Advertise on podcast: Real Movies Fake History with Gaz and Mel

Gari and Mel critique the Ron Howard 1995 movie Apollo 13, the landmark drama about the daring rescue of NASA's Apollo astronauts, starring the insurmountable Tom Hanks, a sickly Bill Paxton and a painfully single Kevin Bacon. Mel takes us through the true story to tell us what's true and what's fiction in Hollywood's depiction of the infamous ill-fated attempt to land on the moon. Gari then takes us behind the scenes into the details of how you fake zero gravity on a movie set, which somehow involves drugging your lead actors. This is one you don't want to miss! We also play the Tom Hanks Rotten Tomatoes game, where Mel tries her luck to guess the film scores of one of cinema's great actors. Surely she'll do well? Listen now to find out! If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

Gari and Mel critique The Grizzlies, the 2018 Canadian drama about the creation of an Inuit student lacrosse team in Northern Canada. Inspiring and confronting in equal measure, we talk through the true story, discussing the harsh reality of living in the isolated Arctic town of Kugluktuk, the sobering causes behind the community's historical trauma, and the remarkably uplifting story of how a sport can provide hope to youth just when they need it most. It's a beautiful story, and you won't want to miss us chat about what makes it special. We also play another Rotten Tomatoes game, where Mel may be shocked with the scores of some of our favourite childhood sports movies. If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

This time Gari and Mel critique Gorillas in the Mist, the 1988 true story of primatologist Dian Fossey, whose remarkable conservation work with Mountain Gorillas and unsolved murder have become the stuff of legend. Mel takes us through the true story to learn just how sanitised the movie is compared to the real history. Gari then takes us behind the scenes on the remarkable production where Sigourney Weaver and the crew really filmed with Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda, often taking risks you wouldn't believe. It's an episode you don't want to miss. If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

This is it. This is the big one. We finally critique Ridley Scott's Oscar winning Gladiator, starring the formidable Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius. He may be a father to a murdered son and a husband to a murdered wife, but does the movie he's starring in hold up after all these years? Mel takes us through the real history of Rome and its gladiatorial combat and gives us the lowdown on the many accurate and inaccurate aspects of the history that's represented. We also get into the detail on what it's like to work with the wild and legendary Oliver Reed, and how could we forget play the Russell Crowe Rotten Tomatoes game? If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

This time we're critiquing the newly released Nuremberg, where Russell Crowe fills the rather large shoes of Nazi leader Herman Göring, who is on trial for a host of appalling crimes against humanity at the newly-established International Military Tribunal. Rami Malek also joins him, playing his eccentric psychiatrist, Douglas Kelley. But is the film any good? We give you the honest appraisal - the movie may be hoping for Oscars, but does it really deliver? Mel also takes us deep into the true story and the book the film is based on to give us the verdict on how accurate the movie is to the real history. If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

We critique the true history behind Will Smith's Oscar winning performance in King Richard, where he plays Richard Williams, the father and coach of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. We talk about the real reason the family moved to Compton, the complexity of the real people that the movie leaves out, and ask ourselves how the movie holds up against the real story. We also fit in a great Rotten Tomatoes game where Mel gets to guess the scores of Will Smith's filmography! If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

A big announcement - we're back! In this short chat, we talk about what films we'll be covering in our exciting upcoming episodes so you can be all ready to join us. To warm up, we couldn't help but break down our picks for the BEST and WORST movies of 2025 (so far). If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

Gaz and Mel review one of the biggest blockbusters of 2024, the sequel to the 2000 classic, Gladiator ll. There's a monkey fight, there's a rhino battle, and they even flood the colosseum, but is the movie any good? Is Paul Mescal a good Russell Crowe replacement? How accurate is the movie to the real story? Has Ridley Scott still got the old magic?  Listen now to find out. If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

Mel and Gaz critique the true history behind the 2024 Netflix hit Scoop, the compelling story of BBC Newsnight's infamous Prince Andrew interview by Emily Maitlis. We talk about how the real Sam McAlister played her pivtol role, discuss the relationship between Jeffery Epstein and Prince Andrew and the reasons behind how their crimes remained covered up for so long. We also fit in a great Rotten Tomatoes game where Mel gets to guess the scores of some of cinema's great (and no-so-great) Television themed movies! If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

Mel and Gaz critique the true history behind the 2022 film She Said, the compelling story of how NYT reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey investigated the sexual abuse and misconduct of film producer Harvey Weinstein. We talk about the brave women who inspired the worldwide #metoo movement, discuss the system of enablers that allowed Weinstein to stay in power, and provide insight into the real people. We also fit in a great Rotten Tomatoes game where Mel gets to guess the scores of some of cinema's great (and no-so-great) journalism movies! If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

Twister-fans, it's time to celebrate. Gaz and Mel review one of the biggest blockbusters of the summer, the sequel to the 1996 disaster classic, Twisters. Yes, there are tornadoes, there are explosions, and there's Glen Powell in a tight white t-shirt, but is the movie any good? Mel speaks to her deep love for the original movie. We dive in to talk performances, plot, and gender roles. Does it create a storm or is it just hot air? And the fun really gets going when we talk about on-screen chemistry - do Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glenn Powell have any? Let's find out. If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

Mel and Gari have watched the Russell Crowe exorcism movie The Exorcism so you don't have to. Really - you don't have to. Let our review do the work for you. Remarkably it is also entirely unrelated to last year's Russell Crowe exorcism movie. But Is it any good, or is it The Worst Movie of the Year? Let's find out! In preperation, Mel has also watched The Exorcist (1973) for the first time this month and she tells us her thoughts. Remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

Mel and Gaz return to review the true history behind the foul mouthed Wicked Little Letters, the movie inspired by the true story of the Littlehampton letter scandal. Plenty of cursing ahead as we critique the movie and discuss what life was really like for women in the 1920s, during a time when the suffragettes fought for equal rights. How much of the story is true to the real history? We also play a special Guess the Rotten Tomatoes score where we use the power of A.I. to generate some outrageous insults for both of us! And the results are quite something. Remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

Discover the true history behind the movie Downfall (2004), the outstanding WW2 film depicting the final days of the Third Reich. On this episode we dive into the real history and discuss Adolf Hitler's drug addiction, his special relationship with Albert Speer, the real story of Hitler's personal secretary, Traudl Junge, and we also find time to critique the highest grossing World War 2 movies of all time. Also stay tuned to the end to hear Gaz provide a good rant about Oppenheimer. If you enjoy our content, please remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks for your support! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

Discover the true history behind Julie & Julia, the movie inspired by the blogger Julie Powell and infamous chef & author Julia Childs. Does the film still hold up? We discuss the publishing journey of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, talk about the performances of Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep, discuss the generational gap between each character, and finally, we play the Rotten Tomatoes game for Meryl Streep's filmography! Remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS