gay subtext and much more as we dive into this twisted modern classic. We've also got all of our usual features, including drinking games, listener submissions and our own fantasy sequel pitches.  ---- Beyond The Box Set is a movie review podcast with a twist. Every week, we take a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch the most ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen. You can find us on all good podcasting platforms, and we've been recommended by Apple Podcasts, The Guardian, Podbean and more - so

Released between the indie-breakout success of Memento and global blockbuster Batman Begins, Insomnia could be considered the forgotten Christopher Nolan movie.  The only film that the infamously oblique director didn't write himself, the movie is a remake of a gritty Norwegian crime thriller. While it doesn't quite reach the head-scratching heights of the director's later work, it still boasts many classic Nolan signifiers, in addition to a brace of strong performances from Oscar winners Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank. Tune into this week's episode to hear our thoughts on anti-typecasting, un-mourned murder victims, driftwood parkour and much more as we break down the plot and pitch some sequel ideas - with the help of special guest star Ross Burton! ----- Beyond The Box Set is a British movie podcast with a twist. Each week, we take a memorable standalone movie and compete to pitch ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen.  If you enjoy the show, pl

One of the most provocative hit movies of the 90s, Luc Besson's Leon introduced a young Natalie Portman to the world and helped reinvent Gary Oldman as one of the all-time great scenery-chewing bad guys.  In this week's podcast, we discuss traumatic childhood viewing experiences, sexual weirdness, stealth vegan propaganda and much more - plus the usual blend of drinking games, listener reactions and sequel pitches! ----- Beyond the Box Set is a movie podcast with a twist. Each week we take a notable standalone movie and compete to pitch sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen.  If you enjoy the show, hit subscribe to receive a new episode every Monday morning. You can also leave us a review on the podcatcher of your choice, which really helps us to reach new listeners, and if you really want to get closer to the show, we offer a range of bonus incentives for as little as $2 per month over on our Patreon page. beyondtheboxset.com patreon.com/beyondtheboxset twitter.com/b

One of our favourite subjects here at Beyond The Box Set is a micro-genre we like to call 'Bitches be crazy' - and we've got a doozy for you this week! Directed by Paul Feig of Bridesmaids and ill-advised Ghostbusters remake fame, A Simple Favor is a wacky, wig-heavy odyssey of unlikely plot twists and jaw-dropping fashion choices that was recommended to us by our podcasting cousins over at One Good Thing.  Tune into this week's episode to hear our thoughts on Blake Lively's outfits, bewildering timelines, Anna Kendrick going full Lannister and much more - including drinking games, listener reviews and sequel pitches! ---- 00.00: No taxis after 1am in LA.  57.00: A Simple Favor Drinking Games 1.08.35: A Simple Favor Sequel Pitches 1.29.00: Episode 183 Preview and Listener Submissions

Our Will Smith summer has seen the likable A-lister dipping his toes into a number of genres, from action to comic book to post-apocalyptic sci-fi. In Focus, we find him in Soderbergh territory, leading a stylish crime thriller of the kind usually reserved for the likes of George Clooney.  It's a good fit for someone with Smith's charisma, and although the script isn't nearly as clever as it thinks it is, it's one of the better films we've watched this season. Tune in to hear our thoughts on obnoxious side-characters, the inexorable rise of Margot Robbie, BD Wong's unacceptable moustache and more - plus drinking games, sequel pitches and listener reactions.  ----- Each week on Beyond The Box Set, we take a look back at a classic one-off movie and attempt to pitch ridiculous sequel, prequel or spin off ideas to bring them back to the big screen. We've been featured in The Guardian, on the front page of Apple Podcasts and in many other places, so check us out and prepare to see some of your favourite movies

Our Will Smith season continues with Hancock, a comic book action thriller that escaped development hell to the tune of over $550 million worldwide box office.  In this week's episode we discuss drawn out twists, Jason Bateman's terrible business model, the evolution of flawed superheros and more, plus listener submissions, drinking games, sequel pitches and much more... ---- Each week on Beyond the Box Set, your two intrepid hosts take on a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen. From Oscar-winning gems to misbegotten bombs, we've reimagined them all in our own unique way.  beyondtheboxset.com patreon.com/beyondtheboxset twitter.com/beyondtheboxset facebook.com/beyondtheboxset instagram.com/beyondtheboxset 00.00: Will Smith's explosive spunk... 44.45: I Am Legend Drinking Games 55.55: I Am Legend sequel pitches 1.12.30: Listener Submissions & Episode 181 Preview

