The podcast where film-fans Allen Turing and Sol Harris take a weekly journey to Development Hell to discuss a film, then pitch their ideas for the sequel.
Guest: Calvin Dyson
Films covered in this episode:
Left Behind: The Movie (2000)
Allen: n/s
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ½
Overall score: 10%
Left Behind (2014)
Allen: ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ½
Overall score: 34%
Diminishing Returns go back to the meaty well of Christianity to celebrate Easter 2019. Last time, it was God's Not Dead. This time, it's Left Behind.
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Guest: Scott Chambers
Films covered in this episode:
Hellboy (2004)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Scott: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Scott: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 67%
We've done a surprising amount of Guillermo Del Toro's work on the podcast at this point - or, at least we have, now, as we add another two of his films to our list: Hellboy and Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Why? Because they're doing another Hellboy movie, aren't they? Yes - and guest host Scott was there, on set!
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Films covered in this episode:
Pet Sematary (1989)
Allen: ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 60%
Pet Sematary II
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 60%
We don't want to be buried in a pet cemetery, but we'll cover the Pet Sematary movies in the run-up to the new adaptation of Stephen King's book. Sure!
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Guest: Calvin Dyson
Films covered in this episode
Dumbo
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 67%
This week has everything from deep explorations of race politics, dubious accusations of animal cruelty against Thomas Edison, a quiz game and, of course, discussion of Dumbo... Disney's beloved classic film and the upcoming Tim Burton remake.
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Guest: Judey Bignell
Films covered in this episode:
The Truman Show
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Judey: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 87%
This week, we turn to beloved classic Jim Carrey vehicle The Truman Show.
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Guest: Calvin Dyson
Films covered in this episode:
For Your Eyes Only
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰
Overall score: 50%
For your ears only (not really, it's for anyone who wants to listen, sorry)... but that shouldn't matter because it's Diminishing Returns returning to James Bond once more.
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Films covered in this episode:
The Incredible Hulk Returns
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: n/s
Overall score: 60%
Hulk
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰
Overall score: 45%
The Incredible Hulk
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 65%
With yet another entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe upon us in the form of Captain Marvel, here's a look back to the second film in the franchise: The Incredible Hulk.
We also take a look at the 1978 TV series, its spin-off movies and Ang Lee's 2003 Hulk.
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Guest: Calvin Dyson
Here, for you, are a selection of never-heard-before (and very old) clips from Allen's cutting-room floor. Hear cut discussion from episodes like Psycho, Alien and others, as well as the story about when Sol and Allen were going to get a pet chimp when they lived together and yet more cut material from that huge quiz episode we did to celebrate our episode-count turning 100.
Guest: Calvin Dyson
Films covered in this episode:
Black Panther
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 70%
BlacKkKlansman
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 70%
Bohemian Rhapsody
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 55%
The Favourite
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%
Green Book
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 80%
Roma
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 50%
A Star is Born
Allen: ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 64%
Vice
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 80%
and also…
Mary Queen of Scots
Allen: ✰ ✰
Cakvin: n/s
Sol: n/s
Overall score: 40%
The Big Short
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 80%
It's the third annual Oscars blowout at Diminishing Returns, taking aim at all of this year's Best Picture nominees:
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
Roma
A Star is Born
Vice
...and a few other films that sneak into the discussion along the way.
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Guest: Calvin Dyson
Films covered in this episode:
Fifty Shades Freed
Allen: ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ½
Overall score: 30%
The Diminishing Returns' annual Valentine's Day special sees out the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy with a look at Fifty Shades Freed. As ever, it's more of an excuse to talk about sex than a real celebration of (very bad) cinema.
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Guest: Scott Chambers
Films covered in this episode:
Red State
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Scott: ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 64%
Jay and Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie
Allen: ✰ ✰
Scott: n/s
Sol: ✰
Overall score: 30%
Tusk
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Scott: ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 50%
Yoga Hosers
Allen: ✰ ½
Scott: ½
Sol: ✰ ½
Overall score: 24%
Much like the latter end of Kevin Smith's career, Kevin Smith Season trundles along to a whimpering finale with a look at Red State, Tusk, Jay and Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie, Yoga Hosers and the many, many Kevin Smith projects that have been announced and will probably never happen.
