187 - Review of the Year 2019: Part II (with Calvin Dyson and Gareth Allen)

Guests: Calvin Dyson and Gareth Allen

Films covered in this episode:
The Lion King (2019)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ½
Overall score: 40%

It: Chapter Two
Allen: ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 45%

Downton Abbey (2019)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 50%

Rambo: Last Blood
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 55%

The Addams Family (2019)
Allen: ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 50%

Zombieland: Double Tap
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 80%

Terminator: Dark Fate
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Gareth: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 77%

Doctor Sleep
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 75%

Charlie’s Angels (2019)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 55%

Star Wars: Episode IX -The Rise of Skywalker
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 55%

Continuing what we started last week: our mammoth undertaking of reflecting upon 2019 in cinema, good and bad... arguably, mostly bad. There's part two of the music quiz, Calvin's back and, this time, Gareth pops up to throw his opinion around a bit, as well. Head to patreon.com/dimreturns to hear the full, uncut version of each Diminisode featured, plus loads more!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

186 - Review of the Year 2019 (with Calvin Dyson)

Guest: Calvin Dyson

Films covered in this episode:
Mary Poppins Returns
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 54%

Stan & Ollie
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 77%

Glass
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 65%

Captain Marvel
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 75%

Dumbo (2019)
Allen: ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 35%

Pet Sematary (2019)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%

Hellboy (2019)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 50%

Avengers: Endgame
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 75%

Pokemon: Detective Pikachu
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ½
Overall score: 54%

Aladdin (2019)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 60%

Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Allen: ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 60%

X-Men: Dark Phoenix
Allen: ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰
Overall score: 40%

Men in Black: International
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 60%

Toy Story 4
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/r
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 70%

Ho ho ho! Merry 2019! Christmas was last week's focus. This week is us getting a wriggle on and beginning the arduous task of evaluating 2019 ahead of actual Christmas. Here, Calvin, Sol and Allen take you through a tour of heavily truncated Diminisodes covering each tie-in release for the year! To hear the original, extended Diminisodes, plus loads of other ones not featured, head over to patreon.com/dimreturns

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

185 - Christmas Special: Home Alone (with Calvin Dyson)

Guest: Calvin Dyson

Films covered in this episode:
Home Alone
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 50%

Home Alone 3
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 60%

Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House
Allen: ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ½
Overall score: 30%

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 65%

In a Christmas miracle, the Diminishing Returns gang take a surprisingly positive approach to the five Home Alone films, as selected for this year's Christmas special by the Diminishing Returns Patreon subscribers.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

184 - Star Wars: The Last Jedi (with Calvin Dyson)

Guest: Calvin Dyson

Films covered in this episode:

Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 60%

Diminishing Returns returns to the Star Wars mill once again, but this time to discuss, perhaps, the most controversial entry in the franchise canon: 2017's The Last Jedi, written and directed by Rian Johnson.

This film was touched on in a “Review of the Year 2017” episode, but now Calvin, Sol and Allen have had 2 years to digest and think the film through. Spoiler alert: one of them likes it more and one of them likes it less.

There's inevitably also talk of the likes of The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker.

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud

183 - Cats (with Emily Slade)

Guest: Emily Slade

Filmed stage-performances covered in this episode:

Cats (1998)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Emily: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰
Overall score: 57%

In a Diminishing Returns first (sort of), we take a look at a theatrical production that'll be soon turned into a movie. (We use the filmed "movie" version of the stage show released in 1998 as our basis for the theatrical production but that's basically the same thing). Also, we're joined by Emily Slade again, so enjoy!

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

182 - A View to a Kill (with Calvin Dyson)

Guest: Calvin Dyson

Films covered in this episode:

A View to a Kill
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 60%

Diminishing Returns continues to march forward through the Bond franchise - this time forging new ground as, for the first time, we tackle an entry that Sol hasn't seen before. Could this be the one to win him over to Bond? And how does Calvin feel? (Allen hates it, obviously).

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

181 - 3 Men and a Baby (with Judey Bignell)

Guest: Judey Bignell

Films covered in this episode:

3 hommes et un couffin
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Judey: n/s
Sol: n/s
Overall score: 70%

3 Men and a Baby
Allen: ✰ ½
Judey: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 50%

3 Men and a Little Lady
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Judey: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰
Overall score: 54%

Judey Bignell's back for a look at 3 Men and a Baby and it's 1990 sequel. Why? Ask Allen.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

180 - Charlie's Angels (with Emily Slade)

Guest: Emily Slade

Films covered in this episode:

Charlie’s Angels
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Emily: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%

Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
Allen: ✰ ✰
Emily: ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ½
Overall score: 34%

This week we are joined by Emily Slade of the Why This Film? podcast to take a look at the turn of the century super spy action comedy Charlie's Angels along with its sequel and television series forebear. It's an episode full of nostalgia and sheer disbelief. It's a film that will take you straight back to the turn of the century and leave you wondering how we ever thought that was normal.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

179 - Joker

Films covered in this episode:

Joker
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 65%

In what might be a Diminishing Returns first, we take on a film while it's still playing in the cinemas! Is it a good idea or are we betraying everything the show stands for? It's Joker, anyway - the weird, DC, Batman side-piece starring Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Todd Phillips.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

178 - Podcast of Horror IV: The Thing

Guest: Calvin Dyson

Films covered in this episode:

The Thing from Another World
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 67%

The Thing (1982)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 87%

The Thing (2011)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 67%

It's our fourth annual Halloween special! What does that mean? It basically just means that we cover a horror movie that doesn't have to tie into an upcoming sequel release. We threw this one open to our Patreon subscribers and they selected John Carpenter's 1982 classic The Thing. In true Diminishing Returns fashion, we take pitstops at 1951's The Thing from Another World and the 2011 prequel of the same name, too. It's Dimini-Thing Returns!

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

177 - Dimishining Returns: The Shining (with Calvin Dyson)

Guest: Calvin Dyson

Films covered in this episode:

The Shining
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%

We've cultivated something of a reputation for our willingness to dismiss the classics and take them down a notch or two and that's on full display in this episode, taking aim at The Shining. Thankfully, Calvin is on hand to defend Kubrick's vision against Sol, who's on hand to defend Stephen King's.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

176 - Part Twominator (with Gareth Allen)

Guest: Gareth Allen

Films covered this episode:

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Allen: ✰ ✰
Gareth: ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 40%

Terminator Salvation
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Gareth: ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 50%

Terminator Genisys
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Gareth: ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 57%

This week, we continue our look at the Terminator franchise, but we covered the good ones last week (The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day). Why would you want to listen for Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation and Terminator Genisys? Well, other than looking forward to Terminator: Dark Fate, we're also joined by special guest: Angry Christian Bale!

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

175 - The Terminator (with Gareth Allen)

Guest: Gareth Allen

Films covered in this episode:

The Terminator
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Gareth: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 87%

Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Gareth: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 87%

In anticipation of Terminator: Dark Fate, we begin a retrospective look at the franchise, starting with the good ones (The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day).

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

174 - Zombieland

Films covered in this episode:

Zombieland
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 70%

We spend 4 years getting round to Shaun of the Dead and now, a couple of months later, we're doing Zombieland? What's that about? (I'll tell you what that's about; it's about Zombieland: Double Tap coming out soon).

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

173 - The Addams Family

Films (and TV) covered in this episode:

The Addams Family (1964 series)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 65%

The Addams Family (1973 series)
Allen: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%

Halloween with the New Addams Family
Allen: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 50%

The Addams Family (1991)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 75%

Addams Family Values
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 70%

Addams Family Reunion
Allen: ½
Sol: ✰ ½
Overall score: 20%

The New Addams Family
Allen: n/s
Sol: ✰ ½
Overall score: 30%

Another TV episode (kind of) as we turn our collective heads towards The Addams Family - all of it! The 1964 sitcom, the 1991 film and its sequels, the weird attempts at relaunching the show and even the original Charles Addams comic strip - all because there's a brand spanking, new 2019 Addams Family movie on the way.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

172 - Rambo: Diminishing Returns Part II - More Blood:: Rambo III and Rambo (IV) (with Gareth Allen)

Guest: Gareth Allen

Films covered in this episode:

Rambo III
Allen: ✰ ½
Gareth: ½
Sol: ✰ ✰
Overall score: 27%

Rambo
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Gareth: ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰
Overall score: 47%

Diminishing Returns continues an exhaustive look at the First Blood film-franchise, better known as the Rambo series because they star Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo. Last week covered the first two films (First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II), leaving Rambo III and Rambo (the fourth one) for this week, as well as a speculative look at the upcoming Rambo: Last Blood.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

171 - First Blood (with Gareth Allen)

Guest: Gareth Allen

Films covered in this episode:

First Blood
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Gareth: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 80%

Rambo: First Blood Part II
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Gareth: ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 44%

We begin a two-week look at the Rambo franchise, starting with First Blood (aka Rambo), then moving swiftly onto Rambo: First Blood Part II. Because Rambo: Last Blood is on the horizon; that's why.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

170 - Downton Abbey (with Calvin Dyson)

Guest: Calvin Dyson

TV shows covered in this episode:

Downton Abbey
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 57%

We mix things up with a rare television episode, turning our heads to Downton Abbey ahead of the upcoming theatrical film spin-off of the series.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

169 - It (2017) (with Calvin Dyson)

Guest: Calvin Dyson

Films covered in this episode:

It (2017)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 77%

Much like how Pennywise returns every 27 years to cause havoc, we're seemingly returning to Stephen King's It every 2 years to talk about the most recent screen-version of the story.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM

168 - Diminishingump Roasturns (with Calvin Dyson, Dan Straw and Conor Murray)

Guests: Calvin Dyson, Dan Straw and Conor Murray

Films covered in this episode:

Fifty Shades of Black
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: n/s
Overall score: 50%

We're on our Summer hols and Allen actually has some acting work lined up for a change, so here's a very special outtakes episode in which esteemed film-maker Werner Herzog takes a look (listen?) at some previously unheard Diminishing Returns material from the archive.

Check out our Patreon here!

Listen on:
iTunes
Android
SoundCloud
Stitcher
PlayerFM