Best Pick

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 24.5: Christmas Quiz Released 26 December 2018. Comedian, actor and improviser Thom Tuck @TurlyGod joins us with a quiz he has set, covering the 24 films we have so far watched. The Penny Dreadfuls on Radio 4 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dc9xb Thom Tuck sings the Mountain Goats https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/thom-tuck-sings-the-mountain-goats Tim Minchin’s Christmas song https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/white-wine-in-the-sun-single/id345894009 Next week we will be discussing The Broadway Melody. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Facebook group, Tweet us on @bestpickpod or email us on bestpickpod@gmail.com. You can also Tweet us individually, @MrJohnDorney, @ItsJessRegan or @TomSalinsky. You should also sign up to our mailing list to get

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 24: Cimmaron (1931) Released 19 December 2018. For this episode, we watched Cimmaron, written by Howard Estabrook and Louis Sarecky based on the novel by Edna Ferber. It was directed by Wesley Ruggles with music by Max Steiner. The stars were Richard Dix, Irene Dunne and Estelle Taylor. The film earned seven Academy Award nominations and won three, for its screenplay and its art direction as well as Best Picture. Next week you can hear our Christmas Quiz but for our next full episode we will be discussing The Broadway Melody. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Facebook group, Tweet us on @bestpickpod or email us on bestpickpod@gmail.com. You can also Tweet us individually, @MrJohnDorney, @ItsJessRegan or @TomSalinsky. You should also sign up to our mail

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 23: On the Waterfront (1954) Released 5 December 2018. For this episode, we watched On the Waterfront, written by Budd Schulberg (from the series of articles “Crime on the Waterfront” by Malcolm Johnson) and directed by Elia Kazan. The stars were Marlon Brando (Best Actor), Eva Marie Saint (Best Supporting Actress), Lee J Cobb, Rod Steiger, Karl Malden with music by Leonard Bernstein and cinematography by Boris Kaufman. The film was nominated for twelve Academy Awards, including five acting awards and it won eight, including for its direction and screenplay. Lawyer Reviews Laws Broken In Classic Love Scenes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41agvCBlicE&t=306s Strange painting of Brando. https://bit.ly/2ADf9jf Next time we will be discussing Cimarron. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (USA). To send in your questions,

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 22: The Godfather (1972) Released 21 November For this episode, we watched The Godfather, written by Francis Ford Coppola and Maria Puzo, from the novel by Puzo; directed by Coppola; music by Nino Rota; cinematography by Gordon Willis. It stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duval, John Cazale and Diane Keaton. Although the film has become legendary, it only won three Oscars – Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for Brando. Clint Eastwood stands in for Charlton Heston https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY6y-NFiSec&t=736s Structure is Character in Conflict https://www.writershelper.com/character-in-conflict.html Next time we will be discussing On the Waterfront. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 21: Kramer vs Kramer (1979) Released 7 November For this episode, we watched Kramer vs Kramer, written by Robert Benton from the novel by Avery Corman, and directed by Benton. It stars Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Justin Henry and Jane Alexander. As well as Best Picture, it also won Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Leading Actor for Hoffman and Best Supporting Actress for Streep. Dustin Hoffman and John Oliver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZNuh0xxKis Getting Curious podcast https://www.earwolf.com/show/getting-curious-with-jonathan-van-ness Next time we will be discussing The Godfather. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Facebook group, Tweet us on @bestpickpod or email us on bestpickpod@gmail.com. You can a

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky and our special guest Nat Luurtsema Episode 20: It Happened One Night (1934) Released 24 October 2018. For this episode, we watched It Happened One Night, written by Robert Riskin and Samuel Hopkins Adams and directed by Frank Capra. The stars were Clark Cable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns and Jameson Thomas. The film won the “big five” Academy Awards – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress – one of only three films to do so. Nat Luurtsema https://www.twitter.com/natluurtsema The Riker Manoeuvre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P40LIQtEE3M Next time we will be discussing Kramer vs Kramer. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Facebook group, Tweet us on @bestpickpod or email us on be

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 19: The Sound of Music (1965) Released 10 October 2018. For this episode, we watched The Sound of Music, written by Ernest Lehmann from the stage play by  Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse based on The Story of the Trapp Family by Maria von Trapp. Songs by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Directed by Robert Wise. The film stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer and it won five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Music. Dinner for One https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVd_VLO9xcc The Pratt Family Singers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7B7LZkJtFo Unfinished Business of the Century https://h2g2.com/entry/A171839 Next time we will be discussing It Happened One Night. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you ca

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 18: Annie Hall (1977) recorded live at the London Podcast Festival. Released 26 September 2018. For this episode, we watched Annie Hall, written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman and directed by Allen, who also starred alongside Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane and Paul Simon. The film won four Academy Awards including Best Actress for Diane Keaton and Best Screenplay for Allen and Brickman. Star Wars Despecialized https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGrXO2RDzLg&vl=en Kathy Griffin’s Woody Allen story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i62GcGDgI4 Christopher Wlaken http://i.imgur.com/NM0hWpt.png Thanks to Zoe, Sally and everyone at the London Podcast Festival for making this happen. Next time we will be discussing The Sound of Music. If you want to watch it before listening to the episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, co

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky and our special guest David K Barnes. Episode 17: Around the World in Eighty Days (1956) Released 12 September 2018. For this episode, we watched Around the World in Eighty Days, written by James Poe, John Farrow and S J Perelman, based on the novel by Jules Verne. It was directed by Michael Anderson and produced by Mike Todd. Stars were David Niven, Cantinflas, Robert Newton and Shirley MacLaine with countless cameos besides. The film won five Academy Awards from eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Cinematography and Best Adapted Screenplay. However, it received no acting nominations and Michael Anderson was beaten by George Stevens for Giant. Hancock’s Half Hour: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/hancocks-half-hour-radio-series-5-episode-8-around/973111361 Wooden Overcoats: https://www.woodenovercoats.com Next time we will be discussing Annie Hall at our first ever live show. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episod

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 16: In the Heat of the Night (1967) Released 29 August 2018. For this episode, we watched In the Heat of the Night, written by Stirling Silliphant, based on the the novel by John Ball. It was directed by Norman Jewison, produced by Walter Mirisch and edited by Hal Ashby, with music by Quincy Jones and cinematography by Haskell Wexler. It starred Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant and Larry Gates. The film won five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Steiger) and Best Editing. Although nominated, Jewison did not win as director. Apologies for the poor sound quality for parts of this recording – we had some fairly serious technical issues. Book your tickets now for our first-ever live show, where we’ll be watching Annie Hall. It’s at Kings Place in London at 4:00pm on Sunday 9 September. Click here for tickets. Next time we will be discussing Around the World in Eighty Days. If you want to watch it before liste

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 15: Patton (1970) Released 15 August 2018. For this episode, we watched Patton, written by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North, based on the 1954 novel Patton: Ordeal and Triumph by Ladislas Farago and the 1961 novel A Soldier's Story by Omar N. Bradley. The director was Franklin J. Schaffner, the producer was Frank McCarthy and the film starred George C Scott with Karl Malden, Michael Bates and Edward Binns. As well as Best Picture, Patton was nominated in nine other categories and won a total of seven Academy Awards, including Best Actor which George C Scott turned down. Grouch Anthem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8IHMctrKCg Book your tickets now for our first-ever live show, where we’ll be watching Annie Hall. It’s at Kings Place in London at 4:00pm on Sunday 9 September. Click here for tickets. Next time we will be discussing In the Heat of the Night. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the D

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 14: Grand Hotel (1932) Released 1 August 2018. For this episode, we watched Grand Hotel, written by William A. Drake from his play, adapted from the German production Menschen im Hotel, written by Vicki Baum. The director was Edmund Goulding, the producer was Irving Thalberg and the all-star cast included Greta Garbo (who wants to be alone), John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone and Jean Hersholt. Grand Hotel won Best Picture, which was the only Academy Award it was nominated for. Book your tickets now for our first-ever live show, where we’ll be watching Annie Hall. It’s at Kings Place in London at 4:00pm on Sunday 9 September. Click here for tickets. Next time we will be discussing Patton. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments,

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky and special guest Julian Simpson Episode 13: Schindler’s List (1993) Released 18 July 2018. For this episode, we watched Schindler’s List, written by Steven Zaillian based on the novel by Thomas Keneally, and directed by Steven Spielberg. It stars Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall and Embeth Davidtz. As well as Best Picture, Schindler’s List won six further Academy Awards including for Spielberg as director, Zaillian for the screenplay, John Williams for the score and Janusz Kamiński for the cinematography. Steven Soderbergh’s Raiders: http://extension765.com/soderblogh/18-raiders Maus by Art Spiegelman: http://amzn.eu/azprxxo Next time we will be discussing Grand Hotel. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Face

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 12: Crash (2005) Released 4 July 2018. For this episode, we watched Crash, written by Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco and directed by Haggis. It starred Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, Brendan Fraser, Terrance Howard, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Thandie Newton, Ryan Phillipe and Larenz Tate. In total, Crash was nominated for six Academy Awards and it won three – Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay and of course Best Picture. Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe (1980) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGcWTIWYDMQ Next time we will be discussing Schindler’s List. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Facebook group, Tweet us on @bestpickpod or email us on bestpickpod@gmail.com. You can also Tweet us individua

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 11: The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Released 20 June 2018. For this episode, we watched The Silence of the Lambs, written by Ted Tally from the book by Thomas Harris, directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glen and Ted Devine. The Silence of the Lambs won the Academy Award “Big Five” but no other awards, equalling the achievement of Frank Capra’s It Happened One Night (1934) and Milos Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975). Best Actor Oscar-winning performances (by length) https://letterboxd.com/cinematthew/list/best-actor-oscar-winning-performances-by/ Dave Kehr’s contemporary review in the Chicago Tribune http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1991-02-14/features/9101140291_1_demme-killer-clarice-starling Next time we will be discussing Crash. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTu

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 10: West Side Story (1961) Released 6 June 2018. For this episode, we watched West Side Story, directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, with a screenplay by Ernest Lehmann from the stage musical produced by Hal Prince, directed by Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The cast includes Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn. West Side Story was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won ten including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Chakris), Best Supporting Actress (Moreno) and Best Music. Cher – West Side Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNhIgvqEHRo Next time we will be discussing The Silence of the Lambs. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments,

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 9: Lawrence of Arabia (1962) Released 23 May 2018. For this episode, we watched Lawrence of Arabia, directed by David Lean and written by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson, with cinematography by Freddie Young and music by Maurice Jarre. It stars Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, José Ferrer and Omar Shariff. As well as Best Picture, Lawrence won six further Oscars, including Best Director for David Lean and Best Score for Jarre. Next time we will be discussing West Side Story. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Facebook group, Tweet us on @bestpickpod or email us on bestpickpod@gmail.com. You can also Tweet us individually, @MrJohnDorney, @ItsJessRegan or @TomSalinsky. You should also sign up to our mailin

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 8: Terms of Endearment (1983) Released 9 May 2018. For this episode, we watched Terms of Endearment, written and directed by James L Brooks, based on the book by Larry McMurtry and starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Daniels and John Lithgow. As well as Best Picture, Terms of Endearment was nominated for a further ten Academy Awards and won five, including Best Screenplay and Best Director. The Year in Movies – 1983 by David Rosenthal Next time we will be discussing Lawrence of Arabia. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Facebook group, Tweet us on @bestpickpod or email us on bestpickpod@gmail.com. You can also Tweet us individually, @MrJohnDorney, @ItsJessRegan or @TomSalinsky. You should also sign

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 7: The Departed (2006) Released 25 April 2018. For this episode, we watched The Departed, directed by Martin Scorsese and written by William Monahan, based on Infernal Affairs, written by Alan Mak and Felix Chong, directed by Mak and Andrew Lau. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone and Vera Farmiga. As well as Best Picture, The Departed won three further Oscars, including Best Director for Scorsese. How Did This Get Made? http://www.earwolf.com/show/how-did-this-get-made Boston Accent trailer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLwbzGyC6t4 Next time we will be discussing Terms of Endearment. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Facebook group, Tweet us on @bestpickpod o

Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 6: Ben-Hur (1959) Released 11 April 2018. For this episode, we watched Ben-Hur, written by Karl Tunberg (and uncredited others including Gore Vidal and Christopher Fry), from the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by General Lew Wallace. It was directed by William Wyler and starred Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd and Hugh Griffith. As well as Best Picture, Ben-Hur won a record (still unbeaten) eleven Academy Awards out of twelve nominations, including Best Actor (Heston), Best Director, Best (Color) Cinematography, Best (Color) Costume Design and Best Special Effects. Next time we will be discussing The Departed. If you want to watch it before listening to the next episode you can buy the DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com, or you can download it via iTunes (UK) or iTunes (USA). To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Facebook group, Tweet us on @bestpickpod or email us o