Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson analyses the UK box office, down another 33%, with Matilda the Musical still #1. Seasonal horror film Violent Night enters at #3 which "puts the X into Xmas". To his surprise, James found it outrageously funny but also touching. He also praises the Blu-Ray restoration of the 1939 horror comedy The Cat and the Canary, starring Bob Hope, a view with which Simon concurs.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Politicial commentator Mike Indian says that PM Rishi Sunak should not get bogged down in detail, but work out what to concentrate on and make himself visible where it counts. He discusses government U-turns and what the Chester by-election means for Labour, suggesting it reinforces the idea that the party will form the next government. With Stephen Flynn the new SNP leader in Westminster, does this mean that Nicola Sturgeon's days are now effectively numbered?
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Tech buff Steve Caplin finds an answer to Simon Rose's earlier question about who invented the wheeled suitcase. There's a pilot-it-yourselves VTOL sightseeing plane, a hydrogen-powered commuter bike and supercar, an electronic nose to detect prostate cancer, a toilet sensor to identify cholera outbreaks, a gel to kill harmful bacteria, nuclear-reactor robots to repair the 3,000 malfunctioning satellites, Elon Musk's brain chip and Apple allowing people in the UK to repair their own phones. Steve says, "Don't even think about it."
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
With the World Cup in full flow and Manchester United up for sale, Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at the economics of football clubs. Although Man United was worth $78m when it floated in 1991 and is, in theory, set to sell for upwards of $4bn, for investors of late it, and every other club, has proved a poor investment. Russ explains how modern football financing works, pointing out that, in good times, all the money seems to go to the talent.
Guests: Russ Mould
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University suggests ways in which the UK can return to growth and compete internationally, but wonders which government – if any – will do what is necessary. He discusses the mindless vandalism of cracking down on overseas students. And he considers whether China's increasing economic woes will benefit India, the world's biggest democracy.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson casts his eye over a lacklustre box office, despite 5 new films in the top 10 places. At #1 is Matilda the Musical, which James thought might be the worst musical he's ever seen, unsubtle, unengaging and with no sense of reality. He was unimpressed with Disney animation Strange World at #3. But he was full of praise for She Said (#4), about sexual harassment in Hollywood, starring Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin fills Simon Rose in on the latest tech developments, after commemorating 50 years of Pong. There's a backlash against Tesla drivers over Elon Musk, Alexa turning kids' ideas into animated stories, remote control worms, San Francisco's killer robots, circuits printed on contact lenses, vegan honey, the first hydrogen jet engine test and ride-on suitcases for adults.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Victoria Scholar of Interactive Investor talks to Simon Rose about the reasons behind the recent better performance for markets around the world and the recent losses for the dollar. Although the outlook for the UK economy looks fairly bleak at present, it feels – as far as markets are concerned – as if the Santa rally has come early this year.
Guests: Victoria Scholar
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Russ Mould of A J Bell explains why interest rates are so important for property and why shares such as Real Estate Investment Trusts fall as the 10-year "risk free" gilt yield goes up. But many are on big discounts to net asset value (which may yet fall of course). Central banks are more worried about deflation than inflation, reckons Russ, and if interest rates are peaking, it may be worth keeping an eye on the sector, bearing in mind that there are many different types of REITS and lots carry a good deal of debt.
Guests: Russ Mould
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
With box office off 37% and Wakanda Forever still at #1, James Cameron-Wilson strongly recommends black satire The Menu with Ralph Fiennes at #2. Confess, Fletch, a spoof detective movie with Jon Hamm only made #16. However, James does also recommend psychological thriller The Wonder, directed by Sebastián Lelio, which vanished quickly from cinemas but is now on Netflix. Starring Florence Pugh, James found it a moving work of art.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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