This edition of the podcast looks forward to Sam Taylor-Wood's John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy with actor Anne-Marie Duff, reviews James Cameron's 3D spectacular Avatar, and looks back over the Golden Globe nominations announced this week.
First up, Anne-Marie Duff tells Jason Solomons about Nowhere Boy, which is out on Boxing Day. The actor, already a critical favourite for her work on TV and stage, shares what it was like to be directed by an artist making her first feature, how she got under the skin of Lennon's wayward but little-known mother, and how she had to learn to play the banjo (and do a George Formby impression) for the film.
Xan Brooks then joins Jason to review the week's key releases: the much-hyped James Cameron's Avatar, the most expensive film ever made; Daniel Day-Lewis and a bevy of beautiful women in Rob Marshall's musical Nine; and Lynn Shelton's Humpday, a witty bromance about two straight friends who make the ultimate dare.
Xan and Jason also pick over the shortlists for the Golden Globe awards, announced earlier this week – their verdict: it's a bit trashy. The big surprise is the rehabilitation of Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds – universally declared a turkey at its premiere in Cannes, it scored nominations for best picture and best director and could now figure in the Oscars race.
