303 episodes
Film Stories with Simon Brew Simon Brew
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- TV & Film
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4.9 • 652 Ratings
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Film Stories with Simon Brew is a podcast that looks to dig into the stories behind popular movies.From troubled productions, to rights issues, to difficulties with release to films nearly falling apart, the podcast will be looking at the stories that don't always seem apparent when watching a movie!
The podcast is hosted by Simon Brew, the founder of Den Of Geek. You can find Simon at www.twitter.com/simonbrew
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Quentin Tarantino's 10th film (unreleased) and Erin Brockovich (2000)
A film that's not yet happened - at the time of recording! - takes centre stage in this Film Stories episode. In 2019, Quentin Tarantino released his apparently penultimate film as director - Once Upon A Time In Hollywood - but five years on, it's no clearer what his final film will be. It doesn't look like it's going to be The Movie Critic, as had been suggested....
One film that did happen? How about the wildy successful Erin Brockovich? A 2000 movie that brought with it the challenge of adapting a real life story to the screen. Oh, with a major movie star on board...
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In conversation with Dan Stevens
In this special episode of Film Stories, Dan Stevens joins Simon to talk about his latest film, Abigail. They talk about the making of the film, the sort-of crossover with Cocaine Bear, and why it needed to be shot in a certain order.
Plus, they also touch on drinking receptables, Colossal, choosing roles, and a whole lot more...
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Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Mass (2021)
Two risky films take centre stage in this episode of Film Stories, starting with Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan. A 170-minute film released in the midst of a summer jammed with over 100 films to choose from in cinema. Who would have thought it'd prevail at the box office?
Spielberg for one wasn't too worried: but also, he came to it directly after making The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Amistad. No wonder he had to rely heavily on his instincts.
Fran Kranz meanwhile, better known for his acting, got nowhere with a script he'd written for a $100m alien invasion movie. He turned his attention to something a lot smaller, that he could raise the funding for. He came up with Mass, on a shoestring budget. Completing the film was just part of the challenge...
Stories of both are told in this episode
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Scoop (2024), with director Philip Martin
In this special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by director Philip Martin, chatting days after the release of his latest film.
That movie is Scoop, the dramatisation of the infamous BBC interview with Prince Andrew. The pair chat about Philip's early work, his time in Canada trying to break into the film industry, then jetting to Los Angeles at one point to pitch to John Travolta.
Then there's Scoop, and the challenges of making a film where everybody pretty much knows the ending...
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Saltburn (2023) and Mean Girls (2024)
A pair of bang up to the minute films in this episode of Film Stories, both of which enjoyed the fruits of viral marketing.
Saltburn (2023) had been in the head of its writer/director Emerald Fennell for years before she even got to work on her Oscar-winning Promising Young Woman (2020). The catalyst? A really rather famous scene in with a bathtub. But who could have guessed how the internet would take hold of her film post-release?
In the case of Mean Girls (2024), the battle was on to hide what it actually was. The new take on the 2004 film of the same name was a musical, but you'd never guess that from the (very deliberate) way that Paramount marketed the movie. A movie that, incidentally, was originally intended for streaming services before getting a cinema upgrade...
Stories of both are told in this episode.
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In conversation with Dolph Lundgren
In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by Dolph Lundgren. Yep, that Dolph Lundgren: not only Ivan Dragon, but a writer, director, actor, TED Talker, academic and lover of cats.
They chat about his latest directorial outing, Wanted Man, that's available on UK digital services now. Plus, which version of Rocky IV is the best, why his cat has ended up in the end credits of his latest film, his love of watching Sex And The City, and a chat about the impact of putting his own story out into the world...
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Customer Reviews
Nice
A cosy little podcast this is. Offers good tidbits and facts about our fave movies. No negativity and no whiny, ticky box, woke agendas like every other podcast. Just pure info on the movie in the title. Perfect
Best Podcast Ever!
I’ve been listening to Film Stories with Simon Brew for a few years now and keep meaning to get round to writing a review but never do. Well today is that day!!
I had been searching for a podcast that interested me and I found that everything I started lost my interest very quickly. Hosts would waffle on aimlessly or there was no real structure. Then I happened upon Film Stories.
I listened to the first episode and I was immediately hooked. Simon’s approach was to dive right in to the detail of 2 films. He is lighthearted, entertaining but above all else factual. I like that he doesn’t get bogged down in his opinions or his feelings on a film. It’s purely about how a film got made.
Originally I skipped films I had no interest in but now I listen to everything because some of the stories are remarkable.
Based on some episodes I’ve watched films I would never have considered in a million years and loved them.
Watching films back that I’ve seen before with Simon’s insights sheds new light on things you’ve probably never considered before.
I held off writing a review initially until I had listened to enough episodes to base my opinion. I’ve been listening religiously now for 3 years and I’m almost caught up to date so I think I can safely cast my opinion with some authority…
Film Stories is the best podcast I’ve ever listened to. Simon should be very proud of the content he has created and I’m glad it exists.
I did go to see his live show as well because I love the podcast so much. Of that, I was not so much a fan. I had expected a kind of best of Film Stories with some of the more interesting stories being told. It’s not like that and because the live show doesn’t follow the same rigid structure I personally didn’t enjoy it as much.
It hasn’t put me off the podcast though. I still listen on my commutes to and from work. My biggest fear is that I will eventually have listened to all the episodes but right now I’m grateful to Simon for such an amazing and informative show.
Keep up the good work Simon (gold star!!)
Interviews: still really bad.
As a massive Ghostbusters fan I’ve tried again to listen to the podcast. I gave up some time ago as Simon’s interview episodes are painful to listen to. Part Alan Partridge / part Headteacher; not listening to the guests, cringe worthy questions & generally being toe curling bad. Listening to the Ernie Hudson & Gil Kenan episodes nothing’s changed; in fact it’s got worse. From name checking the wrong film to Ernie Hudson, completely getting characters wrong (Walter Peck was never mayor) & then the ultimate in Partridge statements; telling Ernie Hudson he’s ‘really glad’ he ‘exists’. I can’t understand why any film studio would let Simon anywhere near their press junkets - most of his questions are either a) totally loaded or b) bear no relation to the film being discussed. I thought the Kermode interview was bad but these were absolutely painful.