Contra Zoom

Contra Zoom

By Dakota Arsenault, Rachel GordonTV & FilmMusic
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Contra Zoom episodes

  • 18: Oscar Extravaganza 2016 Part 1

    Our Oscar Extravaganza podcast used to be held over at Capsule the last few years and we are excited to have it return to the permanent home of Contra Zoom.

    Make sure you get up to speed with the weekly Contra Zoom episodes of past and Oscar Primers going over the contenders.

    Friend of the show Dasha Peregoudova who actually beat Dakota last year in his Oscar Pool, so she knows her stuff joins Dakota and Andreas this week.

    The gang did a trivia contest and due to some wonky math Andreas came out on top with 16 points and a smiley face then Dasha with 15 points and Dakota came in last with just 9 points.

    Everyone takes some turns going over their big snubs and then start to make their picks for which they want to win and whom they think will win for some of the big categories.

    – Best Animated Feature

    – Best Cinematography

    Join us in a few days when Part 2 will be released covering the rest of the big categories!

    Let us know who you think will win big at the Oscars this year!

    Follow Dakota @Dgapa and Andreas @AndreasBabs and follow the show @ContraZoomPod on Twitter.

    Ways to Subscribe to Contra Zoom Podcast:

    • Subscribe via iTunes 
    • Subscribe via RSS
    • The post 18: Oscar Extravaganza 2016 Part 1 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

      50 min
    • 17: Spotlight on Bear Attacks

      This is the third Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written articles. He is flying solo this episode once again as he talks about The Revenant and Spotlight.

      Unfortunately due to my illness last week I was unable to talk about Brooklyn and Room, but you should still totally check those films out because they are great. 

      This is the last Oscar Primer Podcast, but you can check out my first and second ones to refresh your memory on who is likely to win. 

      These are the nominees for The Revenant.

      – Best Picture 

      – Best Actor- Leonardo DiCaprio 

      – Best Supporting Actor- Tom Hardy 

      – Best Directing- Alejandro González Iñárritu 

      – Best Cinematography- Emmanuel Lubezki 

      – Best Film Editing- Stephen Mirrione 

      – Best Costume Design- Jacqueline West 

      – Best Makeup and Hairstyling- Sian Grigg, Duncan Jarman and Robert A. Pandini 

      – Best Sound Mixing- Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño, Randy Thom and Chris Duesterdiek 

      – Best Sound Editing- Martín Hernández and Lon Bender 

      – Best Visual Effects- Richard McBride, Matt Shumway, Jason Smith and Cameron Waldbauer 

      – Best Production Design- Jack Fisk and Hamish Purdy 

      These are the nominees for Spotlight.

      – Best Picture 

      – Best Supporting Actor- Mark Ruffalo 

      – Best Supporting Actress- Rachel McAdams 

      – Best Directing- Tom McCarthy 

      – Best Original Screenplay- Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy 

      – Best Film Editing- Tom McArdle

      Make sure you check out the latest written Oscar Primer where Dakota discusses Ex Machina, Trumbo and Creed. These primers come out every Monday with next week’s being the last of the season!

      Follow Dakota @Dgapa and follow the show @ContraZoomPod on Twitter.

      Ways to Subscribe to Contra Zoom Podcast:

      • Subscribe via iTunes 
      • Subscribe via RSS
      • The post 17: Spotlight on Bear Attacks appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

        31 min
      • 16: The Big Fury Road

        This is the second Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written articles. He is flying solo this episode once again as he talks about Mad Max: Fury Road and The Big Short.

        These are the nominees for Mad Max: Fury Road.

        – Best Picture

        – Best Directing for George Miller 
        – Best Cinematography
        – Best Editing
        – Best Production Design
        – Best Costume Design
        – Best Makeup and Hairstyling
        – Best Sound Mixing
        – Best Sound Editing
        – Best Visual Effects 

        These are the nominees for The Big Short.

        – Best Picture 

        – Best Supporting Actor for Christian Bale 

        – Best Director for Adam McKay 

        – Best Adapted Screenplay 

        – Best Editing

        Make sure you check out the third written Oscar Primer where Dakota discusses Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Straight Outta Compton and Shaun the Sheep Movie. These primers come out every Monday until the week of the Oscars. 

        Follow Dakota @Dgapa and follow the show @ContraZoomPod on Twitter.

        Ways to Subscribe to Contra Zoom Podcast:

        • Subscribe via iTunes 
        • Subscribe via RSS
        • The post 16: The Big Fury Road appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

          37 min
        • 15: Star Wars Prequels, Originals and Sequels

          Who cares that Star Wars: The Force Awakens came out way back in December! Dakota and Andreas give a review for what will end up being the first of second highest grossing film of all time! The guys really enjoyed the film with Andreas even putting the film at number 11 in his top films of 2015 post!