Our Will Smith season continues this week with with post-apocalyptic drama I Am Legend. It took a number of compromises to get this film to the big screen, but was the final result worth the negotiations?  In this week's episode of Beyond The Box Set, we break down poor canine training, the perils of focus-grouping, post-apocalyptic insanity and much more, plus drinking games, sequel pitches and much more! ----- Each week on Beyond the Box Set, your two intrepid hosts take on a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen. From Oscar-winning gems to misbegotten bombs, we've reimagined them all in our own unique way.  beyondtheboxset.com patreon.com/beyondtheboxset twitter.com/beyondtheboxset facebook.com/beyondtheboxset instagram.com/beyondtheboxset 00.00: Will Smith should lean into his insanity... 51.45: I Am Legend Drinking Games 59.10: I Am Legend sequel pitches 1.17.15: Listener Submissions & Episode 181 P

Our Will Smith season continues with his only major rom-com hit to date, Hitch. Join us as we discuss incel behaviour, Fresh Prince flashbacks, disappearing best friends and much more - plus drinking games, sequel ideas, listener submissions and all your favourite regular features! --- Each week on Beyond the Box Set, your two intrepid hosts take on a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen. From Oscar-winning gems to misbegotten bombs, we've reimagined them all in our own unique way.  beyondtheboxset.com patreon.com/beyondtheboxset twitter.com/beyondtheboxset facebook.com/beyondtheboxset instagram.com/beyondtheboxset 00.00: Does Kevin James need medical intervention?  42.25: Hitch Drinking Games 53.00: Hitch 2: Hitched 1.09.55: Listener Submissions & Episode 180 Preview

We had a realisation last week that in almost four years of podcasting, we've never covered a Will Smith movie. Obviously, this had to be rectified, and what better start for the king of franchise movies than a rare, notorious misfire like Wild, Wild West? Tune into this week's podcast to hear our thoughts on weird racial humour,  Kenneth Branagh going full Gary Oldman, Salma Hayek in the most thankless role of her career and much more, plus all our usual drinking games, listener submissions and drinking games! -----   Each week on Beyond the Box Set, your two intrepid hosts take on a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen. From Oscar-winning gems to misbegotten bombs, we've reimagined them all in our own unique way.    beyondtheboxset.com patreon.com/beyondtheboxset twitter.com/beyondtheboxset facebook.com/beyondtheboxset instagram.com/beyondtheboxset   00.00: This movie featured way more drag queens than w

Do you dress well, enjoy poetry and ride a bike to work? According to 90s comedy laws, this means you're gay!    Despite some rather questionable stereotyping, Frank Oz's In & Out is a likeable, genuinely funny comedy that certainly has its heart in the right place. On this week's podcast, we break down the shots fired at Barbra Streisand, the sweet-smiling savagery of Debbie Reynolds, Joan Cusack's Oscar-nominated meltdown and much more.    -----   Every week on Beyond the Box Set, we take a look back at a classic standalone movie and compete to pitch ridiculous sequels, prequels and spin-offs to bring them back to the big screen. Recorded from our humble home town of Leeds, our show has popped up everywhere from The Guardian to Apple Podcast's 'Binge worthy listens' page. We're a movie review show with a creative twist, and after almost four years and over 150 episodes, we're virtually guaranteed to have put a fresh spin on one of your favourite movies! beyondtheboxset.com patreon.com/beyondt

In this week's podcast, long-time friend of the show Nathaniel De Bell joins us to discuss a Tarantino-inspired Japanese comedy that you may not have seen, but that you should absolutely check out.  Join us as we discuss pigeon acting, inexplicable Vinnie Jones cameos, jokes getting lost in translation and much more as we discuss the cult Japanese classic Survive Style 5+ ----- Every week on Beyond The Box Set, we look back on some classic one-off cinema moments and compete to pitch the most ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen. After three years and over 170 episodes, we may take the occasional Zombie bite, but we always seem to rise from the dead... Among our many plaudits, Beyond The Box Set has been rated 5 stars by over 100 listeners around the world and featured as a 'Podcast of the Week' by sources including The Guardian, Apple Podcasts and Podbean. We release a new episode every Friday morning, available totally free to anyone who hits subscribe on the

Despite being adapted from a successful novel, The Girl With All The Gifts failed to connect at the box office in 2016 - and passed us by completely. Which is a shame, as it's one of the best and most thoughtful British horror movies of the past few years, and one that definitely merits exposure to a wider audience.  Tune into this week's podcast as we break down the plot, play a merry round of drinking games and pitch the fantasy sequel ideas that this movie surely doesn't really need. We also reach out to our regular listeners for their thoughts, while Harry is forced to reckon with the return of his greatest cinema nemesis... ----- Every week on Beyond The Box Set, we look back on some classic one-off cinema moments and compete to pitch the most ridiculous sequel, prequel and spin-off ideas to bring them back to the big screen. After three years and over 170 episodes, we may take the occasional Zombie bite, but we always seem to rise from the dead... Among our many plaudits, Beyond The Box Set has been