Film Gold

Antony Rotunno
  • 5.0 (5)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

This is a deep dive into some of the host and the guests' favourite films, many of which we consider among the pinnacles of film achievement.

  1. JAN 20

    Episode 42- Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) Part 2 of 2

    Antony and Luke complete their look at the flawed smorgasbord of ideas that is 1983’s ‘Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life’, going through the remaining good, bad, ugly, extremely violent & completely gross scenes, and separating the top tier from the filler tracks.   In this part, expect to hear discussion of galaxies,internal organs, death and anticlimax, not to mention the adventures of Mr Creosote, yet more French accents and the token Beatles reference   Ultimately, were the Pythons too old? Too tired? Too middle-aged?   Please make your own mind up, even though I’ve arguably now told you what to think twice…   Most of all, enjoy!   'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.   Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com   Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠ ⁠⁠  Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠   Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠   Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Media podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com⁠ ⁠https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com⁠   Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: On John Lennon and Life And Life Only) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Luke’s English Podcast (main site and you tube channel) https://teacherluke.co.uk/ https://www.youtube.com/LukesEnglishPodcast   Luke & Antony’s previous Python film collaborations: Holy Grail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMtOOBpRBaA   Life of Brian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYNW-fBpUoc&t=5673s The original video version of our Meaning of Life review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecb9nT1ZcAM   episode links ‘The Meaning of Life’ film pages https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python%27s_The_Meaning_of_Life https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085959/   Original trailer for the film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMJ24QwHdCY ‘Meaning of Life’ documentary with the Pythons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_IpHCCyAC4&t=765s   Marching Up & Down The Square! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucgU2DJlBiw   The Galaxy Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buqtdpuZxvk   Eric Idle and Brian Cox update the song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IFGH11uxaI   The universe is way bigger than you think https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy7NzjCmUf0   Mr Creosote https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aczPDGC3f8U   Magical Mystery Tour spaghetti scene (inspiration for Mr Creosote scene) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/g-lSJ-r1Ikw   Christmas In Heaven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kntQNeSge5s

    1h 3m

  2. JAN 13

    Episode 41: Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) Part 1 of 2

    More than a pleasure to ‘get back’ (see what I did there?) with friend and podcast comrade Luke Thompson to round off our sort-of trilogy of Monty Python films (originally recorded on video, see below). This time round, Antony and Luke look at the flawed smorgasbord of ideas that is 1983’s ‘Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life’, going scene-by-scene through the good, bad, ugly, extremely violent, completely gross and filler, and trying to find just what ismissing from this Python outing that made the previous two films close to flawless masterpieces (actually we say it right at the beginning but don’t tell anyone…) In this part we give our general opinions of the film and look at some of the early scenes, so expect to hear about elderly pirates, sacred sperms and French ticklers. This is preceded by a bit of Python/Beatles comparisoning (that may not be a word) for our crossover audiences Make your own mind up, even though I’ve already told you what to think… Most of all, enjoy! 'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.   Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com   Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠ ⁠⁠  Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠   Antony's website(blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠   Antony’s JohnLennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Media podcasts ⁠⁠ ⁠https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com⁠ ⁠https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com⁠   Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: On John Lennon and Life And Life Only) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Luke’s English Podcast (main site and you tube channel) https://teacherluke.co.uk/ https://www.youtube.com/LukesEnglishPodcast   Luke & Antony’s previous Python film collaborations: Holy Grail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMtOOBpRBaA   Life of Brian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYNW-fBpUoc&t=5673s   The original video version of this review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecb9nT1ZcAM episode links 'The Meaning of Life' film pages https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python%27s_The_Meaning_of_Life https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085959/   Original trailer for the film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMJ24QwHdCY ‘Meaning of Life’ documentary with the Pythons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_IpHCCyAC4&t=765s   Every Sperm Is Sacred https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUspLVStPbk   Steve Coogan’s ‘The c**t song’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cH0elKDOzs&rco=1   The Protestants having lots of theoretical sex https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDBjsFAyiwA   Python/Beatles connections (clip from ‘Glass Onion: On John Lennon’ podcast) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMRj_y8g7Ck   Boris Johnson gets a bit too ‘enthusiastic’ playing rugby andfootball https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5NN5S9sPFM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UYrLfxvfhM

    1h 6m

  3. 12/04/2025

    Episode 40- Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) Part 2 of 2

    Luke and Antony complete their look at the classic comedy ‘Monty Python’s Life of Brian', the talk originally recorded on video earlier this year (see below). It’s hard to avoid the controversy that surrounded this filmwhen it came out, and you will hear a clip or two from the remarkable TV debate around the more contentious aspects of it, the like of which would surely not be seen these days. Most important though is the marvellous, some would sayflawless, content of the film, and we discuss some of the most famous and iconic scenes. Expect to hear about what the Romans did for civilisation, a famous Roman governor with a speech impediment, a rather unique Latin lesson and of course a controversially jolly accompaniment to the most agonising death imaginable. Our review of the follow-up film ‘Monty Python’s The Meaningof Life’ will follow (as it should) in January For now, enjoy!   'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.   Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com   Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠⁠ ⁠⁠  Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠   Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠⁠   Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Mediapodcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com⁠⁠   Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: OnJohn Lennon and Life And Life Only) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Luke’s English Podcast (main site and you tube channel) https://teacherluke.co.uk https://www.youtube.com/LukesEnglishPodcast   Luke & Antony’s previous Python film collaboration (HolyGrail) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMtOOBpRBaA   episode links Video version of this discussion (June 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYNW-fBpUoc&t=5674s   ‘Life of Brian’ film pages https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python's_Life_of_Brian https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079470/   The Secret Life of Brian (recommended documentary) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdU_6jUQI9s   The TV debate in full and the ‘Not The Nine O’Clock News’parody https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYMpObbt2rs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asUyK6JWt9U&t=1s   The graffiti Latin lesson scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ogBSKySo8U   Crucifixion admin scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnqLfUF5a9s   Commentary tracks for the film by the Monty Python members https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNpCzcbpjc8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQGMKk6h_nw&t=159s   How bad was crucifixion? (caution- very grisly) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-EVfxABSoU

    59 min

  4. 11/26/2025

    Episode 39- Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) Part 1 of 2

    What more is there to say about Monty Python’s Life ofBrian? Well, we may as well give it a bash.   Luke Thompson takes on hosting duties for a swapcast between Film Gold and Luke’s English Podcast, originally recorded on video earlier this year (see below).   In this first part, Luke & Antony discuss among otherthings their histories with the film, the basic philosophy of the Python team regarding biblical epics, some of the original inspiration for the film, and its production and financing.   Fans of the film will know that in that final aspect, acertain Beatle may well get a mention…   Part 2 will follow in early December   Enjoy!   'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.   Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com   Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠⁠ ⁠⁠  Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠   Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠⁠   Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Mediapodcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com⁠⁠   Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: OnJohn Lennon and Life And Life Only) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Luke’s English Podcast (main site and you tube channel) https://teacherluke.co.uk https://www.youtube.com/LukesEnglishPodcast   Luke & Antony’s previous Python film collaboration (HolyGrail) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMtOOBpRBaA   episode links Video version of this discussion (June 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYNW-fBpUoc&t=5674s   Film trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYHEordIo88   ‘Life of Brian’ film pages https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python's_Life_of_Brian https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079470/   Saint George to the rescue! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDFdcfRAaCg   The Secret Life of Brian (recommended documentary) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdU_6jUQI9s   George Harrison & Michael Palin in The Rutles’ film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8ifa3wqqDE

    54 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    Episode 38- U Turn (1997)

    Among Oliver Stone’s large and celebrated body of work is afilm from 1997 that was largely ignored and derided at the time but is a classic case of a rediscovered gem with cult appeal. Scott Phipps joins Antony to look at the dark and twisted ‘U Turn’. Sean Penn leads an ensemble cast including the ultimate femme fatale Jennifer Lopez and many recognisable and renowned names at various stages of their careers. We recommend multiple viewings of this film to fullyabsorb all the details and vast array of images Is this actually a comedy of the blackest kind, as thetrailer would lead you to believe? Will Bobby Cooper ever get out of town? And is everyone in Superior, Arizona on drugs? 'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.   Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com   Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠ ⁠⁠  Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠   Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠   Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Media podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com⁠ ⁠https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com⁠   Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: On John Lennon and Life And Life Only) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   episode links ‘U Turn’ original trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uidcyKDkFWU&t=1s   ‘U Turn’ Wikipedia & IMDB pages https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U_Turn_(1997_film) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120399/   Film ’97 original feature https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oonm3a6xPSM   Roger Ebert review https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/u-turn-1997   Oliver Stone commentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R22-lLw5eMc&t=375s   Ennio Morricone and U Turn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8PthAjIlZs   1997 in film (lots of competition!) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_in_film

    1h 27m

  6. 09/01/2025

    Episode 37: Duel (1971)

    This time round we present our second Steven Spielberg filmand one that was very much a forerunner to (and inspiration for) the more famous ‘Jaws’, as an ordinary man is forced to find inner resources and transcend his limitations in order to defeat a seemingly unstoppable force that can’t be reasoned with.   By kind permission of Julian Charles of The Mind Renewed,the recording used here is from TMR’s 20th movie roundtable, featuring Antony as a guest alongside Julian, Frank Johnson and Mark Campbell. Dennis Weaver stars as David (every)Mann, a salesman driving his beloved red Plymouth Valiant through the California desert on his way to an important work appointment, when a predatory monster of a smoke-spewing truck inexplicably picks him as its unsuspecting prey.   (from TMR shownotes) ‘Join us as we examine the tension, explore the film'sminimalist brilliance, and ask what "takeaways" might be gleaned from Spielberg's early TV/cinematic masterpiece’.    'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.   Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com   Facebook⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod ⁠⁠  Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠   Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠ https://www.antonyrotunno.com   Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Mediapodcasts ⁠⁠ https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com   Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: OnJohn Lennon and Life And Life Only) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   ‘The Mind Renewed’ website/podcast https://themindrenewed.com/episodes/2022-25/1646-ep084 episode links ‘Duel’ original trailer & IMDB page https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m9aeCeHbiQ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067023/   Steven Spielberg on the making of the film (3 parts) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luG6wuSQYUE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKKd8z-3GXo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wob0Y0KVvC8   David Mann calls Chief Brody (Duel vs Jaws) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA0Y6SzEKrE

    1h 4m

  7. 06/27/2025

    Episode 36- Citizen Kane (1941) Part 5 of 5

    And so we say goodbye as Charles Foster Kane faces the final curtain…   Antony wraps up Citizen Kane’s final scenes, discusses the critical response to the film and its multi-decade legacy, and the final words -13 minutes of them- are given to the man himself, Orson Welles, aided by Huw Wheldon and Dick Cavett   If you’ve listened through this series (and the previous3-parter on Orson), we sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed it   'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.   Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com   Facebook⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠⁠   Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠⁠   Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠ https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠⁠   Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles andPsychology/Alt. Media podcasts ⁠⁠ https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/   Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion:On John Lennon and Life And Life Only) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   episode links The Snow Globe scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSj-BCOlGPY   The Rosebud reveal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr93wwtiKQM   Citizen Kane film pages ⁠⁠⁠https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033467/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_Kane⁠⁠⁠   Citizen Kane: Anatomy of a Classic (presented by BarryNorman) ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCez9Pgqb5s   The life of Charles Foster Kane ⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Foster_Kane⁠⁠   The Citizen Kane files (Wellesnet archive) ⁠⁠⁠https://www.wellesnet.com/citizen-kane-resources/⁠⁠   Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (must-watch doc, 2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhtpfRl2wyE

    48 min

  8. 06/14/2025

    Episode 35- Citizen Kane (1941) Part 4 of 5

    Antony continues a scene-by-scene analysis of Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane. As we enter the second half of the film, things are still going reasonably well with Charles Foster Kane, but the slow descent into despair and emptiness will soon begin with the famous ‘breakfast table montage’. As you listen to this and/or watch the film, it’s worth asking a fundamental question about acceptance of reality and whether public acclaim is merely a poor substitute for something fundamental to a happy life.   The final part of this series will be out at the end of the month   We hope you enjoy the show!   'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.   Feedback to contrafib2001@gmail.com   Facebook⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠⁠   Twitter ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠⁠   Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠ https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠⁠   Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt.Mediapodcasts ⁠⁠ https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/   Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: OnJohn Lennon and Life And Life Only) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   episode links Citizen Kane film pages ⁠⁠https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033467/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_Kane⁠⁠   Original trailer for the film ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dxh3lwdOFw⁠⁠   The life of Charles Foster Kane ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Foster_Kane⁠   The Citizen Kane files (Wellesnet archive) ⁠⁠https://www.wellesnet.com/citizen-kane-resources/⁠   The breakfast table montage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfl2M8B9WA8   Do we create our own reality? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-path-toward-spirituality/201412/do-we-create-our-own-reality   How to accept yourself https://psychcentral.com/lib/ways-to-accept-yourself   Are the rich more lonely? https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/are_the_rich_more_lonely

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

This is a deep dive into some of the host and the guests' favourite films, many of which we consider among the pinnacles of film achievement.

Information

  • Creator
    Antony Rotunno
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Antony Rotunno
  • Show Website
    Film Gold

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