          The guys then discuss if the Original’s were as great as everyone remembers and if the Prequel’s were as terrible as everyone remembers. 

          The next Star Wars film has actually been pushed back a year to December 2017. 

          In case waiting that long for a Star Wars film you can bide your time with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which takes place just before A New Hope. 

          Let us know what you think about The Force Awakens along with all six of the older films! 

          Follow Dakota @Dgapa and Andreas @AndreasBabs and follow the show @ContraZoomPod on Twitter.

          Ways to Subscribe to Contra Zoom Podcast:

          • Subscribe via iTunes 
          • Subscribe via RSS
          • The post 15: Star Wars Prequels, Originals and Sequels appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

            1 hr 2 min
          • 14: Bridge of Martians

            This is the first Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written articles. He is flying solo this episode as he talks about The Martian and Bridge of Spies.

            These are the nominations for The Martian

            – Best Picture

            – Best Actor for Matt Damon

            – Best Adapted Screenplay 

            – Best Production Design

            – Best Sound Mixing

            – Best Sound Editing

            – Best Visual Effects

            These are the nominations for Bridge of Spies

            – Best Picture

            – Best Supporting Actor for Mark Rylance 

            – Best Original Screenplay

            – Best Production Design

            – Best Original Score

            – Best Sound Mixing

            Make sure you check out the first written Oscar Primer where Dakota discusses The Hateful Eight, Inside Out and Joy. These posts will be posted once a week. 

            Dakota joined Sean Chin and Andreas Babiolakis to talk about the Oscar nominations among other things on this week’s episode of Capsule.

            Andreas and Dakota gave their immediate reactions to the Oscar nominations last week on Contra Zoom. 

            Andreas also wrote about the Oscar nominations.

            Follow Dakota @Dgapa and follow the show @ContraZoomPod on Twitter.

             

            The post 14: Bridge of Martians appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

            30 min
          • 13: Oscar Nomination Reactions

            This week Dakota and Andreas go over the just announced Oscar nominations. 

            The guys talk about the films with the most nominations including The Revenant with 12, Mad Max: Fury Road with 10 and The Martian with 7. They also talk about surprises both good and bad and some snubs.

            They also go through the big categories and discuss whom the early front-runners of some key categories are:

            – Best Picture

            – Best Director

            – Best Actor

            – Best Actress

            – Best Supporting Actor

            – Best Supporting Actress

            – Best Original Screenplay

            – Best Adapted Screenplay

            Make sure you check out Andreas’ reaction post to the nominations that went up right away after the contenders were announced.

            Throughout the Oscar season Dakota will be continuing his great Oscar Primer series going over what chances certain films have to win their awards.

            The last week before the Oscar’s there will be the 3rd annual Roundtable Discussion with special guests making their final predictions and having some fun with the ceremony itself.

            Music from this episode is the Oscar Nominated Simple Song #3 from Youth. 

            Follow Dakota @Dgapa and Andreas @AndreasBabs and follow the show@ContraZoomPod on Twitter.

            The post 13: Oscar Nomination Reactions appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

            35 min
          • 12: FROM WINGS TO BIRDMAN 1947-1958 PART 2

            On this episode the guys continue their talk about the third edition of their Best Picture Winners revisits. Check out Part 1 from the years are 1948-1957 (the 20th– 29th Oscar winners) here. You can find Edition 1 here and Edition 2 here and Part 2 here. 

            In Part One the guys reveal their bottom five of the decade.

            10. The Greatest Show on Earth

            9. Around the World in 80 Days

            8. From Here to Eternity

            Tie for 6th place

            6. An American in Paris

            6. Marty

            On this episode they list the top five of the decade.

            5. Hamlet

            4. All About Eve

            3. All The King’s Men

            2. On The Waterfront

            1. The Bridge on the River Kwai

            As usual we award the best performances and film with our own version of the Oscar’s!

            Best Picture- Bridge on the River Kwai for both Dakota and Andreas

            Best Actor- Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront) for both Dakota and Andreas

            Best Actress- Anne Baxter (All About Eve) is Dakota’s pick

            Bette Davis (All About Eve) is Andreas’ pick

            Best Supporting Actor- Karl Malden (On The Waterfront) is Dakota’s pick

            John Ireland (All The King’s Men) is Andreas’ pick

            Best Supporting Actress- Celeste Holm (All About Eve) is Dakota’s pick

            Eva Marie Saint (On The Waterfront) is Andreas’ pick

            Songs from this episode are from Justin Nozuka. 

            • Hera
            • Blue Velvet Sea
            • Dakota photographed and Andreas reviewed Justin back in July at the Danforth Music Hall when he opened for the legendary Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. 

              You can purchase Justin’s latest album Ulysees on iTunes here.

              Follow Dakota @Dgapa and Andreas @AndreasBabs and follow the show @ContraZoomPod on Twitter.

              The post 12: FROM WINGS TO BIRDMAN 1947-1958 PART 2 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

              1 hr 24 min
            • 11: James Bond
              Dakota and Andreas review the latest James Bond film Spectre that came out on November 6th, it is the 24th installment in the franchise and was directed by Sam Mendes based on the novels by Sir Ian Fleming.

              * Daniel Craig will in fact be returning for one more film.
              * Other performances the guys cover include Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Monica Bellucci, Andrew Scott and Dave Bautista.
              * Dakota makes a case for Daniel Craig being the Best Bond while Andreas argues on behalf of Sean Connery.

              Best Bond Song

              * Dakota picked Another Way To Die by Jack White and Alicia Keys from Quantum of Solace
              * Andreas picked Diamonds Are Forever by Shirley Bassey from Diamonds Are Forever

              Best Globetrotting Location

              * Dakota picked China sequence (Hong Kong, the Macau casino and the Macau private island) from Skyfall
              * Andreas picked the Bahamas from Thunderball

              Best Bond Villain

              * Dakota picked Raoul Silva played by Javier Bardem from Skyfall
              * Andreas picked Dr. No played by Joseph Wiseman from Dr. No

              Best Bond Girl

              * Dakota picked Madeleine Swann played by Léa Seydoux from Spectre
              * Andreas picked Tatiana Romanova played by Daniela Bianchi from From Russia With Love

              Best Action Sequence

              * Dakota picked the Madagascar parkour sequence from Casino Royale
              * Andreas picked the car chase sequence from Never Say Never

              Best Death Scene

              * Dakota picked the Mr. Hinx skull-crushing intro from Spectre
              * Andreas picked the Goldfinger death scene from Goldfinger

              1 hr 11 min
            • 10: FROM WINGS TO BIRDMAN 1947-1958 PART 1

              On this episode the guys start talk about the third edition of their Best Picture Winners revisits. The years are 1948-1957 (the 20th– 29th Oscar winners). You can find Edition 1 here and Edition 2 here and Part 2 here. 

              Dakota and Andreas talk about the history of HUAC (The House of Un-American Actives) and the Hayes Code both black marks on the history of Hollywood.

              Sarah Rix’s favourite films

              • Oceans Eleven
              • Fantastic Mr. Fox
              • Children of Men
              • Make sure you follow Sarah on Twitter!

                10. The Greatest Show on Earth

                9. Around the World in 80 Days

                8. From Here to Eternity

                Tie for 6th place

                6. An American in Paris

                6. Marty

                Music this week is from Justin Nozuka a worldly talent from right here in Toronto. 

                Songs featured on this episode are:

                • Eyes Changing Colour
                • Right by You
                • Dakota photographed and Andreas reviewed Justin back in July at the Danforth Music Hall when he opened for the legendary Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. 

                  You can purchase Justin’s latest album Ulysees on iTunes here.

                  Follow Dakota @Dgapa and Andreas @AndreasBabs and follow the show @ContraZoomPod on Twitter.

                  The post 10: FROM WINGS TO BIRDMAN 1947-1958 PART 1 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

                  1 hr 13 min
                • 9: TIFF and Early Oscar Predictions

                  TIFF is in its 40th year.

                  Andreas and Dakota (mostly Andreas though) covered a bunch of TIFF films including Love, Stonewall, Lolo, Room and more. Check out their capsule reviews HERE. 

                  • We compared TIFF to the Venice Film Festival, which is now overlapping with TIFF
                  • Previously TIFF has 5 Best Picture Oscar Winners and an additional 8 other films that were nominated win their prestigious People’s Choice Award
                  • Films we think are the most likely to be nominated for Best Picture include The Martian, Steve Jobs, Room, The Revenant, The Hateful Eight, Joy, Carol, The Danish Girl and Spotlight.
                  • Some of the other films we think might be nominated include Black Mass, Bridge of Spies, Inside Out, Trumbo, Brooklyn, 45 Years and Suffragette. 
                  • Music this week is from Toronto singer songwriter Mirian Kay featuring her songs Follow, Breaking the Chains and Sad Eyes. 
                  • Follow her on Twitter @Mirian_Kay and check out her website for more information on her. 
                  • Purchase Mirian Kay’s EP on Bandcamp HERE.
                  • Dakota shot and reviewed Mirian Kay last summer, check it out HERE.
                  • Follow Dakota @Dgapa and Andreas @AndreasBabs and follow the show @ContraZoomPod on Twitter.

                    The post 9: TIFF and Early Oscar Predictions appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

                    58 min

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