Initial Thoughts

Black Bat Productions

5.0 (1)
Film Reviews
Updated Weekly

Phoebe thinks she hasn't seen enough movies. People say Nathaniel has seen too many. So together, NBB and PRJ are walking through some of cinema's greatest (or at least, most conversation-worthy) entries, and debating, discussing, and enjoying some Initial Thoughts.

Feb 24

Modern Romance x The Time Has Passed - A New Play Tie-In

Black Bat Productions' latest play, The Time Has Passed, premieres this week at VAULT's The Glitch - Weds 25th & Thurs 26th, at 8:30pm - so here's a quick ep about it. Directed by our very own Phoebe and starring Lydia Kirton and someone named Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller, this new two-hander is about a first date between Cydney and Remo. She works in massive tech, he does the opposite, and both can barely contain their opposition to each other. But Cydney has brought along a device that gives her a unique upper hand as the acidic conversation flows, and resets... Catch The Time Has Passed on Weds 25th & Thurs 26th, at 8:30pm, on Lower Marsh in London. Tickets available here, at ⁠www.tickettailor.com/events/vaultcreativearts/2033557⁠, and at @BlackBatUK. The Time Has Passed has many inspirations, from Solvej Balle’s On The Calculation of Volume series of books to Casino to Dan Deacon and Daniel Lopatin's music, but its tone perhaps owes more to the Albert Brooks film Modern Romance than any other. Listen in to hear more - and see you at the show.

11 min
Jan 27

Initial Thoughts on 2026's Oscar Nominations

This is Part 2 of our Top Films of 2025 super-episode return. Here we tackle what Phoebe & Nathaniel make of this past week's Academy Award nominations. To hear them tell it, this is not a good year. Find out why they would think such a thing. Thank you as always for listening. _____ Music by White Bat Audio.

22 min
Jan 27

Our Top Films of 2025

Welcome back. As we face fascism and lament a lamentable year for the Oscars, we also return to Initial Thoughts to discuss what the hell we've been up to and what the heck we made of the year in cinema since we last did this. What was Nathaniel’s favorite film of 2025? What was Phoebe’s favorite first-watch of the last 12 months? What did they think of Marty Supreme? Where do they think cinema is going? And does one of them believe Ella McCay could be the greatest film ever made? Find out in this year's Top Films episode. Part II, featuring our initial thoughts on the 2026 Oscar nominations, is right up next. _____ Tickets for The Time Has Passed on 25th & 26th February are available now at blackbat.uk, and at www.tickettailor.com/events/vaultcreativearts/2033557. _____ Music by White Bat Audio.

1h 54m
03/03/2025 · Bonus

An Oscars Special (feat. Michael Zwiauer) - Initial Thoughts on The 97th Academy Awards

It's the 97th Oscars! Listen in! Conan made us laugh (mostly). Winners won well (mostly). We were pretty accurate (to a point). Intrepid correspondent Michael Zwiauer even joined us from sunny California. Not to be missed. Our hosts stayed up very, very late, so the least you can do is listen to them. Lots of love! _____ Music by White Bat Audio.

1h 25m
02/26/2025

Predicting/Improving This Weekend's Oscars

Today this could be, the greatest pod of our lives. Phoebe and Nathaniel are back for Oscar Week, predicting (and in their own way, improving) the Academy’s cinematic selections. Tune in for ribald and robust discussion of each category, the safe choices, the sure surprises, and the Zag’s to be zagged. Plus, our host’s own choices of what they believe deserves recognition in each category - Oscar nomination or not. Plus, impromptu discussions of Nickel Boys, The Apprentice, I’m Still Here, The Brutalist, zoos, okapis, the Kennedy Center, and more. Enjoy the Academy Awards this Sunday night! Initial Thoughts will be back with an Oscars Special next! _____ Music by White Bat Audio.

1h 38m
01/25/2025

Initial Thoughts on 2025's Oscar Nominations

Determine your nominees and initialize your thoughts, it is once again time for Phoebe and Nathaniel to weigh in on The Academy's choices! Did your favorite film of 2024 get enough love? Did ours? Find out! _____ Music by White Bat Audio.

1h 19m
12/23/2024

Our Top Films of 2024

As Phoebe would say, we are so back. Initial Thoughts returns as if our last chat were only yesterday, to discuss a year of high highs, low lows, multiple plays directed, and quite a lot of films viewed. NBB & PRJ discuss their favorites, their also-rans, the films they wish they'd seen by now, and which not-new movies they most enjoyed seeing for the first time - including many from Initial Thoughts episodes! Tune in, find cheer, stay warm, and thank you for listening! Happy New Year everyone! _____ Music by White Bat Audio.

2 hr
07/13/2024

MaXXXine

Hollywood is a killer. MAXXXINE is a movie. Initial Thoughts is a podcast. You are a listener. This is an episode. Listen in! Neither Phoebe nor Nathaniel have seen this week's film, though one of them has seen the previous two films in Ti West and Mia Goth's gooey trilogy of throwback mayhem. This film supposedly wraps up the story of these interlinked protagonists with an 80s-tastic slasher feel, but did our hosts buy it? Find out, on Initial Thoughts! _____ Music by White Bat Audio.

1h 31m

Phoebe thinks she hasn't seen enough movies. People say Nathaniel has seen too many. So together, NBB and PRJ are walking through some of cinema's greatest (or at least, most conversation-worthy) entries, and debating, discussing, and enjoying some Initial Thoughts.

Creator

Black Bat Productions
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

48
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Black Bat Productions
Show Website

Initial Thoughts