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Films covered in this episode:
Jersey Girl
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 65%
Clerks II
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 75%
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%
Cop Out
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰
Overall score: 40%
Kevin Smith continues with a look at the awkward Hollywood years...
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Guest: Paul Brear
Films covered in this episode:
Clerks
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Brear: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 80%
Mallrats
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Brear: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 74%
Chasing Amy
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Brear: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 77%
Dogma
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Brear: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 77%
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Brear: ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 64%
How do you follow up a season of episodes looking at a filmmaker as innovative and revered as Quentin Tarantino? By not even trying and just looking at the works of Kevin Smith, instead. In this, part 1 of Kevin Smith season, Diminishing Returns is joined by friend-of-the-show Paul Brear to discuss Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
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Guest: Calvin Dyson
Films covered in this episode:
Split
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 74%
The twist is that M. Night Shyamalan Season wasn't over - that's right, we return to the infamous writer/director's work with a look at Split in anticipation of the upcoming film Glass. For obvious reasons, we take another big look at Unbreakable, too.
Also, spoiler alert for Split and some other past M. Night movies.
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Guest: Calvin Dyson
Films covered in this episode:
One Good Turn
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 64%
Thicker than Water
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 64%
Way Out West
Allen: ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 60%
Stan and Ollie
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 75%
In anticipation of upcoming John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan awards grab, Stan and Ollie, Diminishing Returns indulge Calvin's love of Laurel & Hardy by looking at their careers, a couple of their shorts and their best known feature: Way Out West. Did I say in anticipation of Stan and Ollie? That's not quite accurate because Sol's already seen it. So that film gets reviewed as well.
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Guests: Calvin Dyson, Judey Bignell and Chris Hunter
Films covered in this episode:
Deadpool 2
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 64%
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Allen: ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 67%
Incredibles 2
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 77%
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 67%
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Allen: ✰ ✰
Judey: ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 37%
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%
The Nun
Allen: ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰
Overall score: 40%
The Predator
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 70%
Johnny English Strikes Again
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Judey: ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 57%
Halloween (2018)
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 67%
Suspiria (2018)
Allen: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 50%
The Grinch
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 50%
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Chris: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰
Overall score: 54%
Creed II
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Judey: n/s
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 65%
Aquaman
Allen: ✰ ½
Judey: ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 44%
It's that time, again! Diminishing Returns present their biggest episode ever: a solid three-hours looking back at the releases of 2018 covered on the show and more...
Sol and Allen are joined by Calvin Dyson, Judey Bignell and Chris Hunter to ring in the new year (or, to put it more accurately, ring out the old one). Also, there's a music quiz. All in all, it's bloody good listening.
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We've teased you about it for three years, but we've finally done Die Hard. Merry Christmas!
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Films covered in this episode:
Guest: Calvin Dyson
Films covered in this episode:
Die Hard
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Overall score: 87%
Guest: Calvin Dyson
Films covered in this episode:
Mary Poppins
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 70%
G'day Marybawbin!. When yor w' Bert, you'wll 'ave a jawlyawliday ev'ryday 'ere at Diminishing Ret'rns - made in real, propa authentic London itis! Thos wek, the gang's ol' doin' a jawly chimchimmernycheroo of a time lookin' at ole Mary wi' moi! Lorra lorra.
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Guest: Chris Hammond
Films covered in this episode:
Justice League
Allen: ✰ ✰ ½
Calvin: ✰ ✰
Chris: ✰ ✰
Sol: ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 50%
This week, Diminishing Returns collides with the Spoilt Milk Movie Podcast as guest Chris Hammond joins Allen and Sol to discuss DC's best attempt at an answer to The Avengers: Justice League. There's talk of the DC universe in general seeing as Aquaman is out soon.
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Episodes in the DC Cinematic Universe series:
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice"
"Suicide Squad"
"Wonder Woman"
”Justice League”
We also spoke about Justice League in:
"Review of the Year 2017: Part 2"
Guest: Calvin Dyson
Films covered in this episode:
Moonraker
Allen: ✰ ✰ ✰
Calvin: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ½
Sol: ✰ ✰ ½
Overall score: 67%
What? More Bond? Already? Yes! Lucky you! More Bond. James Bond. In spaaaace!
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